Welcome! I’m Jeff Doubét- a Santa Barbara-based designer, consultant and author dedicated to the craft of Spanish-style home design. I’m also the Founder of the Creating Spanish Style Homes® – a book, website and blog.
If you’re planning, designing, or remodeling, you’ve found the perfect resource. Creating Spanish Style Homes® is a comprehensive visual guide built from 22+ years of hands-on experience and 1,300+ exclusive photos of authentic Santa Barbara Spanish home design.
Since 2003, I have expertly documented real-life renovations and artisan collaborations to help homeowners bring world-class Spanish charm to life.
Jeff Doubét Visual Resources for Spanish Home Enthusiasts
If you’re a visual learner who loves beautiful imagery, stunning architectural details, and authentic design inspiration—you’re in the right place!
As a Santa Barbara-based photographer, designer, and storyteller I’ve had the privilege of not only designing Spanish homes and landscapes in one of California’s most beautiful towns, renowned for its Spanish architecture… I get to shoot film of it all.
As an artist and designer, I really connect with the richness of shapes, materials, and textures that are built into Spanish homes and landscapes. What started as a desire to learn everything I could about the genre eventually turned into a flurry of collaborations—beautiful projects created with interesting and talented people throughout Santa Barbara and Montecito (and beyond).
Now, I’m sharing with you some of my favorite things I’ve learned along the way!
A Spanish Home Blogger with a Building Background
Many may not know I held a California General Contractor license for 10 years. Though I retired that credential many years ago, that construction experience informs every post.
I believe there is an art and a craft to designing and building authentic Santa Barbara Spanish-style homes and landscapes. Implementing the correct design elements and building them properly equates to a high-quality end product—your home!
Why I Created This Blog
It’s a roundabout story, but it all started with establishing my Spanish home design studio in 2003. I’ve always carried a camera in my back pocket, and by photographing each and every project… I eventually had documented thousands of architectural details, materials and construction techniques.
Sometimes I’d get teased, but I find it fascinating to record special moments in time—especially those lucky shots captured while being at the right place at the right time.
Twelve years later, I began to compile in-the-trench stories, work experiences and favorite project photos. My goal at the time was to create a unique and special Spanish Home Design Consulting Book. That beautiful book ended up taking me 3 years and 3,800 hours to BUILD.
When I finally completed it in 2018, my wife Lori and I took a chance and published our 240-page coffee table book. Thanks to Amazon, Creating Spanish Style Homes has been purchased all around the world. So far: 1,984 copies and counting!
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I really enjoyed the process of making a 5-star coffee table book from scratch. Fast forward to 2025—my wife Lori and I aren’t up to the risk of publishing a second edition at this time.
So this website and blog is where I continue teaching “The Art of Spanish Charm.” It’s a way to expand my creative thoughts and photo collections. My hope is I will inspire you to accomplish something cool with your own projects.
What You’ll Find Here
This blog is designed for visual learners. As an artist and creative person, I mostly think in pictures and drawings. I believe most people prefer looking at inspiring photos, over reading lots of empty words.
Here I share:
- Exclusive photo shoots filmed at rarely accessible project locations
- High-quality custom Spanish homes + landscapes designed and built in Santa Barbara and Montecito, CA
- Before-and-after transformations of fixer-upper homes turned into authentic Santa Barbara Spanish-style properties
- Design tips, materials, and construction techniques from my two decades of hands-on experience
- The talented artisans, builders, and homeowners who are enthusiastic about this work
So far, I’ve shared 1,300+ photos (and continue adding more, regularly).
Showcasing the process of transforming fixer-upper homes and turning them into high-quality Spanish-style properties is fun. There are so many talented artisans, builders and homeowners who are enthusiastic about doing this. We all have a deep passion for designing and building these creations—like the award-winning project ABOVE.
My Journey to Spanish Home Design
An unexpected layoff in 2003 became my greatest blessing. It led me to create Santa Barbara Home Design and spend the next 20+ years designing Spanish-style homes.
The vision for my boutique design and consulting business has always been to keep it small. Santa Barbara is the perfect town to do just that. I ended up winning a few national awards, but what I’m most proud of is starting my design and consulting business from scratch.
My early life in Santa Barbara started way back in 1985 when I packed my ’56 Ford and left my hometown of Minneapolis. I can’t believe it was 40 years ago! Funny how some things never change. I continue to wear a tool belt on my own projects, and still love restoring vintage trucks.
Many do not know I am a college dropout and never followed through on formal training in the field of Spanish home and landscape design. But with our faith in God and many years of hard work, my wife and I have been blessed to build a life in Santa Barbara doing what we love.
If you’re curious about the roundabout way I navigated disappointments and ended up becoming a Spanish home designer, author, and blogger, you can read more about those early life setbacks that would become amazing blessings.
A Bit About My Photography Obsession
I’ve actually been making scrapbooks and recording life on film ever since I was a kid. My first camera on that beautiful Christmas morning many decades ago kicked off a passion I continue to develop every day.
The photos and experiences I share on this blog have been developed during my career and personal, one-on-one relationships with homeowners, general contractors, and the artisan building trades. I’m proud of everyone who wants to build something great. I believe our generation continues to contribute to the history of the Santa Barbara Spanish architectural style.
Jeff and Lori Doubét in Santa Barbara
Speaking of things I am proud of… In 1988, I met and married my beautiful wife Lori. She is an incredible guide and advisor to me as I continue building the Creating Spanish Style Homes® blog, website and brand.
Lori and I both stepped back from full-time work at 61 and are now together 24/7. We always seem to have some sort of home or landscape project we’re working on here in Santa Barbara. We also enjoy various other hobbies, including traveling with our Airstream in tow.
Be sure to check in once in awhile. Lori is the love of my life, and I will continue to share personal updates now and then.
My Plans for This Blog
My ongoing vision is to continue artistic point of view and storytelling process as I post new inspirations and exclusive photo shoots of high-quality custom Spanish homes and landscapes designed and built in beautiful Santa Barbara and Montecito, CA.
I also enjoy promoting the exceptional talent in our local independent building trades as they work on amazing projects throughout the area and will continue to do more of that.
Also on my bucket list: Shooting more film throughout historic Santa Barbara, and capturing more Spanish architectural details I think you will appreciate and enjoy.
Nothing is perfect… but it is authentically created, one day at a time.
Well friend, I hope you are enjoying the site and learning how to infuse more Santa Barbara style into your own Spanish home design project. Sincerely, Jeff Doubét