Casa Del Herrero: Southern California Spanish Revival masterpiece

I’ve been wanting to visit Casa Del Herrero for several years; ever since I came across the name George Washington Smith. There is so much information online and of course books that you can read to give you the history of the home and the architect so rather than regurgitate that information I’m just going to write about my experience while visiting this property. I should start by saying that by profession I am a real estate agent, specifically one who’s focus is historic real estate here in Southern California which generally means properties built between 1890 and 1950. I spend a great deal of time walking properties, evaluating their appeal and determining their market value which is always greatly impacted by their livability and general “feel.” It is through this lense that I view property but as this visit had nothing to do with market value I was simply walking through to see what I could learn about Washington Smith through his work and also to simply enjoy the finished product of two incredible men of history.

Located on the coastal terrace of Montecito.

Authentic Materials from First Hand Experience

The property is absolutely fantastic. It is true to its Andalusian Farmhouse roots in its exterior finishes and fenestration and truer still as it was built with products shipped from Andalusia in the 1920’s. Carved door ways, hand painted ceilings and especially tiles give the impression of Southern Spain like no other property in our region that I’ve seen to date. I’ve had the privilege of traveling through Andalusia. I’ve visited dozens of “Los Pueblos Blancos,” stayed in Cortijos turned into hotels and seen the magnificent structures of the Mezquita, Alcazar and of course the Alhambra. Though this property carries its own experience unlike an authentic cortijo there is no doubt as to it’s original inspiration and this is due to the fact that both architect and owner had visited Andalusia and had first had experience.

Handmade tiles and an imported handpainted ceiling along with many original artifacts come together to create an incredible initial experience.

An Inspired Creation rather than Reproduction

Zahara de la Sierra in the Spanish Hill Country

I thoroughly enjoyed the property. I loved that the front courtyard was laid with river rock as I’ve seen in countless medieval European villages. The Moorish style fountains throughout the property brought me right back to palaces of Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada while the thick white washed walls, clay tile ceiling and small, iron ornamented windows were as I’d seen in places like Grazalema, Benalauria and Olvera, deep in the Spanish hill country. Unlike its origins however this home was grand, polished and formal. It was not built far into the reaches of the mountains or clustered together for safety on hilltops where attackers could be seen approaching. No, this home was built close to the ocean on a large piece of land where the owners could meander and tinker on projects in absolute peace. There was a team of people to maintain the home and gardens and make sure the owners were free to do as they pleased.

I loved that this property and many others built here in Southern California are not replica’s of the originals. They are not reproductions as you can often find in reproduced folk villages for educational purposes. I remember as a child in England visiting reproduction medieval villages with their muddy streets, thatched roofs and rudimentary doorways. Or as an adult vising the Hida No Sato Folk Village in Takayama Japan, which is an open air museum of 17th-20th traditional Japanese mountain houses. Casa del Herrero is not that. It was inspired by ancient architecture but not designed to live like one. This home had a modern footprint and modern amenities. Guest bathrooms, butlers kitchen and gracious outdoor rooms. It was adorned from top to bottom in hand crafted tile or simple clay tile laid in intricate patterns. The stair way was grand in design but not in scale and the home even featured a small but ornately decorated library. It had built in bells to ring for service, electricity and indoor plumbing with some of the most gorgeous bathrooms fitted with colorful tile. Though it felt distinctly Spanish is its cladding it was clearly the creation of a wealthy 20th century American and it was an amazing experience to walk through it and soak it all in. The Steedmans were inventive, creative and highly talented people with the means to bring their vision to fruition. I feel lucky to have seen the place they worked so hard to create and luckier still that the grandchildren chose to turn the property into a place that can now be visited and enjoyed by many. I hope this article inspires you to pay the property a visit, it’ll be well worth your time!