Carousel Days
The enduring charms of a family estate on Lake Tahoe.
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Tucked away on six woodsy acres on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, the Carousel estate is the perfect blend of summer cottage and mountain lodge. Upon approach, the caretaker’s house is the first visible building, but the driveway winds closer to the lake, revealing the main house and a walkway that leads to an incredible view of Lake Tahoe’s gorgeous blue water.; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();) |
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Built in 1925 by famed San Francisco architect George Kelham, the 12,000-square-foot estate is comprised of four buildings—the master suite, middle house, main house and caretaker’s house. Effortlessly fitting into its natural surroundings, the home’s architecture brings the beauty of the outdoors in.
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After Kelham, the estate changed hands a few times before George Quist surprised his family and purchased it in January 1982. Quist co-founded the San Francisco investment bank Hambrecht & Quist in 1968. Sadly, he only enjoyed the home for one summer, as he passed away in December of that same year.
His wife, Robin Quist Gates, did not see the home before the purchase, and had no idea how she wanted to decorate until she became familiar with the estate. The previous owners had a butler and a maid, keeping the home very formal. “I didn’t ever see it that way,” says Gates.
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Gates, who took on the interior design of the entire estate,
included whimsical country accents in the dining room, such as chairs covered in
blue plaid, a large wood table, a brass chandelier and a pair of bear
paintings by local artist John “Jack” Johannsen. As is the case throughout the
house, the room has views of the lake. (Click image to enlarge)Instead, she decided on casual elegance, with comfort being top priority. She saw the home as a gathering place for relaxation and fun. Eleven bedrooms, nine-and-a-half bathrooms, two living rooms and three stone patios provide ample room for lounging. “The house has the ability to really open up and accommodate many people without losing its intimacy,” says William Quist, the eldest grandchild and son of Robert and Leslie Quist. “It’s such an unbelievable escape.”
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The estate was named Carousel by a previous homeowner in 1952; the same year he purchased a Chriscraft Racing Runabout boat that shares the same name. Robert Quist (Robin and George’s son) reunited the wooden boat with the estate in 1994, when the previous owner felt it was only right for it to return to its proper home. Most of the boat is original, including the engine and instruments. “We use it every summer for visiting friends on the west shore, as well as slow ‘cocktail cruises’ along the shoreline,” says Robert.
The furnishings Gates chose for the home are delightful and comfortable, making it a wonderful place to entertain. An Americana theme is carried throughout in the form of flags, pillows, artwork and other decorative items. The furniture is a mix of old and new, with some antiques as well as items inherited from previous owners. The antique Garner stove in the main kitchen is believed to be original to the home. Though fully functional, the stove required maintenance over the years and the current repairman requested first dibs if the Quists ever decide to get rid of it.
Tahoe Luxury Properties, 800.581.8828, www.tluxp.com
Gary Collignon, C.G. Construction and Woodworks, 530.587.1441
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