In Santa Barbara, Katie Labourdette-Martinez and Olivia Wahler, the sisters-in-law behind Hearth Homes Interiors, are reviving the bed-and-breakfast concept with Hearth Homes Stays. Reimagined by the duo, The Craft House Inn opened last year, recently followed by the Boardwalk Beach House, and they are now readying a downtown Victorian. We find out more.
Why B&Bs? As kids, we’d travel to B&Bs with our families and create amazing memories. Many of these establishments fell out of sync in the post-COVID world, so we wanted to rethink the concept in a way that allows today’s families to create those same kinds of memories.
What’s your approach? We honor the original design of the home, uncovering and restoring its beauty. From there, we blend form and functionality for our guests. We want to wow them aesthetically, but also make sure to provide them with everything they need during a stay.
How does the area influence you? Our goal is to create a sense of place, and to both honor and take advantage of everything Santa Barbara has to offer. With an emphasis on indoor-outdoor flow, gardens and the overall feel of the home, we want our projects to feel like Santa Barbara itself: beautiful, lighthearted and full of character.
