Living With George Washington Smith
Smith’s layouts emphasize the discrete rooms that residents naturally preferred in an era when live-in staff were common.
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Harry Kolb of Sotheby’s International Realty in Santa Barbara likens the potential buyer of a Smith property to a vintage car collector, as opposed to someone who simply wants reliable transportation. “Some people just love the feel of a 1950s Mercedes, because they didn’t have the plastic—they had metal knobs and the feel of the leather is much better,” he says. “They’re more tactile and romantic than newer models, and so collectors are willing to put up with their inconveniences and quirks. The same is true with older homes. People who are interested in provenance and pedigree are willing to deal with the lack of a big kitchen and family room, because of the wonderful depth of character the homes have."; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
Unlike many
contemporary homes, Smith’s designs tend to be more formal; the open floor plans
that many homebuyers now seek will not be found in Smith’s layouts, which
emphasize the discrete rooms that residents naturally preferred in an era when
live-in staff were common. Not all of them have been rewired for today’s
technologies, either. An exception is the 1928 Park Lane carriage house ($5.83
million), beneath whose Old World patina can be found an advanced,
state-of-the-art Panasonic Advanced Hybrid telephone system and a whole-house
sound system with controls in all major rooms, including the patio and side
terraces. (Click image enlarge)The Ogilvy House ($17.9 million) also combines high technology with genteel history: Throughout the 7,000-square-foot residence, which boasts coffered ceilings and a magnificent sweeping Spanish-tile staircase, can be found computer-controlled lighting, and the previous owners also installed 37 data ports that connect to a discreetly located network room, all the while maintaining the residence’s original Andalusian charm.
In contrast, Ravenscroft ($6.25 million) remains relatively unchanged from Smith’s day, having been owned by only two individuals since its construction in 1922. The original owner, a survivor of the fires that followed the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, asked that her home be constructed entirely of poured concrete, including the beams. “Ravenscroft is absolutely like walking into a time capsule,” Kolb says. “It’s exactly the way it was the day George Washington Smith walked out the door. It is spectacular. Of course, it’s a fixer. It needs all mechanicals and everything, but it is absolutely a jewel in the rough—a wonderful property with a court, pool and guesthouse and beautiful stables attached to the house.”
By far the most spectacular property currently offered on the market, however, is Robledal ($21.5 million), a 14,000-square-foot hacienda situated on almost 8 acres in Hope Ranch. Built in 1928, this meticulously detailed five-bedroom and seven-bath residence conjures images of old California, when the Spanish rancheros ruled the rolling countryside. Bordered on all sides by mountain views and the Pacific, the estate has beautifully manicured grounds that contain two guest apartments, a staff apartment, an enormous sapphire-like pool and a regulation tennis court.
Harry Kolb, Sotheby’s International Realty
805.565.8633, www.harrykolb.com
