Cernobbio
This 14,000sf estate sits on four acres in Montecito overlooking the green rolling hills and ocean beyond. This architectural style was inspired by the villas around Lake Como in northern Italy. The formal central part of the home contains the formal rooms, while the less formal areas are reflected in simpler detailing, more rustic materials, and more irregular building forms. The property terraces towards the view and includes a koi pond, pool with cabana, greenhouse, bocce court, and a small vineyard.
Entry court of the Montecito estate showing front door and and adjacent arched passage to motor court and garages. Local sandstone as an accent material as a rustic treatment and stone at the center.
The main entrance is framed with stone columns and hand-made iron light fixtures.
The rustic stone arch to the motor court uses hand-made terra cotta bricks which match the antique roof tile.
The covered arch also serves as a covered drop to the kitchen area.
The opening at the drop area is framed in the handmade brick and custom iron grille.
A stone fountain is centered on the front door with formal gardens behind.
A view from above the house overlooks the entry court and main entrance with views over Santa Barbara and the ocean beyond.
Another view from the upper terrace shows the antique terra cotta roof tile and other details.
Entry court view at dusk.
Another entry court view is seen from the descending driveway.
A reflecting pool centers on the main interior gallery and the master bath above.
Detail of the bronze front door and the interior groin vaults.
A garden arbor is also made from the local stone and is capped with an iron trellis supporting lemons. There is a nice view of Montecito from the arbor.
View of the ocean side of the Montecito home from the lower terrace. Water from a fountain on the main terrace cascades down the staircase to the koi pond.
The lower garden as seen from the covered living terrace. An adjacent greenhouse is nestled into an oak grove.
View of the lower garden which centers on the formal entry gallery.
The formal gardens and path connect to the lower terrace and greenhouse.
The main terrace faces the ocean view and connects to the pool and rustic stone cabana below.
The main ocean-view terrace of the Montecito estate is seen from the pool level at sunset.
Ocean side of the Montecito home.
Iron balcony and formal eave detail.
Detail showing the use of rustic and cut stone and the use of handmade brick to edge the sandstone.
This image shows the ocean façade of the main house from the pool level and looking towards the cabana.
The rustic pool cabana centers on the pool and has a fireplace under a protected overhang. The mosaic in the pool was beautifully done.
The roof of the pool cabana and traditional rustic Italian chimney detail.
Another view showing the textures and details of the pool cabana in the spirit of rustic Italy.