Full Plate
Ones to watch in Santa Ynez Valley’s booming dining scene
A fresh seafood spread at Bar Le Côte.
Ones to watch in Santa Ynez Valley’s booming dining scene
Food & Wine’s “Best New Chef” Daisy Ryan pairs with culinary partner chef Brad Mathews, at Bar Le Côte, the newest venture from the much-lauded Companion Hospitality restaurant group. Opening early summer in Los Olivos, the stylish seafood tavern founded by the award-winning team behind Bell’s in Los Alamos serves up dishes reminiscent of Europe’s coastal cuisine. 2375 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos, BARLECOTE.COM.
Bone-in tomahawks and lobster-whipped potatoes shine at Solvang’s Sear Steakhouse, where the restaurant’s proprietary farm-sourced ingredients include components for Alberto Battaglini’s delicious cocktails. 478 4th Place, Solvang, 805-245-9564, SEARSTEAKHOUSE.COM.
On weekends the one-year-old peasants FEAST has been featuring limited-edition cake creations from the Central Coast’s Golden Opal Baking: stunning, multilayered confections crafted with local produce, often adorned with locally sourced, edible flowers. 487 Atterdag Rd., Solvang, 805-686-4555, PEASANTSFEAST.COM.
Alessio Carnevale—of S.Y. Kitchen and Nella Kitchen & Bar front-of-house fame—opens his first brick-and-mortar Italian gelato shop, Via Gelateria, in Solvang this summer. @VALLEYCRAFTGELATO.
Celebrated chefs Anthony Carron, Lincoln Carson, and Steven Fretz partnered with Hillary Calhoun and wine-world rock star Rajat Parr on Solvang’s Coast Range & Vaquero Bar, now offering elevated all-day dining and bar menus, sophisticated evening steakhouse fare, and classic drinks from general manager and mixologist Joseph Sabato. 1635 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-691-9134, COASTRANGE.RESTAURANT.
Refresh with summery sips at Solvang’s V Lounge, which overlooks the Vinland Hotel’s outdoor pool. The bar’s seasonally appropriate craft cocktails include the likes of a “Sunshine Valley,” “Lemonade Stand,” and “Blackberry Smash.” 1455 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-688-2018, VINLANDHOTELANDLOUNGE.COM.
In Santa Ynez the S.Y. Kitchen has been enhanced for the season with an outdoor courtyard, while its Los Olivos sibling, Nella Kitchen & Bar shakes things up with famed Los Angeles barman—and now resident—Chris Hewes. 1110 Faraday St., Santa Ynez, 805-691-9794, SYKITCHEN.COM; 2860 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-686-1359, NELLAKITCHEN.COM.
New Buellton brasserie The Tavern at Zaca Creek welcomes James Beard House alum chef Cullen Campbell; his decadent dinner and brunch menus include crudo and caviar, buttered rock crab, Wagyu burgers, and grilled bone marrow, as well as house-made Wagyu pastrami. 1297 Jonata Park Rd., Buellton, 805-688-2412, ZACA-CREEK.COM.
The Santa Ynez Sausage Company at Buellton’s Sideways Inn offers alfresco dining on house-made sausage sandwiches such as “The Dogfather” (sweet Italian pork sausage) or the mushroom-and-lentil “Southwestern Veggie.” Sides include homemade pickles, plus hand-cut Belgian fries with dipping-sauce options like truffle parmesan aioli or scallion pesto. 114 E. Highway 246, Buellton, 805.688.8448, HIGHWAYWESTVACATIONS.COM.
Written by Anna Ferguson-Sparks
Photographs by Nella, Sara Prince; Coast Range/Vaquero Bar, Jeremy Ball, Bottle Branding; Bar le Côte, Sara Prince; Zaca Creek, Michelle Ramirez Photography.
On Staycation
Spectacular hotels near home waiting to welcome you
The courtyard at Palihouse Santa Barbara.
Spectacular hotels near home waiting to welcome you
It’s been a while since most of us have been traveling. If you’re eager to get away, but still wary about venturing too far, there are spectacular hotels here waiting to welcome you.
A seafood barbecue at The Alisal.
Santa Barbara County’s ranching traditions live on at The Alisal, where along with the trail rides, there’s golf, hiking, tennis, and spa visits. A summer highlight is the California Ranch Cookouts series—one-night barbecue dinners hosted by celebrity chefs. 1054 Alisal Rd., Solvang, 800-425-4725, ALISAL.COM.
Part of the Shelter Social Club portfolio, the Capri Hotel was renovated in 2020 with streamlined midcentury modern style. The pool area, lawn, and firepit offer a tranquil gathering spot close to downtown Ojai. 1180 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, 805-646-4305, CAPRIHOTELOJAI.COM.
Chef Bruno Lopez has taken over the dining room at El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara, the Riviera classic with unparalleled downtown views. He’s serving up new menu offerings, Taste of El Encanto dinners, and other culinary experiences. 800 Alvarado Pl., Santa Barbara, 805-845-5800, BELMOND.COM.
A gracious retreat in the Santa Ynez Valley, Fess Parker Wine Country Inn recently renovated their guestrooms. Also new is the Italian cuisine at Nella Kitchen & Bar, including cocktails and Roman-inspired pizza. 2860 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 800-446-2455, FESSPARKERINN.COM.
Going retro at the Skyview Los Alamos.
Opened in March 2021, the boutique Hotel Ynez, on two acres, comprises 22 cute guest rooms with private stone patios, perfect for grilling specialty Santa Maria-style BBQ kits. Complimentary bicycles are available for exploring Solvang and Santa Ynez. 2644 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-697-5444, HOTELYNEZ.COM.
A rooftop pool with a Santa Barbara panorama is just one of the charms of the downtown Spanish-style, pet-friendly Kimpton Canary Hotel. Farm-to-fork dining is a highlight at Finch & Fork, along with a daily wine hour. 31 W. Carrillo, Santa Barbara, 805-884-0300, CANARYSANTABARBARA.COM.
A locals’ gathering place, The Landsby is a boutique hotel whose sophisticated Scandinavian style is a contemporary take on Solvang’s traditional Danish look, while the signature menu at Mad & Vin reflects the influence of wine country. 1576 Mission Dr., Solvang, 805-688-3121, THELANDSBY.COM.
Oceanfront Mar Monte Hotel celebrated its top-to-bottom renovation with a grand reopening in May. Terra-cotta, tile, and an earth-toned palette infuse Spanish style into the décor, while the menu at costa Kitchen and Bar blends California and Italian flavors. 11 East Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, 805-882-1234, HYATT.COM.
Ojai’s Capri Hotel.
Charlie Chaplin reportedly built the Montecito Inn as a getaway from Hollywood. It’s still a casually upscale spot close to beaches and boutiques. The hotel’s own Coast & Olive serves up California dishes with French Riviera flair. 1295 Coast Village Rd., Santa Barbara, 805-969, 7854, MONTECITOINN.COM.
Golf and spa treatments have been perennial attractions at the luxe Ojai Valley Inn, which opened its doors nearly a century ago. Now its Farmhouse complex is making headlines with its star-studded epicurean events, including this summer’s guest chef dinners. 905 Country Club Rd., Ojai, 855-697-8780, OJAIVALLEYINN.COM.
The quaint, dog-friendly new Palihouse Santa Barbara downtown features 24 smartly appointed, vintage-inspired accommodations (equipped with Smeg refrigerators), plus a charming Mediterranean-style courtyard, garden café, cocktail bar, and pool. 915 Garden St., Santa Barbara, 805-564-4700, PALISOCIETY.COM.
Dining in colorful comfort at the Mar Monte Hotel.
With an ocean-bluff location, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara offers special summer dining offerings with stunning panoramas—including a new Latin menu at The O Bar, a pop-up sushi restaurant on the terrace, a champagne bar, and vintners’ dinners. 8301 Hollister Ave., 805-968-0100, RITZCARLTON.COM.
It’s 5-star luxury at the 160-room Rosewood Miramar Beach, which is hosting the first U.S. Dioriviera boutique this summer. Also new is The Revere Room, an elegantly inviting eatery that complements the fine dining at oceanfront Caruso’s. 1759 South Jameson La., Montecito, 805-900-8388, ROSEWOODMIRAMARBEACH.COM.
Tucked into the Montecito foothills, the 550-acre San Ysidro Ranch has been a celebrity getaway for a century. Lush gardens surround the 41 secluded cottages, while the romantic Stonehouse and atmospheric Plow & Angel feature farm-to-table cuisine. 900 San Ysidro La., Montecito, 800-368-6788, SANYSIDRORANCH.COM.
Midcentury modern style meets rustic chic at the boutique Skyview Los Alamos, on a hilltop overlooking the foodies’ favorite Western-style town. There’s a pool, small spa, vineyard, and gardens; for onsite dining, the Norman serves fresh, seasonal cuisine. 9150 US-101, 805-344-0104, SKYVIEWLOSALAMOS.COM.
photographs: Capri Hotel, Yoshihiro Makino. The Landsby, Sara Prince; alisal, Sara Range; Hotel Ynez, Karyn Millet; Kimpton Canary, John Ellis, Palihouse Santa Barbara, Sara Prince
Etro Takes Residency at Studio C in Montecito
Etro’s lush new spring ready-to-wear collection lands at Studio C in the Montecito Country Mart for a month-long residency, launching with trunk shows held on April 10 and 11
Veronica Etro’s exuberant designs are affecting on any given day, but in this moment, a year after the start of the pandemic, her bold combinations inspired by the Italian Riviera feel transformative. Etro’s lush new spring ready-to-wear collection, with prints drawn from the house’s 1990s archives — paired with rope bags, canvas totes and bright sandals — lands at Studio C in the Montecito Country Mart for a month-long residency, launching with trunk shows held on April 10 and 11.
Etro says she found herself playing Neapolitan songs on a restored record player as she created the collection of breezy seaside looks given a nautical twist with rope motifs, shells, anchors and summer stripes. Lightweight twill blazers top printed skirts made with archival prints initially inspired by frescos from Italian palazzos. A playful flag print from 1992, the Bandiere da Parata, is now a flowing skirt. The palm tree-strewn Albero delle Meraviglie print from 1993 tops a cotton belted maxi skirt. Elegant graphic foulard prints from 1994 and 1995 including the Trionfi e Soffitti and Palais Jamais brighten tossed-on looks.
A printed bikini in shades of aqua and turquoise blue paired with Bermuda pants, patchwork button-down shirts with multiple clashing paisley designs (an Etro signature), plus flowing tunics — particularly in the most vibrant shade of red — and upcycled denim all foster an elevated look that’s refreshingly uncomplicated. Utilitarian cork sandals with printed straps and bold metallic buckles plus woven belts with similarly eye-catching closures round out a refreshingly sweats-free collection.
“Etro’s lush new spring ready-to-wear collection lands at Studio C in the Montecito Country Mart for a month-long residency, launching with trunk shows held on April 10 and 11”
Knotted silk scarves worn as micro tops are a genius take on Riviera summer style, as are bustier tops paired with straight or tiered skirts in romantic sorbet-like shades of turquoise, mint, lime yellow, salmon, orange and lavender shot through with maritime hues of blue, red and white. Also new this season are the monochromatic paisley motifs. Etro even created a new logo character, the Pegasus-Triton, emblazoned on sporty cropped knit vests worn atop crisp striped shirts. This transporting jolt of elegant-yet-accessible Italian style couldn’t have come at a better time. 1016 Coast Village Rd., Montecito.
Montecito
You’ll find exquisite interiors and the ultimate in chic in both halves of this hamlet
You’ll find exquisite interiors and the ultimate in chic in both halves of this hamlet
Written by Joan Tapper | Photography by Sara Prince | Illustrations by Digital Sunsets
Montecito is doubly blessed—with interior design studios, antique shops, and home furnishings boutiques in the Upper Village and the Lower Village along Coast Village Road. Explore them both for ideas to enhance your home, garden, and lifestyle.
UPPER VILLAGE
Birgit Klein emphasizes European design in the furniture, case goods, and accessories at Birgit Klein Interiors. Looking forward she says clients favor soft fabrics, deep couches, and
indoor/outdoor living. A newcomer to the neighborhood, Coda Studio arrived last Halloween with artisan-crafted indoor and outdoor tables, seating, beds, and storage in sustainable materials, all customizable by the client.
Interior designer Jennifer Sanan fills Country House Antiques with elegant Swedish and French pieces. Her new European shipment includes 19th-century French marble tables and a Swedish secretary and clock. At Davis & Taft you’ll find a mélange of midcentury modern vintage, antiques, and art. Owner Leanne Baker also recently introduced Formations and Dennis & Leen to her showroom. With thoughtfully curated home accessories, Eider Studio offers elegant bed and bath linens from Matouk, SFERRA, and Le Jacquard Français. Their washed linen napkins are must-haves for plein-air dining. Long renowned for its expertise in Native American jewelry and artifacts and 16th- to 18th-century Spanish Colonial antiques, Haskell also showcases furniture by modern Latin masters like Don S. Shoemaker and Arturo Pani. You’ll find interior designer Tamara Kaye-Honey’s timeless, livable aesthetic at House of Honey’s full-service studio and retail shop. The emphasis this year? Playful, bright sorbet colors and textures that evoke a feeling of lightheartedness. Located in the old Montecito firehouse, Lucca Antiques is open to the trade, that is, professional designers. Among the offerings are one-of-a-kind pieces made from wood, metal, stone, and “found” industrial materials. Jenni Kayne Apparel + Home is expanding its California-inspired décor with home textiles and a furniture line in reclaimed cedar and solid white oak, for example, a dining table and safari chairs. Interior designer Marc Normand Gelinas specializes in classic, livable rooms that reflect his clients’ individual personalities and style. It’s all about handmade designs in resin at Tina Frey. Check out the new Mushroom Lamp, and watch for the new lemon yellow and moss colorways in their tableware and furniture. Montecito mainstay Upstairs at Pierre Lafond highlights local artists and designers, including Don Scott, who crafts timeless wooden bowls and serving pieces, and whimsical ceramicist Baba Masino. For entertaining outdoors there’s furniture by Fermob. At eclectic William Laman the design philosophy for 2021 highlights natural elements—wicker, wood, rush, bamboo, and batik—mixed with a few fabulous statement pieces. Think “Hotel du Cap meets Versailles.
LOWER VILLAGE
Clic, founded by Christiane Celle, opened here a few months ago. Among the signature items in the concept space are Maison des Vacances textiles and handmade ceramics by Eric Bonnin. It will be a colorful spring at Hudson Grace, with vivid butterfly chairs made in France, striped dish towels, and multihued glassware that livens your tabletop. At Legacy, where wares range from home furnishings to fashion, owner Nancy Kimsey sees two trends: “simplicity and elegance, epitomized by their marble objects, and a mix of contrasting styles and textures.” Lily presents an array of jewelry, designer apparel, candles, and soulful gifts. For spring? Think of oyster chandeliers, mother-of-pearl crosses, and driftwood hearts. The neutral palette and natural organic vibe of Maison K’s owner Kimberly Phillips Hayes is evident throughout the boutique. Her signature tabletop décor is classic white ceramic ware by Astier de Villatte. Nautical New England sets the style at Mate Gallery, which highlights vintage art, books, and photographic curiosities. Curated by the editors of C Magazine, Studio C stocks the best made-in-California goods, from tabletop accessories, ceramics, and candles to cult beauty products, accessories, jewelry, and more, and hosts exclusive trunk shoes with designers.
Santa Barbara
Enjoy a rambling tour of downtown’s home stores; you’ll be sure to discover something special to brighten your day (and your abode)
Enjoy a rambling tour of downtown’s home stores; you’ll be sure to discover something special to brighten your day (and your abode)
Written by L.D. Porter | Photography by Sara Prince | Illustrations by Digital Sunsets
From the Funk Zone to the top of State Street, Santa Barbara is packed with purveyors of home goods and services to transform even the simplest abode into a shelter-magazine–worthy dwelling. Guided by the healing practices of his ancestors, Rafael Adón makes soaps with indigenous botanicals as well as skin-care creations and perfumes at Rancho La Paloma, his 800-acre ranch in Santa Barbara. His items are available online and at Field + Fort in Summerland. A picturesque alley off Anacapa Street and De la Guerra Plaza leads to Architectural Antique Salvage, a loftlike space housing a treasure trove of early California and European landscape paintings, antiques, rugs, and historical architectural salvage, all carefully curated by owners Judy Cota and Jay Friedmann. With three floors of vintage and modern collections, The Blue Door is ground zero for unique pieces that set the vibe for any room. Don’t miss the new Betsey Johnson pop-up on the first floor, featuring the designer’s clothing, art, home décor, and furniture collected over the years. The Cabana Home showroom, with its ever-changing display of furniture, art, and objects, hints at the extensive professional services founders/designers Steve Thompson and Caroline Thompson provide, including residential and commercial space planning and design (incorporating furniture, flooring, and window coverings), building-plan review, and project management. Celebrating 20 years on State Street, Celadon House is committed to providing full-service interior-design services promoting sustainable, ethically sourced materials in partnership with Cisco Brothers, a leading upholstery manufacturer; it also offers a selection of furnishings, home accessories, organic mattresses, and bedding. Diani Living, the sister store to Diani Boutique and Diani Shoes—all owned by retail maven Caroline Diani—offers an eclectic collection of everyday home and lifestyle items that are sustainably made and sourced from small artisans. Personalized interior-design services are also available.
With in-house interior designers and nearly unlimited inventory resources, Habitat Home & Garden can help guide projects big or small. With access to skilled tradesmen from around the world, they can track down what you need or will custom build it. Featuring furnishings from farmhouse to modern style, HOME Santa Barbara carries the Magnolia Home Furniture line designed by Joanna Gaines, in addition to Universal Furniture, Furniture Classics, The MT Company, Orient Express, Four Hands, Spectra Home, Loloi Rugs, and more. Recently relocated to a new showroom, the team at NS Ceramic is ready to display its unrivaled selection of handcrafted artisan ceramic, glass, stone, metal, porcelain, and mosaic tiles from around the world. Services offered include product specification, design sketches, and budget estimates. MichaelKate Contemporary Furniture—which originally opened in 1953 as Danica House, with a focus on Danish and Scandinavian designs—today specializes in American and European midcentury, modern, contemporary, and transitional pieces. A cozy boutique that invites lingering, Raoul showcases owner/designer Sally McQuillan’s exquisite handprinted linen textiles and wallpapers alongside elegant hand-picked accessories. The design business—Raoul Textiles—is a McQuillan family affair helmed by Sally with son Gene and daughter Madeleine. Married owners Jami and Eric Voulgaris of Rooms & Gardens have designed custom furniture for clients all over the country, working with A-list interior designers and celebrities, including customers like President Bill Clinton. Their interior designs grace projects in Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, and Aspen, among others. Working with tile and stone factories worldwide, Tileco Tile & Stone Showroom imports and distributes ceramic, porcelain, marble, travertine, and natural stone throughout the Central Coast. It’s the perfect resource for materials that will enhance all styles of residential design.
Summerland
Ideas for reveling in the Southern California lifestyle abound in the boutiques here, plus the beach is just across the way
Ideas for reveling in the Southern California lifestyle abound in the boutiques here, plus the beach is just across the way
Written by Joan Tapper | Photography by Sara Prince | Illustrations by Digital Sunsets
Quiet Summerland has become design row pretty much all along Lillie Avenue, and now that spring is upon us, the focus has really turned to our indoor-outdoor lifestyle. An interesting fact to ponder: Almost all the boutiques here are owned or co-owned by women…just sayin’. The natural world sets the palette and the tone for Botanik, a longtime home-and-garden boutique in a cozy cottage. New to the shop are tightly woven African baskets with a free-flowing edge as well as multicolored cotton throws from Ethiopia. Always a hit—signature succulent gardens in decorative pots. Looking forward to working outdoors? Field + Fort has fun items like Madison James “Get Muddy” garden aprons and Banshu Hamono pruning shears, and is now carrying Pennoyer Newman garden décor. To augment its room-by-room showcase of furniture, art, and accessories, the shop has expanded next door. Don’t miss the new items at its popular café. Garde, like its sister shop in L.A., has evolved from gifts to furnishings by established and up-and-coming designers. Unusual one-of-a-kind ceramics by Julie Nelson and Bronwen Grieves, among others, always catch the eye here, while the Summerland venue also carves out its own personality with lighting by Apparatus and furniture by Piet Boon.
Hacienda by Bonita Lifestyle is a new iteration in a new location of a Summerland mainstay. Paintings by Whitney Castro are on the walls, while the overall vibe is Mexican with wares that now include furnishings and snacks, including grazing boxes for spontaneous picnics. Among the apparel finds: gauzy cotton shirts, pants, and caftans worthy of a summer breeze. Bring the outdoors in, proclaims Porch, which now boasts a venue with a veranda worthy of its name. They’ve added ethereal landscapes by SB artist Colette Cosentino and large-scale photography by Will Pierce to the home décor—from faux bois iron mirrors to the favorite faux sheepskin swivel chairs and stylish outdoor rugs. At The Sacred Space, the go-to venue for books, crystals, incense, ritual items, and garden statuary, Jack and Rose Herschorn have gathered everything you need for your spiritual journey. Among their unusual “treasures from heaven available on earth” are a 4.5-billion-year-old meteor, desert glass from Libya, and moldavite from Europe that goes back 18 million years! For 30 years the individual dealers who have a spot in the Summerland Antique Collective have offered everything from home and garden furniture to architectural elements, china, glassware, books, and jewelry. There are rooms full of treasures here. Be prepared to stay awhile. The Well has perfected the stylish blend of rustic and vintage in developing its unique collections of home and garden pieces from Europe, Asia, and North America. Proprietor Shane Brown is readying everything for spring—from fire pits and outdoor fountains and greenhouses to 9- and 12-foot tables with umbrellas for warm-weather alfresco dinners.
Carpinteria
Everyone seems to know everyone else in this low-key, close-knit beach town with a penchant for vintage wares
Everyone seems to know everyone else in this low-key, close-knit beach town with a penchant for vintage wares
Written by Joan Tapper | Photography by Sara Prince | Illustrations by Digital Sunsets
Laid-back Carpinteria has the air of a beach town from years gone by, so perhaps it’s no surprise that a number of the boutiques and shops along the main drags of Linden and Carpinteria Avenues (or even farther afield) highlight vintage objects big and small. Folly has expanded from its tiny trailer venue to spacious new digs. Some 90 percent of its wares are vintage or handmade in California (mostly Santa Barbara and Ojai), and the shop carries furniture and items for men and children, too. Planned for the future are makers’ markets held on the grounds every couple of months. Pots, urns, planters, and troughs—there are containers of every shape, size, and material at Eye of the Day Garden Design Center. Fountains, antique items, stone and terra cotta wares, and glazed pottery are just a few of the oh-so-tempting Italian, Greek, and other European offerings for your outdoor pleasure.
For 23 years Homestead Antiques and Trading Company has showcased the individual tastes and specialties of the collective’s myriad dealers. The eclectic and vintage goods range from furniture to jewelry, books to old bottles, art to accessories. You can spend one dollar or a couple of thousand. The elegantly shaped cast-ceramic bowls, vases, lamps, and pendants at Miri Mara Ceramics may be colorfully glazed or incised with subtly intricate designs on a neutral palette, like the new Assisi bowls with a sgraffito finish. The sophisticated objects are all handmade by the talented Italian-born artist who gives the boutique its name. The Grapeseed Company is behind the Seaside Makers Collective, a sister boutique to its Funk Zone venue. New and popular items here include Mono B active- and leisurewear, an artisan food pantry, and the Breathe Easy Mask Spray, whose organic eucalyptus and mint infusions refresh our latest accessory. Soap has occupied its courtyard corner for more than two decades, offering Asian-influenced items, robes and sleepwear, and bath and beauty products, including its own Carpinteria Beach Collection, with a water lily and lotus flower fragrance. New and unique are 8-inch flat candles from Lithuania, with hand-painted scenes that range from fine art to florals. Zelda Prune opened Space Home and Garden on Labor Day 2020 and filled it with furniture and decorative items ranging from antique to midcentury to contemporary goods. There’s artwork inspired by early California history and, notably, the history of surfing—including surfboards and other surf-related treasures. Founded 11 years ago, women-owned Tidepools presents ocean-oriented gifts, accessories, and objets—from locally created jewelry to shells and candles, as well as natural soaps and lotions. The boutique also showcases a constantly rotating display of works by area artists. A longtime Carpinteria favorite dedicated to reusing, recycling, and repurposing, Whimsy Antiques has vintage architectural salvage, hip vintage clothing and jewelry, vintage maps, vintage furniture, and other fun things. It’s all reflected in the shop’s new motto: “the comfort of old good things.”
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