At Home With State Restoration: Kitchen and Bathroom Upgrades Add Value

March 2, 2026

6:55 pm

State Restoration

3350 Willow Lane, Westlake Village, CA 91361
Tel: (805) 379-1276 | staterestoration.com
Showroom hours: Monday-Friday 8 am – 5 pm

CLICK HERE: Learn More About State Restoration

By Tracy Marcynzsyn, Photography by Cameron Knudsen

Far more than a place to live, our homes reflect how we gather, relax and express our personal style. When it comes to interior spaces, kitchens and bathrooms have the greatest impact on both daily comfort and long-term property value. Updating these essential rooms with high-quality materials and thoughtful design is one of the most impactful investments a homeowner can make, especially when guided by the experienced professionals at State Restoration, headed by husband and wife duo Darlene and Douglas Kimbell.

With more than 25 years of experience, State Restoration specializes in helping homeowners design and build kitchens and bathrooms that are visually striking and made to withstand daily demands while also reflecting the homeowner’s personal style. As kitchens and bathrooms experience constant use and exposure to moisture, heat and changing conditions, material selection and craftsmanship are critical.

Often the hub of the home, the kitchen is where we cook, connect and gather with family and friends. Updating cabinetry, countertops, flooring and appliances with quality materials can dramatically improve its function and feel. State Restoration’s expert team consults with homeowners to create kitchens that are both highly functional and inviting, with smart layouts, custom cabinetry and finishes that elevate the entire home. Their designers work closely with clients to ensure every element supports the way the household lives, while also adding lasting value.

Bathrooms, while more private, are equally important. A well-designed bathroom offers a sense of comfort and retreat, combining practical features with refined style. State Restoration’s expertise in bathroom remodeling allows homeowners to transform outdated spaces into modern, spa-inspired environments using premium tile, stone, fixtures and cabinetry. Careful planning ensures that moisture resistance, ventilation and long-term performance are built into every design.

One-Stop Shop

One of the key advantages of working with State Restoration is their ability to manage the entire renovation process from start to finish. With an in-house team of designers, architects, engineers and project managers, the company provides a seamless, one-stop experience. This integrated approach allows for better communication, accurate timelines and consistent quality throughout every phase of construction.

Beyond daily enjoyment, kitchen and bathroom upgrades offer significant financial benefits. These two rooms rank high on the list when it comes to return on investment. State Restoration helps clients make strategic material and design choices that appeal to current tastes while remaining timeless, ensuring renovations add both immediate and long-term value. Their extensive showroom allows homeowners to see and compare materials firsthand, making confident decisions that align with both vision and budget.

Detailed planning and precision execution are hallmarks of State Restoration’s work. From initial measurements to final finishes, the team’s attention to detail helps prevent costly delays and ensures projects stay on schedule. Their long-standing relationships with trusted suppliers also allow them to offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality.

In today’s evolving insurance and building standards, keeping kitchens and bathrooms updated has become increasingly important. Aging plumbing, electrical systems or worn materials can pose risks if left unaddressed. State Restoration’s experience in renovation and restoration allows them to identify potential issues early and incorporate upgrades that protect both the home and the homeowner’s investment.

Ultimately, updating kitchens and bathrooms is about more than aesthetics—it is about creating spaces that enhance everyday living and support long-term peace of mind. With decades of experience and a reputation for craftsmanship, State Restoration continues to help homeowners transform these vital spaces into beautiful, functional environments designed to be enjoyed for years to come.

Schedule a complimentary consultation today at 805.379.1276 or visit StateRestoration.com to learn more.

Community Love: Montecito Bank & Trust Gives $1.2 Million to Local Nonprofits

March 1, 2026

5:27 pm

Finance March

Learn More About Montecito Bank & Trust

For the 23^rd year and counting, Montecito Bank & Trust awarded local nonprofits grants to support their efforts to uplift the area’s most vulnerable residents.

“You and your teams are resourceful problem solvers; often the first to see a need and step up to meet it,” acknowledged Chairman and CEO Janet Garufis. “You respond to crises at hand, work to find long-term solutions and to help empower individuals and families so that they have the tools they need to not just survive but thrive. You feed the hungry, house the homeless and heal the hurting… You listen to your community, engaging with them to better understand their needs, collaborate with partners… and advocate for changes to enhance the quality of life for all segments of our community. THANK YOU!”

Montecito Bank & Trust’s Annual Community Dividends® Awards Luncheon, held last November at The Hilton Santa Barbara Beachside Resort, recognized 188 local nonprofits’ amazing work, distributing $1.2 million in awards to help support their programs. Since its launch in 2003, the Community Dividends program has invested more than $24 million in over 300 nonprofit organizations. In 2025, its total charitable giving exceeded $1.7 million, with funding directed toward organizations serving low- to moderate-income individuals and families across both counties.

Nonprofit executives, frontline staff and volunteers gathered alongside 68 Montecito Bank & Trust associates, the Bank’s executive leadership, Board of Directors and Emeritus Director Pete Jordano to celebrate the organizations. Throughout the year, Bank associates contributed more than 5,500 volunteer hours to many of the organizations represented.

In addition to awarding Community Dividends grants, the Bank chose two nonprofits to receive the Michael Towbes Community Impact Dividend, established in 2019 to honor the Bank’s founder. The annual award directs at least $100,000 to nonprofits delivering essential, sustainable services to large numbers of vulnerable residents.

This year, rising demand and a shifting funding environment made it difficult to prioritize a single area of need.

“Identifying one pillar where the need was clearly greatest—food insecurity, mental wellness, housing and healthcare—proved to be an impossible task,” Garufis said. Thus, the Bank opted to strengthen the community’s safety net by investing in two trusted local foundations: Santa Barbara Foundation and Ventura County Community Foundation. Each received $100,000 for emergency response funds, bringing the Impact Dividend total to $200,000.

This decision “demonstrates MB&T’s unwavering commitment to our ENTIRE community. Mike always hoped that our Philanthropy would ‘model the way’ for others in the community,” said Garufis. “We believe this is one of those moments where MB&T can make a powerful statement about the urgent need for support.”

Attendees received a surprise treat from students at the Music Academy of the West’s SING! Program, who performed Shalom Chaverim, a Hebrew folk song, and Kuwa Furaha (Be Joy) by Jim Papoulis, drawing a standing ovation from the audience. The free after-school program primarily serves students from Title I schools & is supported by Montecito Bank & Trust.

The event concluded with another unexpected nod commemorating the Bank’s 50th anniversary—five “golden tickets,” each representing a decade of service, were tucked into the Bank’s 2025 Community Impact Report distributed at the event. The nonprofits who discovered them received an additional $500 donation.

The afternoon demonstrated the importance of service and recognition as well as the mutual benefits that result when local institutions work with area nonprofits to invest in the well-being of the place we call home.

Lovin’ Everything & Everybody Local

January 30, 2026

11:56 pm

Publisher Letters

Publishers Letter

Ben Malkin, Publisher

The title of this message might seem like an overstatement (it is)…there is certainly plenty of that going around these days. However, I was inspired by a “local” story that is not local to our commu-nity, but to one in Florida. While it is 3,000 miles away, it meant as much to me as if it happened in Thousand Oaks or Westlake Village.

I’m old-fashioned. I’d rather be informed by what I read from a diverse selection of credible sources than have my brain fried by TV “talking heads” or a blabbermouth podcast “influencer” (gads, I really dislike that word!). So, I get news feeds from newspapers, magazines, broadcast and internet media of all sorts.

In this case, The Washington Post sent me an article entitled, “He ate at this restaurant every day. When he didn’t show, the chef saved his life.” What happened was that a retired Air Force veteran was an everyday diner at the Shrimp Basket restaurant in Pensacola, Florida. He always ordered the gumbo. He chatted with folks and became friends with the chef. When he stopped showing up, the chef went to his apartment, found him near death and then saved his life. That and the amazing follow-up support from the chef, the restaurant and its staff and patrons are in the article (https://apple.news/A11Yn4eQ_QMqCKXiZVFVczQ).

Businesses and a neighborhood came together to support a lonely senior. What does this caring, compassion and generosity in Pensacola have to do with our community? Pretty much everything. I believe it could and might happen here and come out just as well.

In this issue you will see how Montecito Bank & Trust supports local nonprofits throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. It’s a bank for Pete’s sake! But it’s a community bank and that says it all! There is much more inside and itis all about us…the “locals.” Friends and neighbors.

What I’ve Learned Designing Backyards in the Conejo Valley

January 29, 2026

8:29 pm

Home • Design March

Cat in a Hammock

Outdoor Spaces Are More Than Just Landscape. Bespoke outdoor spaces that reflect your lifestyle, invite connection, and bring everyday peace home. Serving Thousand Oaks and the surrounding area

275 East Hillcrest Dr. Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 263-4200 | catinahammock.com

CLICK HERE: Learn About Cat In a Hammock

By Kristina Jones, Founder & Creative Director of Cat in a Hammock

After years of walking properties throughout the Conejo Valley—up quiet cul-de-sacs in Thousand Oaks, along winding drives in Westlake Village, and into backyards with spectacular promise—I’ve learned something reassuring: Most homeowners already know what they like. They just don’t yet know how to translate it into a space that truly works.

“I always recommend that clients explore Pinterest, Houzz or even pull pages from magazines. It costs nothing to start dreaming. Don’t worry about whether it fits your space or your budget just yet—this is your time to gather visual ideas that stir something in you. Think of it as building a mood board for your lifestyle: textures, colors, garden moments, architectural elements. Give yourself the freedom to explore without editing. That’s where the magic begins,” says Kristina, who finds her own source of inspiration in natural settings.

Backyards here are full of potential, but they’re rarely simple. Slopes, oak trees, sun exposure, wind corridors, HOA guidelines and irrigation realities all conspire to turn “We just want something beautiful” into a far more nuanced conversation—before we even talk about how people actually live.

One of the first questions I always ask isn’t about materials or style. It’s this: How do you imagine spending time here? Quiet mornings with coffee? Family dinners that stretch into the evening? Children running barefoot while adults linger near the fire? These answers shape everything.

What I’ve learned designing backyards in this area is that the most successful spaces don’t chase trends. They respond to lifestyle. Travel may inspire certain details—a texture, a planting choice, a way of gathering—but those influences are most valuable when interpreted through the Conejo Valley environment. When a backyard settles into its surroundings, it begins to feel inseparable from the land, the home and the lives unfolding within it.

One of the most interesting challenges I see is scale. Larger properties often have the freedom to include everything—pools, kitchens, fire features, lawns, pathways—but without thoughtful hierarchy, those elements can drift too far apart, leaving some spaces beautifully designed yet rarely used. When areas are connected by proximity and purpose, even expansive grounds feel intimate and alive. At the other end of the spectrum, smaller yards are often underestimated. With the right design, they can become private, layered retreats—secret gardens that feel intentional and surprisingly generous.

Another frequent issue is flow. Outdoor spaces should move you naturally—from the house outward, from sun to shade, from active to restful. When that flow is missing, homeowners tend to use only one corner of the yard while the rest becomes beautifully landscaped but largely ignored. That’s always a missed opportunity.

Then there’s the question of longevity. Families grow. Children grow. How a backyard functions today may look very different 5 or 10 years from now. The best designs allow for that evolution—spaces that feel complete now, but flexible enough to adapt later.

At Cat in a Hammock, we approach each project as a collaboration—between our design team, our build crews and the homeowners themselves. Design and construction need to speak to each other fluently. A beautiful idea that can’t be built well, or maintained realistically, rarely brings long-term joy. Our role is to guide the process thoughtfully, balancing creativity with practicality, and vision with execution.

There’s also a lighter truth I’ve learned along the way: No one ever regrets good lighting. It’s the quiet hero of outdoor design. The way a path glows in the evening or how a tree is softly lit after sunset often determines whether a backyard feels magical or merely functional.

Ultimately, what makes a backyard feel like home isn’t the size of the pool or the price of the stone. It’s how naturally life unfolds there. When spaces are designed with intention—when they respect the land, the climate and the rhythms of daily life—they become the backdrop for everyday moments and lasting memories.

What I’ve learned, above all, is that the best backyards in the Conejo Valley don’t try to impress. They invite. They endure. And on a Tuesday evening, when the light fades and the day finally exhales, they remind us why we chose to live here in the first place.