Make Myself at Home: A Smart San Roque Haven

Address: 3780 Hope Terrace

Status: On the market

Price: $1,450,000

The home for sale at 3780 Hope Terrace is surrounded by a low white wall. With the purple mountains rising up behind it and our stereotypical Santa Barbara blue sky overhead, my first thought when I pulled up to visit was that it almost didn’t matter what the house behind the wall looked like. With this view and this location, it was already desirable.

This fleeting thought was reinforced as I shook hands with the home’s owner and we started our tour outside. Once inside the front gate, the lush front courtyard gives way to a paved path which meanders around to the private backyard where the gorgeous mountains feel even closer. Drought-resistant native landscaping with thoughtful seating areas surround the focal point of this secluded haven: the beautiful pool and spa.

As we stepped into the living room, I was pleased to learn that the home offers outdoor access from every single room. So the mountain views and the tranquil garden continue their influence throughout the house, helping to bring the outside in.

The entire three bedroom/two bath house was extensively remodeled in 2010 by architect Bob Easton, AIA, with an eye toward comfort, style, and efficiency. The brand-new gourmet kitchen enhances the flow between the living room, dining room, and kitchen and includes all new appliances, tile, flooring, and countertops. Many other features were updated, as well, such as pullout pantry shelving and an abundance of smoothly gliding drawers. “We don’t like cabinets for storage,” said the owner as he pointed out various details. “They’re just not efficient.”

Efficiency is a recurring theme. As an example, one of the improvements made during the remodel was the installation of six skylights throughout the house, which add both light and ventilation. The skylights are all remote controlled and have sensors so that if it begins to rain while the skylights are open, they will close automatically.

Another recent improvement was the installation of programmable central heating and air conditioning. Although most homes in Santa Barbara exist without air conditioning, it was a timely addition with the high temperatures we experienced this summer. Another nod to creature comforts is the programmable subfloor heating in the bathrooms. The floor is toasty warm even on the chilliest mornings.

The window coverings in the living room are also thoughtful, efficient, and user friendly. With huge windows to both the north and south, strategically placed shades can be dropped with a single touch to reduce glare and enhance viewing of the entertainment center in the living room.

This is a very smart house, with all new windows, a new instant-hot-water heater, and a new heater for the pool and spa. Another design decision that was so subtle that it didn’t dawn on me until later was the fact that the tile and flooring was the same in every room. This consistent palette lends a cohesive flow throughout the house, adding to the already tranquil atmosphere.

In addition to all of these smart features, this home has lots of light, a great location, a very desirable school district, and those ever-present mountain views.

3780 Hope Terrace is currently for sale in Santa Barbara, listed by Jeff and Marco Farrell of Coldwell Banker Realtors. Reach Jeff at (805) 895-5151 or Marco at (805) 455-5362.