Step inside a serene Montecito home with stunning ocean views. "Old Montecito with new fusion flair" is the style described by designer Penny Drue Baird. Comfortable, effortless and elevated is the look. “I’m a big believer that interior design should respect a building’s architecture,” Baird muses. And so, taking stock of the newly constructed dwelling’s cathedral ceilings and material palette of stone, wood and plaster, she imagined a modern riff on classic Santa Barbara style: a home designed with ease, entertaining and indoor-outdoor living top of mind, yet peppered with artistic conversation pieces. From far-flung treasures to comfortable nooks perfect for sipping a fresh-squeezed cocktail, this home’s waltz between casual and elevated befits a dreamy California locale beloved in equal measure for its rustic and glamorous accents. “We wanted comfort, a relaxed mood and a neutral backdrop to let the trees and ocean shine,” the homeowner adds.

“With today's open floor plans, the emphasis on dining rooms has disappeared. But the opposite situation can also arise. What happens when there is no area designated for a dining room? How can one create an area for entertaining?" says Penny.

"In the case of our Montecito project we had to improvise. The living room had numerous architectural constraints that made dining awkward and oddly sized. After examining the possibilities- we designed a dining area in a large and wide corridor. As we already had a sumptuous chandelier here, a dining table was right at home underneath it... and a new dining ' room' was born. So start thinking out of the box!” encourages Penny.

Nab AD Top 100 designer Penny Drue Baird's effortlessly chic style with a curated collection of breezy seating, organic lighting and colorful accents.