MONTECITO MASTERPIECE: A TOUR OF MICHAEL DEROSE’S ITALIAN ESTATE
Designed by Michael DeRose, Villa Di Serenita is a testament to the renowned architect’s exceptional artistry and craftsmanship.
Michael DeRose, founder of MDR Designs, is a well-established architect based out of Santa Barbara who specializes in residential, landscape, and interior design. Having studied fine arts at the University of California, Santa Barbara, DeRose's skills and aesthetic have been honed over the course of 35 years, during which he has built an extensive portfolio encompassing interior design, landscape design, floor planning, custom pieces, and other related services. As a local to the area, DeRose is intimately familiar with the distinctive character and style of Santa Barbara, offering him a unique artistry that is reminiscent of Mediterranean and Italian elegance- yet still exudes the essence of California's coastal living. His luxurious and masterful approach to design has earned him a reputation for creating spaces that feel like a personal destination getaway.
One of DeRoses’s key strengths is how he curates an intimate balance between home and landscape design. Utilizing the characteristics of the area and site, as well as the desires and needs of the client, he generates blueprints that enhance the surrounding nature to incorporate it into the home's structure seamlessly. This is certainly the case for his estate Villa Di Serenita, in which the custom windows and doors provide fluid indoor/outdoor living, where sunlit stone terraces overlook cultivated gardens, fountains, and statuary perched high above sea views and beyond.
Looking further at the estate, an olive tree-lined drive ushers guests to the stone motor court, which reveals an astounding entrance to a Mediterranean-style garden courtyard with distinguished porticos and Italian sandstone columns. Other notable exterior features include the many terraces, balconies, and private courtyards.
Beyond the exterior design, DeRose masterfully crafted the interior design of this estate in a way that speaks to the artistry and luxury he often brings to his work. The villa is filled with beautiful arches, groin-arched ceilings, walnut beams, intricate stone and marble work, Venetian plaster walls, and walnut and Italian marble floors throughout. The many windows illuminate the home with abundant natural light and shimmering ocean views. The sophisticated dining room features a hand-carved Italian fireplace and private dining terrace, and the gourmet kitchen enjoys custom cabinetry and vaulted ceilings. The attention to detail and beauty brought to Villa Di Serenita captures not only an authentic Italian spirit, but also exemplifies the undeniable talent of Michael DeRose.
