Of all the homes that acclaimed designers create for others, it’s always fascinating to see what they do for themselves.

This holds true for the impeccably renovated Birnam Wood estate of Suzanne Rheinstein, the interior designer known for classic American elegance in the style of Sister Parish, who was the first decorator of the Kennedy White House. Rheinstein’s exquisite home in Montecito, CA, was recently listed for $12.3 million.

Rheinstein, who was born in New Orleans and based in Southern California, died in March at the age of 77, after putting remarkable care into the renovation of the 3,740-square-foot, three-bedroom, 4.5-bath estate.

The listing photos look like something from the pages of Architectural Digest, which has previously featured Rheinstein’s work.

She’s revered for her timeless American design with a Southern flair, as well as her emphasis on natural light, simplicity, clean lines, and details that emphasize color, texture, and shape.

“She balanced everything to create such a beautiful and welcoming home where the outside feels as important as the inside,” says listing agent Cristal Clarke, of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “It has a very beautiful and natural element that blends in with the landscape.”

Clarke sold the property to Rheinstein in 2015 for $3.5 million, then watched her transform it into the showplace that it is today.

High-end design

The living room has a high ceiling, wood floor, custom lighting, one-of-a-kind fireplace, and bespoke furnishings. Many of the pieces are available for sale, Clarke notes.

The primary suite has the ambiance of an upscale inn on the California coast, a getaway in and of itself. It features a beamed ceiling, black-framed windows that look out to the garden, a sitting area, a relaxing bathroom, and French doors that offer access to the pool.

The kitchen is minimalist in design, with its custom island made of basalt stone, walls of hidden storage, and French doors that open to views of the Santa Ynez mountains beyond.

Among the most delightful spaces in the home are a media room and an area for cutting and arranging flowers.

Outdoor oasis

An avid gardener, Rheinstein took equal care of the home’s exterior spaces, focusing on the lush landscaping of the 1-acre property. It’s highlighted by natural plantings, a lap pool flanked by distinctive wicker lounge chairs, and a pergola with an outdoor fireplace.

It seems everywhere you turn, there is something else to discover and enjoy, and this was intentional.

“I knew her very well,” Clarke says of Rheinstein. “She was very kind, very thoughtful, very witty. She was an absolutely phenomenal woman.”

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