10 Design Experts to Take Your Home to the Next Level

Given how much time you spend there, why not make your home as sweet as it can possibly be?

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Design partners Caroline Thompson and Steve Thompson bring their signature modernism to classic Santa Barbara Style at Cabana Home. Ask them how that unique vision was refined, and you’ll discover their careers starting at the legendary luxury purveyor Neiman Marcus, to real estate development of over 30 homes in Dallas, Santa Fe, and Montecito. Now, their by-appointment-only Funk Zone showroom and interior design studio is central California’s exclusive home to legendary firms Thibaut, Janus et Cie, Lee, Alfonso Marina, and Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin plus one-of-a-kind lighting, textiles, and accessories from around the globe. Their team offers full design services, space planning, building plan review, and project management for both residential and commercial properties. Their gallery also features rotating installations of artwork by fine artists whose pieces can be found in museums and important private collections.

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Big. Medium. Small. At Mission Audio Video we bring the same conviction to every project we take. From smart home technology to installing a simple home entertainment system, our experience makes a difference. Expertise, coordination, and last but not least, sensitivity, are all critical for a successful outcome. The ability to discretely “hide” the most advanced technology so as not to interfere with the design aesthetic is essential. So no matter the size of your project, put our 35 years of experience to work for you. Stop by our showroom at 1910 De La Vina at Pedregosa—we’d love to talk to you about what’s possible. 805.682.7575.

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Rooms & Gardens, Montecito’s premiere home design store, has flourished into the area’s favorite go-to shop for furniture and home décor. The local shop has been a favorite spot for celebrity A-listers and designers far and wide. Rooms & Gardens is a full-service design firm that can handle any part of an interior design project. Jami, the shop’s owner, has her own custom furniture workroom in Los Angeles where her craftsmen custom make her sofas, chairs, beds, coffee tables, etc. She also has a custom wicker weaver based in the workroom who makes all of the beautiful wicker pieces that can be found in the shop as well as in Shutters on the Beach hotel, which has scooped up the beautiful pieces that she designs. The new location is in the heart of Montecito’s Upper Village, Montecito’s new design district.

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Located in the heart of Santa Barbara’s lively Arts District at Arlington Plaza, you’ll discover DIANI Living—a home store and sister boutique to DIANI and DIANI Shoes. Our mission is to curate only the finest items for a stylish home, offering everything from cushions, bedding and furniture to barware, botany, lighting and candles. Our carefully chosen selection also features exclusive and unique vintage treasures, personally handpicked by owners Caroline Diani and Jeffrey Doornbos on their travels throughout the East Coast and Europe. Also, explore Caroline’s homeware line, The Stone Jug, inspired by their 1752 farmhouse, as well as Jeffrey’s breathtaking photography art. Open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. with complimentary parking available. You can also visit us online at www.dianiboutique.com.

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sbmidmod is a distinct boutique in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, showcasing a rich collection of antiques, vintage, and mid-century modern furniture, art, and décor. Perfectly situated amongst wineries, galleries, and unique shops, it’s an ideal spot for design enthusiasts. Open Thursday-Saturday 12-5 p.m., Sunday-Monday 11 a.m.-4 p.m., with private appointments available.

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Lee Stanton, noted antiquarian from Los Angeles and resident of Montecito, opened a small shop in the Upper Village three years ago. This February he is moving his Private Stash to a larger and permanent shop across the street in the southern Upper Village. Known as an arbiter of style and the premier purveyor of exceptional British and European antiques from the 18th-20th century to discriminating clients nationwide, Lee attributes his success to his passion for timeless and comfortable antiques that enrich the aesthetic of traditional and modern settings alike. In addition to working closely with the design trade to source exceptional furnishings with the right combination of form, function and style throughout the design process, Lee also enjoys helping private clients furnish their home with a fresh and curated approach to design. Lee Stanton Private Stash Montecito is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday by appointment.

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For over two decades, Celadon House has been dedicated to crafting distinctive and memorable spaces for the home and commercial industries. Guided by a commitment to deliver timeless design, superior craftsmanship, inviting spaces, and exceptional value, our team collaborates with you to create personalized indoor and outdoor environments. Our signature style features clean, minimalist furniture lines, calming colors and textures, and prioritizes high-quality pieces made from organic, eco-friendly materials. Celadon House offers comprehensive design services, encompassing new development and construction, renovations, custom upholstery, finish selection, and the creation of indoor and outdoor environments. Since 2001, Celadon House has evolved into two leading destinations for home furnishings and interior design on California’s central coast, with locations in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

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Home Crush on Lillie Avenue in Summerland offers a unique and luxurious shopping experience for outdoor furnishings and interiors. The focus on exclusive local lines and handmade goods from Europe adds to the appeal with its picturesque setting of the Pacific Ocean backdrop and the multilevel garden grounds to relax, explore, and shop. Specialty offerings of handmade artisan box diffusers from France, wireless outdoor lamps, and luxury bath products seamlessly blend with modern to antique furnishings, all curated for discerning customers. The emphasis on myriad shaped lightweight concrete fire pits and bowls with sea stones and the game changing Heatsail Dome and BEEM Far-infrared heat fixtures from Belgium are showstopping exclusive offerings for 2024 outdoor heating. With patios, gardens, and terraces and two bungalows to browse, Home Crush remains a noteworthy destination for those seeking distinctive indoor and outdoor home furnishings in Summerland.

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Acaloa Artisans is a custom fabrication studio specializing in woodwork, furniture, cabinetry, and signage. We are a proud Latino-owned business that values compassion, creativity, and craftsmanship. We will listen carefully to your needs and guide you through each step of the process. From concept to design, CAD drawings, color matching, and custom fabrication, we make home furnishings a breeze. Imagine your next dining table, desk, bookshelf, bench, mantle, wine rack, cabinets, or custom woodwork project and we’ll bring it to life. Let’s get creative together! As licensed sign contractors, we also offer commercial and residential signage and permitting. Formerly known as Signs By Ken, our family business has rebranded and refocused ourselves as modern artisans. We utilize state-of-the-art technologies like CNCs and lasers as well as traditional hand craftsmanship to offer a wide variety of products. Contact us at [email protected] for your next project!

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