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WINE COUNTRY DESIGN Jim Rascoe and michael Web JIM RASCOE AND MICHAEL WEBB IREKO INTERIOR DESIGN & FINE FURNITURE. For more than 30 years Ireko interior designs have been highly sought-after installations in homes throughout Sonoma, Napa, Marin and San Francisco counties. The meticulously planned designs created by the Rascoe/Webb interior design team produce contemporary interior and exterior living spaces with a classic yet modern feel.
Ireko InterIor DesIgn & F more than 20 years ireko interior sought-after installations in home Marin and san Francisco countie designs created by the rascoe/w What’s your initial approach in designing a room? produce Any advice on a room’s lighting? pictuRed above contemporary interior an Everything about interiors hinges on scale. Start first A perfectly lit room blends overhead, task and Jim Rascoe with large, functional objects—sofas, coffee tables, accent lighting. If done well it can be atmospheric, a classic yet modern feel. large cabinets—and create a sense of balance in exciting and dramatic. Light can be used an the room. The big things will create spaces, like a wall that needs something, and will dictate where the smaller things go. Layer those in, but use them sparingly; too many will make a room feel cluttered. What’s your advice on buying accessories or decorating with them? Invest in a few good pieces like upholstery, tables, lamps or art. Those can be reinvented a million-andone ways. There’s great uniformity in design right now. Elements of major brands coordinate well, but it’s often boring and unexciting. Your accessories and unique pieces show your character. This is your opportunity to transform something from ho-hum to “oh wow.” Don’t hesitate to put an old, ornate piece in a modern room. It’s that touch of something with a history that will create the most exciting contemporary look.
accessory: pools of light can create interesting focal points. Accent your space with well-designed reading lights, floor lamps and table lamps. Use dimmer switches to create the right mood or drama in a room.
How do you incorporate favorite trends into your There are so What is the starting point for an interior own home decor? Don’t try to copy looks out of magazines. Your should How design project? house probably doesn’t have 20-foot ceilings, French and steel case windows. There’syes, no oneLed way (ligh we always begin with a space plan. it’s aboutdoors, how a to treat all rooms. Design for your own space. The mistake is to invite your neighbor to give and can be u room is to be used. we explore what kinds ofultimate things will the final call on what you should do with your own house. Getting advice is great, but it’s your space. be happening in the room: will it require Give us a call and let us help you achieve the look and feel you want. And look for our annual storeone or more gathering places if it’s a wide sale coming in May! living room, for instance? the second most critical aspect is the overall color scheme for the room. do you want a warm or a cool color palette? we usually work from the larger items to the smaller ones in designing spaces—from the type of flooring and furniture styling to the accessories and art, for instance. Ireko | Interior design | 424 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa | 707.579.3700 | ireko.com | Montgomery Village Shopping Center this ensures a proper sense of scale in the room.
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FIne FurnIture. For designs have been highly es throughout sonoma, napa, es. the meticulously planned webb interior design team nd exterior living spaces with
o many choices in lighting now. we think about it? ht-emitting diode) lighting is popular now used in more precise ways than track lighting or recessed lighting allowed. But we use a general rule when thinking about light: Make the source of the light secondary to the effect that it achieves in the room. while it’s true that chandeliers and many table lamps purposefully call attention to themselves, we honor the real purpose of illumination: to create drama or focus. if you’ll pardon the pun, we believe that lighting should not overshadow the environment it’s in.
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RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GEORGE BEVAN BEVAN & ASSOCIATES Established in 2003, Bevan + Associates is a full-service design firm specializing in custom residential projects in Sonoma Valley and the greater Bay Area. Their reputation is delivering creative ideas that are flexible, centered on entertaining, and blending the indoors with the outdoors, taking advantage of California’s climate.
What best describes your work? Working within a limited material palette serves as a framework for something beautiful. As in nature, simple is best, especially when living in a space with natural materials around you and outdoor light washing in. As a local design firm, what’s been your main focus? Connecting with the client. Learning how they live and designing a home that represents their lifestyle. Each space must serve a function, but also be beautiful. Since establishing the practice, I’ve maintained that our office be positioned in the community as a resource for anyone to ask questions or take on projects large or small. The most rewarding has been our experience with nonprofit work.
What have you noticed in recent trends? The pandemic has changed things up quite a bit. Restriction on travel, mixed with working from home made us ask more from what we think of as the traditional home. We’ve incorporated small things, from a corner office space to an entirely separate wing for Zoom privacy. Totally separate are more fire-resistant exterior materials: regionally this will be a topic for a long time. What separates yourself from other firms in the Napa & Sonoma region? Besides a strong design sense, our relationships with the outside consultants required to get the project done. We have over 15 years of experience with structural and civil engineers, along with close ties to county departments. We maintain an open communication stream: it’s critical to any size project we design. Quality outside vendors — tile, appliances, cabinetry — are easily accessible for us, to be matched with specific client’s needs.
Bevan & Associates | 369 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476 | 415-722-9217 | bevanassociates.com
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LUXURY LINENS PAMELA LAYTON, OWNER PRIMA LINENS is Sonoma County’s premier linen store, offering linens crafted of the very finest fabrics from around the world. We can help you weave luxury and comfort into every room of your home.
Should bed linens be pre-washed before I use them? Yes, pre-wash your linens before the first use with cold or warm water only. Separate your linens from other items in the wash, especially those containing polyester, which tends to create pilling, and items with heavy zippers, which can damage the fabric. What kind of laundry detergent should I use on my linens? Use a mild detergent without bleach or whiteners. Chlorine bleach will weaken fibers and cause them to turn yellow. We offer several laundry soaps, including fragrance-free, that are gentle and will help to preserve your linens.
What is the best way to store my table linens? Store your table linens by hanging or rolling them around a tube to minimize creasing. Cover linens with cotton, linen, or muslin, or wrap in acid-free tissue. Store in a well-ventilated place and never use plastic or cardboard containers. What should I look for in a down comforter? First is responsible down sourcing that respects nature and ensures the humane treatment of geese. Second is the quality of fabric for comforters and pillows as well as their construction. Third is personal comfort. Our down products come in a wide variety of weights and fills to ensure a perfect night’s sleep.
Prima LInens | 2324 Magowan Drive, Santa Rosa | 707.544.3252 | Mon-Sat 10-6 • Sun 11-5 Images courtesy of Matouk, Sferra and Anne de Solene.
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EXPERT INTERIOR & LIGHTING DESIGN KELLY SILVERSTEIN, ASIA, IDS JASON KRIST, IES, CALCTP TITLE 24 CERTIFIED HUMANITY HOME & CABINETRY AND JASON KRIST ELECTRIC - YOUR DESIGN DREAM TEAM Industry leaders Kelly Silverstein and Jason Krist joined forces to provide their clientele with a premium interior design package. The collaboration offers clients the opportunity to realize the difference a customized design makes in their living environments and enjoy the rewards a custom home can make in its inhabitants’ daily lives. What led you to team up? Why should we hire you as a team? We kept seeing the same frustrating design and construction issues popping up. Great design can’t fully reveal itself without great lighting, while creatively lighting bad design just showcases its shortcomings. We knew that together we could deliver fully realized environments for our clients. Our clients are happier with our collaborative results, and we can save time and money by the upfront collaborative process. What design-build industry changes make a design-team approach crucial? The construction industry has undergone radical changes: wildfire and earthquake threats, energy efficiency and sustainability. These, plus advances in lighting and home control systems, and a wide choice of layout and furnishing options, mean each design facet warrants expert attention. We collaborate with owners, architects and other specialists for expertise in each area. The result is an enjoyable home, with cutting-edge technology, designed for those who will live there.
What can your team address when planning a new build or remodel? We think “inside the box,” looking at your home from the inside out. We consider lifestyle, hobbies and interests, and design your home around them. Where do you place a focal piece of artwork? How many people will you entertain? Design, lighting, furniture selection and layout, wall texture and color; all combine to create a home environment. Our job is to bring the right elements together, in the right ways. What process can a client expect when they engage your services? Experience has taught us the devil really is in the details. Each detail not addressed at the outset is a missed opportunity, or may be an expensive change or addition later. Clients can expect to get to know us, and vice versa. The more we know about their family, work and leisure preferences, how they interact with the space around them, the more likely we can help create their special home.
Humanity Home and Cabinetry | 799 Piner Road, Suite A | Santa Rosa | 707-595-5046 | Humanity-home.com Jason Krist Electric and Lighting | 3624 Airway Dr. | Santa Rosa } 707-931-9333 | jasonkrist.com
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CONTEMPORARY WINDOWS AND DOORS JILL ZIEDRICH GAYLOR - PRESIDENT HUDSON STREET DESIGN As part of Healdsburg Lumber Company, we’ve been your trusted resource for building materials since 1875.
How often should I have my windows and doors inspected or repaired? Windows and doors typically last many years. To have them last as long as possible, it is important to conduct routine servicing on them. As older ones can begin to lose efficiency, our service department can inspect seals, sashes and frames.
Do I have to replace existing windows and doors with the same kind? Absolutely not! Talk to your sales representative and let them know what look and feel you are going for. Today’s windows and doors have many updated features and colors. Double-hung or casement windows? Barn doors or bi-fold doors? The possibilities are endless.
What do I need to know about the installation process? It is important to ask your contractor how long the process will take and what the procedures are. For instance, can they utilize the existing interior or exterior trim or will it need to be replaced as well? Find out how long they estimate the job will take and what they do to protect the other areas of your home. Our service department employees are factory-trained and can install windows for you while keeping things clean and organized!
Is replacing them worth the investment? Windows are a significant part of your home’s overall appearance, and are one of the few upgrades that can enhance the beauty of both the inside and outside of your home. Swapping out your old ones with Milgard’s high-efficiency replacement windows and doors can also provide smoother functioning parts, increased comfort, lower heating and cooling bills, and may even increase your home’s overall value.
Hudson Street Design | 434 Hudson Street, Healdsburg | 707.431.3630 | www.hudsonstreetdesign.com
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Milgard’s TrinsicTM Series | V300
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CREATIVE • INTERIOR • DESIGN MARK LASECKE PRESIDENT/CEO MARK THOMAS HOME is the premier furniture and interior design experience in northern California. We have two large brick and mortar stores with over 400 beautifully designed room settings from only the finest brand names. To help you achieve the look you want, we have 18 professional interior designers to make your house a truly beautiful home.
Will the furniture I buy today still be in style in 10 years? We keep current by attending industry-leading markets, conferences and seminars, both nationally and abroad. We follow trends but are not trendy. Our furniture is high quality, classic and timeless no matter your style: traditional, transitional, midcentury, modern or more. Our design team is skilled at styling to your needs: layering fabrics, color and texture with handmade area rugs, art, lighting, window coverings and accessories that can change seasonally or with your mood. Help! How do I design a whole house? We start with you, your family, your lifestyle and the things you love. We find a beautiful piece or two, and that becomes the foundation for the rest of the house. After that, it’s time to draw up scaled floor plans and put together digital idea boards so you can visualize the furniture in your spaces. Once the anchor pieces of each room are selected, the other choices will fall into place.
What if I just need a refresh? We love to refresh! Come in and meet our friendly design team. We can come to your home by appointment and visit your site. We will help evaluate your current style and discuss your vision and goals. We are always happy to share our ideas for better ways to open up and enjoy your rooms. We can help you decide possible new layouts, what to keep, what to give away and what to purchase to update to your new vision. Upon your return to the store we will be fully prepared to show you all the options in our beautiful 50,000 square foot showrooms, brimming with all the latest looks, textures, rugs, art, lighting and so much more. Once your selections are made and your delivery scheduled you’ll have our amazing white glove delivery team and interior design team every step of the way. For any project, we’ll be your partner through the interior design process so you can quickly and confidently make decisions that feel right to you in creating your perfect home.
Mark Thomas Home | Santa Clara Location: 1231 Comstock St. Santa Clara, CA 95054 | 408-727-3772 Santa Rosa Location: 707 5th St. Santa Rosa, CA 95404 | 707-542-1855 | markthomashome.com
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BUILT FOR PURPOSE JEFF AND LORI HARKEY HARKEY CONSTRUCTION celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The local, award-winning general building contractor prides itself on promoting transparency, honoring promises, offering high responsiveness and behaving with integrity. “We want our clients to feel good, knowing they’re dealing with a trusted and wellestablished company,” says Lori Harkey, who owns the business with her husband Jeff.
What sets Harkey Construction apart? We are builders and are devoted to the craft. We perform all our own work, commercial and residential. A lot of general contractors will subcontract out carpentry and finish work, but we have an in-house set of carpenters. We are carpenters by trade, with a number of longtime employees. We watch and monitor the quality and schedule, whether you’re remodeling, adding more space or building a dream home. And, we stay up-to-date with technology to provide clients the fastest systems. Do you specialize in certain areas? We offer high quality commercial and residential work, and excel at both building and remodeling. Wholehouse remodeling and large additions were our forte, but after the fires began, we said, “We’ve got to step up and help the community.” We ramped up: relocating and bringing on a larger staff so we were able to start building more houses, and helping people rebuild their lives. How important is community involvement and having a local focus? Jeff and I were both raised in Sonoma County. We
attended local schools and so did our kids. We’ve been in Windsor 25 years. In the past, we saved the Windsor fireworks, raising $35,000 in just three days, and the fireworks went on. We are also a supporter of the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Grove and donated labor to set up Christmas trees. Most recently, we were a major sponsor of replacing the Christmas Tree Grove lights that were burned in the recent fires. We also focus on helping a number of different charities around town. The clients who support us allow us to support others locally. What are some of the satisfactions you get from what you do? One pleasure is getting people back in their homes after fires, putting out their ‘welcome home’ doormat, turning over the keys and saying, “Here you go; a new starting point to begin your life.” We take pride in knowing we’ve built a high-end, solidly built home where they won’t run into issues because we didn’t cut corners. Our new catchphrase is “Built for purpose” — building structures for our clients to begin their futures. To us it means the two of us were built for this purpose, to do this work.
Harkey Construction | 810 DenBeste Court #101, Windsor, CA 95492 | 707-836-1315 | info@harkeyconstruction.com
Photos by: Gene Ivester – California Property Photography
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CABINETRY MEGAN NELSON & CASSANDRA STEPHENS STUDIO H DESIGNS, INC. is an award-winning company that specializes in cabinetry design for kitchens and bathrooms. They pair professional service with Americanmade cabinetry lines that are fit for all styles and budgets.
With so many options, where do you suggest starting for inspiration? We love when clients have Pinterest or Houzz boards of spaces they like. This provides us the ability to find consistencies in their inspirations, figure out what they love, and implement it in their own space. You can also start with one piece of the big picture to work around – it could be a bold colored appliance or even an existing piece of art.
Can different cabinet and/or metal finishes be mixed in one space? Absolutely! Mixing finishes and/or metals adds so much interest to a kitchen or bathroom. We recommend being intentional with a two-or three tone look by having a contrasting wood become a focal point – think an island or a whole wall. Metals can also be mixed by coordinating pieces within the space. For example, your faucet and pulls can be in polished nickel while your lighting and mirrors can be in gold.
How do you create a timeless kitchen? We recommend selecting neutral colors and clean lines to get that timeless look. A Shaker style door or subway tile are design choices that have been around forever – you cannot go wrong! By using subtle, classic elements like those in your kitchen, you can incorporate “trendy” elements in your hardware, lighting, and plumbing all which can be changed as trends or your personal style evolves.
What do you recommend to a client who wants clutter-free countertops? We love to incorporate appliance garages in kitchens since they allow hidden but easy access to appliances used daily – this can be behind a single door at countertop level that hides your coffee maker or tall doors at a large appliance pantry that can hide a mixer and baking supplies. We like to think of these areas as zones that serve the client’s individual needs and daily routines that provide function and conceal any clutter.
Studio H Designs, Inc. | 601 Elsa Dr Suite B, Santa Rosa | 707.843.7544 | studio-h-designs.com | Open By Appointment
Photo by: Melissa Atle
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LIGHTING DESIGN LUIS GONZALEZ, LIGHTING DESIGN CONSULTANT J.F. LIGHTING & DESIGN has been a family-owned business for more than 40 years. We are an upscale lighting store where we treat you as family. With the variety of lighting selections we offer, our staff will work with you through all your lighting needs.
What have you learned over the years in this business? What I’ve learned is, you may need to hold your clients’ hands. In most cases they want you to. They have an idea but don’t know how to express it. After talking with them, once you get that glimpse of what they like, it’s easy to help them, to say this is what you’re looking for. What brings you satisfaction in your work? Seeing people thrilled about how everything turned out. Some people have a hard time visualizing the end result, but once I know their direction, I’m able to picture it. I may end up choosing, but they love it: when everything ties together. Also, it’s never boring. Lighting isn’t the same thing over and over — there’s nothing cookie cutter about it. There’s something new all the time, on every job. What sets your firm apart: why should clients seek you out? We have a deep knowledge of everything that goes into lighting. Out industry has become smaller so there aren’t as many people with the broad range
of experience and training we offer. We know who can help, who carries what. Because I’ve worked in all kinds of industries, I’m aware of the whole house — not just the lighting aspects — and thus am better able to help my clients. How do lighting designers work with other members of the design team? We all have certain ideas on how to best help the homeowner. While no one person is going to be correct in every aspect, by working together we are able to collaborate, helping the client come out with the right design in their house. It’s a case of everybody helping everybody to achieve the goal of what the customer needs. What does lighting design add to a project? The beauty of everything! It’s the diamond jewel, the bling of the home, it’s what pulls everything together. We get to add a little something, giving it a more personal touch. A home without lighting is unfinished. It’s like a beautiful portrait: you have to finish it. Adding a piece of lighting, a wall sconce or hanging, sets it apart.
J.F. Lighting and Design | 1378 Airport Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA | 707.545.7944 | www.jflighting.com
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ENVIRONMENTAL ARCHITECTURE MICHAEL KOVAC RA, LEED AP KOVAC DESIGN STUDIO. Our architectural design team specializes in one-of-a-kind homes and structures that are visually compelling, environmentally appropriate, and respectful of their settings. The Rifugio at Lupin Ridge, (right) an accessory dwelling unit designed by founder and design principal Michael Kovac, blends Sonoma’s gracious country lifestyle with demanding environmental challenges.
How does this design respond to the particular lifestyle and landscape of Sonoma County? The Rifugio—named after the mountaintop refuges in Italy’s Dolomite mountains that welcome all visitors for food and shelter—is located on the easternmost slopes of Sonoma County with views of its own small vineyard and the surrounding rolling oak and vineyard-covered hills. Embracing a landscape that gives rise to an unparalleled food and wine culture was a driving force behind the design which features a chef’s kitchen with panoramic views, highlighting the gastronomy culture of Sonoma and providing a warm, light-filled setting for its guests. How have the recent wildfires influenced the design of the Rifugio? We nestled the building into the hill to protect it from fires that may approach from nearby Nun’s Canyon. The structure is concrete, wrapped with extremely fire-resistant fiber cement planks
Shutters closed for wildfire defense
colored to match the surrounding oak tree trunks. Shutters of the same material roll closed to protect the expanses of glass in the event of a fire threat. The design also incorporates an extensive solar array with robust battery backup system to deal with inevitable grid power outages. How does this relate to your interest in environmental design? For the Rifugio in Sonoma, we’re investigating the use of a carbon-capture aggregate for the concrete; this allows us to have the fire resistive and structural benefits of concrete while minimizing its typical high-carbon footprint. We focus on designing warm, welcoming projects that embrace and respect nature. My own home, the “Sycamore House,” completed in 2010, was one of California’s first LEED Platinum homes, a respected measure of environmental sensitivity.
Open to enjoy life in Sonoma!
Kovac Design Studio | 11828 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90064 | (310) 575-3621 | www.kovacdesignstudio.com
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LUXURY PREFABRICATED HOMES KAVEH KHATIBLOO & JOHN MORGAN, CO-CEOS At STILLWATER DWELLINGS, we believe designing and creating your new home should be done with great care, not only by considering your needs and wishes, but also by living up to our reputation of providing you with a beautifully designed, expertly crafted, prefabricated home under the constant guidance of Stillwater professionals.
What makes Stillwater Dwellings a different kind of home designer? The typical approach to building a new home is to hire an architect who starts with your wish list and a blank piece of paper. This method offers endless possibilities. Engineering and building costs are often factored in after a lengthy and expensive design process, followed by an unacceptable level of volatility in price, time frames and other logistics. What are the advantages of a prefabricated home? A prefab house refers to a dwelling in which sections are constructed in a factory and then transported to the job site for assembly. The attention to detail and efficiency that comes from refining the work process in a controlled setting provides many environmental and economic benefits such as: less waste (up to 50% less than a traditionally built home), a precise build, a healthier home environment, shorter construction times, and predictable pricing.
Are your homes energy efficient? The Stillwater components have been created with precision technology that cannot be replicated on a job site. The final assembly results in exceptionally tight seams and joints providing a more energy efficient home. Heating and cooling opportunities are analyzed in the initial planning phase and then built into the design to help offset energy costs. How do I get started? The first step is to reach out to us. Tell us what you’re looking for. No question is too small. Building a new home is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should reflect your unique needs and sensibilities. We ask our clients to consider the quality of home designs and the level of client service offered by companies. Why do most people decide on a Stillwater home? Our ultimate goal is to create a home that is a joy for you to live in. The aesthetic of our designs attracts most people to our door however, it is the transparency of price/process, customer care and quality of the final homes that most people feel provide the ultimate value in working with Stillwater Dwellings. Give us a call today!
Stillwater Dwellings | 2111 3rd Avenue, Seattle WA | 800-691-7302 | www.stillwaterdwellings.com
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MINDFUL BUILDING ANDY BANNISTER, PRESIDENT, LEED® AP EARTHTONE CONSTRUCTION is deeply founded in its philosophy of Mindful Building.TM This is a principle that goes beyond sustainable building and is rooted in the quality of people’s lives by investing in people, nurturing passion for the craft, and building structures that last.
We asked Trisha Gmitter our Project Manager for this home a few questions. How did you work with the clients to define their needs? It can be challenging to envision all the nuances, from preconstruction to construction, that turn a dwelling into a home. We believe in aligning a team whose talents and background match the unique needs of each client and that team follows the project in its entirety. At the heart of this build were our clients and their artwork. Their collection is stunning. Knowing this, our team took great pride in building a space around their lives and art. Every careful decision was made to tailor this home into becoming a part of their collection, rather than just house it. This is what mindful building is all about. What was your favorite part of this build? Our favorite part had to be the redesign of the stairwell. This entire build was centered around
a concept of inviting the outside into an artful space. In the redesign, our fabulous project team and subcontractor stripped the design down to fundamentals and reworked it. The outcome is this beautiful steel, wood, and glass construction that allows natural light to dance through the space. What are the challenges of a build like this? With any build there are going to be challenges. However, we’ve never met one we didn’t like! One of the specific hurdles in this building process was taking 2-dimensional plans and showing the clients how those plans become a 3-dimensional space uniquely tailored for them. It is not always easy translating that from paper to reality. Our superintendent for this build, Pat McKeever, is incredibly resourceful and great with overcoming these kinds of hurdles. He was there every step of the way, and able to help bring those plans into fruition for our clients.
Earthtone Construction | 7775 Healdsburg Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472 | 707-823-6118 | earthtoneconstruction.com
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HOME & GARDEN JEFF BASTONI & SAM STAVROS We have owned URBAN GARDEN for 18 years and among all the different items we have for your home and garden, houseplants have increasingly become a hot trend. From a six foot tall fiddle leaf ficus to a succulent in a tiny cement pot, plants just make people happy.
I’m not good with plants, is there anything I will not kill?
I have pets and worry about them eating the plants and being harmful; are any safe?
There are a few plants we sell that might be perfect. The ZZ plant is very modern looking and one of the easiest to keep thriving even if neglected for weeks without water. We have them in 3 sizes, whether you want a little one in a ceramic pot for a bathroom or a large one in a basket for the living room.
True, while there are many houseplants that can be harmful if digested by our pets, there is a long list we sell that are non-toxic to your pets (and kids) if they happen to nibble on your decor. Top of the list is the spider plant, peperomia & prayer plant, all easy to care for and add color to any room. For a more modern look, the burro’s tail and ponytail palm have cool texture and structure and a safe choice.
Is it true that house plants really help purify the air? Scientists studying the air-purification capacities of indoor plants have found that plants can absorb many other gases in addition to carbon dioxide, including a long list of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Our snake plants, spider plants, pothos and aloe vera are among the best at helping to keep the air in your house clean, plus in the right pot they add style to any room.
Urban Garden | 2313 Magowan Drive, Santa Rosa | 707.543.7037 | myurbangarden.com
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leaf fi cus
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LANDSCAPE DESIGN | PROJECT MANAGEMENT RICK TAYLOR Rick Taylor has spent the last 20 years in Sonoma County studying, teaching, building, and designing landscapes and outdoor living spaces through the ELDER CREEK Design Studio.
Why are you so passionate about outdoor living? Our unique climate allows almost year-round outdoor living with minimal cover. Thoughtfully taking advantage of this can exponentially increase our quality of life. Done correctly, it is an extension of the home and often one of the more favored rooms. A place to celebrate, a place to find refuge, the spaces where life happens. What does Design Driven, Client Inclusive, Ecologically Literate mean? We use the entirety of our creative and pragmatic skillsets to design spaces that are unique to your project and your lifestyle. We are passionate about creating beautiful, well-designed spaces that enhance your life and the natural environment. For more detailed narrative of these principles, please visit our blog @ www.eldercreek.com What does ‘stepping towards sustainability’ mean? Sustainability is a moving target and we are always “stepping” further in that direction. Elder Creek was founded on strong ecological principles and has been providing leading-edge solutions for applied sustainability since 2000. High-
quality design and sustainability do not have to be mutually exclusive, at least not in our studio. I hear you have designed and released software to allow Elder Creek to calculate the true carbon impact of a project? Actually, the software is for the entire landscape design and build professions. We need everybody on board to solve this issue. The landscape Carbon Calculator (www.calccarbon. com) measures your landscape’s carbon footprint down to the drip emitter and then displays the years your landscape will take to sequester the carbon emitted to build it! That’s the point your landscape becomes part of the global climate solution. You have a lot to say about sustainability in the landscape. Where can people learn more about how this applies to their landscape and outdoor living spaces? I often write on our blog @ www.eldercreek.com, post on our Instagram account @eldercreekdesign, and have videos on our website to help people understand our process and our values.
Elder Creek |130 Petaluma Ave, Sebastopol CA 95472 | 707-827-7913 | www.eldercreek.com
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NEW COMMUNITY: STONY VILLAGE CITY VENTURES, California’s leading builder of eco-friendly solar all-electric homes based in San Francisco and Irvine, is currently controlling over 8,000 lots in the state. As part of their coveted Santa Rosa Collection, the newest community, Stony Village, will feature detached single-family homes located at 2710 Bella Circle in Santa Rosa.
What makes City Ventures’ newest community unique? Located in Santa Rosa, Stony Village is a collection of 43 solar-powered, single-family residences, intimately sized with architectural variety on a grand scale. Offering three to four bedrooms there is definitely a home to fit your lifestyle. Can you tell us more about the architectural variety? Designed by San Francisco-based Hunt Hail Jones Architects, Stony Village combines classic farmhouse design with an idyllic wine country setting. Front porches enhance the charming tree-lined street scenes winding through the neighborhood, reminiscent of a bygone time. What modern interior features will be offered to home buyers? The two-story floor plans reflect the preferences of today’s buyers and include inviting gourmet kitchens with Shaker panel cabinetry and GE® kitchen stainless steel appliance package, private patios or yards for al fresco entertaining, and many more great features. The advantages of buying a new home include built-in
energy savings with green building technologies and opportunities to personalize your home. Will the homes have smart technology? Yes. Stony Village comes standard with smart technology from the industry’s leading brands including NEST® programmable learning climate control thermostat and Alula Connect Hub for home automation. From windows to thermostats, faucets and more, enjoy the peace of mind that your smart new home is working hard to save energy, save costs, promote health and provide peace of mind. Are there nearby places to enjoy the outdoors, dine and shop? Surrounded by natural beauty and a gateway to the scenic Russian River Valley, Santa Rosa is just 45 minutes north of San Francisco. The region is one of California’s top food and wine destinations, home to more than 425 wineries. Local recreation for hiking, cycling and fishing can be found at nearby Taylor Mountain Regional Park, the Laguna Wetlands Trail, and Trione-Annadel State Park with Lake Ilsanjo.
City Ventures’ Stony Village | 2770 Stony Point Road, Suite F, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 | 707-307-3444 | LiveLoveSantaRosa.com
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