It ‘reeks’ with Spanish charm
Wallace Neff designed dozens of houses in the L.A. area during Hollywood’s Golden Age, but the celebrated architect only designed a few in the Santa Barbara area. This home is considered one of his best representations of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. The late architect’s son, also named Wallace, says that it “reeks with charm.”
The house, restored to look much as it did when it was designed in 1924, is in the Hedgerow district of Montecito.
About this house: It is owned by Terry Buelna, an inventor who has patented many high-tech products in the medical field. The house is larger than Buelna needs, so he decided to sell it.
Asking price: $1,695,000
Size: The house has four bedrooms and four bathrooms in about 4,000 square feet. It sits on about half an acre.
Features: There are many original custom details in this home, such as one-of-a-kind Spanish tiles and carved wood doors. The living room has massive pitched-beamed ceilings, hardwood floors, a large fireplace and a raised sitting or music area with an outside entrance. Classic Spanish elements such as white stucco walls, a red-tile roof, archways, beamed ceilings and wrought iron complement the clean, simple lines of Neff’s design. The kitchen and bathrooms are up to date, and the formal dining room has French doors opening to the gardens and patio. Other features are an office/den off the kitchen, a master suite with a corner fireplace, two family bedrooms with private balconies, a family room, a gated motor court, fountains and a 600-square-foot basement or wine cellar.
Where: Montecito
Listing agent: Rebecca Riskin, Village Properties, Montecito, (805) 565-8863
To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, please send color interior and exterior photos (copies only; we cannot return the pictures) and a brief description of the house, including what makes the property unusual, to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; or e-mail homeoftheweek@latimes.com.
