Enter the effortlessly cool world of design duo Darrell and Kirsten Becker who transformed The Mill into the contemporary industrial chic creative center it is today. The team’s own design workshop and boutique showroom, The Millworks, will give you plenty of inspiring ideas for furnishing and decorating your home and you can purchase or custom order everything you see on the floor. Women in search of wardrobe enhancements must pop into clothing designer Catherine Gee’s space where she designs her ready to wear collections and invites clients to shop her silk dresses and tailored tops—many pieces have been featured in leading global fashion magazines. With Potek Winery, Third Window Brewing and Wildwood Kitchen also occupying production and retail spaces in The Mill, you can spend an entire afternoon meeting the makers, mingling with locals and savoring delicious local flavors.
(406-414 E. Haley Street, Santa Barbara, California)

Photo Credit, Instagram @sbmillworks

[email protected] is the retail core of The Waterline, a dynamic co-op space in the Funk Zone. The open marketplace features a rotating line-up of vendors and artisan goods predominantly made by locals. Clothing, ceramics, photography, jewelry, footwear and more are artfully displayed in tightly edited stations. Want to try your hand at floral design, painting or jewelry making? Check the schedule online for DIY workshops taught by local artisans. When you’re done shopping or need to contemplate a purchase, quench your thirst at Topa Topa Brewing or relax with a glass of wine at Fox Wine Co. You can also settle in for a bite to eat from The Nook at Lama Dog Tap Room next door. (120 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101)

Photo Credit, Instagram @meadowrose via @guildedtable

Treasure hunters are wild about The Blue Door, a Funk Zone favorite offering three floors packed with vintage and Mid-Century Modern furniture. The vast space houses exclusively vintage and locally-made items ranging from Balinese wall décor, Spanish Colonial wrought iron chandeliers and Chinese antiques to seafaring knick knacks, massive American flags and flawlessly restored Danish modern furniture. The goods are curated by a variety of designers and dealers who share the owners’ keen aesthetic. Their themed tableaus are refreshed on a nearly daily basis so no visit to The Blue Door ever feels redundant. (4 E Yanonali St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101)

Photo Credit, The Blue Door

A new addition to the thriving Funk Zone neighborhood, The Shopkeepers showcases large scale art by local painter Hank Pitcher, avant-garde footwear from The Office of Angela Scott, modern men’s beachwear by SALTURA, colorful Turkish towels made by Riviera Towel Company and Waxing Poetic’s jewelry collection—to name just a few of the covetable brands in regular rotation. Whether you’re in the market for luxurious textiles for your home, an elegant hostess gift or a rocking leather jacket, The Shopkeepers is filled with tempting items you won’t find in any department store. They even offer a selection of books set in Santa Barbara sourced from the community’s beloved Chaucer’s Books. (137 Anacapa St A, Santa Barbara, CA 93101)

Photo Credit, Instagram @the.shopkeepers

Diani Living is an intimate space in Arlington Plaza filled with home and garden finds sourced and designed by co-owners Caroline Diani and Jeffery Doornbos. Think vintage wooden stools, Moroccan towels, hand-made pillows, cozy throws, baskets of all sizes and lighting. Belly up to the Botany Bar to request a customized succulent arrangement or peruse the selection of inviting coffee table books and striking photography by Doornbos. The shop also offers interior design and staging services. (1324 State Street M, Santa Barbara, CA 93101)

Photo Credit, Instagram @dianiliving

Named after the owner’s sons, Jake & Jones is welcome new addition to Santa Barbara’s boutique line-up in a neighborhood increasingly know for its independent spirit. The bright, airy Canon Perdido shop is filled with colorful beachy-boho chic clothing and fashion-forward frocks from homegrown California brands like Heidi Merrick, The Odells and Aviator Nation plus lines with indie cred like Ace & Jig, Carolina K and 3×1 denim. Kids and men’s clothing are also on offer, along with a delightful selection of home accents, books and notecards. (136 East Canon Perdido St. Santa Barbara, CA)

Photo Credit, Instagram @shopjakeandjones

Family owned and operated, the Italian Pottery Outlet has been a State Street institution since 1982. The Spalutto’s offer the largest selection of authentic Italian “Majolica” hand-painted pottery and volcanic tables in the Western U.S. The colorful home and garden wares are primarily sourced from Umbria, Tuscany and Sicily and fit perfectly with Santa Barbara’s Mediterranean style. Better yet, you can buy these beautiful ceramics at wholesale prices—expect to pay at least 30% less than what you’d find at a traditional retailer. (929 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA)

Photo Credit, Instagram @italianpottery

As its name implies, Plum Goods is filled with desirable objects from jewelry, books and art to men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. Plum Goods is a true celebration of all things Santa Barbara and the community’s ethos. Basically, this is exactly the type of place where you’ll find all the things you didn’t even know you so desperately needed! Ethical and sustainable production is the common thread here, and the stylish shop also supports several local artisans so you’ll feel extra good about any purchases made here. (909 State St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101)

Photo Credit, Instagram @plumgoodsstore

Summerland’s The Sacred Space will take you on a spiritual journey as you wander through the interior galleries and peaceful gardens out back. Owners Rose and Jack Herschorn travel the world to source furniture, statues, art and textiles that foster tranquility. Buddhas, prosperity elephants and meditation benches fill the fragrant shop where incense, candles and Asian artifacts give you much to touch, smell and see. You can even enjoy a cup of tea. The quality of the items and serenity of the space have attracted notable local clientele like Oprah Winfrey and Jeff Bridges. (2594 Lillie Ave, Summerland, CA 93067)

The Treasure House and Rack on the gorgeous grounds of the Music Academy of the West are stocked with items donated for resale to benefit the prestigious classical music education program. The Treasure House is the housewares side with antiques, furniture and china while The Rack carries designer clothing, accessories and shoes. Given Montecito’s affluence, it’s no surprise the selection is high-end and some serious deals can be found. This is where you might just stumble upon the find of a century. And every purchase supports scholarships for the musicians selected to spend their summers learning from the Academy’s internationally renowned faculty, guest conductors and soloists. (1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara, CA)

Whiskey & Leather is a lifestyle concept store created by friends Zee Chew and Ariel Hujar. Their Coast Village Road boutique carries clothing and footwear for women and men and—as the name implies—everything you need for a styling home bar. Whiskey & Leather presents a youthful interpretation of Santa Barbara’s signature easy-going elegance that extends beyond clothing to the art, antiques, accessories, books and candles that fill their Montecito space. (1101 Coast Village Rd. Santa Barbara, CA)

Photo Credit, Instagram @whiskeyleather

Mate Gallery is a tiny den of New England style curated by owners Ron Brand and Matt Albiani. Albiani’s fine art beach photography and vintage oil paintings are displayed alongside out of print books (like The Hardy Boys series) and rare nautical artifacts. Nearly every surface of their maritime-themed Montecito Country Mart shop is adorned with eye-catching items, from surfboards wrapped in rope and American flags to stacks of vintage OP shorts and racks of preppy polos. (1024 Coast Village Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108)

Photo Credit, Instagram @mategallery

Longtime Santa Barbara entrepreneurs Wendy Foster and Pierre Lafond’s Upstairs at Pierre Lafond is the iconic home and gift store in their local retail and culinary empire. The Upper Village shop set above the Wendy Foster clothing boutiques and Pierre Lafond Café features an ample selection of Moroccan rugs and pillows, tabletop décor and luxurious bedding. There are rooms dedicated to women’s loungewear and pampering products, men’s clothing and lifestyle goods and kids’ toys and clothes. You’ll also find coffee table books, sophisticated stationary and vibrant art works by local painters. (516 San Ysidro Rd # 1, Montecito, CA 93108)

Photo Credit, Instagram @upstairspierrelafond

While Jenni Kayne isn’t technically a homegrown Santa Barbara brand, the California tastemaker’s Montecito boutique is one of only six in the country and exudes the laid back luxury of The American Riviera®. The Upper Village shop is pure earthy elegance with its reclaimed wood shelving and concrete floors that complement the selection of Jenni Kayne clothing, shoes, accessories, bedding and home accents on offer. Other brands blended in include Janessa Leone hats, Jesse Kamm pants and The Great’s wardrobe staples. (525 San Ysidro Rd Unit H, Montecito, CA 93108)

Photo Credit, Instagram @jennikayne