Nina Gordon and Jeff Russo's Montecito Home Is Absolutely Charming

There’s nothing like a tall,green hedge to create a little real estate intrigue, and the best neighborhoods in Santa Barbara are lined with them. The coastal California community is known as one of the country’s favorite beachside retreats, and for its many homes that look as though they were plucked straight from a storybook—if you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse through thick green foliage.

Thomas J. Story

Yes, Oprah has a palatial house there, and a certain English expat calls it home. But the real appeal of the area lies in the rambling beach houses and quaint cottages hidden behind thick tree cover and unassuming gates. The mini-compound that Nina Gordon and Jeff Russo found on a quiet side street near the shore, hidden by dense greenery, is one of those places. With its off-the-charts charm, pops of cheerful color, and collected vintage pieces, in just a handful of years it’s become a cherished, music-filled family retreat with modern bohemian style.

Thomas J. Story

Thomas J. Story

“The house opens up to the garden, and we are in and out all the time,” says Gordon. Beach walks, bike rides, trips to the farmers’ market, big barbecues, and late night firepit singalongs are regular events, and the guest room is rarely empty. “We eat all our summer meals outside. It’s low maintenance and easy. I expect the floor to be sandy all the time, and I don’t mind it at all.”

Thomas J. Story

Gordon, a singer-songwriter and member of the band Veruca Salt, and Russo, a composer for television and film and guitarist for the band Tonic, spent a number of summers getting to know the area the same way many Angelenos do, renting houses near the beach for a few weeks to escape the hazy August heat with their young children. Occasionally,