Celebrity Style
January 4, 2024
Zoe Saldana Buys Grand $17M Montecito House
Avatar star Zoe Saldana just landed a Spanish Revival-style estate loaded with century-old quirks, according to the Robb Report. Originally designed in 1930 by architect George Washington Smith, much of the Montecito villa’s original period details have survived — including light fixtures, tilework and windows. Some of our favorite design moments include a traditional wood-panelled library, intricately carved ceilings, and grand public rooms with large windows.
The five-bedroom, eight-bathroom house is known as Casa De Buena Vista. Architect Lutah Maria Riggs, the city’s first licensed female architect, designed an addition in 1933.
The two-storey stucco Spanish Revival house is topped by red mission tiles.
The traditional living room has a beamed ceiling, large stone fireplace with tile details, and a custom wrought-iron screen. French doors lead to a tile patio with stone balustrade overlooking the grounds.
The intricately detailed library has a barrel-vaulted ceiling, built-in millwork, and a fireplace.
Floor-to-ceiling windows lavish a casual dining area off the living room with light.
A vaulted beamed ceiling in the formal dining room adds historic charm, while French doors open to fountain terraces.
Glasses seem to glow within the inset icy blue illuminated shelving to serve as a focal point in the bar area.
The wraparound kitchen with a central island has a rustic vibe with wood cabinets and an old school pot rack suspended from the vaulted beamed ceiling.
The grounds are 4.7 acres, and terraces spill out to gardens containing grassy lawns and dozens of ancient oaks. A tennis court abuts an oval swimming pool.
The home sits on two parcels of rolling grounds with meandering paths and views from the Pacific Ocean to the Santa Ynez mountains.
Robb Report