Your personal tour of anything and everything with Style in Santa Barbara.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Wearing Santa Barbara Style


Recently I came across the book, Parisian Chic by former Chanel model and muse of designer Karl Lagerfeld, Ines de la Fressange.  This book was found within the mecca of Santa Barbara Style, the collection of stores in the upper village of Montecito owned by Pierre Lafond and Santa Barbara Style guru, Wendy Foster.  Ms. Foster pioneered this casually elegant look, that is a little European and a little California, and has had a great career in doing so.
Courtsey of Upstairs at
Pierre Lafond
I started thinking about the essential elements of dressing with Santa Barbara Style.  Here is a selection of basic items and helpful tips for creating a wardrobe where no matter how you put it on, and in what combination, you always look casually elegant.  These, of course, are my ideas of the essentials, and you may have a different view.  I welcome your comments and ideas!

For a look that is always elegant, basics are key.  Here are essential basics for Santa Barbara Style.






1.  Great White Blouse, with feminine details

photo:  chictopia.com
 This is the essence of classic.  It can be worn in a million different ways depending on what you wear it with and the accessories you add.  The details you choose, give you an opporturnity to express your personal style, wether you want something crisper and more classic, or something flowy and bohemian.  Looking for something that flatters is of upmost importance.  Trying lots of different styles that you might not expect to like may suprise you.
I recently saw my Mom when she was in town, and she had on a beautiful, white bohemian-style blouse that was loosely fitted and had Guatemalan style tone-on-tone embroidery on the front.  Subtle, elegant, and with a feeling that she picked it up on some fabulous trip somewhere.
Dressed down with shorts, or add a blazer to dress it up a bit.




photo: chictopia.com

2.  Slim Jeans that can be worn rolled at the ankle, dressed up or down
photo: J Crew.com
I usually see dark wash denim suggested as the way to an elegant look, but I gravitate to a worn in, more casual look for Santa Barbara Style.  Slim, but never to tight.  If a darker wash is what suits you, then go for it!









3.  White Jeans

photo: J Crew.com
I like white jeans because they seem like summer to me. In Santa Barbara, white jeans work all year. You can wear them with anything you would wear traditional denim, but for more snap and contrast to your look.  I find myself wearing white jeans when I don't want to add "blue" to my outfit.  For a tonal look in creams and whites they're perfect.  Or for lots of contrast, with black, gray, or brights like yellow or orange, better than traditional denim.  Does anyone still follow the "no white after Labor Day" rule anymore?





4.  Simple Dresses
photo: J Crew.com

These can be worn almost anywhere in Santa Barbara, from casually to the beach or shopping, to more dressed up to dinner or an evening out.  Again, depending on the accessories you choose, you can dress them up or down.

This is an opportunity to express your individual style by choosing a signature color.  Always keep in mind that casual, effortless elegance is what you are after.  I love seeing how someone can wear a simple dress lots of different ways- you can get more mileage out of one piece by focusing on simplicity of style and color.  Wear a dress with a scarf and flat sandals for a casual look.  Wear the same dress with a statement necklace, strappy heels and a clutch for a more dressed up look.
photo: anthropologie.com













5.  Tank tops for layering
These don't need much explanation.  Worn with jeans, shorts etc. layered under a sweater or by themselves- tank tops are essential.  A selection of neutral colors in basic styles are key.  I like tank tops that are a little on the longer side, so I can wear them tucked or untucked, and they always stay put over the top of my pants!  Because tanks are usually a more affordable item, this is a chance to experiment with a fun pop of color.  Whatever style or color you are wearing, you don't want anything too tight.  Stick to a slightly drapey fit.



6. Basic Shorts



photo:coolil.com


photo:chictopia.com


7.  Cashmere Sweater
photo: J Crew.com

If you must stick to just one, pick a neutral color like cream, tan, gray, black or navy.  If you can, get one in each of these colors, and one in a fun color you love, or even a great nautical stripe- we are by the sea after all!  V neck, crew neck or cardigan, choose whatever you feel best in.  And as with everything, fit is of upmost importance.









8.  Georgeous Beach Tunic

photo: nordstrom.com

I was at the beach this spring and I saw a woman there with her two kids.  She was wearing this amazing long-sleved aqua chambray tunic with cream crewel edging with little pom-poms along the hem and wrists.  It was elegant and fun.  To keep it casual she was wearing it with a worn in baseball hat, and when she was leaving, she threw on gray knit sweatpants.  She looked so cool, I wanted her outfit!  It was then I realized how essential a beach tunic is.  You look great while you are at the beach, and you also look great when you are going to and from the beach.  How many times do you have to run to the grocery store on your way home, and you don't want to look like a hobo!   

A tunic is great too because it is versatile.  You can wear it when you aren't going anywhere near the beach.  With leggings, jeans shorts, or as a dress if it is long enough.  I like one in again, (are we sensing a theme here?) a neutral color with some kind of intersting detail, like embroidery, for an elegant touch.


9.  Black Leggings

Wear with everything.





10.Drapey Tissue Cardigan


I see women wearing these all over town, and I love them!  They are truly effortless and elegant!  They aren't any harder to put on than a hoodie, but what a huge difference in your look.  Take your jeans or leggings and a tank top, throw on a drapey cardigan and you look put together, feminine and ready.  I love this because, if you are anything like me, sometimes you can't figure out what to wear, and this "uniform" is the perfect answer for those type of days.  I have a friend who is a young mom, and she wears outfits like this all the time.  She always looks elegant, pretty and casual at the same time.

11. Beach Essentials

Flip flops.  In Santa Barbara, you could almost get away with wearing no other shoes.  Thin strap Havianas are perfect. 

Sunglasses.  I love tortise!  It adds so much texture.  Look for a style that suits your face, and your personality.

Bikini.  Triangle top is definitely the classic beach style.  Mixing and matching tops and bottoms looks casual and chic.


photo:nordstrom.com

photo:jcrew.com


photo:jcrew.com

Beach bag.



 
photo:bagsnob.com











 


 12. Accessories

photo:kfrank

photo:kfrank
 Funky, unique jewelry.

Scarves.  Throw these on with everything.

Shoes.  Ballet flats, flat sandals, riding boots.
photo:nordstrom.com

photo:nordstrom.com

photo:nordstrom.com










One really great thing about our Santa Barbara climate, is that you can have one wardrobe all year.  You don't need to change out your shorts for heavy coats in the winter.  There are lots more things I could have included, and I could do an entire post just on accessories, but when I look at all these photos in a collection, I realized that if someone had these things and no more, they could make quite a few great looks.  Are there "essentials" I left out?

SR

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Frankenstein's Kitchen

I have a dream kitchen that has been forming in my mind.  This is not just a kitchen, but a "great room" of sorts, even though I don't really like the term Great Room because it seems too McMansionish!  It would be kitchen, dining room, library, and a cozy sitting area around a fireplace. I call it "Frankenstein's Kitchen" because the vision has been pieced together from  all over the place:  kitchens I've seen, magazine kitchens, memories and materials that speak to some part of my soul.  It all starts with a south facing wall of steel and glass french doors.
photo: William Heffner's Kitchen, House Beautiful
I am obsessed with carrera marble counter tops. The stove is La Cornue, the wood is whitewashed, distressed white oak. Professional, pull-down faucet, farmhouse sink, Traulsen Fridge.  The idea of this kitchen is very clean and contemporary, but with old world, romantic finishes and details. The foundation is more masculine and the styling adds the femininity.
photo;housebeautiful.com
photo: Susan Dosseter, housebeautiful.com

photo: Susan Dossetter designed kitchen

Here's the layout. The entire north side of the room is the living area, with a fireplace against the north wall. The south side of the room ts divided between the kitchen to the east and dining room / library to the west.

The kitchen has the sink under a steel window against the exterior wall, centered on a counter between the refrigerator in the south corner, and an armoire type cabinet for dishes. there would be two dishwashers from Australia on either side of the sink, because I have heard their dishwashers are superior, to the ones we have in the US. We all know we have to wash our dishes before they can go in the dishwasher!

Opposite the sink counter, would be a rather massive island, with the stove set into it and a hood above. There would be a pot rack hung from the ceiling to the right of the hood.


photo: google images
photo :google images


photo:housebeautiful.com, Windsor Smith Kitchen
photo:housebeautiful.com

photo:atuncontractors.com
The entire west wall of the dining room is floor to ceiling oak bookcases with classical details and a cerused finish.  These book cases are where loads and loads of books can be stored, and where I can store and display my collections of vintage silver, glass vases, and Chinese blue and white porcelain.


photo;stylebeat.blogspot.com
photo: Martha Stewart Living
photo:googleimages



                           
photo:housebeautiful.com
















The table is some kind of a distressed farmhouse table with slip covered wing chairs at either end.  The look is glamorous library and cozy farmhouse at the same time.  There is an amazing, elegant chandelier over the table to make everything glitter and sparkle.  The palette is warm whites, lots of dark and light grays, a few taupes and tans.  Brass, silver, greyed wood, linen, burlap, silk shantung, limited color with tons of texture. 

photo:eloquenceinc.com


photo:distinctivedesignbygina.blogspot.com


The living area centers around a sandstone fireplace with a Louis Phillipe, gold leaf mirror above it.  A tuxedo sofa and a chaise on each side of it, and a generously sized round coffee table between them.  On the west wall next to the dining room bookcases are two french chairs, with a small, round table in between.  Think of this as the library reading nook.  An urn-shaped lamp on the table, and large-scale Rick Garcia agave painting behind the chairs and table.

photo:waterhousegallery.com
photo: www.frenchantiques.blogspot.com
















This space has become so real in my mind, I almost can feel what it is like to cook in the kitchen, and sit by the fireplace on a cozy evening.  I am just waiting for my opportunity to make it a reality!

Saturday, June 30, 2012

A Greco Roman Ruin Brought to Life

In the shadow of the Mission's towers is the neighborhood of the upper east.  This area is full of distinctive craftsmans, elegant red tile roofs and turn of the century mansions.  There is one home that has stood out to me since I was a child as truly unique, and inspiring fantasy.
333 Junipero Plaza
Stone gate on Laguna St. entrance
Photo Courtesy Ed Hatt
Photo Courtesy Ed Hatt




Junipero Plaza.  This street alone is special.  One block between two Santa Barbara style sandstone and iron gates.  When I was young, I used to ask to drive down this street just because I loved driving through the gates and looking at the homes.  I would imagine what it would be like to live on this magical street.  One home in particular stuck in my mind.  At the time it was hidden behind a tall, thick hedge with only glimpses of the home peeking through.  I don't know whether it is just my memory or this is the way it really was.  I remember it seeming as though behind that hedge was a roman ruin, as if I was looking through time.  It seemed it was crumbling and falling apart and that is the way I liked it! I have looked for photos and information on the home during this time and have only found the blury one below, without the hedge, date unknown.  Note the enormous junipers flanking the stairs.  I realize now looking back, that this property, as well as the the shady corner of the sunken garden were pivotal experiences building my love affair with the magic fantasy of architecture and the beauty of my city of Santa Barbara.
Photo of property before rehab, courtesy of Maureen McDermutt
The home was designed in 1910 by Francis Townsend Underhill, known for designing the original building of what is now The Biltmore Hotel on Channel Drive in Montecito.  It was built by Underhills's mother in law, Francisca de la Guerra Diblee, in the Greco-Roman style.  Recently renovated in 2004 by Mary and Rowland Hanson for an estimated four million dollars, the property today looks absolutely imacculate.
Under construction, photo courtesy Ed Hatt
I have not yet had the good fortune to see any part of this property in person, except for the front exterior, but I am hopeful that someday...

Entry Courtyard
Pool

I love this home's austere simplicity.  I once read interior designer Jim Howard say that it takes a lot of careful, calculated planning and work to achieve simplicity and a sense of calm and balance within a design.  Now, he wasn't talking about this home of course, but Underhill, as well as the team responsible for the renovation have certianly achieved a calm elegance.

If I has the opportunity to decorate the interior spaces of this home, I would continue the calm elegance of  the exterior, while injecting some of the greco-roman relic fantasy.  My design would bring in influences from Villa Kerylos in France, a historically accurate re-creation of a home in ancient Greece, containing priceless pieces of art.  I would throw in a little Saladino Villa (see earlier post), and I can't help but take influence fron the antiquities room at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.  Think Greek and Roman statues, a shallow, square marble pool, with the quiet trickling of water.  The pallete would be warm whites, light concrete grays, washed out taupe, grayed down wood tones, quiet gold, lots of texture for warmth, and I would throw in just a touch of opalecence, which makes me think of the ancient greek and roman glass bottles I've seen, and Egyptian scarabs.  I would keep everything clean and simple, with a couple elegant french antiques and nothing too modern.  Add in a little steampunkian influence in the light fixtures, faucets or little details...  Does anyone think the owners will induldge me the opportunity??
The biggest suprise I found looking at pictures of the property, was this underground  wine cellar.  It was described as The Stonehouse at San Ysidro Ranch meets Pirates of the Carribean.  Yes!  I love this!  I can just imagine taking guests down here for a late night dinner party completely lit by a thousand candles.  I would keep it very simple and rustic.  A place like this doesn't need much, it is perfect already.
  


If I had known about this underground room when I was young, I'm sure I would have invisioned games of fantasy down in this secret cave.  This seems the perfect place to capture the imagination of a child, and stay in their memory even long after they are grown.  Just like my memories of the house!

SR


All photos from Paul Hurst at Prudential Real Estate unless otherwise noted.