IDYLLIC HILLTOP RETREAT
UNSURPASSED OCEAN, ISLAND & MOUNTAIN VIEWS

Hidden in the high country chaparral of Montecito just a stone’s throw from the west branch of Toro Canyon Creek is an estate retreat of extraordinary proportions with exquisite views and serene solitude. Although the footprint of the incredibly spacious home covers 10,000+ square feet, its panoramic ocean vistas and adjacent foothills and majestic mountains, makes the structure feel like a small pocket gem, quite intimate within the bold natural surroundings.

A palette of earthen colors washes over the buildings topped with red roof tiles, contrasted by the stunning celestial blue of the vast sky. The site is nearly at the top of the world, where soaring red-tail hawks, owls and woodpeckers mingle in the same space with genteel quail scurrying along the paths. Yet, it is minutes from Montecito Village life and the road to the 101 Freeway.

In this personal paradise, containing a landscape of unrivaled natural beauty blended with harmonious plantings and manicured emerald green lawn, a number of well-placed rock monoliths are intermixed with ancient Guadalupe and Canary Island palms carefully transplanted from old estates, swaying grasses, willowy eucalyptus, jewel-like euphorbia and other succulents, aromatic herbs, sages and lavenders.

This peaceful sanctuary affords many magical spots for quiet contemplation and creative exploration beginning with the spacious front courtyard and its reflecting pool. The glow of light, movement of shadows and the soothing sound of water springing from a boulder are bewitching. Texture is provided by yuccas, palms, papyrus, bougainvillea and a variety of succulents. At the entrance is the first of several uncommon works fabricated by old world artisans—a 16th Century Spanish convent gate with a warm patina and a rare set of antique Peruvian doors.

Comfortable, contemporary interior spaces seem to seamlessly mingle with the outdoors through the placement of view windows and doors. The entrance gallery has several narrow vertical bands of glass, providing a muted glow and glimpses of nature on the walk to various rooms. A skylight provides natural illumination throughout the day. Walls are blank slates ready for a personal collection.

Living Room
Soaring 23’ vaulted ceiling with Douglas fir beams and cedar planks of the living room contribute to this grand space, with a magnificent picture window framing ocean and patio views, well-situated lights, gas/wood burning fireplace with a mantle hand-chiseled from a boulder found in the adjacent canyon. As with most of the rest of the house, this room is wired for professional quality speakers, to be placed in acoustically perfect locations. French limestone floor, niche for wood logs, clerestory windows, and a custom cabinet for sound system components complete the room.

Immediately outside is the large patio and a lush lawn dotted with sycamores, eucalyptus and Nagouchi like boulders which lead the eye to viewpoints of the Pacific Ocean. Music reaches the patio trellis via the outdoor speakers.

Living Room Loft
Overlooking the living room is a contemporary sitting area with peeks of nature through the clerestory windows. This loft, with its light natural white oak floor and cherry wood entertainment center, is a tranquil space perfect for reading, conversing or listening to music.

Roof-top Terrace & Apartment
Steps from the loft is a door way leading to a terrace with breathtaking views of the ocean and mountains. One can almost reach out to touch the tops of the soaring palms and eucalyptus. Reddish blond Spanish pavers cover the entire space and lead into a studio bedroom. A small elevated niche fireplace with a hand-cut stone shelf mantle is built into one corner. A sink and sleek cabinets, French limestone counter, small refrigerator, built-in king size bed platform, vaulted wood beam ceiling and a sitting area enhance the space, which could be perfect for guests or family desiring privacy. They can fall asleep with a view of twinkling stars and awaken to unbelievable sights and sounds of nature. An outside stairway leads back to the ground floor.

Kitchen & Dining Areas
A warm, inviting kitchen awaits at one junction of the gallery and has all the amenities a home chef needs: German limestone counters, French limestone floors, two gas ovens, a Bosch electric convection oven, Bosch dishwasher, maple cabinets, Sub-Zero refrigerator, two pantries (one with wine storage, one with its own sink near a garden exit). The stainless steel Jade range has five burners, a griddle, and two ovens. The cook’s library shelves and desk are located within the main area.

A long skylight over the island floods the room with natural light during the day, frosted pendant lights and track lights take over in the evening. The dining space with hand-cut stone hearth/seat at the fireplace, opens onto to the screened sunroom. Nearby is a cedar closet and a laundry room with Neptune washer and dryer, sink and storage.

Just steps from the main patio is the dining room, casually elegant, situated to take advantage of the spectacular ocean view. The nine-foot tall entrance is unencumbered by doors. As with other rooms, this one is wired for sound and has well-placed lighting.

Sun Porch
This screened sunroom lives up to its name, two sides have sliders and expansive views. Heated limestone floor, lights and the sound system allow this room to be used day or night year ‘round. It’s accessible from the kitchen and dining room and situated next to the entertainment patio. A guest powder room is nearby.

Guest Room
The sun-filled guest room is a small utopia with its own patio, built-in shelves and a niche for a desk, full bath with soothing soft sage and lime tiles.

Library
Custom-built cherry bookcases and a daybed with storage fill this intimate area, with a view of the ocean and perhaps space for a writing desk and comfortable reading chairs.

Main Gallery Powder Room
Well-appointed with a unique modern glass pedestal sink and Moroccan tiles.

Studio
An artist’s dream studio with a soaring vaulted wood beam ceiling, skylights, light wood floors and paneling is a serene open space with tall windows that capture alluring views of the mountain, olive trees and mounds of lavender. Practical, simply styled built-in shelves, work sink, cabinets and counter tops are located on the perimeter. Additionally, there is a large storeroom with shelves. Gallery doors 48” wide with 9’ height leading to a ramp outside facilitates the movement of large canvases, sculpture or equipment. Pale aqua Italian tiles add a soft glow to the full bath within the studio.

Master Suite
A few steps into the foyer of the suite is a softly lit inner sanctum ideal for meditation or creative thinking. As with the limestone floors in other parts of the home, the floor here has a natural glow. A spacious main bedroom has sliding doors which lead to the patio and views beyond. Overhead is the retractable skylight, while outside is a lap pool that has been placed to fool the eyes by appearing to be a sleek glassy water bridge meeting the edge of the ocean.

Within the first of two en suite bathrooms, is a capacious, open blue-green German limestone shower. Generous storage drawers of bird’s-eye maple, walk-in closet with shelves, cherry wood drawers lined with cedar, and limestone counter with sink are conveniently located nearby. A window seat overlooks the pool and looks out towards the ocean.

Along the inner corridor’s storage drawer wall, the smooth modern wood finish is contrasted with a set of hand-carved antique doors from Mexico. A sleeping platform with cedar lined drawers for under-bed storage is adjacent to a grand window with a spectacular view of mountains. Within this wing is another walk-in closet, naturally lit by a skylight and the second fully appointed limestone bathroom, with an inviting tub.

Just beyond is the screened sleeping porch with bed platforms, speakers, Spanish pavers and more sensational ocean, harbor and mountain views—truly a mellow, old-fashioned concept with all the modern conveniences, awaiting starry warm summer nights.

Lower Level
Below the master suite, accessible by a stairway, is a bonus area with a versatile extra room, well-suited to become an office, guest suite, media room, playroom, potential recording studio or den. A sliding glass door leads to a stone patio; large windows provide memorable mountain views. Along one wall is a bar sink, capped with deep green tiles on the counter, plus storage cabinet and drawers. Enhancing the space further is a beautifully tiled bathroom with dual shower, steam room/sauna and a sitting area with sliding glass door to the garden path and full view of the mountains. Light wood floors and soft white walls gently reflect the natural light streaming from the outdoors throughout the room. Natural gas and electricity are available, should a small kitchen be desired in the future.

Also on this level is the mechanical room, which houses the utilitarian features such as central vacuum, water heater, Warm Floor heating system, security, etc.

Extra storage space is on this level as well, in the form of a room enveloped with concrete, which may be made fire resistant in the future, if desired, with the installation of a metal door. Meanwhile, it is a convenient place for items that may not withstand outdoor elements.

His Bath
With natural light from the east facing window, his bath has a tiled shower/tub, carpet, pedestal sink and an ocean view. An enormous shared walk-in closet has plenty of built-in drawers and shelves and two ocean view windows.

Guest House
The Guest House has its own one-car garage and is equipped with its own heating system, washer/dryer, water heater and security system, making it independent from the main house. On the lower level is a room that could be used as a bedroom, office or studio.

Upstairs, in this 1266+/- square foot home is a corner fireplace with hand-cut stone shelf mantle, south facing windows with an island view, glass slider leading to a private patio and garden, galley kitchen, full bath with tub and separate shower, Italian tile floors throughout.

Built-in dresser and other storage help maximize the bedroom area. Windows provide a mountain view, while the glass slider leads to the terrace, where the scent of citrus and lavender fill the air and the views of the vibrant landscape are abundant.