614 Alameda Padre Serra

“LA CASA ROMANTICA”: CONTEMPORARY SPANISH COLONIAL REVIVAL WITH RIVIERA VIEWS

“La Casa Romantica” is the showcase result of a loving and thoughtful five-year endeavor by the owners and their team to renovate a classic 1920’s Spanish Mediterranean home on the Santa Barbara Riviera, infusing modern amenities and a contemporary aesthetic into the time-honored traditions of the local architectural history. Bringing together George Washington Smith expert and designer Jeff Doubet, a world class contractor and dozens of talented artisans, this unique collaboration created a luxuriously comfortable home that is also a work of fine art.  Add in expansive views of ocean, islands and city from almost every room, and you have a rare jewel of a property that will radiate its timeless beauty for generations to come.

The old-world charm of a custom traditional Spanish entry door welcomes one into an elegant living room of glowing white plaster walls, picture windows framing beautiful ocean, island and city view and French oak wide-plank floors. The room’s contemporary simplicity is highlighted by a handsome Spanish Colonial revival fireplace decoratively lined with a herring-bone pattern of light brick and a delicate wrought-iron railing framing the staircase to the upper level. 

A wide archway off the living room smoothly transitions into an expansive and light filled gourmet country kitchen and dining area, creating a “great room” effect. The seamless blend of modern and historic continues with gorgeous glass carriage lamps hanging from the open beam ceiling, white subway tile backsplash meeting rustic open shelving and Shaker glass cabinets and a Spanish Colonial style hood above the La Cornue gourmet stove.  An L-shaped white Calacatta Laza quartz counter with contrasting dark wood cabinets and a unique built-in seating banquette embraces a large breakfast/dining or sitting area.  Offering many options for entertainment or family living, a second dining or sitting area looks out to the peaceful ocean/city view through a wall of casement windows and a French door leads to the two terraced patios of the back garden, ideal for al-fresco dining.  Any chef would be delighted by the thoughtful touches of luxury in plumbing fixtures by Rohl, two Shaws farmhouse sinks, wine storage cabinet with wine cooler, and Bosch dishwasher & built-in microwave.

Upstairs, the exquisite master suite with cathedral open beam ceiling is drenched in light from the many custom windows and French doors that open to a large front terrace overlooking the breathtaking Riviera view.  A sitting area at one end of the bedroom has another set of French doors that lead to a Juliet balcony perfect for sipping morning coffee while enjoying the aromas of honeysuckle, lavender and rosemary drifting up from the terraced back garden. Custom wall sconces and two large open-work cast-iron globe chandeliers offer a tasteful flourish of the Spanish Colonial, while the luxurious bathroom radiates modern spa luxury with Rohl handmade double sinks in white marble vanities, private water closet and an elegant arrangement of a partially glass enclosed walk-in shower area that includes a Randolph Morris cast iron pedestal tub and striking wrap-around decorative tile wall above white tile wainscoting.

A second en-suite bedroom on the upper floor could double as an office and is graced with a picture window framing the ocean/city views and a French door entry to the upper terrace for taking in the view al fresco.  The ¾ bathroom boasts a glass-enclosed walk-in shower with bench seating and Art Deco pedestal sink and fixtures. A third en-suite bedroom is tucked away in privacy at the entry level and would make a perfect guestroom.

With prime Riviera views from so many of its indoor and outdoor living spaces and its exquisitely hand-crafted blend of old world and contemporary beauty, La Casa Romantica is truly a masterpiece of creative restoration, offering the quintessence of the Santa Barbara casually elegant lifestyle. Conveniently located between Montecito, several white sand beaches and canyon hiking trails, it is also minutes away from downtown with its many shops, chic restaurants and museums.