Sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean enticed one Los Angeles-based family to purchase this 1920s cottage in Santa Barbara, but it wasn’t long before the fairytale setting prompted them to recast their would-be vacation home as a primary residence. In reimagining the period dwelling for everyday life, the owners sought a timeless California aesthetic, modern amenities to support their healthy lifestyle and most importantly, “to preserve the feeling of being on vacation,” shares interior designer Jennifer Miller. In collaboration with Two Trees Architects and Leonard Unander Associates, Inc., Miller responded with a charming ramble of indoor-outdoor spaces that accommodate family time and entertaining at scale alike. As we celebrate the height of beach season, Luxe takes the grand tour.
This kitchen is so calming and beautiful! Tell us about the design.
JM: Cooking is what brings this family together, so while we wanted the space to feel refined, we didn’t want anything to be precious. The counters are a honed quartzite, which will stand the test of time both in terms of style and wear-and-tear. And all of the hardware has living finishes that will continue to patina with age; nothing is too perfect or shiny. Because of how the room was oriented, it offers a shadier, more intimate environment that encourages culinary creativity and feels good to be in.
You added a secondary kitchen in the pool cabana. Why two kitchens?
JM: The primary kitchen is their private family space, whereas the new cabana was designed as a destination for friends and family. These clients are great connectors; they entertain often by their pool, and with the beach across the street, guests needed a space to gather, step out of the sun, and grab a drink or snack. The secondary kitchen contains a refrigerator, pantry, hidden dishwasher and wine fridge. It even has a Kombucha brew on tap!
How fun to have an entertaining destination. What else makes this property special?
JM: These clients are very health-oriented, so we also built a gym structure with a beautiful spa-like bathroom featuring an infrared sauna and a walk-in shower that opens to a private garden. Having these destination outbuildings emphasizes the feeling of being on vacation. The clients love having to “travel” when hosting friends or working out. There’s a sense of detaching a bit from everyday life that’s pretty magical.
