Nestled in Montecito, California, this estate boasts stunning views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and myriad outdoor space that has given the family that dwells here years of enjoyment. Rita Chan Interiors was brought on board for a pool house addition and living room revamp that encourages further outdoor play and guest entertainment. From the sleek kitchen design to cozy bunk room, every detail, including the specially crafted furniture and tiled archways, reflects a harmonious balance between contemporary-casual and Spanish Mediterranean style. If you love how this all came together you can visit Rita’s shop, Good Ancestor Co, for more styling inspiration!
From the designer… Located in Montecito, California, this special estate is tucked away at the edge of a meadow that opens up to stunning views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The home was built in a classic Spanish Mediterranean style and purchased in 2020 by our clients, a lovely couple with four school-aged children, bringing an abundance of energy and life to the sprawling property. After several years enjoying the home and specifically the pool and outdoor areas, they decided to add a pool house to further enhance their outdoor play and entertaining. They also wanted the structure to serve as guest space to host family and friends and so it ultimately ended up becoming a guest/pool house that would be designed for both guest stays and daily use for leisure and entertaining.
Our team was brought in to design the interiors and we were fortunate enough to have our hand in every surface and detail before ground was broken. In contrast to the more classically designed main house, we were tasked to give the pool house a slightly more modern feeling to reflect the playfulness and relaxation they wanted their guest to feel. It was important for us to keep the aesthetics connected, yet distinct from the main home.
To achieve this cohesiveness and to embrace some classic Santa Barbara style design elements, we incorporated arched doorways and subtle curved details, along with Spanish Cotto flooring and natural wood beams throughout. A place that we focused on to give the home a current energy was the kitchen, where we designed a sleek plaster hood, selected design-forward light fixtures, such as the Lostine Edmund Pendants over the island, which we painted a bold, inky color to compliment the gray and white marble countertops and backsplash. The kitchen opens up to the pool and a patio for al fresco dining, and also shares space with a family room where we created a cozy space for lounging and entertaining.
While I love all the spaces in this house, my two favorite rooms are the bunk room and the powder bath. The bunk room I love for the custom beds we designed. We wanted them to feel like a clean and modern interpretation of Spanish style, which we translated through bent white oak railings and arched bed niches. The powder room is also a delight, featuring a playful checkerboard floor, walls wrapped in Cole and Sons Acquario wallpaper and white zellige tile, a custom designed white oak vanity, vintage faucet and wall sconce, and a woven rattan mirror from Morocco to boot! It feels fresh and fun but also totally classic. Another special moment is the Tabarka tiled archway framing out the primary bath shower, which is plastered for a clean look that allows for the hand-painted tiles and the views of the garden to be the stars of the show.
Shortly after completing the pool house, our clients were finally ready to tackle the formal living area in their main house, which had perplexed them for some time. The exaggerated width of the room, while grand and architecturally stunning, featuring a row of arched doorways and transom windows, was a bit challenging as our clients wanted an intimate space to gather and entertain guests while also allowing for a natural flow to the outdoor spaces directly off the room. After working through several layout options we ultimately landed on two separate but connected sitting areas with a direct pathway from the entrance through to the center of the space that leads you to the outdoors.
For relaxing by the fireplace we custom designed a daybed with local furniture designer Jacob May, which is truly a work of art! We paired this daybed with a custom Lawson Fenning swivel chair that can turn to face the fireplace, coffee-game table, opposite side of the room, or the bar area. In the archway niche next to the built in bar, we installed a marble countertop for visitors to relax and place their drinks while their hosts mixes cocktails. I loved that we were able to utilize this space for a thoughtful function and make it beautiful. The original Pedro De La Cruz painting combined with the McMullen and Co rattan stools help to relax the space. I love the combination of elegance and playfulness of this nook.
On the other side of the room we paired a custom Lawson Fenning sofa with a salvaged wood coffee table by Club Cu, and client owned leather chair, which we used as a pair, one on each side of the room to connected the individual spaces. We love to utilize our client’s pieces when we can to connect to their past story and minimize waste. Finally, we grounded it all by a large jute rug by our favorite rug company, Armadillo. We love how the olive green tone of the natural jute keeps the space grounded and reminds visitors that while they are entering a truly elegant and sophisticated home, they will be greeted with a warm, down to earth energy… a true reflection of the family that welcomes them!
Like what you see? Take a peek at the talent behind the story… Interior Design: Lauren Ravenhill, Lead Designer & Marrisa Dumford, Project Manager of Rita Chan Interiors · Photography of Living Room: Sara Prince · Photography of Pool House: Gavin Carter · Architect for Pool House: Two Trees Architects · Builder for Pool House: Allen Construction
