Burl Ives was a well-known balladeer from the 1950s and was known to have mastered a memorized well over 3,000 traditional ballads in his lifetime. His Southern California home, which was built in 1917 and purchased by Ives and his wife in 1974, is now on the market for $16.98 million.

This is the main gate of the estate with two large concrete pillars supporting the wrought-iron gate adorned with outdoor lamps. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

Upon entry of the house, you are welcomed by this foyer with a round glass-top table in the middle flanked by console tables topped with round mirrors. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This is the living room with a glass-top coffee table across from the stone fireplace embedded into the wooden wainscoting. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

The family room has a couple of beige sofas flanking the glass-top coffee table that is illuminated by the French glass doors. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This is a look at the kitchen with beige cabinetry and a breakfast bar. It also has a small living room area beside it with a gray couch. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This is a close look at the formal dining room with a large glass-top dining table surrounded by beige cushioned chairs and arched tall windows. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This bedroom has a spacious sitting area across from the bed that has a sofa and tall glass windows. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This is a look at the back of the house from the vantage of the poolside area. You can see here the main house in the distance with its beige exteriors standing out against the green landscape. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This is a close look at the pool from the vantage of the house's balcony. The pool is surrounded by a lawn of grass with trees and shrubs at the side. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com. — This is a close look at the pool from the vantage of the house’s balcony. The pool is surrounded by a lawn of grass with trees and shrubs at the side. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This nighttime look at the pool shows its ethereal glow and decorative dolphin fountain at the edge. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This is an aerial view of the back of the house showcasing the terracotta tone of the floor that matches the roof. You can also see here the various outdoor areas of the house. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This aerial view of the estate shows the green landscape surrounding the earthy tones of the house. You can also see here the distance of the pool from the house. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

All photos are used with permission from TopTenRealEstateDeals.com

The main house alone comes in at 8,500 square feet, with five bedrooms and seven bathrooms. Surrounded by lush landscaping, the house is comfortable and inviting. Inside, light colors and myriad windows bring in lots of light and lend a soft, spacious feel. Each room is slightly different, but they all come together cohesively to make up an overall calming place to stop and rest.

Though from humble beginnings in rural Illinois, Burl Ives went on to release multiple hit recordings and appear numerous times on television. He was also featured in Broadway shows and in movies, eventually reining in an Oscar win.

In his early life, he would sing at local gatherings. After walking out on a teaching path, he hit the road hitchhiking, singing, and playing the banjo wherever he could along the way to earn food and a place to sleep. Over time, he began to build the folk music repertoire that eventually launched him into the mainstream of music. He later appeared with other popular singers, had moments on Broadway, and was featured in dozens of films and television shows apart from his independent career that resulted in many hit recordings.

His estate in Montecito sits on 4.5 acres of lush Southern California landscaping, fresh with private gardens. The main house is 8,500 square feet and features all of the formal rooms on the property, as well as five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a conservatory, and a den. The second level boasts a large balcony with stunning views the stretch from the well-kept grounds out to the Pacific Ocean. The primary suite features beautiful French doors that open the suite up to the light, a fireplace, a large bathroom, and two walk-in closets.

The kitchen — a large chef’s kitchen — also features broad windows and is just steps away from several terraces. These spaces are perfect for both intimate and large-scale entertaining, as they are shaded by several beautiful oaks on the property.

Much of the house has muted hardwood floors and light-colored walls, letting light flow freely. The main exception is the chef’s kitchen, where beautiful stone flooring gives a more rustic feel and makes for easy entertaining inside the house, outside on the terrace, or a mix of both.

Beyond the main house, the estate is also home to a 2,500-square-foot private guest house. Farther out on the property is a beautiful 80-foot pool that features its own gorgeous dolphin statue, an outdoor spa sheltered by a gazebo, a private putting green, and a four-car garage. One of the more unique features is stable, which opens to riding trails laced through the property.

The estate sits in a coveted neighborhood in beautiful Montecito, California, and is now on the market for $16.98 million.

Source: www.theagencyre.com