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Catherine Masi’s home is a bright guest house in Montecito, an area of Santa Barbara, California. Set on a 1920s estate, the rental offers a fresh start and a welcoming place to create. White walls, colorful accents and sunlight that moves through the rooms give the home a calm, cheerful feel. The property also has a bit of history: one of the first female Oscar winners lived there for a time in the 1930s.
Catherine Masi’s home: a light-filled creative retreat
Morning light reaches the bedroom, while the sun comes into the office later in the day. That changing natural light helps make different areas feel suited to different parts of the day. For anyone arranging a home workspace, it can be useful to notice when and where daylight falls before choosing a desk or planning activities that benefit from good natural light.
The house is also a place for easy gatherings, from afternoon tea or coffee to evening drinks with friends. Its mostly white palette gives the colored accents room to stand out, while the garden setting and mature palm, pine and citrus trees add to the peaceful atmosphere. Masi describes the home as a blend of sentimental objects and new possibilities—a combination that gives the space a personal feel without needing a perfectly finished design.
Family heirlooms and meaningful artwork
Art and personal keepsakes are central to the home, especially in the bedroom. A standout piece is a dresser made and painted by Masi’s grandfather and his team around the 1930s. His father had brought the family furniture business from Italy to Brooklyn at the turn of the century. The dresser was part of Masi’s childhood bedroom in New England before making the journey across the country to California.
Other treasured items include artwork and small objects that belonged to her mother, who died when Masi was young, as well as gifts from her father and stepmother. A large ink drawing from her former husband carries its own meaning: it was made to remind her of the places she will go in life. Grouping objects with personal histories can make a room feel distinctive; a practical approach is to display a few favorites where they can be appreciated rather than crowding every surface.
A home that supports creative work
Because the house is a rental, Masi cannot keep her boxer, Mars, there. She visits him daily at his father’s home. The arrangement also means she can use white rugs and leave art materials out without worrying about muddy paws, dog hair or a curious nose getting into supplies. She uses the rooms for creative projects, photo shoots and preparing shop orders, making the house feel like both a home and a small art studio.
For a multipurpose space, keeping frequently used materials accessible can make creative work easier to begin. At the same time, assigning clear areas for projects, photography or packing orders can help a home remain functional when several activities share the same rooms.
Settling into a new space
Masi moved into the guest house at the beginning of the previous summer. It took longer than expected to arrange everything indoors, but the surrounding old palm, pine and citrus trees and flower gardens made a strong first impression. The interior continues to evolve, yet returning to the house brings a sense of calm and belonging. That feeling, rather than a finished decorating plan, is what she considers the mark of a happy home.
What makes Catherine Masi’s home feel personal
Catherine Masi’s home brings together natural light, a relaxed setting and objects connected to family and personal history. Its evolving style shows how a rental can still feel individual: meaningful art, thoughtful color and practical areas for everyday interests can make a space welcoming without requiring a complete redesign.
