Montecito

Romantic Ocean View Estate

Presiding over two and a half acres in a highly sought-after location and overlooking sweeping ocean and island views, an extraordinary estate defies modern stereotypes of Mediterranean architecture. Throughout the residence, the masterful touches from famed design experts Don Nulty and Christina Rottman grace impeccable spaces with unexpected details from Moorish and Moroccan influences to a floor plan that conveys opulence sans formality.
 
A gated entry opens to reveal the sprawling main residence and a charming guest house, both accented by the natural beauty of native oaks, olive trees and a waterfall. Iron fixtures and woodwork, remarkable brick roof molding, and a striking entry door offer delightful vignettes to be marveled. The residence surrounds a generous cobblestone motor court, inspired by the streets of Rome, and a four-car garage.

Stepping through the impressive entry door, the interior’s exceptional design is on immediate display. The foyer introduces the home’s Moroccan influences and romantic ambience; light reflects off the Moroccan glass tile floor and dancing across the towering groin vault ceiling. 

Luxury and tranquility coexist harmoniously in the formal living room. A beamed ceiling with exposed trusses and arched clerestory windows lend an open and airy feel while a wall of French doors spill out to an ocean view terrace. A rustic stone fireplace surround offers a textural counterpart to the smooth, custom plaster walls, which have been polished to a lustrous gleam.

The home’s effortless flow continues into the lounge. An inspiring tray ceiling and corner fireplace with a unique hand-carved plaster finish create a sophisticated ambience for everything from cocktails to conversations. This airy space opens to the formal living room, dining room, and kitchen. French doors reveal a romantic fireside loggia where breathtaking ocean and island views are an ideal host for evening sunsets.
 
Designer Christina Rottman describes her vision for the kitchen to House Beautiful magazine, "I wanted this jolt of color to emphasize that the kitchen is the joyful heart of the house." Luxurious in every way, the kitchen is fitted with top of the line Grohe fixtures and chef’s appliances including Wolf, Fischer and Paykel, Bosch and SubZero. A spacious center island hosts a wine refrigerator and breakfast bar and a generous walk-in pantry accommodates every culinary necessity. 
 
A “mudroom” serves as a casual, every day entrance to the home and access two adjoining guest suites, each with ocean views and an en-suite bath. Upstairs, a fabulous family room occupies the second level of the western wing, overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean and stunning grounds. French doors and windows welcome radiant light, coastal breezes and mountain views. Exterior access is a convenient amenity for afternoon play dates and weekend movie nights with friends.
 
Stepping through a Moorish keyhole archway, the eastern wing of the home hosts the lavish ground floor master suite, two bedrooms and additional leisure space. The master suite is a serene escape. Preceded by a private sitting room and an office, the master bedroom welcomes romantic evenings while peaceful mornings begin with glistening ocean views. A pitched ceiling and walls of French doors lend an airy and whimsical ambience while an elegant fireplace offers a convivial interplay of modern and classical. Dual baths and closets further the sense of luxurious privacy that defines the master suite.

Ascending the second staircase, the towering window frames the tropical pool pavilion. A cozy landing accesses a “secret” tower office, a generous galleria and two bedrooms with en-suite baths. A secret trapdoor at the top of the ladder leads to the tower office with custom built-in cabinetry. The ocean glistens through French doors and arched windows, beyond a private terrace is ideal for relaxing in the sunshine and enjoying the expansive views.
 
French doors along both walls of the sprawling galleria open to ocean views and Juliette balconies. Spacious enough for dinner parties, game night or after school homework, the galleria is a fantastic multiuse space for leisure activities. Two bedroom suites are privately situated at the end of the galleria.
 
A breezeway below with custom ironwork windows and Moroccan lighting lies between the home and the spacious laundry room and four-car garage. 
 
Privately tucked away from the main residence, a spacious guesthouse with ocean views is an ideal retreat. Offering all of the amenities of a second residence, the guesthouse boasts an inviting bedroom with en-suite bath, living room with a fireplace and beamed ceiling, a full kitchen, small office, and a second bath. The guest home’s ocean view porch is perfect for a spot of morning tea or an evening glass of a local vintage.
 
The vast grounds provide an array of options for outdoor fun and leisure activities. A lush lawn gently rolls toward the expansive tennis court welcoming midday matches while a spacious spectator’s terrace lines the court. Enjoy afternoons lost wandering through the tropical specimen trees and secret gardens. Towering hedges surround the private pool pavilion, where a hidden above ground spa has been built into the landscape. If you prefer being poolside, a lounge patio and stone cabana with a glowing fireplace provide further space to enjoy Montecito’s idyllic climate. A private well irrigates the landscaping and keeps the property lush throughout the year. 
 
Marvel at breathtaking ocean, island and mountain views from the extensive southern terrace. At the center lies a picturesque loggia with a blazing fireplace and a soaring pitched ceiling, set aglow by beautiful chandeliers. Stairs lead to the lower grounds, passing a former French jailhouse door from the 1800’s, which secures a hidden wine cellar.   

To view the Video Tour, click here.