In a region dominated by white farmhouses, a custom home on Sonoma’s historic east side paves the way for a new architectural path. Its natural modernism stands apart, yet its soul remains pure wine country: earthy, honest and thoughtfully built with sustainability in mind.
The home is the work of Ridge Design and Build, a family-owned firm led by siblings Allegra Diggins and Aaron Tudisco, and Tudisco’s wife, Sena Tudisco. The team handled nearly every aspect of the project, from the architecture and construction to the interior design and landscaping.
“The aesthetic is modern organic with a strong sense of place,” Allegra says. “It’s grounded in natural materials and soft neutrals with clean architectural lines and curated textures that feel elevated but approachable.”
The moment you step inside the U-shaped, 7,000-square-foot home, designed around a central courtyard and pool, it’s clear that every decision was made with purpose and perspective. Floor-to-ceiling windows line nearly every wall, capturing stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and scenic Sonoma hills. “The rear courtyard became the heart of the layout,” Sena says. “It allows for nearly every room to open to the outdoors and makes the most of the site’s natural light.”
The material palette throughout is restrained but richly layered. Ceilings are clad in hemlock from Delta Millworks, while brass details punctuate door hardware and light fixtures. Softening the streamlined architecture, lime-washed walls, hand-troweled plaster and white oak cabinetry create a warm, lived-in feel. Even in the design’s restraint, the Ridge team embraced whimsy and variation.
Curved forms in the furniture echo architectural arcs seen in the fireplace, bathroom walls and bar alcoves. Tactile materials ensure no surface feels cold or overly minimal. “We wanted the home to feel calm, quiet and restorative — a place to truly unwind,” Allegra says.
The first impression is made in the foyer, where a cobalt blue Arcade console from Martin & Brockett, sourced from 1stDibs, anchors the space with a sculptural Noctambule floor lamp from Flos. A mix of terracotta pottery and a Queensland bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris) are just a few of the organic surprises woven throughout the light-filled home. Celebrating Sonoma’s oenological roots, a 20-foot wine vault, ambiently lit at night, stretches across one wall that connects the foyer to the main space.
At the center of the living space is a dramatic fireplace, a sculptural moment anchored in Madeirus quartzite sourced from Brazil, a stone rich in green tones with warm brown veining. At night, LED lighting from above casts a soft glow, enhancing the earthy lime plaster surround and revealing the thoughtful curvature that gently pulls the fireplace into the room. “We wanted to evoke this feeling that it just kind of fell from the sky,” Aaron says. “It’s my favorite detail in the entire house.”
Beyond the fireplace, the main living area spills into a “show” kitchen. The separate caterer’s kitchen is outfitted with double ovens, a hidden dishwasher and beverage drawers. This dual setup keeps the main kitchen pristine during gatherings, which aligns with the home’s purpose as a second residence.
The home includes five bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom “We made each bathroom a little different,” Aaron says. “We used similar palettes but shifted materials.” Skylights flood the spaces with natural light, enhancing their serene, spa-like atmosphere.
The primary suite is a masterclass in merging architecture and furniture. A bouclé Alcova bed from Conte Casa inspired a custom backlit architectural wall that elevates the space. “It’s a great example of how we let furniture guide the design,” Allegra explains. “We pulled from Italian brands like Nicoline and Ditre, vintage finds and local makers to create a balance of lived-in and refined.”
Across the courtyard, the guest house is a continuation of the home’s ethos: sleek yet soulful. Here, vertical terracotta tiles by Clé embellish the bathroom, and an additional lounge room offers versatility as a gym or media escape. An outdoor fireplace clad in earthy brick creates a warm gathering point, mirroring the design language of the main house.
The outdoor areas are designed to be an extension of the home’s indoor spaces. The pool, visible from nearly every room, is the focal point, inviting the homeowners and their guests to dive in from spring to fall.
Drought-tolerant landscaping composed of olive trees, agave and boxwood ensures sustainability is key. “We try to really tie into zero-scape as much as possible,” Aaron explains. The property also features wells, a rainwater capture system and solar panels.
In all aspects of the project, the team ensured no element was overlooked — from the concealed HVAC registers to the soft-close custom doors — reinforcing Ridge’s ethos: no corners cut, every box checked. Even the baseboards, made from slim white oak planks, are thoughtfully inset beneath the drywall, eliminating visual clutter and creating a seamless transition between floors and walls. “My father always taught us that quality comes first,” says Aaron, referencing the late Alan Jay Tudisco, founder of Ridge Design and Build. “We still carry that mandate into every detail.”
Perhaps what makes the home truly exceptional, however, is how much of it is personal. “It was definitely collaborative — equal parts creativity, decision-making and group text debates over tile samples,” says Allegra with a laugh. “Working as a family meant we could move quickly, trust each other’s instincts and also laugh through the occasional ‘spirited’ discussion.”
Aaron echoes that sentiment, adding: “This was a chance to honor our dad. We learned so much from him — how to do things the right way. That shows up in every decision we made.”
