Village Vibe: Diane Warren Stewart & Monica Epstein

Meet Diane Warren Stewart, the owner of Stewart Fine Art, located in the Upper Village of Montecito. With her exceptional collection of fine art, she has cultivated a devoted following.

“I think I offer a unique collection of fine art. I’ve been in the business for over forty years and so I have people that followed me here, but I’ve made a lot of new friends and clients since moving to the Upper Village. It’s a very supportive small room group of people that live here that really appreciate art and books and culture in general, so it’s been a really good fit for all of us.

“I hope [Montecito] is my final resting place. This is my last stop; I don’t want to ever go anywhere else. This is sort of the place I’ve looked for all my life, so this is my destination.” 

Monica Epstein

Introducing Monica Epstein, co-founder of Ysidro, the canned sake spritzer. She and her husband, Seth, have raised three children in Montecito and their home is a hub where friends gather, adventures begin, and unforgettable moments unfold.

“My husband went to UCSB, and it seems like everyone who went to school there is put under some kind of spell with a wish to return at some point or figure out how to never leave. We’re so lucky to be able to call Montecito home. The rhythm of life here suits our family. My husband and my kids all surf and skate so I’ve been embedded in those worlds. As we’ve all gotten older, this has evolved into photography and the more artistic side of Montecito. My house has always been the center of a lot of activity – the place to stop by before or after a surf, the scene for many al fresco dinners that take us late into the night with friends. Sometimes, it feels like everyone in Montecito has sat around my table and knows their way around my kitchen.”

Want to add your own Vibe? Send a message to zach@montecitojournal.net