In some circles across the U.S., the name Woods is practically synonymous with Santa Fe style. Sharon Woods—doyenne of Woods Design Builders—quite literally co-wrote the book on the subject, published in 1986. Fittingly, this Woods-designed home on five acres in the city’s sought-after Wilderness Gate neighborhood is a bastion of the region’s easily recognizable aesthetic—not to mention an award winner for its craftsmanship.
Santa Fe, New Mexico | Stedman Kehoe Hirsch Pollack, Sotheby’s International Realty – Santa Fe – Main Downtown Brokerage
The property consists of a 5,901-square-foot main residence and a freestanding casita—both filled with fine fixtures, features, and finishes and a feeling of lightness and air. Traditional and kiva-style fireplaces, hand-troweled plaster walls, richly hued white oak floors, stalwart but streamlined beams, and Carrera and reclaimed terra-cotta tile reflect Santa Fe’s architectural history—the influence of classical Spain and Native Pueblo cultures and in particular. Throughout, lofty ceilings are designed to accommodate New Mexico’s legendary light.
Views are elemental in nearly every room and in outdoor spaces that capture sweeping 300-degree vistas across the city toward the Jemez Mountains in the west. Indoors, the muted natural hues characteristic of Santa Fe’s most sophisticated estates allows vistas to take center stage. In many rooms, including the formal living area, Southwestern scenery becomes dynamic art thanks to wall-wide windows.
In the open kitchen and family room—anchored by a charming traditional kiva fireplace, a key feature in New Mexico architecture—the vibe is more relaxed but no less stylish. The cooking spaces boast marble countertops, brass fittings, a range with a striking tile backsplash, cookbook shelving, counter seating for four, timeless cabinetry, and a wine chiller. Nearby, a soigné wet bar is hidden behind rugged vintage wood doors.
Sleek and subdued in style, the formal dining room is adjoined by a temperature-controlled wine cellar. The comfortable media room is replete with built-ins and has a cool, calming organic palette. Hangout and recreation spaces feature window seats and lively floods of light. Even household chores can be a delight in a thoughtfully outfitted marble-tiled laundry room with plentiful counter and cabinet space.
The owner’s bedroom—which includes a windowed sitting area, a fireplace, and a balcony—is a luxuriously relaxed oasis with a view across the treetops. Its elegant en suite bath offers a generous vanity, a classic claw-foot tub, a spacious shower, and a walk-in closet. The liberal use of windows continues in the guest bedrooms, contributing to a sense of cheer and ease.
Respect for space and airiness persists on the wraparound covered patio—known in Santa Fe as a portal—which features a panoply of Southwestern accents, from decorative corbels, sturdy overhead vigas, and rugged brick pavers to yet another kiva fireplace. A Woods-designed home would never overlook modern convenience; accordingly, the space is equipped with a built-in grill and sunshades. A patch of green lawn gives way to native piñon, ponderosa pine, and juniper, beyond which the vista rolls away toward the mountains and the horizon. Although steps from the Santa Fe National Forest and some of the area’s best hiking trails, the location is still only minutes from the city’s historic Plaza.
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