Main menu
The Partners of Victoria Garden Mews
Our partnership began with a question from Dennis Allen:
"Want to try and build the most sustainable development possible in historic, downtown Santa Barbara and then move in together to form an intentional community built around food, beauty and friendship?" We all said "Yes" and that began a five year journey into the resolution of thousands of technical, aesthetic, legal, economic, contextual and environmental considerations that has become our home.
Thanks for visiting our site. We hope it will be helpful to you as you search for answers and resources for your own projects and dreams. And please feel free to write us or come for a visit. Part of our fun is to share what we have learned.
Throughout the planning, design and construction, we all participated in every decision. Decisions were made by unanimous vote. Usually, we worked through challenging issues as we worked through wonderful meals together.
Each partner brought a unique set of tools and perspectives to the process and everyone chipped in to help with the myriad unforeseen details that extended way beyond the clearly delineated tasks listed below.
From left to right, we are:
Joe Bush & Kathy Bush
Joe Bush:
Attorney
wjbush@aklaw.net
www.aklaw.net
Joe provided all legal counsel for the Project – of which there was a surprising amount. He created and tracked the innumerable legal designations, documents, permutations, and requirements through which we were required to pass, allowing an informal group of friends to re-characterize our relationship from partners, to LLC, to HOA. His guidance instructed us, reassured us and protected us.
Kathy Bush:
Interior Designer
kathybushinteriors@hotmail.com
Kathy’s professional interior design guidance and creative direction is evident throughout the project – from floor plans to furniture to colors. The look and feel of the entire Victorian home was created by Kathy – all colors, materials, finishes and furniture were chosen by her. Kathy was also instrumental in many design decisions for the back unit and especially the 3rd floor finishes.
Dennis Allen & Jenny Cushnie
Dennis Allen:
General Contractor, Founder of Allen Associates
dallen@dallenassoc.com
www.dallenassoc.com
Dennis conceived of, inspired, and led the rest of us headlong into this adventure. Acting as General Manager for the LLC during the project he tirelessly attended to the millions of administrative and PR details we never could have anticipated. Then his company, Allen Associates, built the entire project to a level of quality and beauty that still astonishes us all. Dennis and Jenny together designed all the finishes and created the interior design for their unit on the second floor.
Jenny Cushnie:
Jenny became our General Administrator doing banking, insurances, communications, and generally attending to a surprising mountain of paperwork that seemed to grow year by year. Jenny also kept sub-ledgers clear to assist Mary in keeping the formal financial records.
Mary Beierle & Devon Hartman
Mary Beierle:
Ceramic Artist, Sculptor
marybeierle@me.com
www.mebstudio.com
Mary designed and created the tile work for the arch at the window seat and the bronze angel sconces in the bedroom of the 1st floor unit. Mary also kept all the formal financial records for the project.
Devon Hartman:
Designer, Builder, Consultant, Lecturer
dhartman@everywattmatters.com
www.everywattmatters.com
www.hartmanbaldwin.com
www.claremontenergy.org
www.pilgrimplace.org/eeproject
Devon created the interior architectural design, floor plan and all finishes for the 1st floor unit and the kitchen/great room floor plan on the 3rd floor.
Kathy Bush and Devon collaborated on all 3rd floor finishes. Devon also helped arrange for the strategic financing for the project.
