A Montecito classic, revived

"George Washington Smith, widely regarded as the founder of the Spanish Colonial Revival style, designed scores of houses in and around Santa Barbara during an architectural career that lasted only a dozen years before his death in 1930. Today those houses, with their signature mix of whitewashed walls, red-tiled roofs, balconies, courtyards, fountains, elaborate carved woodwork and wrought iron, are keenly sought after, according to area real estate agents."

"Current owners Stuart and Deborah Fuss bought the house 80 years later and embarked on their own restoration and renovation. They brought in materials from as far afield as Morocco, Argentina and Nicaragua to restore historical features or create handcrafted duplicates true to Smith's original designs. After much painstaking research and almost two years of construction, the former Bay Area couple have a historic, handcrafted property with all the benefits of an ultra-modern home."

"Kolb believes the "G.W." cachet adds a premium to the value of a home. He says in the course of his 30-year career in Santa Barbara real estate, he's sold 25 to 30 such homes -- "some of them more than once.""

George Washington Smith founded the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style, designing numerous houses in Santa Barbara during his brief twelve-year career before his 1930 death. His homes feature distinctive whitewashed walls, red-tiled roofs, balconies, courtyards, fountains, carved woodwork, and wrought iron details. A 1922 home originally designed for his cousin James Canby was later purchased by Boston widow Edith Cunningham, who commissioned Smith to expand it significantly. Current owners Stuart and Deborah Fuss restored the property over two years, incorporating materials from Morocco, Argentina, and Nicaragua while integrating modern amenities including radiant heating, wireless networks, and automated systems. Real estate agents confirm that Smith's architectural signature commands premium valuations, with experienced agents having sold 25 to 30 such properties throughout their careers.

Read at Los Angeles Times