Through private iron gates in an exclusive neighborhood near the upper village of Montecito, this spectacular five bedroom, four bath home transports guests to a Moroccan-style resort experience. With lushly landscaped grounds and architectural elements reflecting international sophistication, Kashmir is truly intoxicating.  The Moorish style home rebuilt in 1968 was meticulously restored in 2011 with a unique blend of colors, fabric textures and eclectic design.  The owner’s love of art, photography, music and fine furnishings is apparent throughout the property.  Every amenity has been provided to assure a luxurious and flawless vacation experience.

The entry, with black onyx-style flooring and gilded ceiling, welcomes guests into this unique home. In the living room, stately French doors and windows span the wall of this bright space, inviting the outside in. On quiet evenings one can entertain around the 1904 Steinway Baby Grand “O” series piano or the sixty inch flat screen TV while relaxing in front of the warmly blazing fireplace.

The kitchen’s whitewashed walls and Italian statuary marble set the stage for an unprecedented gourmet experience. A massive center island offers front row seating to oversee the culinary delights being created at the commercial-style range and with the professional appliances and amenities provided here. Even the most meticulous chef will find every tool needed to create even the most demanding dishes. A two-sided gas fireplace separates the kitchen from the formal dining room with seating for ten guests at the unique round table. French doors from the kitchen and dining room offer immediate access to the fully enclosed central courtyard. This courtyard is truly the heart of this unique home with its sparkling pool, and plenty of seating on iron chaise lounges with plush new cushions. The nearby outdoor kitchen, with seating for ten at a built-in banquette-style mosaic table is a charming spot for a lavish sit-down dinner or a casual pool party buffet.

From the kitchen, stairs of exotic multi-coloured hand-painted tiles ascend to the posh master suite on the second floor. Crisp white walls are the blank canvas to this fresh contemporary room of black and white with crimson accents. A balcony, reached through massive wood doors, acts as a loggia to watch activity in the pool courtyard below. With the sun setting on the ocean views beyond, one can take refuge on the lounges or suspended rope hammock and melt into one’s dreams.

The marble master bathroom is beautifully appointed with step-down bathtub with showerhead, mirrored vanity and views of the backyard. The second bedroom nearby is vibrant with colored fabrics and pillows atop extra long twin beds, is designed as a quiet reading den or cozy sleeping quarters. The third bedroom is downstairs with California king bed, has French door access to the private outdoor hot tub. The addition of a queen sleeper sofa makes it perfect for families with small children that need to remain close. The California king bed in a further bedroom faces the lush backyard, while more French doors offer immediate access to cool evening breezes or warm summer sunshine.

In both downstairs bathrooms, light streams through tall windows and reflects off cool marble to create bright spaces. Large open glass showers complete the picture for a spa-like experience. All bedrooms, living rooms and pool room have flat screen TV’s, Direct TV, and music streams throughout the home from the built-in speaker system. The “Pool Room”, off the central courtyard, is a wonderfully versatile guest retreat. This stand-alone space with a private entrance and its own full bathroom can be used as a family game room or 5th Bedroom Suite with a custom handcrafted California king bed. The unique focal point of this entertaining room is the 1920 Brunswick tournament size pool table that was featured in a match between Minnesota Fats and Paul Newman in the movie “The Hustler”. Flanked by an abundance of large French doors on both sides, this room can be opened up on both sides to create a continuous flow from the pool courtyard to the large shady backyard.

Under magnificent oak trees, the grounds were designed by renowned architect Eric Nagelman. With massive boulders, native plants, and seasonal creek, the park-like setting speaks to the importance of preserving the natural landscape and is magnificently lit during evening hours. One can gather after sunset around the large open sand fire pit, or sneak away for a private soak in the hot tub under the stars. Kashmir echoes of faraway places. Santa Barbara is eight miles drive and LAX is ninety two miles and will take about an hour and fifty minutes drive.