This fully customized, artful, and luxurious 4-bedroom hacienda is the former beloved home of a premier interior designer turned Peruvian paso horse breeder. Lovingly named Casa Girasol for its yellow Mexican tiled floors, the home is the primary dwelling situated on 100 acres along the Rio Grande, exactly halfway between Santa Fe and Taos. Previously a renowned horse ranch, the property has been transformed into a beautiful retreat emphasizing farming, land stewardship, and community. Casa Girasol is a sprawling, 4-bedroom hacienda located on a historic ranch along the Rio Grande river. Surrounded on all sides by acres of open fields, and offering views of Black Mesa to the west and the Sangre de Cristo mountain range to the east, the home provides privacy from the outside world without sacrificing accessibility to the nearby destinations of Taos and Santa Fe. With over 6,000 square feet of space to enjoy, this is the perfect base for family gatherings, and longer, luxurious stays for work or pleasure. Casa Girasol comfortably sleeps 8 people in the main beds, with the option to add a few more utilizing various available sleeping arrangements. The master bedroom has a king bed and large en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. There is a second queen bedroom with its own full bathroom, as well as a third queen bedroom with an adjoining office. The third bedroom shares a full bathroom with the fourth bedroom, which features two twin beds and a large library. Finally, two of the bedrooms also include “bancos” under the windows -- large window seats the size of twin-sized daybeds. There is also a twin daybed located outside in a screened portal off the master that could accommodate an adventurous guest who relishes sleeping in the fresh air (when seasonally appropriate). The style of the home is influenced by traditional Mexican and New Mexican design, while featuring modern amenities. Guests will have full access to the two-car garage, four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, dining area, breakfast nook, pantry, laundry room, front hall, fabulous kitchen with a professional-grade gas stove and an array of appliances, and sprawling living room with a vaulted ceiling, exposed beams, and a working fireplace. The kitchen, breakfast nook, and bathrooms have been meticulously designed to feature traditional Mexican tiles and breathtaking mosaics: Casa Girasol is truly a work of art that will rejuvenate your spirit and delight your senses. One of the best features of the home is a spacious, screened portal that spans the entire length of the back of the house. Featuring outdoor seating, dining furniture, and plenty of room to roll out your yoga mat, it’s the perfect place to salute the sun, sip coffee in the morning, retreat from the heat midday, or enjoy a home-cooked meal at night. Casa Girasol is adorned with beautiful textiles, treasures, art, and sculptures from around the world, as well as an ample library of books. The kitchen is fully stocked with pots, pans, utensils, and all the items you’ll need to create your home away from home. Step out the front door of the studio, and one hundred acres of Rancho La Villita Farms await you. Your explorations will lead you past tranquil herds of grazing cows, alongside fields of wheat and corn, past the thriving fruit orchards, through the ancient grove of cottonwood trees in the Bosque down to the banks of the Rio Grande river, and along dirt roads that wind past the barn, stables, and a round pen that has been transformed into a labyrinth for our guests to enjoy. You can marvel at the migrating sandhill cranes each winter, or walk the length of the historic acequia, a seasonal creek that has been used for irrigation for hundreds of years. Once the sun sets, enjoy world-class stargazing free from light pollution. Many guests purchase groceries in nearby Española (10-minute drive) and spend much of their time on the ranch, enjoying long walks, home-cooked meals, and solitude. If you’re the adventuring type, Santa Fe and Taos both make excellent day trips and are each less than an hour away. Georgia O’Keeffe’s home and studio in Abiquiu, Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, and the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs and Spa are just a few of the not-to-be-missed attractions in the area. Bandelier National Monument, Valles Caldera, Mesa Prieta Petroglyphs Project, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, Puye Cliff Dwellings, and countless other fabulous locations and hikes are also within reach. Ask us about our extra offerings, which give guests an opportunity to participate directly in farm and ranch activities like bread-making, milling, seed selection, and more. The work on a ranch never ends, and we invite curious guests to join us in the educational and experiential processes. Our signature blue skies, unparalleled natural backdrop, and creative culture make Northern New Mexico the ideal destination to unwind, connect with friends and family, and renew your creative spirit. Come learn for yourself why New Mexico is considered the Land of Enchantment! Casa Girasol has a private two-car garage, as well as a large parking area in the front of the house. The house is accessed via a well-graded dirt road that can be easily navigated by all passenger vehicles. To get to the house you must pass over a small bridge, which accommodates all passenger vehicles, vans, and trucks with ease but which may be too narrow for RVs, large box trucks, and some trailer set-ups. Please advise if you will be traveling with an unusually large or heavy set-up. We live onsite on the ranch in another home. There are also other people living on property. We're here if you need us, but we'll give you plenty of space to enjoy your solitude. The 100-acre historic ranch is gated, allowing for maximum privacy and relaxation. Española is a short drive away for essentials, and both Santa Fe and Taos are both about a 45-minute drive away. This property will work best for travelers with their own car. While plenty of walking is available onsite, a car is necessary to drive into town for essentials. Not all GPS apps recognize the main ranch address. However, if you enter "La Villita, NM" you’ll be able to navigate to the correct turn-off from the highway, and I'll send you specific driving directions from there. Please note there is ongoing road construction on Highway 68 which may impact your route: if you are coming from the south, you may have to overshoot La Villita and make a U-turn in order to access our turn. There is a security gate at the entrance to the ranch which may be locked depending on what time you arrive, but I’ll send you a code and driving directions in a message so you're prepared either way. Finally, cell service along our section of Highway 68 can be spotty: I recommend you review everything before your arrival in case you can’t access the materials on your phone in the moment. Cell service is better on the ranch itself.