1439 Irvine Lane, Montecito CA
Exquisite and Classic Mediterranean Paradise
OVERVIEW
Tucked against the Montecito foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, this lovely home, designed by acclaimed architect Don Nulty, is a warm, welcoming manifestation of classic contemporary Mediterranean architecture. Its turreted façade commands a large motor court, accessed via gated entry and bordered by impeccable landscaping of roses, hedges, and towering Italian cypress and palms. The deeply bevel-recessed front doorway and its custom wood-framed glass and wrought iron filigreed front door make a statement: “Through this portal, be immersed in an ambiance defined by spaciousness, light, flow, and ocean.”
In an impressive departure from customary design, the foyer is replaced by a transecting gallery hallway that immediately transports the eye across the space and, unimpeded, through the expansive living room, and onto the ocean and horizon. It is as if a gorgeous villa were plucked from the shore of Italy’s Lake Como and placed gently in the hills of Montecito. Hints of Old-World design are enriched with modern accouterments and conveniences. There is a dramatic staircase with wrought iron balustrade and stone slab steps rising through the turret past clerestory windows. Wood beam ceilings complement the stone and wide plank hardwood floors, and airy rooms open to a veranda, terraces, and balconies overlooking the grounds and the sparkling blue water in the distance. At once romantic and practical, the home is as conducive to evenings by the fire and quiet contemplation as it is to entertaining.
While the home and all of its amenities are quite private, resting on a secluded lane, Montecito’s amenities, including hiking, the world-class San Ysidro Ranch, and the community’s delightful Upper Village with its distinctive shopping and dining are all nearby.
COMMON AREAS
From the entry hallway, a wide segmental arch carries the eye into the living room where a triptych of arches with French doors opens to a veranda and ocean view over treetops. The result is an instant recognition that this splendid villa is an homage to Santa Barbara’s revered indoor-outdoor lifestyle. The spacious living room itself, bathed in natural light, conveys an ambiance of casual sophistication with its pristine white walls, cool stone underfoot, and fireplace surround reaching from floor to ceiling. Next door, the den also hosts a fireplace, and features richly-finished paneling and cabinetry, with built-in bookshelves, an entertainment cabinet, and a wet bar.
The formal dining room, accessible from the living room as well as the kitchen, opens via French doors to the terraces and provides a wonderful ocean view. The country-style kitchen, with its wide plank wood floor, open-beam ceiling, and abundant cabinets – many with multi-pane glass doors – features a center island and high-end appliances by Thermador and Sub-zero. Wellness aficionados will appreciate a generously sized, versatile, downstairs room, offering outdoor access, and perfect for a gym, yoga or dance studio.
BEDROOM SUITES
Upstairs, the primary and secondary suites are peaceful ocean view sanctuaries rivalling the accommodations found a in fine hotel or resort. The primary suite, under a vaulted wood-beamed ceiling, features a sitting area, a corner fireplace next to a roomy window seat, a wall of built-in shelves, and French doors with sidelights: the doors opening to a private terrace where the views of the grounds and ocean are spectacular. A secondary bedroom suite upstairs also offers stunning views of the grounds and ocean. Here again, French doors to a private ocean-view terrace erase the divide between interior and exterior charms. Two additional bedrooms – one upstairs, one downstairs -- feature baths en suite, and abundant natural light via lovely French windows.
THE GROUNDS
Striking, serene, and enchanting, the beautiful grounds of this magical villa are designed to instill a sense of tranquility abiding while maximizing visual access to Montecito’s surrounding beauty. The impeccable landscaping begins at the entry and motor court and surrounds the home, culminating in a stylish privacy wall of alternating hedges and pillars at the rear.
With the stunning home as a backdrop – providing an extensive veranda, and first- and second-level terraces -- and the Pacific Ocean beyond treetops as its muse, the stage for fun and entertaining is set. There is a sparkling pool and in-pool spa embraced by a verdant lawn and a large terrace with a handsome fireplace. A more intimate terrace, with its top-of-the-line built-in grill, provides a venue for al fresco dining and conversation. A majestic oak offers privacy, and shade for the picturesque walking paths below.
