Pacific Pleasures
Picturesque doesn’t even begin to describe the southeastern coastline of Lana’i — or the 90,000-acre Four Seasons Resort Lana’i tucked away in virtual seclusion on the island’s immaculate shore and just beyond.
A tropical journey at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai
A lagoon-style pool just steps away from Hulopo’e Bay.
Written by David Nash
Picturesque doesn’t even begin to describe the southeastern coastline of Lana’i — or the 90,000-acre Four Seasons Resort Lana’i tucked away in virtual seclusion on the island’s immaculate shore and just beyond. So where better to celebrate a few of life’s memorable moments? Situated just steps from Hulopo’e Bay — where green sea turtles and tropical reef fish swim and Spinner dolphins play — this unfettered island resort offers guests a unique experience with lagoon-style and oceanfront pools, direct beach access, sunset sails, miles of trails to explore on horseback and lush botanical gardens to stroll, as well as its signature Hawanawana Spa, the renowned cliffside Manele Golf Course, and world-class cuisine.
“Just steps from Hulopo’e Bay, this unfettered island resort offers a unique experience.”
Book yourself into one of the resort’s most sumptuous accommodations, like the lavish Alii Royal Suite. Perched on the second floor with panoramic views of the Pacific and the Hulopo’e Bay marine sanctuary, the spacious two-bedroom suite includes a formal living room, a separate dining room for six, a media room, a double Japanese soaking tub, a double walk-in shower, and a large private lanai. Other well-appointed escapes include the Kapihaa and Suite Holopoe Presidential Suites, and all three options come with a dedicated Lana’i Ambassador, daily personalized amenities, complimentary spa treatments, golf lessons, movies, and car rental.
The ideal destination for weddings, honeymoons, or vow renewals, Four Seasons Resort Lana’i offers several breathtaking spaces that include oceanfront views, private garden patios and grand ballrooms. Enjoy all the resort amenities and bespoke services like sound bath meditations, romantic catamaran tours or a guided Pu’upehe hike and indulge in the resort’s many dining concepts, from Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s delicate creations to organic dishes from Malibu Farm. fourseasons.com/lanai
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Nature Beckons
Hawaiian Airlines redefines the flight; The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua elevates the stay.
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua elevates your stay
Written by Lesley McKenzie
On Maui’s northwest coast, where ironwood forests meet jagged lava cliffs, The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua stretches across 54 acres overlooking the Pacific. Set beside the Honokahua Preservation Site — one of Hawaii’s revered wahi pana, or sacred places — the property is nestled within the 22,000-acre Kapalua Resort, a region long celebrated for its championship golf courses, scenic trails, and storied pineapple fields.
A sweeping $100 million renovation, completed in late 2022, infused the property’s 468 guest rooms and 107 residential suites with modern sophistication. Interiors nod to nature with dark wood floors, marble baths, and curated local artwork, while private lanais frame ocean views, mountains, or tropical gardens in bloom. For something more intimate, opt for the Fire Lanai Collection — Maui’s only guest rooms with private firepits, the perfect backdrop for golden hour quiet.
Programming has also been thoughtfully considered from every angle. Guests can choose from more than 70 weekly experiences, from hiking the Alaloa Trail to snorkeling coral reefs under the guidance of Cousteau-trained naturalists. Golfers can take to The Bay and The Plantation courses, both celebrated for their panoramic ocean views and PGA-level pedigree.
Meanwhile, the resort’s 17,500-square-foot spa is its own sanctuary: volcanic stone grottos, outdoor garden showers, and open-air hale set the tone for rituals steeped in ancient Hawaiian healing. Treatments like the Lomilomi massage and the Awa Nui body treatment draw from indigenous botanicals and centuries-old traditions.
As expected, meals are as transportive as the views. Across the property, six distinct restaurants and bars, offering everything from poolside fare to sushi workshops and wine tastings, showcase the island’s distinct culinary point of view. Banyan Tree, the crown jewel of the resort’s dining portfolio, features an indoor living garden and a menu informed by seasonal ingredients, with standouts such as Kaua’i prawns drizzled in garlic brown butter citrus.
And now, the journey to Maui feels almost as rewarding as the island itself. With the merger of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines in 2024, travelers can now access an expanded network and greater schedule flexibility, all with the signature warmth and hospitality both brands are known for.
Onboard, Hawaiian’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet offers a transportive experience. It features the Leihōkū Suites, first-class cabins inspired by the celestial navigation of Polynesian wayfinders, complete with lie-flat seating, privacy doors, and island-inspired design details.
The journey becomes a culinary adventure through Hawaiian Airlines’ Featured Chef Series, an in-flight program that celebrates Hawaii’s regional flavors and rising culinary stars. Executive Chefs Wade and Michelle Karr-Ueoka of Honolulu’s acclaimed MW Restaurant, who oversee the inflight program, are joined by an all-star lineup of chefs, including Keaka Lee of Kapa Hale and Robynne Maii of Fête. Both lend their talents to First Class menus on routes from Hawaii to North America, giving guests an authentic taste of the islands before they even land. ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/jhmrz-the-ritz-carlton-maui-kapalua/overview/; hawaiianairlines.com
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Serenity Now
Opened in 2023, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern is a ranch-inspired retreat in Los Olivos that’s already garnered heaps of praise for its world-class dining.
Opened in 2023, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern is a ranch-inspired retreat in Los Olivos that’s already garnered heaps of praise for its world-class dining. Since then, the recently unveiled spa offerings in the newly renovated LAVENDER BARN ramp up the property’s appeal. Water, heat, and steam work together in the eucalyptus steam room and oak sauna, while six nature-inspired treatment rooms are available for massages, facials, and bodywork. aubergeresorts.com/matteistavern/wellness
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Paradise Found
Love blooms at San Ysidro Ranch
Love blooms at San Ysidro Ranch
Flowers frame a private standalone suite.
Residents of Santa Barbara tend to be well-traveled people, but visiting one of the best hotels in the world hardly requires a long journey. There’s no need to endure the hassle of a transcontinental flight when the American Riviera is just as beautiful as Côte d’Azur. SAN YSIDRO RANCH offers 550 incredibly private acres right in our own backyard. Last year, the property was recognized as the world’s best romantic hotel, America’s best romantic hotel, and America’s best honeymoon hotel. To say it’s a suitable option for local lovebirds is an understatement.
A staycation can be as simple as moving into a cottage that’s just a few minutes’ drive from one’s daily life. People come from all over the world to experience the rustic charm and delightful gardens of this legendary 130-year-old property. The 38 bungalow-style rooms on San Ysidro Creek are decked out in handpicked antique furniture, eclectic international artwork, and plush, king-size four-poster beds.
The result is a dreamy, one-of-a-kind hideaway that feels more like a fairytale cottage than a hotel room. This is luxury defined by taste, not expense, and the cozy, cared-for style of the place does more to create a cherished environment than fine silk or expensive amenities—although rainfall showerheads and sumptuous Italian linens don’t hurt the overall experience.
No expense has been spared to create the on-site Stonehouse restaurant, where all-inclusive dining is just part of San Ysidro Ranch style. Feast on Central Coast bounty like abalone and decadent seafood towers, or imported delicacies like Snake River Farms wagyu, all garnished with herbs and vegetables from the property’s own organic garden. Don’t forget to check out the extensive wine list, courtesy of an underground wine cellar that holds more than 15,000 rare bottles and renowned vintages. Crack one open at dinner or take it back to your room afterward. There’s no better nightcap than a glass of exquisite wine under the stars. sanysidroranch.com
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Pretty in Pink
Few hotels in the world have achieved the renown that THE COLONY HOTEL in Florida has maintained for almost 80 years.
A hand-painted mural by de Gournay channels the property’s inherent charm.
a redesign by Kemble Interiors ushers the guesthouse into its next iteration.
Photographs by Carmel Brantley
Few hotels in the world have achieved the renown that THE COLONY HOTEL in Florida has maintained for almost 80 years. Since its debut in 1947, this lavish pink-stucco icon has stood the test of time as a haven for the state’s most glamorous guests, including President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jackie, and their children; Judy Garland; John Lennon; and Sophia Loren. What makes the place so irresistible, and earned it the nickname “Pink Paradise,” is an understanding of the timeless appeal of Old Palm Beach.
The hotel has recently updated its 93 rooms with a redesign by Kemble Interiors—including custom de Gournay wallpaper—but the vintage tropical prints and retro sensibility are still evident in the contemporary pastels and whimsical illustrations. Velvet, bamboo, wicker, and scalloped edges are just a sampling of the textures and textiles that give the hotel its vibe. Vintage furniture and wallpaper galore fill out an eclectic, playful atmosphere that nonetheless maintains an air of decorum.
Art Deco chandeliers and gold sconces give the impressive lobby a luxurious feel, and although the original guest rooms might seem a bit small by modern standards, 14 residence-style villas, bungalows, and penthouses offer multibedroom options, available for a minimum of one month. No matter the size of your room, Matouk linens and robes, Ladurée turndown treats, and full-size toiletries featuring the custom Pink Paradise 155 scent help make for a pampered guest experience. At the pool a magazine cabana is stocked with options for a little light reading, and just down the block at the beach, butlers are on hand to make sure Colony guests get the luxe catering and setup (towels, chairs, and umbrellas) that round out a stay at this oceanfront grande dame. thecolonypalmbeach.com
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Lowcountry Gem
Auberge stakes its claim in South Carolina’s idyllic Sea Islands
Auberge stakes its claim in South Carolina’s idyllic Sea Islands
A wicker birdcage bar defines the sunny room at in-house restaurant Linette’s.
Set in a gardener’s paradise, the subtropical landscape surrounding THE DUNLIN is dominated by vivid greens and blues. It’s only natural, then, that the 72-room hotel, located directly on the banks of the Kiawah River, is similarly steeped in the colors of sky, marsh grass, and water. A maze of winding paths edged by towering oaks helps this new property from Auberge blend in with its environs.
The 2,000-acre waterfront retreat in the idyllic Sea Islands—about 20 minutes from Charleston—opened in summer 2024, one of just 27 Auberge portfolio properties in the United States. This expansion into South Carolina Lowcountry called for an entirely unique resort, and interior designer Amanda Lindroth delivered in spades. Lindroth grew up in Florida in the 1970s and went on to work in publicity for Gucci, so her ability to channel old-world glamour and Deep South mysticism is unparalleled.
The whimsical palette of azure, seafoam, and turquoise is a defining feature of The Dunlin, whose name is taken from a local shorebird. Wicker furniture upholstered in batik, gingham, and linen abound in the rooms and outdoor spaces of the cottage-style property. Omnipresent blue-greens add brightness to the coffered ceilings of the Willet Room, a quaint lobby bar and lounge that offers coffee and pastries in the morning before swapping in savory Southern snacks and Caribbean-tinged swizzles and shrubs later on. At the signature restaurant, Linette’s, a magnificent rattan back bar houses rare whiskeys and other fine spirits, while the riverfront pool evokes old-world swim clubs, complete with scalloped green umbrellas and bamboo lounge chairs.
aubergeresorts.com/the-dunlin
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Fifty Shades of Rose
Few settings incarnate the artistic ethos of Santa Barbara better than the Meridian Studios, a complex of colorfully patinaed 1830s adobe buildings on De La Guerra Street, making it the ideal locale to fete Santa Barbara Magazine’s 50th year.
A courtyard cheers to our H+G special issue
Written by Lorie Dewhirst Porter
Photography by Ingrid Bostrom
Few settings incarnate the artistic ethos of Santa Barbara better than the Meridian Studios, a complex of colorfully patinaed 1830s adobe buildings on De La Guerra Street, making it the ideal locale to fete Santa Barbara Magazine’s 50th year.
Guests gathered to celebrate the magazine’s Spring Home and Garden issue. The cover features a whimsical watercolor image of a classic Santa Barbara abode (“The Palm Façade”) by local illustrator/writer Olivia Joffrey, one of four local artists commissioned to design covers for the magazine’s seasonal issues in 2025.
To toast the issue, Anna and Bion Rice, owners of Artiste Winery in Santa Ynez, poured glasses of The Palm Façade Rosé with Joffrey’s cover art on the label. Artiste, which is known for its wines with specially designed labels, will release for sale three additional wines bearing Santa Barbara Magazine cover images by local artists during 2025.
Hosted by editorial director and CEO Jennifer Smith and executive editor Gina Tolleson, the gathering included a gaggle of creatives, including designers Penelope Bianchi, Rita Chan, Lawren Howell, Jeffrey Alan Marks, and Christina Rottman; artist Olivia Joffrey; marketing maven Alice Ryan Miller; boutique owners Matt Albiani and Ron Brand (Mate) and Maja Smith (Found by Maja); photographer Sara Prince; and writers Jennifer Blaise Kramer and Lorie Dewhirst Porter. Noted chef and cookbook author Pascale Beale provided an edible still-life of garden vegetables and dips to accompany The Palm Façade Rosé.
Special thanks to Fieldbar, Field + Fort, Hallstein Water, and Pavilion Paper
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Star-Spangled Summer
Last Friday evening, Santa Barbara Magazine’s fashionable friends gathered for an appropriately themed Ranch-meets-Hamptons party to welcome Ralph Lauren’s RRL brand at Mate Gallery at the Montecito Country Mart.
RRL + Mate Gallery spark the season
Photography: Meg Sandu for Montecito Country Mart
Last Friday evening, Santa Barbara Magazine’s fashionable friends gathered for an appropriately themed Ranch-meets-Hamptons party to welcome Ralph Lauren’s RRL brand at Mate Gallery at the Montecito Country Mart.
Double RL is the newest addition to Mate Gallery’s selective American heritage brands, which include L.L.Bean and Brooks Brothers. RRL has stores in the Hamptons, Aspen, Melrose Avenue, and Malibu, and is now available in Montecito at Mate Gallery.
Hosted by global polo ambassadors Nacho Figueras and his wife, Delfina Blaquier, who have been part of the Lauren brand family for more than 20 years, the part-time Santa Barbara residents during the summer polo season also brought their kids Hilario, Artemio, and Alba to enjoy the stylish soirée and shopping.
The crowd swelled as the sun set on the Montecito Country Mart, and the festively lit Mate Gallery shone on a pair of vintage trucks, which flanked gatherers relaxing on hay bales and enjoying the passed glasses of Folded Hills Rosé and overflowing wicker baskets of white hydrangeas mixed with plates of delicious samplings from neighbor Oat Bakery.
Event partner Homer kitted out the back of the vintage Defender and C-J7 Jeep with buttery leather goods. The brand was founded by Terry Pillow, former CEO of Chaps Ralph Lauren and more recently CEO of Tommy Bahama.
Guests also included cohosts Santa Barbara Magazine’s Jennifer Smith and Gina Tolleson, Kathy Hilton, Victoria Jackson and Bill Guthy, Jeffery Alan Marks, Jordana Brewster, Zoë de Givenchy, Sarah Magness, Bryan Graybill, Robert and Alecia Seidler, Dewey Nicks, Lee Stanton, Amanda Masters, and artists Olivia Joffrey and Tasya Van Ree.
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Lamp of Luxury
SANTA BARBARA LIGHTING COMPANY was founded by Jimmy Rickard, who works with designers, contractors, and architects all over the U.S. and internationally to bring the region’s signature style into design projects, both residential and commercial.
Preserving Santa Barbara’s style, one custom light fixture at a time
Written by Caitlin White
Photograph by Kim Rierson
SANTA BARBARA LIGHTING COMPANY was founded by Jimmy Rickard, who works with designers, contractors, and architects all over the U.S. and internationally to bring the region’s signature style into design projects, both residential and commercial.
“As a sixth-generation native of Santa Barbara, I founded Santa Barbara Lighting Company out of an appreciation for the authentic craftsmanship of lighting and the rich architectural beauty that surrounds us and inspires each of our lighting designs,” says Rickard, who is a direct descendant of José de la Guerra, considered to be Santa Barbara’s first citizen. “I wanted to create lighting that was not only functional but also tells a story—honoring traditional craftsmanship while embracing timeless designs.”
The fixtures are made to order by the company’s artisans, who use a detailed, handmade process to work heavy-gauge steel into handcrafted designs before finishing each piece with a zinc protective coating. Using painstaking hand-welding techniques and artful, hand-applied finishing, each pane of premium glass is hand cut before every light is equipped with hand-blown bulbs.
“There’s a level of creativity that’s not often seen in the lighting world.”
Rickard has worked with design-world notables such as Ken Fulk, Mark Sikes, and Michael Smith, to name a few. Together with director Ryan Murphy and his designer, Stephen Shadley, Rickard also collaborated on a collection and custom lighting for Murphy’s L.A. home that was also featured in Architectural Digest.
And because every piece starts off as a sketch by architect Britt Jewett of Studio 7, there’s a level of creativity that’s not often seen elsewhere in the lighting world. “Britt’s artistry and attention to detail bring a depth of authenticity to our collection that makes each piece truly special,” Rickard says. Pieces like the old world-inspired De La Guerra 04, with the scalloped detail on the bottom, or the Presidio, with a tapered cage and subtle ornamentation, represent elements of Mediterranean influence that are now synonymous with the American Riviera. santabarbaralighting.com
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Waves of Amber
Amber Lewis made her name with the blog All Sorts Of, where she helped champion the white-wall, laidback California cool that now dominates the globe.
Written by Caitlin White
Photographs by Tina Michelle
Amber Lewis made her name with the blog All Sorts Of, where she helped champion the white-wall, laidback California cool that now dominates the globe. Lewis is the driving force behind AMBER INTERIORS, the home interiors shop and full-service design firm just opened at The Post. It’s equipped as both a showroom that illustrates her design style across several different rooms—kitchen, bedroom, living room—and a studio space that houses her home goods brand, Shoppe by Amber Interiors. amberinteriordesign.com
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Wall-to-Wall
TREND REPORT • Papers that pop
Papers that Pop
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Handle With Care
Inspired by French surrealism and California in the 1970s, the work of ceramicist Alison Andersson also has an ocean undercurrent.
Ojai resident Andersson; works from Rebekah Miles’s latest collection, All The Pretty Horses—prices range from $115 for a ring dish to $550 for a larger vase.
Photograph by Sam Frost
Inspired by French surrealism and California in the 1970s, the work of ceramicist ALISON ANDERSSON also has an ocean undercurrent. Ridged with the imprint of human hands, most of her pieces feature earthy palettes of creams, browns, and blacks, with the occasional pop of blue or a shock of white. Based in Ojai, Andersson also stretches into sculpture and painting, and her bespoke domestic wares can be found at the local boutique Hummingbird Inn. alisonandersson.com
Natural spires in earthen colors from one of Alison Andersson’s recent collections
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Beachy Keen
In his turn as a fixture on Bravo’s Million Dollar Decorators, JEFFREY ALAN MARKS became a household name in the interior design community…
In his turn as a fixture on Bravo’s Million Dollar Decorators, JEFFREY ALAN MARKS became a household name in the interior design community, and The Hollywood Reporter dubbed him one of the most-wanted decorators in town. During that breakout era, his 2013 book, The Meaning of Home, showcased his expert ability to capture the eccentric personalities of his luxury clients. In the ensuing decade, Marks got married and became a father, a shift that deeply impacted his own concept of home. It follows that his next book, This Is Home (Rizzoli, $55), is particularly focused on style at two of his own residences, including a 1925 beach cottage in Montecito. jeffreyalanmarks.com
The Miramar rug was inspired
by Miramar
beach and my water-polo days
in college.
Marks’ Miramar rug for The Rug Company, which takes its cues from Santa Barbara.
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Tropical Tribe
Pack your passport for prints and patterns
Beaded chairs, raoultextilesstore.com
Pack your passport for prints and patterns
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Image Maker
The popular impression of Santa Barbara owes a lot to photographer J. WALTER COLLINGE, who arrived in 1918 and shot local architecture and Montecito estates, gardens and beaches, and the city’s cultural life.
An unusual garden of cacti and succulents against a mountain backdrop caught the attention of J. Walter Collinge, whose evocative black-and-white photograph hints at Santa Barbara’s varied landscape.
Written by Joan Tapper
The popular impression of Santa Barbara owes a lot to photographer J. WALTER COLLINGE, who arrived in 1918 and shot local architecture and Montecito estates, gardens and beaches, and the city’s cultural life. Collinge was a friend of G. W. Smith and his go-to photographer when it came to shooting that architect’s designs, from Florestal in Hope Ranch to the Meridian Studios downtown, among others. An avid boatman, Collinge also photographed the Haida, the yacht owned by Max Fleischmann, yeast company heir and local philanthropist. His pictures promoted Fiesta, memorialized the palominos raised by Santa Barbara mover and shaker Dwight Murphy, and captured the members of the Denishawn Dance Company. In fact, among Collinge’s best-known work is the Fairy Ring, an evocative nude featuring that troupe’s dancer Doris Humphrey. His work is on exhibit at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum through May 11. sbhistorical.org
Garden. Photo by J. Walter Collinge (1883–1964). Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum
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Sunny-Side Up
The garden-to-table ethos of JACKIE JOHNSON McBRIDE’s cooking style has led to a personal metamorphosis for the former national weathercaster.
Written by Caitlin White
Photography by Sara Prince
The garden-to-table ethos of JACKIE JOHNSON McBRIDE’s cooking style has led to a personal metamorphosis for the former national weathercaster. After leaving the studio life behind when her daughter was born and welcoming a son a few years later, McBride and her husband staked out a picturesque retreat in the hills of Montecito to raise their family. On a plot that includes enough lavender bushes to technically qualify as a lavender farm, an in-the-works vineyard, and, of course, her beloved garden boxes, she’s embracing the chance to spend time outside in the weather instead of just reporting on it.
“Living in Montecito was a lifelong dream, so being here feels magical,” she says. “And it truly is a dream for a gardener—I can grow food all year. I’m always looking for an excuse to be outside since the weather is so beautiful. I think gardening is the cheapest form of therapy, and there’s also something spiritual to me about growing a seed into a plant, taking care of it, and harvesting something beautiful and nutritious I can use to feed my family.”
Now creating seasonally (and meteorologically) influenced recipes as The Weather Chef, McBride’s emphasis on fresh, simple ingredients to create highly nutritious, beautifully plated meals has quickly earned her a devoted following. With a cookbook in the works and a focus on creating meals that are accessible for anyone to make at home, her recipes are best understood as love letters to Santa Barbara’s sunlight, soil, and produce. “I’m big on seasonal eating because it’s just so natural,” she says. “I walk to my garden and the meals I prepare that week are based on the fresh vegetables and herbs that are growing. There’s something to be said about knowing where your food is coming from and how it is grown. It just tastes better.” theweatherchef.com
Jackie’s Must-Haves
“Personalized FLAMINGO ESTATE OLIVE OIL. My friend got me a bottle for Christmas. Not only do I love the olive oil, there is also something special about it being personalized.”
“The IVY COVE UNION SQUARE MARKET TOTE is cute, well-made, and so versatile. I can take it to the market, shopping, or even to the beach. It’s a perfect travel bag as well, and takes up zero space when I’m not using it.”
“I live in my JENNI KAYNE COCOON CASHMERE SWEATER all year long. No matter how hot it gets during the day, as soon as the sun goes down I wrap myself in it.”
“A bleached pine cabinet, table, or buffet. Or if you want to splurge, get an antique French piece from THE WELL.”
“An olive tree in an antiqued pot is a must. I get most of my weathered pots from BOTANIK.”
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Stem Punk
The advent of spring at Lotusland, Montecito's lavish botanical garden, is always worth celebrating, and this year's Spring Equinox Extravaganza was an occasion that Ganna Walska, the eccentric founder of Lotusland, would surely have relished.
Lotusland and the Power of Flowers
Written by Lorie Dewhirst Porter
Photographs by Mariana Schulze
The advent of spring at Lotusland, Montecito's lavish botanical garden, is always worth celebrating, and this year's Spring Equinox Extravaganza was an occasion that Ganna Walska, the eccentric founder of Lotusland, would surely have relished. Engineered by two talented creatives—Louesa Roebuck and Dina Saalisi—the event was an opportunity to experience the spiritual and artistic significance of flowers in the midst of Madame’s exquisite garden.
Roebuck, author of Punk Ikebana and Foraged Flora, demonstrated her exuberant approach to flower arranging in a carefully constructed outdoor classroom, a breathtaking setting that took four days days to assemble. Guests were seated at tables covered with Roebuck’s vintage linens, and each table had a grouping of handmade ceramic vessels for composing arrangements. With large bunches of plant material nearby (scented geranium, wisteria, nasturtium, coral tree branches that were foraged and gleaned by Roebuck and Curtis Searle Fletcher in Ojai and Carpinteria), little encouragement was needed to coax guests to indulge in floral creativity.
Saalisi—a healer and wellness coach and author of several books, including The Art of Flower Therapy—led the group in affirmations and highlighted selections from Listening to Flowers, her hand-illustrated oracle deck of aspirations based on the flower remedies of Edward Bach, a renowned British medical doctor and homeopath. For the flower arranging, Saalisi gleaned bunches of sweet pea and fava bean in the Napa Valley and transported them to Lotusland with husband David Saalisi for the classroom setup.
Between flower arranging and oracle readings, guests were treated to beverages from Apiary Beverage Co. and sweet selections from Chocolate Maya. The day culminated in a leisurely wander through garden, and guests departed with their own flower arrangement and gift bags, made from recycled silk saris, filled with Saalisi’s oracle deck, a special flower remedy, and seed packets.
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Post Modern
Santa Barbara does everything its own way—including shopping. Although it’s a stretch to call the newly opened collection of 13 curated shops that fill out THE POST a mall, there’s a buzzy sense of purpose that harkens back to early ’90s mall culture as community gathering places.
A Curated Shopping Experience
Remodels and redesign preserved as much historic and original architecture as possible.
Written by Caitlin White
Photography by Ye Rin Mok
Santa Barbara does everything its own way—including shopping. Although it’s a stretch to call the newly opened collection of 13 curated shops that fill out THE POST a mall, there’s a buzzy sense of purpose that harkens back to early ’90s mall culture as community gathering places. But there’s also a freshness to the simplicity of this mostly outdoor space, which has been reimagined to include a roundabout at the entrance and includes several architecturally significant and historic buildings.
At the Las Aves Complex, located at Los Patos Way and East Cabrillo Boulevard, weathered bricks are the foremost design elements, with courtyard seating and an eclectic, large-scale fountain from local sculptor Marge Dunlap titled It’s Raining. The nearby Andrée Clark Bird Refuge is a recognizable landmark for most locals. And all the brands and businesses that are setting up shop either hail from the Central Coast or Los Angeles.
Developers David Fishbein and Joseph Miller of the Runyon Group seem to have an innate sense of how to make digital-first shoppers ease back into the brick-and-mortar world. L.A. residents will recognize the pair as the driving force behind Platform in Culver City and The Row downtown. Their spaces traditionally include expansive outdoor areas, plant life, lots of light, and sophisticated storefronts.
One of their own brands, The Optimist, was created in response to a perceived gap in the menswear game, and its second location at The Post carries a mix of hard-to-find brands and vintage accessories. Another retailer, Teller, is run by Fishbein’s wife, Jamie Fishbein, and has a similar curatorial bent that’s women-focused. Outside of the family-run businesses, one tenant, The Great, a lifestyle brand widely touted for Americana flair and sturdy basics from Emily Current and Meritt Elliott, slots in neatly.
A handful of restaurants, including Buellton’s beloved Little King coffee shop (part of the Bell’s Companion Hospitality Group) and a forthcoming location of Jackson and Melissa Kalb’s contemporary Italian L.A. spot Ospi, are also part of the development. In an era where so many developers build sleek and soulless modern structures, it’s a breath of fresh air for Fishbein and Miller to preserve and enhance the rustic charm of these spaces. At its core, The Post is a love letter to Santa Barbara’s way of life—outdoorsy elegance and nonchalant charm. 1809 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, thepostmontecito.com
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A Greek Invitation
Mykonos is known internationally as one of the best nightlife hotspots in the world. But cultivating a global reputation as an epic party town doesn’t mean that’s all this Greek island has to offer.
The central pool at Kalesma Mykonos.
Photography by Giorgos Kordakis, Salva Lopez, Vangelis Paterakis
Mykonos is known internationally as one of the best nightlife hotspots in the world. But cultivating a global reputation as an epic party town doesn’t mean that’s all this Greek island has to offer. Cue one of the isle’s newer resorts, KALESMA (which translates loosely to “inviting”), a property that opened in 2021 on the northwest side of the island and continues to expand to meet a growing demand for a calm, cool, and collected haven in the midst of this wonderfully frenetic destination.
Greek design and architecture are the driving force behind the sleek, whitewashed look of the hotel, with interior styling and design from Vangelis Bonios—who worked on Bulgari hotels and the Valentino boutique early in his career—and his Studio Bonarchi agency. It would seem Bonios is still well-connected in the fashion world, because Kalesma is currently the only hotel in the world that features furniture from Rick Owens. Pieces like his Double Bubble sofa, in plywood and black leather, or the Curial chair, produced in elm wood, evoke an ancient simplicity and provide a stark contrast to the natural creams, tans, and browns of the hotel interiors. Each room has its own heated plunge pool, outdoor shower, and ocean-view terrace, making the ordeal of heading out to a noisy, crowded club less appealing.
The hotel’s positioning on the Aleomandra peninsula offers breathtaking 360-degree views overlooking Ornos Bay from almost every vantage point. The resort layout mimics a traditional island village by establishing shared social spaces at the top of the property and private social spaces set further downhill. Currently, Kalesma has 19 rooms, 12 suites, and 15 villas, but within the next year it will debut 19 more rooms and add significantly to the pool and restaurant offerings. The on-site restaurant, Pere Ubu, serves elevated Greek cuisine and will soon be supplemented by an all-day Greek taverna—think saganaki cheese and tomato-and-feta dakos salad. Close enough to town for a jaunt if guests are so inclined, Kalesma has built a reputation as the stylish enclave on Mykonos for those who prefer a little serenity. kalesmamykonos.com
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An Artful Staycation
The fifth iteration of Desert X, a biennial exhibition in California's Coachella Valley, is now open with 11 site-specific artworks. Since 2017, artists have been invited from around the world to visit and select a location to present and construct their work in the context of the American Low Desert.
Your direct connect to Desert X
Written by by John Connelly
The fifth iteration of Desert X, a biennial exhibition in California's Coachella Valley, is now open with 11 site-specific artworks. Since 2017, artists have been invited from around the world to visit and select a location to present and construct their work in the context of the American Low Desert. Generally on view for nine weeks, the artworks then disappear while following a “tread lightly” and “leave no trace” approach to the landscapes they engage. This year, artistic director Neville Wakefield partnered with co-curator Kaitlin Garcia Maestas to emphasize the fraught relationship between “unadulterated nature” and “the effects of human intervention.”
Highlights for our team include Unsui (Mirror) by the multimedia artist Sanford Biggers, consisting of two sequined sculptures in the shape of clouds towering 30 feet above a nearby community center. Located in a historic Black neighborhood formed by forced displacement more than 50 years ago, these unabashedly hopeful symbols suggest freedom, interconnection, and unrestricted movement. The typically windy neighborhood activates the sound and visual impact of the sequins, while the artificial cloud shapes draw attention to the natural beauty of the desert sky and landscape.
The act of being together by Guadalajara-based artist Jose Dávila features 12 gigantic marble blocks extracted from a quarry a few hundred miles away across the Mexican border. The blocks feature smooth and rough-hewn sides and are stacked carefully but precariously in a Stonehenge-like ring of six pairs near a Desert Hot Springs wind farm. Their migration across the border and clever location near the sleek monuments to environmental technology suggest both the history of previous civilizations and the precarious future of our current one.
Allison Saar’s Soul Service Station is a small structure resembling a filling station that visitors can walk to off the main road. Leading to the structure built from recycled materials such as tin ceiling tiles, cast-iron pans, reclaimed wood, and glass bottles are tires featuring inspirational messages that embody the project’s intent to provide “fuel for the soul.” Presiding inside the station is a life-size hand-carved female figure, guardian of the devotional objects gathered around her created by Saar and local students to express community prayers and wishes for healing and hope.
Cannupa Hanska Luger’s nomadic installation G.H.O.S.T Ride expands upon an ongoing project to reimagine sustainable land-based futures through Indigenous communities engaging with innovative technologies. The work features Repurposed Technological Archaic vehicle (aka RAT Rod), a hybrid Westfalian Land Rover covered in mirrored vinyl and driven to various sites. Its accouterments include industrial materials, a tipi-like structure with ceramic vessels for collecting water, and experimental light and sound systems. The overall effect is both ancestral and futuristic, asking us to consider future societies living in attunement with land and water and, according to the artist, “what we may learn from the desert if we focus on its knowledge.”
All projects are on view through May 11, free, and open to all. The Desert X app is on Apple or Google Play.