A haunting beauty in Montecito
A gracious old Montecito home, familiar to viewers who regularly watched the opening credits of the late ‘60s television comedy series “The Ghost & Mrs. Muir,” has come on the market.
The house was “dressed up” a little bit for those opening shots as the haunted Gull Cottage rented by Mrs. Muir. For example, a widow’s walk was added on the roof, a ship’s wheel was installed on the upstairs balcony and a pair of lions guarded the top of the porch steps.
Known as the Neal House, the classic Victorian home contains authentic hand-crafted details and original features. Its eclectic blend of styles includes Colonial Revival and Craftsman influences.
The property is named for the Neal family, which settled here in 1871 and built the home in 1906. The last family member died in 1954 and today the two-story house stands on all that remains of what was once the family’s 200-acre farm.
The home’s floor plan retains a functional and even contemporary feel, reflecting the architect’s efforts to incorporate the latest design elements emerging at the dawn of the 20th century.
Downstairs includes a spacious living room, a formal dining room, a study and a farmhouse-style kitchen, plus one of the bedrooms and bathrooms. Upstairs are the remaining four bedrooms and three bathrooms and a laundry room.
The property’s garden-level basement, with a full kitchen and bathroom, plus large living and sleeping areas, has its own outside entrance so it could be used as self-contained guest quarters.
The home is surrounded by mature trees, which provide privacy for the spacious upstairs balcony that wraps around outside the master bedroom and sitting room. Another upstairs bedroom opens to a smaller private balcony.
The Neal House is close to the ocean, with picturesque Butterfly Beach and the Four Seasons Biltmore within walking distance. The upscale shops, restaurants and businesses on Coast Village Road can also be reached on foot or in a few minutes by car.
To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, send high-resolution color photos with caption and credit information on a CD and a detailed description of the house to Lauren Beale, Business, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A., CA 90012. Questions may be sent to homeoftheweek@latimes.com.