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RAMONA’S QUARTERLY HOME & GARDEN MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2021

INSIDE

VERSATILITY AND STYLE RESTORING THE PAST, BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

PROTEAS South African and Australian Beauties in Ramona

SUMMER 2021

RAMONA HOME 1

Nancy Sapper Home Loans | Refinancing | Investment Financing (760) 525-8357

www.c2ramona.com

nancy@c2ramona.com

LO NMLS #1567980 | LO DRE #02066396

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SUMMER 2021

Karen Domnitz

YOUR SATISFACTION IS MY #1 PRIORITY! P: 619-884-7654 | KDOMNITZ@CENTURY21AWARD.COM | DRE # 00897503 INSTAGRAM: @KARENS_DWELLINGS | FB: @KARENDOMNITZREALTOR 1306 MAIN ST., RAMONA, CA 92065 SUMMER 2021

RAMONA HOME 3

Eagle Peak Escrow Inc.

Personal Care and Service • Defensible Space Management • Weed Abatement

Happy

4 of July! th

Buying, Selling or Refinancing Your Home?

Cassandra Solis ESCROW OFFICER Escrow State ID #963-1642

760-788-6256

• Tree Trimming & Removal • Yard Work • Property Cleanup • Fruit Tree Pruning

Call 760-535-9216

Licensed & Insured • LIC# 978884 | I.S.A. Certified Arborist WE-12681A

treefairyrenee@gmail.com

1035 7TH STREET, RAMONA | 1,480 sq. ft. | 3BR/2BA | 1,500 sq. ft. Detached Garage | This lovely home is within walking distance to Old Town Ramona where you’ll find shopping, restaurants, bars, wine tasting and a wonderful park with play structures, tennis courts and walking paths and schools. Remodeled approximately 15 years ago, but new flooring was put in two years ago, the kitchen has beautiful cabinets with granite tile counters, SS Appliances, good size pantry and is open to the dining and living room! There are two bedrooms downstairs along with a bathroom and a nice big laundry room. Upstairs you’ll find a large bedroom with private bathroom. The home sits on .42 acres and there is a detached 1500 sq. ft. garage to park plenty of your toys! This property sits on top of the hill and offers great views and lots of privacy!! $699,000

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SUMMER 2021

HOME

INSIDE

RAMONA

7 VERSATILITY AND STYLE Luxury Vinyl Plank is a

Gamechanger for Decorators

15 RESTORING THE PAST BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Michael Clack Furniture Restorations 19 PASTORAL CHARM Knight’s Mattress & Furniture

7

21 PROTEAS

South African and Australian Beauties in Ramona

15

19

ON THE COVER Proteas — South African and Australian Beauties in Ramona

21 SUMMER 2021

Cover Photograph by Tim Connelly

RAMONA HOME 5

Doreen Smith REALTOR

HARDWOOD • LAMINATE • TILE • CARPET • VINYL

®

Tues-Fri 10am-5pm Sat 10am-2pm

DRE# 01336929

Dedicated to Customer Service

Mobile 760.803.4708 doreen@doreensmith.com www.doreensmith.com

Lic# 659595

2405 Main St., #6, Ramona (760) 428-9600 • GoGetFloors.com

RAMONA’S HOME DECOR & POTTERY STORE

AWARD

1306 Main Street • Ramona, CA 92065 Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

Ramona Antique Fair In the Heart of Old Town Ramona

316 Main Street, Ramona 760-440-9836 Info@MyCasaRustica.com MyCasaRustica.com

ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES & VINTAGE DÉCOR 50 SHOPS UNDER ONE ROOF

Fun ~ Fabulous Old-Fashioned Candy Fantastic Merchandise OPEN: Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 11am-5pm

760-789-0574

734 Main St., Ramona Info@RamonaAntiqueFair.com

www.RamonaAntiqueFair.com 6 RAMONA HOME

SUMMER 2021

FLOORING TRENDS

VERSATILITY AND STYLE Luxury Vinyl Plank is a Gamechanger for Decorators WRITTEN BY CHARLENE PULSONETTI

HAWTHORN COUNTRYSIDE

W

hile wall colors, cabinet finishes and window treatments might be some of the more well-known ways to style a room — and the most visible, since all are at eye level — the surface beneath your feet is just as important. And today, there are several versatile selections to choose from.

SUMMER 2021

PHOTO COURTESY OF REPUBLIC FLOOR

As people of the 21st century, we can benefit from the beauty of different flooring styles and new advancements in the industry, with innovative features that make them suitable for nearly every area of your home.

“Luxury vinyl plank is selling like hotcakes, because it is waterproof,” says Kari Muse, who owns C. Dalton

Flooring, 2405 Main St., Ste. 6, with her husband, Anthony Muse.

says there are some considerations as to where it should be placed.

“Because it looks like wood (or tile), you can put it everywhere instead of having it cookie-cutter around the house,” she adds.

“I highly recommend thinking about whether you want to put it on your stairs,” she says. “People get used to putting carpet there, and it is a different feel (that affects) how you walk up and down on it.”

Christine Prater, owner of The Carpet Lady, 1174 Main St., Ste. C, agrees, and

Continued on page 8 RAMONA HOME 7

FLOORING TRENDS Continued from page 7

NORDIC ICE

PHOTO COURTESY OF REPUBLIC FLOOR

PHOTO COU

There are two different types of luxury vinyl plank — WPC and SPC. WPC — wood plastic composite — has the benefit of being waterproof. For heavily trafficked areas or households with children and pets, SPC — stone plastic composite — offers greater durability and has the same waterproof features of WPC.

‘LUXURY VINYL PLANK IS SELLING LIKE HOTCAKES, BECAUSE IT IS WATERPROOF.’ — KARI MUSE, C. DALTON FLOORING

LUXURY VINYL PLANK

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CARPET LADY

“You can put it in laundry rooms and bathrooms,” says Muse. “There are all different wood looks and colors.”

And, she says, there is a smooth finish, and a beveled finish. The beveled finish gives the “hardwood” styles a more pronounced and authentic look.

“It looks like real wood — I have it in my own house,” says Prater, adding that it is reasonably priced, beautiful and easy to maintain.

With so many colors and styles to choose from, this versatile flooring option can help elevate a room and give it an all-new feel.

Whether paired with additional architectural elements or installed on its own, luxury vinyl plank could be the design key you’ve been waiting to discover. n 8 RAMONA HOME

WATER OAK

PHOTO COURTESY OF REPUBLIC FLOOR SUMMER 2021

e

Th

CARPET Lady

HOTO COURTESY OF REPUBLIC FLOOR

Lic# 780932

www.RamonaRE.com Paul@RamonaRE.com

Call Ramona’s only Broker with a 4-year degree in Real Estate Investment Info on Taxes, 1031 Exchanges, Trusts, Estates, Title Issues, Easements, More . . .

Residential, Horse Properties, Land and Commercial Serving Ramona and its community for over 30 Years!

760 789-4000

Covid Concerns

Paul Tarr

Selling or Buying

TEXT 858-449-7285 DRE# 01037960

Voted Ramona’s Best Broker Ramona? Better Call Paul SUMMER 2021

Get current info from Paul on Selling & Buying You need a Ramona Authority that can educate buyers on all Ramona has to offer RAMONA HOME 9

D

H5 Financial a DBA of C2 Financial This licensee is performing acts for which a real estate license is required. This licensee is performing acts for which a real estate license is required. C2 Financial Corporation is licensed by the California Department of Real Estate, Broker # 01821025; NMLS# 135622. Loan approval is not guaranteed and is subject to lender review of information. All loan approvals are conditional and all conditions must be met by borrower. Loan is only approved when lender has issued approval in writing and is subject to the Lender conditions. Specified rates may not be available for all borrowers. Rate subject to change with market conditions. C2 Financial Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Mortgage Broker/Lender. The services referred to herein are not available to persons located outside the state of California. Broker # 01821025; NMLS # 135622.

Ramona’s Own Family Owned & Operated Business Since 1973

COVERS Maintenance Free PATIO Block the sun and heat . . .not your view!

We offer the industry’s only FULLY-TRANSFERABLE, NON-LIMITED, NON-PRORATED, LIFETIME GUARANTEE on both material AND labor!

Free Estimates ~ 1-800-761-7666

www.TomFiteConstruction.com Tomfitepatios@gmail.com | CA Lic #416977 | References Available Always the HIGHEST QUALITY available at the absolute LOWEST PRICE possible — GUARANTEED! 10 RAMONA HOME

SUMMER SPE CI AL

10% OFF

(On Any Standard Cover) Will not burn, crack, warp or peel.

SUMMER 2021

Outstanding Agents Outstanding Results ®

DIRECT

DRE #01290950

JAN RYAN 760-420-9780

DRE# 00553667 MILITARY RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST

BARBARA COBLE 619-980-0795 DRE# 00960789

DRE# 00878941

KEVIN JUSTICE 619-507-8834 DRE# 02119502

BRANDON POWELL PETER SAN NICOLAS 760-533-6463 760-788-7355 DRE# 02098986

JEFF GAN 619-980-5603

DRE# 01965597

MECHELLE BOMBARD 858-361-5272 DRE# 02020622

LAURA LEEMAN 619-433-7206 DRE# 02021091

JUSTIN SHAW 858-775-6251 DRE# 02040123

LINDSAY BOOS 858-231-6223 DRE# 02040916

CORRINE NAKAMURA LORI PATENAUDE 619-820-3812 619-302-6731 DRE# 01780491

JOEY SPICUZZA 760-315-1040 DRE# 02147261

DRE# 01975837 MILITARY RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST

ANDREA STYKEL 760-519-2801

DRE# 01207721 MILITARY RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST

SUSAN WILLIS 619-995-6200 DRE# 01280545

RE/MAX DIRECT • 1410 Main Street, Ramona CA 92065

SUMMER 2021

RAMONA HOME 11

DIRECT

B e c t P a

15642 Indian Head Court

4 Beds

3.5 Baths

3,536 Sq. Ft.

Enjoy country club living in this quality, spacious home with golf cart access on the 4th fairway on the newly renovated and challenging 18-hole San Vicente golf course with lake and mountain views. Quiet cul-de-sac location and short walk to the country club and tennis/pickle ball courts. Quality, craftsman’s style entertainers home with spectacular courtyard, fountain entry and rose gardens. Double leaded glass doors lead to expansive golf course view and impressive masonry wall with double fireplace and beamed ceilings. Spacious, island kitchen has double oven, 2 drawer dishwashers, granite counters and hand crafted butcher block in center island, pull out shelves and potential pizza oven. Casita style, gated courtyard. 2 oversized bedrooms with their own full baths. Private, separate master wing with its own brick masonry fireplace and hardwood flooring. $899,500

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SUMMER 2021

CUSTOM HOME BUILDING SITES

Breathtaking mountain views from this west end vacant land parcel in the exclusive gated community of Highland Hills Estates. Enjoy the neighboring Ramona Grasslands County Preserve for your hiking, cycling and equestrian activities. $312,200

Premier west end Ramona location. 360 view parcel never offered for sale before. Varied terrain with secluded building sites. No dedicated open space easements. Extensive rock outcroppings, scrub oaks, manzanita and wild lilac. Very quiet private setting. Well maintained paved private road. On site electric. $398,200

41.23 acres off Old Julian Hwy. Level ridgeline traverses this entire parcel. 360 view. Animal “O” Designator. Water well. $295,000

RAMONA DOWNTOWN VILLAGE COMMERCIAL

Two adjacent parcels with full site plan approval for two detached mixed use (Commercial / Residential) buildings ready for construction documents and permit submittal. $299,000

SUMMER 2021

Highly travelled / visible Commercial / Residential corner parcel. $175,000

RAMONA HOME 13

Local Market Update May 2021

DIRECT Detached Single-Family NEW LISTINGS 2020 55

PENDING SALES 2021 61

% CHANGE + 10.9%

2020 57

CLOSED SALES 2021 62

2020 34

% CHANGE + 8.8%

2021 56

% CHANGE + 64.7%

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

AVERAGE PRICE SALES

DAYS ON MARKET

2020 $537,500

2020 $527,101

2020 33

2021 $669,500

% CHANGE + 24.6%

2021 $753,964

% CHANGE + 43.0%

2021 18

% CHANGE - 45.5%

* Does not account for sale concessions and/or downpayment assistance. | Percent changes are calculated using rounded figures and can sometimes look extreme due to small sample size.

Attached Single-Family NEW LISTINGS 2020 2

PENDING SALES 2021 5

% CHANGE + 150.0%

2020 3

CLOSED SALES 2021 7

2020 4

% CHANGE + 133.3%

2021 3

% CHANGE - 25.0%

MEDIAN SALES PRICE

AVERAGE PRICE SALES

DAYS ON MARKET

2020 $307,500

2020 $337,750

2020 29

2021 $527,500

% CHANGE + 71.5%

2021 $537,500

% CHANGE + 71.5%

2021 10

% CHANGE - 65.5%

* Does not account for sale concessions and/or downpayment assistance. | Percent changes are calculated using rounded figures and can sometimes look extreme due to small sample size.

760-788-1000 • www.remaxdirect.com •

14 RAMONA HOME

DRE #01290950

SUMMER 2021

RESTORING THE PAST BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Michael Clack Furniture Restorations WRITTEN BY ANGELA MCLAUGHLIN FURNITURE PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MICHAEL CLACK

SUMMER 2021

Continued on page 16 RAMONA HOME 15

FURNITURE RESTORATION

RESTORING THE PAST, BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Continued from page 15

T

here is a piece of furniture that has sat in the corner for years, moving from one place to the next as it is passed down through the generations. It has seen children come into the world, marriages blossom and families weather hard times and celebrate good ones.

came in,” he says, adding that he had to respray and refinish the cabinets using military-spec paint.

To some, it may just be a piece of furniture. But to Michael Clack of Michael Clack Furniture Restorations, it is a window to the past and a symbol of endurance.

“I told my friend, ‘If they need a spray guy, I can spray anything,’” he says.

Clack started his restoration business in 1980 in Miramar, but his story begins in the 1970s. Not long out of high school, he found himself working to restore sonar systems for the military.

“My job was to restore the big steel cabinets that these sonar systems

As the job started winding down and he began looking for other opportunities, a friend mentioned that the Hotel del Coronado was looking for help.

After getting hired, Clack knew he was being given a great opportunity to expand his skills to include furniture restoration. He did not want to mess it up, but he had some research to do.

“I cleaned everything,” he says. “I read every label, every pamphlet, everything that was in that shop. And then, after working eight hours, I scanned all of San Diego to find out who was hot and who was not as far as what I was doing. And then I called them up and told them my situation.”

He was already confident with spraying, but he needed to learn about skills such as color matching, carving, veneering and more. He asked for advice from people already in the business, and his desire to learn worked to his advantage. He

16 RAMONA HOME

was able to get information from people who had been doing furniture restoration for many years.

“That’s kind of where it all started,” he says. “I took the opportunity and ran with it.”

As he gained more experience, he got comfortable reassembling antique furniture to the point where he could look at a hunk of wood and tell where it belonged. And as people started hearing about what he could do, they began to contact him to do work outside of what he did for

heirlooms to favorite pieces merely in need of a little extra attention. His

‘I CLEANED EVERYTHING. I READ EVERY LABEL, EVERY PAMPHLET, EVERYTHING THAT WAS IN THAT SHOP. I TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY AND RAN WITH IT.’ — MICHAEL CLACK the hotel. They were often surprised by how skilled he was at such a young age.

business is now located at 369 Main St.

“I just remember them opening the door with this confused look on their face and asking, ‘Where’s Michael?’

And I’d say, ‘I’m Michael,’” he says with a laugh, adding that he would ask them to give him a chance to show them what he could do.

Clack loves having the opportunity to reveal information about pieces that may have been in someone’s family for decades — sharing the history, how it was built, the type of wood that was used, what part of the country it is from and more.

From there, he opened his own business, eventually moving it to Ramona around 1995. He has worked diligently to restore everything from priceless memorabilia and family

“I just accumulated knowledge over the years, and not just an appreciation for the older antique pieces, but an appreciation of quality,” he says. “I don’t care if it was made six months ago —

SUMMER 2021

FURNITURE RESTORATION

I still get wowed when I go to the Del Mar Fair (San Diego County Fair) and see what some high school kid built in a shop class.

There are some fantastic artisans, because they’ve got the passion for it.”

His projects range in complexity from an old rocking chair brought to him in pieces that he repaired and reupholstered, to restoring a dining room set built in the early 1900s made from a walnut tree on the family’s property.

Each project is taken care of right in the shop, which includes an upholstery setup, as well. Aside from restorations, Clack also builds custom furniture.

The oldest piece he has ever worked on was 500 years old.

“It was a huge trunk that people would put on the back of their donkey cart, and

‘I JUST ACCUMULATED KNOWLEDGE OVER THE YEARS, AND NOT JUST AN APPRECIATION FOR THE OLDER ANTIQUE PIECES, BUT AN APPRECIATION OF QUALITY.’ — MICHAEL CLACK

all their family possessions would be in this box,” he says. “It was made of massive wood, and you could tell the whole thing was made with hand tools.”

When Clack sees something that is very old — more than 150 years old — he makes sure to tell the owners as much as he can about the piece before they make the decision whether or not to have work done on it. No matter the age, he looks at each piece of furniture to determine what it needs and makes recommendations based upon what would bring that piece back to its full potential.

Clack’s focus is on quality and taking the time to do the project the right way, so he can be proud to put his name on the work. He is motivated by the satisfaction he gets from seeing his customers’ faces when he brings the finished pieces back to their homes.

“I make them the best they can be, and I send them home,” he says. n

SUMMER 2021

RAMONA HOME 17

customize your

HO

1310 Main Street, Ramona

760.654.3578

18 RAMONA HOME

Mon-Sat: 10am-7pm • Sun: 12-5pm | www.knightsmattressfurniture.com

SUMMER 2021

HOME FURNISHINGS

PASTORAL CHARM Sparked by the qualities of the quaint cottage countryside, Pastoral Charm™ lets your room escape to a whole new level of relaxation and style.

Available exclusively at Knight’s Mattress & Furniture of Ramona.

SageThrow: $29

Tan / Cream / Gray Pillow: $129

Black / White Wall Art: $99 Large Rug: $449

Sofa: $699 Glass Table Lamp: $129 Galvanized Clock: $99

Accent Chair: $499 2 pc. Lantern Set: $89

Metal / Wood Bookcase: $299 Storage Coffee Table: $329

Knight’s Mattress & Furniture

Antique Gray Mirror: $99 SUMMER 2021

Jute Pouf: $89

1310 Main Street, Ramona 760-654-3578 www.knightsmattressfurniture.com RAMONA HOME 19

MICHAEL E. CLACK FURNITURE RESTORATIONS Refinishing v vv v

Upholstery v vv v

Restoration 369 Main Street Ramona Call for Appointment

760-788 -3620

MichaelClackFurnitureRestorations.com

20 RAMONA HOME

SUMMER 2021

PROTEAS South African and Australian Beauties in Ramona

STORY BY CAROLINA LEAP PHOTOGRAPHS BY TIM CONNELLY & CAROLINA LEAP SUMMER 2021

RAMONA HOME 21

PROTEAS

D

riving into Ramona, one can’t help but notice some towering trees with their prominent mustard-orange flowers.

Those who know their trees will tell you they are called “silk oaks.” But they are definitely not oak trees. They are grevilleas, which are in the family of proteas. Yes, proteas, which you can grow right here in Ramona.

Indigenous to South Africa and Australia, proteas have made their way into many Southern California gardens through the exporting of these exotic plants back in the 1970s. The family of protea is very expansive, with about 14 genera and 1,600 species. These magnificent plants are among florists’ favorites, not only for their beauty, but also for their longevity and usefulness in dried flower arrangements. A typical bouquet may last as long as three to six weeks, or more.

Though proteas are quite pricy, they are still highly desired by avid gardeners, who travel far to find varieties to add to their gardens.

The beauty and rarity of the Arctic Ice White King protea are attractive to brides who dream of holding a bouquet of them.

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SUMMER 2021

PROTEAS

THESE MAGNIFICENT PLANTS ARE AMONG FLORISTS’ FAVORITES, NOT ONLY FOR THEIR BEAUTY, BUT ALSO FOR THEIR LONGEVITY AND USEFULNESS IN DRIED FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS. That’s why it’s good to know we have several protea farms in San Diego County, including one right here in Ramona.

Kevin Brixey has been growing banksias, lecospermums, leucodendrons, grevilleas, hakeas and mallee eucalyptus since he moved from Australia to the Highland Valley area of Ramona in 2000. His nursery, aptly named “Outback,” has expanded to include several varieties of dragon fruit.

Brixey has planted roughly 10 of his 16 acres with thousands of protea varieties, creating an abundance of color throughout the property. And if that weren’t enough, he also runs

sheep and llamas on the farm.

He supplies cut flowers to Resendiz Brothers, the largest grower and exporter of proteas in California.

Farmstand 67, located at 16827 Highway 67, also sources most of its cut flowers from Brixey’s farm.

Protea plants may be hard to find, but they are occasionally available at local nurseries and farmers’ markets.

Whether you are curious about proteas or hope to try your hand at growing them, local resources, such as Walter Andersen and Farmstand 67, are ready to help you start a small garden or create a fresh-cut bouquet. n Kevin Brixey, owner of Outback nursery.

SUMMER 2021

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SUMMER 2021