Upper East

Deere Butterworth House

Located in the prestigious Upper East Side of Santa Barbara CA, this Bay Area / Shingle Style home is rich with history and charm. Facing southwest on approximately .86 acres, it was originally designed by Samuel Isley, a New England architect. It was built and completed in 1900 by William Deere, the son of John Deere, for his daughter Anna Deere Wiman as a winter home.  At the time of Anna’s death, the house passed to her sister, Katherine Deere Butterworth whose husband became the Chairman of the John Deere Company for the next 40 years. The Butterworth family enjoyed the house as a winter home for many years, until they sold it in 1952.

In 1936, during the Butterworth’s ownership, the house underwent a significant remodel. The renovation was designed by the prominent Santa Barbara architects Edwards and Plunkett who brought the home up to the latest standards. At that time numerous structural upgrades occurred, including a concrete foundation, basement with vault, and extensive interior finishes and exterior enhancements. 

As you enter onto the property through the gates, framed by original Santa Barbara sandstone walls and pillars, you are transported back in time. Greeted by mature trees, and landscaping you walk through a covered portico to the front door. Upon entering the home, you are welcomed by a gracious entry hall with a boxed paneled ceiling, and a staircase at the far end. The generous sized living room on the right features built-in bookshelves, a marble fireplace and bay windows. At the end of the room, through the French doors, is a warm and inviting sunroom.

Included on the ground floor is the cozy study. The walls are paneled with imported antique English pine, and it features a marble and pine fireplace. There are compartments hidden behind the walls, and large pocket doors, which slide open to the outdoor terraces. Leading off the entry hall are two powder rooms, one being formal with cedar lined guest closets. There is also a fully equipped laundry room. The spacious cooks’ kitchen features a Wolf Range and hood, and Sub Zero refrigerator as well as the original mahogany and soap stone counter tops. You will enjoy plenty of storage with a butler’s pantry and flower arranging room as well as a generous walk-in pantry. Leading from the kitchen you will find the breakfast room, and a charming garden room, which is also the rear entry of the home.

There is plenty of space for entertaining and relaxing in the family-dining room area. This entire space was once the original formal dining room. It features a slate fireplace, which is surrounded by built-in window seats on either side. The dining area has exposed beams and wainscot paneling. There is plenty of light from the well-placed windows and French doors leading to the side patio area and garden.

The second floor features four bedrooms, all with en suite bathrooms. The generous master includes a fireplace, and two walk-in closets. A second bedroom also includes a fireplace and a built-in storage area. The third and fourth spacious bedrooms, feature large walk-in closets. The third floor houses the fifth bedroom suite, as well as accessible attic space. All bedrooms have expansive views to the surrounding gardens, dissolving into mountain, mesa or distant ocean views.

The fully fenced gardens have many areas in which to entertain and relax.   The focal point being the generous sized 22’ by 45’ pool and Jacuzzi, which was added in 1968. There is also a large two-car garage, which was built in 1998, with workspace and an accessible storage attic. In the motor court, there is additional off street parking for approximately five to six cars. At the rear of the property is the formal kitchen and cutting garden as well as several fruit trees.