Santa Barbara Independent Real Estate 11/26/25

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Reputation Matters.

Your Next Home Refresh … Powered by AI?

Like it or not, AI is here to stay, and it’s already shaping more of our lives than we might realize. If you spend any time on social media, it’s already flooding your screen. From fashion and furniture to politics and pets, many of the images you see are actually AI-generated content. Much like the introduction of the smartphone, AI is changing how we communicate, work, shop, and now, how we envision and design our homes.

As a designer and small business owner, I’m always curious about tools that could enhance my workflow or help clients better visualize a space. So, how exactly does AI fit into the world of home design? Can it help with your next renovation or refresh? And, more importantly can it replace the human expertise of a designer, contractor, or tradesperson?

Spoiler: Not even close. But let’s take a closer look at where AI can be useful and where it falls short.

Where AI Can Actually Help

AI tools are evolving quickly, and they can be surprisingly helpful in the early stages of planning or dreaming up a new space. Here are a few practical ways to use it

• VISUALIZING PAINT OR MATERIAL CHANGES: Thinking about repainting your kitchen cabinets a deep olive green? AI can help you visualize it. Upload a photo of your space and prompt the tool to change the color. While you’ll still want to sample actual paint in your lighting and surroundings, seeing the concept digitally can help narrow your choices and boost your confidence before heading to the paint store.

• ENVISIONING A ROOM WITH NEW FURNITURE: Let’s say you’re curious how your living room would look with a more contemporary style. Some AI platforms can add specific pieces of furniture to a photo of your room. If you’re specific in your prompts for example, “Add a CB2 sofa from Athena Calderone’s collection and a California-casual area rug” the results can be pretty compelling. It’s a low-pressure way to explore different aesthetics before you commit.

• COMPARING FURNITURE OPTIONS: Shopping for bedroom furniture? AI can help you speed up the process by pulling product suggestions from multiple retailers based on your criteria. For instance, if you want light wood nightstands and a navy upholstered headboard, AI can generate a shortlist complete with prices and dimensions. Just remember it’s still up to you to double-check dimensions, reviews, and whether the pieces truly fit your space.

Where AI Falls Short

While AI is impressive, it’s not a substitute for actual design knowledge or, more importantly, hands-on, physical labor.

• UNDERSTANDING DESIGN NUANCE: Design styles can be nuanced, and AI doesn’t always get it right. For example, I asked AI to update a photo of a bathroom in a modern aesthetic with light taupe cabinetry, and it gave me blue cabinets with a vintage clawfoot bathtub. These are small details, but these nuances are somehow still lost on our AI friends (though I reckon that’s just a few months away from being overcome!). Also, often-

times, AI will put various elements in strange places, such as two shower heads instead of one in a bathroom mock-up or a window where it doesn’t belong.

• JUDGING COMFORT OR QUALITY: AI can’t sit on a sofa or test the firmness of a mattress. Sure, it can summarize reviews, but it won’t tell you if that gorgeous armchair is secretly a backbreaker. For anything comfortrelated, nothing beats trying it in person.

• HANDLING CONSTRUCTION OR PERMITTING (OR ANYTHING PHYSICAL!):

Finally, AI can’t wire your lighting or handle plumbing rough-ins (and, let’s be honest, I’d love to see it try painting the exterior of a house). For anything involving permits, construction, or skilled trades, real professionals are absolutely essential.

AI is a fascinating tool, and in the world of interior design and home remodeling, it can be a helpful companion for visualizing changes. But it’s just that: a tool. It can’t replace the value of human experience, craftsmanship, or the thoughtful creativity that goes into a truly well-designed space.

If you’re dreaming up a home refresh and want to explore a few ideas through AI, go for it. But when you’re ready to bring it to life, it’s time to let real people step in.

I’d love to see what AI generated for you! Tag me on socials @saltwood.interiors

2417 CALLE LINARES, SANTA BARBARA

Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11 - 4 Newly Reduced $2,499,000

OCEAN and ISLAND VIEW Home on the MESA

This home is perfectly positioned on the Mesa, giving you uninterrupted ocean views, island views and an unmatched lifestyle in one of Santa Barbara’s most coveted neighborhoods. Imagine starting your day with coffee on the balcony, watching the sky and sea change color. The upstairs living area, with its kitchen and dining space, is designed to maximize these stunning coastal and island views. The 2 bedrooms downstairs each have their own bathroom and of course offer the same beautiful views. This 3bedroom/3 bathroom home is waiting for your personal touch. The sunset views are stunning too!

THE BEATING HEART OF SANTA BARBARA

Set above Rincon with sweeping ocean views, Primoya Estates blends privacy, natural beauty, and refined coastal living. Thoughtfully restored and expanded, the property features a Palladian-style main residence complemented by a guest house, wine grotto/cellar, pool, caretaker suite, 3-car garage, and expansive motor court. Landscaped gardens, stone patios, and curated interiors create inviting indoor–outdoor flow perfect for both quiet retreat and e ortless entertaining. Professionally managed cherimoya orchards and Pinot Noir/Chardonnay vines provide a turnkey, low-maintenance experience. Imagine serving wine sourced from your private vineyard or your temperature controlled 1,650-bottle wine grotto. Just minutes from the beach, Montecito, and just 8 minutes to Linden Avenue.

Primoya Estates | 7200 Casitas Pass Road | Offered at $12,000,000 Bartron Real Estate Group

329 Offered

(805) 563-4052 | DRE# 01976075 Team@SantaBarbaraHomes.com SantaBarbaraHomes.com

Enjoy complete ~1 acre Montecito center of this 2,300+ sq. ft. originally built features modern retains its rustic

From all of us at Richardson Real Estate Services Mike, Kyle, Dina, Ashley, Michelle, Adam, and Jennifer we extend our heartfelt wishes for a joyful, safe, and meaningful Thanksgiving.

Your Mesa Realtors

We are deeply grateful to call Santa Barbara our home and to serve this exceptional community. Over the years, more than 1,150 of our neighbors have entrusted us with the purchase or sale of their homes, and we cherish every relationship built along the way. Your confidence, loyalty, and friendship continue to inspire our work every single day.

Wherever this holiday finds you, gathered at home or traveling abroad....we wish you peace, gratitude, and the warmth of friends and family.

privacy on this fabulous Montecito estate. Resting at the property is a charming Craftsman style home circa 1912. Today, it modern amenities, and still charm. Located in MUS.

1547 Shoreline Drive Offered at $7,995,000

With appreciation, Mike and Kyle Richardson Brokers / Owners

1553 Shoreline Drive Offered at $3,495,000

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” — Psalm 136:1

Rare ocean front estate on the Mesa! This spectacular 4bed/4.5bath ultra-luxury property boasts ~5,100+ sq. ft. of living space resting on over 1/2 acre of prime California coastline. Enjoy unparalleled ocean views from every corner of this contemporary home. Must see in person!

1/2 acre ocean front lot! This is a once in a life time opportunity to purchase a vacant piece of ocean front property located in one of Santa Barbara’s most desirable neighborhoods. Build your dream home to the exact specifications that you desire. Panoramic ocean views! The Richardson Team

Mike and Kyle Richardson Team@mrrealtors.com 805.963.1704

Mike and Kyle Richardson Team@mrrealtors.com 805.963.1704

www.mrrealtors.com BRE Lic. #00635254 + #01902531

www.sbrealtor.com

DRE Lic. #00635254 + #01902531

The Fine Art of Architect Anthony Grumbine

Before landing at Santa Barbara’s Harrison Design, architect Anthony Grumbine earned two bachelor’s degrees architectural studies and art history from Carleton University and a master’s in architecture from Notre Dame. He was finishing up that graduate degree in 2007 when he was recruited by Harrison Design founder Bill Harrison at a campus career fair.

Today, Grumbine is a senior principal at the firm, where he’s drawn building plans for some of the region’s finest private homes. Along the way, he’s served in the public sphere, as well, previously as board president of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and currently as chair of the city’s Historic Landmarks Commission.

When asked what he likes most about his job, he replied, “Watching the design process come together through thoughtful collaboration, taking note of that first drawn image as beautifully executed results come to life.” For more, we caught up with Grumbine to talk about the role of fine art in architecture.

Any artists in your family, or teachers, who encourage you early on? I grew up in a big family, and we would draw, paint, and do a lot of creative projects, especially since we only got to watch TV on weekends. My parents were very encouraging of our art pursuits.

Any fine art education or formal training? I took a few art classes in high school and college, but it wasn’t until taking an intense drawing class for my undergraduate architecture degree that I saw a strong improvement. Interestingly, I saw all 70-plus of my classmates improve greatly as well.

The other major area of growth came from a drawing class in Rome with Dr. Jaime Cooper, who was both an architect and PhD in architecture history and theory. He taught us to draw as a way of analyzing and understanding great architecture, from entire building sketches to the smallest classical moulding profile.

Tell us more about studying in Italy. Highlights? It was as part of a two-year masters of architecture program at the University of Notre Dame, with one semester in Rome. We took several trips throughout Italy, studying the great buildings and cities.

Assisi was my favorite hill town. Venice was magical and otherworldly. Rome was overwhelming in the amount and quality of beautiful buildings. I filled an entire sketchbook. What’s the story beyond your watercolor of Venice’s St. Mark’s Square? During my semester in Italy, I visited Venice with my wife and our four sons. The painting depicts our 3-year-old and 4-year-old chasing pigeons in the square (which they loved doing in any piazza). It was a gift for my wife, and definitely one of my best pieces.

During the 2017 Thomas Fire, we were out of town and the fire was very close to our house. A good friend offered to grab whatever he could carry out. I panicked and picked the largest oil painting we had. Then after I had hung up the phone, I remembered “Chasing Piazza Pigeons” and was kicking myself for not choosing it. Thankfully, our house did not burn. That experience helped me realize that this is my favorite painting.

How does your fine art background inform your architectural work? The ancient Roman architect Vitruvius, in his Ten Books on Architecture, talks about how all good architecture has three key components: firmitas (well built), utilitas (function), and venustas (beauty). In various ways, art has informed my work as an architect, especially in helping me be sensitive to what makes things beautiful how the shape of a moulding catches the raking morning light, how certain proportions are especially pleasing to the eye, how the right materials and colors work perfectly as an architectural palette. There are so many ways in which an artistic eye helps architects create beauty.

Another way the practice of art has helped me professionally is in sketch studies of well-built historic architecture. That helps me analyze and understand why buildings last through construction methods, materials, and thoughtful, practical detailing.

An artist’s perspective helps remind me to be part of projects that are not only built well and function well, but are also so beautiful that artists would want to paint them. Whether it be a stunning home that perfectly suits the owner, or a church that moves the soul to God, I have found that beauty is critical to architecture.

OPEN HOUSES

Goleta

507 Bolinas Way #103, 2BD, 2.5BA, Sun 1-4, $1,055,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Joe Parker 805-8865735, DRE#01314939

562 Poppyfield Place, 3BD, 2.5BA, Sun By Appt, $1,255,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Reyne Stapelmann 805705-4353, DRE#01347808

5767 Stow Canyon Road, 4BD, 3BA, Sat & Sun 1-4, $1,750,000, Village Properties, Liana Carroll 805729-2991, DRE#01870712

San Roque

3728 State Street #135, 3BD, 3BA, Sat & Sun 1-4, $1,679,000, Village Properties, Jennifer Grube / Marilyn Moore 213-399-5682 / 805-6890507, DRE#02132436 / #01255085

Hope Ranch

4004 Via Laguna, 4BD, 4BA & 1PBA, Sun 1-4, $6,925,000, Sotheby’s International Realty, Brad Merritt 805-450-6522, DRE#01855401

The Riviera

1260 Ferrelo Rd, 4BD, 3BA, Sat & Sun 12-3, $3,250,000, Douglas Elliman of California, William Turner 805-708-3236, DRE#01935111

Santa Barbara

1815 Bath Street #4, 1BD, 1BA, Sat 1-3, $779,000, Village Properties, Pat Saraca 805-886-7426, DRE#01080801

352 Por La Mar Circle, 1BD, 1BA, Sat 1-3, $900,000, Village Properties, Bruce Frey 805-515-4135, DRE#02294679

1330 W. Valerio Street, 2BD, 2BA, Sat 12-3 & Sun 1-3, $1,639,000, Village Properties, Justin Corrado / Bruce Frey 805-451-9969 / 805-5154135, DRE#01356799 / #02294679

618 Anacapa Street #5, 3BD, 4BA, Sat 1-4 & Sun 11-2, $2,995,000, Village Properties, Marilyn Moore / Johnny Deim 805-689-0507 / 805-679-0692, DRE#01255085 / #02247763

Carpinteria

3950 Via Real #239, 2BD, 2BA, Sun 1-4, $895,000, Sotheby’s International Realty, Marie Larkin 805-680-2525, DRE#00523795

123 Polo Way, 3BD, 3.5BA, Sat & Sun 11-3, $3,400,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Cammie Calcagno-Newell 805-455-7661, DRE#02055049

105 Polo Way, 3BD, 3.5BA, Sat & Sun 11-3, $4,300,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Cammie Calcagno-Newell 805-455-7661, DRE#02055049

Santa Ynez Valley

639 Roskilde Rd, 2BD, 1.5BA, Sun 12-3, $682,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Dianna Zlaket 805-390-8382, DRE#01701860

475 Heritage Ln, 3BD, 2.5BA, Sat 10-1, $879,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Ava Ji 805-886-2831, DRE#01964940

9 Chamiso Dr, 4BD, 3BA, Sat 2-4, $959,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Ava Ji 805-886-2831, DRE#01964940

644 Chalk Hill Rd, 3BD, 2BA, Sun 1-3, $1,350,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Beau Staley 805-550-2408, DRE#02252461

1214 Coast Oak Dr., 4BD, 3BA, Sat 11:30-1, $1,675,000, Village Properties, Lisa Allen 805-705-3460, DRE#01242652

80 Bobcat Springs Rd., 3BD, 3BA, Sat 2-4, $1,925,000, Village Properties, Lisa Allen 805-705-3460, DRE#01242652

3410/3420 Manzana St, 4BD, 3.5BA, Sat 12-2, $2,575,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Beau Staley 805-550-2408, DRE#02252461

Since 1988, we have been deeply honored to serve our incredible clients and be a part of this wonderful community.

As we celebrate 37 years of providing unparalleled concierge-level service, we are filled with gratitude for the trust and support of the 2,650 clients who have allowed us to be part of their journeys.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to serving both current and future clients with the same dedication and passion that have defined us since the beginning.

This Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to you—our clients, friends, and neighbors. May your holiday be filled with warmth, laughter, and cherished moments with your loved ones.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us!

Museum of Art Donors Celebrate at Impressionist Exhibit

On November 17, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) hosted a lovely gathering for its high-level donors and special guests to celebrate and enjoy the current exhibits, The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse from the Dallas Museum of Art and Encore: 19thCentury French Art from its own collection.

During the reception, more than 100 guests enjoyed cocktails and the breathtaking artwork. They were welcomed by Eichholz Foundation Director Amada Cruz, who opined that the importance of these complementary exhibits cannot be overstated, as they celebrate “this wonderful moment of creativity, which really led to the birth of modernism.” The Impressionists, Cruz noted, were actually quite revolutionary in their time and introduced everything that happened in post-19th-century art.

On display for the first time simultaneously are four Monets from SBMA’s own collection. The Dallas exhibit includes another seven Monets among that exhibit’s 49 paintings and sculptures.

Cruz proudly shared how the exhibits have attracted visitors from all over California and how they fit into the

museum’s mission of integrating art and life. She thanked a long list of donors for supporting not only the exhibits, but also the education programs, art camps, and Art Learning Lab. Among the major donors were The Dana and Albert R. Broccoli Charitable Foundation, Manitou Fund: Nora McNeely Hurley and Michael Hurley, SBMA Ambassadors, Geof and Laura Wyatt, Carol and Michael Linn, and Nancy and Doug Norberg.

On a guided tour, Chief Curator James Glisson explained how SBMA is among an esteemed set of institutions hosting the Impressionist exhibit on loan from Dallas. The exhibit roughly coincides, Glisson noted, with the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionism exhibit in 1874. He explained the myriad controversial aspects of Impressionism and placed it in its historical context, before delving into specific works of art.

SBMA, which has more than 26,000 objects in its permanent collection, currently receives no government funding for its $10.7 million budget, rendering absolutely necessary contributions from these and other donors to sustain its operations.

In 2021, SBMA completed a six-year, $50 million renovation of its 113-year-old building. Donors make possible SBMA’s impressive exhibits, education programs, and outreach programs. The museum’s programming reaches more than 25,000 students and teachers each year, and its Art Learning Lab provides a free drop-in space for artmaking for the public on the weekends and 1st Thursdays. Options to support the museum include becoming a member or patron, both of which come with many perks. The annual Gilded Gala, which will feature actress Zoe Saldaña-Perego and visual artist Marco Perego-Saldaña on February 25, is sold out.

For an excellent review of the two current exhibits, please see Josef Woodard’s story, readily accessible at Independent.com.

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