5TH SAVE THE DATE! FOR TICKETS go to: www.santabarbarachowderfest.com

different types of stone and styles of workmanship. Take pics of what you like. While you are out, you’ll remember why you love living on the California Riviera. Santa Barbara Stone (27 N Nopal St, Santa Barbara- 805-963-5891) has displays of all types of natural stone, tile and many other materials so you can see what it will look like when installed.

CruSHEd STOnE

Crushed stone is the quintessential paving material for homes of traditional of english, french and Italian design. Images of the famous gardens of Claude monet in Giverny, france reveal courtyards, pathways and entries of crushed stone. It is an economical and environmentally friendly choice for paving areas, pathways, etc. Crushed stone comes in a variety of colors and is amiable with styles of architecture from modern to classical. Create a beautiful, low-water garden with crushed stone and large Italian pots of citrus, herbs, cypress and the like for an understated, drought-tolerant, classic look.

Tile

hand-painted tiles make a perfect accent on a wall, fountain or on the front of steps. Take a tour of Lotusland and Casa del hererro in montecito and the Courthouse in Santa Barbara for ideas on the use of tile as a paving or fanciful embellishment. The famous tile of Saltillo is used liberally in homes of mexican Colonial design. other types of tile for patios and entries are slate, travertine and limestone. They can be used as indoor or outdoor paving. A bit of history, michelangelo chose travertine as the material for the external ribs of the dome of St Peter’s Basilica. www.casadelherrero.com www.lotusland.org

dECKIng

If your property is situated on a hillside or has splitlevels, decking is a good option. Whether the home is contemporary, cottage or Craftsman in design, the addition of decking is perfect for the creation of outdoor living spaces. I recommend looking into Trex® as a viable alternative to wood. manufactured from 95% recycled wood and plastic products, it never needs painting or refinishing and will not be damaged by termites. It’s good for the environment and looks good too. www.trex.com