Casa das Palmas

Casa das Palmas, a California Hacienda with large rooms, cathedral ceilings and skylights throughout is set amid beautiful mature exotic and fragrant gardens, a tennis court and a pool.   The setting is quiet, peaceful and very private.  As you enter this private gated oasis, you feel like you are entering into a different world, your own peaceful sanctuary.

Constructed in 1970 by the renowned local architect Michael Carmichael the design is charming, comfortable and inviting.  A kitchen addition and detached garage compliment the original design.  

Casa das Palmas is located walking distance to the famous Hendry’s beach, the Douglas Family Preserve and next door to the internationally known area Hope Ranch.   

Casa das Palmas is located inside a picturesque compound with a semi-circular drive-through driveway.   The property can easily entertain large parties and celebrations with ample parking spaces on and off of the property.  

Surrounded by “verandas” which creates magical spaces for resting, entertainments and quiet contemplation of the gardens.

This beautiful 4,000 square foot home has been meticulously remodeled with attention to the details: terra cotta floor tiles, granite counters, French doors, hand-made wrought iron sconces, and skylights  throughout.    The tile roof and stucco walls further define this beautiful local style.

You drive into a circular California gold gravel driveway through mature queen palm trees.  Additional parking spaces are located at either end of the house.  The landscape includes succulents, cacti, coral trees, bird of paradise, blue fan palms, vines, ornamental grasses and rose plants.

The large backyard includes a tennis court, pool, and emerald green lawn surrounded with gardens.  The verandas feature daybeds, hammocks, fireplace and outdoor living areas....

this garden retreat offers an intimate and relaxing space for year round enjoyment...

palm trees, Tipuana trees, pine trees, coral trees, eucalyptus tree and many avocado trees enclose the back garden with complete privacy and enchantment.

The terra cotta tile roof with large overhangs creates spacious verandas with heavy beamed ceilings.   The stucco walls create an earthy feeling, like the house belongs to the land.

The centrally located front entrance opens into the living room. Through the living room you will gravitate to the splendor of the back yard.

An outdoor shower is ideal for washing off after a swim, or for kids camping in the garden.

Delicate, colorful petals in the flowerbeds captivate your senses.   Trees rise majestically into the blue sky from the emerald green lawn, their shadows playing with the sunlight in the gardens, creating a rich variety of experiences.

The gardens have been thoughtfully designed to present a variety of colorful flowers, cacti, bamboo, ornamental grasses, birds of paradise and succulents and lush ferns. 

The collection of succulents include the undulating Agave Americana to the frilly-leaved rosettes of echeveria hybrids.   Dramatic, sculptural shapes, intriguing textures, and sizzling colors, entertain and inspire.

There are thirty-six queen palm trees, coral trees, pine trees, South American Tipuana trees, eucalyptus trees and twenty avocado trees on the property.

Take a dip in the warm welcoming pool first thing in the morning, in the afternoon or late at night.    This sparkling aquamarine 20’ x 40’ pool can be heated to body temperature.   All heating and filtration functions are automated with a control panel in the Kitchen.  An electric cover keeps the pool clean when not in use.   A hot tub is incorporated into one corner of the pool.    Pebble stone concrete provides outdoor living areas one side, gardens meet stone coping on the other side.   An outdoor entertainment system provides music around the pool area.  

One of very few lighted tennis courts grandfathered into Santa Barbara in the evening.   Complete with a practice board and basketball net, this tennis court provides hours of enjoyment and exercize.     During large events the tennis court can be enclosed, providing thousands of square feet more for weddings and celebrations.

The tennis court was refinished in 2008 in earthy tan and green colors.

Santa Barbara’s perfect weather draws you outside to fresh ocean breezes.   What could be better than lying in a hammock and reading your favorite book….. …..swinging from an overhanging branch.……playing cricket or soccer on the large back lawn?  Tennis anybody?   A swim perhaps!   There is never a lack of activities at Casa das Palmas.

Notice the size and shape of the lot.   All of the 63,000 square feet is useable space.   The ocean is just two blocks away.   Imagine living in the fresh ocean breezes, known to enhance your quality of life and longevity.    The surrounding areas, mostly estate homes, have many wide-open spaces, making you feel like your living in the country.

Being all on one level has many advantages.    The California Hacienda style affords privacy to its occupants with bedrooms at each end of the house, or the master suite far away from an entertainment room or study.   All of the rooms have pitched beamed ceilings for an open and airy feeling throughout.   All the common areas are tiled for easy maintenance, and the bedrooms are cozy with plush carpets.   The living room has incredible acoustics and the kitchen is set up for a gourmet chef.    Casa das Palmas is a house you will look forward to coming home to.

Enjoyed alone in the middle of the day, with the front and back French doors open, a gentle breeze adds to the airy feeling of the house.   With its 13 foot pitched beam ceiling and no two walls parallel, the acoustics of this room are outstanding.   Enjoy your favorite music in warmth and openness.

The built in wet bar makes entertaining easy.    French doors open into verandas and gardens.   A large faux-stone fireplace warms the dining room also.  A skylight provides natural daytime illumination.

Find yourself and your friends in the beautiful living room at Casa das Palmas.

Step into the warm inviting kitchen from the pool patio, the living room or the dining room.   Twelve-foot cathedral ceilings and skylights create a feeling of total spaciousness.   Granite countertops have plenty of working space and twin sinks.   Pull up a stool for great family times at the large center island.   Enjoy breakfast at the spacious breakfast nook overlooking the gardens and crystalline aquamarine pool.   

Appliances include Sub –Zero fridge and freezer, 2 Dacor broiler/ovens, Bosch dishwasher and ample cabinetry.  

French doors open up to an outdoor living area with fireplace.  

This kitchen is spacious, bright and functional.    A gourmet cooks dream.

Make your way into this beautiful dining room from the kitchen or living room.    Dinner is served!     

The beautiful fireplace creates an intimate dinner experience.  

Terra cotta tile floor, large skylights, faux-stone fireplace, nichos, 11’ wooden beamed ceiling make this room warm and inviting.   In this dining room you can treasure your most flavorful moments.

 Its very quiet at Casa das Palmas at night. Occasionally you will hear the ocean, wind through the trees and the calls of the owls.   

Each of the bedrooms are luxuriously carpeted.   All rooms have 11 foot beamed ceilings and windows.   The master suite has two skylights.

Enter into the master suite from the dining room / lounge area or through double French doors from the gardens.   You will notice the calming pastel colors and large open space.

The fragrance of the jasmine flowers, the angel trumpets, gardenias and ginger lilies ……soft pink philodendrons combined with the glowing silver of the Calla lilies under the light of full moon nights…feeling the soft breeze of the near ocean waves…

The Master bathroom features tile floor and walls, tile counter tops with beautiful ceramic basins, generous cabinetry, sliding pocket doors, tiled shower with glass door, a separate area for the bathtub and toilette, 11’ beamed ceiling, skylights, French window, and custom wrought iron fixtures. 

New Zealand wool carpet, French windows, 11’ beamed ceiling, custom wrought iron light fixtures, and spacious closet and shared Jack and Jill bathroom.

Terra cotta tiled floor, beautiful mosaic decorative Telavera tile walls, double pedestal sinks, and extra large walk-in shower, elegant fixtures, skylight, high-beamed ceiling, and separate area toilette.

New Zealand wool carpet, French windows, 11’ beamed ceiling, custom wrought iron light fixtures and spacious closet and shared Jack and Jill bathroom.

Tiles floor, stone counter top and ceramic basin, antique light fixtures and coral walls.

Large secluded room with beamed ceiling, French doors to out side and gardens, sea grass carpet, faux finish wall treatment, two large closets, antique wrought iron light fixture, beautiful French windows,  plenty of warm sun light in the afternoons.

Terracotta tiles, granite counter, wood cabinetry, large deep laundry basin, washer and dryer.

Spacious, bright, plenty of sun light, French door to the gardens. You come from the beach… you jump into the outdoor shower; you grab a fresh towel from the laundry and your day starts.