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Name: Samantha, Lindsay and Usha
Location: Downtown — Santa Barbara, California
Size: 1,500 square feet
Years lived in: 2

Samantha, Lindsey and their housemate, Usha, have made a sunshine–drenched home of their own with a few coats of paint, some great DIYs and a whole lot of art work made by family members. Their laid back style is both accessible and inspiring. These two ladies, an interior designer/surfer and fashion blogger, respectively, share their lovely Santa Barbara space with us today.

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Samantha and Lindsey's home has great light and the traditional floor plan of the 1930s era it was built in. Inspired by the Pacific ocean, just about a mile away from their front door, their beachy style is the common thread throughout the home. Jars of sea glass adorn bookshelves, Lindsey crafts driftwood frames and sculptural forms, the blue color of the walls in their dining room and most of the paintings depict the seashore in some way .The effect is lovely, serene and reflective of the beautiful area they inhabit. Lindsey is an avid surfer, Samantha a summertime beach go-er, and their house reflects this passion and sense of place. Spending time hanging out in this home makes me long for sunshine and wish for a sun tan!

Samantha's blog, Could I Have That, is a whimsical look at fashion, trends and the California lifestyle — and her sensibility of simplicity, interesting fabrics and colors is manifested in their home. It's interesting to see how someone with a great eye for clothes incorporates this expertise into styling the home. The pops of color mixed with neutrals is a theme on her blog as well as in her house and bedroom. This place is a comfy, feminine, beachy pad that will make you want to take your shoes off and stay all day, starting with tangerines and coffee in the morning and staying for a taco dinner.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: Relaxed, beachy bungalow with a little glamor mixed in.

Inspiration:
Samantha: Since I have a love for fashion, naturally it's the fabrics and colors that seem to inspire me the most. Color palettes that I've seen on the runways or in a magazine often find there way to my living spaces. If I could design a room around a single pattern it would be stripes, hands down. I'm also influenced by the Santa Barbara lifestyle. There's a sort of Mediterranean vibe here with all the Spanish architecture, coastal views and overall relaxed sense of life that I love.

Lindsey: We love to entertain and have friends over for dinners and brunches quite often, so for me it is important for people to feel relaxed and comfortable in our house. I am always inspired by travel, and so, found objects and textiles that I have gathered over the years are some of my most prized possessions. I collect shells and amazing pieces of driftwood as well as sea glass and some of these items are equally as prized as larger purchases such as art and furniture. I have grown up next to the beach, surfing, swimming and enjoying all the ocean has to offer, I think that definitely shines through in the aesthetic of this house.

Favorite Element:
Sam: I love the living room year round. It's cozy in the wintertime (especially with a blazing fire) and perfect for lounging with a stack of magazines in the afternoon. I absolutely love the glass top coffee table, which was my great grandmothers, on top of a flokati rug from ikea. The combo is soft and glamorous.

Lindsey: My favorite element of the house is the natural light which pours in at all hours of the day from one angle or another.  Some of my favorite elements in the house would definitely include the art that Sam and I have gathered over the years (mostly done by my mom, Sharon, and Sam's sister).  I also love my recently acquired black and white photographs taken by Will Adler.  

Biggest Challenge:
Samantha: Filling the two bookshelves on either side of the fireplace was definitely the biggest challenge. The shelves aren't that deep so it was hard finding the right objects to fill them with. We turned our least favorite books around for a more muted look and used favorite objects like jars of sea glass and old pictures to bring in some color. 

What Friends Say:
Samantha: Our house is definitely a hang out among our friends. We have a lot of dinner parties and everyone always comments on our high pine table which we spend many of hours around. A lot of friends also ask about our serious collection of paintings and photographs. Almost every wall is filled with a piece of artwork from either my sister, Lindsey's mom, Lindsey and my mom.  

Proudest DIY:
Samantha: When I moved into this house I had to come up with a creative way to house my wardrobe which wasn't going to fit in the tiny space available. So I made my own second closet using a bakers rack and sewed my own cover for it (with some help from my boyfriend's mom) with striped fabric picked up at a cheap textile store. 

Lindsey: I have had a lot of DIY moments in this house, I think I have painted every room at least once.  But I think that a coat of paint can go a long way, especially in an older house like this one. I also recently sewed a slipcover for the small love seat in our living room, it was an undertaking but really makes a difference.  I also like making pillows, its always easy to find great fabric scraps at the local remnant store and make our own pillows for a fraction of the cost.

Biggest Indulgence:
Still waiting to indulge in a flat screen tv, we are just a few years behind the curve. Also, our big cozy couch where all us girls can fit.
 
Best Advice:
A house should feel collected, like the design came over time. 

Dream Sources:
Samantha: I love Upstairs at Pierre Lafond in Santa Barbara. They have the best selection of antique textiles form Mexico and Morocco. I also go crazy for just about anything Kelly Wearstler. She has inspires me to add a little more color and glamor to by usual beachy style. 

Resources of Note:

LIVING ROOM

    • Sofa: Cozy Couch
    • Love seat: Vintage with hand made slip cover
    • Chair: Vintage, purchased at Punch (Santa Barbara)
    • Console table behind sofa: Pottery Barn
    • Coffee table: vintage
    • Rug: flokati from ikea
    • woven basket: Rooms and Gardens (Santa Barbara)
    • Pillows: mongolian lamb, Maison K Montecito
    • Throw: Vintage Peruvian throw: Upstairs Pierre Lafond
    • Black and white photos: Will Adler
    • Broken mantel pieces (photos are sitting on): vintage
    • Blue and white matillija poppy painting: Sharon dal Pozzo
    • Sunflower painting: sharon dal pozzo
    • Screen print of girls face: 1970's Weegy
    • Blue lamp: vintage
    • Runner at front entrance: Native American, bought in New Mexico

DINING ROOM

    • Table: vintage
    • Bar stools: ikea
    • Paintings: Cinders Hutchinson, Tegan Duffy, Lindsey dal Pozzo
    • White shelves (under paintings) Pottery Barn
    • Computer desk: vintage
    • Tree: fiddle leaf ficus
    • Chandelier: vintage

Samantha's BEDROOM

    • Paint: Tortilla by Martha Stewart
    • Vintage side tables and dresser
    • Bedding: Ralph Lauren
    • Lamp: Vintage
    • Striped Cabana Closet: Handmade
    • Driftwood wreath: Madera del Mar

Lindsey's BEDROOM

    • Kelly Wearstler for Sferra
    • Throw: vintage textile
    • paintings: my Mom, Sharon Dal pozzo

Thanks, Samantha, Lindsey and Usha!

• Visit Samantha's Blog: Could I Have That

• Visit Lindsey's Blog: This Life in Style

Images: Leela Cyd Ross

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