Product Description

One of the most beautiful regions of the California coast, Santa Barbara also has one of America’s most affluent and stylish demographics. Possessing the most summery, mild, seductive climate in the country, Santa Barbara has been an elegant and chic style destination since the turn of the last century, when wealthy East Coast families wintered there. Soon after, villas and estates were being built, designed by the finest architects and landscape designers. In recent years the Santa Barbara region continues to be an outpost of style and culture—now with many leading Hollywood producers, directors, and stars acquiring the historic estates for their weekend escapes. Today, cultured and stylish couples are living in Santa Barbara continuing the traditions of beautifully appointed mansions (many of them in the Spanish style first brought to California in the 1850s). The first book to take readers inside the mansions and estates of Santa Barbara today, Santa Barbara Living will feature the houses and gardens that make Santa Barbara a rarified version of the American Dream. This book will show how that dream is lived.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #94424 in Books
• Published on: 2008-11-04
• Released on: 2008-11-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

Review
"...a glimpse into the haute homes and gorgeous gardens--that embody the distinctive panache of our coastal enclave."
~Santa Barbara Magazine

"This book is a luxurious addition to any library and gives readers sometimes a little sumptuous to strive for."
~Romantic Homes

"We're in love with the French, Italian and Spanish-inspired architecture, design and gardens presented on page after glossy page. We're in love with the mountain and ocean settings that rival the most beautiful landscapes anywhere, and are awash with the perfect golden California sunlight." ~Topsyturvy.com

About the Author
Diane Dorrans Saeks is the author of Hollywood Style, Palm Springs Living, and Michael Smith: Elements of Style. Jennifer Smith Hale is the founder and editorial director of Santa Barbara magazine.

Customer Reviews

A beautiful glimpse into America's Riviera
Have you ever driven down the winding, tree-lined roads in the hills of Santa Barbara and Montecito and wished you could see behind all of the well-manicured hedges and impressive entry gates? Now you can -- on the pages of Santa Barbara Living. This elegantly designed book, expertly written by Diane Dorrans Saeks, takes you on a magical tour of some of California's most beautiful estates. Lush gardens and impressive exterior architecture lead one inside to experience the understated elegance that characterizes California style. Subtle yet well-planned design nuances abound in each and every stunning photograph -- a visual treat awaits each turn of the page! Ms. Saeks has brilliantly captured the highly-desirable lifestyle from this region of California plus provided a rich history of each home profiled. A fantasy world few have seen is brought to life in Santa Barbara Living! I highly recommend this book -- it will not disappoint.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN
Even with the devasting fires that recently ravaged this region, this area is without a doubt the most beautiful in America, and this book shows it at its very best. Santa Barbara is blessed with the perfect semi arid climate of the French Riviera and wealthy Americans for more than a century have made it a haute playground. This book lets you inside this rarified world and lets you appreciate the beautiful architecture and decor of these fabulous homes. I appreciate that most of the mansions are in a style fitting of the climate, most are of the Mediteranian venacular, mostly Spanish and Italian influenced; this sort of completes the fantasy that you are within driving distance of Monte Carlo or Cape Antibes. Southern California, in particular, Southern California culture is special, and it's nice to see it so well presented. If you have any interest in Santa Barbara or just appreciate fine books with vivid images and informed text, then I really can't imagine you being disappointed.

How the other half lives in Santa Barbara
Great pictures and insight into the owners of the properties, reasons for their individual choices in architecture and design. More than just a "Spanish style" architecture book. Has no idea that such properties existed in California.