Lafond Conservatory of Music, Centralia, WA

A sweeping view from any room is enjoyed by all who enter the doors of the Conservatory, which is perched atop one of the highest promontories in south central Washington State.  Guests can watch the sun rise from every room on the east side of the house and see it set from the rooms with western exposure.

The 5800 square foot house has seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, formal dining room which seats up to 20 people at two tables, combined family room and kitchen with a walk-in cooler and freezer.  Fine ambrosial repast is assured in a kitchen which is also tasty to the eye.
 
In addition to a stone fireplace in the living room, there is a brick faced fireplace in the family room. Both fireplaces have raised hearths. Stone for the living room fireplace came from a quarry near Mossyrock.

The family room opens to a large patio on the east side overlooking Ham and Seminary Hills as well as the Cascade Mountain range, including Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood.  There is another large patio off the Mozart and Beethoven bedroom suites.  Many of the rooms have vaulted ceilings, some of them 30 feet high.

The house has eleven skylights on a tile roof to provide daylight in most rooms of the house.  Clerestory windows also provide extra daylight in the dining room, kitchen and family room.  The fascia on the outside of the house which is not brick is constructed of hammered copper artwork.

The Main Studio

The Dining Room

The Main Studio

View of Mount Rainier from the retreat house

Sunrise over Mount Rainier from the retreat house