This beach residence was designed by Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis Architects Design as a family compound to enjoy for vacation getaways, located on the California coast of Montecito. The compound is located in a private gated community, nestled on a bluff with spectacular oceanfront views. The 7,000 square foot main residence was originally designed in 1993 and was given a complete interior remodel a few years ago. The client is a rancher from San Joaquin Valley, wanting an oceanside family retreat to escape the heat and dust during the summer. The architects had also designed plans for an adjacent narrow lot of just 35 feet wide to create a full-service guest house so that family and friends could stay for a weekend or several weeks! The lot had originally been a part of a larger estate with just a swimming pool but without access to the beach. There was a plaster wall that separated the two properties, a barrier which needed to be removed in order to create a nice flow between spaces, connected yet separate.

Each home has separate access by car, keeping the spaces feeling private for individual needs. Through a mahogany gate you will find a verdant and tropical garden between the two homes, pictured above. A stone pathway comprised of natural cut Sweetwater Cherokee leads you through the structures where there is also a new fountain, adding to the peaceful setting. The challenge for the architects when designing the new guest retreat was to have it complement the style of the primary residence located next to it. In doing so, they applied simple and modern styling, creating comfortable spaces with a minimal materials palette.

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What We Love: This beautiful family getaway retreat on the coast offers family and guests a special haven to relax and enjoy everything nature has to offer. Being right on the beach, there is plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained and a sumptuous swimming pool and barbecue area to bring family members together and enjoy their vacation time together. The outdoor landscaping around the property completes the look of this heavenly retreat… when can we come for a visit? How about you, would this be your ideal vacation getaway on the coast?

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The guest house features an open layout consisting of a living and dining room as well as a kitchen. Sliding glass doors opens the space up, creating a seamless connection with the outdoors and offering views to the coast. It also provides convenient access to the swimming pool and barbecue area offered at the main residence, creating a fantastic connection between the spaces, ideal for entertaining. By keeping the interior design scheme simple, spaces feel open and airy with a zen-like calmness that is connected with the outdoor living spaces through expansive sliding glass doors. 

The new guest quarters is comprised of roughly 2,700 square feet of living space perfectly sized for short or long-term guests. There is also a detached two-car garage so guests can come and go as they please. The design blends seamlessly with both the scale and aesthetics of the main house.

White interiors helps to keep this modest guest home feeling open and spacious. Stained concrete flooring runs throughout most of the living spaces, with the exception of the bathrooms, which offers tiling for slip resistance. In keeping with the scheme of the main house, doors and windows are a stained mahogany, while black metal guardrails and light fixtures were also selected to match.

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Photos: Ciro Coelho Photography