September 2007: Page 12 Contents
Fifty giant oleanders trimmed as peacocks with pink and white blossoms on the extended tail feathers line the driveway of a magnificent 12-acre estate owned by Linda and Dr. Kevin Lester. Topiaries featuring a tall giraffe, a race horse in full stride and leaping dog are meticulously trimmed from shrubs on the expansive rolling lawn leading to the San Joaquin River. During the 16 years the Lesters have owned the property, innovative and beautiful designs, as described above, have become part of the incredible transformation of the home and its gardens. With the creative direction of landscape and interior designers, this home has become a sophisticated landmark in the city of Fresno. The 4,900-square-foot white Carmel cottage-style home, with black window shutters and rooftop dormers, belies its origin in 1986 as a rambling adobe, board and bat sided house. A white wood open beam, rounded portico in the front of the home has straight pergola wings with climbing vines on each side. Low, clipped box-wood hedges outline the formal garden where a pair of almost three-foot-tall cast bronze elephants raise their trunks in triumph. Onlookerswillimmediatelyrecognizetheowners'affinity for art when the front doors open to the home's entryway. One of the newest acquisitions is a life-size oil painting by famed Modernist Mark Stock, from his collection "Butlers and Voyeurs". The Lesters had to wait a full three years for the piece to become available for purchase. The painting depicts a tuxedo-clad butler leaning against a brocade drapery holding a silver tray and martini glass with an impression of red lipstick on the rim. A round cylinder display stand is also in the corner and has a lighted top By Penny Raven | Photos by Bob Marcotte Take AWalk On The Wild Side Fresno's Elegant Indoor Paradise | h o m e s t o r y | 12 FALL 2007 | HOME www.fresnomag.com SEPT_2007_Mag_104.indd 12 8/22/07 8:17:43 PM
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