
“Above all, we wanted to complement the style of the house,” says Montecito interior designer John De Bastiani about the project featured here. “My motto is, ‘Work with the house, not against it.’ In this case, that meant traditional with a bit of an old-world feel, but not stuffy—it had to still feel current.” The clients were East Coast empty nesters who fell in love with the Montecito climate and lifestyle, and comfort was paramount. “If every room is usable and casual,” explains De Bastiani, “the house becomes easy to live in.”

Tell us a bit about the project.
The house is quite large—8,000 square feet on 12 acres, with breathtaking ocean views, a guest house, pool, and separate garage. The architect was Marc Appleton, and the original finishes are all the best, including the wonderful fireplaces and floors, the gourmet kitchen, and the stunning reclaimed beams used throughout the home.


Which part are you particularly pleased by?
I really love the living room, especially the colors. The antique rug we found was the first step in the design process; we built the room around it, and leaning into the rich colors, we used patterns and textures that complement it. We embraced color throughout, but in a muted way, so the house still feels soothing. We also acquired antiques that mixed well with new pieces.


What’s your design philosophy?
We’re designing for our clients, not ourselves, and a strong collaboration is encouraged. Also, I believe a house should be very usable, not full of “pass-by rooms” that no one ever enters. All rooms should feel so cozy, comfortable, and lived-in that they draw you in.


What advice would you give anyone thinking of hiring a designer?
If you’re doing a big project, a designer should be one of the first people you call, along with your architect, contractor, and landscape architect. Each person brings something to the table. A designer should be helping with style, layout, and interior architecture, not to mention choosing fixtures and finishes. Instead, we’re often hired at the end of construction, and we need to go back and fix issues or replace things.
To browse the John De Bastiani Interiors portfolio, visit johndd.com. And to schedule a consultation, call or email 805-364-2548 or [email protected].
················
Sponsored by John De Bastiani. Professional photographs by Joe Schmelzer (@treasurbite).
Recent Comments
Has anyone else found parking at The Post a nightmare? My wife and I drove by there at 11:15am on a Friday morning and could… — Eric Z
Yes.. would cruise by and c Miltary Men in front of gate and also a couple of tanks.. — Mary Moreno
Gregg Motors had a Rolls-Royce franchise back in the day out on Hope Ave and Bentleys use a lot of parts from modern Audis and… — arosales
The estate listed at the intersection of Toro Canyon and Foothill was infamous in the 1960’s for housing a small military. I believe a woman… — Art
Regarding the asphalt art installation, the Bloomberg site states "Santa Barbara's busiest intersection, ... will be re-imagined for enhanced pedestrian and cyclist safety." As an… — Bill F
When one reads the crime reports in Montecito, it seems this substation is a great idea, along with cameras and regular foot patrol near beaches… — Mike Aline
It was a sad tragedy when I heard from a friend a year later about Lester Berman’s death. I worked as a Legal Secretary at… — Delia
Casa del Herrero is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year. Docent-led tours are on Wed and Sat. Self-guided tours on Tuesday - reservation required. https://www.casadelherrero.com/visit — Susie
I was at the dealer on Monday and Acura is moving to be with Honda in Goleta and they have added Bentley to Land Rover… — Curtis
Great list. On the way to checking out Crafter’s Library, grab a coffee and donut at Hook & Press next door. — Andy