EVERYTHING FOR THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN
PROFESSIONAL GRILLS
The outdoors is our habitat. It’s also our specialty – we’re experts at it. And while the world’s greatest grill will always be our flagship, we’ve applied the Lynx philosophy and outstanding workmanship to the whole collection of outdoor products and accessories, from refrigerators to warming drawers. Lynx’s complete line of outdoor kitchen products combines advanced proprietary technologies and refined features that you can use to design your own outdoor cooking center. For more information about Lynx Professional Grills, please call Armands Discount BBQ at 1-310-839-5555 or visit us at www.armandsdiscount.com.
ALL WELDED CONSTRUCTION
RED BRASS BURNER LIFETIME WARRANTY
ALEth! S Y A D ONE s on May 23 Visit u 10am - 4pm from ur BBQs in to see o... cooking action strations, demonasting. &t
LOS ANGELESLIVING VOL XXXVI • NO. 2 • ODD APRIL/MAY 2015
LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
Contents 12 - 16
HOME FASHION
The Ideal Motorized Window Covering Experience Elegant Surfaces That Last Forever A Twist In Nature–Art That Challenges Conventions Experience The Magic Of Crystal Clear Illumination
17
KITCHEN & BATH
From Design To Completion–Create The Kitchen And Bath Of Your Dreams
20 - 28
EXTERIORS & LANDSCAPING
30 - 31
HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS
A Sustainable Approach To Modern Landscapes Why Is My Foundation Failing? It’s All In The Soil The Perfect Pond Evict Termites Without Leaving Your Home Outdoor Kitchenware–What’s Cookin’ This Summer? Take Back Your Backyard With Motorized Exterior Awnings
Reshape Your Body In 20 Minutes!
ON THE COVER
This month’s cover features Santa Monica Canyon Residence by Griffin Enright Architects and Griffin Enright Landscape (GEL). GEL designed a modern and elegant landscape for their client by creating clean linear elements while layering greens and greys with a minimalist yet distinguished material and color palate. The professionals at GEL can create the climate-friendly, modern outdoor space that you desire. You can call them at 310391-4484 or visit them on Houzz at http://www.houzz.com/pro/gelandscape/g el-griffinenright-landscape. You can also visit the website of Griffin Enright Architects at www.griffinenrightarchitects.com. See article on pages 20 and 21.
LOSANGELESLIVING PUBLISHER
WALLY HICKS III
MARKETING SPECIALISTS DEBORAH MESNA, DEBBIE TARNOFF LEE WILLIAMS ADVERTISING MAILING ADDRESS Affluent Target Marketing, Inc. P.O. Box 18507 Anaheim Hills, California 92817-8507 (714) 446-6280 FAX (714) 446-6294 (888) 612-7400
www.losangeleslivingmagazine.com
For comments to the publisher: debbie@keyaccess.com
The opinions expressed in the editorials are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Los Angeles Living. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, we cannot supervise the way in which information found in Los Angeles Living is used. Los Angeles Living is produced bi-monthly by Affluent Target Marketing, Inc., P.O. Box 18507, An a heim Hills, California 92817-8507. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. All submitted materials, including images, logos, and text, for advertising and editorial are assumed to be the property of the provider, and Affluent Living Publications 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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homefashion
Beach Home motorized coverings by Window Collections
Elegant motorized coverings by Window Collections
T I he
deal
MOTORIZED WINDOW COVERING EXPERIENCE
M
otorized window coverings are today’s standard. Automated window treatments allow function to meet form by offering full enjoyment of that million-dollar view, and controlling the exterior and interior lighting to create an elegant atmosphere. There are two things that are crucial to achieving the best experience when you are looking to incorporate automated window treatments into your own home. First, you want to find a company you can trust that has the top reputation in your local area. Experienced professionals will be able to help you find the perfect window treatment match for your home, and can answer any questions you may have so you can feel confident with your purchase. The second aspect to consider is product quality. You want a company that carries top-of-the-line products that offer the most innovative technologies on the market. Timers, applications, and other incredible options can allow the sun to wake you naturally, shield your view from the sun’s harsh glare, protect furnishings throughout the day, and know that your privacy is maintained at night. Customizable settings allow you to enhance your lifestyle, however you’d like. Lutron® keypad technology is one of the most cutting edge options available to homeowners. Featuring intuitive functionality, one control enables you to access several pages for simple control of your window shades, and even other aspects such as lighting, temperature, and more.
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LOS ANGELES LIVING • APRIL/MAY 2015
Cutting Edge Lutron® Keypad Technology
On-screen button labels are personalized for your home, making operation extremely easy to navigate. Professionals will work with your audio/video technician and lighting designer to ensure seamless integration and control of window treatments with internal lighting and other electronics. Also, automation isn’t just for roller shades anymore. You can experience cutting-edge control with the Lutron Sivoia QS™ line of controllable shading products. The silent QS motor accommodates SunScreen or Blackout roller shades, custom fabric Roman shades, natural grass shades, wood blinds, and track systems for draperies and sheers. Drapery tracks are custom-built to fit your window, and are available in both straight and curved configurations up to 90 degrees. Drapery systems can also be dual mounted over windows and sliding glass doors for two layers of fabric. For homeowners looking for the most dramatic window presentation, motorized plantation shutters add upscale elegance and value to your home. For over 25 years Window Collections has designed, engineered, manufactured, project-managed, installed, and programmed window treatments, and are proud to be the top provider in Southern California for motorized window coverings. With an A+ ranking with the Better Business Bureau, Window Collections has also been praised by Robb Report, Gensler, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, LA Design Magazine, and many more. They combine expert products with design knowledge about window coverings, such as roller shades, Roman shades, draperies, natural shades, and plantation shutters, to provide homeowners with a smooth and worry-free transition into using the latest in automation technology. For more information, you can call them at 310-773-9792 or visit www.windowcollections.com. You can also visit their showroom, featuring over 50 automated window coverings, at 11704 Wilshire Blvd. Ste D-212 in Los Angeles. ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
homefashion
rom countertops to floors, it seems almost inevitable that every homeowner experiences the moment of realization that those once flawless surfaces simply just don’t look as beautiful as they used to. Natural stone can become stained, scratched, or discolored, and you may have even started to spot holes. The bottom line is—it’s just not as easy to take care of your surfaces any longer. However, before you start to stress over the cost of replacing those tired surfaces, you might want to explore a superior option that allows you to not only enjoy the floors, countertops, and showers that you once fell in love with, but also save both money and time on a replacement project. Not only can those surfaces be restored to like-new condition, but the right professional can teach you how to take control of your investment by providing care tips that prevent future wear and tear. You will finally be able to enjoy surfaces that sparkle, all year long. Whether your surfaces need a deep cleaning, refinishing, polishing, repair, sealing, stripping, or more, the key to long-term success is to become involved during the process so that you too can learn about your unique situation. When professionals evaluate your surfaces, whether a floor, counter or shower, they are also creating a personalized list of customized maintenance suggestions as they go, providing you with insight on how to properly care for your home. Here are just some examples of care tips that professionals can educate you about in regards to surface care:
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LOS ANGELES LIVING • APRIL/MAY 2015
Natural stone. Use only neutral pH 7, no rinse, concentrated stone soaps when cleaning, and be sure that the label says “safe for marble.” Never use vinegar, lemon juice, or bathroom tube and tile cleaners that contain acid on marble, travertine, limestone, or onyx surfaces. Floors. Blot spills to remove liquids. When mopping is necessary, remove all loose debris and dust with a vacuum or broom before damp mopping, making sure to never flood the floor. Countertops. Wipe the surface daily with a clean damp rag and neutral cleaner, and make sure to have high traffic surfaces sealed periodically to prevent long-term staining. Showers. Squeegee all wall surfaces upon completion of each shower, or the very last shower of the morning. Also, be sure to remove standing water from the surface after use; this prevents mineral build-up on the surface. Sureshine™ Care and Restoration Services believes that client education on the proper maintenance of treated surfaces is of utmost importance. Sureshine carries high quality maintenance products that are made in the USA and designed to keep your treated surfaces looking great. Their professionals understand that in most cases, following simple maintenance instructions can save you thousands of dollars by extending the useful life of your floors and reducing the need for professional help. Services include marble, limestone, and travertine refinishing, polishing and cleaning, granite repair and sealing, tile and grout cleaning, concrete and terrazzo polishing, saltillos and Mexican paver stripping and refinishing, exterior paver deep cleaning, and glass polishing, as well as comprehensive and personalized maintenance plans. For more information, you can call Sureshine at 866-346-2121 or visit www.sureshinecares.com. ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
homefashion
T
a
“The Unborn” 36 x 48 Oil on Canvas
N
WIST
in
ATURE– Art That Challenges Conventions
When you come across a piece of art that truly speaks to you, nothing in the world can compare to that feeling. Images that provoke us to think alternatively about the way we see life, sparking the imagination in a whole new way, can actually pave the road for an entirely new perspective on a comfortable existence. This is how art should make us feel—wonderfully alive and strikingly contemplative. With art, you can walk in the paths of human nature’s vast labyrinth when pondering any one of the visual spectacles spun by the artist. Inquisitive and winding in nature, you are led through the complexities of our make-up, thoughts, and feelings—the mysterious concepts of human nature and boundaries. Tony Lavall is a rising star in today’s world of art. Each Tony Lavall painting challenges the viewer to take a closer look to discover intricate symbolism, which often depicts situations that are recognizable in the viewer’s own life. A commendable artist, Tony Lavall is revered as a spiritual person who often reflects on the past, the present, and imagines the future. The Tony Lavall collection is truly original and can’t be limited to one pure category of art. Tony Lavall’s wide-ranged skill-set has been sought out by collectors and galleries alike. Featured at numerous museums and galleries throughout the country, Tony’s work often provokes our understanding of human nature and its complexities with art that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. For more information about his work, you can call Damien Hooks at 951-662-4926, or visit the website at www.tonylavallart.com. “Shallow Waters” 48 x 36 Oil on Canvas ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
APRIL/MAY 2015 • LOS ANGELES LIVING
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homefashion
Experience the Magic of
Crystal Clear Illumination
s
ynonymous with elegance, Swarovski invokes a feeling of glamour, sophistication, and old-world charm that has captivated the public for over a hundred years. Swarovski Lighting combines pure light sources with the fascinating, light-filled qualities of crystal to create a line of contemporary lighting solutions in extraordinary designs to suit every décor. With lighting systems ranging from crystal chandeliers to wall-mounted or pendant luminaires, homeowners can be sure to find an appropriate style for any application, whether it be illuminating the front entry, above a bar or dining table, lining the main hall, or providing atmosphere in the master suite. Swarovski’s lighting collections include
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circular, height-adjustable styles ideally suited for high ceilings, linear designs with symmetrical facets, tubular surrounds, and more to create a multi-facetted, multi-layered lighting experience. Different sized and shaped crystals are paired with high-voltage halogens and LEDs respectively to achieve outstanding interior lighting effects as well as provide long-lasting, low-maintenance, and energy-efficient illumination. These sparkling lighting systems provide unique inspiration for architects, interior designers, and homeowners around the globe. Visit your local lighting specialists to explore the broad array of lighting options available
to suit your home and personal style. For more information on Swarovski lighting systems, you can call Lighting Zone, Inc., located at 17354 Hawthorne Blvd. in Torrance, at 310-921-9495, e-mail lightingzoneinc@aol.com, or visit them online at www.DreamOnLighting.com. In addition to an extensive collection of high-quality light fixtures, Lighting Zone also carries mirrors, accessories, and fine art objects to complement and enhance your lighting choices.
ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
kitchen&bath
From Design to Completion Create the Kitchen and Bath of Your Dreams
T
he design of your living spaces is fundamental to creating a fresh and exciting feel in your home. If your kitchen and bathroom are lacking the style and personality you desire, then it’s time to discover a unique and avantgarde solution that challenges traditional design conceptions. Indulge in the latest styles and features from both European and local manufacturers. By visiting just one showroom, you can have the exclusive opportunity to experience numerous designs and layouts of cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting and many accessories. Italian designers bring the art of sensuality back into your kitchen while making the space more functional and efficient. If your taste is not towards the contemporary, there are traditional offerings available as well. A full design team will listen and work with you in order to achieve the look and feel that you are seeking. From initial design to completion, professionals will make the process easy with careful planning, scheduling, installation and assistance. Designer Kitchens is an ideal choice for all of your kitchen and bathroom remodeling needs. Offering Italian cabinets from Astra Cucine, UltraCraft euro-style cabinetry that come with an incredible 100-year warranty, Kraftmaid® cabinetry, Caesarstone® quartz countertops, and much more, they have been serving Los Angeles County for over 10 years. Designer Kitchens is fully certified, licensed, bonded and insured General Contractors. For more information and a free consultation, you can call them at 310-474-5120. You can also visit their website at www.designerkitchensla.com or see their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/designerkitchensla ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
My Daddy fixes bumpers! At Your Home or Office
WHY GO TO A BODY SHOP ? A Mercedes client was quoted $2,200 to replace his bumper. Executive Paintworks repaired BEFORE
AFTER
it for only $400!!!
Since 1988
Call now for a free quote Executive Paintworks 888-472-4333 APRIL/MAY 2015 • LOS ANGELES LIVING
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“A strategic layering of succulents, gravels and ornamental grasses can create depth and texture while simultaneously forming new micro-ecologies for native butterflies and hummingbirds in your backyard.” houghtful design with careful attention to detail is crucial and can transform your outdoor spaces. Perhaps you want more privacy from your neighbors, or you might desire to make your yard more user-friendly. We are in the midst of a severe drought; with the proper expertise, you can create an ideal landscape that is visually alluring and environmentally responsible. Griffin Enright Landscape (GEL) is an award-winning, integrated landscape, architecture and design firm that creates unique outdoor environments for the California lifestyle. They design sustainable landscape environments that balance richness in texture with ecological responsibility.
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LOS ANGELES LIVING • APRIL/MAY 2015
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exteriorslandscaping
Taking advantage of California’s unique climate where a myriad of plant types thrive naturally, GEL’s designs can bring form, texture and color to your landscape. A strategic layering of succulents, gravels and ornamental grasses can create depth and texture while simultaneously forming new micro-ecologies for native butterflies and hummingbirds in your backyard. Plantings can be organized to create seasonal change within your garden. Gravels and boulders provide a nice contrast to low water plantings and help filter water run-off. Furthermore, combining hard and soft textures (such as a grass path through a boulder garden, or a mix of round concrete pavers surrounded by ground covers) can create an ordered yet lush landscape. GEL’s landscapes are designed with outdoor living in mind. In addition to plantings that create lush outdoor rooms, custom landscape furniture pieces and built-ins such as fire pits, water features, paths, patios, and pools are designed to create both intimate and scenic outdoor experiences. A successful landscape is defined by the details, and the professionals at Griffin Enright Landscape (GEL) can create the climate-friendly, modern outdoor space that you desire. Visit them on Houzz at http://www.houzz.com/pro/gelandscape/gel-griffin-enright-landscape or at their website at www.griffinenrightarchitects.com. You can also call them at 310-391-4484.
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APRIL/MAY 2015 • LOS ANGELES LIVING
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exteriorslandscaping
WHY IS MY FOUNDATION FAILING? It’s All in the Soil
T
he old adage, “a house must be built on a solid foundation if it is to last,” rings all too true when you begin to understand the signs of foundation problems. Cracks in the walls, windows, and doors begin to stick, or won’t even open at all, and floors begin to settle and become uneven. Finally you think your foundation is slowly sinking into the ground. It may seem as though your home is falling apart at the seams. The truth is, it may very well be due to a failing foundation.
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LOS ANGELES LIVING • APRIL/MAY 2015
But what causes your foundation to fail? The number one reason is settlement due to expansive soils that your home was built upon. Shrinkage and swelling from dry conditions and rainy or wet conditions cause soil to pull away from your foundation. Settlement due to this moisture imbalance will cause cracks to appear throughout the structure, including interior-exterior walls and floors. Settlement eventually causes your foundation to crack and separate, causing even more damage. Expansive soils are present throughout the world and are known in every US state. Every year, they cause billions of dollars in damage. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that ¼ of all homes in the United States have some damage caused by expansive soils. In a typical year in the United States, they cause a greater financial loss to property owners than earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined. Along with the shrinking and expanding of soils, some other causes of foundation failure include: • Wash-outs or over-wetting due to pipes leaking • Poor compaction or fill techniques • Tree roots or other growth causing damage • Hillside slippage due to erosion or seismic • Poor construction techniques • Material failure due to age or infestation Foundation Technology is an expert company in determining the causes of foundation failure, and designing a cost-effective permanent repair solution that is guaranteed to bring your house back to health. Their alternative repair solutions are backed by structural engineering, and also come with a limited lifetime warranty. The best part is, the cost to inspect is free and the cost to repair is far less than you might expect. To reach Foundation Technology, you can call 855-650-2211 or visit www.foundationtechnology.com.
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exteriorslandscaping The
Perfect Pond S
pring and summer are upon us, and with the warm weather comes more quality time spent outdoors. This is the best time of year to start sprucing up those backyard spaces so they are more enjoyable environments. And if you are looking for an ideal way to add that extra element of style, you might want to consider a beautiful pond. One crucial element of pond design is to meet with a pond maintenance company who can help you and your builder design the most efficient pond for your lifestyle and yard, and will also extend their expertise after the pond project is completed. The last thing you want is to find yourself abandoned, trying to deal with a multitude of problems and questions on your own. Although a pond may look flawless right after it’s been built, there are often inherent issues in the design or installation that do not show up until months later. Additionally, because ponds house living creatures such as plants and fish, there are certain maintenance issues that you simply can’t just let go. Because of these reasons, consulting with an expert who can advise you on your project beforehand, and continue to provide the necessary maintenance, service, and
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repairs afterward is the key to having a low-maintenance and successful pond that you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come. Also, proper selection of equipment can save you both energy and money. Pumps such as PerformancePro offer unsurpassed energy efficiency, come with great warranties, and are extremely reliable. Filters from Aqua® Ultraviolet feature UV sterilizers, which eliminate the ugly green water algae that makes it difficult to see and enjoy your fish, and often shows up in spring. Knowledgeable experts can help you find the equipment that your pond needs. If you are ready to get started on designing the perfect pond for your yard, then Pacific Pond and Aquarium can help. Since 2000, Pacific Pond and Aquarium has been providing professional, reliable, and friendly service for ponds and aquariums. They also specialize in unique seahorse aquariums. For more information, you can call them at 866-512-1113, visit their website at www.pacificpond.com, or email andrew@pacificpond.com.
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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 LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
exteriorslandscaping
Outdoor Kitchenware What’s Cookin’ This Summer?
w
hether you’re grilling steak and lobster this summer or just craving hot dogs and hamburgers, cooking outdoors adds the perfect ingredient to parties and celebrating holidays with family and friends. Barbecued chicken, pork ribs, and grilled veggies have a way of pleasing everyone and tasting great cooked outside. Now you can learn helpful tips from professionals as they cook your favorite foods on a range of innovative grills featuring different options and name brands. You’ll be able to assess various grills, sample food, learn how to maximize your accessories, and make an informed decision about which barbecue is best for you. On May 23th, at 9400 Venice Blvd. in Culver City, from 10am until 4pm, there will be a once-ayear cooking and barbecue demonstration with
ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
special offers from manufacturers. You can watch professionals cook and showcase Alfresco, Broil King, Saber, Coyote, Weber, Lynx, FireMagic, Twin Eagles and Big Green Egg, then decide for yourself which brand fits your entertaining and cooking style best. This is the perfect occasion to learn how to add a delicious smoked flavor to food with wood chips and a built-in smoker system, or learn the benefits of even heat distribution provided by brass burners, and much more. Each cook is tasked with highlighting the best in barbecue equipment and is judged ultimately on how good the food tastes. There are two ways to add a touch of designer class to your outdoor kitchenware. All barbecues and accessories can be fit into designer islands configured to accommodate chefs and guests with working and serving space as well as comfortable dining space. Barbecue islands can have the look of brick, stucco, marble, tile, or stainless steel blending seamlessly into a variety of desired looks.
For the ultimate complementary product, a freestanding stainless steel cocktail bar with water and filtration system provides iced beer, mixed drinks, soda, and pretzels easily rolled on heavy-duty wheels. The cocktail bars can also be integrated into designer islands for a more permanent look. This special event can be a fun and educational experience to help you find the right barbecue, island, and cocktail bar for your outdoor entertainment. When everything in modern barbecue technology is conveniently displayed for your review, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. For more information and to see these products year-round, you can call Armand’s Discount Fireplace & BBQ Company at 310-839-5555; 9400 Venice Blvd., Culver City.
APRIL/MAY 2015 • LOS ANGELES LIVING
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The Continental Patio Awning Deployed
Take Back Your Backyard With Motorized Exterior Awnings
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hen you invest in a home, you are buying more than just an interior. Think about it—if you didn’t like spending time outside enjoying the view and your beautiful surroundings, then you could have just bought a condominium. There’s a reason why you bought your beautiful home. The real question is: are you using it to its full potential? One of the main issues that might be keeping you and your family from completely utilizing your backyard is the weather. While basking in the sun for a few minutes can be nice, there quickly comes a point when it simply becomes overwhelming. What if you had the luxury to spend time outside whenever you want, whether it’s day or night, and always feel comfortable? Retractable shading systems allow you to finally take control of your backyard. Enhance your outdoor living experience by creating the functional space you have always wanted. One of the best features of innovative motorized awnings is that they don’t change the look of your home. Instead, they can enhance your backyard by adding color, more versatility and creating a new usable space. When an awning is retractable, you can have shade when you need it and sun when you want it. Therefore, depending on the weather and your needs, the control is totally in your hands!
Skylight Pergola/Lattice With Awning Deployed
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The Continental Patio Awning Retracted
An awning can be either deployed or retracted. While deployed, you can sit back, relax and enjoy your outdoor surroundings in comfort while being protected from the sun and other natural elements based on the system you choose. Watch the kids play in the pool and enjoy your backyard in the shade without worrying about getting too much sun. Relax by your outdoor fire pit at night and soak in the ambiance of your stunning landscape in the moonlight. When an awning is retracted, it disappears from sight and doesn’t change the look of your exterior décor. Essentially, a retractable shade system helps protect both you and your home at all times. When retracted, you can help protect your investment. Invest in your outdoor living spaces, reclaim your space and start appreciating every aspect that your backyard has to offer. For more information about high-quality awnings and other systems, you can contact Alpha Productions, Inc. at 800-223-0883 or visit them at www.alphaproductions.com. Alpha Productions has been manufacturing their Suntamer® products in the U.S.A. since 1978. They design, manufacture and install all of their own systems. With the majority of their business coming from client referrals, Alpha Productions always strives to provide the best possible customer service experience.
Skylight Pergola/Lattice With Awning Retracted ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
healthbeautyfitness
Reshape Your Body in 20 Minutes! By John Colman
When Diane Rand reached age 50, she got concerned that her weight was slowly creeping higher and her clothes were feeling too tight. As a practicing physician in San Diego, she knew the diagnosis. “Your muscles atrophy as you age, and this slows down the metabolism,” says Rand. “I knew it would keep getting worse if I didn’t correct it.” The antidote? Effective weight training. But, she’d never lifted weights before. Plus, her fulltime job as a physician as well as her family life left little time in her schedule for exercise. Fortunately, Diane read an article about “slow-motion” strength training, a revolutionary new exercise method promising a firmer, stronger, more shapely body from just two 20-minute training sessions per week. Even though the time efficiency and results sounded almost too good to be true, she decided to enroll with a personal trainer at The Perfect Workout, a local company with dozens of private fitness studios specializing in this unique approach. Right away she noticed immediate increases in her muscle tone and energy. After several months she’d also dropped one to two clothing sizes and was fitting into clothes which used to be too small. “My trainer pushes me in a safe way, and I walk away feeling great after each session,” says Diane. “This is the wave of the future.”
Lean Muscles—The Key To Reshaping Your Body The Perfect Workout’s trainers encourage clients to build lean muscle tissue, which increases the body’s metabolism, burning extra calories even while you’re sleeping. Many people—especially women—have a fear of “bulking up” like a
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Physician Diane Rand tones her arms as part of her 20-minute training session in San Diego.
bodybuilder if they were to start strength training. In reality, if you’re older than 25, it’s much more likely that too little muscle is the problem rather than too much muscle. In their book Biomarkers: The 10 Keys to Prolonging Vitality , William Evans, Ph.D., and Irwin Rosenberg, M.D., show the research demonstrating that adults who don’t strength train lose an average of a half pound of lean muscle tissue each year starting at age 25. As an example, a typical 55-year-old woman will have 15 pounds less lean muscle (and significantly more fat) than what she had at age 25. Muscle takes up less space than fat, so this typical
55-year-old woman has arms and thighs that are softer and less firm, wears a larger clothing size, and has a slower metabolism that burns fewer calories each day. Effective strength training changes all of this. It increases your body’s metabolism, causing you to burn more fat and calories all day long. Strength training reshapes and tones your legs and arms. And since muscle takes up 20% less space than fat, adding muscle and losing fat will make your body firmer, smaller, and more shapely. A fit 140-pound person can wear clothes several sizes smaller than an out of shape 140-pound person. ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
healthbeautyfitness How Can Slow-Motion Strength Training Work So Quickly? Slow-motion strength training involves brief and demanding workouts to get great results. The basic concept? Lift relatively heavy weights excruciatingly slowly (10 seconds to lift, another 10 seconds to lower) for as many repetitions as you can until you’re unable to move the weights anymore. And when you learn to challenge your muscles as deeply as a skilled trainer can teach, it’s impossible to workout much longer than 20 minutes, even if you try. Dr. Philip Alexander, physician and faculty member at Texas A&M University’s College of Medicine, explains that it’s the intensity of exercise that stimulates greatest changes. “A slower repetition loads the muscles more effectively and efficiently. It’s harder!” exclaims Alexander. “That’s why it stimulates such a great total response from the body.” Dr. Alexander has tracked hundreds of subjects using slow-motion strength training, noting significant improvements in muscular strength, HDL cholesterol profiles, bone density, and glucose tolerance. Other research adds more supporting data. Two separate studies by Wayne Westcott, Ph.D., and one study by Ellington Darden, Ph.D., demonstrate that slow-motion strength training produces 50% to 59% faster improvements than regular weight training. And because the repetitions are harder, each training session must be limited to 20 minutes—making this exercise method quite time efficient.
In 3 months Justin Brunette dropped 4 inches from his waist and lowered his body fat percentage by 6.4% with effective nutrition and weekly 20-minute training sessions at The Perfect Workout.
Joyce Reclaims Her Youthful Figure 54-year-old Joyce Magnuson had always been slim and slender when she was younger. But in her mid 40s, life’s stresses caught up with her and she began gaining weight. “During the next few years, I kept getting heavier, until I was thoroughly broken and disgusted with myself,” says Joyce. Fortunately, she happened to read an article about slow-motion strength training and how it would reshape her body with just two 20-minute training sessions per week. The effectiveness of the method made sense to Joyce, and she decided to enroll with a personal trainer at The Perfect Workout. ONLINE AT LOSANGELESLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
In 3 months Laura Retana Shelp lost 23.4 pounds and 10 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 Los Angeles area locations: Redondo Beach (310) 697-1238, Thousand Oaks (805) 413-4880, Long Beach (562) 606-0677, Pasadena (626) 658-2142, and West L A (310) 500-2005. www.ThePerfectWorkout.com APRIL/MAY 2015 • LOS ANGELES LIVING
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