Barbara shows off some of the store's beautiful and stylis clothing and accessories. |
Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, she was raised in Arcadia and had all the verve of a native Californian. Barbara’s decision to move to the Santa Ynez Valley was based, in part she said, due to the fact that her sister Judy Bates and family lived here. “When I first got here,” she said, “I worked at Heather Cottage, the outlet center and did some volunteer work.”
A fan of mysteries, Barbara admitted to also enjoying the movies, the beach, traveling and Bunco. “I share my home with a rescue sheltie named Tyler,” Barbara added, noting that he is her second adopted dog. Barbara grew up in a family of four. “I have another sister in Encinitas and a brother in Mill Valley,” she said.
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The two friends met while Carol was working at Dawn and Company, a former Solvang dress shop. “I was first a customer,” Barbara explained, “then later a friend. When the shop closed,” she added, “we decided that the Valley needed a boutique shop and opened Details in 1996.”
The shop combines a workable mix of clothing, accessories and art. “But it’s all about the details,” Carol chimed in, “that’s what clothes are all about!” You can be certain that the “details” are important to this energetic pair. Check out the quality, workmanship and displays. With Barbara’s eye for fashion and Carol’s artistic sense the shop is delightful to visit.
A talented artist herself, Carol said that Dee Sudbury’s art was the first they asked to exhibit in the show. “We now feature four,” she said, with Barbara noting that Carol is one of that quartet.
Although born in San Gabriel, Carol feels like a Valley native. The Wood family, three boys and one girl, moved here in 1956 and carol attended Solvang Elementary School later graduating from the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. My brother Glen still lives here, John is in Idaho and Roland lives in northern California. Carol’s late father Adrian was a well known local contractor and her late mother Claire was a fixture at Bruhn’s and later at its successor Viking Men’s Wear for the Dotz family.
Carol and her husband Peter have one son, John, who works with his dad in the family business Wendelighting.
When asked what her family did for hobbies and entertainment Carol had a quick answer. “We’re foodies,” she admitted, “we talk about food while we eat and enjoy a wide variety of cuisines. We are all good eaters.”
Always interested in art, Carol put her paints aside for a number of years and worked as a designer. “I specialize in life style functional design,” she said. “If someone wants to build or remodel, I look at what their living needs are and design accordingly.”
Barbara, she admits, got her back to the easel and it’s apparent that she’s as at home with a brush as with a blueprint.
Currently gracing the shop’s wall is a collection of Carol’s animal paintings and landscapes. Clearly these are two ladies with good business sense and both possessing a keen eye for style.
“The shop is ‘our baby’,” Barbara noted with an evident mix of pride and responsibility.
When the talk turned to my interest, food, they both provided great recipes. Barbara shared a great salad and Carol pulled out a Wood family favorite, father Adrian’s famous meatballs.
Barbara’s salad is legendary. As easy to fix as it is good, she says that you can make it ahead of time for a fuss-free dish. “Follow the directions exactly,” she says, “just remember not to toss it until you are ready to serve.”
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All of Carol Wood's oil paintings have a soft, lyrical appeal. Pictured above is "Blue & the Barrel". |
BARBARA’S SALAD PARMESAN
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Dash dry mustard
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 cup oil
1 large head romaine lettuce
In a large bowl mix garlic, salt, pepper and dry mustard. Stir in parmesan cheese, lime juice and oil and mix well. Break up or tear romaine into bite sized pieces and pile in bowl on top of dressing. DO NOT MIX. Cover bowl and refrigerate. When ready to serve sprinkle with more parmesan cheese and toss well.
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