The remaking of McDonald Mansion

<p>The roof has been peeled off Santa Rosa's McDonald Mansion as the venerable 1875 residence on McDonald Avenue undergoes a complete, foundation-to-roof makeover.</p><p>The modern composite roof is being replaced by a more traditional shingle roof with a herringbone pattern. Several dormers that weren't part of the original house will be left off and a series of triangular windows called "eyebrows" will be added under the roofline in an effort to make the Eastlake Shingle-style home as architecturally accurate as possible, following an 1881 lithograph of the estate then called Mableton.</p><p>After installing seismic upgrades and building a new foundation, underground garage, home theater and wine cellar, work crews this month embarked on the second phase of the restoration -- all of the exterior work.</p><p>That includes new paint in gradations of green, a 50-foot reflecting pool, a cobblestone driveway, arbors and a restored gazebo.</p><p>Crews also are framing a new addition that will house a master bedroom and period kitchen.</p><p>Telecom executive John Webley and his wife, Jennifer, will spend more in restoration than the $3.6 million they paid for the estate.</p><p>The historic remodeling of Santa Rosa's most famous residence should enter its final phase in the fall. The Webleys hope to move in by early 2010.</p><p>In the meantime, they are making the restored gardens available for limited community events, including a July 19 gathering of the Cemetarians -- volunteers for Santa Rosa's Rural Cemetery -- and a July 25 social for the Sonoma County Museum.</p>