Design Inspiration from the California Coast: A Road Trip with Our Co-Founder Chelsea

At Together Home Design Studio, we believe the best design inspiration doesn’t always start behind a desk — it often begins far from the studio, with the windows down, coastal air in your hair, and no agenda other than to follow what lights you up.

This summer, our co-founder Chelsea took a road trip through three of our favorite design destinations: Montecito, Ojai, and Summerland — a stretch of the California coast filled with beauty, soul, and effortless style. These towns have long inspired our work as Marin County interior designers, and each visit brings fresh perspective and creativity that we bring back to our projects in the Bay Area and beyond.

Favorite Design Stops Along the California Coast

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or looking for inspiration of your own, here are a few of our go-to stops when we’re road-tripping down the coast:

Montecito

📍Bettina – A warm, beautifully designed pizzeria perfect for soaking in casual elegance.

📍Mate Gallery – A tiny, curated gem of nautical finds, vintage goods, and design inspiration.

Ojai

📍The Duchess – A hybrid café, bakery, and shop with rich textures and global influence.

📍Bungalow – A boutique filled with elevated California lifestyle finds.

📍Bart’s Books – An outdoor bookshop that’s as whimsical as it is inspiring.

📍Blue – A shop offering curated home goods with soulful style.

📍Summercamp – Playful, nostalgic design with a vintage twist.

📍Ojai Rotie – Delicious Mediterranean fare with dreamy patio vibes.

Summerland

📍Field + Fort – A design-lover’s dream café and lifestyle store rolled into one.

📍The Well – A holistic shop and apothecary that inspires wellness and calm.

Let’s Work Together

At Together Home Design Studio, we create warm, refined interiors that are built around how you live, feel, and gather. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, we work with families and homeowners across Marin County, Mill Valley, Redwood City, and beyond.