Montana Luz Hacienda Story
A Classic Adobe Taos Vacation Rental Home
MONTANA LUZ HACIENDA“Mountain Light"An incredible private adobe home, boasting four gas log kiva fireplaces with awesome mountain and sunset views---near Historic Arroyo Seco and short drives to Taos Ski Valley and the Town of Taos, New Mexico.Montana Luz combines the flavors of Northern New Mexico, Taos Pueblo and Old Mexico. A signature Southwest residence, located in a ranching community eight miles from the Town of Taos and approximately eleven miles from Taos Ski Valley. The hacienda is within walking distance to Arroyo Seco on a rural road which passes an old Penitente Morada, cemetery and the back of Julia Roberts’ 50-acre ranch. This cozy historic country home was built in the early ‘60s by sisters Sandra and Laurel Seth, Southwest adobe builders who developed a unique building architecture style and design. They are authors of a newly released book called “ADOBE!” - also known locally for their use of natural resources, hand-made adobes, brick, flagstone and timbered local wood. The original 950 square foot structure was built on part of the Antonio Martinez Land Grant.Over the years, different owners have added their touches and more rooms to create what is currently a 2,500 square foot living space. Recently remodeled, the structure features a 400 square foot inner courtyard/portals and fountain with access from the kitchen, living room and northeast bedroom. Additionally there is an open ramada with a 12-jet hot tub, privacy patios and ample parking areas in a fenced section on the property. Montana Luz has a cozy kickback feeling incorporating simplicity, charm and elegance making it unique and unforgettable.The home is on approximately one acre of land, surrounded by a latilla and adobe fence. Its birdhouse entry gate lintel is also home to many barn swallows. A flagstone pathway, accented by garden lights and flowers (spring to fall), leads to a covered brick portal.Once inside, Montana Luz catches the soul and spirit of the Southwest through use of restored soft mud plaster walls with tierra vajita or “light dirt” - a prominent, yet hard to find soil from small areas along the Rio Grande and only found in Northern New Mexico. Straw and mica were incorporated into the soil mix to produce the Old World traditional style of plastering. The original red brick flooring is still a part of this central area. Large viga ceilings are prominent throughout the hacienda, as are Spanish corbels and lintels.To the immediate left of the front door is an open kitchen with talavera tile counters and custom shelving. An eating area is nestled in a corner with bench seating for eight people. The kitchen is fully equipped with new appliances: refrigerator/freezer with ice maker, electric stove featuring a ceramic surface and overhead microwave, dishwasher, disposal, double sink. Additional appliances include a coffee maker, blender, 4-slot toaster, crock-pot, griddle, hand mixer and service ware for 16 people. You will find all the necessary kitchen tools to complete any gourmet meal - right down to the wine and brandy glasses. The original cabinetry was maintained, including an in-wall wood hutch. Incandescent track lighting and a skylight provide abundant lumination.In the dining room opposite the kitchen, a traditional kiva fireplace captures one’s eye. The center of this room also serves as additional table seating for four people; a fan/light hangs from the 10-foot ceiling. Of particular fascination is a raised window alcove bed with latilla ceiling. Small side windows make this an inviting afternoon reading or napping location. An adjacent recliner-rocker makes a comfortable resting area as well.Two large French glass doors to the east open into a Saltillo tiled living room with radiant in-floor heating. The use of peeled aspen latillas function as cross beams between the vigas. One’s attention is focused on the far side of the room, where a Jonathan Warmday serigraph depicting Taos Pueblo adorns the gas log fireplace. The south side of the room features a charming alcove with banco bench seating on three windowed walls around a genuine Native American Taos drum.The light and airy living room is comfortably arranged around a 150-year-old primitive cheese curd separation table, bought from the estate of D.H. Lawrence. This table now functions as a coffee table in front of a queen sofa sleeper and casual armchair. An extensive entertainment center features a 27” (surround sound) satellite television, a video recorder with remote and a Sony AM/FM/CD cassette stereo system. A second television and video recorder are located in Bedroom 3. There are two phones, one cordless with an answering machine.North of the house is a 100 square foot ramada, home to a 6-person, 14-jet hot tub. At night, the open roof allows enjoyment of the starry skies, glistening snow off the Sangre de Christo Mountain Range and the glowing valley lights of Arroyo Seco.Other areas on the grounds include a small walled flagstone courtyard on the south side of the house and a sun patio on the east side. These tranquil areas invite guests to enjoy their mornings or evenings relaxing, sunbathing or simply taking in the views around various table groupings and lounge chairs.The four bedrooms are separated, two on each side of the living-dining- kitchen area, providing privacy and ease of movement throughout the house; there is an abundance of closet and dresser storage in each. All bedrooms have AM/FM clock radios.The bathrooms are spacious - the master has a galvanized sheep trough bathtub with the hysterical company of a singing “Billie Bass” on the wall. There is a separate stall shower and a kiva fireplace; this area also has a partitioned laundry room with washer and dryer. The hall bathroom features a deep claw-foot bathtub. The third bath has a neo-angle Talaveratiled shower and two hand-painted talavera Mexican sinks.Montana Luz is ideal for families and groups desiring to be together under one roof for a true Taos experience!Glossarykiva – a masonry and adobe fireplace use by Pueblo Indians for heating their structures; firebox openings are typically round. hacienda – multi-room building, generally built around an inner courtyard. Penitentes – a secret Spanish sect of Roman Catholics, who have become a cultural force dedicated to preserving language, lore, customs & faith. Morada – the Penitentes’ church or meeting place. ramada – an outdoor rectangular or square covered structure, typically made with vigas, lintels, corbels and latillas. talavera – a light-fired glazed clay Mexican tile. latilla – dried aspen wood, peeled or gray. lintel – horizontal wood beam above a doorway or window viga – a massive round wood beam which functions as structural roof support. Montana Luz Hacienda Floor Plan |
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