Montecito Mediterranean

Author:

Dara Barker transforms an outdated and disconnected home into a relaxed compound

The entry features Limestone Rock Mill Tile & Stone, an Eastern Forged Wrought Iron Chandelier and Vintage Cicim Rug.
Photos by Blake Bronstad.

“My design philosophy centers on accentuating a home’s standout features with a cohesive interior style that not only mirrors, but enhances the house’s inherent character and architectural features,” says Dara Barker, who began her professional career as a lawyer but made the transition to the design industry after building her own home. Now at the helm of her own firm—Defining Space & Style—she recently revamped a Mediterranean-style home in Montecito for her own family and curated relaxed, modern interiors that reflect the ultimate California lifestyle. “It’s important for Santa Barbarians to be in harmony with the mountains and the sea so this indoor/outdoor living centered around the pool with views of the mountains reflects this lifestyle,” she notes.

In the living room, the cane chairs are by Barclay Butera, the sofa is by Rove Concepts and the coffee table is by Alibi.
Photos by Blake Bronstad.
Custom cabinetry by creates a contemporary feel in the kitchen, The leather stools are by Pottery Barn. Photos by Blake Bronstad.

She discovered the original home while perusing Zillow but it needed a lot of love. “Before the renovation, the home was just two bedrooms,” she recalls. “The main house was a heavy, dark Spanish-style and the guest wing was a detached 1950s style bat-and-board structure, which seemed architecturally unrelated to the other side. In addition, the two structures had no interior connection which was very limiting if you were to have young children or guests in your home.”

The dining room is illuminated by a William Sonoma home chandelier that hangs aove Dovetail dining chairs. The campaign stool is from Frontgate. Photos by Blake Bronstad.
The cocktail bar is painted in Portola’s Roman Clay Wall paint. Photos by Blake Bronstad.

She and her team corrected the issue by relocating the front door entirely and enclosed an open breezeway that carved out a formal foyer and linked the two structures. “I rebuilt the entire guest wing in the same style as the main house and connected the two with a glass hallway that overlooks the pool and fruit trees. The home now has five ensuite bedrooms and a very large ADU,” she notes.

Photos by Blake Bronstad.

Her main architectural goal was to embrace indoor/outdoor living and have access to the endless views throughout most of the home. “It was important for me to have inviting views and vignettes from every room, and for it to have modern architectural details like crisp arches and shadow line molding but that stay true to the style of the home,” Barker says.

The primary bedroom features a bed from Four Hands, table lamps by Coco Republic and a rug found on Etsy. Photos by Blake Bronstad.
Photos by Blake Bronstad.

For the finishes and decor she celebrated the bright natural light by wrapping the home in a predominantly neutral palette and serene modern surfaces accented by rustic and soft furniture. “I incorporated both contemporary and vintage pieces along with a number of interesting antique textiles to add depth and character to make the home feel new, but with old world charm and patina,” she notes. The final result is a laid-back, luxurious home where her family can enjoy all that Santa Barbara has to offer.