Tuesday, March 16, 2010

{Santa Barbara dreamin'}












My Mom came home from a trip to Santa Barbara, CA and declared that she would love to retire there. I didn't get it until a year or so later when I was staying in Santa Monica and decided to take a little drive up the coast to check one of Mom's favorite places out. I had lived in the Bay area and had been to southern CA many a times but never Santa Barbara. I can now attest that I fully share my Mom's sentiments. I think Santa Barbara tops as one of the prettiest places in CA and ranks in the top 10 of all places I have visited (not that I declare myself a travel expert but I have been to some very beautiful places). Anyway I love the botany that abounds amongst the Spanish cottages, the Missions, mountains and ocean.

I think that is why the above home located in Santa Barbara sent me into a very happy daydream....the succulents, the warmth, the textures and let's not forget the comfort.

{all images via Martha Stewart}


18 comments:

A Perfect Gray said...

so cool and crisp looking. Love the collection of white figurines in the living room.

bazaarofserendipity said...

I got to go to College in Santa Barbara. Let me tell you it was tough to leave after it was over. Its an amazing place to live! I hope to retire there also..altough i better make a small fortune :) If you ever go back let me know and i'll tell ya all the yummy places to eat!

www.bazaarofserendipity.blogspot.com

Erica Cook said...

All great images... I must visit there one day. Love that rain chain. xo

Amber said...

Santa Barbara is one of my perfect places to live. Absolute class and beauty. I love that is southern Cal but so separate from LA and Orange county crowds, traffic and smog. The view above the city of the tile roofs and out to the ocean, gorgeous. Were you lucky enough to hear the mariachi bands on State Street? There is a woman who sings from her lungs that will take your breath away. If you are as old as me you may remember Sambo's, the only one left and I think also the original is in SB to the right of the pier across from the ocean. The only things I don't like there are the effects on the beach of the oil spill 20 or so years ago and USB in Goleta brings too much out of control partying. Now all we need is a bajillion dollars to live there.

Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

it's really a gorgeous house! Love the mosaic in the entrance and the patio is amazing, I can see myself lounging there in the constant warm weather they have in south cali!

Unknown said...

stop it with all the prettiness! i would kill for a coffee by that fireplace or an invite to the backyard garden party.

LindsB said...

oh yes please, I would like to move there and retire right now- are 20-somethings allowed to retire yet??

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post.. can I come retire there too ;)
Thanks for your sweet comment + stopping by. Your 5 little ones sure are sweet.. you probably should try your luck in vegas! I'll be back! xo

Anonymous said...

Me, too {Santa Barbara dreaming}!
Trying to convince my 11 yo that would be a wonderful place to go to college - and I'd visit him frequently bearing baked goods!

Laura said...

Ooooooh lala. I concur!!

Amanda said...

seriously, out of all of the amazing images i see in various blogs, these are, hands down, my favorites. absolutely breathtaking. all the more reason for me to visit california. what beautiful spaces.

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

I had no idea Santa Barbara was so beautiful. Another place to add to the list of places I would like to visit.

benson said...

we were lucky enough to send our daughter to school at Westmont(SB-Montecito) and we LOVED to visit her and the amazing weather, homes, shopping, and restaurants. When she married and lived there for an additional 2 years--it was a bonus for us! The home prices are through the roof--with starter homes starting at $700,000 and up--crazy!

Devanie said...

I know what you mean! I grew up in San Luis Obispo (just 1.5 hours north of SB) and can hardly stand the fact that I left my beautiful Central Coast! Oh, well! I met my hunky hubby in Rexburg Idaho- so it was a good sacrifice... still dying to get back though!

Alexa Mae said...

I'm dreaming too girl, oh boy, am I dreaming. Your mom has fine taste. i think it may have rubbed off on you. ;)

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Incredible home with everything that makes California living spectacular. Tell your mother we can be flat mates. We have a home in San Diego but as you know $600,000. does not get anything near this. Like I always said, 'you can't have it all', but it's nice to keep trying. Thanks for sharing the dream.

nest of posies said...

my aunt & uncle live in santa barbara. she says she will NEVER move. it is here happy spot.
you are so right in how there is so much texture there! and the weather...so beautiful.
like one of the other commenters said, it's away from the la smog. so picturesque.

Annie said...

So lovely! Save a guest cottage for me.