Neighbourhoods we serve
Homes in Santa Barbara
After the 1925 earthquake, Santa Barbara rebuilt in the Spanish Colonial, Mission and Mediterranean Revival styles, and Spanish-style homes from after 1925 are found all over the city. Victorian houses survive downtown and on the Upper East, and early-1900s bungalows are common.
On the Riviera, the Riviera Company’s rules from 1913 had buyers build white stucco homes with tile roofs, and many houses on the lower Riviera are modest Craftsman or smaller Spanish-style homes.
In the El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District, the Historic Landmarks Commission reviews exterior changes. The city’s “Santa Barbara Colors” guide lists colours for Spanish-style buildings, and choosing from it can qualify for staff approval. If your home is in El Pueblo Viejo or is a designated landmark, check with City Planning before changing colours.
Climate and coatings
The late-spring marine layer (“May Gray” and “June Gloom”) keeps shaded walls damp, and that is where mildew starts. Sherwin-Williams’ advice is to wash mildew off before painting, since it grows back through new paint, and to use a paint with mildew-inhibiting agents.
Sundowner winds blow down the Santa Ynez Mountains toward the city, mostly in spring and fall, bringing sudden heat and very dry air. Dunn-Edwards advises painting exteriors in the warmest, driest part of the day and protecting fresh paint through its first 48 hours.
Sources: Santa Barbara (Wikipedia) · Riviera Association · City of Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara Colors · City of Santa Barbara: Historic Landmarks Commission · June Gloom (Wikipedia) · Sundowner winds (Wikipedia) · Sherwin-Williams: mildew · Dunn-Edwards: painting in cold weather