Art and home are one at this stunning Belvedere residence listed with top-producing agents the Skall Glassman Group at Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty. We catch up with the current owners, artist Marine Strage and husband Geoffrey Strage, to learn more about the allure of 140 Bella Vista, and living the ideal “island life.”

**140 Bella Vista, Belvedere | Listed for $7,495,000**
Shown here, from left: Jennifer Glassman, Marcia Skall, Marine and Geoffrey Strage
Photography: Rob Jordan, Rob J Photos

How did you find this slice of heaven and make it your own?

Marine: We got very lucky when we found this location. It reminded us of Europe, especially the views. They were very similar to the views over the Amalfi Coast in Italy. The house had rooms large enough to accommodate and give life to our art and sculptures.

Geoffrey: When we left London to come to California, we spent six months traveling with our young children, in Europe and Southeast Asia. The children were six and eight, and a lot of people thought we were insane. We collected a lot of eclectic art and sculpture along the way with no solid idea of what house we might find in California. We knew we wanted to be by the sea and somewhere near San Francisco.

So, it was a match. Familiar vistas, and enough space for your art and collections. Was it love at first sight then?

Marine: When we saw the house, we had a coup de foudre (love at first sight) for the view! Personally, it reminded me of both the Italian coast of Positano and the coast of Britanny, where I am from, especially with the sailing culture. We’ve lived here for 10 years, and the gorgeous view never gets old. In fact, it influenced my art practice a lot. It is an endless source of inspiration for painting: the atmospheric quality of the light is unique as it is tinted by the morning fog rolling over the Angel Island. It brings a peaceful feeling of happiness. Belvedere’s streets and the views resonate with the charm of old European cities.

How do your backgrounds, family and aesthetics compliment living here? And in the broader community of Belvedere?

Marine: As a French artist who grew up in Brittany and studied and worked in Paris, I love art, culture, and to be on or near the sea. So does my husband Geoffrey, who I met in Bali on holiday before moving to London in 2000 to start a life together. Our two daughters share this same passion. Living here is really about having an island life mentality: beautiful sceneries and a tight community. A feeling of peace, retreating from the rest of the world while being just a few minutes away from where it is all happening—that is so characteristic of Belvedere.

Geoffrey: We do enjoy this part of the island in particular. The close water views over the yacht club offer an ever-changing scene populated by boats, children, thousands of sea birds and marine life such as seals and sea lions.

Entertainers’ Dream: Living room, dining room, and terrace

Talk to us about the marriage of art and your work with the home.

Marine: I wanted this home to be a testament to the beauty of a California lifestyle. I am drawn to the beauty of the water, the sky, and the light we experience in this house throughout the day. The different series of art pieces displayed in the house represent that: the atmospheric moody soft winter light with the delicate fog; the big sky views and moon nights; and the vibrant flower fields in spring all around Belvedere and Tiburon. The house has so many large galleries and hallways that it was the perfect blank canvas to curate a selection of art that reflects the beauty of the environment, even in an abstract way. How many homes give you as many windows with a great view, while giving you so many walls to hang art? It was the perfect fit for us.

Describe a memorable moment here.

Marine: I will never forget what our young six-year-old daughter said while visiting the house for the first time: “Daddy, do you have your credit card so that we can buy this house now?”

Rear view and grounds of 140 Bella Vista

It worked! What advice would you give to buyers of this home? And other sellers in Belvedere?

Marine: Belvedere is truly special, and you can fall in love with the island vibes. Anyone who chooses to live here has a particular taste for old class and grandeur of views. There are not many places we have seen in the world that offer that amazing combo: closeness to—and views of—a big city, and an amazing lifestyle for a family with proximity to restaurants, schools, sport clubs, gorgeous weather, stunning views and hikes. This special enclave features homes with character and history, and a concentration of super interesting international people who share the same values. We made friends for life on Belvedere Island, and everyone who visits us says we live the California dream.

Expansive home office with Corinthian Island views

Talk to us about the importance of proper representation when selling this home. Why the Skall Glassman Group?

Geoffrey: We felt that Marcia and Jennifer would be the perfect team to demonstrate and share our dream of what a special place this could be to raise a family in elegance. Their attention to detail, understanding of the value, marketing power, and their network were second to none. They helped us share that vision in a way we felt nobody else could.

What advice would you give to our readers reading this now?

Geoffrey: Come see this enchanting paradise.

Marine: …and fall in love with Bella Vista and Belvedere.

Artist: Marine Strage with her work displayed in main living room

140 Bella Vista, Belvedere
Listed for $7,495,000
• 6 Bedrooms + Office
• 5 Bathrooms + 2 Half-bathrooms
• 5,760± total sq. ft., 830 sq. ft. ADU

140BellaVista.com

SkallGlassman.com

Marcia Skall, MBA
415.533.5721
m.skall@ggsir.com
Lic.# 01077678

Artful Living

This material is based upon information which we consider reliable, but cannot represent that it is accurate or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such. This offering is subject to errors, omissions and changes including price or withdrawal without notice.