Bay Living Magazine June/July 2017

BayLiving

Reach the Most Affluent Owner–Occupied Single–Family Homes and the top trade professionals in S i l i c o n Va l l e y, t h e Peninsula and San Francisco C a l l To d a y f o r M o re Information

D e b b i e Ta r n o f f Bay Area Director

714.282.9996

debbie@baylivingmaga ine.com

PUBLISHER WALLY HICKS III BAY AREA DIRECTOR DEBBIE TARNOFF MARKETING SPECIALISTS GLENDA BAYLY, JENNIFER BURKE, DEBORAH MESNA PRODUCTION MANAGER DAVID MARCHAND PUBLISHER’S REPRESENTATIVES MARKET LINK ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR SARAH CARLISLE ADVERTISING MAILING ADDRESS Affluent Target Marketing, Inc. P.O. Box 18507 Anaheim Hills, California 92817-8507 (714) 446-6280 (888) 612-7400 www.baylivingmagazine.com For comments: info@baylivingmagazine.com The opinions expressed in the editorials are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bay Living. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, we cannot supervise the way in which information found in Bay Living is used. Bay Living is produced five times a year by Affluent Target Marketing, Inc., P.O. Box 18507, Anaheim Hills, California 92817-8507. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. All submitted materials, including images, logos, and text, for advertisements and editorials are assumed to be the property of the provider, and Affluent Target Marketing, Inc. can take no responsibility for unintentional copyright infringement. Affluent Target Marketing, Inc. has the right to refuse advertising. CIRCULATION VERIFIED BY U.S. POSTAL RECEIPTS.

BAY LIVING Contents

A RESOURCE GUIDE SERVING SILICON VALLEY, THE PENINSULA & SAN FRANCISCO • VOL XXXVIII • NO. 3 • EVEN JUNE/JULY 2017 D I S C O V E R A D D I T I O N A L I N F O R M AT I O N AT B AY L I V I N G M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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14 - 24 Home Fashion Custom Built Glass – Unlimited Design Possibilities And Applications Innovative Window Treatments Designed To Do More Than Simply Cover A Window Hammerton: Glass Lighting Takes The Spotlight Custom Organization Solutions For Every Room In Your Home Hardware Is Like Jewelry For The Front Door Explore Your Options In Flooring Why Reupholster?

26 Home Remodeling

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Personalized Concierge Service For All Your Home Maintenance Needs Say Goodbye To Limited Mobility. Say Hello To Access, Independence And Safety Saving You Money With Whole House Fans Is A Breeze!

Redefine Your Space – Balance The Indoors With The Outdoors Renew & Refinish Your Wood Cabinets And Floors Classic Techniques With Modern Technology Tired Of That Wood Cabinet Look From The 80’s?

Fix Your Grout And Your Tile Will Shine Turn Your Garage Into A Functional Extension Of Your Home

48 - 54 Exteriors & Landscaping

Transform Your House Into Your Dream Home

28 Wine Collecting Preserve The Quality And Value Of Your Wine With Proper Storage

32 - 34 Kitchen & Bath Hammock Bathtub Takes Stylish Relaxation To A New Level Modern Update For A Vintage Home

35 - 47 Products & Services Innovative Restoration – Refresh, Revive And Repair Natural Stone And Concrete

Transform Your Outdoor Living Space With Custom Masonry Protecting And Shading Your Home Can Make A Measurable Difference Professional Barbecue Cleaning Protects Your Investment And Improves Taste A Homeowner’s Backyard Dreamscape Becomes A Reality!

Outdoor Space Too Hot To Handle? Add Some Shade On Demand With A Louvered Roof System

56 - 57 Health Beauty and Fitness Reshape Your Body In 20 Minutes!

ON THE COVER Featured on the cover is Splinter Works’ Hammock Bathtub. Made from carbon fiber, which is incredibly strong, while light enough to hang suspended above the ground. The foam core insulates the tub, keeping the bath water hot.

You can see Splinter Works products on display at Belmont Hardware’s San Jose showroom located at 982 S. De Anza Blvd. Belmont Hardware’s six Northern California showrooms showcase an extensive selection of decorative finish hardware and plumbing fixtures on display. Belmont Hardware is family owned and has been a favored source of homeowners, architects, interior designers, and custom homebuilders for over 80 years. For more information, you can visit www.belmonthardware.com. See the Hammock Bathtub article on page 32 - 33.

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homefashion

CUSTOM BUILT GLASS

Unlimited Design Possibilities and Applications

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he beauty of glass is its versatility; it comes in many colors, textures and patterns, and can enhance any room in your home. Using glass may not be a new idea, but today’s options for glass applications are limited only by the imagination.

A shower is a dominant feature in any bathroom.

With the addition of clear glass frameless doors, this area quickly transforms from an average aspect to a stunning focal point. There are a myriad of different options when it comes to custom glass frameless shower doors. Nearly invisible, a clear frameless glass shower door limits the visual barriers, provides a flowing seamless look, and has the effect of making the area seem more open and roomy. In smaller bathrooms, they can create the illusion of a larger space. Frameless doors are strong, featuring thicker glass with heavy-duty hardware. Unique hardware allows the door to swing both out and in. Installing a steam

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homefashion shower offers an in-house spa feel, while relaxing and soothing the muscles and senses. Additionally, a frameless shower is a wise long-term investment and much more desirable to people looking to buy a home.

Mirrors, whether over a vanity or covering a complete wall, add light and the illusion of space, making the room look larger and brighter.

Mirrored backsplashes add depth and dimension. Beautiful custom colored glass or a back-painted glass backsplash will give your kitchen a nice “pop of color”. The look is sleek and modern with no grout lines and is easy to clean.

Heavy streamlined glass with minimalistic design is very trendy. A glass partition, room divider or barn door can be created to provide privacy in any room of your home. For your living room, kitchen or office, glass can be used as a protective covering for a beautiful tabletop or desk. It can also be the tabletop itself on a special base or pedestal.

Glass shelving offers a unique blend of aesthetic appeal, practicality and function. Place your valued pieces front and center while bringing the beauty and freshness of glass to the display.

Sleek and modern glass railings add elegance to both the interior and exterior of your home. Wine rooms made of glass can showcase a beautiful collection of your favorite bottles.

For over 30 years, CB Showers - CB stands for CUSTOM BUILT - has been creating beautiful shower enclosures as well as other interior and exterior glass products. They exclusively offer Diamon-Fusion, a special treatment that closes the pores of the glass, enhancing the look and making cleaning and maintenance easier. For more information, you can visit the CB Showers’ showroom at 1160 Industrial Rd in San Carlos or call (650) 593-6997. You can also view their website at www.cbshowers.com

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JUNE/JULY 2017 • BAY LIVING

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homefashion

INNOVATIVE WINDOW TREATMENTS

Designed To Do More Than Simply Cover A Window

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unlight is warm and welcoming, but without proper UV protection, it can result in unsightly sunburns and damaged furniture and décor. With warmer, longer days approaching, take advantage of the sunshine safely and comfortably with the latest window treatments and technologies from Hunter Douglas. Whether you want to enjoy natural light in your living room or keep the temperature down during heat waves, Hunter Douglas has window treatment solutions to set the perfect scene.

Easy Lifting. The right window treatments are more than just beautiful, they also work with your lifestyle needs. With a host of proprietary cordless operating systems such as LiteRise and Vertiglide, Hunter Douglas offers an array of options that raise, lower, tilt or traverse window treatments easily and intelligently. And, opt for the latest in automated window treatment technology with PowerView Motorization, an advanced wireless operating system that gives you precise control over your window treatments whenever and however you want.

Enhancing Light. Ensuring Privacy. Natural Light constantly changes and shifts throughout the day. Strike a balance between

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the light you want and the privacy you need with Silhouette Duolite, a cutting-edge proprietary system that doubles up on performance and style by seamlessly combining a Silhouette shading with an independently operated room-darkening roller shade that nestles behind it in the same sleek head rail.

Elegant. Energy Efficient. Windows do more than just let in light and offer a view of the outdoors; they’re also where a home can lose up to 50% of its heating and cooling energy. Try energy efficient styles within the refreshed Duette honeycomb shade category, including the enhanced Duette Duolite that features two different fabrics/opacities of your choosing fused together to form one sophisticated shade design for enhanced style and performance.

To see a variety of different Hunter Douglas products, you can visit Rebarts Interiors, an authorized Hunter Douglas Window Fashions Gallery with showrooms located at 1352 Broadway in Burlingame, 990 Industrial Road Ste. 106 in San Carlos and 253 State St. in Los Altos, (650) 348-1268. www.rebarts.com. Or you can also call The Yardstick at (408) 214-1300, visit them online at www.theyardstick.com or email at contact@theyardstick.com ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

homefashion

HAMMERTON: Glass Lighting Takes The Spotlight

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nce known exclusively for large-scale, custom chandeliers beautifully handcrafted from steel, Utah-based Hammerton Lighting is now gaining industry attention for its work in many forms of artisan glass.

Why glass? “Pushing the boundaries of lighting design requires continuously expanding our palette of design elements,” explains Levi Wilson, Hammerton’s founder and VP of Design. “Glass is a very broad platform for design innovation. It allows us to evolve our work in several directions that are highly relevant to today’s market.”

Hammerton launched its glass initiative with the 2011 purchase of Lightspann, a glass lighting studio founded by California artist Christina Spann. Since then, Hammerton has expanded its in-house artisan glass operations to include both blown and kiln-fused glass.

The company’s Hammerton Studio line showcases these capabilities in many collections.

Adds Wilson, “Surprisingly, it’s our expertise in metal that allows us to do unusual work in glass, because we fabricate all our jigs in-house.”

Although blown glass and kin-fused glass involve the same material, each results in a unique set of characteristics. Blown glass is fabricated by inflating molten glass and working it in a furnace to achieve a desired shape. Kiln-fused glass is created by heating sheets or particles of glass in an oven until they fuse together or conform to a mold. Blown glass lends itself to rounded forms and sleek ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

This Hammerton LAA2013 pendant, 15”H x 10” diameter, is artisan crafted from over ten pounds of blown and wrapped clear glass in the company's Salt Lake City glass studio.

Available in several glass colors and metal finishes.

surfaces, while kiln-fused glass can be formed in a wide range of angular and curved shapes, and can also incorporate texture.

Recent glass introductions under the Hammerton Studio brand have been very well received.

“The Bezel/Gem, Optic Blown Glass, Parallel and Apothecary collections have just taken off,” Wilson says. “The market definitely understands the superior quality craftsmanship in these fixtures, and the value proposition is pretty compelling. We are fabricating literally tons of glass each month.”

For more information about Hammerton products and much more, Coast Lighting is your local one-stop shop with the largest lighting display in the Bay Area. On-site consultations are available, along with custom fixture design and fabrication, lamp repair, and installation services. Coast Lighting works with homeowners, contractors, and designers, helping them to understand the technical requirements for their projects. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable about the industry’s products and applications and will help you select the most appropriate solutions. For more information, you can visit Coast This Hammerton CHA2030 chandelier, 48” Lighting at 2626 El Camino Real in square, showcases alternating panels of hand-textured and kiln-fused Crystal and Redwood City, call them at 650-850-6220, or Cobblestone glass. Glass as shown. Available in many metal finishes and custom versions. visit www.coastlighting.com JUNE/JULY 2017 • BAY LIVING

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homefashion

CUSTOM ORGANIZATION SOLUTIONS For Every Room In Your Home

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chieving an organized lifestyle is easier than you might think.

High-quality custom storage solutions for your closets, home office, entertainment center, pantry, laundry room, garage and any unique space that you might have, can simplify your life while offering versatility, quality, and style.

Our daily routine begins and ends in the closet, so it should be a place of peace, organization and beauty. Transform your closet with a custom design that will create a space for everything. Find what you need, take charge of your morning routine, and discover a feeling of harmony to carry you throughout your day.

With an inspired yet functional design, a custom home office will create a modern system that helps keep your business affairs organized and free from clutter – whether it’s a small niche or an entire room. By creating an organized setup, your home office can become an oasis with a workflow that serves you.

Adding a built-in wall bed in an extra bedroom or even home office will create a space that serves a multitude of functions. Custom wall bed cabinetry conceals your bed within a system of built-in cabinets that optimizes your space so you have a fully functioning bedroom by night and a versatile living space by day.

Wall units can be crafted to fit nearly any space. Versatile designs can create a space for your home theatre, display cabinet, wardrobe or library storage.

Entertainment centers can house all of your media center components, including flat screen televisions, gaming and audio equipment. Entertainment centers keep your electronics neat and organized by hiding unsightly cords and providing a designated area to store all of your remotes, reducing clutter.

As kids bedrooms transition from cribs to big beds, so do their clothes, toy closets, and game collections. Clever organization creates a custom-designed unit or closet that transforms your child’s bedroom into a functional kid’s storage system and will help them learn to organize.

Convert an outdated laundry area into a vibrant, modern cleaning station with custom cabinetry, plenty of shelf space and wall racks. Pantries, home bars and wine racks offer tremendous opportunities for adding innovation and a modern touch to your home. Mudrooms provide a transitional space, keeping your home clean from outside dirt and provide additional storage keeping clutter organized.

The time has come to make your life easier so that you can finally relax and enjoy the transition to a more manageable life. The professional design consultants at Closet Factory will work with you in creating custom spaces that fit your unique style, budget, and organizational needs. For more information or to schedule a free design consultation, you can call Closet Factory at 888-501-0541, visit their showroom at 1000 B. Commercial in San Carlos, or visit them online at www.closetfactory.com

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homefashion

HARDWARE IS LIKE JEWELRY FOR THE FRONT DOOR

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aldwin Hardware is a fashion statement for a home; part of the design aesthetic. It is couture for the door. For over 70 years, they have been a timeless and trusted brand. Boasting both style and substance, creating a charismatic presence in any home. Through generations, Baldwin’s passionate pursuit of perfection has forged them into masters of their craft, so that today, you have the power to make a bold style statement without even saying a word.

Baldwin Hardware’s products provide you the ability to create your signature look and show the world what true luxury is about.

When people say it’s lonely at the top, they’re definitely not talking about the Baldwin Estate. This impressive top-of-the-line portfolio comes with plenty of company; everyone wants it. Estate includes seemingly infinite possibilities, elegant finishes and exclusive, custom styles. Their master craftsmen create each piece by hand and with the utmost care: it’s no surprise Estate is the crowned jewel of the Baldwin brand. Estate door hardware is the start of the grand style that can be carried throughout the home with coordinating interior hardware.

The Reserve portfolio is for people who want more. Far beyond just a lock in a box, Reserve opens the door to a customizable world flowing with inspiration.

Reserve is the best of both worlds: accessibility and artful appeal.

Baldwin’s pocket door lock is available in up to 20 finishes, four styles, and there is a pocket door lock for every design aesthetic. The four styles are available in privacy, passage and keyed entry.

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You can see Baldwin Hardware locally at Belmont Hardware. When you visit one of Belmont Hardware’s six showrooms, you will find Northern California’s largest selection of the world’s finest decorative finish hardware and plumbing fixtures. Belmont Hardware is family owned and has been a favored source of homeowners, architects, interior designers, and custom homebuilders for over 80 years. You can visit the Belmont Hardware showrooms, located in Belmont, San Jose, San Francisco, Novato, Walnut Creek, and Fresno, to see an extensive collection of products on display. Or you can visit www.belmonthardware.com for additional information and more details.

JUNE/JULY 2017 • BAY LIVING

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homefashion

Explore Your Options In

FLOORING

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ew technology has made flooring more durable, and available in many colors, textures and finishes. So what type of floor covering is right for you?

Carpet. Today’s carpet manufacturers have taken various lifestyles into consideration, resulting in developing the most foot-friendly, softest carpets ever made. Fiber weave and backing advancements in technology have created carpet that combines both refinement and durability.

Carpet comes in a variety of colors, patterns and styles and adds a warm feel to any space. Some carpet styles are made specifically for rooms that have heavier foot traffic, while others are made to resist almost any spill.

Hardwood Flooring. Generally, there are two types of hardwood flooring – solid or engineered. Solid hardwood comes in a variety of stains, plank size, edges and gloss.

Engineered hardwood on the other hand, is made of 3 to 5 layers laminated together. While engineered hardwood looks like solid hardwood, it is actually more structurally stable and can be used virtually any place hardwood is used.

Laminate. Do you prefer the look of slate, wood or tile? Laminate duplicates the look of more expensive natural flooring, yet it is budget friendly. It is tough, durable and easy to maintain. Laminate is aesthetically pleasing and can make a room pop. It is a great choice for high-traffic areas.

Vinyl. The latest digital designs and cutting-edge technologies have allowed for the possibility of naturallooking textures and greater visual depth in today’s vinyl flooring. Luxury Vinyl Flooring (also known as Luxury Vinyl Tile or LVT) is the newest and most popular floor category in the market today. It’s known for its versatilitygetting the look of wood or ceramic for a lot less. It can be used in so many different rooms throughout your home.

Tile. No matter what your architectural or home décor style, there’s a tile solution that will bring your design vision to life. All tile is modular- this allows you to be creative in how you assemble your floor. Tiles can be

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ceramic, natural stone, porcelain or bamboo. Utilize large floor tiles for a grand look or set tiles at angles to help grow small spaces.

To learn more about the many choices in flooring for your home, you can visit Bay Area Floors & Design Carpet One at 2225 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo or call 650-515-3955. In business for 26 years, their friendly and knowledgeable sales staff can assist you and point you in the right direction to get your flooring project started. They do it all from material to installation and all of their installation crews are employees not sub contractors. In addition, they have full design services and can assist with any custom job as well as maintenance, repairs and complimentary in-home estimates. For additional information you can visit their website at www.bayareafloors.com or email Photo courtesy of Fabrica Fine Carpet & Rugs.

Product shown is Cape Town in Constantia. lorisdesign@gmail.com ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

homefashion

Why

Reupholster?

f your old sofa looks as though it’s on its last legs, don’t be too quick to bundle it out of the house. Resourceful homeowners are discovering that many old pieces have a value you can’t buy today. And they are restoring them through reupholstery. The economics of reupholstery works for them, too. For dollars and cents, it can be one of today’s best buys.

The value is in the frame.

If your old sofa (or chair) has a good frame, it is well worth reupholstering. A frame is the essential element in the structure, and if it’s solid there’s no point going out and

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buying a new one. So, what is a good frame?

One that’s made of hardwood—oak or maple, for example. Hardwood is strong and has longevity. A clue is its weight—hardwood is strong. That’s why furniture sales people will often lift up one end of a sofa when showing it to a customer. They are demonstrating the frame’s weight. And the frame is what your upholsterer can check out.

The art of reupholstery.

Building on your old frame (where you save big dollars,) the upholsterer reties the springs, puts in new webbing, all new padding and filling, and totally recreates the

sofa. This is all handwork, involving a high order of skills. What you get back is a piece of furniture, in the class of a custom-made piece.

The fabric advantage.

A significant advantage in reupholstering is fabric selection. You choose from a panoramic range of colors and textures. You can find just about any fabric at any price, to fit any décor.

For more information, you can call Sterling Custom Upholstery at 650-961-8700, or visit their website at www.sterlingcustomupholstery.com

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homeremodeling

TRANSFORM YOUR HOUSE INTO YOUR DREAM HOME

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hile the home you fell in love with years ago may have suited you perfectly at the time, upgrading your home will address the changes in your lifestyle to meet the specific needs you have today.

With the current real estate market, moving to a new home that has all the modern updates you want and need is not always the best option. If your house is already in the perfect location and you love your neighborhood, creative home renovation and remodeling solutions will expand your living space and enhance your lifestyle.

This will increase the resale value of a home, but rather than looking at the upgrades in terms of selling, look at them as an investment in your quality of life.

Whether you’re considering a kitchen renovation, bathroom upgrade, room addition, or home renovations, you’ll see a striking difference between the original space and the finished product, increasing aesthetic appeal and functionality.

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There is a wide array of innovative options for enhancing your interior decor as well as the comfort and convenience of your overall space. Transform your outdated kitchen into a gourmet kitchen with an adjacent dining room, add a convenient home office to benefit the dedicated entrepreneur, or open up a wall to create a very spacious living room area.

With extensive remodeling experience, a professional contractor can assist in turning your simple ideas into detailed designs, providing layout ideas and additional resources that make the difference between a finished room with no detail and one that will grab the attention of every visitor as soon as they walk in.

Wilkinson Preservation has more than 20 years of experience providing outstanding work and customer service. Along with remodeling and renovations, they offer personalized concierge service for all your home maintenance needs. For more information, you can call them at 650-581-1940 or visit their website at www.wilkinsonpreservation.com

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winecollecting

Preserve The Quality and Value of Your Wine

WITH PROPER STORAGE

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ine wines can get better with age, but they need to be treated properly. There are six important factors for fine wine storage.

They can all be met with a wine cellar which will protect and make your wine last longer.

A wine cellar is for any wine lover, whether you are a seasoned collector or have just started to discover the wonderful world of wine.

Temperature. The colder the wine cellar is, the slower the aging of the wine and the warmer it is, the faster it ages. If kept in your closet or on a shelf in the living room it will age much faster than in a refrigerated wine cellar.

Stability of Temperature. You’ve heard of set it and forget it. Well that’s almost true with wine cellars; it is set it and maintain it.

Fluctuations in temperature wreak havoc on wine. Wine is more like your retirement account, set it up and leave it alone.

Humidity. Wine cellar humidity is tricky. You need it humid enough as to not dry out the cork but dry enough not to have mold form in the wine cellar. Humidity between 60-80% should be a good balance.

Ventilation. It is important that other odorous items are not stored in the wine cellar and that it is free from odor. Sounds crazy but the cork is a breathable material and air can go into and out of the bottle making the wine pick up smells and tastes from these odors.

Darkness. Low-level lighting is ok for wine but the short wavelengths degrade the special flavors in a fine wine. Even though the wine is in a bottle that can protect it, don’t put it in direct sunlight.

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Security. This can mean protection from theft, but it can also mean protection from breakage or even being disturbed too much.

Wine cellar cooling is a specialty that falls in a niche between refrigeration and air conditioning. This is why it’s crucial to consult with an expert that specializes in wine cellar cooling.

Through their many years of experience, Cold Craft has obtained the special knowledge and skills to assist you in finding the ideal solution.

The professionals at Cold Craft, a full service heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration company, can work with you to install, maintain and service wine cellar refrigeration to your exact needs. For more information, you can call them at 888-447-0071 or visit www.ColdCraft.com

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H

ammock

B

atHtuB

Takes Stylish Rela ation to a Hew Level “Struck by the synergy between the shapes of two compelling symbols of relaxation, a hammock and a bathtub, we were inspired to develop a piece that would provide the ultimate vehicle for total escapism.”

–Miles Hartwell, Co-founder of Splinter Works The peaceful experience of kicking-back in a hammock has been further enhanced by combining it with the immersive comfort of soaking in a hot bath. By literally elevating the experience of bathing into a suspended sculpture, the bathroom has been reinvented as a contemplative sanctuary for artful relaxation.

Designed for use in a wet room, the Hammock Bathtub is suspended from the walls and does not touch the floor. It is fixed with stainless steel brackets that can be covered over, or left revealed. The bath is filled using a floor standing tap and the wastewater is released through the base into a floor drain. A downpipe drain can also be installed if a wet room setting is not possible.

The Hammock Bathtub is made from carbon fiber, which is utilized for its inherent strength, and ability to be formed into complex curves. Furthermore, the weave of the fabric references the cloth of a typical hammock. Beneath the layers of carbon fiber is a foam core, which insulates the tub. This means that the bath stays hot for considerably longer than normal.

Another beguiling characteristic of carbon fiber is that it offers an unparalleled texture.

Through the smooth layers of lacquer, it always inspires a close-up look at the depth of the geometric weave of the fiber. Even in black, it has a surprisingly soft look that is more associated with fabric.

At 106” long, the Hammock Bathtub is longer than a regular bathtub, leaving plenty of room to share the experience. Custom sizes are available but it is also designed so that it can be trimmed up to 8” to allow for flexible installation. The Hammock Bathtub can be tailored in different colored lacquers; black, white, red, blue, yellow, pink, bronze, and pure silver, or embellished in hand-applied gold leaf with clear lacquer.

After the success of the suspended Hammock Bathtub, the freestanding Hammock Bathtub evolved as a standalone piece that doesn’t need walls, yet still offers the playful

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kitchen&bath form. With an optimum shape for a relaxing bathing experience, it has more flexibility of arrangement. The visually arresting curvaceous shapes have a dark magnetism, luring the eye to explore their striking contours. Conceived in woven and lacquered carbon fiber, they are also undeniably tactile, warm, and inviting.

Splinter Works have in fact pioneered the use of carbon fiber in the bathroom. The pieces have to be produced in a giant autoclave, which is normally used to make Formula One cars. The love for this challenging material not only stems from the incredible strength, but also its lightweight characteristics, (when empty, it weighs just 14 kilos) meaning not only can the freestanding Hammock Bathtub be positioned anywhere in the room, but it can go anywhere in the house with no need to reinforce floorboards in the upper floors.

Splinter Works’ mission is to create furniture that is engaging and inspiring. Through their designs they strive to enrich the lives of users, enhancing their environment and elevating the experience of everyday life. Their aim is to create work that is individual, thought provoking, aesthetically beguiling, intelligently designed, and seamlessly functional.

The designs are experimental and theatrical, while maintaining the importance of the inherent function of the piece. The work revels in playing visual tricks where balance is often questioned.

Opposing dichotomies of solidity versus weightlessness, motion versus stillness, and strength versus fragility are played out in ambitious designs through innovative materials. Splinter Works can tailor designs to suit clients' requirements and also produce unique commissions where every element, from the intended location and practical requirements, to striking a personal resonance with the commissioner, can be considered and accomplished.

You can see Splinter Works products on display at the Belmont Hardware showroom located in San Jose. When you visit one of Belmont Hardware’s six showrooms, you will find Northern California’s largest selection of the world’s finest decorative finish hardware and plumbing fixtures. Belmont Hardware is family owned and has been a favored source of homeowners, architects, interiors designers, and custom homebuilders for over 80 years. You can also visit the Belmont Hardware showrooms located in Belmont, San Francisco, Novato, Walnut Creek and Fresno, featuring an extensive collection of products on display, or you can visit www.belmonthardware.com for additional information and more details.

Photography by Samer al Rawas Interior Designers, XYZ Designers ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

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kitchen&bath

MODERN UPDATE FOR A VINTAGE HOME

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he homeowners featured in this article planned to start a family and sought to reconfigure the floor plan of their 1950s bungalow-style home. The busy Santa Clara executives desired a floor plan that would create a better flow, a more open kitchen, a private master suite, and, most importantly, a modern, masculine aesthetic that would be cohesive throughout the home.

Open Concept Kitchen. One challenge, as is the case of many older suburban homes, the kitchen was walled off from interaction with the living spaces. The homeowners, active cooks and entertainers, wanted a chef-style kitchen that opened up to the home’s social spaces enabling them to engage with family and guests while preparing meals.

The designer opened up the space to the living and dining rooms, and created a galley-style kitchen in a modern palette of muted grays. A raised eating bar with a dramatic waterfall side serves as the room’s focal point. Italian blue granite with jewel-like veining was chosen for the eating bar to provide a contrast with the quartz counters.

To add texture, laminate wood veneer was selected for the cabinets in light and dark gray tones. Soft gray wash luxury vinyl plank flooring added style and durability underfoot. Stainless steel appliances, plumbing fixtures, and cabinet hardware added shine enhancing the modern features.

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The Ultimate Master Suite Retreat.

Another challenge was the master bathroom was located just off the kitchen and was often used as a guest bath. To access the bath from the master bedroom, you had to walk through a closet.

What was once a hodgepodge of rooms and underutilized space was transformed into a luxurious master suite retreat with more privacy. A custom barn door now separates the bedroom from the bath, where an extra-large shower with bench is positioned opposite a double floating vanity.

The large format floor tile visually lengthens the bath space and directs the eye toward the end of the room where additional cabinetry provides ample storage for towels and toiletries. A separate toilet room and spacious walk-in closet complete the list of necessities in this modern bath suite.

Staying consistent with the home’s modern aesthetic, the suite boasts a masculine palette of blues and grays.

With Case® Design/Remodeling, every single aspect of your home improvement needs are covered. For the featured renovation in this article, Case received a NARI META Gold award. The process-driven team at Case always strives to facilitate a logical sequence of steps that will help break down and simplify the remodeling process, while keeping the project on track and moving forward from design to completion. For more information, you can visit their website at www.CaseSanJose.com, or call 408484-3884 for a free consultation.

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INNOVATIVE RESTORATION–

N

atural stone and concrete are excellent choices for durability.

Although they can withstand the test of time, they are subject to wear and tear, dirt build- up, moisture and are not impervious to spills and heavy foot traffic.

For newly constructed and remodeled home, sealing natural stone surfaces maintains optimum stain resistance and protects against everyday dirt and spills.

After a period of time you will begin to see discoloration, chipping, etching and ultimately the stone and concrete will look dull, bringing down the overall ambience of indoor and exterior living spaces.

Maintenance is essential to protect your investment and maintain the value and safety of your home. The cleaning and sealing performed during regular maintenance will enhance the beauty of the natural colors and textures, preserving your home’s appearance for years to come.

Dirt, mold, calcium deposits, salt damage and even algae can make their home in any permeable surface. These contaminants mar the beauty of your surfaces and can cause potential health concerns. In addition, if left unchecked, failing sealant may cause cracks creating trip hazards.

The maintenance of each type of natural stone, along with the type of finish and location in your home, necessitates the need for a

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Refresh, Revive and Repair Natural Stone and Concrete

knowledgeable, experienced professional who understands the different requirements for cleaning and sealing.

Faux rocks, concrete and pavers used in outdoor landscape design around pools, waterfalls and ponds tend to get calcium build-up, creating a dull and dirty appearance. With a professional power wash, colors can be revived and then re-sealed to prolong the fresh look.

By applying varying degrees of color dye, indoor as well as outdoor stone and concrete, outdoor hardscape and faux rocks can be restored to the original color. You can also choose from a myriad of colors and add designs from a variety of stencils or saw cut styles to suit your own design preferences, giving an entirely new character to your home.

The professionals at The Floor Maintenance Company have over 12 years of experience providing innovative restoration solutions to breathe new life into both your indoor and outdoor concrete and stone. All the products they use are of the highest quality, and are environmentally friendly with low VOCs and low odor. They offer custom maintenance programs tailored to your specific needs. For a free consultation and additional information, you can contact The Floor Maintenance Company at (408) 533-0132 or (650) 351-9851, or visit their website at www.thefloormaintenancecompany.com JUNE/JULY 2017 • BAY LIVING

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products&services

Personalized Concierge Service for all your

Home Maintenance Needs

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wning a home comes with a significant amount of responsibility. Because there is just so much to keep track of and attend to, it can feel as though you are constantly calling different companies to handle various problems, which can be time-consuming and overwhelming.

Fine home preservation services can be an incredible asset to the homeowner who is looking for convenient and regular maintenance so that they can properly care for their largest investment—their home.

So, what exactly do preservation services consist of? Utilizing a customized quarterly maintenance plan, professionals will look over every large and small aspect of your home to ensure that things are functioning properly, and if something is not up to par, they will then use their skills and knowledge to make sure the situation is fixed immediately. Some examples of popular services include painting, plumbing, electrical, dry rot repair, stucco and cement repair, deck staining and sealing, pressure washing, fence repair, drain solutions, grouting, caulking, gutter cleaning, water filters, light installation, door and window repairs, rug cleaning, and more.

Most homeowners simply do not possess the expertise needed to attend to all of these aspects of a home, which is why having just one company that can look after and attend to a variety of different services is an incredibly convenient opportunity.

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Preservation services are not just limited to the quarterly maintenance plan. If you have an emergency or something comes up, you know exactly who to call. Additionally, preventative care services prepare you for season-specific needs. You don’t have to worry about a thing, not to mention, it’s very rare for something to fail on you unexpectedly when things are being closely monitored and proper care is being utilized beforehand.

Specialized preservation services offer solutions to just about any problem. One of the greatest perks of utilizing a maintenance program is that your home’s history is recorded and kept track of.

You will be on a first-name basis with your designated team, as they provide you with personalized and focused service.

One company that does this is Wilkinson Preservation. Created by Wilkinson Construction, Inc., a high-end custom home-building firm based in San Mateo, Wilkinson Preservation was born out of the obvious need that their existing clients had for maintenance services. With more than 20 years of experience and many loyal customers, Wilkinson Preservation proudly continues their tradition of outstanding work and customer service. Along with maintenance, they can also help with room additions and remodels. For more information, you can call them at 650-581-1940 or visit their website at www.wilkinsonpreservation.com.

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Say Goodbye to Limited Mobility Say Hello to Access, Independence and Safety

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our home is your retreat and should be a comfortable environment tailored to your needs. So what happens when your needs change? Many injured, disabled, or elderly people have trouble undertaking basic tasks in their home, and in many cases, simply climbing the stairs can be challenging.

Accessibility should not be a problem for anyone in their own home, and there are a variety of products and solutions that can help them reclaim their access and independence.

If stairs create a barrier to enjoying your home, with the addition of a stairlift, homeowners and their loved ones can safely and easily access all levels of the home, despite physical limitations.

Whether your staircase is straight or curved, there is a stairlift to match your needs. The offset swivel seat makes entry and exit positions safe and easy. You can personalize your stairlift with a folding rail, power swivel seat, power folding footrest, painted rail, and select from a variety of vinyl or leather colors.

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An exterior stairlift with weather-protection engineering can be installed on both straight and curved outdoor stairs, allowing you to once again enjoy the yard and outdoors.

For people with mobility challenges, bathing can be a difficult, stressful and even a dangerous activity. Innovative walk-in tubs offer a solution for safe accessible bathing. The low-threshold doors are easy to enter and exit, and the water-tight seal eliminates concerns of a wet bathroom floor. In-tub grab bars and non-slip floors provide steady support to help keep the bather’s balance.

The knowledgeable and highly trained home access specialists at Bischoff’s Medical & Mobility will assist you in selecting the best choices to suit your particular needs. They offer a full range of affordable home safety and mobility solutions including stairlifts, chairlifts, walk-in tubs, bathroom safety equipment, vertical platform lifts, vehicle lifts, ramps, wheelchairs, scooters and much more.

Serving the Bay Area for over 80 years, Bischoff’s mission is to provide the absolute best in mobility products, and medical supplies, equipment sales, rentals and services with friendly, excellent customer service. For a free in-home consultation and additional information, you can call (408) 286-6651 or (877) 286-6651, stop by their store at 225 N. Bascom Ave in San Jose, or visit www.bischoffsmedical.com

JUNE/JULY 2017 • BAY LIVING

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products&services

Saving You Money with Whole !ouse Fans IS A BReeNe

W

hen you come home after a long day at work and it’s been hot outside, the first thing you probably do when you walk into that hot and muggy home is flip on the air conditioning. However, the truth is, once the daytime heat has subsided and the evening air has reached a much cooler temperature, you are unfortunately wasting both energy and money by keeping the air conditioner running all night long to cool your home.

Why not efficiently utilize the cooler air outside in the evening or in the early morning instead of wasting energy trying to cool down your hot home? Now, you can keep your home efficiently comfortable with the innovative QuietCool whole-house fan (WHF) system. The technology is very similar to if you have ever opened your windows at night letting the cool air in and experienced a nice cross breeze. Besides the fact that it feels good, it also cools your house down.

This “passive” cross breeze described becomes an “active” breeze with QuietCool homeowners. This is the key to thermal mass cooling. Passive breezes within a home will eventually cool the ambient air to a comfortable level, but will not move enough air to cool the mass within the home. The “active” breeze that is created by a QuietCool fan is how this system works.

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Not only does a QuietCool system cool an entire home by up to 30- degrees, but it works quickly so that you will feel 10-degrees cooler in an instant. First, the cool breeze begins when a window or two is opened and the QuietCool fan is turned on. Air will be carried through the windows to create a breeze inside the home so you can feel the temperature difference right away. That cooler outdoor air will be brought through the QuietCool fan, and pushed through the attic vents, causing the hot stale air in the attic to be exhausted.

This step is crucial to ensuring that your home remains comfortable throughout the day.

A “cool mass” home does not reheat as much or as quickly as a “hot mass” home. Within a day or two of installing a QuietCool system, a day that was 90-100 degrees outside, will now feel like74-78 degrees inside your home when you return from work. This system cools the entire house by up to 30 degrees and the attic by up to 50 degrees, thus giving you the ability to cut A/C costs by up to 90%! It can significantly enhance, reduce or even eliminate the need for “manufactured” cool air. This means less energy than air conditioning and will give you the highest return on investment through savings.

Along with being able to cool your home, the QuietCool system exchanges the entire volume of air inside your home 15–20 times, per hour. You and your family will be able to breathe fresh air continually, control mold and mildew, and reduce airborne sickness in your ventilated home. Not to mention, QuietCool systems are pleasantly silent.

For more information on how QuietCool WHF can save you money and keep your home cool, you can contact Bay Area WHF, Inc. at (408) 377-4WHF (4943) or visit them at 1340 White Oaks Rd., #F in Campbell. They offer one year warranty on their installation in addition to the product warranty. They also service in helping you receive their energy rebates from their energy providers for using a ‘green’ energy efficiency product. For additional information, you can also visit their website at www.bayareawhf.com

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Redefine Your Space— Balance the Indoors with the Outdoors

W

hether you’re constructing a new home or remodeling your current residence, it’s time to become acquainted with a whole new level of lifestyle quality. Just imagine the possibilities of an expanded sense of space that an open wall affords, while preserving unobstructed views when it is closed.

Adding this system enables greater interior design flexibility, allowing the use of high-quality furnishings, like leather sofas and area rugs, in an outdoor space. Build peace of mind and stunning looks into your home with the highest quality operable glass walls. As years pass, glass walls remain as durable as they are beautiful, down to even the unseen hardware’s operations.

Plus, you’ll never tire of how effortlessly the wall glides open and shut with just one hand.

NanaWall redefined the category of opening glass wall systems. During their 25-plus years in business, they have earned the trust of architects, builders, design professionals, and homeowners as a solutions provider for re-imagining how buildings, people, and the elements interact. By combining precision engineering and outstanding design options across more than 20 unique systems, they advance design possibilities beyond the conventional for almost any space. For more information about NanaWall opening glass walls or to make an appointment to visit the showroom, you can call Brad Burden at 415944-8586. www.nanawall.com

Now, you can transform fixed walls into flexible openings that invite the outside in, and remove visual and physical barriers. Enjoy the expanded sense of space yet stay comfortable with a transparent barrier that protects you no matter what the climate or seasonal extreme.

At first glance, a glass wall looks like a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass windows, but that’s where the similarity ends. Each panel is articulated on a hidden overhead track, and the panels themselves can quickly and easily open and stow away out of sight, creating breathtaking open-air vistas. With straight or curved layouts, along with hundreds of colors, finishes, and configurations at your disposal, there are virtually no limits when it comes to design.

Folding and sliding systems are available when it comes to choosing a glass wall. Folding systems create opening widths of up to 36 feet, while sliding systems offer a virtually unlimited opening size, and can be configured without floor tracks in non-weathertight applications.

Frames are available in aluminum, wood, or aluminum-clad wood.

A current growing trend in the world of glass walls is to re-create your patio and backyard into a living environment that is fully integrated into the rest of the house. The modern concept of outdoor rooms, kitchens, and entertaining areas is vital. The more convenient the connection between indoor and outdoor living areas, the more value is added to both spaces. For example, when sidewalk restaurants install an operable glass wall, they can open a complete wall to outdoor space in order to add valuable square footage for seating and display.

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products&services Before

After

YOUR WOOD

CABINETS AND FLOORS

O

ver time wood cabinets and floors look flat and lifeless due to dirt build up, wear and tear, scratches and age-discolored finishes. Cabinet and floor renewal is an innovative and affordable alternative to replacing, refacing (new doors), painting or traditional sanding/refinishing. In only a few days, your wood cabinets and floors will be restored to that like–new luster without the inconvenience, dust and odors from harsh chemicals. At a fraction of the cost, it will save you time and money.

If you are looking to change the color of your cabinets, one option is to make a slight color change giving your cabinets a warmer tone of the wood without covering the wood grains.

Pigments and dyes can be added to the new finish so that you can achieve virtually any color desired. Say you have maple cabinets and would like a slightly darker stained wood, the new finish can be custom dyed to your color preference and then professionally applied.

You can chose to do a complete color change, which will dramatically change the style and look of your cabinets. Select from custom durable color finishes that do not chip or peel, and when applied there are no drips, streaks or bleed thru.

If repairs are needed like gaps, holes, splintered wood, etc, they are made during the wood surface cleaning process.

N-Hance Wood Renewal uses their proprietary, state-of-the-art non-toxic and odorless products. These products along with their advanced technology and processes were developed to provide consistent high quality results. For more information, you can call NHance Wood Renewal, serving San Francisco and San Mateo counties, at 650-731-3917 or visit www.nhance.com/sanfrancisco and you can call Silicon Valley Wood Renewal, serving Santa Clara county at 408220-6626. Or visit www.nhance.com/siliconvalley ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

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After

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products&services Stucco is a low-cost finish that is strong and durable, and is usable in most climates. It is fire resistant, can have any color added to it, and allows for a variety of textures. It can also be applied over concrete, cinder block, clay brick, adobe, cork or even straw bales.

Plaster restoration can restore cracked or damaged existing plaster to its original condition versus having it all torn out. Restoring old plaster can be a simple process when working with a company that has extensive knowledge and experience. A quality plaster contractor will be able to look at a wall and determine if the damaged areas can be removed, re-plastered and patched. That way, you still has the same quality plaster, restoring damaged interiors to their true glory.

CLASSIC TECHNIQUES WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY

Elevating Plasterwork to the Status of Art

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laster is very versatile because of the broad range of options to choose from for the interior and exterior of a home. It can be tooled into a variety of textures, used throughout the home and be molded into all sorts of simple or intricate shapes.

The word plaster refers to interior work and stucco refers to exterior work.

The most common type of plaster used on interior walls is gypsum plaster. This is most commonly done through a three-coat process. In plaster a lath system first must be secured to the framing of your walls. Historically, lath was made from wood strips, but in modern times you will most likely find metal. This lath gives the plaster something to grab onto. After the lath has been installed the plaster goes on. The finish can be customized in different ways.

The advantage of a plaster wall is the thickness; since a plaster wall is thicker than drywall you have improved sound baffling, less likelihood of warping and increased fireproofing. A plaster wall also works best for irregular and rounded surfaces.

Venetian plaster is the application of the world's best plaster and the use of old world techniques to hard burnish the plaster into the wall as it cures to create sort of a pearl like finish. It creates a multi-dimensional depth of field in which areas fluctuate in color, depth, and intensity as the source of light changes from natural sunlight to artificial lighting.

Stucco is made from cement materials, sand and water. This is all mixed together to create a slurry. This slurry is applied over a metal lath that allows the stucco to adhere and maintain its strength. The finish coat is applied last, creating the decorative finish on the wall surface.

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The Meiswinkel family began its plastering tradition in the 1930’s and the RFJ Meiswinkel Company has since grown into a highly reputable name for residential and commercial plastering.

Along with plaster and stucco, they offer metal framing, drywall, lath, plaster restoration and historic renovation services replacing and repairing ornamental plaster in older homes and buildings.

For more information, you can contact RFJ Meiswinkel Company at 415-408-5414, email info@rfjmeiswinkel.com or visit www.rfjmeiswinkel.com ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

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TIRED OF THAT WOOD CABINET LOOK FROM THE 80'S?

T

he kitchen serves as a focal point of a home, it is the room where the entire family gathers and entertains.

And the cabinetry is the most eye-catching part of the

kitchen.

Are your cabinets looking tired and dated, not reflecting the ambiance and current style you wish they would? There is an alternative to replacing your cabinets which on an average is a third the cost of replacing, half the cost of refacing and takes only 5-6 days. The alternative is painting the exterior facade of your current cabinets.

Custom cabinet painting allows you to incorporate fresh colors, modern trends and the end result is your kitchen has a new clean look. The paint can be tinted to any color you wish.

Choosing white colors will achieve a classic or contemporary look. Using white and light colors on your cabinets can make small, dark rooms look larger and brighter.

Cabinet painting involves tools, equipment and techniques that are very specialized in order to produce a high-end professional looking result. When selecting your paint contractor, look for a professional painting company who listens to your needs and whose attention-to-detail is more important that rushing through painting your cabinets so that they can move on to the next job.

Fresh Coats Painting’s mission is to serve the customer’s needs and has a "leave no trace behind" approach to cleanliness during and after their work is completed. Interior and exterior painting is their main focus. They are trained to perform many tasks that fall outside the scope of painting including light handyman

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work, fence/deck staining/sealing, molding installation, base board installation and more. You can call Fresh Coats Painting at (408) 890-7399 to schedule a free estimate. Or visit www.freshcoatspainting.com

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Fix your

GROUT

AND YOUR TILE WILL SHINE

D

oes your tile look worn-out and dull? Have your grout lines succumbed to staining, dirt and chipping? Or maybe your grout lines look an entirely different color than when your tile was first put in. Chances are, that color is still there, it’s just hidden by staining and dirt. Regardless, it’s time for a change.

Let your tile’s natural beauty and aesthetics shine through. Improving and revitalizing your grout can uplift your entire room’s aesthetics and the value of your home. By diligently maintaining your grout, you can avoid difficult and costly repairs caused by compromised grout and tile.

Grout cleaning is a simple process restoring the grout to its natural, beautiful color. The results are clean and brilliant grout lines.

Is your grout is cracked or grooved in some areas? Or there are missing chunks of grout in some places, too.

Keep your grout strong and healthy by repairing problem areas and resealing them effectively. Every inch of your tile and grout should be inspected, and all irregularities and all cracks should be repaired.

Grout sealing will not only protect the new grout from stains and dirt that can cause your grout to look dingy, it will also promote longevity and sheen for your tile and grout. Most importantly, it will save you a lot of effort in cleaning complexities and costs down the road.

Ideally, your grout should be at the same level as your tile and it shouldn’t lift off when you’re cleaning.

Clear indications that your grout is wearing down and

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deteriorating are grains of your grout coming loose each time you wipe down your tile or your grout is deeply grooved below the tile line. Left unresolved, it can create a pesky trap for dirt and bacteria. Moisture can seep through and compromise your subsurface with mold, mildew and water damage.

The solution is re-grouting. Your old grout is removed, and new and improved grout is installed. After the grout is installed, it is resealed and recaulked. This can make your room look and feel brand new without having to replace your tile (an expensive and laborious process).

Pro Grout offers professional grout cleaning, re-grouting, grout sealing, grout repair, grout re-coloring and re-caulking services. Their standard sealant will protect your grout after a deep cleaning or regrouting. And their Super Stain Sealer provides the ability to change the color of your grout and they can match almost any color you desire. Pro Grout offers a free professional-grade inspection and will help you figure out the best course of action for your tile. For more information, you can call them at 800-513-2236 or visit www.theprogrout.com

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TURN YOUR GARAGE INTO A

FUNCTIONAL EXTENSION OF YOUR HOME

H

aving a clutter-free garage does not need to be a pipe-dream or wishful thinking. Garage cabinets capture all the vertical space for storage, including fitting around doors, windows, water heaters, washers and dryers and any other architectural challenges like angled ceilings and funky corners.

Wall rack storage systems can be customized to fit any wall space, with accessories like hooks, attachable shelves and baskets for small items, as well as specialty hangers for large items. They can cover a whole wall or just organize the space over a workbench or laundry area.

Custom garage cabinets with adjustable shelves allow you to configure the space any way you want to accommodate large and small items.

Place larger, heavier items on lower shelves for safety and ease, with lighter items up high. Open shelves allow for visible storage, so you can see, at a glance, where everything is. Clear plastic bins keep contents on display yet protected.

Garages tend to have lots of “head room.” Overhead racks can make use of that space by organizing storage that doesn’t require daily access. Getting seldom-used items into seldom-accessed space frees up the floor and more accessible storage for daily use.

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A custom garage floor adds beauty, eliminating the ugly, dirty look of raw concrete and giving your garage an attractive finished look. With a wide variety of color and finish options available, you can coordinate your floor with garage cabinets, other furnishings, your car, or even your favorite team’s logo. All garage flooring options are easy-to-clean and designed to withstand the high traffic and heavy use that a garage endures on a daily basis.

One of the biggest surprises in organizing your garage with cabinetry and a custom garage floor is the expanded living space and utility that is suddenly available for a craft or activity corner for the kids, an area for game tables, media center or even man cave.

PremierGarage of the Bay Area is locally owned and operated, with over 50 years of experience in the home service industry. Their professional designers can help you clear away garage clutter and maximize your garage’s space. With D’Vinci™, their proprietary 3D design software, you can see just how beautiful and functional your new garage can be!

For more information or to schedule a free, in-home consultation, you can call PremierGarage of the Bay Area at 408-444-9984 or 650-265-0510.

Or visit their website at www.bayareagarageflooring.com JUNE/JULY 2017 • BAY LIVING

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exteriorslandscaping

Transform Your Outdoor Living Space With Custom Masonry

Y

our home is where memories are born, nurtured and cherished. Your back- yard should be an important part of those memories. Whether you are looking to create a tranquil retreat to come home to, elegant spaces to dine and entertain or transform your outdoor living space with a backyard makeover, the options are limitless. Extending your living space outdoors is a sound investment that will add years of enjoyment and increase the value of your home.

Stone’s beauty, design versatility and durability provide the opportunity to be very creative. Not to mention, it is recyclable and extremely environmentally friendly. Fireplaces and fire pits can be

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a primary focal point, as well as an inviting gathering place. The sound of crackling flames in a built-in fire pit as you sip your glass of wine after a long day at work can be very relaxing. An outdoor fireplace can be enjoyed on cool summer nights and extend the outdoor entertaining season well into the cooler months.

Your outdoor living surfaces serve much the same purpose as carpeting or hard flooring inside your home. Pavers add texture and color to your yard, giving it a finishing touch that creates a beautiful surface, enhancing the beauty of your outdoor living space. Pavers can be used in the front of your home or in the backyard for entryways, driveways, pool decks or the whole patio.

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exteriorslandscaping Whether you’re having a summer gathering with friends and family, grilling burgers or just enjoying a quiet evening making cocktails and cooking steaks, an outdoor kitchen is the perfect addition to your ultimate backyard. An outdoor kitchen with custom masonry provides a one-of-a kind cooking experience that even the most discerning chef will appreciate.

Features and functions are plenty when it comes to one’s backyard. Having a plan in place is the first step. Start with collecting ideas from online sources and magazines, consult designers and contractors for advice and bids. Adding in a back porch, retaining wall, a paved pathway, a dining area, outdoor kitchen, garden boxes, water or fire feature, your backyard can become the place you dream about.

To learn more about the options available, gain inspiration and ideas for your home, visit Peninsula Building Materials’ Masonry Showroom. The showroom offers several full sized fireplace examples in their onsite Fireplace Gallery, as well as hundreds of other stone and brick samples, all under one roof.

Their helpful, knowledgeable staff is available to answer any questions and dedicated to helping customers realize their design ideas. Peninsula Building Materials Co. (PBM) is open to the public, and has been serving the needs of professional masons throughout the Bay Area since 1923. Over the decades this family owned and operated business has succeeded by providing a large variety of high quality products to their customers. PBM offers Northern California one of the largest selections of masonry products, including over 65 thin veneers and over 200 natural stone and brick products. Peninsula Building Materials Co. showroom is open Tuesday through Saturday, and is located at 2490 Charleston Road in Mountain View. You can call them at 877-282-0522 or visit www.pbm1923.com for more information.

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exteriorslandscaping

PRotecting and SHading YouR Home Can Make a Measurable Difference Retractable awning

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Retractable awning

our home is not only your sanctuary, but it’s also your largest investment. If you aren’t making the most of your livable space, then the time has come to make a change. There are many things that might be keeping you from enjoying certain areas of your home. You might love those large windows that let in a lot of natural light and showcase your gorgeous view, however the sunlight probably becomes excessive at times, if not bothersome. Not to mention the annoying glare that seems to follow you around the living room, especially while trying to watch television.

When the weather warms up, your home and family may be put under additional stress that can compromise your ability to live comfortably and securely. Here are some of the three most critical factors of stress: Sunlight. Did you know that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States? Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is classified as a human carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health.

Pergola awning

Screen open

Screen Partially open

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Heat. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, heat kills more people each year in the United States than tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, or lightning.

Intruders. Bay Area burglaries are up 34%, according to the San Jose police. Intruders have an easier time getting in through windows, which are completely unprotected in most homes.

However, you have control over these critical factors. Here is what you can do to protect yourself.

Block 99% of harmful UV radiation and save thousands of dollars. Perhaps certain furniture and your flooring have started to fade due to UV radiation. UV exposure is dangerous—if the sun seeping into your home is already fading your furnishings, think of what it might be doing to you and your family. Control your utility bills as well as the amount of light and heat that enters through your windows and glass doors. Extend the life of your furniture, carpet and irreplaceable pictures and heirlooms.

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exteriorslandscaping Extend the amount of living space you already own by 25% or more. Reclaim spaces that were once too bright, hot or exposed, and open up space for greater outdoor living and entertainment. You might have a gorgeous patio that overlooks a perfectly manicured landscape.

Yet, when the summertime arrives, you can only spend time outdoors during the evening because that bright sun is simply too much to handle. Think of all the money you have invested to create a lovely outdoor environment that you aren’t even able to enjoy year-round.

Protect and secure your family in seconds—keeping everyone safe. Create instant privacy with the push of a button, and prevent anyone from breaking your windows (even golfers and kids playing catch).

The good news is, you can easily block, extend, and protect your home with innovative shading solutions depending on the unique needs of both your home and lifestyle.

Exterior rolling shutters are the ultimate shading solution that provides up to 100% light blockage. Not only are they completely retractable at the push of a button, but they will also save plenty of money on heating and cooling costs. Rolling shutters also reduce the fading effects of the sun, allowing you to save money on heating and cooling costs, and keep your family protected by increasing the safety of your windows and decreasing the exposure of your home’s interior to strangers.

Solar screens don’t force you to sacrifice your view to the outside, while blocking 90% of UV rays and annoying glares. Shield your valuables from sun damage while simultaneously saving money on energy bills. With either manual or automatic control options, you can choose from many colors while adding elegance and comfort to your home.

Retractable awnings are an option for your outdoor space, allowing you to maximize your yard while also shading the interior at the touch of a button. Retractable awnings make your deck or patio 15 degrees cooler in 15 seconds. Installed on the house, awnings move out from the supporting wall with freestanding arms (so there are no posts). You can even choose from custom colors and sizes of Sunbrella® fabric.

Pergola awnings are another outdoor option. The Arbor Awning can mount onto an existing backyard arbor, glass roof, or even a trellis to provide shade. Sunbrella fabrics are also used with this shading solution.

In order to get the most from your investment, it’s crucial to know what to look for from a comprehensive, full service, shade and comfort solution provider before making any purchases.

Be sure to know whom you are doing business with. Look for a company that manufactures the ideal product for your specific needs, and also can provide local installation and service. Next, be sure that the company is legally compliant. They should maintain all proper contractor licenses, have up-to-date bonds, also have the appropriate liability and work compensation insurances. Look for a company that can provide you with a free, personalized, onsite consultation and quote, and has a long-term track record with thousands of satisfied clients who can provide referrals. In the end, you want to be completely educated in order to find the perfect investment for your home that will benefit you and your family in the long run.

For more information about exterior shade solutions for your home, the professionals at European Rolling Shutters can help determine your optimal solution. European Rolling Shutters have been protecting homes and families for over three decades. You can call them to book a free, no-obligation, in-home consultation at 800-327-0195, visit their showroom at 404 Umbarger Road, Suites A and B in San Jose, or see www.ERSshading.com.

ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

Shutter open

Shutter closed - interior

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exteriorslandscaping

PROFESSIONAL BARBECUE CLEANING

AFTER

PROTECTS YOUR INVESTMENT AND IMPROVES TASTE

I

n the Bay Area, grilling up a hearty meal on the barbecue is a beloved pastime.

Everyone loves a good cookout, but few homeowners enjoy cleaning or repairing the barbecue. It is safe to say that most grills could use a thorough cleaning, and many would benefit from an expert repairman.

Professionally cleaning your barbecue is sure to make your grill sparkle and shine, but it can do much more than that. A deep cleaning ensures a healthy cooking environment, improves the taste of your food and protects your investment. A comprehensive cleaning removes fat, carbon deposits, and cancer-causing carcinogens which are otherwise transferred to your food. A professional cleaning also reduces the chance of dangerous grease fires, prevents future corrosion and rust, and extends the life of your grill.

Now that we agree cleaning your barbecue is a great idea, some homeowners might ask, “Why not do this myself?” Because you don’t want to do it! Barbecues are complex and a thorough cleaning is messy and complicated. A skilled technician can come to your home at your convenience and give your grill a comprehensive cleaning with an environmentally friendly cleaning process. They will inspect every component to diagnose potential problems, clean and sanitize all parts, and polish the exterior to its original luster. Should your grill need replacement parts or repairs they are experts on nearly every model. Sometimes it is just better to call in the professionals.

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BEFORE

For more information on mobile barbecue cleaning and repairs you can contact the Bay Area’s leading BBQ cleaning company Sparkle Grill Cleaning at (408) 409-1349. Their friendly and well trained staff is there to serve you. Sparkle Grill Cleaning also sells and installs new grills should you be in the market for an upgrade. You can see a complete list of their services online at www.sparklegrillcleaning.com

ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

exteriorslandscaping

BEFORE

A HOMEOWNER’S BACKYARD DREAMSCAPE BECOMES A REALITY!

T

he homeowners featured in this article envisioned a dream backyard that expanded the use of their outdoor living space. Their overall plan was to add aesthetic appeal and create a functional outdoor retreat that included areas for entertaining adults and kids alike.

Their home’s sloped yard consisted of dirt with small patches of grass, overgrown trees and lacked any functionality. They knew that to get more use out of the space, it would have to undergo a total transformation.

The landscape designer saw this unsightly backyard as a blank canvas and created a unique design, custom tailored to meet the homeowner’s criteria and budget. What was once an eyesore was transformed into a two-tier stunning outdoor living space with areas for both recreation and relaxation.

Incorporating a raised patio with retaining walls gave comfort, enjoyment and functionality to the sloped yard. On the lower level, a putting green encircled by a paver patio (doubling as a bike run for the kids) was designed as the recreation area. The relaxation area on the upper level included an outdoor lounge with a low-maintenance “waterless” synthetic lawn and custom lighting. Connecting the lower and upper levels is a beautiful stairway surrounded by a retaining wall with lush landscaping, providing style and additional seating to the two-tiered patio.

ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

AFTER When the project was completed, the homeowner’s dreamscape was now a reality exceeding their expectations. The homeowners stated, “Our new backyard was transformed into a serene park like setting that we always wanted and the uplighting at night shines beautifully onto the red and green maple leaves.” Delighted with the results, the homeowners continued, “Our kids could now enjoy a level area where they can bike and play miniature golf whereas the adults can now enjoy peaceful moments in complete privacy overlooking newly planted maple, magnolia, citrus, and other flowering plants.”

For this project, Black Diamond Paver Stones & Landscape, Inc. won the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) Excelsior Award. Family owned and operated since 2004, Black Diamond offers a lifetime warranty on pavers and 27-year warranty on installation. From design to installation, their team of experts can complete your entire outdoor transformation and turn your dreamscape into a reality. For more information visit BlackDiamondLandscape.com, or to make an appointment call 408-329-9508 in the South Bay or 650-539-4532 in San Francisco or on the Peninsula.

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exteriorslandscaping

outdooR SPace too Hot to HandLe? add Some Shade on demand with a Louvered Roof System

VENTED & SHADED

T

SOLID & PROTECTED

oo often patios and decks take the brunt of the summer sun and we avoid using them between sunup and sundown because the heat and sunlight make them simply miserable. Traditional patio covers such as Pergolas, solid panel roofs, and retractable awnings help ease this problem, but they each come with a compromise. Pergolas offer no weather protection, solid roofs make home interiors dark and gloomy, and retractable awnings are useless during strong wind.

However, there is a solution. Adjustable louvered roof systems give you the best of all worlds. You can enjoy your outdoor living spaces at a temperature and light level that’s comfortable all year-round.

Louvered roof systems have many advantages over traditional shade options. They withstand the elements all year long with no maintenance, offer shade or sunlight on demand, and are waterproof when closed. Most importantly, louvered roof systems are

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OPEN & SUNNY

versatile enough to accommodate any architectural style. Louvers are typically stocked in white and tan with custom colors available to suit your specific design needs. The system also has the ability to resist strong winds and severe weather conditions, making them a once in a lifetime purchase.

A louvered roof system not only improves your deck, patio, and outdoor areas, they also help inside too. They block the sun’s powerful rays, protecting expensive window coverings, carpet, and furniture from fading and damage. Your home’s exterior will also be protected from solar heat gain, reducing your summer cooling costs.

Additionally, all systems are solar powered for the ultimate in ease of operation with no associated operational energy costs.

For more information about designing your louvered roof system, you can call Screen Solutions for a free estimate at 408-374-8156 or visit their website at www.screensolutionsonline.com ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

healthbeautyfitness

Reshape Your Body in 20 Minutes!

By John Colman

When Diane Rand reached age 50, she got concerned that her weight was slowly creeping higher and her clothes were feeling too tight. As a practicing physician in San Diego, she knew the diagnosis. “Your muscles atrophy as you age, and this slows down the metabolism,” says Rand. “I knew it would keep getting worse if I didn’t correct it.” The antidote?

Effective weight training. But, she’d never lifted weights before. Plus, her fulltime job as a physician as well as her family life left little time in her schedule for exercise.

Fortunately, Diane read an article about “slow-motion” strength training, a revolutionary new exercise method promising a firmer, stronger, more shapely body from just two 20-minute training sessions per week. Even though the time efficiency and results sounded almost too good to be true, she decided to enroll with a personal trainer at The Perfect Workout, a local company with dozens of private fitness studios specializing in this unique approach.

Right away she noticed immediate increases in her muscle tone and energy.

After several months she’d also dropped one to two clothing sizes and was fitting into clothes which used to be too small.

“My trainer pushes me in a safe way, and I walk away feeling great after each session,” says Diane. “This is the wave of the future.”

Lean Muscles—The Key To Reshaping Your Body The Perfect Workout’s trainers encourage clients to build lean muscle tissue, which increases the body’s metabolism, burning extra calories even while you’re sleeping. Many people—especially women—have a fear of “bulking up” like a

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Physician Diane Rand tones her arms as part of her 20-minute training session in San Diego.

bodybuilder if they were to start strength training. In reality, if you’re older than 25, it’s much more likely that too little muscle is the problem rather than too much muscle. In their book Biomarkers: The 10 Keys to Prolonging Vitality , William Evans, Ph.D., and Irwin Rosenberg, M.D., show the research demonstrating that adults who don’t strength train lose an average of a half pound of lean muscle tissue each year starting at age 25.

As an example, a typical 55-year-old woman will have 15 pounds less lean muscle (and significantly more fat) than what she had at age 25. Muscle takes up less space than fat, so this typical

55-year-old woman has arms and thighs that are softer and less firm, wears a larger clothing size, and has a slower metabolism that burns fewer calories each day.

Effective strength training changes all of this. It increases your body’s metabolism, causing you to burn more fat and calories all day long. Strength training reshapes and tones your legs and arms.

And since muscle takes up 20% less space than fat, adding muscle and losing fat will make your body firmer, smaller, and more shapely. A fit 140-pound person can wear clothes several sizes smaller than an out of shape 140-pound person.

ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

healthbeautyfitness How Can Slow-Motion Strength Training Work So Quickly?

Slow-motion strength training involves brief and demanding workouts to get great results. The basic concept? Lift relatively heavy weights excruciatingly slowly (10 seconds to lift, another 10 seconds to lower) for as many repetitions as you can until you’re unable to move the weights anymore.

And when you learn to challenge your muscles as deeply as a skilled trainer can teach, it’s impossible to workout much longer than 20 minutes, even if you try. Dr. Philip Alexander, physician and faculty member at Texas A&M University’s College of Medicine, explains that it’s the intensity of exercise that stimulates greatest changes. “A slower repetition loads the muscles more effectively and efficiently. It’s harder!” exclaims Alexander. “That’s why it stimulates such a great total response from the body.”

Dr. Alexander has tracked hundreds of subjects using slow-motion strength training, noting significant improvements in muscular strength, HDL cholesterol profiles, bone density, and glucose tolerance. Other research adds more supporting data. Two separate studies by Wayne Westcott, Ph.D., and one study by Ellington Darden, Ph.D., demonstrate that slow-motion strength training produces 50% to 59% faster improvements than regular weight training. And because the repetitions are harder, each training session must be limited to 20 minutes—making this exercise method quite time efficient.

In 3 months Justin Brunette dropped 4 inches from his waist and lowered his body fat percentage by 6.4% with effective nutrition and weekly 20-minute training sessions at The Perfect Workout.

Joyce Reclaims Her Youthful Figure 54-year-old Joyce Magnuson had always been slim and slender when she was younger. But in her mid 40s, life’s stresses caught up with her and she began gaining weight. “During the next few years, I kept getting heavier, until I was thoroughly broken and disgusted with myself,” says Joyce.

Fortunately, she happened to read an article about slow-motion strength training and how it would reshape her body with just two 20-minute training sessions per week. The effectiveness of the method made sense to Joyce, and she decided to enroll with a personal trainer at The Perfect Workout.

ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

In 3 months Laura Retana Shelp lost 23.4 pounds and 10½ inches off her waist with improved nutrition and two 20-minute training sessions a week at The Perfect Workout.

After five months of combining an effective nutrition plan with two 20-minute training sessions each week, not only had she gotten stronger, she’d lost 43 pounds and dropped from a size 16 to a size 10. She was also able to get completely off the blood pressure medications that she’d previously needed to take. She adds, “The perk is looking good in the current styles. Even Macy’s keeps me motivated to stay fit!”

The Perfect Workout has dozens of private studios throughout the United States that specialize in one-on-one personal training with the slow-motion strength training method, including these Bay Area locations: Mill Valley (415) 423-1198, San Mateo (650) 513-2747, Menlo Park (650) 300-4308, Sunnyvale (408) 912-1387, Walnut Creek (925) 357-9704, Danville (925) 395-4891, Oakland (510) 254-3763, Southwest San Jose (408) 899-5812 and Pleasanton (925) 202-2231.

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