Rooms & Gardens owner Jami Voulgaris has relocated her popular décor and design shop to Montecito’s Upper Village after decades in downtown Santa Barbara. “While it has been great to be part of the State Street culture, my loyal customer base is in Montecito, so this move made a lot of sense,” she says.
Rooms & Gardens owner Jami Voulgaris has relocated her popular décor and design shop to Montecito’s Upper Village after decades in downtown Santa Barbara. “While it has been great to be part of the State Street culture, my loyal customer base is in Montecito, so this move made a lot of sense,” she says. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo

The late afternoon sun made a welcome appearance in Montecito’s Upper Village just in time for the recent grand opening of Rooms & Gardens.

The private family-and-friends event was hosted by owner Jami Voulgaris, who made the decision to relocate to the heart of Montecito after decades on State Street in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara.

Guests mingled in Voulgaris’ newly remodeled space — at 1482 East Valley Road, Suite 108, next to Tecolote Book Shop — as they checked out handmade custom furniture, lamps, shades, pillows, draperies, and a whole room of fabrics and textiles.

Items are placed in and around a large showroom with vignettes for customer inspiration and ideas. The store offers in-home interior design consultations and can reupholster or slip-cover your existing pieces, in addition to creating draperies shades and space planning.

Rooms & Gardens has long flourished as a go-to, full-service shop for home décor and commercial spaces. Voulgaris has her own custom furniture workroom in Los Angeles, where her craftsmen create sofas, chairs, beds and tables. She even has her own custom wicker weaver.

  • The new Rooms & Gardens at 1482 East Valley Road, Suite 108, in Montecito’s Upper Village, features the same handmade custom furniture, lamps, shades, pillows, draperies, and custom fabrics and textiles as its old downtown Santa Barbara location.
    The new Rooms & Gardens at 1482 East Valley Road, Suite 108, in Montecito’s Upper Village, features the same handmade custom furniture, lamps, shades, pillows, draperies, and custom fabrics and textiles as its old downtown Santa Barbara location. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo
  • Rooms & Gardens owner Jami Voulgaris has relocated her popular décor and design shop to Montecito’s Upper Village after decades in downtown Santa Barbara. “While it has been great to be part of the State Street culture, my loyal customer base is in Montecito, so this move made a lot of sense,” she says.
    Rooms & Gardens owner Jami Voulgaris has relocated her popular décor and design shop to Montecito’s Upper Village after decades in downtown Santa Barbara. “While it has been great to be part of the State Street culture, my loyal customer base is in Montecito, so this move made a lot of sense,” she says.
  • Rooms & Garden owner Jami Voulgaris has a custom furniture workroom in Los Angeles, where her craftsmen create sofas, chairs, beds tables and woven wicker.
    Rooms & Garden owner Jami Voulgaris has a custom furniture workroom in Los Angeles, where her craftsmen create sofas, chairs, beds tables and woven wicker. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo
  • Rooms & Gardens’ large showroom features vignettes for customer inspiration and ideas.
    Rooms & Gardens’ large showroom features vignettes for customer inspiration and ideas. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo
  • The Rooms & Gardens team, from left, Laura Wing, Iris Merritt, Jami Voulgaris and Brooke Tiller.
    The Rooms & Gardens team, from left, Laura Wing, Iris Merritt, Jami Voulgaris and Brooke Tiller. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo
  • In-home interior design consultations are among the services offered by Rooms & Gardens.
    In-home interior design consultations are among the services offered by Rooms & Gardens. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo
  • The Rooms & Gardens reception featured Poe & Co. hors d’oeuvres along with champagne and wine.
    The Rooms & Gardens reception featured Poe & Co. hors d’oeuvres along with champagne and wine. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo

“We have always had a huge celebrity following, completing many design projects for Hollywood A-listers,” Voulgaris told Noozhawk.

“We also sell our custom furniture regularly to top designers all over the country.”

Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica are among her clients, and she and her design team are continuously updating their looks. 

Voulgaris thanked the many guests, who included a number of Rooms & Gardens’ first-ever clients. Well-wishers toasted her with champagne and wine, and enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres by Poe & Co.

“While it has been great to be part of the State Street culture, my loyal customer base is in Montecito, so this move made a lot of sense,” she said.

Rooms & Gardens is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Judy Foreman

Judy Foreman, Noozhawk Columnist

Judy Foreman is a Noozhawk columnist and longtime local writer and lifestyles observer. She can be contacted at news@noozhawk.com. The opinions expressed are her own.