Historic Mendocino Home and Water Tower
I was thrilled to get a call from Realtor Sarah Schoeneman of Mendo Sotheby’s International Realty to come spend a couple of days in Mendocino photographing a historic property in the village: the Bettencourt House and Water Tower Barn. Purchased as a fixer in 2001, the home and barn were restored over several years to balance their historic character with modern comforts. Set along the western edge of the village, the property has open views of the Pacific Ocean stretching across the bay.
Photographing this home meant paying attention to both its history and its renovation. The main residence, with its shiplap and shingle siding, looks out toward the coast from nearly every room. Inside, original wood floors, custom cabinetry, and carefully restored fixtures show the care that went into the work. My goal was to use light and shadow to reveal those textures and finishes, while also showing the sense of space and calm that defines the house.
The water tower barn, built in 1905 and restored in 2006, was equally interesting to capture. (I’ve always wondered what’s inside these ubiquitous structures so common in this town!) With beams and posts still visible — even the scoring of the sawmill’s blade — it now contains thoughtfully designed living spaces, including a “hidden bedroom” tucked behind a panel. Part of the fun photographing this place was showing how the old and the new come together. As usual, my best friend and world’s best assistant photographer, Tim, was ready with the lights and silks and flags, and we did a fair bit of light painting in some of these interiors with the dark wood. But wow, do I love the way light plays in a subdued interior like this!
Outside, the gardens tell their own story of change: once overgrown, the half-acre lot has been shaped into terraced beds with native plants, layered textures, and coastal color. From the hedge that screens the street to the paths leading toward the ocean, the setting feels private but still open to the landscape beyond. There were a number of beautiful vignettes to be found here — my favorite is of a blooming foxglove, with the water tower in the background. This project is a reminder of why I love historic home photography, and traveling for shoots in scenic places like Mendocino and up and down the California coast. I’ll be looking for more opportunities to take on projects like this one.
