Crazy About Montecito

Of all the places I've traveled to in the United States, Santa Barbara is probably my favorite.  To be more exact, Montecito.  If you can say a city or town has "it", this place definitely does.  With the beach, the mountains, the climate, the architecture, the food.  I just don't think it can get much better.

The times I've been there, I love to drive around to see all the incredible homes and gardens.  Many are very difficult to see from the road because of the enormous walls and most of the homes are set so far from the street.  Last time we were there we dragged the kids to an estate sale just so we could see the property -- the last thing kids want to do on a Spring Break.

Well known interior designer John Saladino's estate is one of these.  Fortunately, C Magazine, did a story on his incredible home (you can also see it in his book).

His Italianate villa was built in 1929 by architect and builder Wallace Frost.  Saladino did an incredible job of remodeling the house that is quintessential Monticeto.

The roof is 18th century Italian handmade terra-cotta tile.  He brought in more than 4,000 trees and shrubs including these incredible 50 year old Italian cypress trees.

The interior is just as amazing as the exterior.  Many of the interior walls are the same stone as the exterior.  The steel windows and doors are incredible.  We are currently building a Mediterranean house in Fort Worth with windows and doors very similar.

I love the urn set into the stone window surround.  The ivy covered wall in perfect.

The dining room, with the (what I believe to be) cypress paneling and ceiling and Italian chandelier is beautiful.

All of the above pictures from C Magazine.

Another well published interior designer, Michael Smith, did an incredible job at the former Pillsbury estate in Montecito -- Las Encintas.  This Portuguese-style house was originally a California Mission Revival house built in the 1890s and is set into the hillside.  It is much different from Saladino's but typical old Montecito.  More formal and crisp.

The tile in the living room and powder bath typical Portuguese and are handmade in Los Angeles.  We are using a very similar tile from the same tile company for a current job.

I love how Smith gave the powder bath a true Period Revival feel.

While I love my city, Montecito is one of those places that is just very difficult to beat.

All of the pictures of Las Encinitas come from Santa Barbara magazine.

Saladino Takes On Art

This month in Veranda a show house by John Saladino is featured. The inspiration for this house was the movie Girl With A Pearl Earring based on the famous painting by Johannes Vermeer. I have loved Saladino for a while now, ever since I found his furniture line. My Mother-In-Law also gave me a copy of his book which she discovered while looking on Velvet & Linen, I was thrilled and I can't wait to study it more in depth. Until then I will be studying these images... The stairs are from Exquisite Surfaces, a company I book mark evey time I see one of their ads...
The chairs, the lamps and that amazing tapestry make this room a dream.



All image and complete story Veranda.

The Best Slipcovers

What's Hot - Leather Slipcovers

                                                                                                         John Saladino Leather Slipcovers

Slipcovers are a fitted protective cover that may be slipped off and on a piece of upholstered furniture. Slipcovers are usually made of cloth. Slipcovers may be removed for seasonal change, cleaning, moving, or storage. Slipcovers are sometimes defined as "clothing for furniture." They are tailored just as clothing is, and are fitted loosely or snugly to the taste of the owner or tailor. Some people order furniture upholstered in plain muslin slipcovers with the intention of using only the slipcovers.

slip·cov·ers noun Date:1856

What a great way to update the look of upholstered leather chairs by using leather for slipcovers instead of the more traditional tight leather upholstery technique. It adds a whole new dimension to the "leather" look. Slipcovers are a great alternative and they give a more casual feel to furniture. You can change the look of your room by having an extra set of slipcovers and by changing these slipcovers seasonally you have a brand new decor. Leather slipcovers may be all that your existing chairs need to update them. The new faux leather on the market has the advantage of being easy to clean. And for higher end faux leather products, it is hard to tell the difference from real leather, unless you give it the leather 'sniff test'.

  
Slipcovers
Lane Industries Leather Slipcovers left, John Saladino center & right  
Leather Slipcovers 'Harley Chair' center John Saladino Leather Slipcovers 'Cassandra Chair' right

Food for thought: John Saladino is the designer of the Harley and Cassandra Leather slipcovered chairs above. He has several meticulously designed and detailed chairs with leather slipcovers in his exclusive 'Saladino Style' line which he has carried for years. As a matter of fact, John Saladino is 'known' for leather slipcovers in the world of design by professional designers. Interior Designers/Decorators are usually the first to create a design that is fresh and new and then it eventually filters down to the mass market like the current "What's Hot" fad for Leather Slipcovers, which is now being seen in mass production in the example of the chair on the left above by Lane Furniture. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with mass produced furniture, but what I lament is that the original designer of the concept is often forgotten and not recognized in the wake of the new trend. In Italy they have an award that is given out each year called the Compasso d'Oro. It publicly acknowledges the contribution by designers of outstanding products made in Italy. Many of the designs that have won awards are now so fully encompassed into our every day lives that we take them for granted. Last year a Compasso d'Oro award in Italy was presented to the American designer Karim Rashid for a dresser he designed for an Italian Company. I admire the Italians for honoring their designers and giving them the acknowledgment that they deserve. Unfortunately we do not have a national award such as this in North America to foster pride in the great designers that contribute so much to the quality of our lives.

Leather Slipcovers

Leather Slipcovers

Leather Slipcovers John Saladino 
 
Books by John Saladino 
Villa by John Saladino Style by John Saladino

 

For further reading on John Saladino you might be interested in these posts:
John Saladino / Today I am Loving / Inspirational Quotes

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© 2007-2009 Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog

John Saladino

Most people don't associate John Saladino with Architecture and Garden design as he is more well known for his Interior Design and Furniture Design. As I have an ongoing admiration for John Saladino's style I would like to profile these two areas of his work in today's post.

John Saladino on Architecture:

"Architecture, beyond being shelter and keeping the rain off your head, for me is an emotional experience. One should be enveloped in a world edited and made endorsing the occupant." John Saladino

John Saladino

John Saladino

John Saladino on Garden Design
"The landscape is a created reality, an improvement on the real world. The garden then may become a quest or seeking of paradise. We transform nature so that we may spiritually embrace it". John Saladino

John Saladino

John Saladino

photos from John Saladino web-site