Before diving into this week’s catastrophe, Estate has an exciting announcement: 

When you drive down Highway 280 in Hillsborough, CA, keep your eyes peeled for this week’s home -that been touted for its close appearance to the famous 1960s cartoon The Flintstones:

Built in 1976 by architect William Nicholson, this 3-bed, 2-bath, 2,730 sq. foot, and bulbous cartoonish property overlooks the Crystal Springs Reservoir. 

Alongside Nicholson, architect Eugene Tsui is responsible for the design of the show-stopping "biologic" kitchen:

I’ll note this now: keep your eyes peeled for the details in this home!

In just this room alone, I spy: metal swirls on the pantry door, wire to uphold the glass countertop, built-in wall bulbs to hold tchotchkes, and the same auburn orange color sprinkled throughout.

NWhere will you eat the new-age food that you prepare?

You have three options:

1) This quaint game room with a built-in mini bar.

Something about the “real” glasses feel out of place in this home, but don’t fret…

2) This chic (yet on-theme) dining room combines the warped doorways with the angular wealth of fine dining. Plus, take a look at those unique drink glasses!

3) My personal favorite: the conversation pit! No kidding a 1970s home has one of these, but the mint condition of the space makes it all the more impressive. The chandelier on the high ceiling, stained glass, fireplace, and multi-color pillows all nestled by the oblong window -that ensures that even the exterior of the home is just as detailed.

Nearby, the space flows into the primary bedroom, where the same features exist but with a new spin: a skylight, same auburn sheets, and a blocky stone coffee table. 

Furthermore, this wardrobe feels ripped from a cartoon! It gets to sit in a peek of one of the multiple deck spaces around the home… which happens to connect to the en suite bathroom. 

I just can’t believe how each space, room, nook, and cranny has its own unique-yet-cohesive aesthetic to it. 

Beneath the minuscule stained-glass windows, two plush dinosaurs inhabit the mountain-esque stone sink. 

While comical for official property photos, the dinosaurs play a perfect segue into the legality of this home being “The Flintstones House” in-real-life. For over 20 years, the home was privately owned -most likely by the commissioner of Nicholson’s work. It wasn’t until 2019 when the official Flintstones LLC was able to purchase and own the property to this day… for an estimated $4.1 million.

Off-brand listing information continues into the other photographed bedroom that has an empty cardboard Despicable Me display. The childlike nature of that piece explains the plushies in the previous room. At the same time, these moments humanize the in-your-face artistry of this home. 

A few more final details that are worth noting:

A peek at the staircase that’s reminiscent of those found in adobe homes. Also, this tertiary bedroom space, currently used as an art studio, with a deck that has an elevated scenic view.  

Finally, on the main floor’s bathroom a culmination of all of the unique features this home has to offer: the metal swirls, stained glass, artsy faces, warped walls… and a futuristic shower head?

I found a similar showerhead to show off its striking appearance. This design is representative of the property overall: whimsical, dated, and artistic, but somehow forward-thinking to the point of being timeless. 

It’s kind of like how the Flintstones are still on Fruity Pebbles boxes for the children of today.

See you next week,

Sarah @Homes.tastrophes

If you want to learn more about Hillsborough, CA, or any other neighborhood, check out the neighborhoods feature on Homes.com.