Captivating Charm on an Abiquiú Ranch

“It was all so far away—there was a quiet and an untouched feel to the country and I could work as I pleased.” ~Georgia O’Keeffe

Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings convey the stillness and vast, pristine beauty of the Abiquiú landscape. Any visitor to this area has experienced firsthand the captivating qualities that so inspired O’Keeffe’s paintings.

The Abiquiú ranch owned by Lisa Freeman, the result of her own long-term love affair with the West, is located in the heart of this magnificent country. In 1993, when Lisa decided to move from the Washington, DC area, she chose New Mexico as the place to pursue her dream of living in the high desert.

At an early age, Lisa craved the romance of the west—freedom, nature, vistas, sunsets and above all, horses. Riding lessons and extended stays at dude ranches fostered her connection with New Mexico, and in particular, her Abiquiú ranch.

The Abiquiú ranch—a 3 bedroom, 2 bath main house built from locally supplied adobe, flagstone, and pine—is inspired by the original inhabitants of this area who used the vernacular method of construction. The spectacular home is nestled in the northwest slope of Cerro Pedernal, the 10,000-foot, flat-topped mountain which Native Americans regard as a spiritual site and O'Keeffe loved to paint. (She was fond of proclaiming that if she painted it often enough, God would give it to her.) Each room in this comfortable home has a unique ceiling of either split cedar, hand-peeled latillas or rough-sawn pine. The west-facing covered portal has a 180 degree view of sangria-colored sunsets. The home’s rounded shape and materials from the earth speak of the ancient wisdom of comfort and peace incorporated into a modern shelter.

A separate caretaker’s home and an artist studio are also built for the convenience and pleasure of guests and family who choose to experience the beauty of this remarkable land. A well-appointed horse facility—sporting breath-taking views—includes a barn with 2 open stalls, 2 covered stalls and a tack room.

Vistas appear endless as the ranch shares over a half-mile border with the National Forest. Views of Ghost Ranch, Abiquiú Lake, Rio Puerco, and Mesa Prieta will enchant anyone who shares Lisa’s modern day love affair with the west.

Darlene Streit

Santa Fe Realty Partners
417 East Palace Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Office: (505) 982-6207
Fax: (505) 946-1600
dstreit@dstreit.com
http://www.dstreit.com