A few observations from our Camp-out this weekend

[Liwen Cheung]

We did our first "camp-out" during lunch time today (Sunday). It's a fairly warm and overcast day and we weren't really able to observe any sunshine patterns. Nonetheless, here are some thoughts and photos capturing our preferences on views:

1. Outdoor play area/overflow parking

We love the idea of having one of the oak trees to provide a shady area (assuming we can trim a few branches at the bottom) for the kids to ride their bikes or shoot some hoops, while also providing a pad for overflow parking. If possible, perhaps we can even clear a hiking trail (nothing formal except clearing some brush) that can take us down to the other oak trees and perhaps all the way around the house, which would make a nice short hike around our land underneath the house.

2. Preferred view from Great Room/kitchen

Here is a panoramic view we'd love to capture from our Great Room, just to the left of the previous photo. From the family room, it would be great if we could see Mt. Diablo dead-on center, and preferably we'd also be able to see a little bit of the road leading up to our home, so we could see who's coming up. This is the most treasured view for us, and we want to make sure that we can enjoy it everyday from the Great room where we'll be spending 80% of our time.

3. View from living room (or dining)

While we weren't able to confirm exactly where the sun will set, our compass indicated that west was in the direction of the valley right in the middle of this photo. While the view is great (and different), we would not want any bedroom or our Great room to hit direct sunlight, so we're relegating that to the formal living room. If possible, we would also prefer NOT seeing the neighbor's house (incl. his two water tanks) toward the bottom of this photo.

If there were to be a trade-off on which room would have a view, between the formal living room and the dining, we would give it to the formal living. We would also prefer the dining room to allow for a nice, big round table that seats 8-10, instead of an oblong-shaped table.

4. Master bedroom view

This is another much treasured view, immediately to the left of the previous photo. We think this faces South/Southwest, and love being able to wake up to a little bit of the rolling hills as well as the San Ramon Valley. The lights from all the Windemere homes at night would be spectacular and make a great, relaxing view from our bedroom. Same comment noted for the neighbor's roof and water tanks.

Our only concern is the afternoon sun, and would prefer that our windows veer as much toward south as possible.

5. Vince's office

If possible, Vince would love for his office to feature this view of the rolling hills toward the Windemere permanent space (SxSE?). To be able to stare into as much greenery as possible would really help him rest his eyes away from the computer. Given that Vince really prefers a separate entrance to his office (which could also potentially serve as a shared entrance with the guest wing?), and also be as far away as possible from the Great Room to reduce noise and distraction, we think this also makes a convenient location for his office.

6. Other bedrooms/guest wing

So this is a view that's sandwiched between the previous two photos (i.e. master bedroom and Vince's office):

It's an amazing view of the Windemere/San Ramon Valley area, and we love it as well. We're just not sure if there is room for this to belong to the kids' bedroom (just one, or both?) or perhaps even the guest wing, but we'd love to find a way to maximize our enjoyment of this view.

With respect to the kids' rooms, here are three things we discussed as requirements:

1. Equity in views: If one kid's room has a view, then the other should as well. Else neither room gets it.

2. Kids' bedrooms need to be close to the master bedroom. Both for convenience and peace of mind (for us, not for them!)

3. Kids cannot go out or leave the house without first passing the master bedroom. Yes, we're paranoid parents trying to plan for rebellious teenagers later in life.

Overall, we had a great visit today and it reiterated two things we'd love for this home to achieve:

1. A relaxing, almost spa-like feeling when we come home

2. As much as we can, preserve the open, 360-degree view that we've come to cherish from this lot.