Santa Barbara

MODERN

Tastemakers Brian & Jessie De Lowe manifest their dream house

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Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

38 LETTER TER tk 40 CONTRIBUTORS ORS

43 LIVE

A new design destrict emerges, plus at-home entertaining,

modern architectural marvels, decorator tips, and more

TOC

86 PERFECT VISION

Written by Christine Lennon. Photographs by Chad Mellon

98 SPIRIT HOUSE Written by L.D. Porter. Photographs by Michael Clifford

112 CREATURE COMFORTS

Written by Cathy Whitlock. Photographs by Sam Frost

124 A MONUMENT TO MADAME Excerpted from Lotusland: Eccentric Garden Paradise

134 ESCAPE ARTISTS

Written by Jennifer Blaise Kramer. Photographs by Joe Schmelzer

146 BACK PAGE A little paradise in paradise 32 s p r i n g 2 0 2 2

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Gina Tolleson CREATIVE CONSULTANT

James Timmins DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

Anush J. Benliyan CONTRIBUTING GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Dean Alari CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR

Lauren White CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Charles Donelan Anna Ferguson-Sparks Amelia Fleetwood Jennifer Blaise Kramer Christine Lennon Dawn Moore Ninette Paloma L.D. Porter Gabe Saglie Katherine Stewart Joan Tapper Erik Torkells

Village Properties - Dore / Masthead

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Blake Bronstad David Cameron Leela Cyd Andrew Durham Sam Frost Blue Gabor Tierney Gearon Michael Haber Brian Hodges Elizabeth Messina Nancy Neil Dewey Nicks Victoria Pearson Sara Prince Lisa Romerein Randall Slavin Trevor Tondro Coral von Zumwalt

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Cassandria Blackmore

FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

anta Barbara is a place that chooses its inhabitants. It lures them with its breathtaking vistas, the heady aroma of night-blooming jasmine, the amazing weather, the architecture, the culture. . . I could go on and on. I first heard its siren call when I was a teenager. My family would spend the school year in Michigan and then enjoy summers in this paradise. My brother and I eventually staged a rebellion and announced we would be staying indefinitely—and it worked!

University and life prevented me from being here full-time for two decades, but nine years ago I consciously chose to make my life here again, and I have never regretted it. When you put down roots in a place twice, you learn how important your home is, and you make that place a reflection of the life you want to live. I chose a home that centers on a garden, with windows that allow light to stream in. A peek of ocean only adds to its allure, and the deer that visit daily have become a source of comfort.

The houses we feature in this Home + Garden-themed issue each have their own distinct style and each reflects the families who live within their walls. Take our cover subjects, Jessie and Brian De Lowe, and the home they designed with House of Honey, described in “Perfect Vision” (page 86). Their abode is family friendly but big on modern design choices, and, like its owners, it radiates natural beauty.

In “Spirit House” (page 98) we consider the historic manse that designer and developer Xorin

38 s p r i n g 2 0 2 2

Edit Letter

Jennifer Smith

ON THE COVER: Brian and Jessie De Lowe in their House of Honey-designed Montecito home.

Photographed by Sam Frost.

ILLUSTRATION: DAVID DOWNTON

S

Balbes recently renovated into a contemporary oasis while still honoring its storied past. Interior designer John De Bastiani also worked his magic on a project for his clients, and the results, chronicled in “Escape Artists” (page 134), are beyond charming. And speaking of adorable, the home that designer Jeffrey Alan Marks created for his growing family, in “Creature Comforts” (page 112), is what everyone dreams of. After all, houses should be dreamy and inspiring!

Then there’s Madame Ganna Walska. She turned Lotusland into one of the greatest gardens in the world—a gift for us to cherish. A new tome from Rizzoli, Lotusland, shares our local treasure with a larger audience. The sneak peek in “A Monument to Madame” (page 124) will only entice more people to our already captivating city. Oh, that siren song plays again.

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“It’s always a pleasure to work with John De Bastiani,” says the awardwinning L.A.-based interior and architecture photographer, who captured the Bastiani-designed home in “Escape Artists” (page 134). “We’ve been working together for years, and I always admire his design, attention to detail, and amazing care for quality.”

S.B. MUST DOS Convivo at Santa Barbara Inn. • Day-strolling State Street. • A cappuccino—and maybe a cookie—at Honor Bar in Montecito.

CHRISTINE LENNON

“If you don’t believe in manifestation, hearing Jessie and Brian De Lowe’s story might change your mind,” says the journalist of the couple featured on our cover and in “Perfect Vision” (page 86). “It seems like they created their own world exactly as they envisioned it.” S.B. MUST DOS Jake and Jones stocks the perfect edit of elevated basics. • Drinks at the pocket-sized bar at the Palihouse hotel. • Packing a picnic for sunset at the Mission Rose Garden.

Contributors

“It’s a great perk of my job to get a peek into a designer’s house—and Jeffrey’s did not disappoint,” says the writer of Jeffrey Alan Marks’s Englishinspired cottage seen in “Creature Comforts” (page 112). “His Montecito house is by far one of my favorites and we share a love of Colefax and Fowler.”

S.B. MUST DOS I’m a big fan of San Ysidro Ranch. I love the history and the landscape. • Raoul’s hand-painted textiles on State Street. • Afternoon walks on Butterfly Beach.

MICHAEL CLIFFORD

40 s p r i n g 2 0 2 2

CHARLES DONELAN

“The Branch House project was such an interesting story,” says the writer and arts editor, who penned “Natural Preserve” (page 76), as well as our Aris Demetrios tribute (page 82). “I’m

inspired to work with people who see the future clearly and embrace our changing world.” S.B. MUST DOS Lotusland. • Sailing out of Santa Barbara Harbor. (I’m a member of the Sailing Center.) • Hiking Parma Park.

PHOTOGRAPH: CHARLES DONELAN, LOVELLE.

When the California-native photographer first set foot into Xoran Balbes’s home—which we tour in “Spirit House” (page 147)—“the fantasy was clear to me,” he says. “I knew that to really showcase my interpretation of this home, I had to highlight the strongest moments of whimsy that would reveal the power and poetry of this space.” S.B. MUST DOS Walking the bluffs on the Douglas Family Preserve. • A downtown stay at the Riviera Beach House hotel. • Dinner at The Dutchess in Ojai.

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PATRICIA CHIDLAW M AY 2 7 – J U LY 2 5 , 2 0 2 2

WE LIVE IN PARADISE House Call

New and noteworthy interiors, architecture, gardens, décor, and more

PHOTOGRAPH: SARA PRINCE.

WN Opener

Jean Royère Cone Leg Table, $125,000, at Galerie XX in the newly dubbed Arts District.

s p r i n g 2 0 2 2 43

WE LIVE IN PARADISE

TOP TO BOTTOM: Bright hues abound at

Holding Court

Lonetree, where you can customize your own sofa; Lonetree's Michelle Beamer.

Lorem ipsum credit here.

Victoria Court is quickly becoming a design collective. Peek in on any given First Thursday evening, and the charming inner courtyard looks like a movie set with pop-up floral stands, makers, and artists painting under the trattoria lights.

Anchoring the action is LONETREE, a new showroom from interior designer Michelle Beamer.

Located across from Olio Pizzeria’s patio, Lonetree is a longtime dream realized for Beamer, principle of MB Interiors and adjunct professor of interior design at Santa Barbara City College. Here customers can come in and have furniture designed to their specifications. “We can literally put a sofa in CAD here,” says Beamer, who displays two rosy-toned sofas along with new and vintage rugs, chairs, runners, books, artwork, and indoor-outdoor tables. “People come in and say, ‘You have color!’ We have lots of color!” She also encourages mixing styles, be it Spanish, traditional, modern, or beachy, as she illustrates by hanging a ropey rattan light over a polished black sideboard. Aside from her refreshing merchandise and relaxed approach to design, a big draw is the ability to touch the real thing before buying. As Beamer says: “With so much looking online these days, it’s nice to see things in scale and how it all goes together.” 1221 State St., Ste. 24, Santa Barbara, 805-892-7335, L O N ET R EESB . C O M .

Nearby, DOMECÍL is a home-goods shop from Stephanie Payne-Campbell that began as a pop-up. After she moved to Santa Barbara from Pasadena, Payne-Campbell opened a temporary outpost on

Carpinteria’s Santa Claus Lane, and the experience triggered fond memories of shopping downtown. “My favorite was Dani, where everything was hearts and rainbows. I’d come in with my allowance and buy stickers,” she recalls. Though she originally had no intentions of opening a brick-andmortar place, she found a spot in the hub of Victoria Court and jumped at the opportunity to have a smallish shop of her own. Tiny but mighty, Domecíl is filled with natural textiles, handwoven baskets, brooms, artwork, aprons and clothing (her own designs), ceramics, plants, and a kids’ corner where you might even spot a heart or a rainbow. “Santa Barbara used to be all small shops and super charming,” she says.

“I thought, ‘Let’s bring it back!’” 1221 State St., Ste. 7, Santa Barbara, 805-324-4971, D O M E C I L .CO M . JENNIFER BLAISE KRAMER

WN - New Arts District

44 s p r i n g 2 0 2 2

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Handmade décor at Domecîl; a map of the new Arts District Home & Design Collective; Domecíl's Stephanie Payne-Campbell.

TOP TO BOTTOM: An art deco horse head sculpture, $9,500, at Galerie XX; the gallery

Private Eye

stocks 20th-century pieces, including Frank Gehry's Wiggle Stool.

“We wanted to be in an area that attracts people who understand and appreciate the material,” says Benjamin Cobb Storck, explaining why he and his husband, Jason, chose the Arts District for their GALERIE XX, formerly based in Los Angeles. The 3,000-square-foot gallery is set in a building next to the Arlington Theatre that was an I. Magnin department store in the 1920s and ’30s—an apt location for the material in question: 20th-century decorative arts and furniture by the likes of Jean Prouvé, George Nakashima, Harry Bertoia, and Jean Royère. Collectors have been gravitating to the category in recent years not just because of the elegant lines but also because it pairs so well with modern and contemporary art.

“I’m an obsessive collector who has turned it into a business out of necessity,” says Cobb Storck, “and we can’t live with any of it because we have a three-year-old and a six-year-old.”

1315 State St., Santa Barbara, 805-895-2312, G ALER IEXX. C O M .

A more exuberant glamour is on display at INDIAN PINK, a few doors down. It, too, is a hobby-turned-business: Tamara Cajuste collected so much fabric while working as a flight attendant that she started making pillows; people loved them, and her husband, JP, joined the enterprise. After popups here and there, the brand is putting down roots. There will be much more than pillows, including the pajamas Indian

WN - New Arts District

Indian Pink's Tamara

PHOTOGRAPHS: SARA PRINCE. ILLUSTRATION: MICHELLE BEAMER.

and JP Cajuste.

Pink launched during the pandemic and dresses, blankets, napkins, lamp shades, vintage textiles, and even furniture, all curated from around the world. The shop showcases the haute bohemian lifestyle, and what holds the collection together is a profound appreciation of color. “It has energy, and it just comes out of me,” says Cajuste. “I love everything about it!” 1307 State St., Ste. B, Santa Barbara, 805-869-2027, I N D I A N PI N K PI L L O W S .CO M . ERIK TORKELLS

s p r i n g 2 0 2 2 45

ARTS

Cool, Calm, Collected Just a few steps from The Arlington Theatre, the new MAUNE CONTEMPORARY art gallery could be in New York. It’s the second outpost for owners (and devoted art collectors) Heidi and Ramsey Maune, whose Atlanta location debuted in 2019.

California native Heidi’s fondness for Santa Barbara dates from her student days at UCSB. And now that the couple has purchased a condo within walking distance, “we’re ‘all in’ for downtown Santa Barbara,” Ramsey says. As its name suggests, the gallery specializes in contemporary art by big-name, bluechip artists (think Ross Bleckner, Tracey Emin, and Alex Katz) as well as lesser known, midcareer creatives. Don’t miss a solo show featuring artist Justin Lyons, opening April 23. 1309 State St., Santa Barbara, 805-869-2524, M AU N E. C O M . L.D. PORTER

WN - Maune & Brino

LEFT TO RIGHT: An installation view of

Fiocco; Bino Marsetti; the Idea lamp, made of 120 layers of hand-carved Baltic birch.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Maune Contemporary's State Street entrance; Death to Avant Garde by Halim Flowers; Finally Home, a group show featuring work by more than 17 artists from 8 different countries is currently on view.

Enlighten Me As a former cinematographer, BINO MARSETTI is an expert on lighting. So when an injury sidelined his film career, he pivoted to making handcrafted sculptural light fixtures. Working in copper, aluminum, and molded plywood—the latter a nod to midcentury designers Charles and Ray Eames— the results are breathtakingly beautiful and include indoor installations as well as outdoor lanterns and area lighting. One of his most dramatic designs, Fiocco, is a three-tiered construction of Baltic birch that commands attention while providing graceful illumination. He’s even volunteered his skills to Crane Country Day School, constructing a handsome row of hand-washing sinks for students as a COVID-19 response measure. His pieces take from one to 10 weeks to produce. B I N O M A RS E TTI .C O M . L.D.P.

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ACLA Fine Art

DESIGN

A Long Night’s Journey into Day

A

lot can happen in five years.

In 2017 JODI GOLDBERG, of Jodi G Designs, was living in Montecito in a Balinese-inspired home she had designed. After that house was destroyed in the mudslide of January 2018, she and her husband eventually rented a home at the top of the Riviera, though Jodi always assumed it was just a temporary residence.

But there were more unwelcome surprises to come.

In February 2020 Jodi suffered heart failure followed by complications and then a diagnosis of lung cancer. “That was a double whammy,” she

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Jodi Goldberg enjoys the light, airy ambience of her new home; the designer on her terrace; the coffee-table book was a housewarming gift; the primary bedroom features raw wood and a neutral palette; an earthy root teak console sets the home’s tone in the entry.

PHOTOGRAPHS: PORTRAIT AND DINING TABLE, RILEY YAHR PHOTOGRAPHY. BEDROOM, ENTRY TABLE, AND BOOK, NANCY NEIL PHOTOGRAPHY.

WN - Jodi Goldberg

U P S TA I R S AT P I E R R E L A F O N D

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IMA GE C REDIT: A URÉL IE LE C U YE R

Wendy Foster - Upstairs

DESIGN

WN - Jodi Goldberg CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:

she loves a pool with chaises to lounge on; an alfresco seating area beckons the designer; a

rustic urn accents the garden greenery; chairs from CB2.

remembers, “a progression of being traumatized and starting over.” She had surgery, watched as Covid took hold of the country, underwent chemo. . . and has recovered. And along the way she fell in love with living on the Riviera.

“Creativity is what fuels me,” she says. “It gave me a reason to get better. And I can’t say enough about the Riviera. Being there feels very nurturing and nature oriented. The birds seem to sing louder, the stars are brighter. My husband and I walk every day.”

Ultimately, they bought the house they’d been renting. Jodi stripped out its earlier heavy décor and transformed it into a light, bright, airy space. “I used raw woods; neutrals like white, cream, and black; and lots of texture,” she says. “It feels more Zen.” The experience has also altered the way she approaches her work. “I’m more confident, less afraid to take risks. My design has gotten more organic, but I find you can do that in many, many ways. I have more freedom.

“I got lucky,” she says, “I have amazing clients, friends, and family, and I have delved into positivity.” J O D I G D E S I G N S .C O M .

JOAN TAPPER

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PHOTOGRAPHS: PORTRAIT AND URN, RILEY YAHR PHOTOGRAPHY. POOLSIDE LOUNGERS, NANCY NEIL PHOTOGRAPHY.

Goldberg says friends know

Cynthia James

Tulum Jungle, 23”h x 19”w, oil on copper

Cynthia James CONTEMPORARY BOTANICAL ART 805-698-8790

cjamesfineart.com

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DESIGN

1.

French Revolution

WN - Helene Aumont

Designer Hélène Aumont's pièces de résistance

Tricks of the Trade

2.

1. METAL TUBS “Free-standing metal tubs hold hot water for a long time…and you can drink champagne in them! Can’t do that in the shower, non?”

3. FABRICS “Raoul Textiles is my absolute favorite fabric house with the most endearing prints.”

4. FLOORING “I’m loving white oak and black limestone flooring at this moment—and NS Ceramic for the infinite possibilities of custom tiles.”

5. POOLS “A pool set in grass with surrounding stone appears more as a reflecting basin.”

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TOP LEFT: Hélène Aumont. ABOVE: The designer at Custom Architectural Stone.

PHOTOGRAPHS: PORTRAIT, TRELLIS, 2 INTERIORS, POOL, AND BATHTUB, MATT WIER.

2. A TRELLIS “A steel trellis mixed with natural reed for the incredible light it gives.”

3.

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WN - Helene Aumont

The best floors, fireplaces, and fountains are to be found at CHARME D’ANTAN, 2337 Troutdale Dr., Agoura Hills, 818-889-0229, charmedantan.net. It's worth the drive. Jacques is a gem—and he is French!

If you are well-behaved, Michael will show you his secret room at RUGS & MORE, 410 Olive St., Santa Barbara, 805-962-2166, rugsandmore.com.

Nancy does beautiful custom work for our fabric lampshades at SANTA BARBARA LAMPSHADES, 4287 State St., Santa Barbara, 805-683-8877, sb-lampshades.com.

4.

Miri Mara Ceramics.

"I could own every single vase he ever made," says Aumont.

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ONE TO WATCH

Poetry in Motion

I

f you have had the pleasure of stumbling upon the serene, lyrical work of Maria Trimbell—be it in the pages of Santa Barbara Living (Rizzoli New York), in a café in Spain, or inside a perfectly appointed Michael Smith-designed home—there is no doubt that you have been entranced by the Ventura-born artist’s handpainted atmospheric murals.

“I discovered decorative painting serendipitously after searching for a good fit for my artistic skills, my obsession with European art and architecture, and my desire to do something with my hands out in the world rather than sitting at a desk or easel all day,” says Trimbell, who recently moved to Los Osos with her husband, art reproduction expert Steve Ouimet.

Calling upon such age-old influences as Italian frescoes, Japanese screens, chinoiserie, verdure tapestries, and bygone French artists like Monet, Matisse, and landscape painting pioneer Claude Lorrain, Trimbell—with the help of Ouimet— begins each custom scenic mural as a loose sketch directly on site or on a wall-sized canvas. She then builds upon her chalk or watery paint base using high-quality lime paints like Color Atelier, golden acrylics, and chalky paints like Farrow & Ball, adding depth and intricate details for a “misty, layered effect,” she explains. (For works on plaster, they mix their own paints.)

The resulting frescoes—which take anywhere from two weeks to two months to complete—depict romantic scenes of nature that immerse the viewer into Trimbell’s poetic world.

In addition to painted-to-order murals, Trimbell and Ouimet are now offering a new accessible line of custom-printed wallpaper murals that are hand-painted, photographed, then printed on large-format archival canvas to be installed by a paperhanger. “Our clients are creative and sophisticated,” Trimbell says, “and, above all, they appreciate living with art and beauty.” M A R I ATR I M BE L L .C O M . ANUSH J. BENLIYAN

TOP TO BOTTOM: Artist Maria Trimbell paints grisaille trees for her Lorrain mural inspired by the work of Claude Lorrain; a sitting room features a fantasy trompe l’oeil balustrade, trees, and landscape; a detail of Trimbell's Livia mural at her studio.

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PHOTOGRAPHS: STEVE OUIMET.

WN - Maria Trimball Murals

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STYLE

WN - Lee Stanton

That Personal Touch

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: An eclectic vignette at Private Stash; colorful pillows and a chessboard; Lee Stanton; a 20th-century portrait, an architectural model, and a pitcher rescued from a Mexican hacienda.

Davis & Taft and Marc Normand Gelinas—has many benefits.

There’s a community feeling that reminds Stanton of the small Ohio town where he grew up.

“I love my little shop,” he adds. “It’s like a scene from an old British film. When you walk in, you feel like there’s someone who’s been a collector for years, someone you can trust and who has things you can enjoy or share.” 1482 East Valley Rd., Ste. 41, Montecito, L E E S TA N TO N .CO M . J.T.

PHOTOGRAPHS: SARA PRINCE.

ntiquarian Lee Stanton has been splitting his residential time between Montecito and Los Angeles for nearly a decade, but it was only last August that he opened PRIVATE STASH, a small shop in the Upper Village that features select pieces from Stanton’s personal collection. Like his large Los Angeles showroom—which has been a mainstay for celebrity interior designers for 20 years— the new business focuses on 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century antiques from England and Europe, but it’s a more curated, eclectic version of his elegant and refined inventory in a more relaxed setting.

“I had amassed quite a collection,” says Stanton, who wanted to downsize and also gain a better understanding of clients in this area and their taste. “I’ve brought things in stages, a few pieces at a time. And I’m finding that people enjoy coming in each week and seeing what’s new.”

In addition to designers from Los Angeles who are decorating homes in the Santa Barbara area, the business welcomes private clients. “I’m beginning to sell to end users,” Stanton says. “People now want to personalize their home— to fine-tune their décor or add a special piece that makes a statement.”

The location—a mini design enclave with neighbors like

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WN - Christina Rottman

“This room reflects our client’s deep love of nature, surf, and creative inspiration.”

Bold Blues for 2022 Designer Christina Rottman isn't playing it safe with rich, tone-on-tone interiors

TOP: Painted in Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue, the library is filled with heirlooms and objets d’art, both found and collected. Pieces include a custom sectional

by Christina Rottman Designs in a Holland & Sherry navy velvet, vintage desk lamps from Lucca Antiques, a Harbinger coffee table, an Hélène Aumont chandelier, and a Mansour hide rug. RIGHT: Details include vintage leather campaign chairs from the Paris Marché Paul Bert Serpette and Robert Crowder wallpaper. ABOVE: "The deepest of blue greens was our go-to color in

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transforming this space," says Christina Rottman.

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ONE TO WATCH

Team Player

A

s head of the interior design team at Warner Group Architects, JAMIE HALLOWS enjoys working on projects from start to finish. “The firm has a holistic approach to design,” she says, which means she is involved from the initial space planning to choosing finishes and fun stuff like furniture and accessories. “We work collaboratively, and that gives the client a complete experience.”

A graduate of Westmont College with a BA in art, Hallows pursued interior design in Los Angeles and worked there for a decade before returning to Santa Barbara nine years ago. She joined the Warner Group in 2016, and since then she typically has 10 or 15 projects on her desk at any one time. She recently completed a large, three-story residence in Montecito. “We made some architectural modifications, but it was primarily an interior project,” she says. “The existing home had an Old World look, but the new owners’ sensibility was much more contemporary. They liked soft colors and blue tones and wanted things approachable, not stuffy, but luxe.”

She used a neutral palette overall, papered the primary bedroom with a chinoiserie mural, darkened the paneling in the library, and transformed a dark kitchen to a bright white space.

The result is classic and sophisticated, an elegant backdrop for the owners’ collection of abstract expressionist art.

“One of the things I really love is when the design comes together,” says Hallows. “There’s a moment when I hear it click. That can be on paper first, and then a second time when the process is done, and the last accessory is in place. When the client is thrilled, nothing makes me happier.” W GA R CH .CO M . J.T.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Jamie Hallows used muted colors to soften the look of a large Italianate residence; checkerboard tile and a contemporary fixture in the foyer; the interior designer; Hallows darkened the silk-backed shelves in the library to set off contemporary art.

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SARA PRINCE.

WN - 900 Hot Springs

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Insure a perfect night’s sleep with your choice of Tempur-Pedic, Gel or Standard mattress.

Visit MichaelKate Contemporary Furniture and find a whole new world of beautiful and practical home furnishings.

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MUST HAVE

STYLE

The book includes a recipe for a floral tangerine cake by pastry chef Chula Galvez.

EDIBLE FLOWERS (The Monacelli Press, $35)— a lush new tome photographed by Adrianna Glaviano and penned by Monica Nelson—breaks down the use and cultural history of more than 100 edible blooms and includes recipes and essays.

Coast Is Clear WN

- Gray Malin

“I designed the Beach Toile print with my photography of coastal towns in mind,” says photographer and now homewares designer GRAY MALIN. Malin has expanded his collection of fabrics and pillows into a fresh furniture line that captures aspects of the different beach destinations he’s known for in his images—such as boats, lighthouses, beach hammocks, and sandy shores, which all evoke a getaway lifestyle and a sense of escapism. His peachy palettes represent his more West Coast inclinations, specifically, he says, “I was inspired by my photography at The Coral Casino Beach Club in Santa Barbara, which has iconic vintage coral-colored décor.” GRAYMALIN.COM .

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Ash and Sand Luxe pillow, $275; Ski Chalet pillow, $275; 5 Button leather vase in

TOP TO BOTTOM: The Umbrella Swirl Coral

medium, $195; Alina de Albergaria.

Umbrella Swirl pillows, from $99; Beach Toile Blue and Beach Scene Multi ottomans, $299 each.

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DON'T MISS jewelry designer Alina de Albergaria’s new home collection and popular pop-ups. During the pandemic, desperate to channel her creative energy into serving her community, de Albergaria began to fabricate Belgian linen and Fortuny fabric masks, donating 100 percent of net proceeds to Direct Relief. Obsessed with home décor, de Albergaria’s focus turned to endless days of research and brainstorming the successful launch of DESIGNS BY ALINA’s first gift and home collection in late 2021. Like her jewelry, it is a fusion of artistry and design, a classic meets modern approach, each piece inspired by finding the beauty in life. D E S I GN S BYA L I N A .C OM .

PHOTOGRAPHS: EDIBLE FLOWERS, ADRIANNA GLAVIANO.

bench, $475, and Beach Toile Coral and

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STYLE

TOP TO BOTTOM: Interior designer Sarah Solis's Pioneertown oasis, featured

Au Naturel Home Run

An embrace of the outdoors and a modern informality unites the dozen interiors Jenni Kayne has compiled in PACIFIC NATURAL: AT HOME (Rizzoli New York, $45). Projects are located near the sea or in the city, canyon, or valley—four distinct California landscapes—in this second book devoted to Kayne’s minimalist aesthetic and serene color palette. From her personal dwelling in an oak-filled canyon to seaside residences with sunset views, the featured houses showcase a reliance on organic and renewable materials and restrained décor, allowing a collective reverence for nature to emerge. “There’s a calming, freeing feeling evoked by these homes,” writes Kayne. Accessorizing such airy spaces requires a feather-light touch, and her home line— including thinly striped Inez and widely banded Ojai cotton-and-linen down pillows ($145 each) or Santa Ynez hand-poured candles with notes of jasmine, clove, tobacco, and amber ($55)—are a pared-down starting point. 525 San Ysidro Rd., Montecito, 805-309-0550. J E N N I K AYN E .CO M . E.V.

WN - Heidi Merrick

Lining a wall of HEIDI MERRICK’s Summerland showroom is a deftly curated collection of coffee-table books, candles, and other home goods with a minimalist bent, ideal for expanding a design library or updating a bar cart. The ready-to-wear designer decamped with her family to a plot of land between Ojai and Carpinteria during the pandemic, and she’s been exploring off-thegrid notions of housekeeping as well as more polished aspects of domesticity. Merrick’s eponymous shop stocks handblown glasses and decanters in subtle mint, peach, and onyx tones or smoky gray hues alongside asymmetrically playful Tina Frey resin bowls. Karen Mordechai’s Sunday Suppers (Clarkson Potter, $35), a recipe book with tips on offbeat entertaining, joins A Tale of Interiors (Rizzoli New York, $60), with its glimpses inside the lush yet livable houses dreamed up by Louisa Pierce and Emily Ward—of the L.A.- and Nashville-based firm Pierce & Ward—for Dakota Johnson, Lily Aldridge, and Karen Elson. By appointment only. 2272 Lillie Ave., Summerland. HEIDIMERRIC K . C O M . ELIZABETH VARNELL

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Heidi Merrick’s Summerland showroom; a set of six handblown coupe glasses, $195; Merrick’s

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Summerland candle, $58.

PHOTOGRAPHS HEIDI MERRICK, SARA PRINCE. JENNI KAYNE INTERIOR, SARAH SOLIS (PACIFIC NATURAL, RIZZOLI NEW YORK.)

in Jenni Kayne’s new book; Kayne’s Ynez pillows, from $145.

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STYLE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SBMIDMOD's storefront invites visitors to hunt for treasures inside; an extensive display of modernist designs fills the boutique;

WN - Mister Peele owner Tracey Strobel

ensures all items are in pristine condition and ready to go.

Mad for Mod

by overcollecting,” she says with a laugh. She discovered her delightful brick-walled location just one year ago, during a bike ride that included a stop at Mony’s taqueria located just steps away. “I love the Funk Zone,” Strobel says, “I love coming down here for food, there’s great stores, there’s good galleries, it’s super fun.” 223 Anacapa St., Ste. C, Santa Barbara, 805-364-2447. S B M I D M O D .C O M . L.D.P.

At Your Fingertips Did you know that homeowners can reduce their total cost of ownership for luxury residential properties, while simultaneously reducing stress and saving time? MISTER PEELE’s app-based technology provides clients with a bespoke back-office software platform for estate management—including an exclusive team of professionals that specialize in property oversight and personal concierge services. Owner Bryan Peele’s trusted reputation brings nearly two decades of experiences working with celebrities, top-worth businesses, and industrialists in every luxury market from Manhattan to Malibu, and Santa Barbara is next on his list for expansion. “What sets us apart is our commitment to privacy and high standard of excellent service,” says Peele. “We exist to make your life easier. Your property is our priority.” M I S TE RPE E L E .CO M .

66 s p r i n g 2 0 2 2 Bryan Peele, founder and CEO of Mister Peele.

PHOTOGRAPHS: SBMIDMOD, SARA PRINCE. MISTER PEELE, VINNIE VALLEJO.

In love with midcentury modernism? Head to SBMIDMOD in the Funk Zone, where a treasure trove of sleek style awaits. The selection includes furniture, lighting, tableware, accessories, and art, all expertly curated by enthusiastic owner Tracey Strobel, a true aficionado of modern design.

All items are in pristine condition and ready to go. “I try not to have anything that’s rundown,” Strobel says. “When people come in here, I want them to be able to take it home and enjoy it.” What started two decades ago as a personal collection eventually morphed into Stobel’s current vocation.

“I think most antique dealers would say they got their start

DISHING IT OUT For its Artist Plate Project, Artware Editions partnered with more than 40 lauded creatives and artistic estates on limited-edition dinner plates ($195 each) in support of the Coalition for the Homeless.

ARTWAREEDITIONS .C O M .

Introducing Zero: the only credit card that rewards you for going carbon-neutral.

A plate featuring Ojai-based painter Brian Calvin's Waiting Woman I, 2020.

WN - Artists Plate / Aspiration

A plate featuring Acrobat (detail), 1995, by Helen Frankenthaler.

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The Aspiration Zero Mastercard® is issued by Beneficial State Bank pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Beneficial State Bank, Member FDIC © 2022.

A plate featuring Keith Haring's Untitled, 1983.

ENTERTAIN

Sowing Seeds

W

himsical. That’s how Haley Carrere describes her childhood in Carpinteria, where she grew up in the Provençal-style home her parents built in 2000. While her father, Leon, acted as the general contractor for the build, her mother, Adrienne, was in her element outside, tapping into her landscape design profession to transform the sprawling estate into a remarkable oasis. She carved out a kitchen garden, a fountain section, a barbecue area with a veranda, and a rose arbor, all of which are surrounded by textured, California-native plantings like citrus and pepper trees, agaves, bay laurels, and nonflowering geraniums. “I planted foliage that I knew I would forage and use in the floral design area of my life,” says Adrienne, who still “floralizes” clients’ homes with lush bouquets. The greenery abounded at home, but for the blooms, “she would take me with her to all the flower fields,” Haley recalls—gerbera daisy fields, dahlia fields, parrot tulip fields. “It’s a lot of what we call ‘roadside-ia, ’” Adrienne notes.

“I have clippers in my car at all times.”

When it comes to entertaining, it’s naturally a family affair. Adrienne handles the arrangements, of course; Leon is the cook, whipping up uncomplicated hometown food; and Haley is a master of setting the table. Her preppy, Grandmillennial style is what she calls “a little old fashioned and sweet,” featuring fresh linens in mixed patterns like floral and toile. (Think Ralph Lauren’s café in Paris.) Though the 24-year-old recently moved to Aspen, away from her parents’ Californian Eden, she’s now using her well-trained eye to pursue a career in interior design. “She grew up experiencing, watching, and helping me with these things,” says Adrienne, “and she’s far better than I am.” @ A D R I E N N E CA R RE R E , @ H A L E YCA R RE R E . A.J.B.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: One of the family's three Golden Retrievers rests inside the Mediterraneaninspired home; a bouquet of daffodils; the mother-daughter duo; the charming kitchen features a farmhouse sink.

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SARA PRINCE.

WN - Carrere Flowers

WN - Carrere Flowers

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Fresh-cut blooms sit in the shade of California pepper trees; a tablescape in the signature style of Haley Carrere; Adrienne trims parrot tulips for an arrangement; the day's forage includes citrus from their home garden.

“I planted foliage that I knew I would forage and use in the floral design area of my life.”

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ENTERTAIN

Scenes from a

Fresh Start

M

ost of Lush Life author VALERIE RICE’s cocktail recipes are inspired by her travels combined with a twist from her Santa Barbara garden.

When it comes to entertaining at home, delicious drinks can be made with just a few ingredients, and the use of fresh, in-season botanicals and herbs is sure to elevate any cocktail hour. EATDRINKGARDEN.CO M . CHARLOTTE BRYANT

summer cocktail hour hosted

by Valerie Rice (bottom right), featuring Summer Sonics and individually plated crudités with fresh seasonal offerings from the garden.

WN - Valerie Rice

Summer Sonics “I hope the Brits don't mind my suggesting half tonic and half soda water for this cocktail.

It's so light and delicious and has less sugar,” explains Rice. “Rum, gin, vodka, and white port all work beautifully in a sonic, but my favorite is white port, which adds a wonderful richness and is an awesome less-alcoholic option for day drinking.”

4 ounces (½ cup) white port 2 ounces (¼ cup) chilled sparkling water 2 ounces (¼ cup) chilled tonic water 2 sprigs lemon verbena (garnish) 2 plum wedges and 2 orange wedges (garnish) Fill two glasses with ice. Add port, sparkling water, and tonic water, dividing equally.

Garnish with plum, orange wedges, and lemon verbena.

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VALERIE'S SIP TIPS

PORTO Unlike most red ports, white ports can last after opening. I like Sandeman Porto Apitiv Reserve.

SPARKLING WATER Agua de Piedra and Topo Chico have bigger bubbles, and bigger bubbles hold up when diluted with alcohol and mixers.

FUN ICE Visit a specialty grocery store like Bristol Farms for “fancy ice,” or make your own with molds.

PHOTOGRAPHS: SARA PRINCE.

Makes two cocktails

Belmond El Encanto

ENTERTAIN

WN Santa Barbara House The Gathering Place

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sunken gravel courtyard with olive trees makes for romantic

residing over an Eastside corner is a stately Queen Anne that’s becoming quite the party house. The 1903 home was originally one in a row of Victorian vacation dwellings dubbed the Santa Barbara Houses for families who came in search of sunshine. “That’s why we named it the SANTA BARBARA HOUSE,” says Jen Huang Bogan, who took on the extensive renovation after purchasing the home in 2017 with her husband, Elihu Root Bogan.

Embarking on the project with two young children was truly a labor of love. While they briefly considered turning the dwelling into their family home, the couple quickly realized it needed to continue its multipurposed history: During Covid they opened the house for school pods; now it

dinners and weddings; a chef’s kitchen by Devol is fit for caterers; four guest suites are furnished by RH.

hosts small parties and weddings. “It’s for the right type of bride. You have to have a love for old homes and backyard weddings,” says Jen, a wedding photographer and stylist. “It has a European, villalike feel with its own garden, and it’s downtown, so afterward you can really take the party anywhere.”

With four suites (each with its own private entrance), a caterer’s kitchen, and a front lawn for ceremonies and cocktails, the home is primed for 30-person events, offering an intimate, affordable alternative to nearby hotels. The couple also launched a series of ticketed gatherings, allowing locals to experience the sunken garden for themed dinner parties and workshops, while giving back proceeds to good causes.

“The garden is meant to be shared for alfresco gatherings,” Jen says, nodding to the roses, Italian cypress, and ancient olive trees. “Outdoor living is so Santa Barbara, and this house just epitomizes that.” S B .H O US E . J.B.K.

PHOTOGRAPHS: JEN HUANG BOGAN.

P

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Santa Barbara House; a

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ARTS

WN - Mark Appleton Library CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: While it is not open to the public, researchers can make special arrangements to get access to the library; the diminutive adobe façade; the collection of old and rare volumes include books on Spanish architecture; Marc Appleton peruses one of the 3,000 books on the shelves of his architecture firm’s library; the imposing safe is a relic from when the property was the headquarters for the Hollister Ranch.

Bookmarked

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SARA PRINCE.

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hen Appleton Partners relocated its architectural offices to the 900 block of Chapala Street a couple of years ago, it embraced a chapter of Santa Barbara history: The two adobe buildings there had been administrative headquarters for Hollister Ranch, and one still contained an impressive vintage safe. The smaller structure—just 14 feet wide—has now been transformed into a library for the 3,000 carefully curated architecture, design, and landscape books collected by firm founder Marc Appleton, including rare and out-of-print works and volumes on Spanish Colonial style.

“The books still need cataloguing,” says Appleton, “but eventually we want to turn it into a working library accessible to the public and the design community.” AP P L ETO N -A RCHITECTS .COM . J.T.

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DESIGN

WN - Branch House

Natural Preserve

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excavation pulled boulders from the ground, Graham had them milled and fitted together to form angular benches.

The entire branch house project represents a significant advance in residential design. By living and building with the oaks rather than against them, the house reveals a path forward for Montecito’s next century. TO L O A R CH I TE CTU RE .C O M; WA D E G RA H A M .CO M ; RH CC O N S TRU CTI O N I N C.C O M . CHARLES DONELAN

PHOTOGRAPHS: SARA PRINCE.

H

omeowners who build in Montecito are frequently frustrated with the county ordinance that protects old-grown oaks and complicates construction plans on many properties throughout our beautiful canyons. When it came to replacing a modest ranch house that was edged by an oak grove on San Ysidro Creek, however, the owners embraced the legal limitations and trusted their project to an innovative plan for the one-acre site, tapping architect Peter Tolkin of TOLO, landscape designer Wade Graham, and Rich Coffin of RHC Construction for the bold project.

The team traced the outlines of the existing oaks as large circles and devised a pinwheel-shaped “BRANCH HOUSE” that would fit into the forest like another large tree. They cantilevered the branchlike sections of the house off the ground, allowing for water and even debris to flow underneath. Then Tolkin came up with an exterior that would interact with the garden over time—a sheath of custom copper shingles that develops a rich patina and blends with the colors of the oaks.

In designing the landscape, Graham counterbalanced the curvilinear organic volumes of the house with an imaginative site plan that introduced straight lines and hard angles. As

An unconventional site plan allowed the house to nestle within the oak grove without crossing the drip lines of the protected trees. OPPOSITE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Native plants line the sections of the "branch house" that extend among the oaks; boulders excavated from the site reappear in the landscaping.

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CREDIT

“The original ranch house sat at the edge of the lot; the ‘branch house’ would arise in the heart of the property, with the grove of protected oaks surrounding it.”

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DESIGN

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A modern guesthouse by Rita

Sustainable Santa Ynez Living

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Chan Interiors overlooks a vineyard with nearby landscaping by Rob Maday; in the kitchen nook, a reclaimed wood table by Dos Gallos is married with a modern light fixture by Apparatus; textured paneling keeps the walls sheetrock free; unglazed Zellige tiles by Clé grace the kitchen for a natural backsplash.

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hen hired to reimagine the future Rolling Vines Ranch in Santa Ynez, all Rita Donahoe of RITA CHAN INTERIORS had to do for inspiration was look out the window. Rob Maday of Bosky Landscape Architecture had already planted a vineyard along with mature olive trees, a fruit orchard, and a spray of wildflowers. Donahoe, who is usually known for her coastal look, found the countryside equally alluring.

“My tendency is to be more minimal and clean,”

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she says. “I want big windows to see the trees or whatever is outside, whether it’s country or snow or the ocean.” Working with architect Dylan Henderson of SALT Architecture, she let in as much light as possible, enlarging a window in the breakfast nook and installing bifold doors in the dining room to welcome the views of vineyards and rolling hills. For furnishings, she took cues from the greens and woodsy browns of the venerable oak trees, while using the most natural materials available.

“Ninety-five percent of everything was made to order in Southern California, which is one of the best things we can do for a low-carbon footprint,” says Donahoe, who is also the founder of Good Ancestor, an initiative to shop sustainably. For the ranch she sourced natural linens with strong weaves for longevity; most items are vintage, small batch, or made by a local craftsman. She repurposed wherever possible, including using salvaged wood from the garage (which had previously housed wagons and carriages) for modern drawers. The result is a modern, rustic home that fits perfectly in its wine-country setting. “I never want to compete with nature,” Donahoe says. “Here I let it be the star of the show.” R I TA C H A N I N TE R I O R S .CO M . J.B.K.

ST U TR N A C U YO E C N IE R PE EX H IT W T IL U B S N O TI LU

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617.719.5544 Montecito, CA 93108 GENERAL CONTRACTOR & TILE SPECIALISTS License #1071635 - Fully Insured

TOP TO BOTTOM: Shunem Bread

DESIGN

House, an Ulrick Design structure in Santa Ynez; the cantilevered upper level’s beehive form; a Jerusalem stonelined hall leads to the commercial kitchen, draped with handcrafted design details.

Hive of Activity

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The building’s cantilevered upper level has a beehive form inspired by the healing properties of honey and its importance in the Bible, while the lower level houses a metaphorical hive of activity. Upstairs are two bedrooms with organic Coyuchi bed linens and one full bath with a redwood slab counter and a Stone Forest sink with Brizo brass fixtures. The living space features a wet bar and opens to a covered patio and a sundeck with 360-degree views of mountains and vineyards.

The first floor’s dining area, library, and lounge include an antique drafting desk transformed into a Torah ark by local carpenter Matt Rogers and a table and chairs by Central Coast woodworker Ben Riddering. In the lower-level commercial kitchen—where Leyla bakes Good Seed’s heritage-grain sourdough breads—is a chandelier handcrafted by Brad from an antique threshing sledge and incorporating pendants from Alison Berger Glassworks.

In the future, Shunem Bread House plans a picnic-lunch program and pop-up culinary events. $650/night. Available through A I R BN B.C O M . ANNA FERGUSON-SPARKS

PHOTOGRAPHS: LINDSEY DREWES PHOTOGRAPHY.

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ust minutes from downtown Santa Ynez, the SHUNEM BREAD HOUSE provides an architectural contrast to the surrounding countryside. Owners and builders Leyla and Brad Williams, proprietors of Solvang’s Good Seed Coffee Boutique, worked with Ulrick Design on the unusual structure. It’s tied to the Williams’s nonprofit, Sky Roots, through which Leyla conducts workshops on homestead arts and Hebraic culture. Named for the biblical woman who sheltered the prophet Elisha, Shunem Bread House is a retreat for visitors and a space to meet, educate, and entertain.

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TRIBUTE

WN - Aris Demetrius

Larger Than Life

A

RISTIDES “ARIS” BURTON DEMETRIOS is perhaps best known for the contemporary public sculptures he created in Northern California, but his work plays an equally prominent role in homes and institutions in Santa Barbara and Montecito.

Since moving here with his wife, Ilene H. Nagel, in 1998, Demetrios fulfilled more than 100 private commissions for many of the most elegant estates in the region. In a bold abstract style and with a penchant for revealing emotion through form and gesture, Demetrios gave his clients playful, humanistic works. Whether it was putting a Fiddler on the Roof for Kirk and Anne Douglas, designing a whimsical sculpture for UCSB’s Sir Anthony Cheetham, or highlighting the family feeling of friends such as Bob and Chris Emmons through a composition of ten acrobats, Demetrios used sculpture as a universal language of optimism and love.

Born in 1932 in Lincoln, Massachusetts, Demetrios came to California by way of Harvard College and the U.S. Navy and enrolled in the architecture school at UC Berkeley, where he began to make large-scale pieces. Santa Barbara residents can enjoy Demetrios’s work on the West Campus lawn of Santa Barbara City College, where his fountain, Mentors, celebrates faculty and students, and at the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center,

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The late, great sculptor Aris Demetrios; the Coming Together fountain; Joie de Vivre, owned by Chris and Bob Emmons; Joyous Resonances, commissioned by Bob and Alex Nourse.

where Dance of Life embodies a positive message of peace and vitality.

Demetrios, who passed away in December 2021, is sorely missed by his many friends here and around the world.

Fortunately, his work lives on in thousands of homes and public spaces, as an indicator of lives well lived and the power of an artist to bring joy to the world. C.D.

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Perfect

A blissed-out young family finds domestic nirvana in the form of a reimagined 1950s ranch house infused with soulful style

Feature - De Lowe

Vision

WRITTEN BY CHRISTINE LENNON PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHAD MELLON

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Family portrait photographed

by Sam Frost. Jessie and Brian De Lowe, and their daughters, Amelie and Lucia, in the great room of their Montecito ranch house, which they renovated with the help of interior designer Tamara Kaye-Honey of House of Honey. An Arteriors Ashburn pendant from Lightology hangs above a vintage travertine coffee table from 1stDibs and a Lulu and Georgia Mackenzie sectional sofa. The hanging wall art is by Niknik Studio, and the painting is vintage.

T

Feature - De Lowe

he sound of Jessie De Lowe’s voice comes through the speaker of your phone as soothing as an ocean breeze.

In an installment of Manifestation Monday, which she records for her many Instagram followers, she looks directly into the camera, wearing a pale green dress with her long blonde hair in braids, and shares her wisdom. Jessie, who is a “manifestation advisor” with a background in art therapy, talks about reframing and redirecting your attitude to make room for a more abundant life. She calls it “creative destruction,” and to illustrate her point, she describes the four-bedroom Montecito ranch house—with ocean and canyon views—that she and her husband, Proper Hotel and The Kor Group Co-Founder Brian De Lowe, recently renovated along with Tamara Kaye-Honey of House of Honey interiors.

“It can be messy. It can feel worse in the beginning,” Jessie says. “In breaking down the walls and opening up the ceiling, you’re taking a leap of faith that you’ll make the space to create your vision. You don’t know what you’ll find there. It can be chaotic. But you have to trust that what you’re building is better than

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The great room leads to the bar, where Portola Paint’s Costes—a muted terra-cotta color—sets the tone for a vintage love seat.

OPPOSITE, TOP TO BOTTOM: A Jenni Kayne dining table and chairs are complemented by a Z2 Blond Paper Cover pendant from Global Lighting and the Colina credenza

by Kelly Wearstler; “They wanted a home that had rustic sophistication and communal vibes that wasn’t overly designed and loud,” says Kaye-Honey.

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In the primar y bedroom, a playful mix of muted hues and rich textures takes form in an Anthropologie bed frame, Lulu and Georgia swivel chairs, Armadillo’s Malawi rug, a vintage mirror from the Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas, linen sheets

by Cultiver, and One Wednesday Shop throw.

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A fixture by Hudson Valley Lighting is mounted above a custom Kokora Home oval walnut dining nook table, a Brothers of Industry bench, and Rejuvenation chairs.

OPPOSITE: Surrounded

by Brothers of Industry cabinets, Riad Zellige tiles, Sun Valley Bronze and Emtek hardware, the Ilve Majestic II range and hood are the focal point of the kitchen, where Jessie is whipping something up in her Our Place Always pan.

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Concrete Nation’s Valencia free-standing tub and Arc basins—all in the color nude—set the tone in the primary bathroom.

Hardware is by Kohler, tiling is by Concrete Collaborative, and mirrors are by Rejuvenation

what you’re leaving behind.” Sometimes you’ve got to take a risk, she adds, and take life down to the studs in order to make your dreams come true. And you should expect some chaos before peace arrives.

Listening to Jessie and Brian, who are devoted young parents of two girls under 5, share the details of their seamless move from Santa Monica to Montecito is enough to make manifestation naysayers think twice. They believe that they willed their house—which Kaye-Honey describes as “Mallorca meets Montecito, charming, chic, welcoming, and open-minded”—into existence.

“We were pregnant with our second daughter in early 2020, and we knew we didn’t want to raise our family in Los Angeles,” says Jessie. “We were looking for an easier pace of life, a more community-driven place. Honestly, we were open to anywhere in the world.”

While they were pondering these big life decisions, the world around them ground to a halt. The De Lowes were making regular escapes to Montecito for day trips, beach walks, and picnics to manage the anxiety of living in pandemic lockdown, absorbing as much nature as possible before their return home. “At the end of every day, we never wanted to leave,” says Brian. “It was clear that our dream was closer to home than we thought.”

As it happened, they began their house hunt in a rare stagnant market. “We’d drive up and reach out to brokers about some houses listed online,” says Brian. “It was very clear that we were the only people looking for a house at the time. It was our dream place, the most perfect spot to raise our family, and it didn’t seem like we had any competition.”

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The family relaxes on the deck's Neighbor patio furniture, beneath a Santa Barbara Designs umbrella.

OPPOSITE: Brian stands behind the marble-top bar while Jessie sits on a Saffron + Poe braided stool.

A Hudson Valley Lighting pendant hangs above.

They believe that they willed their house— Featuredescribes - De Lowe which Kaye-Honey as “Mallorca meets Montecito, charming, chic, welcoming, and open-minded”—into existence.

They moved into a rental, had a baby, settled in, and then the real estate market heated up.

The De Lowes, first-time home buyers, knew they should make a move. After touring every house in the community within their budget, one property, a typical 1950s ranch, kept calling them back. And while the house itself was imperfect, the land was “magical, with a huge avocado tree that just keeps on giving,” says Jessie. “It’s kind of wild, very tropical and filled with mature fruit trees. There were chickens roaming around. It was exactly our vibe.”

“The house did not blow us away,” Brian adds. “But we thought, ‘If we did this, and this, and this, and this, and this, it could be our dream house.’”

The De Lowes had a vision they knew they could bring to life, but they needed guidance.

They’d long been admirers of Tamara KayeHoney’s work and approached the Pasadenaand Montecito-based designer. “We met Tamara

for an Aperol spritz at the Miramar Club,” Brian says. “She has such an amazing vision, but she understood that we had ideas and she didn’t steer us away.”

Kaye-Honey describes the De Lowes as trusting and an “amazing, positive force.”

Brian and Jessie were “open to collaborating and game to be pushed outside of their comfort zone. As a firm, we work holistically to create soulful spaces layered with color, pattern, and texture in ways that feel fresh and unexpected, all while remaining invitingly livable and timeless,” she adds. “We take it seriously—but always with a wink and a smile.” The De Lowes were ideal clients for the HOH aesthetic, which is sophisticated but playful, chic but still comfortable.

Brian acted as the project’s general contractor with a local builder, drawing on his experience developing properties for The Kor Group, building Proper Continued on p.144 s p r i n g 2 0 2 2 97

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Built in 1921 and designed by architect Arthur B. Benton, the newly renovated home of Xorin Balbes and Truman Davies was formerly inhabited by Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree.

Spirit

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House Xorin Balbes embraces the

philanthropic legacy of his new home

WRITTEN BY L.D. PORTER PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL CLIFFORD

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E

ven in the midst of the current real estate frenzy, as properties seemingly change hands daily, certain grand Montecito homes will forever bear the imprint of their former owners. That reality is not lost on Xorin Balbes, whose newly renovated home is the former residence of beloved local philanthropist Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree. In fact, Balbes fondly recalls attending holiday parties where the glamorous nonagenarian—formally dressed, bejeweled, and in high heels—would stand at the home’s entrance for hours, personally greeting each of her guests, chosen from a wide swath of the community. (When asked about her famous soirées, Ridley-Tree says, “One person said to me, you know, it's quite shocking and surprising when I come to your house. I don't know if I'm going to meet the newspaper boy or the Queen.”)

The house itself was built in 1921, and the architect, Arthur B. Benton, was responsible for creating Montecito’s All Saints by the Sea church and also took part in designing the historic Mission Inn in Riverside. The home’s classical Mediterranean lines reflect the era’s enthusiastic adoption of European design

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The stately home has classical Mediterranean lines that reflect the era’s love of European design details.

OPPOSITE, TOP TO BOTTOM: The lounge is papered in a silvery abalone wallpaper and features a 1952 Suguso glass table (a commission for Venice’s Hotel Riviera); Balbes and Davies relax in the consevatory with their doodle dogs, Kenzo. s p r iYoshi n g 2and 02 2 101

Balbes did not alter the footprint of the house but did raise and vault the ceiling of the second floor loggia to mirror a trio of arches on the outside of the building. The painting is by Robert Setrakian, and the chandeliers are by Lightolier. OPPOSITE, TOP TO BOTTOM: The expansive living room mixes vintage furniture and colorful art, with pieces including a Paul Frankl coffee table, Henry Glass chairs, a console by Kaizo Oto (one of a pair), and an abstract painting by Edna Ortof; a sinuous midcentury chandelier

by Oscar Torlasco illuminates the bathroom's serene Duravit tub.

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details, including the use of arches and symmetry. Ridley-Tree’s husband, Paul, “fell in love with the house” and purchased it in the 1980s. In 2020, after having lived there for 35 years, Ridley-Tree gifted the residence to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, a longtime recipient of her largesse. Balbes, who admired the house for years, happily acquired it from the museum.

Known for renovating and restoring significant properties with his firm, Xorin Homes, Balbes is a seasoned real estate developer and designer. For the past four years, he’s focused his energy and talent on renovating exclusive Montecito properties.

Which explains why his modifications to the former Ridley-Tree residence, achieved with his design partner, A.J. Bernard, took a mere 15 months. Balbes calls it his “forever” house, a sign he’s ready to settle down. Another sign is his recent marriage to floral curator Truman Davies, which recently took place in Tulum, Mexico—not to mention the addition of two adorable doodle dogs, Yoshi and Kenzo.

Respecting the original design, Balbes did not alter the footprint of the house and limited major changes to interiors. The dark wood paneling was repainted white throughout, with the exception of the spectacular dining room,

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The glass-enclosed conservatory, with its black and white checkerboard tile floor, has a distinctive circular wood-and-chrome bar with matching leather stools that Balbes discovered in Paris.

104 spring2022

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“I like bringing different things together, but it’s not easy,” Balbes says. “There’s a comfort to the soul in timelessness.” whose walls are a rich gray-blue hue. The kitchen was expanded into a sleek minimalist Bulthaup masterpiece. Upstairs, the loggia’s ceiling was raised and vaulted, mirroring the trio of arches on the building’s exterior. The basement was transformed into a spacious yoga studio, with views to the garden.

Over the years, Balbes has developed his own approach to interior design, which involves layering distinctive objects and furniture from different eras. “I like bringing different things together, but it’s not easy,” he says. “I always thought, what if you walked into a space that’s timeless, where you can’t identify the time period it was done. There’s a comfort to the soul in timelessness.” To achieve that balance, he sourced the majority of the home’s contents, including art, from online auction houses around the world.

The glass-enclosed conservatory with its checkerboard tile floor—one of Balbes’s favorite rooms—has a circular wood-and-chrome bar with matching leather-topped stools he discovered in Paris, a Murano glass chandelier, and a 1960s bronze metal chess set by Pierre Cardin. The expansive living room is anchored by two bateau sofas covered in furry Pierre Frey fabric. Two antique leather and metal Savonarola chairs flank the fireplace, and a midcentury brutalist wall sculpture by Marc Weinstein hovers over the mantlepiece. Two postmodern consoles by Kaizo Oto are topped with Edna Ortof’s bright abstract paintings.

With its walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s striking Inchyra Blue, the dining room is the most dramatic space in the house. A vintage

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The dining room is the most dramatic space in the house. A vintage starburst Stilnovo chandelier illuminates the circular table, which is set with a silver and gold plate sculpture by Richard Mafong, and surrounded by midcentury Milo Baughman chairs.

OPPOSITE, TOP TO BOTTOM: The main bedroom's Charles Hollis Jones Lucite four-poster bed faces an expansive fireplace; a view of the outdoor loggia facing the formal garden.

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A colorful abstract piece takes pride of place in the breakfast room. OPPOSITE: In the living room, a large work by a Shanghai artist hovers over a vintage leather chair fronted by a Paul Evans coffee table.

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Feature - Balbes starburst Stilnovo chandelier illuminates the circular table, which is set with a sculpture by Richard Mafong and surrounded by midcentury Milo Baughman chairs upholstered in antique Moroccan rug material. Down the hall, the lounge is papered in a silvery abalone, and a 1952 Seguso glass table (originally commissioned for the Hotel Riviera on Venice’s Lido island) sits below the picture window framing a view of the outdoor fountain.

The main bedroom is the epitome of sumptuousness; a majestic Charles Hollis Jones Lucite four-poster bed faces an expansive fireplace, which is flanked by a midcentury Milo Baughman chaise and Poltrona Frau leather sofa and fronted by a 1960s Philip & Kelvin LaVerne bronze coffee table. A sinuous midcentury chandelier by Oscar Torlasco illuminates the main bathroom, whose floor boasts a herringbone pattern of Ann Sacks marble tiles. The serene Duravit tub contrasts with the eye-popping vaulted shower clad in striated marble slabs.

Moving outdoors, Balbes reconfigured the garden, taking advantage of the surrounding landscape to construct several outdoor rooms.

A new rectangular swimming pool was constructed below the kitchen terrace, and the former pool was converted into a koi pond. A rose garden encircles a gurgling lion’s-head fountain, set not far from a female bronze holding a glass sphere, called The Source.

Designed by Frederick Hart, famous for his sculptures at the Washington National Cathedral, it has long been part of the garden.

“It is a very special one,” says Ridley-Tree, who left it behind as a gift to Balbes. “It would seem wrong to move her from that house,” she adds.

It seems everything has come full circle.

Shortly after the renovation was complete, Balbes and Davies hosted the Red Feather Ball in their garden to support the United Way, a nonprofit that honored Ridley-Tree with its outstanding philanthropy award years earlier.

Balbes clearly senses the philanthropic heritage his new home represents. “I need to do what I can for the community to continue the legacy of this space,” he says. As RidleyTree—who deserves the last word—proclaims, “I’m very fond of Xorin because I think he’s a special spirit and very talented. And I hope that he has a long, happy life there.” ●

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Balbes clearly senses the philanthropic heritage his new home represents. “I need to do what IFeature can for the- community Balbes to continue the legacy of this space.”

Balbes reconfigured the garden, taking advantage of the landscape to construct several outdoor rooms, and a rectangular swimming pool was constructed below the kitchen terrace.

Comforts

Jeffrey Alan Marks at home, with

grounds by Montecito Landscape.

The designer selected lighting

from his personal collections (for Palecek and Progress Lighting), along with Palecek's Dockside

chairs, William Laman hurricane candles, a Santa Barbara

Designs umbrella, and a Vincent Van Duysen Franks table from

Creature

Sutherland Furniture.

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Jeffrey Alan Marks

adds a California vibe to an English cottage WRITTEN BY CATHY WHITLOCK PHOTOGRAPHS BY SAM FROST

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Feature - for Marks “I really built the house our daughter, James—where it’s colorful and family oriented.”

T

here is no better way to observe a designer’s aesthetic than with a peek into their own interiors, since these invariably showcase their talents and offer insights into their personal style.

While William Shakespeare famously said, “The eyes are the window to your soul,” a home’s décor runs a close second.

Interior designer Jeffrey Alan Marks’s latest home represents his California lifestyle with husband, Greg, 2-year-old daughter James, and a lab named Coalie. Leaving his cliffside Santa Monica residence of 15 years, Marks was drawn to Montecito for its proximity to the Santa Barbara airport, the inimitable Southern California sunlight, and the combination of an English cottage with a mountain view.

The La Jolla native had one primary goal in mind for the home, which was originally built as a summer cottage in 1928: making it a “modern house for today’s living.” That began by taking the structure practically down to

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the studs and adding extra square footage to accommodate the view of majestic pines while keeping the house’s integrity with its windows and shutters. Marks’s roots and life journeys set the style for the three-bedroom cottage and guest house. “I lived in La Jolla and on the East Coast, and my training was in London, where I went to school. I wanted an English cottage with a modern twist,” he says. “I knew exactly what I wanted and did a lot of shopping for the house in England.”

The result is pure Marks—tailored yet informal, sophisticated yet cozy with natural materials, contrasting woods, harmonious colors, and a laidback vibe. Often known for his breezy beach-color palettes, Marks added forest green as an accent to the kitchen he designed with the British firm Plain English. A painting of the Provincetown pier that Greg— an art director, producer, and graphic designer formerly with Saks Fifth Avenue—gave him as a wedding gift suggested the colors in the living room. “I tried to get away Continued on p.144

The designer collaborated with the British firm Plain English on the kitchen, where the company’s Dripping Tap cabinetry color— an oxidized green—ties in the landscape.

The countertops are from Stonecraft Surfaces in Ventura, and the light fixtures are from The Urban Electric Company in Charleston, South Carolina. OPPOSITE: Marks in the kitchen with husband, Greg, and daughter, James Aspen.

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Portola’s Twin Peaks paint provides a backdrop to the sophisticated mudroom.

OPPOSITE: The breakfast nook table was custom made by Richard Wrightman in New York.

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A special spot for the family lab, Coalie. OPPOSITE: Clad in Stella McCartney Kids, daughter James reads a book on a Sandra Jordan blue alpaca settee in the living room. The room’s lighting is from Marks’s Urban Electric collection.

The coffee table was sourced from Lief in Los Angeles and the shell box from Lee Stanton Antiques.

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The sectional from Howe London (covered with Rose Tarlow fabric) and a unique grouping of art are just a few of the distinctive features in this relaxed family room. Marks mixed in fabrics from his own collection at Kravet.

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A blue-and-white palette creates a cozy reading nook while Faso linen (color Baleen) from Rose Tarlow sets the backdrop for the master. The daybed fabrics are from the Jeffrey Alan Marks Oceanview collection for Kravet. A bedside collage includes a painting from Lucca Antiques, a Montecito oceanscape from Lief, and a Marks-designed custom bedside table. OPPOSITE: Greg sits with James in her bedroom, where classic Callista fabric by Colefax and Fowler adorns the walls. The Blue Bird pattern fabric for the curtain is from Los Angeles’s Otis Textiles.

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In LOTUSLAND Ganna Walska created a world-renowned horticultural treasure

A Monument to Madame Feature - Lotusland

Weeping Euphorbia and massed low-lying cactus offer

TEXT AND IMAGES EXCERPTED FROM LOTUSLAND: ECCENTRIC GARDEN PARADISE (RIZZOLI NEW YORK) WITH PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA ROMEREIN

an unconventionally prickly welcome at the entrance to Ganna Walska’s house.

H

ow do you describe Lotusland?

Exquisite garden, conservation center, the botanical expression of an exuberant and idiosyncratic personality…it is all that and more. For almost thirty years visitors have had the privilege of exploring this natural sanctuary, wandering the paths that showcase the incredible variety of the collection, from the majestic palms and ancient dragon trees to the prickly array of cacti and the shadowy elegance of the Japanese Garden. Lotusland changes with the seasons and has evolved gradually with the decades, but the allure of this incredible estate never lessens.

It remains a tribute to the extraordinary woman who brought the place to life. JOAN TAPPER

Ganna Walska Lotusland, a thirty-sevenacre oasis located in Montecito, California, is considered to be among the most significant botanic gardens in the world. Home to more than 3,400 types of plants, including at least 35,000 specimens, it is recognized not just for the breadth and diversity of its collections, but for the extraordinary design sensibility informing the many one-of-a-kind individual gardens that comprise its cohesive, harmonious, magical whole.

As delightfully pleasing as its aesthetic and sensory qualities are, Lotusland is also an important center for plant research and conservation.

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TOP TO BOTTOM: Argentinian cactus thrive in the Dunlap Cactus Garden, added to Lotusland in 2003; Madame kept scrapbooks for gardening information and inspiration;

Lotusland showcases the brilliance and individuality of the estate. OPPOSITE: Ganna Walska surveys her domain in 1957.

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Lotusland opened its gates to the public in 1993, nine years after the death of the estate’s owner Ganna Walska, referred to by all as “Madame.” She was an adventurous, inquisitive, and charismatic spiritual seeker who lived a life of legend. Born Hanna Puacz in Brest-Litvosk, Poland, in 1887, she eloped with a Russian baron in 1907 at age twenty. After changing her name in 1914, Madame Walska, as she was now known, moved to New York and in the ensuing years shuttled between New York and Paris, performing as an opera singer and marrying five more times after the baron’s death.

Already a student of yoga, astrology, meditation, telepathy, numerology, Christian Science, and Rosicrucianism, around 1933 Madame Walska embarked on her search for the “great purpose” of her life, studying hypnotism and Indian philosophies. Her studies led her to meet Theos Bernard, a similarly charismatic individual and yogi

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Beyond a pair of Agave franzosini, the Great Lawn opens to a backdrop of the sunlit Santa Ynez Mountains.

Janice Blair’s illustrated map points out the highlights of the 37-acre estate, which encompasses everything from South American cacti (opposite, top) to the property’s eponymous lotus flowers in the water garden (opposite, below).

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Madame Walska’s maximalist ethos is part of Feature - Lotusland what makes Lotusland so unique.

who was one of the earliest, and most famous, proponents of Hatha yoga in the West.

Bernard became Walska’s final husband in 1942. The previous year, Walska purchased the property then known as Cuesta Linda, which they intended to serve as a retreat for Tibetan lamas: together, they renamed it Tibetland. Alas, World War II scuttled their plans to bring the lamas to America, and in 1946 Walska and Bernard divorced. Madame promptly renamed the estate Lotusland after the sacred aquatic plant that flourished there.

Immediately after acquiring the land in 1941, Madame Walska hired the renowned landscape architect Lockwood de Forest, Jr. to renovate the orchards and create a number of individual garden spaces on the property. Following de Forest’s deployment to World War II in 1943, Ralph Stevens, son of the property’s garden original owners and then the Santa Barbara Parks Superintendent came on board, and over the next decade he, alongside Madame Walska, developed many of Lotusland’s iconic landscape features.

collectable plants on the planet. She sought out, consulted, and engaged the best experts in their fields to help shape and realize her vision for Lotusland, but it was always her distinctive vision. Her maximalist ethos, typified by signature gestures such as the profuse grouping of single specimens, the assemblage of massive varieties of plant families, and the deployment of extravagant, dramatic gestures, is part of what makes Lotusland so unique among botanic gardens throughout the world. Eye-catching and unorthodox garden adornments, such as large chunks of colored glass, gems and minerals, and giant clam shells, appear in the landscape and contribute to the estate’s visual excitement.

And yet, unlike a traditional museum with static installations, Lotusland’s living collections are ever changing and ever evolving. Plants mature, plants die. Room has to be made for exciting and scientifically more important new additions. Since the late 1990s, the garden’s living collections have grown significantly, and several gardens have been restored and reimagined to support their function in this now public garden. Today, the goal of its stewards is to preserve and enhance the historic estate and gardens of Madame Ganna Walska, and to develop conservation and sustainable horticulture programs that educate and inspire, while advancing global understanding and appreciation of plants and environmental responsibility. ●

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*** Over the course of forty-plus years, the oncenative land that had been home to a commercial nursery for its initial use was transformed into a garden paradise full of staggering natural wonders. Madame Walska led by instinct and with a passion for the best (and most!)

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Whimsy is the watchword in the topiary garden, with its array of sculpted animals and chess pieces.

OPPOSITE: Sheltered by mountains and close to the Pacific, Lotusland enjoys a salubrious climate for its varied plantings.

Unlike a traditional museum, Lotusland’s living collections are ever changing and ever evolving.

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John De Bastiani designed outdoor living rooms throughout the Montecito property's sprawling gardens using hanging lanterns and stone tables from The Well. OPPOSITE: In the guest room, Farrow & Ball Inchyra Blue walls set the tone for a vintage wooden dresser and bench.

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Escape Interior designer John

De Bastiani

refreshes a Montecito residence for a creative couple’s weekend retreat

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Artists

WRITTEN BY JENNIFER BLAISE KRAMER PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOE SCHMELZER

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A greenhouse wired with vintage sconces makes for stunning dinners outside. OPPOSITE: De Bastiani kept a “delicate balance” of contemporary and antique in the living room, where an old pharmacy chest is paired

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with a clean-lined coffee table from William Laman.

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“We wanted that modern farmhouse feel without the cliché.”

W

hen an L.A. couple—one of them an artist—looked for a weekend respite, they found it in a singlelevel 1957 ranch home in Sycamore Canyon. It had been previously owned by a noted landscape designer who curated the grounds into a classic Santa Barbara oasis. In an effort to spruce up the interiors, the new owners enlisted designer John De Bastiani (who had helped the empty nesters with their primary residence), kicking things off with the one thing a painter wants most—color.

“They love rich colors,” says De Bastiani of the owners. He focused on combinations of blues, greens, and clays, explaining, “We wanted to warm up the house for a cozy, wonderful retreat.” Jewel tones of green and blue were woven throughout, bringing in earthy shades from the garden but in more saturated hues. Out front he painted the

shutters and trim an olive green to contrast with the white board-and-batten siding. Inside, the primary bedroom is decorated in watery blue, and the designer added strapping on the walls and closet doors to lend texture against the existing ceilings. Using the same shade on all surfaces created a cocoonlike coziness, heightened by homeowners’ choice of replicating their main home’s familiar four-poster bed and pairing it with a fluffy Moroccan rug.

A leafy green color now graces the kitchen, where De Bastiani built a secondary wall of cabinetry, complete with brass library lighting.

“We wanted that modern farmhouse feel without the cliché. Here the green pivots and elevates,” he says, adding, “we wanted that pop and must have tried 20 different shades—this was a little bright but not too faddy. It’s classic.”

The green also nods to the lush gardens visible from the kitchen’s convenient serving window, which makes passing cocktails from inside a breeze. Friends can grab a drink and

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Given that the previous homeowner was a professional landscaper, beautiful garden spaces abound, including this peaceful fountain out front, where vintage iron benches beckon one to rest.

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“The house had beautiful bones in place, so it was a delicate balance to add contemporary things.” wander over to the firepit or outdoor lounge, which is furnished with low-slung wooden sofas from The Well. Pebble gravel underfoot is accented by low-water plants and tall oak trees, from which De Bastiani hung vintage metal lanterns to create a nighttime glow.

“It was all very romantic already but a little overgrown,” he says. “The owners wanted cleaner lines, so we simplified in a wonderful Montecito way.”

In streamlining the layout inside and out, the designer arranged special places to entertain. For parties, the couple either hosts intimate dinners in the garden’s new greenhouse room—also furnished from The Well and wired with vintage globe pendants—or holds them in the dining room, where a custom table is positioned close to

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Both the primary and guest bedroom walls got a boost of texture thanks to the added strapping on the walls and closet doors. Painting every surface including the ceiling in Farrow & Ball De Nimes cocoons the couple in a relaxing hue, made even more comforting by the RH bedframe—exactly what they have in their Los Angeles home base. OPPOSITE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Interior designer John De Bastiani; a custom dining table is paired with Serena & Lily chairs and an Urban Electric Company light fixture.

The contemporary art is by the homeowner.

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Feature - De Bastiani TOP TO BOTTOM: Breaking away from the traditional white kitchen, De Bastiani had the cabinetry painted in Farrow & Ball Bancha and accented with brass library lights; to complement the character of the classic entry, the designer added a vintage table and Bunny Williams rug but kept the original front door. OPPOSITE: One of the many outdoor entertaining areas, the lounge is surrounded by old oak trees enhanced by glowing lanterns and low-slung furniture from The Well.

bifold doors, “which are always open so you feel like you’re in the backyard.”

Natural light spills in from outside through the original front door, adding to the California ranch-style character. “The house had beautiful bones in place, from the floors to the steel casement windows throughout, which people request today, so it was a delicate balance to add contemporary things,” De Bastiani says. In the living room, for example, he chose muted tones from the same palette of greens, blues, and rusts to create an elegant backdrop for the antique pieces that mingle with contemporary furnishings and art—mostly the homeowner’s, of course.

“It’s an artist’s cottage,” De Bastiani says.

“And we made it into a jewel box.” ●

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PERFECT VISION

Continued from p.97

Hotels, and working closely with uber designer Kelly Wearstler on those. “[With Kelly,] we really want [the hotels] to feel residential and comfortable, and then to have these special wow moments,” Brian says. “Jessie and I approached this home in the same way. This is a family home first and foremost, and it feels really comfortable, definitely not too modern or fancy.”

A few important focal pieces deliver the “wows” Brian mentions: the blue-gray Ilve stove in the kitchen, custom-designed Architectural Iron Works doors that create a flow between the main living room and the outdoor lounging and entertaining spaces, a Concrete Nation tub in the spa-like primary bathroom, and unique marble slabs. New pieces, like the Jenni Kayne dining table and a custom dresser in the primary bedroom, are balanced by one-of-a-kind antiques and rugs that the couple picked up at the Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas.

And while the De Lowes admit that taking on a full-scale renovation project with tiny children at home and two busy careers isn’t exactly a cinch, knowing that they were fulfilling their dreams helped. “It can be stressful,” says Jessie during her Instagram installment, “but what calms you down and translates anxiety to excitement is visualizing what the dream will feel like and look like. Mentally rehearsing walking through the house helped me get clear about the decisions we were making. Staying in your comfort zone, although it might feel good in the moment, keeps you stuck.”

And now that the vision is a reality, they don’t take their fortune for granted. “Every day, at least once a day, Brian and I say how grateful we are to live here,” she says. ●

and an adjacent nook that’s a favorite reading spot for father-daughter time. The blue-andwhite toile in the daughter’s playroom is a nostalgic nod to Marks’s days as a college intern at the venerable London firm of Colefax and Fowler. He hoped “to bring a little bit of that era into my design and really built the house for her, where it’s colorful and family oriented with little pops of color. I am lucky that I got a baby I could decorate for!”

No cottage would be complete without a proper English garden. While the designer worked with Montecito Landscape, he put his personal stamp on the design. “I wanted it to feel like a house in East Hampton”—where the couple also resides part-time—“with the expanse of a lawn, a fire pit and room to run, and a garden that was not too fussy and English.” The space also provides a place for James to display her talents as a budding gardener. “She likes to garden with me,” he says, “and it’s nice to teach her all about vegetables, planting trees and bulbs, and that has made her a little more grounded.”

Introduced to national audiences as one of the stars on Bravo’s highly addictive Million Dollar Decorators, today Marks is one of the nation’s most influential designers with projects that range from London and Nantucket to Los Angeles and Newport Beach. The work has landed him on Elle Decor’s A-List and the pages of The Hollywood Reporter and Architectural Digest, to name a few. He continues to make his mark with lines from The Shade Store and a Point Dume collection with Progress Lighting, and in 2013 the multifaceted designer also added author to his resume with the publication of The Meaning of Home (Rizzoli New York).

The new residence is one of his proudest achievements. “For me it was all about the mix and making it eclectic.” which he accomplished, for example, by pairing a woven rope table with a room of antiques. “During the first seven years with a child, you want to hunker down for a while,” he says. “I wanted the house to feel grounded and substantial—like we have been here for a long time.” ●

Runover

CREATURE COMFORTS Continued from p.114

from a lot of blue as I didn’t want it to feel like a beach house even though we are close by,” the designer says. Red is used as a “punctuation point,” he explains. “Something I have never dealt with were punches of red, which you see in the chandelier and painting.”

Marks sourced items for the house’s furnishings from his own collections, noting, “I used a lot of my own Waterside and Oceanview collections from Kravet, as well as some of my old faves from Palecek and A. Rudin.” Blue plays a predominant role in the master bedroom 144 s p r i n g 2 0 2 2

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WE LIVE IN PARADISE

Stairway to Heaven When New York businessman James Waldron Gillespie wanted to build an estate on 40 gorgeous acres in Montecito, he took his friend, renowned architect Bertram Goodhue on a seven-month tour to southern Europe, Persia, and Mughal India for inspiration. The result, finished in 1906, was El Fureidis—“little paradise” in Arabic—an extraordinary Mediterranean Revival villa with Persian touches, notably in the use of pools and fountains in the lush gardens. The estate now encompasses 10 acres with towering Chilean wine palms and Montecito’s largest Moreton Bay fig tree around a lavish 10,000-square-foot residence that once hosted Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, and John F. Kennedy. Moviegoers might recognize it as the home of Al Pacino’s Tony Montana in Scarface from 1983, and it’s now back on the market. J.T. The storied El Fureidis Estate, available through Riskin Partners, elfureidisestate.com.

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