ISSUE 05 | AUGUST 2026
Tuscan Villa in the Heart of Central California
Set on a 10-acre vineyard, Villa Lucia transforms a late-1990s California bed and breakfast into an Italian villa inspired by 18th-century Tuscany. The goal was to create a home that feels established and timeless, as if it has evolved over generations.
Within the existing 5,000 square foot envelope, the plan was fully reconfigured from a 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath layout into a 6-bedroom, 6.5-bath villa. Interiors were refined with custom Italian moldings, layered plaster tones, and a curated collection of antique furniture, artwork, and lighting sourced from estate sales and auctions. Each piece was restored or reupholstered to achieve a cohesive patina. Several bathrooms feature custom vanities made from antique dressers and credenzas.
The landscape is organized with axial pathways, manicured gardens, and outdoor rooms. A 20 by 40 foot pool with a Greek key tile detail anchors the exterior, complemented by brick and stone paving, a firepit, an outdoor kitchen, and a detached four-car garage.
A Garden Pavilion in Montecito
Hidden among the gardens of an Italian estate in Montecito, The Pavilion is designed as a contemporary fitness room immersed in the landscape. Glass walls on all sides dissolve the boundaries of the room, placing the surrounding gardens at the center of the experience.
Minimal in form and deliberately understated, the Pavilion contrasts the permanence of the estate with an architecture that feels light and almost ephemeral. Reflections of trees and sky shift across the glass throughout the day, allowing the structure to alternately reveal itself and recede into its setting.
This year marks 60 years of The Warner Group Architects. Founded in Santa Barbara in 1966 by renowned architect Jack Warner, the practice has evolved across generations while remaining grounded in a shared commitment to design, craftsmanship, and place. For the past 30 years, Thiep Cung has led the continued growth of the firm, expanding WGA from its California roots into an international architecture and design practice with projects across the American West and around the world. As we celebrate six decades, we honor the people and projects that shaped our history and look ahead to what comes next.
Celebrating 60 Years in Business