Designing Women of Coast Village Road

It takes a village to decorate the town

by Leslie A. Westbrook

Coast Village Road, known as Montecito’s “lower village” (although technically Santa Barbara), is a convenient destination for home decorating as well as interior design needs. Maison K, Legacy, Mate Gallery and Hudson Grace sell home items, while three showrooms - Kathryne Dahlman, E Madison and MH Home, on CVR offer interior design services in addition to goods. The “designing women” who work out of these showrooms each possess their own distinct styles. We picked their brains for some tips – and asked them to share some of their favorite projects on our pages.

mh home desIgn mAureen hemmIng

Most furniture pieces, as well as lighting, pillows and more in the MH Home showroom are original designs by Maureen Hemming. “We really love what we do. We offer personal attention and are genuinely interested our clients,” says Hemming, who has been in the interior design trade her entire life. Opened in 2014, the bright and airy space carries the Ralph Lauren line, exclusive linens and fabrics from London by Evitavoni alongside Maureen’s own line of velvet, linen and chenille upholstery fabrics. The carved spool Portuguese-style wood bed frame (queen size $5,500) designed by Henning is a knockout, as are hand-crafted, locally made onyx bowls shaped from stone sourced in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico ($375 and up). Treasures

(under $100) that Maureen sources on trips to New York and Paris abound.

Design tips: Each furniture design piece like each art piece needs to shine on it’s own. Less clutter creates a serene living environment. Use mixed textures Wood - Metal - Fabrics - Ceramics + Art.

Your Santa Barbara look: Our style is transitional aesthetics influenced by art, light and structure. Our look fits seamlessly into the Santa Barbara lifestyle.

Design philosophy: I am constantly influenced by our design team and inspired by the places we travel— New York, Nashville, London, Paris— and what’s happening creatively in those places. We are inspired by music, art and literature and approach each project considering the space and its surroundings. Santa Barbara is such a beautiful backdrop that we like to fuse the inside with the outside and provoke a feeling that allows the space to function with how our clients live and use it.

What’s fun about being on Coast Village Road: Our customer relationships, we get to work with incredibly fascinating people who are worldly and wonderful adding to the overall relationship. The design relationship is very symbiotic: they get inspired from us, and we with them. Our goal is to create a community. We like to share our space and offer gatherings with authors, artist and influencers.

MH Home Design, 1255 Coast Village Road Suite 102 C, Montecito, CA 93108, phone:(805) 565-0404. mhhomedesign.com kAthryne dAhLmAn

In business for 20 years, Kathryne Dahlman has an office in L.A, in addition to her eponymous Coast Village Road showroom that she opened in 2003. Her design projects span the globe from Connecticut to Pasadena; Santa Barbara to Orange County, and the savvy designer even shipped the entire contents for a house in Croatia for a client. Her showroom features a mix of her traditional and elegant signature design. She carries hard and soft furnishings, lots of accessories ranging from textured pillows and lush throws to picture frames, glassware, books, lamps and candles. Paintings by local artists Dorene White and Ellie Freudenstein are thoughtfully arranged. Prices range from $10,500 for a George III style Chinoiserie lacquer chest to under $100 for bone and wood boxes and other accessories.

Design Tips: For a new look, changing paint colors can transform a home. Add accessories and green plants to bring the outside in. De-clutter for a cleaner, simpler look.

Santa Barbara Look: Interiors that takes inspiration from Mediterranean architecture, including Spanish Revival and Mission Style. Lots of textures and layers, whether casual or formal, can happily mix together.

Design Philosophy: To create a harmonious, elegant, functional, and comfortable design for our clients that, ultimately, pleases them and suits their lifestyle, while providing guidance to achieve this goal.

What’s fun about being on Coast Village Road: To have a studio/ gallery in such a beautiful community, with wonderful weather, where people enjoy strolling up and down the street checking out all the unique shops. It just makes everyone happy.

Kathryne Designs, 1225 Coast Village Road, Suite A, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. Phone:(805) 565-4700 www.kathrynedesigns.com e mAdIson / Courtney eLLIs-dever

The two-story showroom of E Madison is filled with a cornucopia of items ranging from custom-designed furniture by owner/designer Courtney Ellis-Dever to Lee sofas and chairs. Faux floral arrangements in interesting containers fool keen eyes ($180$1300), while lighting including mercury and clear glass lamps shine ($420-$550). There is even a kid’s corner upstairs, stacks of fine bed linens and bamboo towels, but the true pièce de résistance is the angora chaise ($4,789). Courtney spends her time mentoring and encouraging her talented design team. Being the principle designer, she enjoys being able to work with the staff on their design projects