Before closing his Oak Park studio and departing for Europe in late 1909, Frank Lloyd Wright drafted the blueprints for what would become his only Prairie-style residence in California: the Emily and George C. Stewart House. Located in Montecito, just a half-mile from the Pacific Ocean, this “summer cottage” was born from Emily Stewart’s fascination with Wright’s work she had seen in magazines. Completed in 1910, the nearly 5,000-square-foot residence remains one of only 24 Wright designs in the state.
Affectionately known as ‘Butterfly Woods,’ the estate earned its nickname from the dense groves of trees surrounding the home that once served as a sanctuary for migrating Monarch butterflies.
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A Steward for the Stewart House
The home’s journey through the 20th century was a rocky one. After passing through four owners and enduring several ill-conceived remodels and periods of deferred maintenance, the 6-bedroom, 3.1-bath home found its perfect “steward” in 1993. It was purchased for $995,000 by acclaimed author T.C. Boyle and his wife, Karen.
In a fitting twist of fate, Boyle is the author of The Women, a celebrated novel detailing the tumultuous lives of Frank Lloyd Wright, his three wives, and his mistress, Mamah Borthwick Cheney. While the home is now estimated to be worth over $6.4M, its true value lies in its restored architectural integrity.
Architectural Highlights
Unlike the brick and stucco typical of Midwest Prairie homes, Wright adapted this design for the California coast:
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Exterior: Clad in shiplapped redwood siding to harmonize with the local environment.
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The Windows: The house boasts 365 original windows—one for every day of the year.
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Natural Light: The main living areas feature redwood-framed casement windows that flood the interior with an abundance of natural light.
To dive deeper into the story of this home—including the literary history mentioned above—you can browse our Stewart House Amazon Idea List, which features T.C. Boyle’s novels alongside items that echo the home’s redwood and butterfly themes.
Preservation and Management
The Boyles have dedicated decades to restoring the home to its original historic character. This was no small feat, as it required replacing a non-original concrete foundation with one that honored the original pier design, all while ensuring the structure was fully earthquake-retrofitted.
Today, the home is a meticulously maintained private residence. While its beauty is undeniable, please remember that because it is privately owned, tours are not available.
Plan Your Visit
📍Location
The Stewart House is located at 196 Hot Springs Rd in Montecito, CA.
🛑Curb-Side Viewing Only
Please be aware that this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home is a privately owned residence and is not open to the public for tours. We kindly ask that you respect the owners’ privacy and refrain from trespassing on the property.
🏨Hotels near Santa Barbara
- Choice Hotels near Montecito
- Hammonds Beach Haven
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites (Carpinteria)
- Kimpton Canary Hotel (Santa Barbara)
- Montecito Inn – historic boutique inn with 10 minute walk to beach
Additional Resources & Inspired Products
Find unique products, books, and gifts inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy at our Amazon storefront: Wright at Home!
- Butterfly Wood: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie House West (Amazon book)
- Pacific Coast Architecture database (PCAD)
- “At Home with T.C. Boyle” by Mark Anthony Wilson, April | May 2018 Western Art & Architecture
- “The Wildlife of T.C. Boyle’s Santa Barbara” by T.C. Boyle, Smithsonian Magazine
- View all books by T.C. Boyle on Amazon
