Ranch Redux
Reviving a CALIFORNIA CLASSIC
A stone fountain welcomes visitors to a perfect example of California ranch architecture in Hope Ranch.
Written by Lorie Dewhirst Porter | Photographs by Mellon Studio
California has more than its share of architectural styles, but the ultimate expression of the West Coast is undoubtedly the ranch house, with its single-storied terrain-hugging sprawl, open floor plan, and generous embrace of the outdoors. The idea of living life inside this kind of breezy setup is irresistible to many—including, most recently, a young couple from Canada who fell in love with an iconic example in Hope Ranch. They decided to purchase the house and move to Santa Barbara for good.
This pandemic story has a happy ending, thanks to the couple’s passion for architecture and their decision to select House of Honey (HOH), a full-service interior design firm, to put the finishing touches on their newly acquired dream home. They were drawn to the unique and eclectic spaces featured in HOH’s website portfolio—and the fact its founder, Tamara Kaye-Honey, is a fellow Canadian might have helped move the needle as well.
According to Kaye-Honey, what sets HOH apart from other design firms is “we really don’t prescribe to one style. We tailor it to the location and the clients. It’s about respecting what’s there and being able to do something unexpected that will stand the test of time.” In other words, for HOH, “style” results from a close collaboration with the client; there’s no signature look to be imposed by the designer.
“Silver-green olive trees were placed around the 2.5-acre site to provide shade for several outdoor dining areas.”
Kaye-Honey’s design skills are part nature and part nurture: Her mother flipped homes and her aunts helmed an antique shop, and she studied at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology and started her design business after furnishing her own home in Pasadena. She also has a knack for retail and was one of the earliest vendors on the 1stDibs e-commerce site that styles itself as an online version of a Parisian flea market. With studios in Montecito and Pasadena, Kaye-Honey now leads a collective of 14 creative women who work with her under the HOH umbrella.
In the living room, a monumental sculpture by Canadian artist Martha Sturdy floats above the fireplace. Sofas by Lawson Fenning flank a coffee table from Crate & Barrel. The side chairs are by Menu and the side table is from Garde. The rug is from Blue Parakeet.
As for the Hope Ranch project, it posed several challenges. First, nearly all meetings between HOH and the clients were virtual because of the pandemic. Second, the house had to be completed in four months so the couple could relocate from Canada and enroll their young son in school. “It was one of our fastest-moving projects,” Kaye-Honey admits. “It was kind of a Mission Impossible–type of task,” adds the client, “but HOH found a way to make magic happen.”
Several things conspired to make the endeavor a success. The house itself, which dates to the 1960s, already possessed the qualities of iconic ranch architecture, including a glass-enclosed atrium at its center—an element that was retained during the extensive remodel expertly completed by Arnold Brothers Construction, Inc. Silver-green olive trees were strategically placed around the 2.5-acre site by Chris Gilliland’s CommonGround Landscape Architecture to provide shade for several outdoor dining areas. And because HOH is known for its close relationships with local artisans, many unique furniture pieces—including the minimalist metal “ribbon” benches lining the veranda—were quickly sourced and installed. The design firm avoided kitschy design clichés and obvious midcentury references entirely; instead, several rooms were adorned with graphic wallpapers that highlight the home’s overall eclectic vibe.
“House of Honey has that incredible ability to manage competing interests with respect to what we want, what the house wants, or the space needs, and come up with these gorgeous spaces,” says the client. “They know about all of these amazing California designers. They came in with incredible expertise.” HOH even managed to include work by Canadian artist Martha Sturdy, whose monumental metal sculpture floats majestically above the fireplace. “Bringing a little bit of Canada to California,” Kaye-Honey says.
Like a conductor leading an orchestra to a symphony’s finale, HOH deftly coordinated the ultimate reveal, and the couple arrived in person to see their new home completely finished after just four months.
“What a special moment,” recalls the client, “To open the doors and say, ‘It looks even better than we thought it would.’” There’s hardly a more welcome accolade for a design professional and her team.
Table and benches are by Gloster; dining chairs are from Gubi.
“A lot of my new friendships have come from clients in Santa Barbara, which is really fun,” says Kaye-Honey. In fact, HOH’s Montecito studio, which was established nearly nine years ago, is as busy as the Pasadena location.
The final result is a stunning testament to a creative collaboration that’s embodied in an iconic ranch house a family can now call home. As the satisfied client says, “There’s something really special about the house, and I think that’s what caused us to uproot our lives.” •
