When Johnny Mercer penned the haunting lyrics “Those autumn leaves drift by my window,” I've always wondered if he had been watching a lake in October. Once the summer fireworks, fishing and fun are over, lakeside views might make one feel just a little nostalgic.

As the days grow short, living right on Lake Wildwood could have its own special challenges — unless, of course, you're visiting Vince and Saundra Mutascio's Mediterranean-style home. Here the welcome is warm and sunny all year long.

With three bedrooms, a den, three full bathrooms, and several half-bathrooms, its 4,000-sq.-ft. floor plan is gracious and elegant — and full of delightful surprises. European antiques live in perfect harmony with treasures from the Far East.

Let's start with its glowing Italian flair. The hues of harvest colors inside combine soft yellows with umber and terra cotta. The red accents, tile and stunning faux painting throughout create a textured, vintage feel.

Add the 1940s family furniture, the many eyebrow arches, and quiet-inlet views, and it's reminiscent of Lake Como in Northern Italy. There's an interior courtyard garden with a fountain, a sunken great room, a pantry with loads of copper cookware, and an innovative bar room.

The piano near the dramatic fireplace has filled the great room with music played by local masters Paul Emery and Don Batson.

Outside, you'll find terraced gardens with ferns, roses and grapes — plus a private bocce ball court. A fully appointed outdoor kitchen is perfect for al fresco, lakeside dining.

A “summer-fling” thing

Vince and Saundra moved here from Los Gatos eight years ago. “Originally, we intended the house to be our summer home,” Saundra said. “However, once we moved here, we felt so welcome and so connected to the community, our summer fling became a full-time love.” Following his career as cofounder and marketing vice president of Silicon Valley Power Supply Co., Vince is now an avid golfer. Saundra's dedicated volunteer work on behalf of Hospice of the Foothills and Music in the Mountains has made a significant difference.

When the Mutascios first saw the property, they described it as “1970s chic” — beautiful, but dated. Clearly, they were inspired because the home has been remodeled extensively with local expertise.

“We simply could not resist the lakeside location,” Vince said. Architect Dave Mann worked closely with Saundra and Carl Vanson of Van Son Construction to create the enchanting Italian villa look and feel. Credit for the lifelike murals (especially the one in the downstairs bathroom) goes to local artist Valerie Haynal. Vince designed a double-lift system that enabled the two-car garage to accommodate four cars. Len Stevens Construction raised the original interior garage ceiling to follow the exterior roofline. Using the bunk-bed principle, you'll now find the two classic cars on top. The cars in daily use are on the bottom for instant access.

Another clever space saver is the golf cart storage area. With little space available, turning the golf cart around was impossible. Solution? Vince and Carl Vanson designed and built a small golf cart garage, complete with a turntable for easy exits without ever having to back up.

Environmental advantages include a fire-retardant cement shake roof; three air-conditioning units that cool only designated areas, generous insulation throughout, eco-friendly appliances, and a highly efficient whole-house fan. Keeping and using much-loved family furniture is another way the Mutascios have worked with what they already had.

Earlier I mentioned the unusual combination of European furniture and artifacts with Asian influences. Saundra is a great believer that, “A home should reflect the owners' lives.” Their previous home in Los Gatos featured many statues, antiques and mementoes from Thailand, as well as the other places they'd visited on their extensive travels. But how do you combine Italy with the Far East? Admittedly, it's tricky.

However, I should mention that Saundra is a retired interior designer — and she's done it with skill, flair and intrigue — with occasional splashes of humor. For example, there's a bejeweled dressmaker's mannequin in a corner of one of the half baths. Its element of surprise creates an unusual link. It somehow changes the subject from Italian to Asian style.

Wrought iron banisters, crafted by Black Bart, guide you upstairs to the master bedroom and bath — and here is where you'll see an array of treasures from the Far East. Traditional blue-and-white vases, a cinnabar kimono holder by the bathtub, and an antique folding chair from the de Young Museum in San Francisco are just a few.

Saundra's interior design expertise is evident throughout. Her involvement from architectural design to construction to colors, contours, accents and artistry also reflects resourcefulness. She's worked with what she and Vince already had … what they enjoy and love … as well as what they use.

This truly is a home that makes one's spirits soar — whether the summer grapes, ferns and roses are thriving or the autumn leaves are falling.

Being innovative, yet treating what you already have and love with respect — that's the message that resonated in this enchanting home. The next homes I plan to visit will have their own messages about history, family life, creativity and our environment. Courtney Ferguson is a freelance writer living in Nevada County.