From The Archives

Welcome to Paradise!

U-shaped around a central courtyard with a soothing fountain, the main floor comprises the reception hall, the Grand Salon, the Grand Dining hall, the kitchen wing, and a main floor bedroom~dressing room.

Front Entrance Terrace. The residence’s front entrance is impressive with its tiled built in seating, the wrought iron work, the entrance terrace and its welcome statue in her private niche. Above the beautiful front doors is a wrought iron and tiled balcony.

Reception Hall. The high ceiling cornices, period light fixture, multiple arches set the tone for this historic residence. Notice the walnut pocket doors which are on a spring action, and the long central axis that draws your eye through to the dining hall and out the triple leaded windows to the beautiful scenery by day and fabulous city lights by night. The original tile underfoot changes pattern as you approach the passage to the dining hall as well as toward the kitchen wing. There are several closets all with beautiful walnut doors originally intended for your wraps, the privacy phone closet and the visitor trunk closet.The Tunisian tiles that line the risers and the stair edge visible on the primary staircase are original to the home, and are also seen in Montecito’s Casa del Herrero which was designed by George Washington Smith and also in El Retiro in Florida; both excellent examples of this same Mediterranean Revival architecture.

Grand Dining Hall. A huge GRAND room with high gable ceilings, lots of natural light from the many windows, wide window sills, sconces, an original fireplace with intricate tiled details. The ceiling displays beautiful artwork designed by John Armour the architect, and decorative cross iron ties. Signature elegant arched leaded windows frame the viewing apse that overlook the 2.5 acres of sanctuary and an incredible city lights view.

Kitchen Wing. Located on the other side of the dining hall is the morning room, the butler pantry, the kitchen and the kitchen service hall. The morning room is designed to enjoy the morning sun, the evening city lights and the beautiful mountain views. Statuary niche graces the wall. Automatic awnings retractable from inside, AND a special surprise.

The Butler Pantry. Uses very thick quarter-sawn oak doors and is designed with special shelves and drawers for linens and dishes. There’s additional storage for multiple uses.
A center island with FASAR induction cooktop, a hidden built-in desk, deep double sinks, cleverly designed cabinets making use of the extra wide walls. There is also a “summons buzzer”.
The kitchen service hall shows the barrel ceiling, built-in water fountain, chute, half bath with original tiles and stairway to lower level.

UPPER LEVEL. Wrought iron rails and the beautiful tiles grace the staircase to the upper level.

FIRST BEDROOM. The primary staircase with its original iron railing leads to a long multi-windowed corridor with the same stained oak floors as on the main floor. Observe the two privacy doors. In addition to the main door there is a pocket louvered door for privacy. The room is well-sized and has a dressing room/closet as well as a unique feature. Multiple wall sconces and a balcony that views the treetops, canyon, and the ballroom-sized lower terrace. This room is flooded with natural light and has a large signature statuary niche which is unique to the grand architectural style of this residence.

MASTER BEDROOM. Farther down the hall, past the built-in linen closet is the graciously sized master bedroom with its beautiful original wood floors, multiple view windows, and wall sconces that are dimmable for evening ambiance. Through the archway is a sitting alcove and an adjacent open closet which was originally divided into two rooms; one being the sitting alcove and the second room accessed from the hallway as a separate windowed sewing/linen room.
A separate privacy dressing room with its own sink alcove and a second closet in addition to the masonry window grilles in the dressing area with operating windows that were originally intended for air circulation for interior areas, complete this room.

Upper Floor Interior Hall and Bathroom. A hallway between the bedrooms opens to a bathroom with original tile flooring conveniently divided into two areas—the windowed water closet and the windowed shower room.

DOWNSTAIRS MAIN FLOOR consists of the Grand Salon and Main floor Bedroom.

GRAND SALON. Immediately off the reception hall one enters the GRAND Salon through heavy double walnut pocket doors. The beautiful oak floors bordered by a unique parquetry pattern. High gridwork ceilings, beautiful French doors flanked by hidden bookshelves between the wide spacious walls, wide window sills and window alcoves. The focal point is the fireplace with Italian limestone, and again, more spectacular views.

REAR HALL/BEDROOM SUITE. Immediately off the grand salon is a tiled stone floor leading to the main floor bedroom suite~dressing room. Oak floors with parquetry border pattern, lots of natural light, balcony views, a fur closet, tons of storage in addition to a huge closet, a dressing room, built-in desk, artesan bath, pedestal sink, original wallpaper and Palladian window.

LOWER LEVEL is accessed by stairs off the rear hall. This may be completely closed off from the primary living area. Even more closet space is this area.

BEDROOM SUITE. A generously sized room with its large bathroom~dressing room is conveniently designed for a perfect retreat a secluded guest wing or a game room. Period wall sconces grace the walls and the dressing~bathroom area, which also has a built-in means wardrobe as well as a separate closet. One may enter the grounds to the salt water pool and spa patio in complete privacy.

LIBRARY/MUSIC ROOM. This room with its wall sconces and beautiful satinwood paneling lends an air of quiet enclosure. The wall niches are ideal for showcasing treasures. The original fireplace with its beautiful dimensional tile surround has a niche that is the focal point of this room. Within the satinwood paneling are hidden doors that open revealing bookcases. Here, as in the salon are wide walls concealing bookcases on both sides of the room’s bay window.
Garage Wing~Laundry Room~Workroom~Bathroom. This oversized garage has the original European style vehicle turntable built into the floor. Stairs lead to the kitchen service hall and exit through the lower level equipment room.

The well sized laundry room is light and airy with multiple windows. Huge work room doubles as a second equipment room and its period built in workbench is a welcome for the hobby enthusiast with its ample storage and extensive counter space. Adjacent arched top door opens to a half bath lit by glass block tiles.
Lower Level Equipment Room. Accessed off the lower level hall. This room houses the HVAC equipment and the water heater as well as additional storage.

THE GROUNDS. From the approach a Tunisian style tree of life wall mural and nearby carved volute atop a garden wall. Through the wrought iron arched pedestrian gates is the original utility tunnel that leads to the south side pathway. A rock retaining wall leads the entire distance to the pool patio via a circular extreda and the walking path.
The pool patio walls are topped with pillared lighting fixtures, an unobstructed city lights and mountain view. Pool cover is key activated. Adjacent matching raised inground spa.
The brick stairs from here lead to a brick patio and on to the courtyard, in the loggia with much lighting and an Italian Madonna and Child wall plaque. The double carved stone columns are a visual architectural wonder. The covered pillared arcade leads to the dining hall. Soothing tiered fountain in the center of the courtyard replaces the original in ground fountain basin. The courtyard has beautiful stucco and masonry walls and stunning views.
On the west side of the house is an oversized entertaining terrace with its built-in rock faced benches, an original huge fireplace/barbeque with an interesting chimney cap design based on one in France seen by the architect.
From this terrace one experiences the faraway quality of the property with its “escape to a faraway place” feeling. The window trim details of the house can be seen as well as the stairway leading to the garage and laundry porch. All the while one just enjoys the beauty of the landscape as it is all around, in paths, naturalistic, as simply as a sanctuary.
Multi-media wiring to every room including HDM1.