boutique homes dispatches

Introducing Kaweah Falls

The latest addition to the Boutique Homes collection of vacation rentals for incurably stylish nomads is the architecturally stunning Kaweah Falls. Designed in 1947 by architect Frank Robert, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright’s, the house is built on the spot where a fresh mountain flume joins the Kaweah River.

The prime location makes for some interesting design features. Let’s take a tour.

Tucked away in the small town of Three Rivers, California (about 3 hour south of San Francisco and 4 hours north of Los Angeles), Kaweah Falls has the Sequoia National Forest in the backyard, a river running right through it, and an active waterfall right behind it. The atmosphere is one of tranquility and the emphasis is on the organic.

The house has undergone several renovations since its construction. As you can see in this older photograph of the house, Kaweah Falls once looked very different than it does today. Where it was just a charming riverfront home, Kaweah Falls has since been expanded to actually span the river, and the interiors have been opened to up to give the rooms a more airy, loft-like feel.

The architecture takes advantage of the natural surroundings by integrating them into the plan of the house itself. In the photo above you can see how, instead of working around the course of the flume, Kaweah Falls uses it as a unique, natural design feature to be embraced rather than hidden. Take a look at the plan below to get a better idea of the house’s layout and how it interacts with the environment.

The advantages are manifold. Kaweah Falls’ proximity to running water means guests can hear the peaceful burbling of the river and waterfall while enjoying waterfront views from every room. The house’s dining room, which acts as an interior bridge across the river, has a glass floor beneath the wine bar so you can watch rainbow trout making their way downstream. The design also creates a private beach, accessible by footbridge. It’s really quite ingenious! No wonder Kaweah Falls has been featured in Sunset Magazine, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and other esteemed publications – and it’s only been open to the public since June of 2011.

The interior of the house is furnished with classic mid-century furniture in keeping with Robert’s rustic modernism. Kaweah Falls has 4 bedrooms (each with en-suite bathroom) and accommodates up to 8 people.

There are several private decks and porches around the property which add to the indoor-outdoor aesthetic of the place. When not drinking in the beauty of the property itself, guests can head to the nearby Sequoia National Forest to partake in outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, mountain climbing, and horseback riding. Boating and fishing are available at Lake Kaweah, 5 miles downstream. In the summertime, adventurous guests can try their hand at whitewater rafting on the famous Kaweah River.

We’re thrilled to welcome Kaweah Falls to the Boutique Homes collection! You can see the full listing here. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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