Anyone with an eye for detail will be awestruck at this Spanish Colonial Revival estate in Santa Barbara’s Hope Ranch enclave. La Sonrisa was designed in 1931 by Floyd E. Brewster, a protégé of architect George Washington Smith, who worked with Carleton Winslow Sr. on the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
Evidence of his creative vision remains on display throughout the historic two-story abode. The red-tile roof and white stucco walls of the asymmetrical facade were inspired by Spain’s Andalusian architecture and blend with the Southern California locale’s Mediterranean-like setting. Inside, romantic arches and textured woodwork nod to California’s past.
“La Sonrisa really checks every box when it comes to Spanish Colonial architecture,” says Kelly Knight of Village Properties.
But it’s the finer points that distinguish the nearly 5,100-square-foot residence: preserved hand-painted tiles, imported carved shutters, original brass hardware and 1930s window glass.
The home was commissioned by Naval Captain C.G. Davy, who was overseeing the building of the Naval Academy while stationed in Peru. He had the shutters and hand-carved study doors made for him there and shipped to the United States.
Now, after more than 90 years of extended family ownership, the estate is opening its doors to a buyer. “The house is remarkably intact,” Knight says.
The entryway greets with a patterned tile floor, vaulted wood ceiling and unusual wide-grout tiled stairway. The vertically stacked tile gives the appearance of stripes.
Wood-beamed ceilings, intricately tiled floors and a central fireplace with a built-in colorful tile surround for wood storage grace the living room.
Stairs with hand-painted risers lead through a wide arched entry to the step-up dining room with a decorative woodwork ceiling. Spanish tiles punctuate the terra cotta floor.
The den features a corner fireplace and French doors that open to a central courtyard, which is accessible from most of the main rooms and overlooked by a carved wood balcony.
The primary suite and two guest bedrooms, which share a pass-through dressing area and bathroom, are on the second floor. There’s also flex space originally intended as a sewing room for a total of four bedrooms and four bathrooms throughout the house.
The courtyard contains dining and lounging areas, tiled benches, a fountain, outdoor fireplace and colorful tiled sink. Flagstone steps lead up to the backyard.
The more than 1 acre of lush grounds includes old-growth trees and manicured gardens.
The Hope Ranch property at 4305 Via Presada is within 10 minutes of shops and eateries. Hope Ranch amenities include a private beach, equestrian trails and a community tennis court.
Knight says she envisions the home going to a discerning buyer who understands architectural pedigrees, “someone looking for quintessential Santa Barbara architecture.”
Interest has been coming from potential buyers in Chicago, the East Coast, the Bay Area and Orange County.
“Most people are looking at it as a second home,” she says. The asking price is $6,895,000.
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