Butterfly House: Modern Home, Direct Mountain Views, 1 Acre, Near Santa Fe Opera
Welcome to your Santa Fe dream home! Architecturally significant, The Butterfly House is a re-creation of a classic case-modern home with wings, ample glass, and sloped ceilings. Completed in summer of 2012, this one-story home sits on one acre of secluded property with unobstructed views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Butterfly House, designed by AIA's 2011 Design Firm of the Year Spears Horn, was featured in the 2012 Design Santa Fe Tour of Homes. It offers the serenity of peace and quiet surrounded by native trees and plants, neighbors the Santa Fe Opera and is within a few minutes drive of the shops, restaurants, museums and galleries surrounding the Santa Fe Plaza.
The house is 1700 square feet of mid-century modern interiors, with a split design, and each of the two bedrooms has a full en suite bathroom. Each bedroom has a queen-sized bed, night tables, reading lights, ceiling fan, and views of aspen, pinon, and juniper trees. The media room and master bedroom both have flat-screen TV's. The kitchen shines with black granite countertops, an island with bar stools, and top-of-the-line appliances. Relaxing in the living room means gazing at the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The patio, which features a table and chairs, two chaise lounges, and a gas grill, is accessible from both the living area and the master suite, and looks northeast, directly at the gorgeous Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the peaks of the Colorado Rockies. The patio is covered in the warm-weather months to protect from the strong sun. Other features include air conditioning, high ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace and an over-sized shower with a bench in the master bath. Expansive windows throughout the house allow you to enjoy the breathtaking view from multiple room, and the multi-colored sky at sunrise and sunset. The home is deliberately oriented and constructed to assure optimal natural heating and cooling, and has state of the art high powered ceiling fans in every room to provide comfort year round.
For your New Mexico ski experience, the Santa Fe Ski Basin is 30 minutes away and the city of Taos is approximately 90 minutes away. The nearby Hyde Park National Forest and Santa Fe National Forest offer dozens hiking trails of varying distances and challenge levels. For two-wheeling enthusiasts, a bike trail greets you down the road from the house and leads you into town.
For art enthusiasts, Canyon Rd, with its streets lined with galleries, is 10 minutes away. The famed Museum Hill is 15 minutes away. Santa Fe's world renowned restaurants are minutes away.
The design concept of this residence provides a vibrant entry and open living concept. The house was designed to reflect an environment of health and repose within the surrounding high desert of north Santa Fe.
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No furnishings, fixtures, or decorative items may be re-arranged or removed from the property.
No person may sleep overnight on any couch.
No RV's are allowed on the property. This is a neighborhood rule.
Important information
You need to know
Property Registration Number Permit 26-6013
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Santa Fe
Located in Tesuque Hills, a neighbourhood in Santa Fe, this holiday home is in the mountains. Glenn Green Galleries & Sculpture Garden and Shidoni Foundry are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Santa Fe Climbing Gym and Santa Fe Children's Museum. Lensic Performing Arts Center and SITE Santa Fe are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with rafting and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain climbing and horse riding.
Santa Fe, NM (SAF-Santa Fe Municipal) - 20 min drive
Restaurants
Cottonwood Kitchen - 6 min drive
Atrisco Cafe & Bar - 8 min drive
Starbucks - 8 min drive
Panda Express - 8 min drive
Wolf And Mermaid Enchanted Cafe - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Butterfly House: Modern Home, Direct Mountain Views, 1 Acre, Near Santa Fe Opera pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Butterfly House: Modern Home, Direct Mountain Views, 1 Acre, Near Santa Fe Opera?
As of 8 May, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Butterfly House: Modern Home, Direct Mountain Views, 1 Acre, Near Santa Fe Opera on 26 Jun, 2026 start from S$419, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Butterfly House: Modern Home, Direct Mountain Views, 1 Acre, Near Santa Fe Opera?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Butterfly House: Modern Home, Direct Mountain Views, 1 Acre, Near Santa Fe Opera?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Butterfly House: Modern Home, Direct Mountain Views, 1 Acre, Near Santa Fe Opera?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Butterfly House: Modern Home, Direct Mountain Views, 1 Acre, Near Santa Fe Opera located?
Located in Tesuque Hills, this holiday home is 2.5 mi (4.1 km) from Glenn Green Galleries & Sculpture Garden and 2.9 mi (4.6 km) from Santa Fe Opera. Santa Fe Plaza and Shidoni Foundry are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Great home for our family to stay in while visiting Santa Fe. Felt safe and had all the amenities we needed. Will stay here again in the future! Very easy access to Santa Fe and surrounding areas.
The house was great and the hosts were very responsive. Great location, close to town and beautiful views. An elk even walked past the bathroom window when I was drying my hair!
This is a beautiful and very functional house. Very clean. Feels remote yet close to town. Some traffic noise from the highway but not enough to bother us. Enjoyed our stay.
Just as represented in listing. Seamless check in. Excellent location less than fifteen minutes fromPlaza. WiFi a little slow but otherwise perfect. Would absolutely stay again.
This is a beautiful, bright and comfortable house. It's very clean and well supplied. The views are very nice. The location is good - away from the bustle of Santa Fe, but a very quick drive to downtown. The only negative is some freeway noise which depended on the wind, weather and time of day. The house is very soundproof so you only hear it outside. It was chilly during our stay so we were mostly inside and weren't bothered by the sounds of traffic.
Our second trip to the Butterfly House reinforced all the positive feelings we had from the first stay there last summer...Fabulous!! We so enjoy the beautiful view and the quiet, comfortable, well arranged home. The owners are are excellent hosts also.
The Butterfly House is THE place to stay in Santa Fe! The property is quite secluded with access being limited to the owners & guests of the neighborhood. The house is spotlessly clean and all of the things you need to cook, relax, sleep and enjoy nature are already provided! It's a great place to bird-watch and if you're lucky you'll see coyote, rabbits and lizards! The kitchen is made for a chef, and the TV room is a private place for entertainment and relaxation!I highly recommend!
This was our third stay in the Butterfly House which served as a base for day hikes in the greater Santa Fe area. It's a great home to return to after a day in the beautiful outdoors with everything you need in the kitchen and a cozy overall feel with excellent views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Highly recommended!
Cameron G.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Dec, 2023
Thanks and so glad to know we have made your trip special and appreciate your return visits.
We absolutely loved our stay. The home is beautiful, spotless and has everything you need to make your stay comfortable. The views are outstanding! Check in is a piece of cake and GPS lead us right to the door.
We enjoyed our visit with a lizard who sunned himself every afternoon on the patio wall, but were amazed by the four mule deer who came up and looked in the back windows our last night.
The location is very convenient to Santa Fe, a short 15 minute drive to the heart of town. It truly was the perfect destination for us.
If you like spaciousness and clean lines, original artwork, midcentury-modern-style furniture, and high-end appliances — in a house whose design combines privacy with great views of the Sangre de Cristo Range — then the Butterfly House is for you. We can’t fault much here; we enjoyed our five days immensely.
The house is close to US 84/285 and to the Santa Fe Opera. The Santa Fe Plaza is five minutes away on the highway. You will hear the highway if you’re out on the patio, but the sound is muted, and minimal later in the evening. If windows are closed, you won’t hear it at all. And the house is sited so that you won’t actually see much of the highway.
The house came well-supplied with local bath products and complimentary gourmet coffee. The mattress in the master bedroom was Eurostyle-firm but comfortable. We slept well! The hosts responded quickly to the few questions we had.
The house is at an elevation of 6900 feet above sea level, in aromatic pinyon-and-juniper woodland, with plantings of lavender, which was in full bloom during our stay.
Summer afternoons in this environment can get warm — low 90s with low humidity. You will need the ductless A/C unit (very quiet!) in the living room. Evenings even on the warm days cool off to the 60s. Ceiling fans have been intelligently placed throughout the house to help circulate the cool air. We were more than comfortable during our entire stay.
Highly recommended for the architecture, decor, and setting.
Linda S.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Jul, 2023
Glad you enjoyed your stay. We appreciate your generous review and look forward to a future stay. Thanks!
Archival
10/10 Excellent
2 Jul, 2015
Loved This House!
My two girlfriends and I spent a wonderful long weekend at Butterfly House. It is perfectly sited about 10-15 minutes north of Santa Fe in a quiet private development just south of the flea market and the Opera. It is beautifully designed and furnished in a minimalist style that feels very comfortable and puts the focus on the views. The landscaping complements the house - there is something interesting outside every window. It feels pristine, light, and airy, and having the two bedrooms at opposite ends of the house gives guests privacy and space.
The kitchen is nicely furnished for those who like to cook and grocery stores are only about 15 minutes away. This house would be nice at any season. We loved our visit and I definitely plan to return.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Kim R.
11 Nov, 2014
wonderful modern home with fabulous views
This house is exactly as it looks in the pictures. While it is small, it is perfect for 2-4 people. The layout worked well for living away from home. Loved the decor, the bathrooms and in particular the views. Breathtaking. We would come back in a heartbeat.
Kim R.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
25 Jul, 2013
Private retreat in Santa Fe
My husband and I stayed at the Butterfly House with another couple and we would highly recommend it. This home is bright, airy and comfortable. We loved the contemporary aesthetics and the well equipped kitchen. The air conditioning was a nice option to have, but the ceiling fans and cool nights were perfect for us.
The layout of the home created enough privacy for all of us. Having 2 bedrooms and 2 baths (on opposite ends of the house) were ideal. We loved all the windows (even in the showers), which provided wonderful views of the surroundings. The patio was a nice added bonus for some outdoor grilling, margaritas and gorgeous sunsets.
The Butterfly House location provided easy access to downtown Santa Fe, local restaurants and day excursions.
We can’t wait to rent this house again.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Arlene S.
29 May, 2013
"House Beautiful"
Walking into "The Butterfly House" is like taking a deep breath and knowing everything will be perfect. Situated in the hills of Santa Fe, there are lovely views from all sides of the house, comfortable furniture, a well-appointed kitchen, and peace and quiet. The location is ideal because you are a short ride to the activities in downtown Santa Fe and close access to highways for adventures. A casino is ten minutes away and don't miss a scenic drive to Madrid for its shops and galleries.
Butterfly House is perfect for an extended stay or a weeks getaway. I highly recommend it and would come back in a minute.
Arlene S.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
25 Feb, 2012
Contemporary architecture and design draws attention to the natural elements of the southwest
Aesthetically speaking, The Butterfly House is unlike any other in the Sangre de Cristo foothills. It's contemporary architecture and design draws attention to the natural elements of the southwest.
There are windows and glass doors throughout so visitors are able to admire the surroundings, even from the living room or the bathroom. How relaxing! There's a patio that looks out on the mountains of Durango, Colorado, which is a short drive from the Tesuque Hills.
The house's minimalism not only puts the view at the forefront but it also makes the home feel open and spacious, even amongst the mountains. It's eco-friendly as well, which is always a plus. What I enjoyed most was exploring the foothills in the early morning for rocks (there's an abundance of quartz).
Would definitely recommend this place, especially to artsy folks and nature lovers. There opera house is right there, too, so it's an ideal spot for music afficionados as well.
About the host
Hosted by Julia Forgash
We are from the Chicago. We built this home in Santa Fe to express our love for mid-century modern architecture. We spend a lot of our time outdoors---hiking, biking, and sailing on Lake Michigan. We appreciate the arts and are regular patrons of theater and musical performances. We love sharing the home we created and the beauty of the natural setting in order to give others the opportunity to enjoy the history, the art, the people, the food, and the peaceful atmosphere of Santa Fe, and come home to relax with modern decor against a spectacular, mountainous landscape.
Why they chose this property
We chose this location for our home because of the magnificent views from the property. The home looks directly at the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The home sits on one acre of land surrounded by native trees and plants. The neighborhood offers the ideal combination of extreme quiet while easily accessible to all our favorite Santa Fe activities---downtown and in the mountains. We never need to drive far to do what we love.
What makes this property unique
What makes our property most unique is the unobstructed view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Our home also balances modern simplicity with the traditional materials of Santa Fe design. The home was designed by Spears Horn Architects, recipient of several Design Awards from the New Mexico chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The house was designed with materials that ensure comfort and energy efficiency, while presenting modern design details that complement the natural Santa Fe landscape.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests