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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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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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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Back to Nature
Designer, decorator, and hospitality expert Nathan Turner has clients all over the world, but he never forgets his California roots. For his latest fabric collection—nostalgic patterns printed on linen—he leans into natural themes that defined his childhood.
One of Turner’s most beloved local interior design projects is the Turner House at Alisal Ranch, a three-bedroom retreat with vintage decor, reclaimed barnwood paneling, and Pendleton accessories. A few of his recent fabric designs also lift inspiration from times spent at Alisal.
Designer, decorator, and hospitality expert Nathan Turner has clients all over the world, but he never forgets his California roots. For his latest fabric collection—nostalgic patterns printed on linen—he leans into natural themes that defined his childhood.
California Quail: “My brother and I raised quails from eggs, and every time I see one on our family’s ranch I like to think they’re descendants from the ones we hatched.”
Beautiful Spanish architecture and design inspired Hillhouse, a sweetly simple floral print.
The Valley Oak Stripe is an homage to California’s mighty woodlands: “I can’t see a giant live oak and not feel at home.”
The North Star Stripe “is inspired by the stacks of vintage horse blankets at the ranch.”
For Heaton, he wanted to pay tribute to the bright berries and brambles that most ranchers have encountered. “We have wild blackberry bushes on the ranch, so I knew I needed a traditional floral with blackberries.”
nathanturner.com
Turner: Ben Leake
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Shell Game
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, architect Jeff Shelton is the mastermind responsible for the renovation of the building that houses CLARK’S OYSTER BAR, a new addition to Coast Village Road. “We didn’t even give it a face-lift; we gave it a new face,” he says.
Newcomer oyster bar Clark’s is defined by its bright, airy aesthetic
Jeff Shelton and Larry McGuire
“We didn’t even give it a face-lift; we gave it a new face.”
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, architect Jeff Shelton is the mastermind responsible for the renovation of the building that houses CLARK’S OYSTER BAR, a new addition to Coast Village Road. “We didn’t even give it a face-lift; we gave it a new face,” he says. “I wanted to make it a place that people wanted to go into.” The building is done in Santa Barbara style, a compressive, plaster-covered architecture with slight Spanish influences and a geometric skyline. After being tapped by chef and owner Larry McGuire to help restore the structure and infuse it with a local aesthetic, Shelton’s other feat was to make the building entrance clear. “All doors should have a slight ceremony,” he says. “It’s a nice passageway, and you celebrate the entrance.” He worked with his brother, David Shelton, on the lighting in the building and in tandem with Bottenfield on the contracting and interiors. As delicious as the food and drink are, the experience of being inside the clean, bright space elevates dining at Clark’s to a special occasion. 1212 Coast Village Rd., Montecito, clarksoysterbar.com
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Divine Dining
For many Ojai residents, the parlor game of assembling a fantasy dinner party would likely include the irrepressible local ceramicist Beatrice Wood, who passed away in 1998 at the age of 105.
Beato Home features five pieces in a textured neutral white, meticulously crafted by Creative Fire Studio in Granada Hills.
For many Ojai residents, the parlor game of assembling a fantasy dinner party would likely include the irrepressible local ceramicist Beatrice Wood, who passed away in 1998 at the age of 105. Now fans of the iconoclastic multidisciplinary artist, known affectionately as “Beato,” can enjoy an homage to her legacy on their own dinner tables with BEATO HOME. “People just went crazy for it,” recalls Heather Stobo about the original dinnerware set crafted by Wood during the 1960s. The pieces were included in an exhibition she and Lisa Casoni curated at the Porch Gallery, the couple’s art-focused Ojai gathering place, which they closed last year. Finding a way to make Wood’s functional tabletop pieces more accessible to a contemporary audience was a logical next step, especially given their partnership with the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts through Beato Chocolates, the artisanal candy line Casoni and Stobo launched in 2018. Beato Home features five pieces in a textured neutral white, meticulously crafted by Creative Fire Studio in Granada Hills. The collection, which is faithful to Wood’s original clay type, colors, and glazes, is available online and at select retailers, including Field + Fort in Summerland. Beato Home is an impassioned tribute to a one-of-a-kind spirit whose “greatest work of art was her life,” Casoni says. “She’s our North Star in the chocolate business and this dinnerware business.” beatohome.com
Global Goods
These chic shops and markets carry everything you need for a well-curated home and kitchen.
These chic shops and markets carry everything you need
for a well-curated home and kitchen
Downtown Santa Barbara’s The Eddy reinvents the corner store experience, serving as a one-stop shop for convenience items and gourmet goods.
Written by Hana-Lee Sedgwick
Photographs by Blake Bronstad
Since debuting last year, THE EDDY has woven itself into the fabric of downtown Santa Barbara. Offering a well-chosen selection of elevated essentials and gourmet delights, along with engaging events and workshops, this modern corner store has redefined the idea of convenience. “We envisioned The Eddy as a hub, constantly adapting to the evolving wants and needs of our community,” says co-owner Alex Suhadolnik. “Our approach is very much community led, so we regularly incorporate customer recommendations, but we also hope to instill a sense of discovery.”
Here you’ll find a diverse mix of everyday necessities and unexpected goods, from tinned fish and artisanal candy bars to Rancho Gordo beans and nonalcoholic refreshments, along with grab-and-go items from local favorites like Merci and Riviera Bread. 137 E. De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara, shoptheeddy.com
“Every corner of the world is brimming with inspiration, which is why I regularly travel to various global markets in search of unique finds”
Effortless elegance is the theme at UPSTAIRS AT PIERRE LAFOND, the esteemed Montecito lifestyle boutique that has delighted locals and visitors alike for decades. An ever-evolving collection of stylish far-flung treasures and locally made gifts ranges from luxurious bedding and rugs to art, tabletop essentials, and children’s toys—each thoughtfully selected to celebrate the joys of artful living. “Every corner of the world is brimming with inspiration, which is why I regularly travel to various global markets in search of unique finds,” says buyer Emily DaFoe. “Our customers can always count on discovering something special and one-of-a-kind, whether for their own homes or for memorable gifts.” 516 San Ysidro Rd., Santa Barbara, shopupstairs.com
Bringing a touch of la dolce vita to the heart of Montecito is MONTESANO MARKET & DELI, a haven of Italian imports and local goods for the table and pantry. Besides the impressive selection of olive oils, jarred olives, authentic sauces, and gourmet pastas—each highlighting Italy’s rich culinary heritage—you’ll find table linens, wine, bespoke tote bags, and artisanal toffee. Also on hand are imported sausages, crackers, and cheeses—perfect for impromptu picnics at the beach. 1150 Coast Village Rd., Montecito, montesanomarket.com
Stylish kitchenware at Field + Fort.
“The vision at Field + Fort was to create a space where people enjoy delicious food and find inspiration.”
One need not be an interior designer to appreciate Summerland’s FIELD + FORT, a distinctive home-and-garden store that epitomizes refinement. “The owners’ vision was to create a space where people can gather, enjoy delicious food and coffee, and find inspiration in our carefully curated home goods—essentials for elevating living,” says general manager Paul Burns. Notably, Field + Fort is stocked with unique design accessories and products synonymous with quality and style, including items such as Sheldon ceramic dinnerware, Sferra towels, and Flamingo Estate bath products. The store’s pantry section offers gourmet foods like pasta sauces, balsamic vinegars, and olive oils, all destined to become kitchen staples. 2580 Lillie Ave., Summerland, fieldandfort.com
Little Dom’s housemade tomato sauce and pickled vegetables.
Following the success of its original Los Angeles location, Little Dom’s Seafood cast its culinary net to Carpinteria in 2020. Since then executive chef Brandon Boudet has enticed visitors with his delectable seafood and Italian dishes, infused with Southern flair as a nod to his Louisiana roots. This spring the coastal eatery is expanding with the debut of LITTLE DOM’S DELI & WINE SHOP. You’ll be able to pick up some of Chef Boudet’s signature creations, including his renowned tomato sauces and pickled vegetables. Additionally, the space will carry a range of house-made seasonal goods—think preserved lemons and fruit jams—as well as grab-and-go items like prepared salads and frozen meatballs. 686 Linden Ave., Carpinteria, ldseafood.com
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Fresh Stock
Caroline Diani opened her first shop 22 years ago.
“I buy what I like to wear and have in my home, yet I’m constantly thinking of specific customers, especially those who’ve been with us over the years”
Caroline Diani
Written by Jennifer Blaise Kramer
Photograph by Meg Sandu Photo
Caroline Diani opened her first shop 22 years ago. With a background in retail and an education in fashion, she melded her skills to open a business that’s been a Santa Barbara fixture for more than two decades. The world of DIANI includes three storefronts—clothing, home, shoes—in Arlington Plaza, creating a lifestyle hub for countless locals. Being that go-to shop around the corner is both what keeps the doors open and what guides Caroline on what to stock. “I buy what I like to wear and have in my home, yet I’m constantly thinking of specific customers, especially those who’ve been with us over the years,” she says. “None of us are driven by trends; we like quality and understated style.” Caroline’s spring edit (her blog and newsletter are a must!) sports pops of color that appear in nature. For home she stocks her favorite cookbooks, serving bowls, and textiles, and she has been busy building her own home decor brand, The Stone Jug. Inspiration, it seems, is everywhere she turns. “I’m always looking for new lines for the stores, and traveling helps me find hidden gems,” she says. “My eyes and ears are always open.” 1324 State St., Santa Barbara, dianiboutique.com
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Ahoy, Mate
Ten-year-old Mate Gallery, located in Montecito’s Country Mart, is home to all things nautical—from clothing and vintage accessories to home furnishings.
Written by Lorie Dewhirst Porter
Photographs by Matt Albiani
Owners Matt Albiani (left) and Ron Brand
Ten-year-old MATE GALLERY, located in Montecito’s Country Mart (the retail compound and de facto community center of Montecito), is home to all things nautical—from clothing and vintage accessories to home furnishings. Conceived and owned by Matt Albiani and Ron Brand, the shop was—according to Albiani—designed “to bring a bit of East Coast vibe to California,” and they have achieved that goal; the place is a style source for transplants and natives alike. Country Mart owner Jim Rosenfield recently enabled Brand and Albiani to triple Mate Gallery’s footprint, providing room for more bounty, including vintage furniture and fixtures. “Jim’s been very supportive of us and is a really good guy,” Brand says.
Albiani, a fashion photographer and Boston native, resides primarily in New York; Brand, a real estate agent, immigrated to Santa Barbara from Dundee, Scotland, in 1991. Together they cull and curate unique items that embody the Mate Gallery aesthetic. The pair also own a stylish getaway—dubbed “Sea Roost”—in Montauk, New York, that was recently featured on Magnolia Network’s Beach Cottage Chronicles and is available for rent on Searoost.com. “If you lived in Mate Gallery, it would be Sea Roost,” says Brand. 1024 Coast Village Rd., Montecito, 805-895-6283, mategallery.com
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Desert Gem
Aman Resorts are known for boutique properties that epitomize remote splendor, and perhaps nothing in their portfolio fulfills that promise better than Amangiri.
Written by Caitlin White
Photography by Robert Rieger
Aman Resorts are known for boutique properties that epitomize remote splendor, and perhaps nothing in their portfolio fulfills that promise better than AMANGIRI. This isolated sanctuary in southern Utah, whose name means “peaceful mountain” in Sanskrit, draws much of its grandeur from a minimalist design set against the stunning backdrop of the stark Canyon Point desert. But it isn’t just sweeping views of the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument or the property’s incorporation of the culture of the nearby Navajo Nation that has elevated Amangiri into one of the world’s must-visit hotels.
Since opening in 2009, the 34-suite property has become synonymous with ultra-luxe hospitality and wellness—and a hot spot for celebrity guests who share their experiences on social media, cultivating a sense of exclusivity and prestige that has served the hotel well. In 2020 the hotel expanded with Camp Sarika, an enclave of 10 tented pavilions. That expansion dovetailed with concerns related to the pandemic, which spiked an interest in this distant, mostly outdoor getaway.
One of the selling points of Amangiri, then and now, is the way each room is oriented toward a view of the desert, bringing the outdoors in. The elegance of the decor—concrete, light wood, and earth tones—against the landscape enhances the serenity. Holistic wellness programming also adds to that: Carefully formulated offerings integrate many natural elements into the experience. For example, there’s yoga on the rocks, thermal therapy with saunas and cold plunge pools in the 25,000-square-foot spa, aqua shiatsu, and ai chi, a 4,000-year-old therapy derived from tai chi and qigong that seeks to optimize the flow of chi. If there were ever a place where your energy could unspool, untangle, and flow freely, it’s here. 1 Kayenta Rd., Canyon Point, Utah, 435-675-3999, aman.com
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Charming Chatelaine
The concept behind the newly expanded DOMECÍL boutique on State Street is to showcase unique and handmade items for the home.
Written by Lorie Dewhirst Porter
Photography by Sara Prince
The concept behind the newly expanded DOMECÍL boutique on State Street is to showcase unique and handmade items for the home. Owner Stephanie Payne Campbell—a Santa Barbara native with a French soul and a sparkling personality—has an instinctive knack for sourcing items that are simultaneously utilitarian and indescribably beautiful: baskets and textiles from far-flung locations (Africa, Chile, Indonesia, Japan), locally made ceramics, linens and clothing (often of her own design), hard-to-find design books, cookbooks, jewelry, and more.
Homes also need art, and breathtaking nature photographs by co-creators Joslyn Lawrence and Brian Kuhlmann grace the shop’s gallery-like walls. And where else can you attend a love-letter workshop taught by local typewriter poet Simon Kiefer? Japanese and French stationery are available if you need something to write on.
It takes a truly sophisticated eye to convene and display these myriad treasures in a coherent manner, but Payne Campbell does so effortlessly and with enthusiasm. “It’s passion that’s gotten me this far,” she says with a smile. 1223 State St., Santa Barbara, 805-324-4971, domecil.com
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Artist’s Retreat
Although it’s only a five-minute drive from Paso Robles’ town square, Steve Werndorf’s mystical micro hotel, INN PARADISO, feels like a world unto itself.
Written by Caitlin White
Although it’s only a five-minute drive from Paso Robles’ town square, Steve Werndorf’s mystical
micro hotel, INN PARADISO, feels like a world unto itself. Venture behind the gates and unlock one of three private luxury suites in the ‘70s-inspired lodge, where exposed wooden beams and a fireplace anchor the central room. Elsewhere, two more private loft suites adjoin a living area and kitchen for the owner, who may make you a cappuccino and explain that most of the art that adorns the property is from his personal collection. An artist and former movie poster designer, Werndorf has imbued the property with a mix of rustic charm and whimsy. His dressed-down Artist Studio is another suite available for booking. A pool and a greenhouse-style lounge, plus lawns surrounded by rare fruit trees, round out the 3.5-acre slice of paradise. 975 Mohave Lane, Paso Robles, 805-275-2706, innparadiso.com
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Garden Gone By
In 1970 society photographer Slim Aarons captured Mr. and Mrs. J. Gordon Douglas at the steps of their hillside Montecito estate.
Montecito residents Mr. and Mrs. J. Gordon Douglas pose for Slim Aarons.
Written by Joan Tapper
Photography by Slim Aarons/Stringer
In 1970 society photographer Slim Aarons captured Mr. and Mrs. J. Gordon Douglas at the steps of their hillside Montecito estate. The grounds of Il Brolino—Italian for “the little garden”—had been designed in 1922 for lumber heiress Mary Stewart by landscape architect Florence Yoch and Lucille Council to complement the Mediterranean villa–style house by architect George Washington Smith. The plan for the property included iconic formal features like parterres, a woodland, a rose garden, paved terraces, a cutting garden, a lemon house, a pergola, and topiaries. The symmetry and precision of the plantings are striking. Known for his access to the rich and celebrated, Aarons traveled from Hollywood to the famous playgrounds of Europe capturing the jet-set lifestyle for numerous magazines, and he was quoted as saying he focused on “attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places.” Il Brolino and its owners certainly fit the bill.
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Breathing Life
Wallpaper is so 2023. Suddenly every hot workspace, restaurant, and home wants a wall that does more—a wall that’s alive.
“Lush Air” of tillandsias displayed on glass with graphic of honey onyx at Sonos.
Written by Jennifer Blaise Kramer
Photographs by Elliot Lowndes
Wallpaper is so 2023. Suddenly every hot workspace, restaurant, and home wants a wall that does more—a wall that’s alive. Terra Basche, owner of LUSH ELEMENTS, is the designer behind the living walls at offices of Netflix, Zoom, and Sonos. “We’re making headquarters unique as well as home offices, which may be smaller but can be special, sacred retreats,” she says. Having started as a florist, the self-trained designer creates massive living walls hung with mosses, ferns, and air plants that require little water and are low maintenance. (She also does follow-up care for most clients.) Her mural-like installations, in addition to edible towers and container gardens, are focal points at restaurants that include Local Montecito, Validation Ale, and most recently Silvers Omakase. There, owner and chef Lennon Silvers Lee dreamed up a back patio full of plants where his guests could pleasantly relax after their two-hour dining experience.
Basche is now on a mission to catch the attention of nonprofits, whose donors might consider sponsoring a living wall rather than giving cash. Currently the offices of the Wilderness Youth Project and the Community Environmental Council feature her living art, and she hopes others will appreciate the perks of working with plants, which buffer sound, add beauty, and increase air quality, well-being, and productivity. Says Basche: “When you live among plants, you sink into something so special at a cellular level, you just have to pay attention.” lushelements.com
“Lush Wall” of preserved mosses, foliage, and crystal spheres at Origins Integrative Medicine.
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Polishing a Hidden Gem
The history of CASA DEL HERRERO—House of the Blacksmith—and of Santa Barbara are inextricably linked.
Sunlight warms the arched loggia of Casa del Herrero
Written by Joan Tapper
Photographs by Matt Walla/Rizzoli
The history of CASA DEL HERRERO—House of the Blacksmith—and of Santa Barbara are inextricably linked: On the morning of June 29, 1925, George Fox Steedman, owner of his family’s foundry in St. Louis, was staying at the Santa Barbara Club when a devastating earthquake hit the city, leveling most of downtown. He headed for his new home in Montecito, which had just been finished after three years of construction. The Andalusian farmhouse-style residence was fine, cementing architect George Washington Smith’s reputation and distinguishing the home as an early example of Santa Barbara’s prevailing Spanish look.
Steedman and his wife, Carrie, embraced the growing fashion for the Spanish Revival style, and Smith’s plans for the 7,000-square-foot residence incorporated arches, wrought iron, loggias, a red-tile roof, and Moorish accents, like the thousands of colorful tiles that grace fireplaces, fountains, and walls. To furnish the home, the Steedmans commissioned Hispanic art experts Arthur Byne and Mildred Stapley, and traveled with them around Spain, acquiring centuries-old treasures that eventually packed 160 containers.
Portraits of George and Carrie Steedman preside over the living room.
The Steedmans brought on Ralph Stevens to develop the garden and grounds, which soon encompassed 11 acres. In the back of the house, the garden extends from a loggia down a long grassy allée, while the rest of the extensive grounds are divided into a series of “rooms.” An enclosed Spanish garden opens to a blue-and-white garden with gorgeously tiled benches and a fountain. There’s an herb garden, a boxwood-edged rose garden, an Arizona garden, and extensive orchards. One of the most extraordinary features of the estate is the workshop, where mechanical engineer Steedman designed and crafted silver, other metalwork, and even garden furniture.
Charles Steedman died in 1940; Carrie passed away 22 years later. Medora Steedman Bass, who inherited the house from her parents, lived there until her own death in 1987, after which the family established a foundation that eventually opened the residence and grounds to the public in 1995. Visitors who come for docent-led tours are wowed by the place, which has maintained a low profile for the past three decades.
Now, however, it’s time for the Casa to step into the limelight—and ensure it is ready for its next 100 years. To begin, the foundation is leading up to its centennial with programming that more closely connects the place to the community.
The cover of a history of the Casa depicts its interior stairway.
“Medora Steedman Bass wished for the future of Casa to pursue and support the interests of her and her family,” says Edwin Rodriguez Jr., marketing and events director. These include “gardening, architecture, metalwork, silversmithing, restoration of the grounds, global problems, sustainability, population control, family planning, mental health, arts and literature, film, and several others.” Adds board chair Heather Biles, “We are working hard to open the doors of Casa del Herrero to a wider audience and to bring to the community new and interesting ways to experience the Casa.”
Meanwhile, the board is launching an $18 million capital campaign—headed by Palmer and Susan Jackson, who have kicked things off with a $1 million donation—to support preservation of its architectural legacy and protect the institution’s future. The hidden gem will be hidden no more. Santa Barbara architect Marc Appleton says, “The Casa, one of Santa Barbara’s best-kept secrets, is a unique, historic, and special place for the community of Santa Barbara to be able to enjoy, support, and cherish.” 1387 E. Valley Rd., Montecito, casadelherrero.com
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Table Talk
Beautiful books to spark inspiration for your home and garden
Beautiful books to spark inspiration for your home and garden
Written by Lorie Dewhirst Porter
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Style Sanctuary
A historic church has been transformed into a multipurpose studio and shop
A historic church has been transformed into a multipurpose studio and shop
Brown Design Studio sensitively updated the 1926 Second Baptist Church building, the longtime base of the Black congregation founded in 1910.
Written by Jessica Ritz
Photographs by Sara Prince
“The partners—in business and in life—eventually realized the opportunity to add something more to the meaningful site”
While the Second Baptist Church that has stood on East Gutierrez Street since 1926 no longer functions as a house of worship, Ryan Brown and Diego Monchamp of the Brown Design Group are continuing its legacy in fresh ways. The historically protected building was originally home to the Black congregation that was established in Santa Barbara in 1910, then to Church of Skatan, the popular skate shop and locals-only spot. After years of physical decline, interior designers Brown and Monchamp, who work in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara and settled in Santa Barbara full time in 2020, are ushering the property into its next chapter with care. As of this spring, it’s the headquarters of their Brown Design Group, featuring a lifestyle boutique appropriately dubbed MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR.
“It was a great collaborative process to restore it,” Monchamp says of the 4,700-square-foot Gothic Revival building. He and Brown pored over the church’s archival materials and learned about its cultural and social significance from local historians. They repaired the stained glass windows using the original fabricator, designed new custom lighting pendants built by SH Studios, and increased the ceiling height with new trusses and skylights. “DMHA and Henry Lenny Design Studio were fundamental in helping us pull this off,” Monchamp says of their consulting architects.
Restored Gothic arched stained glass windows and new railings have renewed the historic site’s presence on East Gutierrez as Ministry of the Interior; the former sanctuary now houses the team’s working spaces and a welcoming retail experience; Brown’s and Monchamp’s respective studios are on the upper level; “My favorite aspect of our job is the final touches—the accessories, the art, the lighting,” Brown says of offering eclectic goods such as leather-wrapped crystals; partners Brown (left) and Monchamp; more curated finds.
“My favorite aspect of our job is the final touches,” Brown notes. “The accessories, the art, the lighting.” Ministry of the Interior was a way to respond to clients’ wishes to “shop from our shelves” for items like that and also fill a local retail niche.
The inventory features Brown’s finds from his recent travels to 15 countries. Books, small vintage goods, and furnishings from places such as Denmark and Argentina intermingle with ceramics by Chicago-based Julia Archer and braided leather-wrapped crystals crafted by Los Angeles artist Matthew Ready. A seating vignette with a residential feel is another delightful surprise. “My goal was to have it be approachable,” Brown says. Think of this store as a new type of welcoming sanctuary for design lovers. 26 E. Gutierrez St., Santa Barbara, 805-228-4113, interiorministry.com
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The Orchid Chief
Beauty and community meet at Westerlay Orchids
Beauty and community meet at Westerlay Orchids
“One of our core values is community,” Overgaag says. “We donate to just about everything local.”
Written by Jennifer Blaise Kramer
Photographs by Sara Prince
It seems there’s not a benefit, a gala, or an auction in Santa Barbara County that doesn’t have an orchid at its center. And the mastermind behind those appearances is Toine Overgaag, president of WESTERLAY ORCHIDS, who took over the family flower business from his parents and is upping not only its acreage and output but also its philanthropy, which has always been at its heart.
“One of our core values is community,” Overgaag says. “We donate to just about everything local,” which includes the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse’s Amethyst Ball, Dream Foundation’s Flower Empower, and the Santa Barbara Breast Cancer Center. One element of their commitment to the community is an annual fundraiser where every dollar from a week of retail sales directly supports the Carpinteria Education Foundation’s arts and STEM programs. “It’s hyperlocal—a dollar goes so much further at these schools,” he says.
Always looking to make an impact, Overgaag ensured that orchids were popping up everywhere during the pandemic, when supermarkets were scaling back or cutting floral offerings entirely. He launched the “100,000 Orchid Challenge,” in which his team donated flowers to hospitals across California, sending trucks filled with 8,000 orchids each for health care workers to take home. Another initiative led to deliveries for neighbors and friends, lifting spirits when people really needed that blooming surprise.
Varieties blooming in the greenhouse.
“There’s a relational aspect to orchids,” says Overgaag. “People feel responsible to take care of them and then share their story.” In fact, he’s heard so many moving orchid tales—about how a grieving person tended to a loved one’s plant or how an orchid led friends to reconnect—that he used it in the company tagline: Every Orchid Has a Story. “You realize you’re in the connection business, not the flower business,” he says. “It’s a privilege to step in and help locally.” 3504 Via Real, Carpinteria, 805-684-5400 ext. 120, westerlay.com