Santa Barbara is a collection of cultures and the furnishings found in its homes reflect this diversity. From Asian chests to Arts & Crafts dining sets, this city has a wide range of looks and styles when it comes to furniture.
Santa Barbara has many definitions of beauty, reflected in everything from the buildings to the furnishings found in inside. This wide range of styles makes a visit to homes around the city an interesting and enjoyable experience. There are a few types of designs that tend to occur more often and a house can have several looks in different areas, adding to the charm of the interior.
One type of design that is well loved is an Asian look that incorporates graceful lines of well worked wood and rich colors. Most Asian influenced pieces have their roots in functional items, so a simple chest can be useful and at the same time a dramatic statement with red lacquered surfaces and ornate hardware. Asian furnishings can come anywhere from China to Thailand and are usually found at import boutiques and antique stores.
The Craftsman style has become synonymous with clean lines and excellence in construction. A part of the Arts & Crafts movement, these lovely pieces often focus on the quality of the materials used and the skill of the craftsperson that created them. Highly functional but less ornate than some other looks, Craftsman furniture adds a simple elegance to the room and allows for more leeway when it comes to adding other types of design statements. While some antique stores have items tucked away there are also a few furniture makers that still make items in this charming style.
A very popular type of furnishings in Santa Barbara homes is Green furniture. This style has a number of different looks, but shares the common trait of being made with environmentally friendly materials and processes. Often created from recycled products and with a focus on avoiding interacting with chemicals, Green furniture tends to have a more modern feel to the designs. An area that has blossomed recently is the use of easily renewable wood resources like bamboo for furniture construction, allowing for a wide range of options when deciding on wood pieces. Green furniture is available at a number of stores in Santa Barbara.
A tour through Santa Barbara shows many different designs and styles, all of which make this city a beautiful place to live. Find a moment to visit a furniture gallery or putter through an antique store and find if one of the many Santa Barbara styles suits you and your own diverse tastes.