Ojai
Under the gaze of the Topa Topa Mountains you’ll find a big design destination with a small-town charm
Under the gaze of the Topa Topa Mountains you’ll find a big design destination with a small-town charm
Written by Anush J. Benliyan | Photography by Sara Prince | Illustrations by Digital Sunsets
Scenic Ojai beckons with its famous “pink moments,” rich organic agriculture (hello, Pixie season), thriving art scene, and a design landscape that boasts one-of-a-kind décor boutiques and artisans that perfectly reflect the city’s bohemian charm. At her quaint eponymous shop, Carolïna Gramm proffers a mélange of specialty home goods and gifts, from organic olive oils and balsamic vinegars to one-off midcentury furnishings, vintage pottery, candles, antique napkins, and more. Only a handful of Chris Brock’s coveted ceramics—which nod to ancient Mediterranean civilizations and early 20th-century American works—are available each year due to the master potter’s complex glazing and firing processes. Brock’s late husband, designer Paul Fortune, is greatly missed by the design world and honored with the recent rerelease of his book, Notes On Décor Etc. Stop by interior designer Isabelle Dahlin’s deKor & Co. for customizable furniture, stylish tabletop accessories, and vintage lamps, baskets, cabinets, and Moroccan rugs. FiG Curated Living and its sister store Bungalow by FiG are brightening up the spring season with lots of color. On offer are outdoor tabletop goods and glassware that complement vibrant patio furniture by Fermob, as well as flamboyant vintage Peruvian blankets. Jack Gerard and Genevieve Barrere of Four Leaf Wood Shop specialize in hand-carved kitchen utensils and accessories in walnut, cherry, and maple. Each product is sanded and polished to perfection and sealed with beeswax and coconut oil. Local stalwart In the Field is curated with all the lifestyle essentials, including men’s, women’s, and kid’s apparel, home accents, pantry delicacies, apothecary goods, made-in-Ojai handicrafts, and more.
With sustainability at its heart, Lineage Botanica supports marginalized Eastern European communities through artisans’ handcrafted décor and textiles—think bedding, aprons, and towels—all made using organic, low-impact materials like hemp and cotton. Color consultant Teresa Grow’s Ojai- and L.A.-based studio Madison and Grow offers interior design consultations in addition to California-inspired patterned wallcoverings and textiles that are silk-screened by hand. Inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship, Mark Churchill crafts dinnerware, vessels, vases, and bowls by hand using stoneware and porcelain clays all sourced from local ranches. Founded by Bernd Dressler in 1981 and today run by his wife, Debra, and daughters, Chelcea and Kirsten, Messermeister is a leading cutlery and culinary company whose handcrafted products include the Ojai-inspired Adventure Chef collection, a range of compact, portable, high-quality knives that allow you “to get outside and cook great food wherever you go,” says VP Kirsten Dressler Wilson. Run by the Asquith family, Ojai Olive Oil’s Ladera Road shop stocks award-winning extra virgin olive oils—including infused varieties like basil, lemon, and Ojai Pixie. Every bottle is made with the olives from the family’s nearby groves, which date back more than 150 years. Ojai Plant Works specializes in interior “plantscaping,” with services that include designing orchid, air plant and succulent arrangements, and curating the perfect foliage for your interiors, with delivery, installation, and even maintenance taken care of. Stop by Pixie’s General Store for whimsical gifts including candles, pantry goods, cheeky mugs, stationery, sweet treats, Ojai swag, and more. Michael and Rachel Graves, the husband-and-wife team behind design and framing shop Summer Camp, recently opened Plant Based, a new store that stocks plants, pots, ceramics, and other handmade goodies. Embracing a neutral palette, ceramist P. Lyn Middleton of P Studio crafts one-of-a-kind, food-safe pieces (think plates, bowls, and other vessels) from her Ojai workspace. Tipple & Ramble’s collection of indoor/outdoor décor, small-batch specialty food items, picnic staples, games, and vintage barware will inspire you to take your next adventure, host a killer cocktail party, or perhaps both.
Santa Ynez
Wine, windmills, and wide-open spaces set the stage for design-detailed lodging, home, and garden havens
Wine, windmills, and wide-open spaces set the stage for design-detailed lodging, home, and garden havens
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks | Photography by Sara Prince | Illustrations by Digital Sunsets
Surrounded by rolling vineyards punctuated by old oaks, Santa Ynez Valley design gurus create and merchandise meticulous collections of home and garden goods that reflect the region’s rarified ranch lifestyle. There’s everything from modern home furnishings with neutral color palettes to vintage rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia and dreamy succulent gardens. Bodega Los Alamos opened in 2018 as a wine and beer garden, retail shop, and greenhouse, focusing on natural wine, unique beer and cider, and handcrafted items. The lounge-y vibe has since extended to the property’s renovated 1920s farmhouse, with the Bodega House guesthouse. Solvang-made shrubs and vinegars from Broken Clock Vinegar Works add flavorful flair to home bar carts and kitchen pantries. The innovative culinary products here incorporate locally gleaned fruits and herbs, some from their own garden. Scandinavian design reigns inside The Copenhagen House in Solvang. Embodying Nordic design traits like minimalism, innovation, and a penchant for light, the portable, rechargeable Carrie LED lamp effortlessly illuminates spring’s outdoor dining venues, pampered picnics and campsites, or indoor desks and bedsides. Fresh ideas are in bloom at Forage Florals in Santa Ynez, like the recently added DIY Herbarium—a planting area stocked with air plants, succulents, specialty vessels, and other terrarium accoutrements. Also new: a take-home flower-arranging kit complete with video instruction and supplies.
The Global Eye Art Collective, an all-handmade gift and home store in Los Olivos, recently grew into a larger space where new clothing, jewelry, and milliners’ lines coexist with owner-designed art installations and ceramics. Spring brings outdoor items such as crocheted hammocks and picnic supplies and floral and botanically inspired ceramics. Boho chic meets Santa Ynez Valley ranch style at HÛS by Anouk Designs, which has a new Ballard home. Delightful finds include contemporary Western art, handmade jewelry, leather goods, one-of-a-kind hats, vintage rugs and textiles, and laidback fashion for luxe country living. J. Woeste in Los Olivos has been bringing smiles to gardeners’ faces since 1998, with its eclectic maze of treasures displayed inside and around a turn-of-the-20th-century farmhouse. The Landsby’s hygge animal and abstract artwork by Rachel Brown is available for purchase in the Solvang hotel’s intimate lobby boutique; the rest of the inventory is curated by Santa Ynez General. Elizabeth Poett of Rancho San Julian—the 14,000-acre family ranch that produces delectable jarred honey and offers premium beef delivery parcels—has a new cooking show on the Magnolia Network (streaming on Discovery+) called Ranch to Table. Santa Ynez General, the home store known for bringing signature Valley style to design-savvy tabletops and interiors, is expanding its flagship location in downtown Santa Ynez this spring. In 2012 Lisa Boisset Babcock launched Soulstruck Vintage, a tasting lounge and feast for the senses in a former production warehouse at Babcock Winery. Groove to iconic ’70s tunes while shopping well-curated vinyl, fashion, jewelry, and home décor.
John De Bastiani
The interior designer’s new Montecito digs
In the dining room, vintage leather chairs sit atop a rug from Jamal’s Rug Collection in L.A.
The interior designer’s new Montecito digs
East Coast native and renowned interior designer John De Bastiani is no stranger to big cities. He’s lived and worked in Boston, Miami, and, most recently, L.A. A few months back he decided to shift his home base to Montecito, a quieter spot close to family and clients. In relocating, De Bastiani renovated a 1930s adobe home in Romero Canyon, applying his signature clean, comfortable aesthetic. New floors and French doors combine with original steel windows and collected décor for a look he calls airy and more “today.” As with most of his projects, a muted color palette makes for a relaxed mood that feels appropriate to a town like Santa Barbara. “Here you walk down the street, and everyone says hello and holds the door for you,” he says. “This feels like the Nantucket of the West Coast.” JOHNDD.COM. Jennifer Blaise Kramer
Wall Street
The calm, cool, and collected canvases of Colette Cosentino
The calm, cool, and collected canvases of Colette Cosentino
Artist Colette Cosentino in her studio flanked by two works in progress.
Wander into Colette Cosentino Atelier + Gallery and delight in the talents of the namesake owner, a decorative painter whose exquisite hand-painted murals adorn the town’s toniest walls. Cosentino also creates individual paintings, and the renowned house of Schumacher recently unveiled a wallpaper collection designed by the artist. 11 West Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, 805-570-9863, @colettecosentinoatelier, COLETTECOSENTINO.COM. L.D.P.
Rise and Shine
The Jeff Shelton-designed four-story Ablitt Tower on West Haley was (rather miraculously) built on a 20 x 20 foot lot in 2006.
Celebrating the traditions of southern Spain that inform the quintessential abodes of Southern California, The Spanish Style House: From Enchanted Andalusia to the California Dream (Rizzoli New York, $55)—written by Rubén G. Mendoza and photographed by Melba Levick—includes a walking tour of architect Jeff Shelton’s downtown Santa Barbara buildings.
Photograph: MELBA LEVICK, The Spanish Style House: From Enchanted Andalusia to the California Dream (Rizzoli New York, 2021).
Digital Sunsets
I enjoyed the task of illustrating each of these uniquely beautiful places
“I enjoyed the task of illustrating each of these uniquely beautiful places as it gave me the opportunity to explore the surrounding areas of Santa Barbara that are lesser known to me,” says the local artist whose vibrant works can be seen throughout “Block Party”. S.B. Must Dos Family trips to Hendry’s Beach. • Walking to La Bella Rosa Bakery for fresh concha. • Jogging through the streets of S.B. in search of my next Digital Sunsets composition. digitalsunsets.net
Artist as Autodidact
Santa Barbara native Harrison Gilman had more than a few career options.
Harrison Gilman with his work Let Me At ‘Em!, 2020, acrylic, oil pastel, charcoal, 54 x 72 in.
Considering his educational background, Santa Barbara native Harrison Gilman had more than a few career options: filmmaker (he earned a BFA in film from New York University), art historian (his minor at NYU), or entertainment executive (another NYU minor). Instead, he chose to become an artist.
It was a gutsy but smart choice, given his talent. Using a multitude of media (oil and acrylic paint, graphite, found objects, and other materials), Gilman has explored a variety of styles, resulting in haunting works with big impact. Recently he’s ventured beyond abstraction, deliberately including characters and symbols in his pieces.
“Being a self-taught artist has forced me to learn entirely by experience,” says the now-L.A.-based 24-year-old, who studied at Santa Barbara’s Multimedia Arts and Design (MAD) Academy. “It forces me to embrace the unknown. Every moment feels like an act of discovery.”
The art world’s response has been positive. Gilman’s first solo show, Breaking Ground, debuted at Galerie Tangerine in Nashville, Tennessee, and his work has been shown locally at the now-shuttered Breakfast Culture Club. His work is available on his website. harrisongilman.com. -L.D.P.
Good Trouble
Artist Baret Boisson is a rebel with a cause
Baret Boisson in her Carpinteria studio.
When Baret Boisson first picked up a paintbrush some 20 years ago, she had no idea what to paint. She wanted to depict something inspiring, she says, and she decided on Muhammad Ali, including some of his sayings with her portrait of the boxer. Then she painted Martin Luther King Jr. A couple of canvases of Abraham Lincoln followed. That was the beginning of her Inspiring Greatness series, which now encompasses dozens of important figures in politics, sports, and the arts—Barack Obama, Jackie Robinson, Harriet Tubman, Billie Holiday, Malala Yousafzai, and Greta Thunberg, among many others. Some of the works are on cigar boxes, a medium that, along with the hand-lettered biographies she includes, accentuates the tactile, colorful folk-art vibe of her painting.
As Boisson’s portraits began to be noticed, she received commissions. The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis asked her to do a special exhibition, for which she created The Nine, multiple large and small panels that pay homage to those killed in a Charleston, South Carolina, church in 2015.
At the time she had just moved to Santa Barbara, a relocation prompted by a visit to a friend and the supportive community she found. “I was wanting to leave Los Angeles,” Boisson remembers, and trying to decide where to go. Europe was one possibility; she’d been born in Florence and spent her teenage years in New York. But in Santa Barbara “I saw an incredible community of women and thought ‘I want that.’ They were intelligent, sophisticated, and well-traveled.”
She now has a live-work studio in Carpinteria, where she paints not only her signature heroes, but also individual portrait commissions (often for weddings) and abstract pieces as well.
About a year ago a woman who had bought an Aretha Franklin cigar-box portrait asked if Boisson would paint one of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The artist depicted the Supreme Court justice in a black robe with a lace collar surrounded by her inspiring life story. “I didn’t think about prints at the time,” she says, but after RBG died, Boisson posted a photograph on Instagram and was surprised by requests for reproductions, which her client graciously allowed.
The high-quality prints (11 x 14 in., $100, and 16 x 20 in., $125) are now available on her website, with a portion of the proceeds going to Planned Parenthood. “It seems like everyone wants to hold on to what RBG represented,” says Boisson. baretboissonart.com. Joan Tapper
Heading North
Paso Robles, California’s Central Coast wine destination, beckons
A two-hour drive north of Santa Barbara, the California Central Coast wine region of Paso Robles is a counterpart to Santa Barbara wine country. In contrast to Santa Barbara County’s vineyard sprawl, Paso boasts a central downtown—a highly hospitable home base from which to explore rural wine-tasting routes, thanks to the skill and passion of the makers, designers, and artists behind its restaurants, bistros, bakeries, bars, breweries, boutiques, wineries, and lodgings. A getaway here presents a multitude of edible and potable delights within walking distance.
Eat With the late-2019 opening of their restaurant, Les Petites Canailles, the husband-wife team of Julien and Courtney Asseo brought French fare to town. With most of his formative years spent in his native France, brief periods in Paso, and a 10-year stretch in Las Vegas, chef Julien moved his family to the Central Coast after working in Michelin-rated kitchens such as those of chefs Joël Robuchon and Guy Savoy. 1215 Spring St., Paso Robles, 805-296-3754, lpcrestaurant.com.
Blending comfort food and craft cocktails—including whimsical whiskey creations by the award-winning bartender Robin Wolf—The Hatch Rotisserie & Bar serves sumptuous wood-fire cuisine. 835 13th St., Paso Robles, 805-221-5727, hatchpasorobles.com.
Scooping cow’s milk ice cream alongside their signature sheep’s milk variations, Negranti Creamery in Paso’s Tin City makers complex lures with such flavors as cinnamon honey and black coffee and chip. 2989 Limestone Way, Paso Robles, 805-369-2663, negranticreamery.com.
Drink Opened in September, The Alchemists’ Garden is a new bar and restaurant fronting Paso’s Downtown City Park. The brainchild of five local hospitality industry pros—Tony Bennett, Andrew Brune, Quin Cody, Alexandra Pellot, and Norin Grancel—the open-late locale features botanically based cocktails crafted with house-made and specifically sourced ingredients, paired with Paso-native chef Danelle Jarzynski’s global menu of thoughtful culinary adventures. One-of-a-kind design elements complement the imaginative food and drink offerings, served in a leafy indoor-outdoor setting. A recently launched, monthly Sunday “Botanical Brunch” might include gluten-free duck poutine, house-cured ocean-trout gravlax toasts, and libations such as “Egyptian’s Breakfast,” the bar’s rendition of a Bloody Mary, or the “Flower Bath,” its take on the sparking classic French 75. 1144 Pine St., Paso Robles, 805-369-2444, alchemistsgarden.com.
Dreaming of exotic escapes? The team behind Eleven Twenty-Two Cocktail Lounge & Speakeasy has helped with the August launch of their Tik-Easy outdoor tiki experience. Wednesday through Sunday, island-inspired bites accompany cocktails that include the requisite frozen versions of the time-tested piña colada and daiquiri, in definitive 1122 style. 1122 Pine St., Paso Robles, 805-238-4141, eleven-twentytwo.com.
Stay, Shop, Play Paso Market Walk is a new downtown public marketplace boasting a dozen food and drink purveyors set among water-wise gardens and grassy commons. It also houses The Lofts: six luxe suites with Paso-style finery and the comforts of home. 1803 Sprint St., Paso Robles, 805-720-1255, pasomarketwalk.com.
The Inn Paradiso provides a refuge for those seeking rustic yet modern, out-of-town overnights. Midcentury furnishings, art, original photography, and antiques mingle eclectically in structures built from old-growth wood and hand-forged metal, on the 2½-acre property complete with six luxury guest accommodations. 975 Mojave Ln., Paso Robles, 805-235-2706, innparadiso.com.
Tetto, the rooftop bar at new downtown hotel, The Piccolo, affords Paso locals and visitors both wine country and city-center vistas. The 24-room boutique hotel shines a custom-crafted chandelier on Paso’s rich history, yet comes equipped with contemporary comforts including design details by local artisans and makers. 600 12th St., Paso Robles, 805-226-5920, thepiccolo.com.
Downtown Paso’s equestrian-inspired portrait of luxury, Hotel Cheval, has a new sibling property just a few blocks away: the Stables Inn, a “Western chic” motel conversion featuring a pod- or family-friendly Bunkhouse. 730 Spring
St., Paso Robles, 805-296-3636, stablesinnpaso.com.
Anna Ferguson-Sparks
Match Point
Sasha Paskal’s cheeky athletic brand
WHO Sasha Paskal, age 28
WHAT As a lifelong tennis player who spent her formative years running around Knowlwood in Montecito, lifestyle-brand creator Paskal—who also served (literally) on the Santa Barbara High School team for four years—staved off any seasonal depression from a short stint in New York by bouncing back onto the courts and reconnecting with her love of the sport. It also sparked her latest game changer—Racquet Club LA—an athletic brand that mixes the best parts of traditional country club style with a bit of cheeky humor.
WEAR The red crewneck sweater ($80) is a nod to her childhood tennis club and the shirts the instructors would wear. “Pure nostalgia and an ode to the club that created so many cherished memories for me,” says Paskal. The white crewneck sweater ($90) and long sleeve ($70) are collaborative pieces she created with a French artist she found on Instagram, Erwan Coutellier, “inspired by the fun and colorful artwork of the ’80s and airbrush artwork popularized at the time
MATCH POINT Paskal recently moved back to her hometown of Santa Barbara to fully commit to the brand ethos, “Live Life Leisurely.” “I’m looking forward to getting to know this community in a whole new light and would love to create a social club for young and old players to meet up and enjoy some good old-fashioned tennis!” RACQUETCLUBLA.COM. – Gina Tolleson
Sasha’s SB Black Book
Tecolote Book Shop, 805-969-4977, tecolotebookshop.com—too many hours spent browsing their coffee-table books. It’s the perfect one-stop shop for holiday gifts.
I’ve been going to The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, 800-425-4725, alisal.com, with my family for Hanukkah every winter since I was in diapers. Feels like you’re stuck in a time warp, and it’s so refreshing to turn your phone off for a weekend and unwind.
Hacienda by Bonita Lifestyle, 805-565-4848, bonitalifestyle.com, in Summerland—what a cute shop! Their curation is amazing, and I want to outfit my entire apartment with their home decor.
Beachside Bliss
Santa Barbara Beach Yoga is giving “sun salutations” new meaning with its roster of inspired alfresco classes.
A visit to SUMMERLAND SALON & SPA for the perfect sun-kissed balayage is a treat rather than a chore. With a focus on overall wellness, the serene space (with sweeping ocean views) offers full-service treatments ranging from body detoxes to blowouts as well as an array of curated organic beauty products and tools. Recently, co-owners Kara Richard and Jonathan Dawson have pivoted from hosting community-building concerts and yoga events to offering online self-care nights and educational experiences, at-home color kits, and a selection of holistic holiday gifts. 2410 Lillie Ave., Summerland, 805-969-2322. summerlandsalonandspa.com. -Charlotte Bryant
Local Namaste
Santa Barbara Beach Yoga is giving “sun salutations” new meaning with its roster of inspired alfresco classes.
Santa Barbara Beach Yoga is giving “sun salutations” new meaning with its roster of inspired alfresco classes, ranging from mellow, beginner-friendly restorative yoga to advanced, fast-paced power yoga and aerobics-inspired silent disco “dance party” sessions. Participants are equipped with comfortable wireless headphones (disposable protective coverings are available upon request) to fully immerse themselves in music, live voice instruction, and guided meditation. Bring a packed lunch for a post-workout picnic on the sand, or better yet, a bathing suit for a quick dip after savasana.
$15/class. santabarbarabeachyoga.com. -Anush J. Benliyan
Style
Designer Kendall Conrad has created an embossed pendant to benefit Project Zero
Winter Classics
“Covet is a reflection of my personal style and aesthetic, influenced by the uniquely beautiful town of Santa Barbara, where I grew up and live,” says luxe knitter Kate McMahon. “My designs are both feminine and boyish, earthy and refined, unexpected yet familiar.” covetbykate.com.
Turn the Tide
Designer Kendall Conrad has created an embossed pendant to benefit PROJECT ZERO, a global network of scientists, marine activists, and cultural movers and shakers who are working to protect and restore our life-support system—the ocean. Each pendant comes with your own unique maritime coordinates, signifying your adoption of one square kilometer of the seas that Project Zero is working to protect as it steadily makes progress against the climate crisis. KENDALLCONRADDESIGN.COM. WEAREPROJECTZERO.ORG.
A Natural Touch
As technology continues its seemingly relentless pace, our personal comfort resides in the makers movement, a wonderful source for handmade items that add individuality to our everyday lives. The work of textile artist G Roslie is an appealing example. Using natural linen hand dyed with botanical plant and earth pigments, she creates clothing and art designed to inspire quiet reflection.
Originally from California, G and her husband, Ry Roslie, are a self-described nomadic couple who recently relocated here from Colorado. “Santa Barbara is a warm-welcome embrace for the weary soul,” G says. “I’m so grateful to be part of this beautiful community.” They hope to recreate their now-shuttered Denver gallery/boutique, Slo Curio—a popular destination that sold G’s works as well as Ry’s biomorphic light fixtures—somewhere in town. Until they do, G’s items can be found on their websites. groslie.com; slocurio .com. L.D. PORTER
Special Delivery
Santa Barbara Beach Yoga is giving “sun salutations” new meaning with its roster of inspired alfresco classes.
Wouldn’t it be great if you had a chef to prepare food tailored to your nutritional goals? “People trying to put on muscle should eat differently than people trying to lose weight,” says Kevin Lunn, who hatched the idea for QUOKKA, a meal-delivery service in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, with his friend Hunter Rusack. Just fill out a questionnaire or meet with a nutritionist, and your meals are delivered to your door or available for pickup at various locations. To ensure that the food tastes good, the avid athletes enlisted Barbareño’s chef Julian Martinez—who also owns CrossFit Santa Barbara—as a partner. From $100/week. quokkakitchen.com. -Erik Torkells
Seaside Debut
To kick off Santa Barbara Magazine’s summer issue and newly redesigned look, guests gathered at the Rosewood Miramar Beach’s private residence for croquet and canapés. With decor and design from Bon Fortune Events and a cheerful rose and rosé cart courtesy of Rose Story Farm and Margerum Wine, friends of the magazine sipped and mingled under the palms at Miramar’s luxe slice of paradise. J.B.K.
Miramar Reborn
At last, the long, long, long, long wait is over. The Rosewood Miramar Beach Montecito hotel has opened…
At last, the long, long, long, long wait is over. The Rosewood Miramar Beach Montecito hotel has opened with a flourish in its iconic oceanside setting, the culmination of developer Rick Caruso’s 12 years of patience and financial investment. Yes, the Pacific panorama is mesmerizing, but don’t be daunted by the shiny newness of the surroundings. Just give in to the seductive feeling you’ve been invited to a grand mansion or an elegant country club. The welcome mat is out for celebratory occasions as well as casual get-togethers and parties on the vast lawn. Locals have already discovered that the Manor Bar—with its old-school Rat Pack atmosphere—is the place to hang out in what is arguably the ultimate roadside attraction. Rates: From $800/night. 1759 S. Jameson Ln., Montecito, 805-900-8388. Joan Tapper
Color Vibe
Artist Jane Gottlieb’s Santa Barbara home, like her art, is saturated with color.
Jane Gottlieb; the multihued living room includes Saporiti furniture and a portion of Gottlieb’s Murano glass collection;Brancusi Head, Paris, France, 1989, archival hand-painted Cibachrome print, 30 x 40 in. an outdoor view of Gottlieb’s colorful residence
Artist Jane Gottlieb’s Santa Barbara home, like her art, is saturated with color. “My house reflects my art,” she says. “It makes you happy because color is classically uplifting.” Indeed, color is everywhere—from the walls (adorned with her artwork) to the furniture (colorful pieces designed by Italian manufacturer Saporiti)—and includes her significant collection of multihued glass (primarily Murano). Gottlieb acquired the residence 21 years ago when she relocated from her native Los Angeles, where she had transformed several homes according to her signature color palette.
Her love of vibrant hues was inspired by a visit to the Yucatán when she was 30 years old. “The Mexican color really spoke to me,” says the artist, “and it really changed my art and my perspective on everything.” Originally a painter, Gottlieb began hand painting her own photographs (Cibachromes) in the early 1980s. Her exhibition of color-enhanced car photographs at L.A.’s Petersen Automotive Museum was up for three years, a true coup, and helped launch her career, which has included international exhibitions and many one-person shows.
The advent of digital photography and Photoshop transformed Gottlieb’s work; now she prints her full-toned digitally enhanced photographs—some taken decades earlier—on aluminum. She currently has 100 pieces of her work on loan in six buildings at UCLA and her work was exhibited last year at UC Santa Barbara’s Art, Design & Architecture Museum. –L.D. Porter
Saddle Up
Supermodel and designer Erin Wasson leads the luxury cowboy reboot with Lucchese
Nili Lotan leopard-print maxi dress, $695
Supermodel and designer Erin Wasson leads the luxury cowboy reboot with Lucchese
By Gina Tolleson | Photography by: Adam Secore, Wynn Myers for Lucchese | Styled by Natalie Joos
WHO Erin Wasson, 39, supermodel, designer
WHAT Known for her provocative rock and roll meets surfer meets Lone Star style, Wasson never thought she’d have the opportunity to work with the grande dame of the cowboy boots—Lucchese, which is based in her home state of Texas and an ever present brand/sponsor at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. It’s a true soles-up design partnership between Wasson and Lucchese, not just a trendy collaboration. “When you understand the Western world, it’s a luxury beyond,” says Wasson. “This is their first ‘fashion’ project and the most important thing is the quality, materials, process, and knowledge of how this is being made.”
“I wanted to create a collection that incorporates Western silhouettes with fashion-forward subtleties. I had this sort of ‘Ranch Tropez’ concept when I started designing—a little grit and a little glam. Perhaps a way to live life!”
WEAR “I wanted to create a collection that incorporates Western silhouettes with fashion-forward subtleties—the gold zipper, patent leather detail. I had this sort of ‘Ranch Tropez’ concept when I started designing—a little grit and a little glam. Perhaps a way to live life!”
TEX-CALI “Being from Texas but living in California for 15 years has certainly become a part of everything I do design wise. Mostly I wanted to make boots that felt timeless wherever you are.”
MUST-HAVES The patent leather bootie, a 17-inch-high midnight blue ostrich boot, a black-and-white crocodile boot, and a 1960s mod boot with a rounded toe.
Erin’s S.B. BLACK BOOK
Allora by Laura, 805-563-2425, allorabylaura.com, for great pieces and my Wasson Fine jewelry collection.A drive and hike to Knapp’s Castle and a swim at Arroyo Burro County Beach.I love to browse Chaucer’s bookstore, 805-682-6787, chaucersbooks.com.Great tapas and cocktails at Loquita, 805-880-3380, loquitasb.com, and The Nugget, 805-969-6135, nuggetbarandgrill.com, reminds me of Texas—cowboys and stiff drinks.Vintage finds at The Blue Door, 805-364-5144, thebluedoorsb .com, housewares at Upstairs at Pierre Lafond, 805-565-1503, upstairsatpierrelafond.com, and cool furniture at Garde, 805-845-8384, gardeshop.com.See the story in our digital edition
Outside the BOX
Green building can be beautiful, sustainable, and affordable.
“Green building can be beautiful, sustainable, and affordable.”
It may look like a normal contemporary home from the street, but one of the city’s hottest new builds is one that’s given a second life to shipping containers. Those big metal boxes that transport everything around the world usually end up in a landfill, however, five of them went into shaping this Santa Barbara foothills house. Homeowners Dani and Bret Stone, a fashion stylist and environmental attorney respectively, wanted to set an example of something that could be stunning and sustainable at the same time, not to mention cost effective. They worked with AB Design Studio, builder Don Barber, and McFadden Design Group to create a 2,400-square-foot custom concrete-and-steel structure of stacked containers. Every part down to the original doors are used but painted in welcoming hues. “We used 15 shades of gray,” says designer Sarah McFadden. “There was no way I was going to do white, and there was no way I was going to do color.” The subtle shades and shapes McFadden wove into each room make all the difference. Small rectangular cutouts and windows give the eyes resting points throughout, while the natural corrugation of the container (now painted gray) gives a completely unique backsplash in the kitchen. “It’s the details of the container that add contrast,” she adds. Proving this new type of building doesn’t have to be cold and industrial, the interiors are filled with warm textiles, bright artwork, and creative lighting. Adds Dani: “Green building can be beautiful, sustainable, and affordable.” –Written by Jennifer Blaise Kramer –Photographs by Jason Rick
Island Itinerary
Blue skies and ocean breezes on the American Riviera
Santa Cruz Island
Welcome aboard the Santa Barbara Sailing Center’s newest addition, Montecito, a 27-foot Catalina Yacht.
Captain Martin Santos
No need for planes, trains, or automobiles for a summer adventure—sail to the Channel Islands with these exceptional tours. The Santa Barbara Sailing Center, 805-962-2826, sbsail.com, has a slip-worthy inventory of yachts and experienced crew. For larger parties (up to 149 people) and luxury service, Channel Cat Charters, 805-898-1015, channelcatcharters.com, is a floating fantasy for special occasions and weddings. For a bespoke island-hopping trip, Captain Martin Santos of Adventure Boat Charters 805, 805-450-3483, abc805.com, curates half- and full-day packages—sight-seeing, surfing, fishing, and hiking to sleeping under the stars and luxe camping. Gina Tolleson
Did You Know
Island Packers is celebrating 50 years of providing transportation, education, and research support for California’s Channel Islands. The family-owned business transports about 100,000 passengers annually and provides opportunities for individuals to learn more about the islands and local marine environment. 805-642-1393. Isabel Bassi islandpackers.com
We Want… Glow in the flow with an ISLE Glider wood paddle board ($945, islesurfandsup.com). For rentals, tours, camps, and private lessons, check out The Paddle Sport Center, 805-617-3425, paddlesportsca.com