2694 Sycamore Canyon Road - Montecito, California

An Artist’s Modern Sanctuary in Montecito. Montecito is defined by its Mediterranean villas and Spanish Revival estates, which makes a truly modern residence here a rare find. Rarer still is one with a story like this. Set off a private drive, behind gates on 1.3 fully fenced acres, 2694 Sycamore Canyon Road was for years the home and working studio of Aris Demetrios, the sculptor whose bronzes stand in more than a hundred of the region’s finest estates and in public spaces from Santa Barbara City College to the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center. The house itself carries a sculptor’s understanding of volume and light. More than 5,800 square feet of living space unfolds beneath vaulted ceilings, and broad expanses of glass draw Montecito’s shifting light deep inside, so that the gardens and sky become part of nearly every room. The home’s thoughtfully designed layout offers an easy flow between generous living spaces, and the flexibility to accommodate changing needs over time. Travertine extends through the principal rooms, while wide-plank floors warm the bedrooms, and custom millwork and ample storage are found throughout. The kitchen is appointed with custom wood cabinetry, stone countertops, a Viking Professional range and refrigerator, GE Monogram ovens and wine storage, a large island with bar seating, and a spacious pantry. The primary suite is a quiet sanctuary, with a fireplace, two custom closets, a deep soaking tub, and a walk-in shower enclosed in glass. Three additional bedrooms complete the private wing; two are en suite, and one has its own fireplace. The studio where Demetrios worked remains a generous, light-filled space with a utility sink and cabinetry, ideal as an art studio, office, or wellness room. Outside, the property continues its artistic story. The current owners commissioned the Japanese mosaic artist Toyoharu Kii to create a site-specific mural, composed of thousands of hand-cut tesserae of Italian Biancone limestone and blue smalti, evoking the image of rings spreading across still water. As the day turns, light moves across its white stone and deep blue glass, and the quiet sound of moving water carries through the garden. The image echoes throughout the grounds: a spa and solar-heated pool, a water garden, fountains, and a dry creek tracing its way through the generous terraced landscape. Four custom pergolas shade outdoor rooms, and broad, level terraces and a bocce court invite long afternoons. An enclosed kitchen garden with six raised planting beds sits among fruit trees bearing persimmon, pomegranate, kumquat, mulberry, plum, peach, apple, and citrus. Beneath it all, the home runs on two owned solar systems (one with battery backup), along with radiant floor heating in the principal living areas, five-zone climate control, a whole-home water softener, and a monitored security system with remote gate control. A detached three-car garage with EV charging, plus parking for ten, completes the property. The home sits minutes from Montecito’s Upper Village, within the Cold Spring School District. Few homes in Montecito carry a story like this one: a place where art was made, and where it continues to live.