Siteline | Versailles on the 14th Hole

Noteworthy new listings….

How on earth did I miss 1917 Boundary Drive ($29.5 million) in Birnam Wood when it came on the market last month? Built in 2002, the house has five bedrooms and nine full baths, and it was inspired by the Palace of Versailles. (The presence of “an underground tunnel and safety room” certainly inspires visions of a mob storming the gates.) Listing photos include renderings of how the decor might look toned down, but in my opinion, restraint has no place here. Go for baroque!

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Ready to say goodbye to the hustle and bustle of Santa Barbara? Repair to 3235 Roblar Avenue ($16 million) in Santa Ynez. The 56-acre property, a.k.a. Lieff Ranch, has 26 acres of vineyards, a main house, four cottages, a barn outfitted for entertaining, and much more. Aside from the barn, I have no idea which photos are of what, so I just chose a bunch that I found evocative.

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At 3,413 square feet, 623 Sunrise Vista Way ($4.8 million) is big for Alta Mesa, with a price to match. The views are undeniably top-notch, and the house is walkable to the Mesa’s commercial center, but the two guest rooms share a bath right outside the primary bedroom door, and the neighbors include several apartment buildings—not exactly ideal near the $5 million mark.

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The allure of Montecito Union School is so powerful that 445 Hot Springs Road ($5.55 million) is likely to get its asking price, even though it’s on a busy road, it lacks a pool, and many surfaces need updating. (There’s more red than in a Target store.) P.S. The brick deck is a winner.

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The backyard of 1985 Paquita Drive ($2.495 million) is definitely appealing, but the interiors could use updating and the house makes an awkward first impression. You’ll want to visit on a day when the wind is blowing from the south.