'Hot Offer: Hidden Italianate estate in Carmel, priced at $2.3 million.'

This $2.3-million Italian-style villa on Estancia Street in Carmel is easy to miss from the road. The mailbox is the only pointer in front of dense rows of stately trees.

But follow the curved walkway, and the view of 20-foot mahogany doors, picturesque gardens and fountains is immediate. It's a great first impression.

Sitting on a little over four acres of land, this 6,900-square-foot home includes four bedrooms, six bathrooms, an elevator, a three-car garage and a pool. When built in 1979, the home was angular and modern. Real estate agent Karen French says the current owners, who declined to be interviewed, "renovated it from the ground up" five years ago.

Two-story lobby area

leads to a circular living room with two seating areas, a stone fireplace and a large dining table. The kitchen has two islands, two farmhouse style working sinks, four ovens, two built-in refrigerators and four freezers. The room has a breakfast nook surrounded by windows including a three light chimney.

French describes the villa as "adult living in all its glory." The previous owners held meetings with about 100 guests, she says. There's a 1,200-bottle wine cellar in the basement. The backyard has a large deck with a built-in kitchen area and a pool nearby.

The lot offers more'