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Welcome to 2960 Glen Albyn Drive

Nestled at the base of the Mission Canyon foothills, this 2,465 square foot, quintessential Santa Barbara Mediterranean home is a haven for entertaining and relaxation. This enchanting property, completely redesigned in 2006, features a spacious open floor plan with four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, with exquisite custom details and luxury finishes throughout. The fully fenced, oversized 12,197 square foot parcel in the desirable Peabody School attendance area includes a two-story guesthouse and is close to restaurants, shopping, and hiking trails.

Pass through the custom wrought iron gate to a flagstone patio, enclosed by a sandstone-trimmed wall and shaded by a towering oak tree. A magnificent Southwest front entry door with a speakeasy grille creates a dramatic transition into the home.

The expansive and versatile great room, faux-painted in an air-water-earth motif, provides an ideal space for entertaining with exquisite travertine floors, a gas fireplace with custom tiled mantel, custom Handelman sconces, and dramatic vaulted ceilings with exposed beams. Sunlight pours in through angled upper windows and an array of skylights. The great room extends through arches and wood-framed glass sliders to a capacious Saltillo-tiled patio, perfect for al fresco dining and fitted with a gas line to accommodate a grill.

The open kitchen boasts granite countertops, a new Kinetico reverse-osmosis water system, a spacious island and breakfast bar, cherry cabinetry with deep roller-glide storage drawers, and custom wrought-iron Handelman light fixtures adorning the island and adjacent dining area.

A side wing houses three bedrooms, painted in muted earth tones and featuring travertine floors and baseboards. A vine-draped pergola and a sculptural rock bubbler fountain grace a peaceful flagstone patio, accessible through wood-framed glass sliders off the middle bedroom, while a handsome bay window in the rear bedroom offers panoramic views of the back garden. The colorful hall bath features a granite vanity top, a festive talavera sink basin and light fixture, a temperature-controlled Grohe handheld shower fixture, and plentiful storage.

Travertine steps, faced with vibrant tile and crowned with a striking Handelman chandelier, lead to the romantic master sanctuary. Accessible from inside the house or via a private outer entry, the master suite features a lavish bathroom, bamboo floors, and a soaring cathedral ceiling with wood beam detail and an intricate fan. The opulent ensuite bathroom boasts a sumptuous oversized shower, complete with multiple showerheads and controls, custom tiled walls, and a skylight. A custom dual-sink vanity showcases a breathtaking blue granite countertop, embossed copper sinks with Grohe faucets, and plentiful storage cabinets. An expansive walk-in closet with his-and-her entries, concealed behind elegant wooden pocket doors, spans an entire wall and includes a custom built-in ironing board and a window. French doors open to an ironwork balconette entwined with wisteria and showcasing views beyond the palms and oaks to Santa Cruz Island. Another set of doors opens to a spacious, Saltillo-tiled back balcony with a custom wrought iron railing that overlooks the back garden and leads to a roomy hot tub.

The outdoors beckons from every area of the home. Flagstone pathways meander through the terraced hillsides, planted with lush, yet drought-tolerant, landscaping. A stone-lined stream flows down the hillside and cascades into a tranquil pond. Fragrant citrus blossoms from Valencia orange, mandarin, lime, and Meyer lemon trees perfume the air. Inviting patios throughout the property, each distinct in character, give the sense of separate garden rooms.

Tiled steps alongside the stream lead to a two-story, 627 square foot A-frame guest house. A private composite-grain deck, shaded by a graceful pepper tree, overlooks the garden. Oak floors, knotty pine walls and exposed ceiling beams lend a woodsy retreat-like ambiance. There is a dishwasher and plentiful storage in the full kitchen. The bathroom features a pedestal sink, tile flooring and wainscoting, and a travertine-trimmed shower with a tiled coved ceiling. A staircase with deep storage beneath leads to the upper level, where abundant sunshine streams through a wall of windows that offer stunning Mesa views.

The finished double garage boasts a custom arched door and ample storage, and houses a host of thoughtful upgrades, such as a 6 kW solar electric inverter, a new built-in water softener, and a new tankless water heater with timed re-circulation. A workbench lines the back wall, and an enclosed laundry room, painted a cheerful red, includes an Energy Star-rated washer and gas dryer.

This extraordinary home was designed to be allergy-free with the use of HEPA air filters, and features an abundance of conservation-minded, premium upgrades. Dual-paned wood-framed Pella windows and sliding patio doors all feature recessed screens and maintenance-free interior blinds, sealed between the panes to protect from dust and damage. All interior areas feature Southwest doors and custom ironwork hardware and light fixtures by Steven Handelman, and all bathrooms showcase granite vanity tops and Toto toilets. The home was extensively expanded and structurally upgraded between 2004 and 2006, with new wiring, plumbing, dual zone gas HVAC with air conditioning, remotely-activated skylights with rain sensors, reengineered storm drains, and abundant phone and cable connections. Low-voltage pathway lighting, an automated six-zone drip irrigation system, and copper gutters and downspouts enhance the entire exterior to complete this spectacular home.