An active collector of celebrity memorabilia, Connie has skillfully incorporated her collection into her decor in such a way as to make every place you look a bit of an adventure. Adjacent to the main house is an additional 1800 square feet of staff's quarters. On the opposite side of the outdoor fireplace, wet bar and entertainment area is a beautifully appointed guest cabana that has its own intimate garden and, of course, views!

Casa de Armijo is, at once, elegant and infinitely livable. It blurs the separation between indoor and outdoor spaces and Rancho Santa Fe's near-perfect weather and postcard views make that integration a must.

Speaking of views: the view from the pool and outdoor entertainment areas remind you of an Italian perspective painting with layer-after-layer of pasture, treetops, a distant lake, blue skies and a sliver of the ocean's edge. "Virtually every night we are either poolside or sitting in front of the outdoor fireplace watching the hot air balloons glide through the sunset," Connie said. "Sometimes the balloons fly so close we can actually talk to the people in the baskets. It is absolutely magical and something I think I will never get tired of."

-- Exerpt from "Living With Style" (Sept/Oct issue of Reins Magazine) Copyright © 2008 LuAnn Boylan