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My Houzz: Mediterranean-Italian Mansion in California
Historical tributes, Persian carpets and a coop's worth of chickens help a vast house feel like a family home
About 15 years ago, with their two boys beginning to outgrow their home, Marilyn and Steven Gutsche ventured out to search for a bigger place. When they saw a beautiful Don Nolte ranch in the sunny hills of Santa Barbara, California, it was clear they had found their new home. They immediately repainted the exterior and interior from stark, modern white to much calmer, soothing tones and transformed the house into a Mediterranean-Italian ranch.
The interior color palette and decorations were carefully chosen to match Steven's large collection of antique Persian carpets. Carpets are draped on the floor in nearly every room and even on the wall in the original vaulted Palladian entranceway, one of the few areas of the house kept in its original state.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Marilyn and Steven Gutsche and their 2 sons
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Size: 6,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths
That's interesting: The couple have hosted a number of weddings here.
The interior color palette and decorations were carefully chosen to match Steven's large collection of antique Persian carpets. Carpets are draped on the floor in nearly every room and even on the wall in the original vaulted Palladian entranceway, one of the few areas of the house kept in its original state.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Marilyn and Steven Gutsche and their 2 sons
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Size: 6,500 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths
That's interesting: The couple have hosted a number of weddings here.
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| A beautiful colonnade connects the classic-style living room to a gazebo surrounded by a colorful array of fruit trees. |
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| Marilyn was inspired by the fruit trees in the garden to add the gazebo. |
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The Gutsches wanted more space for the boys and their friends. They extended the kitchen, attached a family room complete with large TV and pool table, and added a pool house in the back. Santa Barbara architect Ketzel and Goodman designed all the new spaces.
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| The pool house, here and next photo, is reminiscent of a Greek beach cottage, with soothing blues and whites, straw shades and lots of natural light coming through large windows along one side. It's the perfect place for kids and guests to relax or get a little noisy without disturbing anyone in the main house. |
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| Steven's study is a tribute to the Napoleonic era. The space includes original busts, an original French cavalry saber collection and a museum reproduction of a famous painting of the man himself. |
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| This bookshelf in the library houses original leather-bound history books from the Napoleonic era as well as art pieces commemorating Napoleon. |
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| The family room design is based in part on the Four Seasons Biltmore, with as many large windows as possible. |
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Apollo, the Gutsches' Lutino cockatiel, lives in a beautiful Indonesian antique wooden birdcage found at an antiques shop. With all the large windows, it might be dangerous for Apollo to be flying all over the house, but he is still a happy clip-winged member of the family, often hitching a ride around the ranch on the shoulders of Steven or Marilyn.
One of the owners' favorite places for antiques shopping these days is nearby Summerland, a small beach town only one mile long containing no fewer than nine antiques stores.
One of the owners' favorite places for antiques shopping these days is nearby Summerland, a small beach town only one mile long containing no fewer than nine antiques stores.
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| As Marilyn tells it, she was "bitten by the chicken bug" just a few years ago. She now has her own coop, "Chez Poulet." The theme of birds and chickens runs through much of the house, especially the kitchen. |
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| French limestone floor tiles extend across the remodeled kitchen and family room. The tiles were imported directly from France by boat, taking months to arrive. The wait was well worth it, though, as the high-quality floors show very little wear after many years. |
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| "Once you start a chicken coop, everybody buys you chicken presents," Marilyn says, explaining her stovetop accessories. |
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| This dark wood kitchen island cabinetry by William Oh was installed years ago, before it was in fashion. The windows show real beans held at the front of each drawer. |
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A close-up of the kitchen.
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| A crystal chandelier imported from Italy hangs in the classic-style dining room. It reflects direct sunlight over the smooth surfaces and mirrors that cover the room. |
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These finches were bought to match the lamp from Maison K in Montecito.
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| This brass music stand is a beautiful original piece found at one of Santa Barbara's many antique shops. It serves form and function standing next to a rosewood piano. The living room's large windows allow sunlight to pervade the space and bounce into every nook and cranny. |
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This rosewood grand piano, Marilyn's pride and joy, is still in perfect shape after 32 years.
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| An Aphrodite torso in the entranceway is a first-century Roman piece that introduces the Italian-style architecture and design seen throughout the house. |
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| The Gutsche home at night. More: Houzz Tour: Seaside Italian Escape Houzz Escape: A Trip to Tuscany Browse thousands of inspiring photos |
Comments
lyvia my favorite houzz ever!
15 months ago · Like
furpants It seems like every photo is a different architectural style.
15 months ago · Like
bldgahousesoon this style appears old and dated, and a bit too much going on.
15 months ago · Like
CAROLE MEYER LOVE the kitchen cabinets.....I did something like this in our new home in Oregon. Love the rustic black cabinets1 
15 months ago · Like
patscats2 That is one beautiful mansion. Only thing I don't care for is the ornate things in the foyer. They are a bit gawdy looking I think. Other than that I could move right in and be very comfortable!!
15 months ago · Like
sharlene Would help to have a decorator with keen eye scale back on some of the rooms. The photography is not good so maybe that also hurts.
15 months ago · Like
ragsangle It's too bad they didn't keep the architectural features consistant through out the house. The miss mash creates confusion and is too busy fromm room to room being so different and some of it doesn't fit the house.
15 months ago · Like
Stacy Bender Gorgeous! Love the outside areas!
15 months ago · Like
katelyn1993 Nice exterior, but the interior needs some work. Too ornate
3 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on March 1, 2012.
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