Inside Two Brewers’ Peaceful, Eco-Friendly Retreat in Sonoma County

Two pioneering brewers, Kim Jordan (who co-founded New Belgium Brewery and the climate solution advocacy organization, Mighty Arrow Foundation) and Dick Cantrell (co-founder and former brewmaster of Elysian Brewing) had a goal to build a special retreat. “Our clients wanted to build a home for retirement where they could comfortably host family and friends, and where home-cooked meals, specialty beers, and outdoor entertainment and land stewardship were plentiful,” explains interior designer Regan Baker.

“Situated on 80 acres of meadow and forest, this family compound is architecturally comprised of a unique mix of materials in their natural form to create a home that blends into its natural surrounding and feels part of the earth,” says Regan.

Laure Joliet

They found the perfect site in Occidental, California, in Sonoma County to build their family compound. Prior to breaking ground, Kim and Dick ended up camping on the property for a year to familiarize themselves with the land and figure out how they wanted to live there. The finished design features a main home that features a shared living space with a laundry/gardening room, powder room, kitchen and pantry, dining room, and living room. There are two smaller structures that house the primary suite (one bedroom and one bathroom) and a guest suite (two bedrooms and one bathroom).

Entry in Sonoma Retreat by Regan Baker Design — The entry.

“The project architect, Chris Lynch of MAD Architecture, noted that the clients wanted a discreet, down-to-earth home that did not call attention to itself and instead felt a part of the Northern California landscape that surrounds it,” Regan explains. “The three distinct structures feature low-shed roofs and were designed for indoor-outdoor living, which was key to their lifestyle and guests’ experience.”

Living Room in Sonoma Retreat by Regan Baker Design — “The commissioned dandelion art hiding the TV was a piece our client found when hunting for art in Healdsburg,” Regan says.

The design philosophy for the home was to let the site inform all aspects of the home’s design, from capturing the views to wind protection to solar access. Kim and Dick also wanted to embrace the coastal location of the property, bringing the outdoors in. Chris was tasked with orienting the home to optimize views of Mount Saint Helen in the distance, plus the nearby redwood forest.

Kitchen in Sonoma Retreat by Regan Baker Design — The kitchen finishes were inspired by the clients’ Lucca espresso machine.

Being mindful of the surrounding environment was important during the property’s development, so the clients selected materials in their natural form, like soapstone counters, rustic walnut cabinetry, and board-formed concrete walls. Regan says the commitment to pure materials allows the home to blend into its natural setting for a living experience that feels “light on the land.”

Dining Area in Sonoma Retreat by Regan Baker Design — “The doors are always open to the exterior, and everything is performing and has patinaed beautifully… intentional with all the finishes chosen,” explains Regan.

Additionally, there were five other sources of inspiration for the home: an image of a pool surrounded by sand and in-ground vegetation with a simple concrete structure as the focal point; Lostine barstools that anchored the overall direction of the home due to their simple and interesting look; limewash walls; lichen found on the property that featured beautiful colors; and the couple’s walnut-veneered Lucca espresso machine.

Yellow Hallway in Sonoma Retreat by Regan Baker Design — The hallway’s hue was inspired by the chartreuse lichen found on the property.

Kim and Dick love pops of red and orange, so that informed the color palette. “While the color palette was inspired by a found rock on the property with chartreuse lichen attached, there was always a component of wooden red undertones,” Regan says. “The overall rusted corten steel exterior material palette was brought inside in a more organic way through the use of cedar and walnut. Two woods with red undertones.” Their love of unique sculptural art was also incorporated into the design, through pieces like the hung beehive and the commissioned dandelion art that hides the TV.

Bedroom in Sonoma Retreat by Regan Baker Design — Every room has stellar views.

Aside from the three structures, there is so much to explore and enjoy on the 80-acre site. An existing farmhouse was renovated to create housing for the ranch managers of the property, and the nearby farm was expanded to include more fruits and vegetables, plus beehives. A hot tub underneath a large tree can be found just a short walk from the main house. And true to their brewing roots, Kim and Dick designed a barn that includes a home-brewery and full kitchen for catering and hosting large dinner parties and gatherings.

Bathtub in Sonoma Retreat by Regan Baker Design — A relaxing spot to take a bath.

“A common experience when visiting is taking a stroll down to the nearby redwood forest grove after dinner. Outfitted with cozy sofas, rugs and hammocks, many Mighty Arrow meetings are held in this area amongst the trees!” adds Regan.

Hot Tub in Sonoma Retreat by Regan Baker Design — “Nestled beneath a large tree only a short walk from the main house, the hot tub offers a serene place to enjoy a beer and relax after a long day of outdoor activities,” Regan says.

The property is a truly idyllic space with its beautiful structures and details, but probably its most important feature is its fire-safe design. “The established architectural footprint by MAD Architecture using fire safe materials was a necessity given the higher fire risk of the location,” says Regan. “In line with Sonoma County building requirements, the materials used are fire resistant and include Corten steel, board-form concrete, and Shou Sugi Ban which relate to the intentional aspect of being mindful of the area’s fire season.”

Outdoor Hallway in Sonoma Retreat by Regan Baker Design — “It was important to us to keep the built environment clustered together as opposed to spreading buildings across the property,” says Kim.

Patio in Sonoma Retreat by Regan Baker Design — “For the home’s design, we wanted California coastal modern with some rustic flair that is WUI compliant. The feel should be welcoming, organic yet elegant,” says Kim.

Kim and Dick are proud of their eco-friendly, stunning design. “We are so fortunate to be able to work on a land stewardship project,” Kim says. “And then to add a beautifully conceived home—well, we are beyond grateful! The house works beautifully, and is a true joy to be in.”

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