1221 De La Guerra

1221 de la Guerra is a quality example of an elevated Alex D'Alfonso house. Its location on the site, on the northern, upper, side of the Riviera slope above de la Guerra Road affords great views south to the ocean and islands and west towards downtown. It is located in a small banana belt affording ample daylong sunshine making it possible to grow roses or just about anything else.

The light filled 2567+/- square foot home on approximately 0.17 acres, has been lovingly cared for. The home boasts original details such as arched doorways, 3 fireplaces and hardwood floors. The home offers ample space with three bedrooms, two bathrooms on the main level and a generously sized bedroom, or guest suite with a full bathroom, fireplace, garden patio with a separate entry on the lower level. The living room and dining rooms flow seamlessly together, looking out to the sea and the family room opens to a beautiful terraced garden.

About the Architect:

Alessandro D'Alfonso 1946
Mid-Century Santa Barbara Mediterranean

With acknowledgement to Erin Graffy, NOTICIAS, Winter 1995

Alex D'Alfonso, an early arrival from Italy to Santa Barbara, became a master home builder and planner who left an indelible mark on the region.

Alex left his hometown outside of Rome at the age of 14 and landed at Ellis Island in 1904. He became a Cabinetmaker and made custom furniture for clients from Vancouver to Los Angeles. Not long after, while residing in Los Angeles in 1915, he learned of a beautiful region to the north that was enjoying a building boom. He and a fellow apprentice, with no horses or money for a train ticket, walked the whole way to Santa Barbara. He got work at the Flying A Studios doing what today we call Set Design. By 1920 he was designing signature houses and planning small neighborhoods as well as building commercial buildings around town. His company was distinguished as having every trade under one roof.

D'Alfonso built solid houses and well planned streets. After the widely destructive 1925 earthquake that redefined Santa Barbara, all of his houses remained intact.