Inside William Hefner’s Inspired Montecito Estate

Rip & Tan: In as many words as you’d like, how would you define your interior design ethos? 

William Hefner: My interior design ethos is that I love a feeling of things being collected. I have an appreciation for the power of mixing vintage pieces that have stood the test of time with a new interior to give rooms a sense of history and timelessness.

Rip & Tan: When dreaming up your own home, what was the initial vision? How did it evolve throughout the process?

William Hefner: Originally the house was intended to be an assemblage of multiple buildings, some connected and some not, sprinkled around the perimeter of the site to create a large central garden. The original idea evolved when a large quantity of local sandstone was discovered while doing grading and excavations for foundations and the pool. The found stone was used for retaining walls and for the construction of several buildings.

Stylistically, we were influenced by vernacular buildings (farms, ranches) in the region as well as some of the early buildings in Sea Ranch in Northern California, which has always held a special place in my design consciousness.

Rip & Tan: As someone whose portfolio boasts an impressive array of regionally-influenced interiors, how would you say Montecito factored into the look and feel of your home?

William Hefner: The whole material and color palette really started with the discovery of the sandstone, as well as the colors of the hills and landscape of the area. Subsequent material choices came easily into place, like the stained cedar siding, the un-lacquered brass, steel windows and doors, the bleached, knotty oak floors. 

Rip & Tan: There’s a distinct grandeur to the space, but no lack of coziness. How did you achieve this balance?

William Hefner: We tried to push the scale to what would feel airy, light, and cozy. The colors of the interior relate intimately to the stone and other earth materials used indoor and out. 

Rip & Tan: Do you find there’s a particular corner you tend to gravitate to most? Why do you think that is?

William Hefner: The most comfortable chairs in the house are the white boucle chairs in the living room. The other spot is the sitting room in the pool house–it’s so cozy.

Rip & Tan: We’d be remiss to not mention the incredible outdoor space. What’s your approach when it comes to creating spaces that foster indoor/outdoor living?

William Hefner: From the start, one of the most important goals of mine was to create outdoor space. Having lived in Los Angeles, what attracted me to Montecito was the chance to live outside. I created an outdoor fireplace, dining patio, pool area, a bench at the back of the yard, and a patio off of the primary bedroom. So we really have five separate outdoor spaces which have their own views of the compound and the mountains.

The garden is really based on trying to create separation, privacy, and views—a yard where you can’t see the whole thing at one glance. I like to have several separate experiences. 

Rip & Tan: As a veritable expert in the subject, when does luxury go too far? What’s the secret to restraint?

William Hefner: My motto has always been, when choosing between two options, don’t be afraid to err on the simple side. I avoid over-furnishing or over-decorating because that becomes distracting. I try to edit down to the minimum required. It’s important to think about the gestalt of a piece–no one piece needs to do all of the work.

Rip & Tan: Whether related to interiors or not, what’s inspiring you most of late?

William Hefner: I’m currently renovating a Georgian-style house in Hancock Park, so I’ve been immersing myself in all things Georgian. Georgian interior carpentry excites me. I am also finding myself interested in topiary and garden pavilions right now.