French Countryside Style In Montecito, Estate of the Day

If you love the charming look of the French countryside but aren't ready to move abroad, this estate in Montecito, California offers a chance to experience a more European style while safely ensconced in the land of blue skies and celebrity neighbors. The garden is surrounded by a 45-acre nature preserve and 45 acre estate for added privacy and the house belongs to the association of Ennisbrook which means that the owners have access to amenities that include clubhouses, pools and tennis courts.

The house is only ten years old but was designed with an eye toward creating a slice of the French countryside. The two acre property includes a large single-level main house, a separate guest house and garage that create a courtyard. The main house and guest house have high ceilings, lime washed walls and handmade tile floors updated with one comfort you usually won't find in Provence, radiant heat. The gourmet kitchen has an attached loggia for indoor-outdoor living. Listing pictures reveal a magical landscape with bridges, ponds, cottages and what appears to be a rather fancy aviary. Another thing that sets this one apart is vines. Vines crawl the outside of the structures which isn't that unusual but in this case it looks like the vines have come inside sprawling across the ceiling in . The effect is charming but you still might want to bring your pruning shears or have a gardener on staff. This home is listed at $7.5 million with Sotheby's.