A Home Designed to Be Shared
Corinne Mathern, Katie Grassini McKillen and Dean McKillen in the La Tarantella living room.
When we first walked through the doors of La Tarantella, with sunlight spilling across the stone courtyard, we knew we'd found something rare.
Nestled among vineyards, olive trees, and the rolling hills of the Santa Ynez Valley, the villa immediately transported us to another place. Its architecture, craftsmanship, and timeless character reflected so much of what our family has always loved about European design and hospitality. We could picture the celebrations it would one day host and the memories waiting to be made there.
After an incredible wedding at La Tarantella last weekend, I found myself revisiting a feature The Luxury Home Show filmed at the property last year—a beautiful video tour that captures the heart of the home and the story behind its transformation. I thought it would be the perfect time to share it again with those who may have missed it.
Watch the full feature here.
One of the aspects that makes this project especially meaningful to our family is that the interiors were designed by my sister, Corinne Mathern, founder of Corinne Mathern Studio. Working together on La Tarantella was both a creative collaboration and a family endeavor. Corinne brought an extraordinary vision to the home, thoughtfully blending its European architectural heritage with warm, inviting interiors.
Together, we wanted every space to feel welcoming and lived in—from the sun-filled courtyards and thoughtfully layered gathering spaces to the quiet corners where guests can simply pause and enjoy the surroundings. Every room was designed to encourage connection, relaxation, and a true sense of home.
Over the past year, La Tarantella has welcomed couples exchanging vineyard vows, families celebrating milestone birthdays and anniversaries, companies gathering for corporate retreats, photographers creating stunning editorial imagery, and travelers from around the world making the estate their home away from home in Santa Ynez wine country. Every occasion has been unique, but the thread running through all of them has remained the same: bringing people together.
Looking back on this feature reminds me how grateful we are to share this remarkable property with so many wonderful guests. I hope you'll enjoy taking a look inside—and perhaps you'll find yourself imagining your own celebration, retreat, or wine country escape here someday.
Warmly,
Katie Grassini
