Digs for Sale-Montecito Hedgerow Contemporary

Rooted in the modernism of the mid-twentieth century, this single-level rambling ranch-style house has been transformed from the ground up.The home was designed by architect/owner Mark Kirkhart, founder and principal of the multiple award winning firm DesignArc, Inc, whose work has been published nationally in Architectural Digest, Architectural Record and Trends magazines.

Located in Montecito’s prestigious “Hedge Row” district, it is convenient to the Upper Village, Coast Village Road and Miramar beach. The street entry to the house provides motor-court off-street parking, uniquely landscaped by the award-winning Orange Street Studios of Los Angeles. The minimalist, native drought tolerant theme of landscape is continued through the development of four distinct zones: the parking court, an active play area, the swimming, outdoor dining and entertaining area, and a meditative succulent garden.

The family-friendly floor plan features four bedrooms and three and one-half bathrooms. An entry gallery separates the major wings of the house. The master suite and two bedrooms with bathroom are located in the more private, “east wing” of the house. The sumptuous master suite includes a generous-sized, mountain-view bedroom with fireplace and ridge skylight. The spa-inspired, glass and porcelain-tiled bath is filled with light from both skylights and walls of translucent glass, and features double “wading pool” sinks, a flush walk-in shower and elegant freestanding soaking tub. Both the bath and bedroom connect to 133 square foot, fully outfitted, Italian “Poliform” closet. The fourth bedroom and bath are separate and adjacent to the family/living areas; perfect for visiting guests or in-home help.

The kitchen/family room area exemplifies casual day-to-day living. The generous family room includes a built-in home theater with surround sound as well as a cozy fireplace, and includes sliding door access to a south-facing secure yard. The kitchen, which is directly adjacent to the family room, features sleek “Euro-style” cabinets, top-of-the-line appliances including built-in SubZero refrigeration and wine storage, double eye-level Bosch ovens, and an over-sized island with Gagganau cooktop and breakfast bar seating. A banquette dining area with family table rounds out the truly functional “heart of the house”.

The formal interior entertainment areas connect to the outdoor spaces by utilizing fully-pocketing sliding glass doors, providing the true definition of Southern California “indoor/outdoor” living. The sun drenched, south and west-facing backyard features a dramatic swimming pool bordered by an elevated, trellis-shaded deck with outdoor fireplace. A quiet northeasterly patio is surrounded by a xeriscaped succulent garden, providing respite from the active zones.

Completed in 2009, the renovation achieves a high level of detail, including state-of-the-art, energy efficient, recessed low voltage and LED lighting, European lever door hardware, the finest plumbing fixtures such as in-wall tank-less toilets, and Kohler, Duravit and Dorn Bracht faucets. Exterior materials include fire-retardant cementitious panel siding accented with redwood slats, and a lifetime standing-seam metal roof.