South Orange County Living December 2013/January 2014 by Affluent Target Marketing

ORANGECOUNTYLIVING SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY • VOL XXXIV • NO.6 • ODD

DECEMBER 2013/JANUARY 2014

26 KITCHEN & BATH Solutions For Updating Your Bathroom

28 - 34 HOME INTERIORS 14 - 22 HOME FASHION Light Up Your Home With Elegance Stressless® Living – It’s All About Comfort Conceal Your Speakers – Reveal Your Style Furniture That Speaks For Itself A Perfect Solution For All Of Your Interior Design Needs

Keep Your Marble Looking Spectacular New Product Provides Households With Fresh Emergency Water Restore And Transform Your Floors Without Having To Remove Them Dryer Fires Are The #1 Household Disaster

38 - 44 EXTERIORS & LANDSCAPING Elements Of A Quality Landscape Increase Your Curb Appeal With Concrete Coatings A Remarkable, Unique Patio Opening Roof System Consider Standard “Wading” Periods When Putting In Your New Pool

48 - 49 HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS Reshape Your Body In 20 Minutes!

ON THE COVER Featured on this month’s cover is furniture by Caracole®—a portfolio of unique items that work in harmony to furnish your entire home. Caracole furniture represents high design and independent thinking. Whether it’s the comfort of seating or specialized accents such as nail trim or graceful lines, you will enjoy personalizing each piece. To see more of Caracole and other fine furniture manufacturers, you can call Furniture Royal at 702-253-0600, located in Las Vegas at 2000 S. Rainbow Blvd. You can also visit their website at www.furnitureroyal.biz. They offer free delivery to Orange County. See their ad on page 5 and article on page 20.

Sparkle Holiday

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to Your

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Season

PUBLISHER WALLY HICKS III

PRODUCTION MANAGERS DAWN DOWLATSHAHI, DAVID MARCHAND To view the products available, you can call (888) 612-7400 ext. 337 or you can email products@keyaccess.com

WRITER/COPY EDITOR CAITLIN FEENER

MARKETING MANAGER DEBBIE TARNOFF

HOME FURNISHINGS DIRECTOR DEBORAH MESNA

MARKETING SPECIALISTS GLENDA BAYLY, JENNIFER BURKE WALLY HICKS IV

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ACCOUNTING MAI HUONG THI LE

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR SARAH CARLISLE

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.orangecountylivingmagazine.com

For comments to the publisher: wally@keyaccess.com

The opinions expressed in the editorials are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Orange County Living. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, we cannot supervise the way in which information found in Orange County Living is used. Orange County Living is produced bi-monthly by Af flu ent Target Marketing, Inc., P.O. Box 18507, Anaheim Hills, California 928178507. Re pro duction 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.

homefashion

Light Up Your Home With Elegance

WITH STUNNING GEMSTONE CREATIONS he classic, refined taste of Louis Comfort Tiffany has been providing both homeowners and collectors with timeless art-quality stained glass lamps that are still desired by many. However, original Tiffany pieces are not only very hard to come by; if you do happen to find one, the price tag might be more than you had hoped for. They have been known to sell at auctions for over $100,000. Here’s the good news: If you have always craved the stunning elegance that a rich and colorful Tiffany creation can add to your living space, you now have the once in a lifetime opportunity to own an original Tiffany-inspired piece of art—and no-two-are-alike. Master artisans can fashion products from rare gemstones, which unlike traditional stained-glass lamps, are completely lead-free. Timeless pieces with gemstones include Tiffanystyle table lamps, floor lamps, pendant ceiling lamps, flush-mounted ceiling lamps, and also backlit gemstone wall art and backlit gemstone mosaic wall art. Lampshades can be paired with brass bases to become either floor or table lamps. There are no limitations to design and colors, as artisans can create custom lamps and wall art according to your desires. A museumquality collectible that will only appreciate in value, each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity that establishes its origin as a limited

ORANGE COUNTY LIVING • DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014

edition fine art collectible. Exquisite craftsmanship, sublime beauty and outstanding quality is finally attainable for your home. The Secret Garden has developed an extensive catalog of museum-worthy gemstone products that meet exacting Tiffany standards. Led by Elaine Guo, a master artist with two decades’ experience designing and creating products based on Tiffany designs, The Secret Garden invites you to visit their new showroom in Costa Mesa and experience the beauty of their timeless gemstone creations for yourself. If you visit the showroom before December 31, 2013, The Secret Garden is offering a limited time offer of 15% off. Restrictions apply. All orders must be placed and paid in full before December 31, 2013 to receive the discount. Because each product is a limited edition and can take up to 30–60 days for completion and delivery, don’t wait until it’s too late. You can call them at 714-522-1895 to set up an appointment, or visit the showroom at Stonemill Design Center 2915 Red Hill Ave. Suite A103 in Costa Mesa, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. See their website at www.TSG1895USA.com to learn more.

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DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014 • ORANGE COUNTY LIVING

homefashion

Stressless® Living—It’s All About Comfort New Options. More Flexibility. Ultimate Comfort!

t’s no longer necessary to try to make a huge old recliner look attractive. Now you can have reclining seating comfort for everyone in every body size, in designs that add to your home’s décor. Stressless® designs are simple and stylish. Every detail in a Stressless is there for a reason. In the quest to make the ultimate recliner, they invented technologies such as the Plus™ system, Glide system, and ErgoAdapt™ system that all redefine relaxation. The patented Plus system provides continuous support for your head and lower back. By providing perfect balance and optimum support, your entire body relaxes. When you adjust the Glide Wheel to the desired setting, you can automatically shift to any seating position by simply using your body weight. The easy-to-move ottoman features the built-in Glide system that adjusts to your body movement for ultimate reclining comfort. Stressless recliners and ottomans are easily positioned so that your legs are always comfortably supported. Stressless offers everyone a custom fit—most recliners come in three sizes (S, M, L) and sofas come in two (M, L).

ORANGE COUNTY LIVING • DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014

Stressless® sofas with the new ErgoAdapt™ feature built into the sofa seats and in the long seat

Stressless sofas with the new ErgoAdapt system are the latest in innovative seating comfort. The seats in the ErgoAdapt system tilt automatically when you sit down and provide the perfect degree of comfort and support. When lying down, you will love how the comfortable oversized seats stay completely flat. Intelligent technology for an all-family comfort zone! To select and customize the best Stressless seating options for your home and family, you can call Robert Westley at 714-546-7100, located at 3323 Hyland Ave. Ste D, Costa Mesa, or visit them online at www.RobertWestleyDesigns.com

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DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014 • ORANGE COUNTY LIVING

homefashion

Conceal Your Speakers

REVEAL YOUR STYLE

ou want the incredible sound of a full home audio system, yet you just can’t live with those large and unsightly speakers. This is a common battle that homeowners often face when upgrading their sound system. Bulky equipment is never a good addition to a carefully planned home décor, and there has never been a way around this unfortunate situation—until now. Now, you can have the best of both worlds. Wall Art Sound is a truly concealed flat panel art speaker system that allows you to enjoy spacious sound while beautifully showcasing your favorite art. The perfect décor solution to an audio problem, you will be free to decorate around your creativity—not around your speakers. The flat panel speaker is genuinely unique from all other forms of electrical audio sound reproduction, utilizing the prin-

ciple of distributed mode vibrations in an engineered lightweight rigid body. No grates or grills for covers, Wall Art Sound blends invisibly into your space. Fill an entire room with warm, smooth, full-bodied harmony in an aesthetically pleasing way. You can even provide your own picture to display. Dedicated Sound Audio (DSA) provides you with the perfect intersection between sound and art. DSA experts are happy to help set-up any installations and consultations, offer design advice or answer any of your questions. You can call them at 949-273-8320, or visit their website at www.dsausa.com to see a step-by-step process for custom frame design and more.

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homefashion

re you tired of brown, boring furniture? If so, it’s time to discover a new experience in high style and high value furnishings that has been referenced as, “jewelry for your home.” Caracole® is a portfolio of unique items that work in harmony to furnish your entire home. Every piece represents high design and independent thinking, with more than 50 finishes and materials. These include exotic woods, mixed elements and hand-applied finishes. Each Caracole piece stands alone, speaking for itself. You might see a closed storage items as a bedroom dresser while your neighbor views the same piece as the perfect dining room sideboard. As you browse through the three distinct and carefully edited portfolios, you can throw any rules out the window and allow your subliminal preferences and unconditioned reflexes to make the call. Above all, you can have fun utilizing Caracole’s fresh originality to make your home the perfect reflection of you. Each Caracole silhouette is unique and can satisfy your style choices. The difference is in the details— whether it’s the comfort of seating or specialized accents such as nail trim or graceful lines, you will enjoy personalizing each piece.

ORANGE COUNTY LIVING • DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014

To see more of Caracole and other fine furniture manufacturers, you can call or visit Furniture Royal at 2000 S. Rainbow Blvd. in Las Vegas. 702-253-0600. You can also see their ad on page five of this issue.

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DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014 • ORANGE COUNTY LIVING

homefashion

A Perfect Solution FOR ALL OF YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN NEEDS

ou want your home to be gorgeous, elegant and unique in every way. Yet, whether you are creating a new interior or giving an existing one a makeover, it can be difficult to achieve exactly what you envision in your mind. The time has come to visit a showroom unlike anything you have ever seen before. This one-of-a-kind experience will take your breath away, allowing you to see interior design in a whole new way. On the first floor, you have access to materials that are both in stock and on display. Featuring a full fabric library, materials are ready for you to see and use immediately. Instead of waiting for what you ordered to arrive days later, you can select your fabric and professionals will head to the workroom

ORANGE COUNTY LIVING â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014

to get started on crafting your draperies, bedding, or whatever you want to create. Seamstresses are on-site to assist with any details. However, when you reach the second floor, your design journey truly comes to life. Professionals have achieved an environment that both looks and feels like a real home for you to walk through and enjoy. Similar to a model home, you can stroll through the living room, master bedroom, master bathroom and kitchen, taking in the beauty of handcrafted furniture, custom mirrors and bedding, artistic stone wall pieces, meticulously crafted closets and much more. Become inspired in a way that you have never experienced before. Unlike any other showroom in the world, you have to visit Big Square Interiors to see for yourself why itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s different from any other interior design operation. They are located at #3 Oldfield, Suite #100 in Irvine, CA 92618, and you can call them at 949-598-4420. Stop by and enjoy a nice cup of espresso while you browse!

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kitchen&bath

Solutions for Updating Your Bathroom ow is the time to update your bathroom with a new look. By working with what you already have, professionals can offer several affordable, long-lasting solutions that can be installed in about a day, making your bathroom renovations a possibility. There are so many things you can do that will deliver quick yet dramatic results. If you want to avoid a complete tear-out, bathtub liners are an ideal way to achieve an attractive tub that looks good-as-new. High-quality acrylic liners are slip-resistant, easy to clean, available in different colors and will never crack, peel or fade. Liners are also available for showers, featuring exclusive MilGuard™ mold- and mildew-resistance. Tired of scrubbing your bath or shower for hours without any satisfying results? In a standard shower or tub, the walls and floors are porous, providing a breeding ground for mold, mildew, bacteria and soap scum. Innovative shower and tub enclosures are crafted with resilient 100% American-made acrylic and infused with Silver Shield® bacteria fighting technology. You can convert an old tub to an updated acrylic shower enclosure and enjoy a functional bathing area that is unbelievably low-maintenance. Another smart place to focus your attention is on the bathroom cabinetry. Cabinets serve as a focal point for the room as a whole. As a result, the right cabinets can mean all of the difference between brilliant and just plain

ORANGE COUNTY LIVING • DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014

boring. Brand new custom cabinetry can be built from the ground up and installed into your home for a seamless fit. You can also work with what you already have and reface your existing cabinets. The Vianvi Signature® cabinet refacing process creates the look of new cabinetry without the same price tag. With the touch of something as simple as gorgeous cabinets, your bathroom will feel like a brand new, upgraded space. From an upgraded bathtub to the ultimate remodeling experience, Reborn Cabinets Inc. and Bath Solutions is a licensed, bonded and insured full-service home remodeling contractor. Working with you every step of the way to create the look you’ve always wanted, Reborn can provide you with everything to complete your new bathroom including countertops, vanities, sinks, tile, flooring, cabinetry, and so much more. For more information you can call them at 866-573-2676 or visit www.RebornBathSolutions.com

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DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014 • ORANGE COUNTY LIVING

homeinteriors

Revitalize your natural stone floors with professional cleaning, polishing and restoration. Marble, granite, terrazzo, limestone, travertine and other natural stone are luxurious architectual elements. The addition of any one of these quality materials refines the surfaces of your home, whether it’s the foyer, kitchen, bathroom or fireplace. So don’t allow your family and friends to be distracted from the natural beauty of these surfaces by failing to properly maintain them.

atural stone is a strong and durable material; however, it’s not indestructible. It’s still susceptible to stains, spills and damages from every day occurrences like the use of inappropriate household cleaning products and steady foot traffic. In fact, a little pebble caught in a guest’s shoe can spread scratches throughout your entire home. The good news is that when marble and other natural stone surfaces are scratched or stained, they can regain their natural brilliance with professional cleaning, restoration and protection. Your marble or granite floor, countertops, showers, vanities, fireplaces, patios, and driveways can be restored to their natural beauty. With proper care and maintenance, the potential for future damage can be significantly minimized or even eliminated. Regardless of what problems you may encounter, there is a way your stone surface can be honed and polished to its original shine. Amazingly, even cracked or chipped areas can be colormatched to blend into the existing flooring. Because most problems are repairable, properly maintaining natural stone costs substantially less than replacing it. A common part of the restoration process is repairing, cleaning and sealing grout, restoring it to its original color while also providing superior stain

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resistance. It’s essential to choose the proper application of stone cleaner and sealer to reduce or prevent damage. So when choosing a cleaning and restoration company, determine if they carry products such as Intercare, a specially formulated cleaning product safe for daily use in cleaning stone surfaces. True stone craftsmen will have the experience and expertise to restore the appearance of your stone, as well as advice on how to keep them looking as beautiful as the day they were installed. They will work with you to determine the cause of damage and devise a plan to avoid a recurrence. Contact a local stone professional to discuss the maintenance procedures suitable for your specific materials. That call may extend the life of your stone’s finish for years and regain the elegant appearance you love. To contact a company that specializes in natural stone restoration, maintenance and cleaning you can call MARBLELIFE® of Orange County at (949)582-3277 or visit www.marblelife.com/orange for more information. If you sign up with MARBLELIFE’S maintenance program and you use Intercare in between your professional cleanings, they will guarantee that you will never need to restore your marble or granite floors again. Please call for details. ORANGECOUNTYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

homeinteriors

New Product

FRESH EMERGENCY WATER n the United States alone, we have experienced an average of 50 natural disasters every year, for the past decade, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). NBC News has identified California as the second most disaster-prone state in the nation. But how prepared are we for an emergency? Studies have found that approximately 90% of Americans are not adequately prepared. For example, access to drinkable water tops the list for emergency preparedness, yet many don’t have enough water in their homes to last beyond a few days. Our pantries may have enough food for a month, but without water, we cannot survive more than three days. LifeTankTM addresses the need for fresh backup water supply. Mick Benson of Life Systems Group in California designed LifeTank after seeing the events of Hurricane Katrina and Sandy. He wanted to ensure that households have safe, drinkable water that is ready when they need it.

ORANGE COUNTY LIVING • DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014

Benson designed LifeTank with a new patent-pending system, including a pressurized tank that allows water to fill the tank and then flow out to the household for regular water use. This innovative flow-through technology keeps the tank’s water from stagnating or requiring maintenance. In the event of the city’s water supply becoming contaminated, LifeTank features a lever that isolates it from incoming water—keeping its water clean and accessible for drinking. FEMA suggests that households store a minimum of one gallon per person, per day for emergencies. Many experts believe that number should be higher and households should reserve several weeks’ supply of water. That quickly adds up for multiple family members. LifeTank provides households with assurance that drinking water is ready when needed most. The product is available in 80-gallon and 120-gallon sizes (larger for custom orders). For further details, you can call Life Systems Group toll free at 855-422-3131 or go to www.lifetanks.com.

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DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014 • ORANGE COUNTY LIVING

homeinteriors

Restore and Transform Your Floors

Without Having to Remove Them

looring is such a major part of any home, both indoors and out. You want to do everything you can to retain its luster. Whether your floor looks discolored from old age, dirt build-up, moisture or even just an outdated style, it is bringing down the overall ambiance of your living spaces. With a professional restoration and cleaning service, your floors can regain their shine and that like new feeling again. Instead of tearing out your old floors when they start to look less than perfect, seek a professional to restore and even create a new look with what you already have! A floor restoration professional can restore and transform your floor, allowing you to save both money and time. From concrete, tile and stone restoration, to polishing, honing, hole-filling, crack repair, regrouting, staining, applying protective overlays, epoxy and moreâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a floor maintenance and restoration professional will provide a solution. Your flooring might just be the perfect candidate for a thorough deep cleaning, or high-pressure steam cleaning to polish things up. Each situation is unique and a flooring professional can help you with whatever your floor restoration needs may be. Additionally, floor restoration provides you with the opportunity to be more environmentally friendly with your flooring. Trained professionals can

ORANGE COUNTY LIVING â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014

discuss different green options with you. The Floor Maintenance Company has been in business for seven years, and owner Vince DiMiceli has over 30 years in residential construction and remodeling. The Floor Maintenance Company can restore, transform and maintain any surface to ensure its beauty over time and is licensed, bonded and insured. For a free design consultation or any other questions, you can call them at 949-510-4182 or visit www.OCFloorMaintenance.com. Look for their new store in Laguna Niguel at 27601 Forbes Road Suite 35 where you can buy stone care products, stain, repair products and more, opening February 1, 2013. Vince DiMiceli of The Floor Maintenance Company is a licensed general contractor and the owner of DiMiceli Construction Services.

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DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014 • ORANGE COUNTY LIVING

homeinteriors DRYER FIRES ARE THE #1 HOUSEHOLD DISASTER Learn How to Prevent Dryer Fires, Save Time and Reduce Your Utility Bill ost homeowners are completely unaware that if unmaintained, a clothes dryer can pose a serious threat to their home and family. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, these seemingly harmless appliances cause an estimated 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and $100,000,000 in damages every year. When you learn how dryer fires happen you will understand how crucial regular dryer maintenance is to your safety. The reason most dryer fires happen is lint. Contrary to popular belief, your lint trap doesn’t catch everything, and this highly combustible material builds up inside your dryer with every load. A tiny spark is the only catalyst this hazard needs to become a full on disaster. The good news is that disaster is easily avoidable. Professional appliance technicians recommend having the inside of your dryer cleaned every three years. Most homeowners are shocked to see the amount of lint that is vacuumed out of their appliance and can instantly recognize the value of this service. A properly functioning dryer should only take 30 to 45 minutes to dry a load of clothes. If your appliance is running slower, this is a telltale sign of

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dirty dryer vent. Clogged vents prevent heat from escaping the machine, and keep moisture trapped inside your dryer. This means that an unmaintained dryer is not just dangerous; it is also wasting your time and raising your utility bill! Once cleaned, you will notice an instant improvement in drying time and begin saving money right away. If you are past due for a dryer vent cleaning there is no reason to procrastinate any longer, especially with the numerous benefits this service offers. To schedule your dryer vent cleaning, you can call Nick's Dryer Vent Cleaning and Air Duct Cleaning at (760) 533-0783. Homeowners can be confident in this company’s service because they offer a six-month lint free service guarantee pledge with every cleaning. You can learn about their pledge and services online at www.gotdirtyvents.com. Helping families dry their clothes in one cycle.

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exteriorslandscaping

Elements of a Quality Landscape

Night Magic ™ Landscape Lighting

s the next installment in the series dealing with elements of a quality landscape, let’s examine landscape lighting and see how it can be used for safety, security, and to enhance the beauty of the garden at night. To be highly effective, the lighting must be both integrated with the design and planned for in order for it to work properly. Landscape lighting has come a long way in the past 30 years. Back then, your choices were pretty much limited to Malibu plastic fixtures or Nightscaping® painted metal fixtures. Now there are dozens of manufacturers who produce fixtures made out of all kinds of materials including brass, bronze, copper, and cast aluminum, as well as non-metallic harsh environment and powder-coated metal. There are also numerous lamp selections available today. These choices affect the color and uses of the lamps in the particular landscape. Now, we are not talking about the inexpensive kits available at your local home center. While these might be okay for the do-it-yourselfer, we are talking about commercial-quality fixtures that will give you years of service and require the expertise of a professional to properly install them. We’re talking about a landscape lighting system that is a crucial element when it comes to creating a quality landscape.

The first step is to examine the landscape and decide which elements require illumination. Pathways, steps, walls, trees, plants, sculptures, water features, barbeques, and tables under patio covers are some of most common applications for lighting. Is this job best suited to lowvoltage, high-voltage, or a combination of the two? Once you have decided what to light, you need to pick the fixtures best suited to create the desired effects. The next step would be the placement of the fixtures, which should be designed in a way to maximize the ambiance while hiding the source of light as much as possible. Placing downlights high up in trees can create a moonlight effect. Dramatic shadows can be achieved by casting light through an interesting plant and onto a wall. Pathway lights can illuminate steps for safety, as well as brighten patches of colorful annuals at night. The waterline of a pool can be illuminated using fiber optics with a rotating color wheel if those changing effects are desired. The possibilities are almost endless. Additional considerations need to be addressed, such as how do you run the 120V transformer and lighting feeds? Where should the transformers be placed? What size transformers are needed? What size wires are necessary to ensure full voltage to each fixture and proper lamp performance? A qualified professional can accomplish these tasks. There are also many options available to control the operation of your lighting system. They can be time-clock-controlled, photo-cell-controlled, remote-controlled, manually controlled by switches, or they can be tied into your pool computer controller. Certain lights can even be controlled by motion detectors for security applications. 120 V lighting can also be put on dimmers for a wide variety of effects and moods. Open up your horizons. Expand the usefulness and beauty of your landscape by using lighting as an integral part of your garden. For a company that integrates lighting in all of their projects and is a winner of numerous residential lighting awards in the Beautification Awards Contest run by the Orange County Chapter of the California Landscape Contractors Association, you can call Richard Cohen Landscape and Construction, Inc. at 949-768-0599 or visit their website at www.richardcohenlandscape.com. Richard Cohen is an ISA Certified Arborist. Don’t forget to ask for their exclusive Night Magic™ landscape lighting with your upcoming project.

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exteriorslandscaping

Increase Your Curb Appeal with Concrete Coatings

ear-round beautiful weather is only one of the reasons San Diego homeowners are among the luckiest in the world. Southern California’s coastal climate is ideal for exotic landscaping, and without the threat of snow, the options to expand and enhance your outdoor living space are virtually endless. Imagine your backyard as the ultimate paradise— primed for entertaining guests year-round. One of the best high-impact improvements you can invest in is decorative concrete. The classic beauty of concrete coatings can transform your ugly concrete into a work of art in just a few days. This timeless and elegant addition can enhance any décor, and significantly increase your home value. Homeowners can enjoy the look of tile, brick, pavers or stone without any tear out, and for a fraction of the cost. The coating is applied on top of your existing concrete, with a pigmented sealer to ensure long-lasting beauty and durability. The versatility of concrete coatings is truly remarkable. Whether you are going for the rustic charm of cobblestone, an elegant look like slate, or natural feel such as flagstone, concrete coatings can help

ORANGE COUNTY LIVING • DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014

create the perfect look for you. These extremely resilient coatings can stand up to vehicular traffic and are ideal for your driveway, patio, or walkways. There are also skid-resistant coatings available for your pool deck! You can even use concrete coatings for indoor application, and give your concrete floors a glamorous new look. With the right contractor your remodeling experience can be extremely painless. A knowledgeable estimator can come to your home and give you insight on the best options for your lifestyle, décor and budget. The estimator can show you different color palettes, make recommendations and guide you through the planning process. The actual application takes between two and four days for most jobs, and your backyard will have a whole new look before you know it. For more information on concrete coatings, please contact Allied Coatings at (888) 635-7186. With over 25 years experience, this family owned company is fully licensed and insured and can help you transform your backyard into your own personal paradise. For more information please visit their website at www.alliedcoatings.com ORANGECOUNTYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

exteriorslandscaping A Remarkable, Unique Patio Opening Roof System Adapts to the Weather, or Your Mood he louvered opening roof system is constructed of Zincalume louvers that rotate from completely closed to 155° open, by use of a small motor. It is safe to use and incredibly easy to operate. The motor is powered by a 12 volt transformer. A portable-remote controls the operation of the louvers. The opening roof system offers many benefits, including: Versatility. It can be built as a patio roof or commercial cover. It can also be installed flat or pitched. Sun control. The louvers can be positioned during winter months to cast the sun’s natural warmth into rooms to save on energy costs. During the summer, they can be moved to block direct sunlight to protect your home from unwanted solar heating. Ventilation. During the summer months, a place in the shade is where

you want to be. The system provides this by angling the louvers to a partially open position. Providing natural ventilation as hot air escapes and cool air replaces it. Rain protection. The louvered opening roof system has a uniquely designed louver that provides complete overlap to help prevent rain penetration. Imagine being able to control heat on your patio at the touch of a button. With the louvered system, you can enjoy the outdoors year-round and worry-free. For more information or a demonstration of the opening roof system, you can visit the 5,000 square foot showroom of All-Pro Remodeling at 706 North Tustin Street in Orange, (714) 288-1314. You can also visit their website at www.AllProRemodeling.com

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$30 OFF Any service over $300.00 Limited time offer

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exteriorslandscaping

Consider Standard “Wading” Periods

WHEN PUTTING IN YOUR NEW POOL beautiful house truly becomes a home once a pool is put into the yard. Many treasured memories are made while splashing around with friends and relatives in the swimming pool of your dreams. Throughout the year, and especially as summer is approaching, the big decision of “putting in a pool” is made. But many families new to the world of built-in swimming pools are truly unaware of the extensive stepby-step process involved. Following is a brief rundown of this process that will normally encompass a total of seven to nine months. The process begins with design of the pool and surrounding areas which may take up to several weeks, followed by approvals and permits by the city and HOAs which can also take several weeks, or even months. Then comes the construction process, which includes excavation, plumbing, electrical, walls, decking and masonry features such as firepits and barbecues. Application of an interior finish to the pool and completion of the landscape are the final steps in this process, and depending on the complexity of the pro-

ORANGE COUNTY LIVING • DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014

ject, can take anywhere from eight weeks to several months. Plan now for a full summer of fun with friends and family. Teserra has been witness to the unity that comes about as a family makes their backyard the centerpiece for socializing and entertaining. If you are interested in having the pool of your dreams installed and ready to cool off in next summer, you can give them a call today at 714-630-7724, or visit their website at TeserraOutdoors.com. The timing couldn’t be better!

ORANGECOUNTYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

ORANGE COUNTY LIVING • DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014

ORANGECOUNTYLIVINGMAGAZINE.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 full-time 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 four teen private fitness studios in Southern California specializing in this unique approach. Right away she noticed immediate increases in her muscle tone and energy. After several months she’d also dropped 1 to 2 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

Physician Diane Rand firms her body during a 20-minute training session at The Perfect Workout.

women – have a fear of “bulking up” like a 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

ORANGE COUNTY LIVING • DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014

less space than fat, so this typical 55year-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. ORANGECOUNTYLIVINGMAGAZINE.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.

Joyce Reclaims her Youthful Figure 54-year-old Joyce Magnuson had always been slim and slender when she was younger. But in her mid 40’s 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. ORANGECOUNTYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM

Arlene Esgate tones her arms as part of her 20-minute training session in San Diego.

After 5 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 14 private studios in Southern California that specialize in one-on-one personal training with the slow-motion strength training method, including these Orange County locations: Newport Beach (949) 200-4067, Huntington Beach (714) 460-5207, Laguna Niguel (949) 485-6000, Mission Viejo (949) 424-1021, Anaheim Hills (714) 400-9319, and Tustin (714) 599-9051. www.ThePerfectWorkout.com

DECEMEBER 2013/JANUARY 2014 • ORANGE COUNTY LIVING