marin living june 2022 by marin living

design & domain DESIGN LIVES IN THE DETAILS

#1 Agent by Transactions in Marin Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. 2018-2021 Nick Svenson

nick@marinsfhomes.com MarinSFhomes.com | 415.505.7674

© 2022 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. The Sotheby’s International Realty network fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. *Ranking source: BrokerMetrics via BAREIS, #1 individual agent based on total number of Marin County transactions, 1/1/2018-12/31/2021. Sales volume figures via BAREIS MLS.| Nicholas Svenson DRE: 01918616

Masterfully curated design to maximize your home’s value. NICK SVENSON

let there be

summer with the symphony sfsymphony.org/summer JUN 29 GET HAPPY: A JUDY GARLAND CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION WITH JESSICA VOSK

JUL 7–8

NIGHT IN BOHEMIA WITH THE SF SYMPHONY & CELLIST JOHANNES MOSER JUL 23–24

PIXAR IN CONCERT

JUL 28–29 PINK MARTINI WITH THE SF SYMPHONY

AUG 4–5

BATES & BERNSTEIN WITH THE SF SYMPHONY

SECOND CENTURY PARTNER

INAUGURAL

PARTNER

LEAD MUNICIPAL PARTNER

SEASON PARTNERS

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

The Park Ward Village Residence 15 Living Room

THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN OFFERING OR SOLICITATION OF SALE IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE PROJECT IS NOT REGISTERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW OR WHERE SUCH OFFERING OR SOLICITATION WOULD OTHERWISE BE PROHIBITED BY LAW. WARD VILLAGE, A MASTER PLANNED DEVELOPMENT IN HONOLULU, HAWAII, IS STILL BEING CONSTRUCTED. ANY VISUAL REPRESENTATIONS OF WARD VILLAGE OR THE CONDOMINIUM PROJECTS THEREIN, INCLUDING THEIR LOCATION, UNITS, COMMON ELEMENTS AND AMENITIES, MAY NOT ACCURATELY PORTRAY THE MASTER PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OR ITS CONDOMINIUM PROJECTS. ALL VISUAL DEPICTIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS IN THIS ADVERTISEMENT ARE FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. THE DEVELOPER MAKES NO GUARANTEE, REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER THAT THE DEVELOPMENTS, FACILITIES OR IMPROVEMENTS OR FURNISHINGS AND APPLIANCES DEPICTED WILL ULTIMATELY APPEAR AS SHOWN OR EVEN BE INCLUDED AS A PART OF WARD VILLAGE OR ANY CONDOMINIUM PROJECT THEREIN. WARD VILLAGE PROPERTIES, LLC, RB-21701. COPYRIGHT ©2020. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA BOARD OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED OR QUALIFIED THIS OFFERING.

A Remarkable Sight The design of The Park Ward Village was inspired by the mid-century modern architecture of Hawai‘i’s past. Homes here offer sweeping views overlooking ocean and mountain vistas and the spacious park below. This is the life you imagined. S T U D I O, O N E, T WO A N D T H R EE B ED RO O M S AVA I L A B L E INQUIRE WELCOMETOTHEPARKWV.COM | 808 400 8983 Offered by Ward Village Properties, LLC RB-21701

A Legacy of Building Relationships for Generations BowmanRealEstateGroup.com @THEBOWMANGROUP

MARIN MATTERS

Providing Marin families more of what they want

THEY GAVE US THE EDGE “The Bowman Real Estate Group were exactly who we needed to help us find and purchase our forever home. Jennifer & Elliott listened carefully to understand our needs, then went to work finding a home that checked off every box on our list. We have no doubt that Jennifer’s keen insight into seller psychology, negotiation strategy, data-driven offer writing, and the high regard by her professional network gave us the edge we needed that got us our dream home. ”

Cyndi and Todd Wheeler Owners - Bacchus & Venus | Sausalito, CA bacchusandvenus.com

The value of our business is measured in the quality of the relationships we build.

BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP | 415.755.1040 Team@BowmanRealEstateGroup.com DRE# 01933147

Jessica Cline

Casey Gillespie

CEO jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.302.0850

Creative Director casey@marinlivingmagazine.com

Dina Grant

Daniel Jewett

Advertising Director dina@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.238.2030

Executive Editor dan@marinlivingmagazine.com

ADVERTISING

Wine Country Advertising Consultant Chet Klingensmith chet@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.216.1780 Hawaii Region Advertising Consultant Meredith Low meredith@marinlivingmagazine.com 808.388.2644 Advertising Consultant Kim McGinnis kim@marinlivingmagazine.com 415.640.4504

EDITORIAL

Associate Editor Caitlin Hamer Contributing Designers Roberto Avalos, Jamie Bankston, David Sebo Contributing Writers Bob Cooper, Nick Czap, Joseph Knelman, Laura Schooling, Carolyne Zinko Contributing Photographers Steven J Magner, Marin Family Photography

Advertising Consultant Courtney Roberts courtney@marinlivingmagazine.com 415.297.4507

Copy Editor Cynthia Rubin

Client Services Manager Casey Hatfield-Chiotti chatfield@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.400.5661

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Editorial or Press Inquiries casey@marinlivingmagazine.com, dan@marinlivingmagazine.com

Volume 3, Issue 5. Marin Living® magazine is published in Marin County by Five19Publishing, Inc., Mill Valley, CA 94941. All rights reserved. ©2022 Five19Publishing, Inc. Marin Living® is a registered trademark of Five19Publishing, Inc. Reproduction of Marin Living is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Five19Publishing, Inc. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned. Marin Living is mailed 10 times a year to homes and businesses in Marin County and San Francisco. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Marin Living magazine, PO Box 16895, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6895.

www.marinlivingmagazine.com

BUY. SELL. PLAN. DESIGN. BUILD. We Have You Covered

A nimble boutique real estate firm that specializes in navigating the complexities of buying and selling at a competitive price. Jessica Canty Broker, MLIS, JD License #01049954 415.408.1879 jesscanty@thecantygroup.com

Since 1989 staging • design • construction • planning • permitting • property management • restoration • legal compliance

table of contents. june 2022

In-person events are back and we’ve got them covered, including S.F. Pride, Stern Grove, Fairfax Festival, Marin County Fair and more.

26 local splurges.

These trendy lighting accents will brighten your day and night.

28 beauty.

Three local spas where a seasonal refresh awaits. 10 june 2022 marin living.

30 30 eat & drink.

The Madrona in Healdsburg has a revamped look and a new menu.

32 local getaways.

Our top spots for a laid-back Santa Rosa escape.

36 take note.

Marin Shakespeare Company’s plans to open a new San Rafael performing arts center.

going places. 76 new digs.

The final phase of improvements to beloved Hawk Hill are underway.

78 land & sea.

The incredible Maserati MC20 super sports car thrills on the road.

80 voyager.

Europe’s new high-design hotels are calling — are you ready?

88 drawn together.

A San Anselmo family brings muchneeded supplies to Ukrainians.

from the team.

14 from the ceo. 16 from the creative director.

Clockwise from top left: courtesy of Borgo Santandrea; courtesy of Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens; Nicole Parisi

spotlight marin. 18 news.

Elevate Your Design

carpet | area rugs | hardwood | laminate

Flooring Design Center CSL #746886

555 E. Francisco Blvd | San Rafael | City-Carpets.com | 415.454.4200

Sunset at The Lodge at Bodega Bay

features.

Furnish With a Purpose

Mill Valley’s Prevalent Projects makes and sells modern furniture built to last, with solid wood, water-based glues and natural fibers.

Getaway by the Bay

The Lodge at Bodega Bay celebrates its 50th anniversary with sophisticated renovations, a new name and the same unmatched setting on the Sonoma Coast.

A Mighty Leap

The winery that introduced California wines to the world boasts top-notch sips and top-flight architecture to dazzle the senses.

12 june 2022 marin living.

design & domain DESIGN LIVES IN THE DETAILS

On the Cover Prevalent Projects’ Mill Valley store, photo by Steven J Magner

Courtesy of The Lodge at Bodega Bay

Liz McCarthy + Shenna Moe Team@McCarthyMoe.com | McCarthyMoe.com | DRE 01421997

The McCarthy+ Moe Group did an amazing job selling our home for top dollar for our neighborhood. They have an incredible concierge service that landscaped, updated and staged our home beautifully. Liz was a such a pleasure to work with she listened to all our questions and was so very knowledgeable and connected. I've been buying and selling real estate for 35 years and this was by far the most well executed home sale and we give the McCarthy + Moe team our highest recommendation. Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. If your property is currently listed for sale this is not a solicitation.

from the ceo.

NO JERKS ALLOWED THERE ARE RARE MOMENTS IN LIFE when you find yourself truly inspired. I had the honor of attending the inaugural conference for the new Marin Sonoma Impact Ventures (MSIV) at Dominican University last month. Did you know that if Sonoma and Marin were a state, we’d rank No. 3 for business startups in the country? I had no idea, until Zachary Kushel, founder and managing partner of MSIV, opened the conference with an enthusiastic speech and set the tone for more than 30 speakers who took the stage throughout the day. What struck me most was a common thread — the values of each company align with the ethos of the North Bay. We all agree that this area is a very special place for a lot of reasons and we are bursting with brilliant people doing extraordinary things. We are eager to tell you about many of them in upcoming issues of Marin Living. What became crystal clear to

me since that wonderful day is the need to put humans first in our businesses. Life after Covid is different for many of us and our work cultures must reflect the North Star of our companies’ missions. I’m grateful and inspired to be a part of the changing Marin demographic. In our business and in the pages of this magazine we are focused on people, culture and innovation. Our purpose is present in our everyday interactions and our incredible team is happily living the ethos that we preach — personal and family life first, and building our work lives around that. And nowhere is that more apparent than at our happy hours. These meetups are built into our company culture (cheers!) and we have a strict “no jerks allowed” policy that we take pretty darn seriously. I’m proud and tremendously excited about our future, not just for our team, but for all of Marin.

A team happy hour event in Novato with the King Floyd’s crew.

14 june 2022 marin living.

Portrait by Becca Teal Batista

Jessica Cline, CEO and Co-Founder

Pamper yourself and your friendly four-legged companions with a trip to St. Francis Winery & Vineyards. Savor our award-winning wines, indulge in our exceptional culinary pairings, and spoil your pooch with a local handmade treat. Stroll through our estate vineyard with your best friend and take in the breathtaking panoramic views. Authentic Sonoma awaits!

100% BEST FRIEND APPROVED! 100 PYTHIAN ROAD AT HWY 12, SANTA ROSA, CA | 888-675-WINE | STFRANCISWINERY.COM

from the creative director.

Home by Design

16 june 2022 marin living.

Our early morning photo shoot at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in Napa.

Casey Gillespie Creative Director and Co-Founder

Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; Steven J Magner (above)

THE CONCEPT OF BEING AT HOME has changed considerably for most of us over the last two years. What was once a place reserved for family TV nights and home-cooked meals became all things — messy work space, piecemeal gym, makeshift school and day care for the kids and everything in between. But now that we are embracing the idea of an endemic stage, the question remains — what aspects of pandemic life will linger as we enter into the new version of our old lives? I’ll be honest, I poured my sourdough starter out about six months ago. Needlepoint, cross-stitch, reupholstering projects, kimchi fermenting, the novel writing — all have gone by the wayside (good riddance). Our masterpiece of a home gym, though, that stays. One of the things that shifted for me during this period was the overwhelming need to create a living space that allowed us to not only carry out all of our daily activities, but thoroughly enjoy being in the space while doing so. Something else interesting happened. I began to look at restaurants, retail stores and hotels as inspiration for my home decor (or should I say my Covid redesign?). Those were places that I used to go to get away and now I am incorporating elements from my favorite places to stay, shop, eat and drink into our surroundings at home. And I must admit, I love it. Who doesn’t want to feel like they are sipping their morning coffee at a cafe in Paris? We like to pretend we are somewhere on the Mediterranean while lounging under the trees in our garden reading books, sipping rosé and listening to Portuguese jazz. It’s not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon. In this issue, we look at design in our domain — whether that is at home or the places we love that feel like the home we have missed over the last two years. So many businesses took the opportunity to renovate during the pandemic and we are now truly reaping the rewards of their efforts. And this stretches far and wide — we write about the bevy of new design-centric hotels in Europe that have just opened and are begging for a visit this summer. Speaking of visiting, I hope that our deep dive into the design at the legendary Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars inspires an outing, too. May your summer be filled with joyous rediscoveries and moments of savoring the simple pleasures around you!

spotlight marin.

“We deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame, and without compromise.”

Carlos de Toro

— ELLIOT PAGE

18 june 2022 marin living.

How to Take the Leap to Love

Cassie Zampa-Keim is the Bay Area’s top concierge matchmaker. A satisfied client explains why he chose Innovative Match.

Why did you hire Cassie?

Why did you take Michael on as a client?

MICHAEL: I was dating, but it never worked out well.

CASSIE: It was all about Michael’s mindset and positive attitude. Michael was serious about finding someone to date. He was laser-focused. He told me he wanted to date a woman whose lifestyle would meld with his, someone in his age group who is sincere, likes to travel and is as equally passionate about finding a partner. Michael was willing to commit to a relationship, but first, he was willing to commit to me, giving me the time and attention I needed to help him.

I was looking for the love of my life, albeit a rather lofty goal, and I was not finding the quality of woman that I wanted and was tired of being painfully lonely. I remember thinking that I use consultants, experts and coaches for my business life, so why not use an expert for my personal life?

What did you get out of hiring Cassie? MICHAEL: I was a project for Cassie. After interviewing me to determine who I am and what I wanted, Cassie “tuned me up!” She coached me on my dating skills by tweaking a few things I did before, during and after dates. And before my first date, Cassie upgraded my look. I remember her saying, “OK, now you are ready to date.” Cassie introduced me to very high-quality women, and within months, I met Liz and hit my lofty goal beyond my wildest dreams.

Is it different working with men versus women? CASSIE: Surprisingly, no. Men are easily misunderstood. So as with all my male clients, I talked to Michael and listened to him. Men have very specific needs, which align closely with women’s: they want intimacy and a quality partner with whom to share their lives. Men and women may be business leaders, but it doesn’t mean they are successful daters. It’s my job to merge these two identities.

Innovative Match, Ross | 415.259.8714 | www.innovative-match.com

news. News by Caitlin Hamer

Pride Month

Pride Wine Festival at the Academy San Francisco Pride Parade “Love Will Keep Us Together” is 2022’s theme for this two-day celebration. Festivities start on June 25 at the Civic Center, with the famous parade happening on June 26 (www.sfpride.org).

18th Annual Queer Women of Color Film Festival This free event features films created through the Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project programs (www.qwocmap.org), as well as films by independent filmmakers from around the world. Screenings take place on June 10, 11 and 12 in the Presidio Theatre in S.F.

20 june 2022 marin living.

Pride Month kicks off on June 4 at San Francisco’s luxurious private club The Academy. Co-presented with Out in the Vineyard (www. outinthevineyard.com), this evening features wine from LGBTQ+ vintners paired with food from Classic Culinaire.

Pride Celebration at Chandon Chandon (www.chandon.com) is hosting its first Pride Celebration at its Yountville winery. This June 11 event includes live music, food and wine, and an exhibition of work by artisans and local vendors from the LGBTQ+ community.

www.stock.adobe.com/lazyllama (center); wrongorright (banner)

June is Pride month and that means it’s time to get out and celebrate! From San Francisco to Wine Country and beyond, there are plenty of ways to join in the festivities and show your support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Frameline46: the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival

S.F. Pride Day at Oracle Park The San Francisco Giants (www.mlb.com/giants) are celebrating Pride on June 11. Special event tickets for this game include a pair of limitededition S.F. Pride socks. A portion of funds will be donated to local charities.

This longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival (www.frameline.org) is returning June 16 to 26, with the theme “The Coast Is Queer.” More than 90 films will be screened at a record number of venues throughout the Bay Area. Check the website for more info.

www.stock.adobe.com/aamulya (right)

Oakland Black Pride Festival

A Black Queer Expo, Masqueerade Party and other events rooted in Black, queer joy are happening at the 2022 Oakland Black Pride Festival (www.oaklandblackpride.org), June 24 to 26. This year’s theme is “Happy Hereafter.”

Pride Brunch On June 25, the 24th Annual Pride Brunch (www.prcsf.org) is returning to the Westin St. Francis. This “Love Is in the Air”–themed event will honor the grand marshals of the San Francisco Pride Parade.

marin living. june 2022 21

news.

A New Tomales Bay Resource

Summer Starts Now This summer is seeing the triumphant return of in-person events. From June 7 to 12, the de Young Museum invites floral fans to the 38th annual Bouquets to Art (deyoung.famsf.org) fundraiser, fully on-site for the first time since 2019. Visitors can admire breathtaking bouquets inspired by the museum’s permanent collection. For some fresh-air fun, the Fairfax Festival (www.townoffairfax.org) is happening June 11 and 12. This free Marin celebration includes a parade, food and drinks, arts and crafts, entertainment for kids and a flea market. On June 12, San Francisco’s Stern Grove Festival (www.sterngrove. org) kicks off its 85th season. These concerts are free (advance reservations are required) and include performances by Cat Power, Taj Mahal, LeAnn Rimes and others. Over in San Rafael, it’s time to be “So Happy Together” as the Marin County Fair (www.fair.marincounty.org) returns after a two-year hiatus. From June 30 to July 4, the county fairgrounds are home to carnival rides, food and drinks, fireworks, live music from artists like Sheila E and Digable Planets, and more.

Tomales Bay

New Adult Treatment Facility Marin Health and Human Services’ Behavioral Health and Recovery Services is partnering with Progress Foundation to operate a new adult residential treatment facility in San Rafael, the first licensed treatment center of its kind in Marin. “Our services are individualized and offered in a way that teaches and enhances movement toward increased self-sufficiency,” says Steve Fields, Progress Foundation’s executive director. Once finished, the facility will connect community members with mental health and substance use resources.

22 june 2022 marin living.

Courtesy of the Stern Grove Festival (left); courtesy of Marin County Visitors Bureau

Stern Grove Festival

Hog Island Oyster Co. is set to be the first shellfish farm in Tomales Bay to be allowed to harvest and commercially sell the seaweed that naturally grows on its gear. Commercial harvest of seaweed has been prohibited to protect Pacific herring that lay their eggs on it, but pending final approval, the company can make use of and sell the algae that is typically returned to the water or thrown away.

RussianRiverHaven.com

Guerneville 4 Beds | 2 Baths | ±1,901 Sq Ft Listed at $925,000

Traci & Beth Your Trusted Real Estate Advisors With over $400 million in combined sales, we have the knowledge, experience and insight to help you take your next steps in real estate.

traci &beth Marin

Wine Country

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news.

Sip and Savor

Accolades for Architects

A project by S.F.-based Mork-Ulnes Architects

24 june 2022 marin living.

The American Institute of Architects, San Francisco (AIASF) named their 2022 Design Awards honorees (www.aiasf.org) and hosted a recent celebration at S.F.’s PROXY. The main categories are Architecture, Interior Architecture and Unbuilt Design. These awards recognize achievements in architecture and design by local individuals and firms and celebrate the talented professionals who contribute to making the Bay Area beautiful with the buildings they design.

Courtesy of Taste of Sonoma (top); Jeremy Bittermann (bottom)

Wine Country is uncorking another month of can’t-miss events. On June 11, the city of Napa (www. donapa.com) celebrates its 175th year with The Napa Table, an extravagant outdoor dining experience that shows off the region’s world-class food scene. Portions of the evening’s proceeds will go to the Napa Food Bank. In Glen Ellen, Transcendence Theatre Company (www.transcendencetheatre.org) will begin its summer season on June 17, the first full season in-person since 2019. This award-winning outdoor entertainment experience, hosted in Jack London State Historic Park, includes a pre-show picnic before each outdoor musical revue performance, featuring gourmet food trucks and fine Sonoma wine. June 25 brings Taste of Sonoma (www.tasteofsonoma.com) to Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens. The afternoon event, presented by Vintec, will showcase Sonoma County’s famed vintners and include wine tasting, food trucks, wine seminars and more.

AN EYE FOR ARCHITECTURE Steven J Magner Photography is a full-service photo and video company specializing in interior design and architecture.

For more information www.stevenjmagner.com 310.499.8075

local splurges.

Let There Be Light It’s always the right time to add an accent piece to your room design. By Casey Gillespie 2

1. This sleek Sky Dome Pendant was designed by Pablo Pardo and is available in three different sizes (18, 24 and 32 inches) with a choice of wood or metal shade. It’s dimmable and provides gorgeous glare-free illumination. Available at Design Within Reach (2801 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur) and www.dwr. com, $650

26 june 2022 marin living.

2. Featuring dualadjustable branches and LEDs that line each arm, the Branch LED Floor Lamp by Boyd Lighting is both elegant and modern and will add a touch of sophistication to any room. Available at Natalie Mize Collective (S.F. Design Center, 2 Henry Adams Street) and www.boydlighting. com), $5,753

3. Industrial chic meets California cool with the Margot Table Lamp in aged brass. We love the edgy cement base paired with the delicate glass orb — design perfection. Available at City Lights (1585 Folsom Street, San Francisco) and www.citylightssf. com, $238

4. A collaboration between industrial designer Stefan Diez and Midgard, the AYNO Lamp features a fiberglass rod that bows with the tension of the lamp’s cable. It’s a beautiful trifecta of design, technology and function. Available at Luminaire San Francisco (128 Utah Street) and www. luminaire.com, $440

5. A thoughtprovoking lighting choice, SkLO’s Hold Pendant is formed by hand, making each piece unique, and features the signature rippling fire-polished mouth (shown here in the 18-inch model). Available at Lunaria West (124 Corte Madera Avenue, Corte Madera) and www. lunaria.us, $1,500

All images courtesy of the brands

Redefining the way your home is exposed to the market.

LEGACY MILL VALLEY COMPOUND Rarely, if ever, has there been an opportunity to own a legacy estate compound with two homes totaling over 10,000 square feet on close to an acre of land just steps from downtown Mill Valley. The property has a private gated driveway, resort style entertaining with lap pool, hot tubs, patios and terraces, mature architectural landscaping and ample flat land providing many options for lawn, playground or gardens. The primary residence has 6 bedrooms and 9.5 bathrooms with family room, screening room and home gym. The guest house has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms with two large patios, an outdoor kitchen and multiple garages for car enthusiasts. The grounds of this modern retreat feel like a boutique hotel with incredible privacy and natural beauty. This is the ultimate downtown compound that is ideal for multi-generational families that want to live close to their relatives or business executives who want a dramatic separate workspace for meetings and guests. With convenient access to the amazing shops and restaurants in downtown Mill Valley, there is no reason to give up the pleasures of urban living when you move to the suburbs.

11ETHEL.COM

OUTPOSTREALESTATE .COM

RADHI AHERN SCOT T KALMBACH 415.879.8311 DRE 01411471 | 01795204 outpost.homes

beauty.

Seasonal Refresh Whether you are prepping for a summer getaway or treating someone you love to a staycation spa day, it’s the ideal time to visit one of these local oases.

Beauty Heroes

28 june 2022 marin living.

art credit

By Casey Gillespie

Where Teen Skin Gets Pampered

Silverado Resort and Spa

Courtesy of Silverado Resort and Spa (top); courtesy of Redmint (bottom); Melissa McArdle, courtesy of Beauty Heroes (opposite)

Where Luxury & Indulgence Live

Situated in the heart of Napa, Silverado Resort and Spa is a sprawling, iconic getaway beloved by many. And while booking a day spa is de rigueur for resort guests, it’s also a coveted treat for locals looking to escape for a day of pampering in Wine Country. And you might as well go luxe, right? Try the 24 Karat Body Wrap with Golden Veil Smoothing Facial for headto-toe beautification. The body wrap leaves skin exfoliated and hydrated while a thoughtfully customized facial is the pre-party, pre-vacation or midweek pick-me-up you absolutely deserve. Be sure and book a table on the terrace at The Grill (the resort’s on-site restaurant — there is also a Market & Bakery for quick bites and coffee) for lunch pre- or post-treatment. The sweeping views of the manicured grounds are a little slice of heaven — and pair perfectly with a glass of sparkling rosé. Silverado Resort and Spa, 1600 Atlas Peak Road, Napa, www.silveradoresort.com

Beauty Heroes is known for its dedication to uber-clean products and its coveted monthly subscription service (with tons of perks for local members, by the way), but did you know that it also has a chic treatment room? Lean in, I’ll tell you more. Tucked away in a cozy alcove on the second floor, there is an airy, bright nook with enough space to make you feel like you are in a much more expansive spa retreat. While all of the treatments incorporate hero products (standouts from brands that have a cult following), the Teen Spirit Facial is one to note. The 60-, 75- or 90-minute facial addresses the distinct concerns that teens have to deal with, while also imparting educational tidbits on how to keep up the healthy skin practices at home. There is even a cozy love seat for parents who want to be with their teen in the treatment room. Pretty terrific, right? Beauty Heroes, 817 Grant Avenue, Novato, www.beauty-heroes.com

Where Mind & Body Meet

Redmint, a wellness center known for its traditional Chinese Medicine take on natural skin care, has just opened a second dreamy location on Fillmore Street in San Francisco — and if there was any doubt, it is well worth the drive. If Botox and fillers aren’t your thing, but you still want younger-looking skin, then you must try the Glow Acupuncture treatment. Just like in traditional acupuncture, needles are used to stimulate and soothe, depending on what your body needs, and the effects of this treatment are immediate, lasting and cumulative. If you are looking for collagen stimulation, to erase wrinkles and fine lines, to even out skin tone or to increase the skin’s tightness, this customizable treatment can do all those things and then some. A series of treatments is recommended for the best results. The good news is that Redmint offers a monthly membership that reduces the cost of treatments and keeps you on track with your regular tune-ups. No kidding, this might be the best thing since the advent of retinol. Redmint, 2044 Fillmore Street, 2nd floor, San Francisco, www.redmint.com

Redmint

marin living. june 2022 29

eat & drink.

Inn With the New

A beloved Healdsburg hotel gets a modern refresh to match the culinary delights within. By Caitlin Hamer

30 june 2022 marin living.

SONOMA COUNTY MIGHT BEST BE KNOWN for endless acres of vineyards and an abundance of wineries to ensconce yourself in, but the region also boasts beautiful inns and hotels nestled amid the bucolic landscape. One such hidden gem is the newly reopened boutique hotel, The Madrona (www.themadronahotel.com). Many locals will already be familiar with the hotel’s previous incarnation, Madrona Manor, but this Healdsburg destination is now under the ownership of renowned San Francisco–based interior designer Jay Jeffers (www.jayjeffers.com). Originally built in 1881 as a private residence, The Madrona derives most of its charm from the exteriors. Situated on eight acres of lush,

Matthew Millman

The Madrona

Matthew Millman (left); Nicola Parisi, courtesy of The Madrona (right)

Jay Jeffers

romantic grounds, the 16,000-squarefoot gabled mansion, along with the Carriage House and private bungalows, beckons guests with its design. And while it still emphasizes that “beauty for beauty’s sake” style, Jeffers applied his talents to redesigning the interiors of the former bed-and-breakfast. After spending a little over a year on refurbishment, Jeffers and his business partner, Cory Schisler, opened the doors to guests in April. “The original residence and its Aesthetic Movement charm served as my main inspiration for the design, but I also sought to incorporate new ideas and contemporary pieces for an eclectic mix of Old World and new that makes The Madrona timeless,” says Jeffers. Devotees of the hotel’s culinary offerings can breathe a sigh of relief, as chef Jesse Mallgren has returned to the on-site restaurant. For the uninitiated: Mallgren was the executive chef at Madrona Manor for more than 20 years, earning a Michelin star 13 years in a row. Though the restaurant’s menu has been completely reinvented for reopening, it still calls on Mallgren’s California-French techniques as well as other international influences. “It’s no longer a delicate prix-fixe menu, but now the entire menu can either be shared or coursed out so that guests can enjoy it in a more approachable way,” says Mallgren, who grew up in Northern California and cites the region as inspiration for many of his dishes. The restaurant at The Madrona will be open for all-day dining seven days a week with brunch on weekends. As is a must in Wine Country, visitors can expect an expertly curated wine list, but a partnership with West Bev also promises creative cocktails. The approachability of the new menu extends to the atmosphere of the property itself, with the restaurant and common spaces mirroring that spirit. The dining room walls are a bright and lively yellow, while the front parlor is a welcoming shade of periwinkle. Both color choices are a nod to the on-site gardens, which the restaurant sources from. “Chef Mallgren’s menu, while distinctively Northern California, also has some international influence, which is inspired by his own travels,” Jeffers says. “We took a similar approach to the design, where much of it is from local artisans and even original to the property, but there are some eclectic pieces from around the world that make The Madrona look and feel collected over time.” New and returning guests can expect accommodations that go above and beyond comfort, with the added flair of Jeffers’s sophisticated design choices. Though it’s certainly a place where one can bask in the luxury of Sonoma’s Wine Country, guests will also enjoy a sense of vitality and liveliness as they lounge on the front porch or indulge in a meal on the Palm Terrace. No longer just a place for special occasions, The Madrona is a place for celebrating life every day.

The Apples to Apples cocktail

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local getaways.

Flamingo Resort pool

A Day Out in Santa Rosa Stephanie Russo

By Casey Gillespie

32 june 2022 marin living.

Courtesy of Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens

Santa Rosa is synonymous with Charles Schulz — and his presence is felt nearly everywhere, with loving nods to the Peanuts crew sprinkled all around — but this charming Sonoma town has so much more to offer. With an incredible lineup of musical events at the Luther Burbank Center and a busy summer schedule at the county fairgrounds, there is always something fun just around the corner. Whether you are traveling for a concert, food festival or just for a quiet weekend away in Wine Country, Santa Rosa is the ideal destination for a laidback weekend escape.

Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens

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local getaways.

Flamingo Resort 2777 FOURTH STREET

www.flamingoresort.com If you need an injection of Palm Springs without leaving the Bay Area then make the Flamingo Resort your next stop. Revamped interiors, a reimagined indoor-outdoor Lazeaway Club restaurant (serving a California take on Thai favorites) and a heated pool for living out all your 1950s fantasies — this hotel has fun family getaway written all over it.

Grossman’s Noshery & Bar 308 ½ WILSON STREET

www.grossmanssr.com Described as “a taste of Brooklyn in Wine Country,” this East Coast–inspired bakery, deli and bar is everything you hope it would be. Delicious bagels and schmears (don’t forget the lox), knishes, pastrami on rye and a signature cocktail list — need we say more?

Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens 5007 FULTON ROAD

www.kj.com One of Sonoma’s most recognized names in winemaking, Kendall-Jackson is a staple of the Santa Rosa wine scene. No trip to the area is complete without a visit. This month, don’t miss its Farm-to-Table dinner series, which kicks off on June 11 (and runs through October), or the much-anticipated Taste of Sonoma food and wine festival (www.tasteofsonoma. com) on June 25.

Made Local Marketplace www.madelocalmarketplace.com

Lazeaway Club brunch

34 june 2022 marin living.

A short drive from downtown (and tucked away in a little shopping strip with other must-visit stores like Sur La Table), this shop stocks an eclectic mix of locally made goods ranging from teas, jams and superfood powders to pottery, candles and jewelry. Looking for a gift? This is the place.

Courtesy of the Flamingo Resort

2421 MAGOWAN DRIVE

What’s Happening in Santa Rosa This Month Saturday, June 4 The second largest Pride Festival in Northern California is in Santa Rosa. The festival takes place on Saturday, but expect a weekend filled with fabulous fun — and plenty of food and wine, of course. www.sonomacountypride.org Saturday and Sunday, June 4 & 5

Courtesy of Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic (left); courtesy of Made Local Marketplace (right)

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Hot Air Balloon Classic is a one-of-a-kind Bay Area event and one that has to be witnessed in person. It’s a very early start, but well worth setting your alarm for. www.schabc.org Friday and Saturday, June 10 & 11 Peggy Sue’s Car Show & Cruise is a must for classic all-American car lovers. Whether you are participating or just there to enjoy the show, it’s guaranteed to get your motor running. www.cruiseforpeggysue.com Saturday, June 11 A beer fest in Wine Country? Absolutely. Proceeds from Beer Fest – The Good One benefit Face to Face, a nonprofit on a mission to end HIV in Sonoma. More than 40 breweries will have offerings on tap. beerfestthegoodone.f2f.org Saturday, June 18 ‘Tis the season for food and wine festivals! North Coast Food & Wine Festival promises a day filled with incredible chefs, live music, interactive experiences and the best wines around. www. northcoastwineandfood.com

Made Local Marketplacce

Olive + Rose

Vintner’s Resort

111 FOURTH STREET

4350 BARNES ROAD

www.oliveandrosestudio.com

www.vintnersresort.com

This gem of a store — which is also the brick-and-mortar location of the O + R interior design studio — is situated on a corner of Railroad Square and is the epitome of chic Sonoma style. The thoughtful collection includes luxe bedding, bath towels, throw pillows and so much more.

One step onto this property and you are immediately transported to Tuscany thanks to its Old World charm and lush grounds. With a brand-new spa (with 15 percent off treatments for Bay Area locals Monday through Thursday), an iconic restaurant and breathtaking garden and vineyard views from almost every window — this charming hotel begs an overnight stay.

The Branch Line 10 FOURTH STREET, STE. 100

This recently opened plant-based eatery and mercantile now occupies the former Flying Goat Coffee space in Railroad Square (it is a sister property of The Pharmacy Cafe). This will definitely be your first stop if you take the oh-so-convenient SMART train (the store is located just outside the station), and it’s a soon-to-be favorite for vegans and carnivores alike.

Wild Honey Mercantile 2332 MAGOWAN DRIVE

www.wildhoneymercantile.com A perfect shop for the woman who loves pretty things. The store’s clothing selection epitomizes California’s bohemian chic aesthetic with a tempting array of bath and wellness items, jewelry, kitchen accessories and more — it’s nearly impossible to leave empty-handed.

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take note.

Second Act

All the world’s a stage at this San Rafael performing arts center to open in the fall. By Bob Cooper

MACBETH HAD TO DEAL with a power-hungry wife and King Lear with power-hungry daughters. Marin Shakespeare Company (MSC, www.marinshakespeare.org) managing director Lesley Currier only has to deal with another kind of power while overseeing the long-awaited completion of MSC’s new performance center in downtown San Rafael. “We’re waiting on PG&E,” she says, knocking on wood — a wooden beam inside the former Heller’s for Children building at 514 Fourth Street. “Once they give us additional electrical capacity, we can open the Center for Performing Arts, Education and Social Justice in October.” It will be the 36 june 2022 marin living.

final act in a drama that began when she and her husband, artistic director emeritus Robert Currier, purchased the building with a $2.1 million anonymous donation in 2017. The theater company is best known for the Shakespeare plays it’s staged every summer since 1990 at Dominican University’s Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, which underwent nearly $1 million in improvements in 2020. No productions were staged in 2020 or 2021 due to Covid, but Emilia (July 2–August 7) and Twelfth Night (August 26–October 2) are slated this year. But it’s the new indoor performance center — five blocks from Dominican and painstakingly

Courtesy of Marin Shakespeare Company (this page and opposite bottom)

Breaking ground on the San Rafael performing arts center

Portrait by Marin Family Photography

renovated over the last five years — that excites Currier, because events and programs can be offered there year-round. “We have only operated from our house,” says Currier, “where we’ve also had to store all the costumes — even under our kids’ beds. This building is necessary so that the company can live beyond us.” Despite supply-chain and Covid-related delays, plumbing issues and ballooning costs ($5.5 million) that force Currier to admit that they’ll be fundraising “forever,” most of the infrastructure work is now complete. A large upstairs room is filled with thousands of costumes and props ranging from military uniforms and swords to hippie outfits and a wizard’s staff. Still unfinished are the lobby, box office, catering kitchen, classrooms, greenroom, dressing rooms, offices, restrooms, LED lighting and 165-seat performance space. Currier envisions many uses for the building, most of them in keeping with MSC’s slogan and operating principle: “Playing for Good.” Participants in MSC programs include inmates in 11 California prisons (including San Quentin), ex-cons in the Returned Citizens Theatre Troupe, kids in after-school and weekend drama classes, and military veterans in acting classes. It’s all part of MSC’s social justice mission. As Currier explains: “We use theater to heal the world and make it better.” The new center will welcome not only all kinds of people but all art forms, from art exhibits to music and dance performances. Currier hopes the building’s 17-foot-high windows will cause passersby to take notice while performances are underway. “It will be the newest jewel among the arts organizations on Fourth Street,” she notes with pride. While Mill Valley’s Marin Theatre Company focuses on new plays, she says that MSC will continue to present Shakespeare and experimental theater. All theater has suffered during Covid, especially local nonprofit theater like MSC, so building a new indoor performance venue during a time when no one has been attending indoor performances was as risky as Romeo’s decision to court a Capulet. Many theater professionals and actors have moved away or taken “real” jobs, Currier laments, and she’s not sure how many will return. But she is an optimist who, as Romeo would put it, focuses on the light that “through yonder window breaks.”

“We use theater to heal the world and make it better.” — LESLEY CURRIER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MARIN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

The new 165-seat indoor performance space

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FURNISH

with a purpose

Prevalent Projects proves that choosing furniture is about more than just aesthetics.

A HOME IS COMPOSED OF MANY ELEMENTS; many say the furniture you bring into it is the most important thing and should have the perfect blend of practicality, comfort and style. But there are other factors that the owners of Mill Valley’s Prevalent Projects urge everyone to consider before they purchase furniture: nontoxicity and sustainability. First opened in late 2018, Mill Valley’s Prevalent Projects (www. prevalentprojects.com) is a modern furniture store and interior design studio that’s setting out to change the furniture game in Marin County. Owners Floyd and Julia Albee are uniquely qualified for the business, as Floyd has built an impressive career in production design for the film industry, while Julia’s prolific work as a photographer has included capturing interiors. They both 38 june 2022 marin living.

Images by Julia Albee

By Caitlin Hamer

Julia is particularly sensitive to typical furniture materials like formaldehyde, particleboard, toxic glue and foam containing VOCs (volatile organic compounds). For their store, the Albees prefer to source and sell furniture made from solid wood, water-based glues and natural fabrics and fibers. “We’re also trying to provide a warm, very comfortable feel, and we just didn’t see that,” adds Floyd. “Generally speaking, a lot of modern looks are minimalist and austere. We were trying to do something different than that.” The pieces sold at Prevalent Projects certainly reflect those ideas. Emphasizing a Japanese/Scandinavian aesthetic, the wide selection features transitional looks that can fit seamlessly into your home right alongside other styles. The warm, cozy comfort of Scandinavian style — think hygge — is also a good fit for the more temperate climates of Marin. Of course, the production process, as well as the materials used, can lead to a higher price point, but furniture, which gets such frequent use, should be an investment, the couple says. Floyd argues that paying less for your furniture almost guarantees that you’ll end up with something that will fall apart in a few years. “The average life span of a thing you buy in America before it ends up in a landfill is six months,” he adds. “We can’t keep throwing things away. We’re selling stuff that lasts you decades.”

An interior design project by the Albees that incorporates custom furniture pieces from Prevalent Projects Originals.

have an eye for what looks good, and they’re not afraid to be the first to bring their tastes to Marin. Previously based in Los Angeles, the Albees arrived in Mill Valley for what was meant to be a temporary relocation. While here, they thought to open an interior design business. And they figured that the best way to launch an interior design company was to open a thoughtfully considered store, a move that would also address the dearth of local furniture offerings that suited their tastes and needs. “I saw a lot of stainless steel,” says Julia of their early searches. “Most furniture manufactured in America is probably one of the most hazardous things we put in our home.” Due to an autoimmune disease and year-round allergies,

Prevalent Projects’ Mill Valley store

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Prevalent Projects currently stocks more than 30 brands from all over the world. In some instances, the store has been the first retailer to carry some of these foreign brands stateside. And while they often seek out companies that produce lines they’d like to offer, they’re successful enough that some companies have started reaching out to them. Currently, the Albees are excited to have found two lines that manufacture products at solar-powered, zero-waste factories. This, Julia says, is her dream for U.S. manufacturing — as long as it’s done in a nontoxic way. Roughly a year after opening their doors, the Albees began the process of creating their own furniture line. They started by launching an upholstery line in 2019, then began building upon the brand with handmade goods that are primarily produced in Sausalito. Prevalent Projects Originals currently includes three coffee tables, all made from oak, and two luxurious sofas. All the furniture is designed by Floyd and Julia, but they are planning on collaborations in the future. “It’s all based on need,” says Julia. “We saw giant, gaping holes in areas like bedside tables, small wardrobes and solid wood coffee tables. Our sofa line is just based on the sort of home that we see people have in the Bay Area.” The Albees strive to make their pieces timeless as well as high quality and, of course, nontoxic. In order to ensure the quality of the sofas meets their high standards, the pieces are bench-made, a process that combines attentive craftsmanship with the best materials, resulting in a premium product. “I love the concept of bench-made,” says Julia. “The order comes in, and the person building it kind of lives with it from start to finish. They might work with another artisan on upholstery or the frame, but you are essentially having one person make it in a step-by-step process.” The personal touch that the Albees are so fond of doesn’t just come with the chairs, bed frames, tables and endless options for storage that they sell. Bringing in the interior design side of the business, they can walk customers through the process of transforming their homes. They offer both full remodels, which can involve architectural intervention such as moving walls, and less intensive redesign plans that focus more on the pieces you fill your home with. “When we meet with clients, people fall in love with the aesthetic, and that’s the easy part,” says Floyd. “But we’ll also speak to comfort, use, entertaining, children and pets.” In addition to the larger furniture pieces customers are bound to be attracted to, Prevalent Projects also carries a number of carefully selected home goods, like lighting options, rugs and other upholstery items, vases and even home fragrances. “I think that if we have the luxury of buying new furniture, we should have the luxury of choosing items that are nontoxic,” says Julia. “Nontoxic and sustainability go hand in hand. The beauty is that people here in Marin care.” 40 june 2022 marin living.

Bess Friday (portrait); Julia Albee

A partial kitchen remodel project by the Albees that reflects their chic, sustainable design aesthetic. (below); Floyd and Julia Albee (left)

“The average life span of a thing you buy in America

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before it ends up in a landfill is six months.”

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42 june 2022 marin living.

Getaway by the Bay

The Lodge at Bodega Bay celebrates its 50th anniversary with sophisticated renovations, a new name and the same unmatched setting on the Sonoma Coast that has made it a beloved destination for decades.

artimages All credit courtesy of The Lodge at Bodega Bay

By Laura Schooling

The entrance to The Lodge at Bodega Bay as many remember it.

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44 june 2022 marin living.

Bodega Bay Beach

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THOUGH HOME PRICES have skyrocketed in the Bay Area — along with everywhere else — Bodega Bay has barely changed in the last few decades, unlike other once-sleepy local tourist destinations. Fishing boats unload their daily catch at the docks. Saltwater taffy and kite stores dot the one-lane highway that snakes through town. Every time I visit I timetravel back to days spent there as a kid, just 20 miles from my hometown of Santa Rosa. It doesn’t require any imagination to understand why when a couple of East Coast transplants spotted a roadside motor lodge along Highway One in Bodega Bay in 1972 they thought it was worth quitting their jobs, investing everything they had and making managing the property their full-time occupation. The once sleepy 36-room pit stop for passersby (formerly, Bodega Bay Lodge) is now called The Lodge at Bodega Bay, an 83-room destination hotel and part of the family-owned Woodside Hotel Group. Woodside’s CEO, Greg Alden, was born the year his parents purchased the lodge, and he remembers its early days. “If we needed a new mattress for one of the hotel rooms, my dad would buy a mattress and take it up on the roof of the station wagon. Everything was bootstrapped.” The majority of the rooms and suites have just been fully renovated (with 15 more to be redone by end of year) with new furniture, fixtures, linens and fireplaces. The spa-like bathrooms were all updated a couple years back. Now it’s not just about the view from the room, but about the beauty of the room itself. Alden says, “We tried to keep the soul of the property the same — the coastal retreat atmosphere. It’s a hub for how one might explore the Sonoma Coast.” The Lodge at Bodega Bay is the epitome of low-slung rustic luxury — shingle, stone and seagrass with views for days. It happens to sit on arguably one of the most stunning coastlines in the world: rugged and untamed, windswept and often downright chilly. A walk down from the property to Doran Beach is nothing short of restorative. Alden suggests, “Wake up in the morning, grab a cup of coffee and walk down to Doran Park Beach. Hear the waves, see the sunrise and breathe that fresh coastal air.” This

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“We tried to keep the soul of the property the same — the coastal retreat atmosphere. It’s a hub for how one might explore the Sonoma Coast.”

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46 june 2022 marin living.

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The hotel’s lobby

two-mile-long beach is a popular destination for day-trippers and overnight campers. As you cross the dunes, you’ll find yourself on the quiet side of the beach. You may see horses trot by, seals pop up in the water or even whales migrating. Stroll back along the Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail (be forewarned: you’ll have a one-minute walk in the highway’s bike lane at the end). My husband, an exhaustive traveler, declares the view from the lodge’s hot tub one of the best in the world. Don sunglasses and a hat to block the glare, and dunk yourself, facing the saltwater marsh and the bay beyond. Follow this up with a massage in one of the two neighboring treatment rooms. An overhyped and overpriced spa this is not. Truth be told, I’ve driven out just for a massage. Sit by the window at the Drakes Sonoma Coast restaurant or the completely reimagined Fireside Lounge with three new sunsetfacing fire pits and you’re likely to see an egret take flight or a white-tailed rabbit hop past. The menu reflects the unpretentious sophistication of the property and it’s equally worth visiting here for breakfast or dinner. For those inclined to take suggestions, I can’t say no to the farmer’s omelet for breakfast, but my weaker friends have fallen in love with the cornflake-crusted French toast. To end the day, do as the locals do. “Without a doubt, I’ll get the fresh seafood,” Alden says. “The chef is always down at the docks and whatever comes in fresh is put on the menu. It’s hard to pass that up.” If you can manage to tear yourself away, drive out to Bodega Head, a peninsula that juts out into the Pacific, with diverse hiking terrain, stunning views and plenty of parking. For a nosh, there are vocal Spud Point Crab Company devotees, but for me it’s always the bayside picnic tables, fish tacos and a pint of Pliny the Elder at Fishetarian Fish Market (pro tip: order in advance from your phone). Or brush the sand off your toes and book dinner at the incomparably down-to-earth, Michelin-starred restaurant Terrapin Creek. As the fog rolls in and night approaches, the foghorn sounds. This is your cue to take one last look at the sweeping views across the bay, settle into a luxuriously outfitted guest room and dream of the sea. The Lodge at Bodega Bay, 103 Coast Highway One, Bodega Bay, 707.875.3525, www.lodgeatbodegabay.com

“Hear the waves, see the sunrise and breathe that fresh coastal air.”

The newly added outdoor fire pits.

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48 june 2022 marin living.

A Mighty Leap Emerging from two years of cocooned existence, the explorers among us are heading straight for bucket list trips abroad. Here’s an easier way to unfurl the wings and take flight: a visit to Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, a history-making winery with top-notch sips and top-flight architecture to dazzle the senses.

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By Carolyne Zinko Photography by Steven J Magner

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IN CONTRAST TO THE INWARDLY focused tasting rooms at the castles, châteaus and farm-chic wineries dotting Napa and Sonoma valleys, the experience at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is about the land and the legend influencing the libations at hand. The winery, founded by Warren Winiarski 50 years ago, put California on the international map when its cabernet defeated the top Bordeaux wineries in a blind tasting at the Judgment of Paris in 1976. Winiarski, who won the Smithsonian Institution’s James Smithson Bicentennial Medal in 2019 for contributions to American history, has created another international gem with the winery’s visitor center and tasting room, a marvel designed by one of the globe’s foremost experts in integrative architecture. The idea was that the building and land would unite. It was Javier Barba, founder and CEO of BC Estudio Architects in Barcelona, who brought it into form. He’d been enlisted years earlier, in the 1990s, for a major project at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars that integrated the caves into the landscape, after Winiarski saw an example of his work in the pages of Architectural Digest — a stunning project that blended a hidden quarry into a hillside swimming pool and pavilion project for a British banker on Corfu, Greece. For the winery’s subsequent visitor center and tasting room project, Barba designed a 6,000-square-foot building that appears to grow out of the ground. Diagonal stone walls purposely mirror the rocky outcroppings of Stags Leap ridge, for which the winery is named. Interior stone walls exude an Old World vibe, while modern, floor-to-ceiling glass windows anchor the building in the present and flood it with natural light.

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Massive floor-to-ceiling windows bring in light and offer stunning views.

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Rocks leftover from tunneling form the walls, which mirror the outcroppings of the ridge.

52 june 2022 marin living.

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While sipping, guests take in a vineyard view that’s specifically oriented toward the ridge where, legend has it, the native Wappo Indians watched a stag leap across a V-shaped niche on the mountain. The FAY Outlook & Visitor Center (named for pioneering cabernet grape grower Nathan Fay) was brought to reality by Daniel Macdonald AIA Architects of Novato. Barba sketched ideas on a flight to San Francisco, his drawings driven by the idea that “it needed to be integrated with the rocks of Stags Leap, it needed to be powerful architectonically, and it needed to be functional, rational and emotional.” Although fully planned in 2002, the visitor center was not completed until 2014. In the intervening years, Winiarski sold Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in 2007 to a partnership between Marchesi Antinori and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Like all things that look simple, the visitor center was actually “very difficult,” says Macdonald, who worked in tandem with contractor Rudolph and Sletten, Sandra Reed of ZAC Landscape Architects, and Barba, who made regular site visits. The building contains $400,000 worth of glass — 14 insulated windows, the largest of which are 12 feet by 10 feet each — trucked in over the Rockies and installed by crane. Instead of large pieces of steel holding the windows together, structural engineers created the thinnest supports possible to avoid marring the view. Similarly, special steel supports were made to anchor the glass to the walls so that the glass “almost disappears into the stone,” Macdonald says. Meanwhile, stonemasons sifted through piles of rubble on the property, leftovers from the tunneling, to find rocks suitable for the walls.

Tastings Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (last pour at 4 p.m.), reservations required, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, 5766 Silverado Trail, Napa, 707.261.6410, www.stagsleapwinecellars.com

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They made no cuts, and no mortar is visible, an example of “fantastic masonry,” says Macdonald. Redwood walls and custom lighting add a warm ambience. But cork flooring and a fireplace, for coziness, were vetoed — not for looks, but because their aromas might interfere with wine tasting. A new display case with the original letter and scoring sheets from the Judgment of Paris was mounted on a wall in 2016 and an outdoor tasting area was added in 2017. The stirring of emotions and intellect adds an intangible dimension to the winery’s tactile Celestial Tour & Tasting, with pours of three estategrown cabernet sauvignons: FAY, S.L.V. and the flagship CASK 23 and bites by chef Travis Westrope ($125 per person, by reservation only). “It’s almost as if the whole story is there in front of you while you are tasting,” winemaker Marcus Notaro says. “The rock where the legendary stag ‘leaped,’ the rocks themselves that radiate heat back into our little valley during the early afternoon, the cool winds that pick up in the late afternoon or the fog in the morning burning off, these are the real elements of our terroir that allow us to grow world-class grapes that you can see right outside.” In the weaving of history and geology, of weather and winemaking, Barba wants guests to feel if not cocooned, then embraced. “The important thing,” Barba says, “is that when people arrive, they are conducted from the door in a smooth and gentle way and they see the top of this magic mountain, and this creates something that makes them taste the wine in a very gentle, emotional, beautiful way.”

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Warren Winiarski passes the outdoor tasting area, which was added in 2017.

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PROMOTION

Community Minded A Refreshingly Different Real Estate Group The members of the McCarthy + Moe Group are known for being down to earth, undeterred negotiators, dedicated problem solvers, and are in the top 1 percent of all Marin agents. They understand it can be an overwhelming task to buy and sell real estate. The team will help you every step along the way so you can achieve your goals — their positive testimonials speak for themselves. McCarthy + Moe clients benefit from the synergy of their combined expertise, making intelligent pricing decisions and efficiently managing the details of every transaction. Liz McCarthy and Shenna Moe | McCarthy + Moe Group COMPASS | 415.295.6225 | 300 Drakes Landing Road, Ste. 120, Greenbrae, CA 94904 | www.mccarthymoe. com team@mccarthymoe.com | DRE #01421997

Buy the Home of Your Dreams With Golden Gate Lending Group Sellers like cash! Be a cash-like homebuyer in today’s competitive real estate market and close quickly. Golden Gate Lending Group offers short-term bridge loans made easy to help your offer stand out in the crowd. Our team is here to serve you, and we’ll approve you in less than 24 hours at no cost to you. Golden Gate Lending Group 1680 Tiburon Boulevard, Ste. 9, Tiburon, CA 94920 415.706.8465 sofia@gglendinggroup.com I www.gglendinggroup.com / @goldengate_bridgeloans DRE #1405277, NMLS #241012

A Real Estate Professional With Passion and Authenticity Payam Ghafoori brings an unrivaled approach to the residential real estate industry. A Marin County and San Francisco native, he’s learned every inch of these areas. His tenacity and in-depth market knowledge allow his clientele to thrive in their real estate endeavors. Payam keeps his client’s best interests in laser-focus, and you can always trust that he is on top of every detail, which brings great peace of mind in any real estate transaction. If you are buying or selling a home, do yourself a favor and hire Payam Ghafoori. Payam Ghafoori | payam@compass.com | 415.577.5252 / @payam_ghafoori www.payamghafoori.com | DRE #01935373

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Creating and defining your identity is our passion. What your business needs is an aggressive marketing plan to separate you from the competition. Now is the time to put your plan in place. We can help. Communicating and delivering your strategic message is the difference between winking in the dark and actively wooing customers to your business. Let us develop a full creative and marketing strategy for your business. About Us We are a group of talented creative and marketing professionals who have turned decades of experience into a new Marin County media company. five19 | publishing includes Marin Living magazine and five19 | brandstudio. Contact Jessica Cline at 707.302.0850 or jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com to get started.

Trailblazing Men Meet Marin’s Trailblazing Men. You know who they are — they are creative, innovative and resourceful. They steer clear of mediocrity and boldly pave their own path when it comes to providing exceptional services, products and connections. They are always looking for ways to raise the bar and improve their offerings so customers and clients know they are working with the best in the business.

PROMOTION

trailblazing men

Jamison Blair Team Blair Tahoe Lake Tahoe luxury lifestyle specialists. What makes your team trailblazers? Our team sets a high standard for success, and is continually looking for ways to elevate the way we interact with our clients and handle each transaction. My wife, Nicole, and I are continually assessing strategic growth opportunities in and around Lake Tahoe. Describe how you use resourcefulness to stay ahead of the pack? Our decision to join Compass and leverage its industry leading technology was a decisive move that has since inspired further investments in tools and technologies that give our agents all the resources they need to be successful. We regularly pursue networking opportunities with other top agents to learn and expand our own business. How do you offer your clients the ultimate in customer service? Our agents are truly best in class in regional real estate knowledge and client care. Our support staff is equally dedicated to ensuring a seamless experience buying or selling real estate. What makes Lake Tahoe a great place to invest in real estate? The Lake Tahoe lifestyle is truly unique — the year-round outdoor activities, beautiful landscape and community amenities are a rare combination. Jamison Blair, Team Blair Tahoe 521 N. Lake Boulevard Tahoe City, CA 96145 | 530.581.1400 info@teamblairtahoe.com www.teamblairtahoe.com /@teamblairtahoe DRE #01246366 | NV BS. #0145686

PROMOTION

trailblazing men

Elliott Fink Bowman Real Estate Group Let this team exceed your real estate expectations.

What separates your business from the pack? We are a group of specialists who have been working together as a group long before the trendy “team concept” was in vogue. It just makes sense to work with people who are accomplished in the diverse disciplines required to fully represent a client: negotiation, construction, legal contracts, architecture, hospitality, psychology, marketing and social networking. How are you boldly paving the way in your industry? When we are listing a house, I actually accompany the various inspectors as

they crawl under, into and on top of homes during the physical evaluation process. Many times, I will discuss methods of correcting any adverse conditions encountered with the inspectors so I may present various options to the homeowner. When we are representing a buyer, I am able to read the inspection reports and then evaluate the potential severity of issues. How do you offer your clients the ultimate in customer service? Our process offers a very “high touch” experience. We endeavor to make the experience fun and have pleasant surprises for our clients along the way.

PROMOTION

trailblazing men

Warren Gendel and Scott K Raymond Club Evexia Setting the standard for a luxury fitness and social club in Marin.

What makes your team trailblazers? In the midst of the pandemic, we maintained the vision that people would be eager to ditch their home gyms and virtual workouts and get back to in-real-life engagement. Second, we created an environment unique to Marin, and the fitness industry as a whole, combining all the aspects of a traditional gym and fitness studio into a luxury fitness and social club, creating a one-of-a-kind member experience in a world-class setting. What separates your business from the pack. As local owner-operators, our attention to every detail and cleanliness of the club

sets us apart. We offer a five-star resortlevel experience like no other, with simple and consistent membership rates, no initiation fees or contract required, and we are fully vaccinated. We put our focus on the member experience. How are you boldly paving the way? By creating a luxury fitness experience in a friendly, welcoming setting based around community and education. We are committed to our members’ wellbeing and supporting their work-life balance. We believe Club Evexia does that with state-of-the-art equipment, elite trainers and instructors, workspace lounges, infrared sauna therapy, and social and educational events.

PROMOTION

trailblazing men

Payam Ghafoori Compass Setting the highest standard for quality of work and professionalism. What makes you a trailblazer? I’ve fostered partnerships with more than 15 Instagram real estate pages that have a total of 5.2 million followers. For maximum exposure, my sellers’ properties will be syndicated across the top luxury real estate Instagram platforms worldwide. No other agent in Marin County has this type of reach and exposure on social media. How do you raise the bar and let your clients know they are working with the best? I am extremely attentive to my clients’ needs when searching for or selling a home. I’m available 24/7 for my clients. My clients get access to a complimentary Tesla shuttle service while touring properties. I take a considerable amount of time to meet with my clients in-person, understanding what their needs are, and make an effort to communicate updates and milestones daily. My average response time is less than 5 minutes. What separates you from the pack? The quality of work and professionalism I deliver has caught the attention of even the principals on the other side of the transaction. Meaning, if I was representing a buyer in a transaction, the seller has reached out to me after the transaction to work with me. Vice versa, when representing the seller, after the transaction the buyer has reached out to work with me. Payam Ghafoori payam@compass.com | 415.577.5252 /@payam_ghafoori www.payamghafoori.com DRE #01935373

PROMOTION

trailblazing men

Randy Gibson, L.Ac. 9 Corners Med-Cryo-Spa Using science to help you live a longer, higher quality life.

How are you boldly paving the way in your industry? Blending science, technology and lifestyle we assess the human body from genotypes to phenotypes. This means our clients no longer need to be victims of their family’s poor health histories. We help them build, epigenetically, a new cellular structure to live longer, higher quality lives. What can a client expect while in your care? A BioCode is performed so that we can assess their metabolic, energetic and cellular status. The results establish a foundation to develop a customized

program. This includes massage, acupuncture, Pagani, whole body cryotherapy, spot cryotherapy, full spectrum sauna and fasting-mimicking nutrition. Have you launched any new products? The award-winning Pagani T-Shock with Static Pads can be found exclusively at 9 Corners. It is the most advanced, nonsurgical method for permanent fat removal and toning of stubborn fat deposits in the stomach, buttocks, hips, back, thighs and arms. The results are fabulous. Indulge yourself today with an appointment at 9 Corners Wellness Galleria and experience the greatness.

9 Corners Med-Cryo-Spa | 208 Vintage Way, Ste. K29, Novato, CA 94945 415.209.9600 | info@9corners.com | www.9corners.com

PROMOTION

trailblazing men

Joshua Grout Larkspur Builders General contractors with talent and heart. What is it about you and your team that makes you trailblazers? On paper, we are another high-end residential general contracting firm working in S.F., Marin and Wine Country. What makes us different — trailblazers, if you will — is our team’s incredible talent and knowledge, and the quality of work that we can produce. My project manager, Andrew Cruz, and I grew up in the trades and spent time in the trenches, from foundations to framing to finish. What we learned and what we know helps guide our process of assembling an amazing team. We have a group of the most considerate, caring and compassionate individuals, who happen to be exceptional carpenters and craftsmen. What separates your business from the pack? Learned experience. Years of living in Larkspur, raising a family in Marin, and being very involved have provided me a true understanding of my community. Growing up in the trades with a father who was a general contractor, working with his crew, honing my skills under the guidance of seasoned professionals, learning management skills, yet always understanding that the true value of high-quality work begins with craftsmanship. Most of the incredibly talented carpenters I have met in my 16 years in the Bay Area now work for my company.

Larkspur Builders 1686 Union Street, Ste. 211, San Francisco, CA 94123 415.760.2123 | josh@larkspurbuilders.com www.larkspurbuilders.com /@larkspurbuilders Lic #1029556

Andrew Cruz and Joshua Grout

PROMOTION

trailblazing men

Rudy Hassid Floortex Design This flooring and interiors boutique has unmatched history in the industry. How are you boldly paving the way in your industry? First and foremost, we are keenly aware that buying new flooring or remodeling a kitchen is a meaningful, long-term investment in our customers’ lives. That’s why I have brought together the best in the industry to form Floortex Design. The average salesperson-project manager in our seven design showrooms has 15-plus years of experience, and the average installer has 20-plus. I’ve personally been an installer and contractor since 1986. How do you raise the bar and offer the ultimate in customer service? My staff is far more than salespeople, installers and workers. They are artists, experts, craftsmen, project managers, friends and colleagues, who will help you on your journey to the perfect flooring solution. The success of Floortex Design rests on their skill and professionalism in all areas of flooring and design. What separates your business from the pack? With Floortex Design, we have created a flooring and interiors boutique that can exceed the capabilities of chain retailers. We offer curated collections, sought-after classic to contemporary brands, and we have access to flooring and window collections you cannot get anywhere else. Floortex Design 923 Francisco Boulevard E. San Rafael, CA 94901 415.785.4614 | rudy@floortexdesign.com /@floortexdesign /floortexdesign | www.floortexdesign.com LIC #534583

PROMOTION

Michael Heacock Michael Heacock Architects, Inc. The art and craft of high performance, beautiful buildings. What makes your team trailblazers? We are artists, designers, builders, developers, managers, strategists, negotiators and community builders seeking to improve life through the timeless enjoyment of spaces. Each project, whether it be residential, commercial, schools or nonprofit is designed, entitled and crafted by our talented team. We create highly functional, ecological, beautiful buildings that enhance the senses and grace the landscape. Describe how you use resourcefulness to stay ahead of the pack. We collaborate with owners, builders and artisans, resulting in unique, authentic buildings and community spaces, such as the Mill Valley Lumber Yard. With 25 years of experience, we offer comprehensive services including project management, planning and design. We also have relationships with local regulatory staff that can help to ease planning and permit approvals. How are you boldly paving the way in your industry? In an increasingly regulated and packaged world we offer a uniquely creative experience to our clients. Rather than arriving at forgone conclusions or styles, we create original compositions that reflect and expand upon our clients’ needs, context, community and the land upon which we build. With 19 LEED certified projects, we design every building to be net-zero.

Michael Heacock Architects, Inc. Mill Valley Lumber Yard, 129 Miller Avenue, Ste. 623, Mill Valley CA 94941 415.845.5326 | mh@michaelheacock.com www.michaelheacock.com | LIC #C32082 /michael.architects /@MichaelHeacockArchitect

Emily Hagopian Photography

trailblazing men

PROMOTION

trailblazing men

David Kasten Creative Energy These hot tub pioneers insist on only the best customer service for their clients. What makes you a trailblazer? I grew up in the family business and have been a part of it professionally for 20 years now. Creative Energy started in Marin in 1976 making wooden hot tubs, and since then we have grown to be the Bay Area’s leading provider of high quality spas. Describe how you are innovative and resourceful. In 1986 we expanded our product line to include industry leading home accessories including fireplaces and HotSpring spas. We moved swiftly into the digital age and were the first retailer in the industry to have a website. In the last 30 years we have opened two more locations in the Bay Area, upgraded our service fleet to provide on-site assistance and implemented a convenient texting service for 24-hour scheduling and communication. What separates your business from the pack? We have spent the last 45-plus years cultivating customer relationships built on trust and expertise. Our team collectively has hundreds of years of experience selling and servicing our products. From finding the perfect spa or fireplace to delivery, installation and maintenance, we are proud to offer full-service personalized care to all our clients.

Creative Energy 4100 Redwood Highway, San Rafael, CA 94903 415.472.7727 davidk@creativeenergy.com www.creativeenergy.com

PROMOTION

trailblazing men

Troy Luchessi Vanguard Properties Construction experience, honesty and a client focus set this agent apart.

What makes you a trailblazer? I developed my drive and work ethic at an early age working for my family’s businesses and real estate investments. I started investing in and flipping Bay Area properties in the ’90s. I learned every facet of home buying and selling while also undertaking major renovations, project management and architectural design. I can suggest thoughtful design finishes and solutions and advise clients on the best return on their residential investments. Describe how you use innovation to stay ahead of the pack. I believe every home is as unique as its owners. My extensive knowledge in

construction and design put me ahead of the rest. I know how to navigate any transaction and will guide clients through any crossroads we encounter. I am patient and can be trusted to help you get across the finish line. How are you boldly paving the way in your industry? It always comes down to the truth. One of my other skills is having my pulse on the market and knowing what my clients want and need. There are so many hoops to jump through, but I am always 10 steps ahead and discuss those items with clients to make sure they go into every transaction with eyes wide open.

PROMOTION

trailblazing men

Randy Martin Trailscape Let this professional team build a custom trail that will provide enjoyment for decades and protect your family from fire.

What makes your team trailblazers? Trailblazing has a literal meaning in our industry. Our skilled crews specialize in revealing breathtaking vistas, enjoyable meanders and providing access to previously inaccessible land. We are also experts at utilizing our trail construction to double as fire breaks, protecting our clients’ families, homes and property from fire. Describe how you use innovation and to stay ahead of the pack. While it may appear that trail construction is simple “landscaping,” this is not the case. Trail building is both art and science. The art part is augmenting the natural beauty and giving the user

a sense of flow. Our clients frequently inquire as to how we are able create a path through seemingly impossible terrain — it is due to our experienced crews and specialized equipment. In our arsenal of tools we have everything from jackhammers for breaking rock to small percussion charges. How do you offer your clients the ultimate in customer service? We raise the bar by making sure we hire good, solid people. Our crews are made up of people who care, people who communicate well, and people who listen, listen, listen so that we can give our clients exactly what they want and exceed their expectations.

Trailscape | 129 Park Drive, Roseville, CA 95678 | 530.852.5155 randy@trailscape.net | www.trailscapeinc.com | LIC #915774

PROMOTION

trailblazing men

Phil McDougall Train for Life/Wellforce The ultimate in personal training for individuals and remote corporate wellness for businesses. What makes you a trailblazer? I help professionals between the ages of 35 and 65 optimize their lifestyle habits, ergonomics, nutrition and physical training, with the goal of helping them maintain health and independence at 80 years old. I want people to become stronger versions of themselves and to be able to handle anything that life throws at them. What separates you from the pack? An extremely broad range of experience and education has formed my philosophy and unique methods for training people. I was an elite-level triathlete, Royal Marines Commando, massage therapist, rehabilitation specialist and the wellness director for a tech company. I’m a certified instructor in a vast range of exercise disciplines and I utilize whichever ones serve my clients most effectively. What services do you offer businesses? I launched Wellforce, which shows business leaders how to implement effective and quantifiable wellness solutions and how to relate them directly to employees to make them more productive. What makes Wellforce different? Wellforce has a number of impactful and innovative wellness services and products available such as unique team building sessions for off-sites and a transformational 12-week coaching course. Train for Life 619.508.6549 philip.r.mcdougall@gmail.com www.philmcdougall.com www.getwellforce.com /@phil.mcdougall

PROMOTION

trailblazing men

Jeff Moseley Moseley & Co. Team of Vanguard Properties This multigenerational agent is an expert in buying, selling and developing real estate.

What makes you a trailblazer? In my business, it is important to think outside the box and recognize market trends early and get in front of them, which ultimately benefits my clients. I mine the data and keep in close contact with the rest of the brokerage community as well as other visionaries in other industries. This has also allowed me to sell a significant percentage of homes “off-market” for the past 25 years, enabling my clients to obtain some of the most iconic trophy properties in Marin. How do you raise the bar and offer your clients or customers the ultimate in customer service?

I run my business as a full concierge service for all my clients, each client is treated the same in this respect. I recognize how busy my clients are, so it is imperative that the process is seamless and not stressful. Every detail matters and I do whatever it takes to help them obtain their goals. Do you or your business have a unique or notable history in the Bay Area? Moseley & Co. is one of the oldest brokerages in Marin County, and represents three generations of buying, selling and developing Bay Area real estate. We were established in Tiburon in 1956 and our roots can be traced back to Marin County in 1906.

PROMOTION

trailblazing men

Jordan Guthrie and Steve Stroub

Steve Stroub and Jordan Guthrie Stroub Construction A strong partnership propels Stroub Construction into the future.

What makes you trailblazing men? Before we start building a home, we build trust with our customers first. We know how intimidating the home building process can be. We always communicate openly and honestly with our clients so they feel comfortable through the entire process, from the first concept design to that moment they move into the home they dreamed about. Our clients trust us to deliver fair pricing while building the most beautiful bespoke homes in the bay area. What does the future hold for Stroub Construction? Stroub Construction has been building homes for more than 35 years. We

want to be your contractor for life. That means appointing leaders who will continue to propel us forward. We are excited that Jordan Guthrie, who has been with the company for over 15 years, is now a joint partner. Jordan is beloved by our clients and employees for his leadership, transparency, and keen eye for detail. We are excited for what the next 35 years will bring! What are your hobbies and interests outside of your business? As Jordan takes over more of the day-to-day business operations, Steve plans to spend more time on his boat. Jordan is an avid surfer and heads to surf and hiking spots in Marin.

PROMOTION

trailblazing men

Doug Coomer North Bay Candleworks This team stays connected to bring you the best products. What makes your team trailblazers? It’s all about listening. We listen to each other and we listen to our customers. We immerse ourselves through a variety of channels and are always collecting feedback on our existing and new products. We also like to learn from others. We’ll be attending the World Candle Congress in New Orleans this month and hope we can bring back new ideas to Marin. How do you use resourcefulness to stay ahead of the pack? We are a small but nimble team, and our customers and vendors are our biggest advocates. We stay connected with them through attending farmers markets and local artisan fairs. Being resourceful has had a lot to do with our recent growth. North Bay Candleworks 767 Lincoln Avenue, Ste. 12, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 615.540.9331 /@northbay_candleworks www.northbaycandleworks.com |

Alex Towery Towery Electric, Inc. This team brings the latest technology to your home electrical system. What makes your team trailblazers? We set out to be educated on all the latest technology available to maximize the capabilities of a home’s electrical system. We use top quality products, build for the future and take pride in our work. We love to install smart homes that save energy and allow for home automation. Have you launched any new products? We started installing a new smart electrical panel called SPAN this year. I think it uses brilliant technology turning a simple electrical panel into a power management device with app controllability. A homeowner can monitor usage as well as control each individual circuit in backup power situations and when using a home battery system. I would like to incorporate this in every home we help build. Towery Electric, Inc. | 415.419.5960 | www.toweryelectric.com 3070 Kerner Boulevard, Ste. N, San Rafael, CA 94901 alex@toweryelectric.com | /toweryelectric | CSLB #989290

Tell Your Story July/August Issue: Celebrating Visionaries In the July/August Outdoor issue, we’re thrilled to feature the most influential leaders and businesses in the Bay Area. These people and businesses epitomize innovation and are Visionaries in their respective fields. The feature will include an advertorial profile showcasing you and your business as an industry leader. All pages will be designed by Marin Living. Simply provide us with your portrait and product images, along with answers to the prompt questions. We will build an exquisite profile and provide a targeted readership that will increase brand awareness and sales. Marin Living will deliver a marketing support campaign that includes a sponsored article on our website for one year, newsletter promotion to 16,000 opted-in email subscribers, social media and branded assets.

Contact Jessica Cline for more info jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com follow us on social @marinlivingmag + subscribe to our newsletter at www.marinlivingmagazine.com/newsletter

www.marinlivingmagazine.com

going places.

Summer Awaits

Adrian Gaut

Newly opened European design hotels, Maserati’s latest masterpiece and a local family shows some love for Ukraine.

Borgo Santandrea on the Amalfi Coast

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new digs.

Bird’s-Eye View

Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy kicks off phase three of Hawk Hill access improvements, giving visitors a new perspective. By Joseph Knelman

HAWK HILL IS A PLACE OF CONSTANT MOTION. On a geologic timescale, the site was formed from the forceful collision of tectonic plates, an ancient ocean floor pushed skyward. On a human timescale, a rhythmic pulse of bikers, visitors and coastal fog traverse the peak. To keep up with the active site, the National Park Service and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy are entering into a third phase of improvements that will provide greater accessibility, enhance ecology and historical resources, and bolster the site’s namesake status as a raptor observatory. The process of improvement started with an extensive mapping effort to understand the many distinct elements of Hawk Hill, located in the Marin Headlands. The site improvements team considered factors ranging from locations of plant habitat for the Mission Blue butterfly, an endangered species, to the footprint of historical military structures from World War II and the Cold War. The improvement projects are attempts to bring these unique natural and human stories closer to visitors. “You have endangered species and resources that are 76 june 2022 marin living.

decades old. To be able to bring people into that versus putting a fence around it and saying ‘read this sign and don’t touch it’ is really innovative,” says Claire Mooney, vice president of park places and innovation at the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Phase two, completed last fall, improved the Tunnel Loop Trail, which now provides greater accessibility to sweeping vistas overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Marin Headlands. Phase three, scheduled to start later this year, will focus on improving access for visitor exploration at the apex of Hawk Hill, through trail improvements and military structure rehabilitation. The project will also aid scientific efforts to monitor the largest raptor migration on the West Coast. “As a bird migration thoroughfare, it is unrivaled in the Pacific shoreline from Vancouver all the way down to Baja,” says Allen Fish, associate director of conservation and community programs at the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. With strong thermals and updraft, Hawk Hill provides raptors a vital boost over the Golden Gate gap and down the California Coast.

Alison Taggart-Barone, courtesy of Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

An aerial view of Hawk Hill

“As a bird migration thoroughfare, it is unrivaled in the Pacific shoreline from Vancouver all the way down to Baja.” — ALLEN FISH, GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVANCY

The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory (GGRO), founded in 1984, has continuously monitored raptor migrations that occur most notably from August to November, contributing to important scientific knowledge about changes in populations over time. For Fish, who has led the effort since 1985, the GGRO demonstrates how human and natural histories intersect at Hawk Hill. “Although the landscape on Hawk Hill has largely been defined by what the military left in the 1970s when they departed, it means that we have a location that of course didn’t get developed in the 100 years prior, which is just tremendous,” Fish says. Phase three improvements to trails and military infrastructure will also help facilitate raptor observation. In peak

migration season, visiting Hawk Hill might include sightings of peregrine falcons, golden eagles and a mix of Cooper’s, red-tailed and sharp-shinned hawks. While some birds may be residents of the area, many are on grand journeys that cross over hemispheres. Sight an osprey and it may be traveling to the Chilean coast; a broad-winged hawk perhaps is heading to a second summer in the Amazon Basin. The story of the site is anything but static. Phase three upgrades will continue to offer visitors access to vast landscapes and human histories, a journey worth making whether it’s the first time or a revisit. If you stop by in the fall, you might find you are not the only one gaining new perspectives at Hawk Hill: just look for raptors soaring above.

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Recycled water used.

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marin living. june 2022 77 /valleymemorialpark @valleymemorialpark

land & sea.

Born to Drive

The Maserati MC20 is a near perfect specimen of human engineering and it doesn’t fall short on design clout either — the striking super sports car won “Product Design of the Year” at the European Product Design Awards.

art credit

By Nick Czap

78 june 2022 marin living.

All photos courtesy of Maserati

AT FIRST GLANCE, MASERATI’S NEW MC20 super sports car might seem a radical departure from the Modenese marque’s marginally less exclusive Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans and Levante SUV. But to students of Maserati’s history, the 202 mph, mid-engine two-seater is something more subtle and complex, representing both the revival of an illustrious motorsports tradition and a reimagination of the brand for a new era. Head-on, the MC20 — short for Maserati Corse (“Racing”) 2020 — is pure Maserati, its predatory grille sporting the unmistakable Trident that graced the original of the species, the 1926 Tipo 26, which in its debut, scored a category win and an eighth overall finish in the grueling Targa Florio. In the MC20’s dramatic, vertical headlights, a first for a Maserati supercar, one senses an allusion to the distinctive upright fenders of the brand’s inimitable 1953 A6GCS Berlinetta Pinin Farina, or perhaps those of the Tipo 61, which stormed to victory at the Nürburgring 1000 km in 1960 and 1961. Pivoting upward, the MC20’s butterfly doors reveal a driver-focused interior clad in Alcantara, laser-engraved for a unique sculptural effect. Essential controls are situated in a discreet carbon-fiber console and in a steering wheel flanked by carbon-fiber paddle shifters. Bespoke, composite seats, made by the Piedmontese firm Sabelt, ensure exquisite control during high-speed maneuvers and superb comfort on long-distance tours. By way of cross-pollination, a similar interior aesthetic can already be found in Maserati’s new Grecale SUV. In profile, the MC20’s upper body is graceful, handsculpted, coolly minimalistic; the lower section starkly functional, computer-designed, engineering-driven. Whether one finds the duality jarring or scintillating is a matter of taste, but for the past near-century, the pleasure and thrill of driving a

Maserati have always derived precisely from this inimitable blend of art, artisanship and technical sophistication. Consider the breathtakingly beautiful Tipo 61, nicknamed “Birdcage” for its incredibly light tubular steel chassis, which, mated to an extraordinarily potent 3-liter, inline four-cylinder engine, yielded an unheard-of weight/power ratio of 5.29 pounds per horsepower. And then the MC20, whose flawless skin surrounds a featherweight, Formula 1–derived carbon-fiber tub and a revolutionary 3-liter 6-cylinder Nettuno engine, and whose virtually identical weight/power ratio is surely not coincidental. Could the MC20 have been more overt about its racing ambition, like the ferocious MC12 of 2004, with its sharply truncated rear end and 2-meter-wide spoiler? Perhaps. But unlike the MC20, which will eventually evolve from street form into a pure racing machine, the MC12 began life as a race car before being ever so slightly detuned for homologation purposes. In a critique on his consistently fascinating YouTube channel, the MC12’s designer, Frank Stephenson, found the MC20 lacking in the essence of Italianness known as italianità. The same could be said for some of the contemporary menswear in Ermenegildo Zegna’s current collection, the techily aloof High Performance Packaway Wool and Cotton Jersey Hoodie, for instance. The point, however, is that italianità and Italian design are different things, and the latter is neither immune to trends nor to outside influence, as evidenced by the fact that the sculptor Giambologna — from whose statue of Neptune Mario Maserati cadged the atelier’s three-pronged logo — was a Flemish expatriate. Ultimately, the true test of design is time, and until time issues its judgment of the MC20, one must simply follow the command of a butterfly door as it sweeps silently upward and whispers, “Drive.”

Maserati’s MC20

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Europe’s Newest High-Design Hotels

Plan a summer trip abroad for art, culture and impeccable hotel design.

Nikolas Koenig

By Casey Hatfield-Chiotti

80 june 2022 marin living.

voyager.

A combination of the loosening of European travel restrictions with rapidly rising domestic airfares and the strength of the dollar has many travelers considering making up for lost time with a trip to Europe this summer. While we largely stayed at home these past two years, innovative hotel options have

The Madrid EDITION

opened overseas and are changing Europe’s lodging options for the better. Here are our favorites — five new properties with dramatic and thought-

art credit

provoking design.

The Madrid EDITION

The Madrid EDITION The appeal of the Madrid EDITION (from $437 per night; www.edition hotels.com), which just opened in April, lies in its juxtaposition of styles. British architect John Pawson, who prefers simple and elegant lines, and spirited and artistic French interior designer François Champsaur collaborated on the project. The building on Plaza de la Descalzas is clean-lined and modern, but adorned with a decorative 18th-century baroque portal that was salvaged from an adjacent building. Guests will surely notice that the shape of the headboards in the guest rooms were inspired by the elaborate piece but they’re paired with sleek furniture and a minimalist off-white color scheme. The hotel’s heart, the lobby on the upper ground floor, is accessed via a grand white spiral staircase that contrasts with the dark oak wood–lined space. Bold lobby furnishings include a sculptural sofa with backlit shelves, rope-covered chairs by Christian Astuguevieille and a pool table made from a single slab of white Bianco Neve marble. Through the portal, visitors access the restaurant Jerónimo, spearheaded by Pujol chef Enrique Olvera. It has four eye-pleasing dining areas, including an oak-paneled dining room with bright yellow leather chairs and banquettes and celestial-inspired light fixtures, and a lounge with a long green marble bar and simple white oak floors. On the fourth-floor rooftop, Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz’s Oroya is a garden in the sky. Guests can enjoy a lazy lunch of tapas and ceviche and a pisco sour beneath a vine-covered pergola while looking at the 16th-century monastery below. marin living. june 2022 81

NoMad London

Madame Rêve

New York–based interior design firm Roman and Williams’ design for the NoMad London (from $499 per night; www. thenomadhotel.com), located in bustling Covent Garden, embodies the team’s elegant theatricality and successfully translates the NoMad brand’s sophisticated yet casual New York style across the pond. The founders of the firm, Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, embraced the concept known as “New Romanticism” for this project. As such, the masculine structure — the hotel is in a 19th-century building formerly known as The Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station — contrasts with the softer feminine interiors. The hotel feels like an art collector’s grand residence, with rich textiles, intricate woodwork and an eclectic art collection including everything from ethereal murals painted in collaboration with scenic painters from the Royal Opera House to abstract art. Artistic and cultural references to London and New York can be found throughout. The irreverent pub, Side Hustle, serves British and American spirits alongside Mexican cuisine. The Library has red velvet furniture and books and artwork from both cities. The hotel’s true showstopper, the main restaurant, is in a three-story atrium — the former police station courtyard site — and modeled after an Edwardian greenhouse. Under the watchful eye of executive chef Ashley Abodeely, the restaurant is serving several signature NoMad dishes, including carrot tartare and Roast Chicken for Two stuffed with foie gras, black truffle and brioche. Comfort food indeed now that the New York NoMad is no more.

It took nine years of work for Paris’s Madame Rêve (from $555 per night; www.madamereve.com), the dream of entrepreneur Laurent Taïeb, to come to fruition. The hotel in the 19th-century Poste du Louvre building, France’s most emblematic post office, stands out in a city known for exquisite hotels. The ground-floor cafe is modeled after the grand cafes of Vienna and draws on the opulent style of the Second Empire, with 26-foot-high ceilings, statement chandeliers and restored Louis Majorelle armchairs. The upper floors, including the massive green rooftop with a terrace and bar, are retro but not dated and feature walnut paneling and bronze mosaics. The hotel also has an 800-piece art collection that nods to post offices of the past and present. The work of fine French artisans has been featured at every turn, from glassmaker Emile Gallé to French typographer Jacques Villeglé, who created the large fresco in the entrance hall off of rue Étienne Marcel. Taïeb designed the golden-brown furnishings, and the 82 rooms and suites have oak parquet floors, glazed Moroccan tiles and honey-colored curtains. The design of the panoramic contemporary Japanese restaurant, La Plume, is equally considered, with a wooden patio featuring 100 different trees and shrubs and a U-shaped marble bar the color of champagne.

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Simon Upton

NoMad London

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Courtesy of the Standard Ibiza

Standard Ibiza During the 1960s, hippies started flocking to the island paradise of Ibiza off the southern coast of Spain. The island’s quiet sandy coves and pine tree–covered hillsides were a haven from Spain’s dictatorship and the Vietnam War draft. The new Standard Ibiza (from $268 per night; www. standardhotels.com), the brand’s second European location, takes its cues from this era and the island’s bohemian spirit. The stark white hotel in a former movie theater a short walk from the marina complements the sun-bleached buildings of Ibiza’s Old Town. The hotel’s 67 rooms and suites, including a private residence Casa Privada, are understated and beachy, with furnishings made from natural materials and light wood, freestanding bathtubs and potted plants. The hotel was conceived by Spanish creator Lázaro RosaViolán, and interiors were designed by The Standard Ibiza’s in-house team, who layered different patterns, textures and colors to achieve the bohemian 1960s vibe. Guest rooms with Juliet balconies and shutter-lined windows let in plenty of Spanish sun. Public spaces like the rooftop bar and pool UP and Jara, the groundfloor restaurant that spills out onto Ibiza’s main plaza, Vara de Rey, have a showier style with retro-style shapes and furniture upholstered in bright green and tropical leaf–printed fabrics. The Standard also boasts murals by artist Nicolás Villamizar inspired by music, dance and island life’s fluidity. Ibiza is famous for its nightlife and many European nightclubs set up shop there in the summer. The adultsonly Standard is the type of place where tropical poolside cocktails can easily turn into a nightcap under the stars as you listen to a DJ set.

Standard Ibiza

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Borgo Santandrea

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Midcentury modern design meets the Mediterranean at this stunning year-old hotel that drips down an Amalfi Coast cliffside. The owners of Borgo Santandrea (from $2,104; www.borgosantandrea.it), two prominent Italian hospitality families, pays tribute to the building’s 1960 origins. Interiors and gardens showcase Italian craftsmanship with bespoke work by leading Italian design brands and artisans, like railings produced by a local blacksmith and Sicilian lava stone dining tables by Pecchioli Firenze in the hotel’s restaurant, La Libreria. The property also pays homage to Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti, whose geometric blueand-white tiles decorate the lobby: the floors of the hotel are adorned with more than 31 different types of hand-painted tiles that allude to modern design and the classical styles found at Pompeii and Herculaneum. Furniture lovers will be dazzled by the hotel’s collection of custom-built, re-editions and vintage pieces like a concierge desk by Carlo Mollino and a Hans Wegner Wishbone chair. Each of the 29 guest rooms and 16 suites offers floor-to-ceiling windows that allow uninterrupted views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the ancient fisherman’s hamlet Conca dei Marini. Guests are also treated to vintage Italian textiles and one-off pieces in their rooms. The landscape designer and gardener created garden terraces bursting with native plants like lemon and pomegranate trees, winter jasmine and myrtle shrubs. Guests meander through the gardens to reach the hotel’s private pebble beach, a rarity on the rocky coastline.

Adrian Gaut

Borgo Santandrea

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The Journey of a Lifetime Instead of spending spring break in Hawaii, this San Anselmo family brought much-needed supplies and some friendly faces to Ukraine. By Daniel Jewett

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From left: Jamie, Andy, Kelly, Sara and Kai in Kyiv, Ukraine, October 2019

getting off the evacuation buses were women and children. “They’re on a mission. They’re with their kids and they’ve gotta keep it together. They’re in crisis mode, so they have to just get it done.” “There were some tears shed about the atrocities that are happening to their friends, family members and countrymen, how terrible Russia is being,” Andy says about finally reaching his employees in Ukraine, the military note helping him get across the border with the supplies. “But you could just see in their eyes, their commitment to victory; throughout the day I just kept seeing them doing everything they can to win.” Andy and Sara describe their kids as very compassionate and think this experience will stay with them for a long time, but one moment involving Kai and the blue and yellow Frisbees they brought really impressed Sara. “The kids at the refugee centers, he would play with them, because we thought ‘when’s the last time these kids played anything?’ ” says Sara. “He felt like that was something he could do; he could just play.” Donations can be made to the Kurtzigs’ nonprofit Arizae Foundation (www.arizae.org), which gives 100 percent of proceeds to help the people of Ukrainian. Tickets for a “Spirit of Ukraine” fundraising event are also available on the website. The event takes place on June 18 from 5–8 p.m. at the College of Marin’s James Dunn Theatre.

Evgen Kudryavtsev; inset courtesy of the Kurtzigs

FOR ANDY AND SARA KURTZIG, who have ties to Ukraine and lived there in 2019 with their three kids, the decision to skip spring break in Hawaii and instead bring all the supplies they could carry to the war-ravaged country started with the words of their 17-year-old daughter. “Mom, I really think we should go to the border,” young Jamie said. Their 12-year-old son, Kai, agreed, and Sara and Andy also felt a need to make the trip. “Our colleagues and friends are there and we’re reading the news and worried about them every day,” says Andy, who runs a company called JustAnswer, which employs 262 people in Ukraine. So the family bought eight large duffel bags and filled them to the absolute weight limit with medical supplies, armored vests, night-vision goggles, heavy-duty drones and maybe most important, the diabetes supplies that Jamie’s Ukrainian endocrinologist (Jamie has Type 1 diabetes) was pleading for. “There are so many problems that the average person doesn’t think about,” Sara says, adding that, for example, prescriptions don’t work for Ukrainians outside Ukraine. “We wanted to take some of this tremendous logistical burden off as many people as we could.” So with an official letter from the Ukrainian military explaining why the Kurtzigs would be taking duffel bags full of military supplies through airport security and some “sweaty moments” at SFO, the family landed without incident at their first stop in Budapest to deliver insulin to one of Andy’s refugee employees. “I would say that within the first 30 seconds of coming to our hotel room so we could give him all these things he was in tears,” Sara says. “This strong man was just in tears.” As Sara and the kids stayed behind to help refugees at the Slovakian border and Andy headed into Ukraine to bring supplies, all were impressed by the stoicism of Ukrainians. “I didn’t see any of them sobbing or wailing, but they did look exhausted,” Sara says, adding that most of the refugees

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