Rocker John Mellencamp put his retreat in Santa Barbara up for sale this month. The 1,800 sq. ft. Mediterranean — something of a nest with its nearly alpine views that follow the steep gradient traipsing down to the ocean — is currently asking $4.5 million, according to Dirt.

Public records indicate that Mellencamp purchased the charming spot earlier this year. Listing information informs regarding revisions: the interior of the home was renovated in the interim by a noted Los Angeles-area designer.

A white brick three-bed, two-bath cottage dating to 1980, the house is surrounded by landscaping that favors the flowering; lots of blossoms in the listing photos, framing the little house in the idyllic. A covered, Saltillo tile-floored porch looks out over the scenery.

The interiors have been designed as timeless-rustic, with Saltillo tile, a continuation of the white-painted masonry — which keeps the photons bouncing about while the sun shines — and unfinished ceilings. The master bedroom features a picture window that takes in the best views the property has to offer, and they are unusually fine. It also features a small adjacent sitting room with an expressive fireplace.

The outdoor living areas include lawns, and the semi-rural nature of the area invites exploration of the local environs. An outdoor patio with a hot tub puts the finishing touch on this genuinely unpretentious spin on the Santa Barbara lifestyle.

Mellencamp has sold over 60 million albums worldwide. He’s released 23 studio albums over the course of his career. The most recent, 2018’s Other People’s Stuff, reached the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart.