G.W. Smith Estate
Montecito, California
$5,750,000

Residence

Price: $5,750,000
Architect: George Washington Smith 1922/25
Master Bedroom/Bath: Roy McMakin 2002
Lot Size: 1.4 Acres, Approx.
APN#: 009-170-45
Bedrooms/Baths: 7/6 & 2 Powder Rooms

Each room possesses its own identity and magic, and the house is replete with antique and handcrafted tile, oak, marble, wrought iron, chandeliers, and beams imported from the continent; yet there is an overall unity and flow that carries out into the beautiful gardens, lawns and classic swimming pool and fountain. It should also be mentioned that in this instance “classic” does not translate as “old” – despite (or because of) its 1922 vintage and subsequent care and loving, this home is ready to move into, with shiny hardwood floors, a substantial kitchen with modern conveniences, a luxurious master suite – the best of the new has been gracefully integrated into what is surely a house of the ages.

Main Floor
Entry (31' x 10'):
An oversized, mahogany, carved farmhouse door opens from the front courtyard to the large vestibule connecting the main living areas of the home. The terra cotta flooring is of an elongated honeycomb style, with inset design tiles. The wood, beamed ceiling is equipped with indirect lighting. Wrought-iron sconces and a red and green glass pointed star chandelier over the stairs to the second story are decorative lighting features. The stairway features wide wooden steps with décor tile risers and a wide wooden handrail. Double glass doors with wrought-iron filigree lead to the kitchen area. An 8’ Castilian double doorway opens onto the used-brick terrace. A window with tile surround and exterior iron grate overlooks the rear lawn. There is a cloak closet for wraps and a display niche near the Dining Room. A honeycombed ceiling section precedes the entry to the Dining Room.

Living Room (30’x 17’):
It is several steps down from the Entry to the Living Room that has tiger oak flooring and a 10’ high heavy-beamed ceiling, fitted with halogen track lighting. The gas-starter fireplace, with black marble hearth and carved wood surround and mantel and was imported by Lutah Riggs in 1941. A window seat is situated in a wood-paneled alcove, affixed with interior wood shutters and an exterior wrought iron grate. A leaded glass display window overlooks the clivia garden and double-paneled French doors with leaded glass open onto the rear terrace and gardens.

Library (27' x 17'):
A hallway, with a door to the side gardens, a closet and a wine-bottle window connects the Living Room and Library. The central feature of the 13’ hand-carved, vaulted and beamed ceiling is a wrought-iron chandelier with golden lantern light fixtures. Built-in bookcases and shelved cabinets line the walls. Other features include a wet bar with tiled counter and backsplash and a Spanish-style plaster fireplace with gas starter. The floor is of honeycomb tiles. Windows look out to the motorcourt and the rear yard and double French doors with wrought-iron filigree lead to the side gardens. Just off the Library is a loo with a mirrored wall and pedestal sink.

Powder Room:
In the back Entryway, just off the Dining Room, with its own corner fireplace, this room has a heavy, beamed ceiling, tiled floor with decorative medallions, a window with view of the motorcourt, and wrought-iron sconces over the carved and painted cabinet that houses the basin.

Dining Room (27' x 18'):
The black of the elegant checkerboard floor is carried through to the black marble hearth and inside surround of the fireplace, which has an exterior hand-carved wood surround and mantel of a shell pattern. The 10’ ceiling is equipped with halogen lighting. The walls are French paneled and there are two windows overlooking the motorcourt and French doors that lead to the walled side terrace, for outdoor dining.

Kitchen/Family Room (30' x 30'):
This expansive Family Room has terra cotta tile flooring and a beamed ceiling with indirect lighting. The raised-hearth, Spanish fireplace has a ceramic mantel, with decorator tiles and a gas starter. A built-in entertainment center is surrounded by bookcases. At the bottom of the stairway to the second floor is a built-in display niche. The risers on these steps are decorated with hand-painted tiles and there is a wrought-iron balustrade. Three windows with tiled sills overlook the side gardens. Double, glass panel doors with side windows open to the side patio for outdoor entertaining. A corner bar countertop defines the Kitchen and Family Room spaces. The Kitchen is equipped with a dacor 6 burner gas cooktop, Thermador double built-in ovens/microwaves, large Sharp Carousel microwave, Sub-Zero side-by-side freezer/refrigerator with paneled doors, KitchenAid dishwasher and trash compactor. There are many unique design features and surfaces in the Kitchen: designer tile counter and backsplash, Spanish plaster vent hood, distressed wood paneling, lattice cabinet doors and wrought-iron cabinet faces.

Butler’s Pantry (11' x 8'):
Entered from the Kitchen or through a swinging door to the hall just off the Dining Room, this prep area has inset lighting and is equipped with a deep sink, instant hot water and a KitchenAid dishwasher. The flooring is honeycomb tile. The tile counter/backsplash and the cabinetry designs are carried through from the Kitchen.

Family Terrace (40' x 30'):
This walled, brick terrace features a Spanish fountain with décor tile surround, corner raised fireplace with décor tile insets, DCS gas barbeque grill with rotisserie, and raised-bed gardens. Wrought-iron lanterns light the doorways and stairs. The attached Guest Apartment shares this patio area.

Master Bedroom (24’ x 19’):
The Master Bedroom, Bath and Dressing Areas are original Smith with McMakin enhanced design and restoration. Stately, carved panel doors, of nearly 10’ ceiling height, enhance the scale of this room that features parquet oak flooring; French paneled walls; a gas-starter fireplace with marble hearth and carved marble mantel and surround, flanked by bookcases; and a built-in entertainment center between double French doors to the lawn and rear terrace. Inset lighting and wall sconces provide lighting.

His/Her Bath & Dressing Area:
His/Her Bath & Dressing Area: The marble bath area has a corner fireplace with gas-starter, double shower, raised tub and two sink and lav areas. French doors exit to the rear lawn. The Dressing Area has nearly 80 running feet of closet space and is accessed from either side of the Master Bedroom.

Second Floor
First Bedroom (18’ x 15’):
Entered off the back hallway, above the Kitchen/Family Room, it is two steps down from the full in-room bath to this carpeted Bedroom, featuring a corner fireplace with fan-tiled hearth, décor tile surround and gas starter; vaulted, beamed ceiling with fan and overhead lighting; sculpted plaster display shelf and double doors to a wrought-iron balcony. A closet runs along the rear wall. The bath has honeycomb tile flooring, a mirrored wall, décor tiled counter and backsplash over lattice-front vanity, makeup lighting over basin, shower-over-tub and separate lav.

Second Bedroom (18’ x 15’):
Like the First Bedroom, this Bedroom is two steps down from its full in-room bath that is identical to that in the First Bedroom, with the exception of wrought-iron wall sconces in lieu of makeup lights. It is carpeted, with French doors to a wrought-iron balcony, a window with iron grate overlooking the front motorcourt, a ceiling fan and a raised-hearth fireplace with décor tile surround.

Laundry:
The Laundry is off the terra cotta tiled hallway, across from French doors that lead to the upper balcony that has lawn, rear garden and mountain views. It is equipped with both gas and electrical hookups, a utility sink, folding counter and storage cabinets, pull-down ironing board and Maytag washer and gas dryer. The flooring is of honeycomb tile.

Third Bedroom (17’ x 12’):
This Bedroom has windows to the front and side of the home. The flooring is oak. It features a raised-hearth fireplace and a small display shelf by the front window. It shares a full shower-over-tub bath with the Sitting Room. The bath is carpeted, has period fixtures and a window with iron grate to the motorcourt.

Fourth Bedroom/Sitting Room (16’ x 12’):
French doors provide access to the balcony and rear garden/mountain views and a shuttered window offers views of the motorcourt. While sharing a bath with the Third Bedroom, this oak-floored Bedroom has it’s own carpeted bath with shower-over-tub, period fixtures and a window with grill overlooking the front of the home. It has a walk-in closet.