Bay Living Magazine September/October 2015

BayLiving Staff PUBLISHER WALLY HICKS III BAY AREA DIRECTOR DEBBIE TARNOFF MARKETING SPECIALISTS JENNIFER BURKE, GLENDA BAYLY PRODUCTION MANAGERS DAWN DOWLATSHAHI, DAVID MARCHAND WRITER/COPY EDITOR CAITLIN FEENER 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: livingmagazines@yahoo.com

Reach the Most Affluent Owner–Occupied S i n g l e – Fa m i ly H o m e s and the top t r a d e p ro f e s s i o n a l s i n S i l i c o n Va l l ey, t h e Pe n i n s u l a a n d 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

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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.

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BAY LIVING Contents

A ResOuRCe guIde seRvIng sILICOn vALLey, THe PenInsuLA & sAn fRAnCIsCO • vOL XXXvI • nO. 5 • even sePTeMBeR/OCTOBeR 2015 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 T H E N E W B AY L I V I N G M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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14 - 23 Home Fashion

35 - 43 Products & Services

Leather Furniture–A Truly Fine Investment For Your Home Lighting 101™ With Hinkley Lighting Decorating Taste Test. Determine Your Style With A Few Quick Questions Traditional Brass Hardware Solutions For Any Lifestyle Modern Furniture That Speaks To Your Style Simplify Your Life By Organizing Your Home Sophisticated Hardwood–Natural Flooring With Character Your Guide To Finding The Ideal Furniture

24 Home Automation & Theater

Redefine Your Space–Balance The Indoors With The Outdoors Do You Want Your Woodwork To Look Beautiful Again?

Are Annual Furnace Inspections Really Necessary?

Open Up Your View With Retractable Screen Doors Personalized Concierge Service For All Your Home Maintenance Needs Don’t Be Left In The Dark When The Power Goes Out Save Energy, Space, And Water–Improve Your Life By Going Tankless Professional Barbeque Cleaning Exceeding Expectations With A Properly Installed Synthetic Lawn

Make The Right Connections–Home Automation Makes Your Home Intelligent And Elegant

44 - 54 Exteriors & Landscaping

26 Wine Collecting How To Protect Your Wine Collection

27 - 31 Kitchen & Bath Transform Your Bathroom From The Ordinary To Inspired Unique Storage Solutions For The Discerning Homeowner Custom Built Steam Glass Shower Enclosures–Soothe Your Body And Soul Get Perfectly Clean–Electrolux Front Load Laundry

Pools, Spas And Water Features Add Some Magic To Your Outdoor Space Protecting And Shading Your Home Can Make A Measurable Difference Your Garage, Your Oasis–Start Enjoying It Today!

Outdoor Space Too Hot To Handle?

Adding Curb Appeal To Your Home Evict Termites Without Leaving Your Home

56 - 57 Health Beauty and Fitness 32 - 34 Remodeling

Reshape Your Body In 20 Minutes!

Looking For Design Inspiration? Natural Stone–Imagine The Possibilities A Glance Inside A Bathroom Remodel

Featured on the cover is Elegancia® by BainUltra®. With shapes and lines that take you back to the Victorian era, this series transcends time—fitting right in with today’s styles. The bath’s design exploits cutting-edge production techniques for an inverted contour with unique Victorian charm, boasting superior back comfort thanks to its cone-shaped backrest.

To see BainUltra products on display, you can visit the Belmont Hardware showrooms located in Belmont and San Jose. You can also visit the Belmont Hardware showrooms located in 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. See their article on page 27.

homefashion

LEATHER FURNITURE–

A TRULY FINE INVESTMENT FOR YOUR HOME

f you are a lover of leather, it’s easy to see why. Leather furniture can serve as an elegant focal point for any room, adding a touch of luxury to your living spaces. A high quality leather piece will not only last for years to come, but can turn into a family heirloom as it is passed from one generation to the next.

When shopping for leather furniture, some of the criteria you want to consider include style, color, type of leather, comfort, and quality.

Style and color. What type of legs, tacks, and stitching is there on the cushion and trim?

Would a neutral color work best or is there a specific color to match your décor? If you’re looking for a sectional, what configuration best fits your lifestyle and room dimensions?

Type of leather. There are many different types of leather. One example is top grain aniline-dyed leather, which is very high quality. Top grain is the top surface of the hide, and also the strongest part so your furniture will last longer. Aniline dying is the process where the leather is dyed in a drum, resulting in color that lasts almost forever. Top grain aniline leather is extremely comfortable.

Seating comfort preference. Try sitting on the piece, but not just for a minute; sit in it until you settle in. Is it too firm, too soft, or just right?

Do you have enough lumbar support? Can the comfort be adjusted now or after delivery?

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If you are looking to reinvest in your cherished furniture, leather restoration is the way to go. Offering new life to old pieces is an environmentally friendly choice because it reinvents furniture, ultimately keeping it out of landfills. One option is re-upholstery, in which you can choose from different styles of leather and custom fabric options. You can also change aspects such as stitching, foam, suspension, and components of the frame.

Leather re-dying is an ideal option for full grain leather furniture, while leather repair allows technicians to fix cracks, stains, scratches, holes, rips, and fades. Cleaning leather or fabric furniture is also an option, removing stains or other surface issues that take away from the beauty of your furniture.

Whether you are looking for brand new leather furniture or want to rejuvenate some of your favorite timeless pieces, Leather Leather Furniture Gallery specializes in all things leather. You can choose from over 50 designs and if the size or style is not quite right, they will customize for you. Each piece is made of high quality top grain aniline-dyed leather available in hundreds of colors and 16 different grades of both protected and natural leathers, superior suspensions, hardwood frames, and American-made components. Leather Leather

Furniture Gallery has an exclusive partnership with a manufacturing facility, and all products are private label. You can visit their showroom at, 935 El Camino Real in Menlo Park, or call them at 650-617-0220. You can also visit their website at www.leatherfurnitureca.com or email info@leatherfurnitureca.com.

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homefashion

LIghTIng 101 with ™

or the past 90 years, Hinkley Lighting has been creating lighting for the modern family that reflects evolving lifestyles, and brightens the simple pleasures of day-to-day moments. Hinkley understands the importance of lighting and its vital role in how you live in and enjoy every aspect of your home.

To enhance your home with lighting, follow these simple tips from Hinkley about sizing and hanging a home full of lighting fixtures: Outdoor lanterns. If you are hanging one lantern, it should measure about one-third the height of your door, and if you are hanging two, they should measure about one-quarter the height of the door. The center of the light source should rest approximately 66-inches above the threshold.

Foyer or entry. When hanging a fixture in the foyer, the bottom of the fixture should be at least seven-feet from the floor. If there is a window above the door in a two-story foyer, center the fixture so it can be seen from the outside. Sconces can be installed 60-inches from the floor and about six-to-eight-feet apart.

Bath and vanity. Fixtures above the vanity should be at least 24-inches-wide, and the center should be mounted 75-to-80-inches

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from the floor. Mini chandeliers add sparkle to a nook or high powder room ceilings. Sconces flanking the vanity allow light to be evenly distributed across your face and should be mounted at eye level, about 36-to-40-inches apart.

Dining chandelier. To size a fixture over a dining table, measure the length and width of the room or dining space, and add those figures together. The sum converted to inches will equal the right sized chandelier. The bottom of the chandelier should also sit approximately 32-to-34-inches above the tabletop.

Island pendants. A group of pendants is an ideal lighting solution for islands and breakfast bars, with smaller fixtures generally hung in odd numbered groups, and larger pendants in pairs.

In general, pendants should be hung with the bottom of the fixture 28-to-34-inches about the tabletop.

Landscape lighting. Path and area lighting should be installed to enhance landscaping and to safely illuminate pathways. About six-feet between each light is a general guideline to follow. Uplighting creates soft focal points. Use a flashlight to test where you’d like the light to hit, then mount the fixtures accordingly.

Bedroom basics. Overhead lighting such as central flush, semi-flush mount, or chandelier

will allow for the general illumination of the room. Ambient lighting such as bedside sconces make for easy reading, but also bounce light off the walls.

Mudroom. Eight-foot or below ceilings are best fitted with a flush mount fixture, while nine-or-ten-foot ceilings are perfect for a semi-flush mount, which typically hangs less than 12-inches from the ceiling.

Laundry room. Overhead lighting provides the main lighting, while sconces on either side of a laundry tub or folding area act as decorative task lighting.

For more information about Hinkley products and much more, Coast Lighting is your local one-stop shop with the largest lighting products display in the Bay Area. They also offer on-site consultations, custom fixture design and fabrication, lamp repair, and installation services. They are able to help homeowners, contractors, and designers, alike 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 of many solutions. For more information, you can visit them at 2626 El Camino Real in Redwood City, call them at 650-850-6220, or visit www.coastlighting.com.

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homefashion

Decorating Taste Test Determine Your Style with A Few Quick Questions

D

oes your home reflect you? Many of us are at a loss when it comes to decorating our home and deciding which colors, fabrics and furniture to use.

To help solve this problem, Sally Morse, Director of Creative Services for Hunter Douglas, devised a “Decorating Taste Test” inspired by Meredith’s New Decorating Book. So pick up a pencil, sit yourself down, and answer the following questions: 1. What architectural style is your dream house? a. A restored townhouse with beautiful architectural detailing. b. A thatched roof cottage surrounded by trees and flowers fronting a sylvan pond. c. A penthouse loft with few interior walls, high ceilings and lots of windows.

2. Great grandma bequeathed you an old-fashioned trestle table, the perfect size for dining. What do you choose for seating? a. Chairs from the same era, made of the same wood. b. Dissimilar wood chairs painted a single color. c. Mid-century modern Harry Bertoia metal chairs.

3. The colors you love to surround yourself with bring to mind: a. Favorite jewelry. b. Your flower garden. c. The beach.

4. When hosting a dinner party you set the table with: a. Formal china that’s been in your family for generations, the good silver and white tapers.

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b. Pottery collected over the years and glass hurricane lamps with pillar candles matching the colorful linens. c. Translucent, white china plates, small, rock crystal vases, each sprouting a single purple zinnia marching down the center of the table, and vintage, pearl-handled flatware.

Traditional. If you answered mostly “a,” you have a great appreciation for the past, formality, and prefer one definite style over many. At the windows you might keep the treatment simple to draw attention to the furniture with Hunter Douglas Silhouette® shadings with the Signature S-Vane™.

Comfortably casual. If you answered mostly “b,” you like furnishings that beckon, sink-into chairs and sofas dressed in solid or boldly patterned fabrics that don’t show wear and tear. Interiors in the comfortably casual mode would look well with Heritance® hardwood shutters crafted with dovetail construction for maximum strength and durability.

Simple with a spark. If you answered mostly “c,” you like a sophisticated, refined look sparked with something unexpected, a Victorian papier-mâché chair in a modern setting, for example. One recommended window treatment is the state-of-the-art, Duette ® Architella® honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas with a highly energy efficient cell-within-a-cell construction.

One-of-a-kind. If your answers vary, it probably means you like and are knowledgeable about a variety of design periods and styles and refuse to be limited to just one.

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 and 990 Industrial Road Ste. 106 in San Carlos, 650-348-1268 or 650-508-8518. www.rebarts.com. Or you can also visit Lawrence Furnishings, an authorized Hunter Douglas Showcase Dealer located at 470 Vandell Way in Campbell, (408) 374-7590 Ext. 121. www.LawrenceFurnishings.com ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

homefashion

ecause every family is different, their hardware should be, too. Classic Brass has been handcrafting solid brass traditional hardware for both cabinets and doors since the inception of the family-owned company in the 1950s.

Available only through a very exclusive network of dealers, their products boast the high level of quality and technical detail that are created to please even the most discerning homeowner.

Each piece of solid brass and bronze hardware is finished by hand, featuring custom order options with a family touch. There are 24 standard finishes available to choose from, along with gold plating and custom variations.

A hallmark of fine hardware, wax finishes are a highly popular option that offers an elegant, timeless look. A living finish is a non-lacquered and unprotected finish which will “wear and beautify” with time. Because each collection offers such a wide range of finish options as well as the ability to customize, you can rest assured knowing that the end result will be exactly what you are looking for.

Depending on your unique needs, all door hardware products are machined and finished to ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

order. Because the process is designed around flexibility, there are virtually no limitations.

Classic Brass is known for their ability to provide hardware for any application—this includes tubular, mortise, and multipoint locks.

Additionally, they have the capability to provide clients with customized escutcheons. For many homeowners, narrow escutcheons are necessary due to narrow door stiles. All of these types of specific needs can be accommodated, offering distinct solutions for everyone. From custom hammered products and engraving requirements, to locks with unique spacing requirements—these are the types of special touches that simply cannot be found in a typical door hardware catalog.

Classic Brass is proud to introduce their newest collection of traditional door hardware—Chautauqua. The hallmark of this collection is the very fine and crisp bead, rope, coin, and cross hatch detail. Chautauqua is the only collection in the marketplace that offers a rope or coin edge on escutcheons, which complements the knobs, turn pieces, rose pieces, and levers.

In order to truly appreciate the level of technical detail and fine quality that Classic Brass collections possess, it’s necessary to visit one of their exclusive dealer showrooms to see the products on display. The knowledgeable staff can discuss with you firsthand the flexibility available in the Classic Brass door hardware program. You can do this locally at Belmont Hardware. To see their products, you can visit the Belmont Hardware showrooms located in Belmont, San Francisco, and 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 Belmont Hardware’s additional showrooms located in 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.

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homefashion

Modern Furniture F THAT SPEAKS TO YOUR STYLE urnishing a home is a wonderful opportunity to express your individual style and create a personal environment to relax, nurture family, and entertain friends. Unfortunately, the task of finding the right furniture can seem like an uphill battle for the discerning homeowner.

Having served the Bay Area for over 10 years, Gingko Home Furnishings understands the difficulties that homeowners encounter while furniture shopping. Over the years, they have garnered a keen understanding of their clientele and have carefully curated a collection of pieces that easily meet the homeowner’s needs in terms of style, quality, and budget.

Gingko designs their own line of solid walnut and upholstered furniture with the sophisticated style and practical needs of the Bay Area homeowner. These designs are expertly crafted at Gingko’s owned and operated woodworking studio. Producing pieces individually allows for customization to meet client’s specific needs— no two homes are alike and often the right piece needs to be slightly resized or reimagined to fit just perfectly.

Iconic mid-century modern design styling is featured throughout Gingko’s collection. Designs

are produced in rich solid walnut wood, which is available in multiple finish colors. The beautiful organic grain of the walnut wood becomes part of the furniture’s lasting beauty. Furthermore, walnut is valued by furniture designers for its stability, with minimal movement across different environments. The material is not highly processed—no veneers or plywood are used—resulting in an unmatched look with inherent beauty that increases over time.

Recently, Gingko has expanded their in-house and manufacturing capabilities to include a line of upholstered chairs for the living and dining room, comprised of five lounge chairs and two dining chairs. Inspired by mid-century designs the furniture adopts clean lines into comfortable updated styles, ideal for today's modern home.

Headquartered in Mountain View, Gingko’s management is inspired by the lore of the Gingko tree which has been known to live as long as 3,000 years. Once common in Northern Europe, it had vanished from that area by the 16th century, only to be rediscovered in China and eventually brought back to the west. Today the tree is widely used throughout the Bay Area and it embodies the spirit of Gingko Home Furnishings’ unique, lasting style.

rex ChAIr

LewIs MeDIA CABIneT

LewIs TABLe

sAITo BeD

Designed in California and hand-built by skilled carpenters, Gingko has helped thousands of clients with projects ranging from whole house remodels to retirement downsizing, to furnishing a newly purchased condo and even quick room.

For quick solutions, Gingko has a local warehouse with a broad selection of styles ready for delivery within days of ordering. Marketed exclusively in their San Francisco and Mountain View retail showrooms, Gingko is a unique source for homeowners looking to express their individual style without compromising quality, flexibility, or value.

You can visit one of their two Bay Area showrooms today. Gingko San Francisco is at 810 Valencia Street, 415-814-3918, and their Mountain View location is at 2496 W. El Camino Real, 650-396-7455. www.GingkoFurniture.com.

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homefashion

G

etting ready in the morning has to be easier than racing around the house, trying to find matching shoes and a shirt that isn’t wrinkled. Isn’t it time to rid your life of the morning mayhem? Working with a closet professional, they will help design and create an organized custom closet, as well as other areas of your home.

A custom closet adds value to your home. There is something luxurious about walk-in closets, no matter what the size, devoting an entire room to storage and organization. Reach-in closets can literally double your storage with closet organizers. Multiple rods, custom-built trays, shelves and cabinets will utilize all of your space. For additional closet space, turn one of your bedroom walls into a wardrobe closet with lots of hanging and folding space, hidden shoe shelves, and closet doors that slide or swing open.

Finishes add color and character. Melamine finish is affordable and durable, while opting for stained or painted wood offers higher levels of customization. You can add decorative and architectural elements such as carved wood appliqués, crown and base molding, and decorative hardware.

Wood closet organizers offer the ultimate in personalization and luxury.

The richness and exclusive feel of wood and wood veneer accentuates the architecture and beauty of your home. Choose from maple, cherry, birch, and mahogany.

Closet accessories are the essential working pieces, from padded jewelry drawers to customized additions such as tie, belt, and pant racks, ironing stations, shelf dividers, shoe racks, pull-out baskets and trays.

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Organization can be achieved in other areas of the home, too.

Because home offices are often located in very visible parts of the home, custom office desks, workstations, bookshelves, and more can help clean things up. Designs feature both freestanding furniture and built-in configurations in a huge range of sizes, finishes and details.

Wall beds are the perfect way to save space. Wall beds allow you to convert rooms instantly, save valuable floor space, and let guests sleep over with comfort and convenience. Everything is designed to work within the bed cabinet and surrounding built-ins, effectively creating a multi-functional room. Custom shelving, drop-down tables, pullout nightstands, display alcoves, and media cabinetry are some of the accessories to consider.

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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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 • BAY LIVING

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homefashion Sophisticated Hardwood— Natural FlooriNg with CharaCter

H

ardwood floors are a wise investment for just about every home. They add elegance and classic style, while increasing the resale value of your home. They are also environmentally friendly and sustainable when purchased from a reliable store!

Wood flooring comes in many styles and types that can be customized with unique designs (such as borders and medallions) and rich finishes. With all the options available, a hardwood floor can complement your individual personality and harmonize with the décor of your home.

Wood species used for flooring vary from American-grown oak, walnut, ash, birch, cherry and more to exotic, imported woods including Brazilian Cherry, mahogany, teak and Amendoim. The conservative look of red oak is perfect for kitchens or to brighten a room; while the lush chocolate shade of textured Brazilian Rosewood will add balance and depth to a room with a light décor.

Homeowners have more recently been drawn to the vibrancy that these exotic hardwoods bring to a living space. Wide, flat boards with non-luster finishes and contemporary gray wood colors are both growing trends in home flooring, as well.

Prefinished floors are the most popular choice on the market. In fact, they afford you the ability to get new hardwood installed and lived on with much less work and time than floors that are “finished in place” (also known as finished on-site). Prefinished floors have virtually taken over market share from site-finished floors due to their ease of installation and convenience.

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Project done with Clayton Nelson & Associates

With all of these choices, the best way to go about your flooring project is to talk to a hardwood floor expert who can help you decide which wood species, type and finish will work best for your home.

Slaughterbeck Floors is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving the Bay Area for over 30 years. In their showroom, you can view over 800 samples of flooring products that include hardwood, bamboo, cork, laminate, carpeting, and vinyl.

You can take home samples and meet with their flooring experts to discuss your new flooring project or hardwood refinish. You can visit them at 730 Camden Ave. in Campbell, call them at 408-379-5813, or visit www.slaughterbeckfloors.com.

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homefashion

Your Guide to Finding the Ideal Furniture uying new furniture can be such an exciting moment, not to mention the drastic transformation you get to enjoy once everything is in your home. However, if you do not plan accordingly during the shopping process, certain unplanned steps might occur that can hinder the overall success of your furniture-buying experience.

Before you start, it’s crucial that you do the proper homework to avoid any impulse decisions. When you are informed and aware of the little details, such as what kind of furniture suits your home or what practical requirements do you have for your furniture, you will feel completely confident with your decisions.

Here are some things to consider before making any purchases.

Preparation. It is very important to be ready when you arrive to meet with design professionals. Preparing for this isn’t hard at all; first, make sure that you have all of your measurements. Next, bring photos of your rooms so that a designer can see what they are working with. Finally, make sure you consult with all members of your family in regards to decisions and design preference. All of these things will make the process go much smoother when you arrive at the store.

Custom. When buying sofas, there is no better opportunity than having the ability to custom tailor aspects to fit both your likes and needs. Professionals can create any sofa that you want—bring in your own drawings and ideas, and let the design experts go to work. You can change the colors, size, and even the softness of the cushions to your exact liking.

Originality. You want unique, sophisticated pieces. Make sure you work with a company that can deliver exclusive works of art so that your décor is one-of-a-kind.

Avetex Furniture has been in the same location for 14 years, offering a wide selection of custom sofas, chairs, lounges, benches,

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beds, and much more. Avetex exclusively represents designer Christopher Guy and his Dramatic Collection.

Dramatic and sophisticated, this collection is found at the world’s top trading centers, like Harold in London. As a direct buyer of Nicoletti Home® Italian furniture, you can get the best prices with Avetex. They also carry famous European brands, such as Calligaris, Rossetto, Tonin Casa, ALF® Group, SMA, Camelgroup®, Arredo Classic, Bakokko Group, Dupen, García Sabaté®, and Domitalia®, and additional brands such as AICO® Furniture, Stanley, Lexington and Brownstone.

Avetex also represents IMG Norway with reclining sofas and chairs. Avetex also works closely with interior designers, and provides free delivery and installation in the Bay Area. You can visit their showroom for a free design consultation (in-store only) at 6114/6101 Geary Blvd. (25th Ave.) in San Francisco, open Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 115 and Sun 12-4. You can also call them at 415-831-6529 or visit their website at www.avetexfurniture.com.

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homeautomation

Make the right Connections– Home Automation makes your home intelligent and ot much can turn around a bad day quite as quickly as music. Now take that music and surround yourself with it, inside your home and out, and your mood is suddenly on the fast track to improvement. And, you’ll be even happier when you see how your home audio system looks—if you can even see it.

From the music playing in your living room that engulfs you in surround sound to the lighting that dims just perfectly with the touch of a button, ambiance is truly everything. However, nothing can ruin the mood you worked so hard to create like those unsightly wires, bulky equipment, and speakers that take away from the beauty of your spaces. Let’s face it—equipment is not something that you want to see as part of your décor.

When it comes to the upgraded technology in your home, professionals have the ability and expertise to hide every single element that you don’t want to see. With everything out of sight, the room will not only feel larger, but more elegant.

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Speakers can be made subtle in appearance.

If you want to take it a step further, innovative Live-Wall is a product that actually keeps your speakers completely invisible. Your Live Wall will even produce 3D, holographic, nuanced imaging if you are in the mood for some added ambiance.

Elite Moving Art by Leon is a premier recess-mounted moving art solution that can actually conceal your TV, offering the appearance of an elegant piece of framed art when you want to hide the TV. Lighting can completely transform a room with the simple touch of a button from a smart phone. With pre-set personalized programs, or automated sensors, you have the power to define a mood with light. In fact, you can control a variety of aspects with the simple touch of a button, including window shades and coverings, and even movie screens in the home theater. Professionals can sync each element so that your entire living space can transform in an instant—your home will be both beautiful and comfortable.

Elegant

When it comes to taking your home from ordinary to extraordinary, you want to work with a professional that constantly seeks out new technology, ensuring that you will get the best products available on the market. They should also communicate with architects and homeowners to ensure a comprehensive design and installation. Finally, a professional should recognize that the seamless design of your system should complement the ambiance of your home, not distract from it. You want convenience, comfort and savings—a truly enjoyable home that is smart in every way.

Evergreen Home Systems Inc. can keep your home as elegant as possible by hiding the equipment you don’t want to see. From concealing speakers to total home automation, Evergreen Home Systems will work with you from design to installation to deliver a plan that is both on time and within your budget. For a thorough free consultation or more information, you can call Evergreen Home Systems at 408-691-9386 or visit www.evergreenhomesystems.com.

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winecollecting

Protect

How to

Your

Wine Collection

f you are serious about your wine collection, you probably have put plenty of thought into the design of your dream cellar. However—are you completely sure that it will preserve your coveted wine the way it’s supposed to? Before getting consumed with aesthetics, you must know that the most crucial component of a wine storage room is its function. Essentially, how you store your wine defines how it will taste later.

While the experts recommend a professional-grade storage situation, here are a few simple guidelines that should help keep your wine safe until the time comes to enjoy them.

Cool things down, but not too much. Heat can singlehandedly destroy a fine wine. 70-degrees or more can actually “cook” the liquid, resulting in reduced aroma and flavor. However, 45-degrees or cooler can dry out corks, which allows air to enter the bottles and damage the wine. The average refrigerator temperature falls well before 45-degrees, so achieving an ideal wine cooling space requires expertise. The ideal temperature should stay between 45-and-65-degrees.

Consistency is everything. Rapid changes in temperature can not only result in cooked wine flavors, but also might create a friction that pushes out a cork, or creates seepage. Temperature should be stable and steady.

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Keep the lights down. Both light and sunlight can age your wine.

UV-rays can pose problems due to degradation and premature aging, while household lights can fade labels and take away from the beauty of your bottles.

Avoid too much moving and shaking. Some collectors believe that vibration has the potential to speed up chemical reactions within a bottle of liquid. For example, vibrations resulting from electronic appliances might contribute to this theory.

Each home is different, therefore the eye and knowledge of a professional is paramount if you truly want to keep your wine collection in top-notch condition. Cold Craft Inc. is a full-service heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration company, and can work with you to install and service wine cellar refrigeration.

You can call them at 888-447-0071 or visit www.ColdCraft.com.

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kitchen&bath

TrAnsforM Your BAThrooM from the

Ordinary Inspired to

ainUltra® has been an innovator of therapeutic baths for over 35 years. Dedicated to inspiring a new art of living based on relaxation, health, and well-being, BainUltra strives to make your bathroom a fully personalized space that uses the best designs and therapies. Each bath boasts a shape that has been sculpted to provide the ultimate comfort and performance, and to optimize the impact of therapeutic care rituals for the whole body. The Therapeutic Bath platform comprises two product categories: ThermoMasseur® and ThermaSens®.

ThermoMasseur was registered in 1981 as the world’s first Hydro-thermo massage® to use air jet technology. Hydro-thermo massage is a combined action of Thermotherapy®, (which is the therapeutic use of heat), with both massage therapy and hydrotherapy. ThermoMasseur offers a deep-down massage for muscles and joints, noticeably stimulating the nervous system.

The addition of unique Geysair™ technology is optional, which reheats and humidifies air jets to provide a sensation of warmth on your skin.

ThermaSens, like the ThermoMasseur, delivers a superior therapeutic experience by stimulating and calming the senses (sight, hearing, touch). AromaCloud™ is an essential oil diffuser, while WarmTouchShell™ technology is the placement of heating zones delivered through the backrest, headrest, and seat. Finally, Chromatherapy provides six colors with a host of therapeutic benefits. ThermaSens provides an experience of absolute comfort, allowing you to truly let go and attend to the present moment.

The other therapeutic Platform, the VEDANA® care unit features 5 therapies (Thermotherapy®, Aromatherapy, Chromatherapy, Light Therapy® and Sound Therapy®). This product, which is unique to BainUltra, was designed to help users experience a guided meditation that involves all the senses and promotes a change in their physical and emotional equilibrium.

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You can see BainUltra products 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, interiors designers, and custom homebuilders for over 80 years. To see BainUltra products on display, you can visit the Belmont Hardware showrooms located in Belmont and San Jose. You can also visit the Belmont Hardware showrooms located in 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.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 • BAY LIVING

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kitchen&bath

Unique

Storage Solutions FOR THE DISCERNING HOMEOWNER hat homeowner doesn’t struggle with storage? It really doesn’t take very long to fill up every last inch of space in the cabinets and closets within a home. However, with innovative and creative products, the time has come to reclaim pockets of useful space that have become lost and unusable.

One age-old problem that homeowners have always faced is, “Where do I store the spices?” The Dropout ® Spice Rack/Storage System is an incredibly functional unit that frees up traditional spice storage spaces, such as drawers and shelves, for other kitchen essentials. Only four inches wide, it opens with a smooth outward and downward motion, bringing the spice rack down to you. Returning the unit is just as simple, and the counters are all cleared. The Dropout Spice Rack is a one-of-a-kind system that brings up to 36 standard-sized spice bottles to your fingertips, all perfectly organized and ready for use—no fuss, and no mess. This patented mechanism can be integrated into any style of cabinetry, making it versatile for most any design. It can also be used for other storage needs.

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Another area of the kitchen that can lack in functionality is the wastebasket, which is often located underneath the sink. The Dropout Waste System goes next to the sink, eliminating conflict if you need to access both. Placed high in the base cabinet, the wastebasket is easy to open and allows for a quick sweep so that any waste on the countertop lands directly in the trash system.

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Yet, innovative storage is not limited to just the kitchen. The Dropout Ironing Center is a complete ironing system in one convenient cabinet. This pullout cabinet contains a full-size, proprietary custom 14-by-53-inch ironing board, complete with pad and cover, stainless steel iron dock, and ironing accessory storage spaces.

Finally, with the TopDrop™ Desktop, one easy motion moves a panel of your office desktop out of the way. This provides you with a desk when you need it, and a keyboard when you want it.

Dropout Cabinet Fixtures LLC manufacturers the mechanisms for the cabinet builder to create storage solutions that will complement and improve the experience for today’s demanding lifestyle. They will be demonstrating their products at the San Mateo Fall Home Show on October 2–4. Demonstrations can also be arranged by appointment only at their Morgan Hill facility. You can call them at 408-909-DROP (3767), email dropoutcabinets@gmail.com, or visit www.dropoutcabinets.com.

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kitchen&bath

Soothe Your Body and Soul

S

team showers are becoming increasingly popular, such as in master bathrooms and exercise rooms. The drive behind the desire for a steam shower is that steam soothes both the body and the soul, allowing you to feel more refreshed, relaxed, and ready to take on any activity that the day might have in store.

Complete custom frameless steam shower designs are available with unique panel sizes and exclusivity for space, and most importantly, numerous glass and hardware options to accommodate individual tastes.

The Marquis line of frameless glass shower enclosures includes highly customized steam showers with glass that goes all the way to the ceiling, creating a lovely focal point in the bathroom while also offering the full benefits of the steam experience. Further customization follows for the placement of transoms. Transoms are required in order to control the amount of moisture in the shower as well as aid in ventilation. Transoms can be specially cut and placed above the door or in the panel, whichever is best suited to each customer’s design and usage.

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With the option of using channel in the ceiling and no hardware showing, frameless steam glass enclosures can shine like jewels in your bathroom.

The talented teams at CB Showers—the “CB” stands for custom built—can design and install enclosures that are works of art for your bath. For more information, you can visit CB Showers’ inspiring showroom featuring the company’s vast array of design options and outstanding products, located at 1160 Industrial Road, Suite 10 in San Carlos, or you can call their consultants at 650-593-6997 www.CBShowers.com.

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E

G et P erfectly c leAn — lectrolux Front load laundry

S

ince 1919, Electrolux has been offering thoughtfully designed, innovative, and sustainable solutions with products such as refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, cookers, and additional small domestic appliances. Now, Electrolux has utilized their abilities in efficient design to bring you the ultimate in laundry appliances: the 60- and 70-series front load washer and dryer.

Seven specialty wash and dry cycles allows you to customize your laundry. This feature is ideal for the person who likes everything customized to their specific needs. For example, do you need to wash a load of bedding? There’s a cycle for that. How about jeans or workout gear? There are cycles for those, too.

We all know what it’s like to be in a laundry pinch—your child has an evening soccer game, but your day was so busy that you completely forgot to wash their uniform. Now, you can literally wash and dry the uniform before dinner is over, in just 30 minutes. The Fast Wash and Dry cycles takes just 15 minutes to wash, and 14 minutes to dry.

High volume loads are no longer a problem. The Electrolux washer is so big that it can fit an amazing 60 XL t-shirts. The Sure-2-Fit® capacity washer allows you to wash more in one load with a 4.3 cu. ft. D.O.E. capacity. Additionally, the dryer features an 8.0 cu. ft. D.O.E. capacity.

The Perfect Steam™ feature adds steam to select wash cycles to gently deep clean clothes, or to select dry cycles to reduce wrinkles and freshen clothes. The Electrolux technology moves steam from the bottom of the tub up through the clothes, which is effective at permeating into the clothes.

Clothes are completely saturated with steam during the middle of the wash cycle to remove stains without damaging the fabric.

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kitchen&bath Expertcare™ wash system uses multiple wash motions and a powerful stream of soap and water over the top of the fabric to achieve the most thorough clean possible. 25% of all households have a family member who is allergic to detergent. Many washers can leave up to 18–20% of residual detergent on a cycle of clothes—the Electrolux has proven to be over 400-times more effective, leaving only around 0.05%. With the Fresh Water Rinse, water bypasses the dispenser, reducing the amount of detergents and additives left in the fresh load after a cycle. You get cleaner clothes, whiter whites, and brighter colors.

The NSF™ certified Allergen Cycle removes up to 95% of common household allergens such as pet dander in the washer, and the NSF certified Sanitize Cycle kills 99.9% of common household bacteria in the dryer. If you have pets or are highly cautious of spreading germs, this is an ideal laundry solution.

Finally, there are virtually no space limitations with this set—they can be raised on a pedestal, placed under counter, stacked, and even double stacked. Because of the Perfect Balance® system, even oversized washed loads are balanced for smooth and quiet operation and very little vibration. Your washer and dryer can be installed upstairs, in closets, and even near bedrooms. Available in Titanium or Island White, both colors complement any home décor, from contemporary to traditional.

For more information about Electrolux products, and much more, Atherton Appliance & Kitchens can help. Atherton’s knowledgeable appliance specialists, design team, factory-trained and certified installation group, and dedicated constant care call center are all ready to help you today. The team at Atherton Appliance & Kitchens provides you with a family feel, and are all directed by ownership that assures perfection that translates to a top level of accountability, trust, and professionalism. Atherton offers an educational program called Enjoy Life, which has been designed to help clients learn and understand ways they can save money and enhance their individual home living style. Programs include culinary, remodeling, fine home building, and smart home education.

You can visit the Atherton Appliance & Kitchens’ showroom, enjoy a gourmet cup of coffee at their Atherton Café, and even test out their live coffee machines along with kitchen appliances at 695 Veterans Blvd. in Redwood City. You can call them at 650-369-1794, email them for a quote at info@athertonappliance.com, or visit www.athertonappliance.com to see more appliances, cabinets, countertops and culinary education.

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 • BAY LIVING

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kitchen&bath

lookIng for DesIgn InsPIratIon? NATURAL STONE—ImagIne the PossIbIlItIes

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here’s a reason why many of the world’s significant architectural achievements were built with masonry. Architects and builders choose masonry because of its beauty, design versatility, and durability, making it an ideal selection for any area of the home, both indoors and out. Whether using natural stone, brick, stone veneer, or manufactured stone, the application of the appropriate materials can enhance the overall appearance of any environment. Not to mention, it’s recyclable and extremely environmentally friendly.

Paving an outdoor living space, front walkway or driveway is a modern way to add some warmth and sophistication. A popular choice is natural bluestone, which is a quarried product often coming from the East Coast. It can come in a variety of colors, cuts and finishes depending on your use and look. Arizona flagstone, travertine, and slate are other gorgeous paving choices that can compliment a variety of styles. Concrete pavers are used in driveways because they are built to take heavy loads, but give your home a finished and elegant look.

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homeremodeling

Another example is stone veneer, which offers the beauty of full thickness stone with a thinner profile. This overcomes the need for additional structural reinforcement. Thin veneer often can be applied over existing masonry, added as an interior accent wall, to a kitchen backsplash or island, to fireplaces, and much more. It has the added benefit of reduced transportation cost and easier installation of full bed stone. If you are looking for a do-it-yourself install, look for natural stone veneer panels. They come in a variety of colors with a ledgestone or dimensional, contemporary style.

Once you are familiar with your masonry choices, the second most crucial step is finding a showroom that allows you to visualize exactly what will work best for your project.

Imagine a location that displays hundreds of laid-in-place pieces of natural stone and brick, manufactured stone exhibits, and concrete paver samples in action that you can touch, feel, and get a concept of how it will actually look in your own home. Having the chance to see the beauty of masonry for yourself allows you to gain inspiration and ideas to imagine what your own project could look like. A professional masonry shop often allows you to check out samples, find and compare complementary products, and receive the necessary general information about pricing and timing of delivered products to help make your project what you want it to be. This invaluable experience makes your masonry vision tangible so you can turn those ideas into reality.

Whether you are a homeowner, interior designer, contractor, homebuilder, or architect, the ability to browse and compare products is essential. This allows for successful communication and project collaboration because you can physically show the person you are working with the specific displays that you love (or even don’t love). Under one roof, you can gain a better understanding of what is available and what products work best for certain applications, which make your design process both enjoyable and efficient.

Locally, Peninsula Building Materials offers this exact type of showroom where you can view more than 200 varieties of masonry beautifully installed and ready to experience. Complete with consulting rooms, you can discuss a project with your professional or a knowledgeable staff member. PBM is dedicated to serving customers and finding the right materials for any home and budget. Visit their expansive showroom at 2490 Charleston Road in Mountain View, open Tuesday through Saturday, and browse displayed products from all over the world. You can also see their full line of masonry and landscape products at any of the four PBM Greater Bay Area yard locations in Redwood City, Sunnyvale, San Martin and Livermore. For more information, you can call them at 877-282-0522 or visit www.pbm.1923.com.

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homeremodeling

A GlAnce InSIde A

he homeowners featured in this article were empty nesters looking to update their master bathroom. This remodel was the second endeavor for the couple—their first was for the wife’s hall bath, so this second project was requested to answer the needs of the husband. His existing bathroom offered a frustratingly small shower, decomposing cabinetry, unsatisfactory storage, and outdated materials. Consequently, a larger shower, smaller mirror, improved lighting, organized cabinetry, and an operable window were on the list of priorities captured by designer, Charlotte Tully.

Being that the undersized master bathroom was adjacent to an underused walk-in closet, a reconfiguration of layout was implemented. The shifting of walls allowed for the minimized clothing storage to be accessed from inside the bathroom, while a custom pullout to match the cabinetry offered ample medication storage, specific to their needs. The decreased mirror size allowed for spacing for a new casement window, welcoming in cross-flow breezes on a warm day.

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This “forever home” was planned to subtly accommodate needs as the retired couple aged; thus an enlarged shower providing a comfortable wet seating area was incorporated. The shower pony wall offered separation from the toilet, an anchor for future grab bars, and housed a sizable shampoo niche.

Attention was given to coordinate the master bathroom with other spaces in the home. Being that cherry wood appeared in nearby rooms, this material was integrated into the remodeled space uniquely as a durable porcelain tile.

A crisp, white, engineered quartz was not only used as a countertop, but also capped the curb, pony wall, and interior of the shampoo niche to minimize pesky grout lines. This strategy made use of the full slab they had purchased in order to be respectful of budget, minimize waste, and reinforce the soothing design story.

Another design challenge was to plan for the client’s coveted window. Limited wall space required additional engineering and construction measures to reinforce the structural integrity of the exterior window wall. Consideration was also given to the top alignment of all the trim work around the door, window, and mirror for an uncluttered experience.

With Case® Design/Remodeling, every single aspect of your home improvement needs are covered. For the featured remodel in this article, Case received a NARI META Platinum 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 408-484-3884 for a free consultation.

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products&services

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

to Look Beautiful Again? here’s an alternative to replacing your wood cabinets or floors. People often put off refinishing their cabinets or wood floors because of the inconvenience, dust, noxious odor, consumed time, and budget. Over time, dirt build up, wear and tear, scratches and age-discolored finishes can make wood look flat and lifeless. Replacing cabinets or refacing (putting on new doors) requires new wood to make their products. Traditionally, once wood floors, cabinets or other woodwork in the home reached the point where it looked terrible, the options were limited.

The good news is that with the products and methods available today, restoring the beauty of wood has never been simpler or more cost effective. By improving the look of your existing cabinets, you will save time and money. Technicians experienced with this process and methods of renewing wood finishes can produce like-new luster to your wood cabinets, floors and trim without the waste, mess and harsh odors from chemicals or expense of traditional sanding and refinishing. This can be done in only days not weeks.

Here’s how it works: A thorough cleaning is critical for great results, so the first step is to clean the wood surface of any dirt, grease and grime out of the pores.

Any repairs needed are also made at this time including gaps, holes, splintered wood, etc.

Once the wood surface has been cleaned and repaired, it is sealed and the new water-based finish is then applied. The newer water-based finishes available today have been proven to be as strong and long-lasting as traditional oil-based finishes, but do not have the harsh chemical fumes or yellowing tendencies. It’s non-toxic and odorless. Additionally, pigments and dyes can be added to the new finish so that the technician 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.

Do you want a color change for your cabinets? The same cleaning and repair process is used and a stain or opaque finish is applied with a sprayer for a seamless, streak-free finish. The change can be as subdued or dramatic as you wish.

Don’t replace your wood cabinets or floors—all you have to do is “N-Hance” them. N-Hance also does banisters, doors, fireplace mantels, windowsills, bamboo, cork, engineered veneer, hand-scraped and distressed wood floors, and much more.

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Cabinet Renewal

Before

After

Basic Floor Renewal

Before

After

For more information about having your cabinets, floors or other woodwork in your home refinished, you can call N-Hance Wood Renewal, serving San Francisco and San Mateo counties, at 650-731-3917, and you can call N-Hance Wood Renewal, serving Santa Clara county at 408-220-6626. You can visit www.nhance.com.

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products&services

Are hile the professionals recommend that a furnace be inspected and tuned up by a qualified heating contractor once every year, many homeowners often wonder if this is crucial maintenance. Not only do furnace manufacturers recommend this annual inspection, but there is also verbiage in just about every warranty that states any damage to a unit caused by improper maintenance will not be covered by the warranty.

Yet, an annual tune-up can seem excessive to some, and it’s common for homeowners to think that they are perfectly capable of sticking a vacuum nozzle into the furnace to remove some dust every now and then.

Therefore, should you really be paying a professional to come check out your furnace on a yearly basis? The answer is simple: yes.

There are many reasons why yearly maintenance is important to the life of your furnace.

Aside from protecting the warranty, having a professional inspect your system is not only 100% safer then attempting to do it yourself, but it also provides preventative maintenance. Sometimes, a problem can be caught before your furnace quits working in the middle of the night.

Here are just a few generic services that a heating contractor might perform during a furONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

Really Necessary? nace tune-up. These can vary greatly from one company to the next, so being aware of specific services can not only keep you informed, but also benefit your unique situation.

Blockage. The entire vent system should be checked for blockage and any possible leakage.

This may include the outside termination and the connections within the furnace. Fresh air intake grills and louvers need to also be checked, as well as the drainage system. The drainage system inspection should include hoses, as well as a thorough cleaning of the condensate drain and trap. Water within the trap should also be replaced.

Corrosion. Inspecting for corroded, pitted, or even cracked heat exchanger is truly the most important aspect of the tune up. This is what can allow carbon monoxide (the silent, odorless, and tasteless killer) to cross over from the combustion side to the breathable air side of the system which can cause health issues or could even be fatal. All wiring should also be checked for corrosion and damage, as well as the heat exchanger (which should also be examined for rust).

Blower. First, the access door to be checked to verify that the seal is tight at the furnace. Next, the wheel should be checked for debris and cleaned if

it’s needed. Finally, an amp-draw test should be conducted on the motor.

Filters should always be checked during an inspection, however it’s crucial to note that this should be done much more frequently than just once a year. Some contractors also regularly check static air pressure, gas pressure, and temperature rise.

Finally, be weary of special deals that seem too good to be true. In the end, the lowest price more often than not becomes the highest price—it just might take some time to get there.

For a professional tune up, safety inspection, or diagnostic, Cold Craft Inc. is your local specialist and has been serving the Bay Area for over 20 years. You can call them at 888-447-0071 or visit www.ColdCraft.com.

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products&services

re you tired of viewing the world through a worn out old screen? If you want to enjoy the beauty of your home without diminishing either your décor or the striking views outside of your windows, then the time has come to discover the next best thing in screens that can provide a convenient solution for every door situation.

Whether you have a single doorway, double door sets, or sliding patio doors, retractable screens work for every home—allowing you to use them when you need them, and keep them hidden when you don’t.

Most homeowners don’t even realize how incredibly spacious a room can feel when there isn’t a screen door behind the glass door, blocking your view.

Retractable doors remain hidden, allowing for beautiful unobstructed views and a feeling of openness.

Extremely versatile, retractable screens will work for any single or double door (inswing or outswing,) slider, or patio door. They are custom measured

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and built specifically for your doors. In most cases, the retractable screens are mounted flush to your threshold so you never have to worry about tripping when you walk in the door.

Manufactured in the USA, ClearView retractable screens come in 12 standard colors, 300 custom colors, and 20 wood grain finishes, allowing you to find the perfect fit for every room. Retractable screens feature the highest-grade powder coating, and are crafted with absolutely no plastic. They will also never snap back when you open them. With great attention to detail and the highest quality materials, ClearView retractable screen doors are known for their exceptional product and focus on customer service. Bringing the incredible screen door that does not snap back to homeowners, their patented speed reducer is unique to ClearView. For more information, you can call them at 888-691-2077 or visit www.clearviewdoor.com.

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products&services

Personalized Concierge Service for all your

Home Maintenance Needs

O

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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products&services

.......

.................

ntil disaster strikes, whether it’s a storm, earthquake, or rolling blackout, we typically don’t realize how drastically we depend on electricity. Of course, the most obvious component that we notice when the power goes out is lighting. However, there are so many other power-dependent utilities and systems in our homes that we oftentimes forget about that not only keep us connected to comfort, but also in some cases, are necessary for our survival.

Heating and cooling, refrigerators, computers, alarm systems, wine cellars, home theaters, and even more crucial concerns such as medical equipment can all be affected in a power outage. Wouldn’t it be nice to never have to worry about losing connection to these aspects that we have become so reliant on?

Now, you can be completely secure in knowing that your electrical needs will always be met in the event of a power outage with an emergency backup generator. A backup generator monitors the utility and activates automatically when there’s a power outage, even when you’re away from home. Your electrical appliances will continue to function with uninterrupted power, no matter what’s happening outdoors.

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Kohler® generators can automatically power your air conditioning, sump pump, fridge, oven, and more in just 10 seconds. Before the power even goes out, a component called an ATS (automatic transfer switch) is constantly monitoring the electricity coming from the utility.

When utility power fails or drops below an acceptable level (also known as a brownout), the ATS will signal the generator to start. Seven-to-ten seconds later, the ATS transfers from the utility feed to the generator feed, and supplies power to your home as though nothing even happened.

Once the utility power comes back on, the ATS will then automatically transfer the source of your power from the generator to the utility, and your home will instantly be back up and running like normal. Your standby generator will shut down, and resume to being ready for the next power outage. It’s that simple.

Backup generators are more powerful, safe, reliable, and efficient than the small, portable generators typically purchased in hardware stores. Units are permanently mounted and self-activating—you’ll never have to pull the unit out of storage, add fuel, and turn it on when you need it.

Every Kohler generator is meticulously quality-tested for complete reliability. Inside each unit is a commercial-grade engine that has been built to withstand extreme workloads. Not only do you get to enjoy an uninterrupted lifestyle, but you also get Kohler’s premium five-year, 2,000-hour protection, plus a corrosion-proof enclosure that’s built to last.

Electro-Motion, Inc. is an authorized dealer and service center for Kohler units, as well as a variety of other brands. Since 1967, Electro-Motion has been servicing and maintaining emergency standby generators and automatic transfer switches—the two critical components of any emergency power system. All of their technicians are Electrical Generating Systems Association (EGSA) certified, and can help you achieve an undisturbed lifestyle today. For more information, you can call Electro-Motion at 650-321-6169 or visit their website at www.electromotion.com.

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products&services

save energy, space, and water—

W

hen you are in need of hot water, there can be nothing more frustrating than standing around and waiting for the water in your sink or shower to finally get hot. Not to mention, because we are in a serious drought, you probably feel pangs of guilt and helplessness as all of that wasted water goes down the drain. Wouldn’t it be nice to have endless and pure hot water available at all times, without having to deal with the repercussions?

Today’s energy-conscious homeowners want an alternative to heating and reheating the water in their storage tank heater, and tankless water heaters are proving to be the ultimate solution.

Whether you want to reduce your carbon footprint, lower your monthly utility bills, or simply enjoy continuous hot water—it’s time for you to learn about tankless. Although the initial investment of a tankless water heater may be more expensive than a traditional water heater, most users save between 30-45% in energy expenses comparatively. Tankless water heaters also provide virtually unlimited supplies of hot water to multiple taps and faucets throughout your home, at the same time. The hot-water waiting game can finally be over, for good.

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Here’s how tankless technology works: the major benefit can be found in the ability to heat water without the use of a traditional storage tank. Storage tanks often suffer standby heat loss and cause the water heating to be less efficient.

Instead of constantly warming water and storing it in a tank where energy is wasted throughout the day, tankless systems only heat water on demand. As a result, since the heater is only running for a few minutes during the day as opposed to running on and off all day long the way a traditional water heater does, a huge amount of energy is saved, and your bills will be reduced.

It is crucial to have experienced, licensed, insured, and certified experts assist you with your tankless project, offering only the highest quality products. Noritz® tankless hot water heater products, including the EZTR40, the first direct 40 gallon tank replacement, and NRCP Series Heaters, which have built-in recirculation pump condensing water heaters, allow the utmost in continuous hot water, high energy efficiency, and low operating costs. A leader in the water heating industry for over 60 years, you can put your trust in the Noritz brand.

If you are looking to stay environmentally smart, save space in your home, save money on bills, have instant hot water all throughout your home, or even simply have an endless supply of

hot water for your house, then you are an ideal candidate for tankless—improve your quality of life today!

When you use Better Water Heaters, you can expect the best rates, service, and installations possible. Better Water Heaters provides free estimates, so you can learn more about the cost of fixing your old water heater or buying a new one by simply calling them at 408-335-0150.

You can also visit their website to learn more about tankless water heaters and more, at www.betterwaterheaters.com.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 • BAY LIVING

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products&services

Professional Barbeque Cleaning Protects your Investment and Makes Food Taste Better

I

n the Bay area, grilling up a hearty meal on the barbeque is a beloved pastime for most homeowners. Everyone loves a good cookout, but not many enjoy cleaning the barbeque—so it is safe to say that most grills out there could use a good scrub down.

Deep cleaning your barbeque will not only make it sparkle and shine, this procedure also will improve the taste of your food! This procedure removes fat, carbon deposits, and harmful carcinogens that can be transferred to your food. The deep cleaning also removes grease, which will make your outdoor cooking much safer by greatly reducing the chance of grease fires. On top of all of this, barbeque cleaning also prevents future corrosion, protecting your investment and extending the life of your grill.

Now that it’s been established that cleaning your barbeque is a great idea, some homeowners might be asking, “Why not do this myself?” A thorough cleaning can be a messy job, and takes about two and a half hours to properly execute. A mobile barbeque company can come to your home, and give each part of your barbeque a thorough

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yet gentle cleaning with environmentally friendly cleaning process.

They will clean and degrease every part, inspect your burners, pressure regulator, igniters and tubes and even polish your barbeque when they are done. Sometimes it is just better to call in the professionals.

For more information on mobile barbeque cleaning, you can contact BBQ Doctors at (408) 396-1440. Take advantage of off season discounts and quicker turn around time by getting your barbeque cleaned now.

You can see a complete list of their services and prices online at www.thebbqdoctorsofca.com

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products&services

Exceeding Expectations With a Properly Installed Synthetic Lawn ith the call to conserve water, people living in California are implementing ways to do their part. Yards continue to switch from natural to synthetic lawns. In general, full service turf companies get asked a lot of questions. Here are a few care and maintenance tips to share.

Q: Synthetic turf gets hot. How do you cool it down?

A: Apply HydroChill—a safe, antimicrobial, odorless, and gelatinous substance that uses moisture to cool the entire turf system. When hydrated, HydroChill holds moisture, and as the temperature of the turf rises, HydroChill evaporates. The result is an evenly cooled surface—the hotter it is, the cooler it gets.

Q: My lawn smells like dog urine. What do I do?

A: Envirozyme is an easy to use application that neutralizes the smell of urine and feces on contact, and can be used full strength or diluted with water.

Q: Do you need to service a synthetic lawn? If so, why?

A: It is highly recommended. A professional service will clean out yard debris that has built up between the blades of grass, such as pebbles, dust, dirt, leaves, pine needles, weeds, and more. This extends the life of the material and improves the turfs appearance and playability.

Q: What is a good-looking, quality lawn?

A: Bolt™ fiber offers a sports performance grade material. Bolt’s thicker

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and durable fibers add strength and resilience and are designed to reflect light, lowering the luster and making every installation look as natural as real grass.

Q: Where do you start the synthetic lawn process?

A: Find a lawn you like, and then ask who installed the turf and for a contact number. Then, find a lawn you do not like and ask for the same information. Next, measure the area (length-by-width equals square footage). Ask for pricing and the process of installation. Finally, determine a project budget you are comfortable with.

The professionals at Southwest Greens® have been building synthetic turf masterpieces for 18 years. Southwest Greens specializes in the Art of the Installation; proudly designing and building quality synthetic turf amenities that will place your yard above the rest. You can learn more by calling 650-349-4885 or visiting www.sw-greens.com.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 • BAY LIVING

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PoolS SPAS And WAter feAtureS Add Some Magic to Your Outdoor Space “A beautifully designed and properly planned pool renovation can add to the overall value of your home and provide you with the chance to enjoy your backyard like you never have before.”

Bobé Concrete Fire Bowl

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hether you are looking to design a brand new pool and spa, or need to upgrade your existing environment, there is no denying that the hours of entertainment you and your family get from a customized outdoor living space is worth every penny. From cooling off in the summertime by jumping in the refreshing pool, to winding down during late evenings in the warm and relaxing spa, there is truly no better way to maximize your outdoor space.

No matter what your specific needs may be, your options are virtually unlimited when it comes to creating your own resort-quality pool paradise.

If you are in need of complete pool construction, experienced pool experts utilize a specific process to ensure that your project is completed promptly, correctly, and precisely to your satisfaction. A full service pool contractor can handle everything to ensure that each part of the process is streamlined and done right the first time. After discussing your vision and creating a design, excavation will start.

The pool will then be formed, poured, and decking and coping will be carefully installed. As soon as the additional finishing touches have been brought to life, all that’s left is to add water and jump in!

If the pool and spa currently in your yard is in need of some rejuvenation, a full service pool contractor can also offer the finest upgrades in order to refresh your old environment. A beautifully designed and properly planned pool renovation can add to the overall value of your home and provide you with the chance to enjoy your backyard like you never have before. One of the most efficient ways to upgrade is with top-of-the-line equipment. Replacing aspects of the pool such as pumps, filters, motors, heaters and control systems with state-of-the-art products, your pool will perform reliably as well as save you money due to energy-conservation.

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exteriorslandscaping

Bobé Builder Series Bowl

Bobé Design Series Cannon Scupper

Don’t forget the final touches that make your pool and spa truly beautiful. Sheer waterfalls are an elegant addition to your pool, from simple to ornate depending on your style. Waterfalls add a touch of breathtaking mystery—especially when they are hiding a grotto. Fountains offer the soothing sound of trickling water while floating around in the pool on a quiet day.

Fountains bring elegance to any environment, whether they are detached or splashing into your pool. Spa spillovers are another way to bring a waterfall into your swimming space. Spillover spas connect your hot tub and pool with dramatic excitement.

There are ways to make your pool environment more fun, too. Swimming pool slides will transform your backyard from standard to a personal water park. Slides come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors so they blend seamlessly with the feel of your pool environment. Fire/water bowls allow you to create the ultimate in outdoor appeal by combining two dramatic elements in specially designed fire/water pots. Options include color rock, fire rings, and ignition systems. For breathtaking illumination, by adding LED lighting in a poolscape, poolside evenings go from great to spectacular. LED lighting can enhance and showcase pool features like Shamu shelves, steps, beach entries and other water features. If you really want to achieve a resort-style environment, a pool bar is a must-have. Swim up to the bar and enjoy refreshments without leaving the water.

Additionally, you don’t have to have a swimming pool in order to incorporate beautiful water features into your outdoor environment. If you are simply looking for a yard upgrade that doesn’t require a pool, there are many options to choose from.

Many homeowners want the relaxation benefits that a spa offers, but they aren’t necessarily interested in a swimming pool.

If you are looking for therapeutic ways to relax and wind down after long days, then spas are an ideal option. Fountains, rock waterfalls, and other beautiful decorative elements can also be added to a yard without a pool. A gorgeous sheer waterfall with natural stone elements can bring life to patio or sitting areas. With today’s technology, your water feature can reflect exactly what you are looking for, from simple to ornate. Finish up your upgraded outdoor space with a fire pit to contrast with your new water feature. Fire pits allow you to enjoy your outdoor space through the evening and into the night, roasting marshmallows and spending quality time with loved ones.

Bay Area Pools is your local full service swimming pool company. For over 25 years, they have specialized in the construction, remodeling, repairing and maintenance of pools, working with homeowners to create outdoor spaces suited perfectly for specific lifestyles. A member of the Better Business Bureau and the APSP (Association of Pool and Spa Professionals), you can call Bay Area Pools at 650-347-7516, visit their website at www.bayareapools.net, or email them at bayareapools@sbcglobal.net. Lic. #680665, C-53/B.

Bobé Wall-Mounted Half Bowl ONLINE AT BAYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 • BAY LIVING

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exteriorslandscaping

ProtectInG And SHAdInG your Home Can Make a Measurable Difference 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.

Y

retractable Awning

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.

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Shutter open

Shutter closed - Interior

Shutter closed - exterior SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 • BAY LIVING

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tured, distributed, and serviced to ensure quality and satisfaction. You should love your home, including your garage, and now you can get the solutions that you need to make this happen.

Start with cabinets made with one-inch thick, adjustable shelving and all-steel hardware to withstand heavy loads and extreme temperature shifts. Choose from a wide range of cabinets in wood, metal, or stainless steel finishes mounted off the floor.

For that raw, cracked, dirty concrete on the floor, remember you don’t have to settle for epoxy paint. Select a hybrid polymer composite coating with slip-resistant sealant to end worries about cracking, blistering, color fading, or the lengthy installation time involved with epoxy finishes. Best of all, cleanup is easy—

Your Garage, Your Oasis

Start Enjoying It Today!

n

o matter where you live, chances are you lead a very busy life with what seem like endless responsibilities and less free time. You long for space. You long for passion. But why long any longer? You can take charge now just by creating an organized space in your home to start exploring your passions.

Whether you have that oh-so-special car that you love to polish and pamper, are a do-ityourselfer who enjoys weekend projects, or you just want a quiet place to be—a place that can be yours, away from the chaos, space awaits you in the garage.

Simply by upgrading and organizing your garage, you can start enjoying a clutter-free space that enhances both your garage and your home.

Turn your garage into a space that works for you. Streamline your storage space. Create a new workshop area. Gain more workspace.

Simplify and organize your life and add value to your home along the way. Whatever your reasons, get the finest state-of-the-art cabinets, organizers, and floor coating systems, plus a one-stop solution with products manufac-

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a quick damp mopping and you’re done.

Choose from a variety of steel gridwall organizers to secure garden tools, sporting equipment, bicycles, and the tools you need in an easyto-find and easy-to-reach location. No matter what you need, you can find a complete garage system to fit your home and your budget. Select the best design solution for your individual and aesthetic needs to organize and makeover your garage into your personal haven.

At PremierGarage, your garage is their passion. You can schedule a complimentary design consultation with three-dimensional renderings of your plans that let you immediately see how the colors and textures will coordinate with and complement your home. You can rest assured knowing that you can get the latest in earth-friendly chemical technology and products that are made in the U.S.A. Space is what you make of it. Make it work. Make it last. For more information, you can call PremierGarage of Bay and East Bay at 650-286-9676 or visit www.bayareagarageflooring.com Lic #894280

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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

exteriorslandscaping

Curb Appeal beautifully done hardscape and landscape can add some serious curb appeal to your home, increasing your home’s resale value by more than 10%. Paver stones for your driveway, steps, walls, or columns are an attractive and functional way to achieve this type of upgrade.

Pavers offer a huge variety of design possibilities with endless varieties of colors, shapes, and patterns, not to mention, they are also extremely durable. In fact, there are some paver stone roads built in ancient Rome that are still in use today. Paver stones can endure more pounds per square inch of pressure before cracking and can withstand dramatic shifts in temperature and humidity with less chipping, splitting, or buckling.

Repairs are also simple and less expensive than other surfaces.

There are many features that can be rejuvenated with pavers in order to increase your home’s curb appeal. The driveway is usually the first thing people see when they pull up to your home.

Pavers add aesthetic appeal that makes a statement and lets your neighbors know that your home is something special.

To achieve the ultimate upgrade in curb appeal, be sure to complement your new pavers with accessories such

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as colorful planter boxes, synthetic grass, and lush perennial plants such as hydrangeas and rhododendron.

When it comes to your entryway, paver walkways not only look appealing, they also provide easier access for guests who park on the street. You can even try adding a paver retaining wall in the front of your home, or paver pillars and columns for some added style.

Black Diamond Paver Stones & Landscape, Inc. has a 27-year warranty on installation and a lifetime warranty on the pavers, and can help you complete your curb appeal project. Their experts can help make your dreamscape a reality. For more information, you can visit www.BlackDiamondLandscape.com, or to make an appointment, you can call 408-329-9508 in the South Bay, or 650-539-4532 in San Francisco or the Peninsula.

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exteriorslandscaping

Evict Termites Without Leaving Your Home

T

ermites are among the most destructive pests in the United States, causing property damage to 600,000 homeowners each year. Although you have no choice when the termites move into your home, you have many different choices once you discover them. Twenty years ago homeowners didn’t have many choices, and tent fumigation was the standard extermination method for termites. This outdated method entails moving out of your home for three and a half days while a dangerous amount of toxic gas is pumped into your home. Homeowners who choose tent fumigation are forced to pay for three days worth of lodging, dining and pet boarding, as well as pack or discard all the food and medicine in their home. Not only is tent fumigation incredibly inconvenient, it also leaves a huge footprint on the environment.

The chemicals used for fumigation have been identified by the California Air Resources Board as Toxic Air Contaminants, and have a harmful and long-lasting impact on the ozone layer. Fortunately there is an affordable, eco-friendly and effective alternative that won’t displace you from your home.

XT-2000 Orange Oil® Plus is a revolutionary, scientifically proven product used by IPM companies to control termites. This innovative formula is 95% pure orange oil, a natural termite pesticide made from pressed and distilled orange rinds. With orange oil, you get rid of your termites with the same guaranteed results as fumigation while still enjoying the comforts of home.

Trained technicians come to your home and perform a thorough inspection to detect the termite colonies. Using a high-tech optical scope, the technician can determine the extent to the infestation and inject orange oil directly into the infested wood members, killing the termites on contact. The fumes also act as a neurotoxin to the termites, creating a pleasant orange fragrance that humans smell without any effect. A remarkable property of orange oil is its ability to wick

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through wood, traveling through the porous cells in all directions.

Therefore, orange oil not only treats the areas into which it was injected, but will soak into surrounding areas providing a superior termite protection.

For more information on XT-2000 Orange Oil® Plus, or to find a certified Pest Control operator, you can call (866) 870-8485. XT-2000 has been in business since 2004, and they have treated over half a million structures, including homes, apartments, schools, commercial buildings, and more. Orange Oil Plus is 95% pure orange oil— beware of imposter products that contain only trace amounts of orange oil but also contain hazardous petroleum distillates. XT-2000 Orange OIl professionals are certified XT-2000 Orange Oil experts. They go through a required vigorous training program and have annual training updates. Very few pest control products are as vigorously controlled, so when looking for a pest control professional be sure they are a Certified XT-2000 affiliate by visiting their website at www.xt2000.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.

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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 20minute 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: San Mateo (650) 513-2747, Menlo Park (650) 300-4308, Sunnyvale (408) 9121387, Walnut Creek (925) 357-9704, Danville (925) 395-4891, Oakland (510) 254-3763 and Southwest San Jose (408) 899-5812. www.ThePerfectWorkout.com SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 • BAY LIVING

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