90 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM meandering the manor filoli.org a lake and mountains, was a beloved retreat for the Bourns and a huge inspiration for Filoli’s natural surroundings. “They originally wanted to put Filoli right on the edge of the Crystal Springs reservoirs, but weren’t allowed to get that close,” says Willa, adding that “before these trees grew in later years, you would’ve had a clear view of the water from the second floor of the house and from the top of the garden.” Nurturing Nature Nature guided the Bourns’ design decisions in numerous ways. Beyond its gorgeous gardens that even world leaders come to see, “Agnes and William wanted [a home] that felt more of the land than on top of the land,” Willa explains. “You arrive at Filoli by riding in on this curvy road through the woods and through the orchards—and you come up around the side of Filoli, you don’t come down one straight path that’s designed to blow you away with this vista of the house. You kind of happen upon it.” Before the indoor-outdoor concept really took off, the Bourns were adamant about bringing the garden into their grand halls. “The one staff space that’s not tucked away in the south wing is the floral arranging room,” Willa says, noting its central location between the foyer and main staircase. “It is right in the heart of the home.” For this couple, “having live flowers throughout their house was really important—and that’s reflected in the literal architecture of the house.” That outdoor appreciation extended to the home’s siting. The house is aligned with the mountain range rather than a more traditional north-south orientation, Willa describes. “All the windows of the main rooms in the house open up and look out on the Santa Cruz Mountains … Imagine them open on a beautiful day and the scents of the garden coming in.” PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: JEFF BARTEE - FILOLI / LIBERTÉ REILLY - FILOLI
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