Born on the

site of its

forebear, this

California

farmhouse

bears a striking

resemblance

to a 1940s

cottage.

• ROUND UP •

This lovely farmhouse in Santa

Barbara takes its architectural cues

from a 1940s board-and-batten

cottage that previously occupied the

property. “The owners spent weekends in the

cottage and relished its casual style and utilitarian

simplicity,” says architect Mary Andrulaitis of

Neumann Mendro Andrulaitis Architects. “This

particular home’s placement on a larger piece of

property gives you the feeling of an escape from

the chaos of everyday life, to a place and time

where things are simpler and quieter.”

BUILDING BLOCKS

In choosing the building blocks of the home,

Mary sought elements that did double duty.

“All the materials are chosen not only for their

appearance, but for their durability in the harsh

marine environment,” she says. The roofing is

a combination of copper and slate, while the

foundation and chimneys are crafted from Santa

Barbara sandstone.

While sandstone is common to cottages in the

area, the foundation’s location is more innovative.

The construction team laid the base amid existing

“mature oak, Monterey cypress and eucalyptus

trees,” Mary says. “They make the home feel like it’s

been there for a long time.”

NEW YET OLD

The farmhouse, with its “gabled roofs, deep-

shaded porches [and] paned windows” is

designed to appear as if it has been renovated

over the years. “We designed the central two-story

portion to be perceived as the ‘original’ home,”

Mary says. “The two guest wings are designed to

look like later additions.” Just as envisioned, the

layout and materials of this classic farmhouse

resonate with traditional cottage style.

Farm

COTTAGE

BY STEPHANIE

AGNESCROCKETT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CIRO COELHO

SEE SOURCES, PAGE 128.

130 • AMERICAN FARMHOUSE STYLE