marin living september/october 2020

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design & domain. A Rare Glimpse Into One of Marin’s Most Storied Properties Fall’s Hassle-Free Styles | Local Buys to Update Your Abode | The Great Marin Migration



Safe and sound — specializing in helping buyers and sellers in tumultuous times.

Nick Svenson 415.505.7674 | nick@marinsfhomes.com www.marinsfhomes.com | BRE #01918616 #1 Agent in Marin County by Transactions, 2019 GGSIR #1 Agent in Marin County by Transactions, 2018 GGSIR


Flooring Design Center Carpet | Area Rugs | Hardwood | Laminate


555 E. Francisco Blvd, San Rafael www.city-carpets.com • 415-454-4200 • CSL #746886



meet the founders. Thursday October 15, 2020 at 4 p.m. You may have heard about us, now get to know us. Grab a glass of wine and join the founders of Marin Living as we discuss our vision for the magazine, our thoughts on how Marin is evolving and why starting a new business in the middle of the pandemic has been a success. Speak your mind and share your thoughts on how we can serve the community and grow stronger together. Email jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com to reserve your spot on Zoom.

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M O U N TA I N S TO M A R I N A S , MARIN IS OUR HOME

BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP is comprised of professionals specializing in negotiation, marketing, construction, design, law, and hospitality. Our diverse backgrounds enable us to focus on each aspect of the process, creating a detailoriented experience for our clients. Negotiation is the most valuable tool we bring to the table. Ever y aspect of our process has been tailored to provide our clients the best possible price and terms for their sale or purchase.

B O W M A N R E A L E S TAT E G R O U P. C O M

BOWMAN REAL ESTATE GROUP | 415.755.1040 BowmanRealEstateGroup.com @THEBOWMANGROUP

BowmanGroup@VanguardProperties.com DRE# 01933147

MARIN MATTERS

Providing Marin families more of what they want


B O W M A N R E A L E S TAT E G R O U P : O F F E R I N G I N G H O M E S O F EXC E L L E N T D E S I G N

JUST LISTED

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55 ROBINHOOD DRIVE

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S A N R A F A E L | O f fe r e d a t $ 1 , 1 8 9 , 0 0 0

M A R S H A L L | R e p r e s e n t e d B u ye r

Here is the opportunity to enjoy quintessential

So grateful to represent the perfect buyer for

Marin County living at its finest in this updated

this modern masterpiece set on over a half-

three-bedroom, two-bath home, situated on an

acre, flat waterfront lot on Tomales Bay. The

expansive corner lot in the desirable Glenwood

ultimate indoor-outdoor living with a twenty-

neighborhood of San Rafael.

foot wall of glass onto a 1000 sq.ft. courtyard deck. Such a unique and gorgeous home to

5 5 R O B I N H O O D. C O M

call your refuge. Sold $3,200,000


Jessica Cline

CEO jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.302.0850

Casey Gillespie

Creative Director casey@marinlivingmagazine.com

Daniel Jewett

Executive Editor dan@marinlivingmagazine.com

Emily Blevins

Design Director emily@marinlivingmagazine.com

Dina Grant

Advertising Director dina@marinlivingmagazine.com 707.238.2030

Contributing Editor Casey Hatfield-Chiotti Interns Jack Bober, Tiffany Dang, Abby Shewmaker Contributing Photographer Justin Buell Copy Editor Cynthia Rubin

Mailing Address Marin Living PO Box 2104 Mill Valley, CA 94942 Office phone: 707.302.0850

Editorial or press inquiries: casey@marinlivingmagazine.com, dan@marinlivingmagazine.com Subscriptions Customer Service: 818.287.2940 mlmcs@magserv.com

To subscribe, manage your subscription or change your address: marinlivingmagazine.com/ subscriptions

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Volume 1, Issue 2. Marin Living magazine is published in Marin County by Five19Publishing Inc., Mill Valley, CA 94942. All rights reserved. Copyright ©2020. Reproduction of Marin Living is prohibited without the expressed, written consent of Five19Publishing Inc. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned. Marin Living is mailed bimonthly 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.

PUBLISHING

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table of contents. september/october 2020

28

Kamala Harris’ timeline, Spice Tribe gives back, ICB artists at the de Young, Black Interior Designers Network and more.

22 modern living. Fall’s palette provides inspiration for your home design needs.

24 local splurges.

Accessories are the answer for the wardrobe refresh you have been dreaming of.

26 my obsessions.

Fashion arbiter and Marin resident Simon Ungless reveals his top tips for a stylish life.

28 out & about.

going places. 70 voyager.

San Francisco’s Jackson Square is an easy afternoon out for the design-minded.

Paso Robles is known for its adventurous winemaking, and the region’s hotels are following suit.

30 eat & drink.

74 land & sea.

The story behind McBride Sisters Collection wines is a movie-like tale of family and entrepreneurial spirit.

32 take note.

The Mill Valley Film Festival celebrates a milestone and, this year, can be enjoyed from the comfort of your sofa.

10 september/october 2020 marin living.

If you can’t afford a sports car, or even if you can, car clubs are the answer to getting you out on the track.

76 new digs.

The pandemic has reshaped the Bay Area’s real estate market; here’s what that means for Marin.

Available at Fritz Hansen San Francisco: chair and coffee table by Poul Kjærholm; vase by Jaime Hayon; basket by Benjamin Hubert; and rug by Cecilie Manz.

80 drawn together.

Rhonda Magee is pioneering mindfulness in law and applying it to the inequities in society.

from the team.

14 from the ceo. 16 from the creative director.

© Fritz Hansen

spotlight marin. 18 news.


Thank you.

Our design partners represent a reflection of our own values, and in turn, offer a broader, elevated, service experience for our clients. We deeply value these relationships and would like to thank them for helping us grow. Aaron Gordon Construction • Adam Potts Photography • CCS Architecture + Interiors Christian Douglas Design • Dehn Bloom • Erin Werner Design • Flying House Films Geremia Design • MB Jessee Painting Inc. • Mint Staging • Open Homes Photography OXB Studio Architects • Studio D Home • Vivian Johnson Photography Wanderlust Project Management • Woodland Stylists

Jon DiRienzo

j.dirienzo@ggsir.com | 415.744.4161 | Lic.#01354297

Joe Hosni

j.hosni@ggsir.com | 415.465.4955 | Lic.#02009324

www.ExceptionallyCoolHomes.com

exceptionally.cool.homes


table of contents. september/october 2020

features.

35

Elevated Spaces

From Marin to San Francisco to Wine Country, innovative design is popping up all over the Bay Area.

42 Castle on the Hill

A rare glimpse into one of Marin’s most storied properties provides the ideal backdrop for fall’s laid-back style.

Hat available at Citrine, Larkspur. gr.dano top. Leslie Francesca ring. CP Shades skirt. Rollie slides. Stylist’s own bracelets. (Where to Buy, p. 56) Photographed by Justin Buell. Shot on location at Quail Hill, Ross.

12 september/october 2020 marin living.

Justin Buell

On the Cover


Cassie Keim, owner of Innovative Match, reveals …

How to take the leap to love?

What is the number one thing that stops people from dating and how do you help them overcome it? There are many reasons why people claim they have little interest in dating. The excuses range anywhere from the effort it takes to the expense (time and money) and includes everything in between. You name it, I’ve already heard it. But once you scratch the surface, the reason usually comes down to one — fear. Once I open my clients’ eyes to what’s at the root of their hesitation, then we get to work on facing what’s scaring them most.

How do you differ from a traditional matchmaking service? The answer in one word is priorities. My clients are my priority. I recognize how emotional looking for love can be, and because of that, I make sure I’m here for my clients seven days a week, whenever they need me. I support my clients and, in return, my clients support me by being an integral part of the process. When they’re in it to win it with me, to find the love they want, it’s what makes my work so magical and rewarding.

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


from the ceo.

“This is a pivotal moment in the history of our country: our ideals are at stake, and we all have to fight for who we are. We are all and should be treated as equals, but the disparity in terms of income and inequality, for women and women of color, is significant.” —Kamala Harris

A Pivotal Moment for All of Us

14 september/october 2020 marin living.

have created an open team culture, we focus on our strengths, and we are truly grateful to have the freedom to develop our business, our way. Owning my own company, in collaboration with my partners, is a dream come true. We created Marin Living because we know Marin is ready for a new magazine and a new vision. So, you see, we aren’t going anywhere. We are a group of trailblazers who are moved by each other and those who preceded us, and will always do what is right — it’s just who we are. After all, isn’t it our American obligation to deliver new, fresh, fair, innovative and inspiring content to our communities? I think, emphatically, yes. Fight On,

Jessica Cline, CEO and Co-Founder

Becca Teal Batista

Marin Living has been so warmly received — it’s overwhelming to feel such support from so many in our community. I send my most heartfelt gratitude to all who have reached out with well wishes. Marin is changing quickly, even more so during the weight of a global pandemic, and we are actively highlighting the many facets of our community and bringing that perspective to you. It’s a perfect time for a new vision — both locally and nationally. Bay Area native Kamala Harris is making history; how lucky are we to be witnessing it? As someone who cries every time I hear the national anthem, I’m enormously proud to be American. Like Kamala Harris, my fellow co-owners could not have embarked on a business venture without all the hard-fighting women who paved the way for us. I’ve always felt an obligation to push harder and help other women fulfill their passions while honoring the example of so many who have come before me. Now more than ever, we need fighters for good in Washington for all Americans. It’s not lost on me that this year is also the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote. I’m sure all of you are as sick of politics as we are, but it’s so vital to stay focused and vote on November 3rd. Covid-19 has changed much about our personal lives and how we conduct our business. At Marin Living magazine, we


Dedicated

Integrity and Care

Well-Connected

Bringing Real Life Personal Experience to Real Estate Working with a realtor is about so much more than just buying a house. With Deborah Cole you have a trusted friend by your side who uses her deep local knowledge and experience to help people from all over the globe. Her clients feel connected to how incredible Marin County is as she helps them discover the amenities and highlights of the different communities. She makes sure to share all of the information available on everything from the inventory of homes, neighborhoods, schools, financing, investment return on home ownership, tax ramifications, comps, design trends and home maintenance. To learn more about the Deborah Cole approach, including how a diverse Rolodex helps her clients sell their homes faster for a higher price, read Deborah’s blog on her website.

For more information: www.DeborahColeRealEstate.com Deborah Cole | COMPASS | 250 E. Blithedale, Mill Valley CA 94941 deborah.cole@compass.com | 415.497.9975


from the creative director.

Season of Change Traditionally, a September issue is an all-out tribute to fall fashion, but this year we wanted to do things differently. Our Design & Domain issue invites you to look more broadly at all things design — be it fashion, home decor, architecture, local makers, artisans or commercial projects. And there was so much to take into consideration. It seems that shelter in place has us reevaluating how we spend our money: opting for investment pieces for ourselves and for the home that will last years, if not generations, while sidelining fast fashion and disposable decor. 16 september/october 2020 marin living.

I am particularly proud of the fashion feature and the incredible team that came together to make it all happen for this issue. In a humbling act of generosity, the Pomeroy family and Compass Real Estate agent Neil Ward opened the doors of the historic Quail Hill property in Ross, allowing us to provide you with a rare glimpse into one of Marin’s architectural gems. We showcase the rarely seen property alongside clothing from local boutiques, jewelry made by local designers, furniture designed in Oakland and work from a Marin-based ceramicist whose pieces left our shoot and headed directly for an exhibition in Minneapolis. I have pulled together many shoots over the course of my career, but this one was very different because of Covid. A huge thank you to our talented photographer, Justin Buell, and the wonderful team who took the extra time and effort to adhere to the social distancing and safety measures (pictured above). We also take a close look at some Bay Area projects that are not only changing the San Francisco skyline, but changing the face of Wine Country and upping the ante for dining in Marin. Our executive editor, Dan Jewett, reported on some fascinating

personalities around the Bay Area this month, including two sisters who are making a splash in the wine business and a USF law professor who is infusing mindfulness into the legal system with inspiring results. And to you, dear readers, I want to express my gratitude as well. The kind words, kudos and excitement you expressed after our first issue was released is humbling. As I write this, the Woodward Fire in Point Reyes and the LNU Lightning Complex fire to the north of us are still burning, but with a community as strong as the one in Marin I know we’ll not only get through this, but band together to help those who need it the most when the flames are finally extinguished. I feel honored to call you my friends, neighbors and community.

Warmly,

Casey Gillespie Creative Director and Co-Founder

Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; Jack Bober

Behind the scenes at the Quail Hill photo shoot


let’s get social!

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art credit

spotlight marin.

18 september/october 2020 marin living.


Heroes in Action

Nicole Pagan

On August 24, Nicole Pagan, who was visiting from Los Angeles, captured this shot of first responders flying over Tomales Bay transporting water to help extinguish the growing Woodward Fire in Point Reyes. “I had just spent two weeks exploring this special seaside town and had fallen in love with all of its wild beaches and magical trails,” she says. “I felt devastated but also hopeful watching the Super Scoopers at work — two of them were tirelessly making rounds every 10 minutes all day. I know everyone felt reassured by their presence and so grateful for their heroic efforts.” Here are a few resources to help support these intrepid firefighters and those affected by the fires: Wildland Firefighter Foundation (www.wffoundation.org), California Fire Foundation’s SAVE program (www.cafirefoundation.org), California Community Foundation (www.calfund.org/wildfire-relief-fund) and the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org).

marin living. september/october 2020 19


spotlight marin.

Something to Celebrate

Museum Debut Most artists dream of one day having their work shown in a museum. For 11 artists of the Sausalito-based ICB (www.icbbuilding.com) collective, that dream has come true. As part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco’s 125-year anniversary, the de Young (www.deyoung.famsf. org) held a juried community art exhibition of work by Bay Area artists and 11 ICB artists were selected for the scheduled exhibition (to take place when it is safe to open) out of more than 6,100 that applied. “I am honored and excited about the opportunity to be part of this amazing exhibition at the de Young,” says Mill Valley’s Bibby Gignilliat. “The chance to be part of a group of outstanding Bay Area artists in this way is a dream come true and the break I’ve been waiting for.” The chosen artists are Leslie Allen, Sausalito; Sophy Bevan, Mill Valley; Maria Burtis, S.F.; Chris Chaffin, Mill Valley; Rachel Davis, San Rafael; Nancy Ilg, San Rafael; Ivy Jacobsen, Fairfax; Stephen Mangum, S.F.; Sharon Paster, Belvedere; Carla Roth, Ross.

Inclusive Design It can be hard for Black designers and Black-owned design businesses to break into and fairly compete in the notoriously whiteand male-dominated interior design industry. But the Black Interior Designers Network (www.blackinteriordesignersnetwork. com) is hoping to change that with a mission “to promote diversity and inclusion within the interior design industry by highlighting designers of color and supporting Black designers with business development opportunities.” You can help by hiring from the network database and joining the Ally program and/or the network. It is open to anyone willing to listen, learn and take action. Attend the online master class October 2 and learn more.

20 september/october 2020 marin living.

Courtesy of Sharon Pastor; Kreate Photography

Art by Sharon Paster of Belvedere

If you are looking for a company that supports breast cancer awareness all year long, look no further than Everviolet (www.everviolet.com). The lingerie company turns 2 in October and was founded on a promise to provide beautiful, comfortable and supportive garments to women during all stages of breast cancer. To celebrate, Everviolet is offering a complimentary mask with purchase throughout October. Use code EVI2BDAY. Happy shopping!


spotlight marin.

Making a Run In August the Bay Area’s own Sen. Kamala Harris joined Joe Biden’s presidential campaign as his vice presidential candidate. Her life has been filled with history-making accolades — here is a timeline of Bay Area milestones.

1964

Born at Kaiser hospital in Oakland, California

1970

Begins attending Thousand Oaks Elementary School in Berkeley; is part of the second class to be integrated there

1989

Graduates from Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco; is president of the Black Law Students Association

1990

Becomes deputy district attorney in Alameda County; Assembly Speaker Willie Brown appoints her to several prominent boards

2004

Andrew Ho; Illustrations by Tiffany Dang

Spice of Life Marin native and Spice Tribe founder (www.spicetribe.com) Trent Blodgett recently teamed up with Kieem Baker of The City Eats (www.thecityeats.org) to help those who are struggling during the pandemic. Building on The City Eats’ mission to provide meals to those in need, Blodgett has been sourcing ingredients and preparing and donating meals to the group’s collaborative organization Tribe for Change. Providing up to 1,000 meals a month for the food insecure, the community-minded project aims to deliver hot meals and hope to those in need. Additionally, Spice Tribe is donating a portion of all spice purchases to Tribe for Change and 100 percent of donations made through The City Eats GoFundMe page (www.charity.gofundme.com) go toward food costs.

Becomes district attorney in San Francisco; during the campaign she pledges to never seek the death penalty

2011

Becomes California’s attorney general; delivers a memorable address at the Democratic Nation Convention a year later

2017

Becomes a U.S. senator representing California; in 2019 calls for U.S. Attorney General William Barr to testify before Congress about Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation

2020

Becomes the first Black woman and the first person of Indian descent to be nominated as a vice presidential running mate on a major U.S. party ticket

marin living. september/october 2020 21


modern living.

Home Sweet Home If all this time at home has you feeling like your abode needs an update or two, look no further than autumn’s palette for a little inspiration. These investment pieces will keep your space looking and feeling fresh for many seasons to come.

2. Helios Metreo lounge, manufactured in San Francisco by Galanter & Jones, available at Ground (1520 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon), www.groundgoods. com, $6,200 1. Design Within Reach knot floor pillow, available at Design Within Reach (2801 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur), www.dwr.com, $695 22 september/october 2020 marin living.

3. New Optic wall art mirror, manufactured by Jamie Young, available at Maker & Moss (364 Hayes Street, San Francisco), www.makerandmoss.com, $950

4. Ptolemy’s Cosmos stone mosaic, part of The New World collection by Sasha Bikoff for New Ravenna, each piece is made to measure and available at Stone Living (45 Vivian Street, San Rafael), price upon request 5. Small teal hanging basket by Skinny Ceramics, available at www.skinny ceramics.com, $150

Courtesy of Design Within Reach; Garden Glory and Galanter & Jones; Jamie Young; New Ravenna; photo by Mark Serr

By Casey Gillespie


An Inviting Modern Home in Kentfield $2,295,000

This sophisticated and modern Kentfield home is ready for the next round of updates. This home has an ideal layout with an extra-large living room adjacent to the backyard plus a dining room, a family room and a lovely light filled kitchen with breakfast nook, all on the same level. A bedroom with its own entrance and full bathroom creates the perfect space for an au pair or guest. Upstairs are three more bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom. The owner’s suite boasts vaulted ceilings, abundant natural light, a walk-in closet plus an office nook. An unexpected retreat with multiple yard spaces each with professionally appointed landscaping. A hot tub, a newly built wrap

around deck with modern railings and a greenbelt view, plus a large lawn for play and entertaining. A three-car garage plus a large driveway allows for plenty of guest parking or storage. Located in the most sought-after school district in Marin, this home is an easy walk to the local schools as well as to restaurants, cafes and Woodlands Market. The beloved Corte Madera Creek walking and biking path is right outside of your door, leading you to downtown Larkspur, the Ferry building, and much more. An unbeatable location for those with a busy working lifestyle who need quick access to the shopping center and freeway. A true sanctuary in the heart of it all!

Nick Svenson 415.505.7674 | nick@marinsfhomes.com www.marinsfhomes.com | DRE #01918616 #1 Agent in Marin County by Transactions, 2019 GGSIR #1 Agent in Marin County by Transactions, 2018 GGSIR © Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.


local splurges.

1.

Erica Tanov clyde caro hat in ancho, www.shop.ericatanov. com, $258

5.

2.

Cuyana oversized hobo bag in caramel, www.cuyana.com, $395

Accessory Report

A Blonde and Her Bag multicolor mix bar earring, www. ablondeandherbag. com, $58

Fall is the ideal season to refresh your look with a few new details — here are some ideas to get you started.

3.

Olive and Poppy half-inch stackable barrel bracelets, www.oliveandpoppy. com, $28

4.

Rothy’s lace-up sneakers in spearmint, www.rothys.com, $165 24 september/october 2020 marin living.

Courtesy of Erica Tanov; A Blonde and Her Bag; Olive and Poppy; Rothy’s

By Casey Gillespie


How to Look Your Best During Covid What is the Emsculpt Medical Gym? Emsculpt Medical Gym can help you achieve a firm and cut look to the abs, give you lifted buttocks and firmer butt muscles, as well as offer sculpted arms and legs. Why is Emsculpt becoming a popular go-to method of effective fitness and fat burning especially during COVID? With social-distancing protocols making it nearly impossible to get to the gym, Emsculpt provides a workout unlike anything you can achieve at home. Using this method to take off those extra COVID pounds, and jump start your return to a fitter shape makes sense. Emsculpt is a noninvasive, nonsurgical, FDA-cleared treatment using electromagnetic energy that produces thousands of muscle contractions in a short no downtime 30 minute session twice a week. Treatment triggers your body to quickly build muscle and burn excess fat.

“A hidden gem in San Rafael! I am so happy to have found this place. My girlfriend raved about her experience here and she was spot on. My new favorite go-to for all things body and face. Seriously, this place has all the latest body contouring devices including the top of the line ‘Halo’ laser.” —Charlie R., Kentfield, CA. About Doctor Bacchi and the practice Marin Medical Aesthetics, Inc., one of Northern California’s premier providers of all Emsculpt services, is an innovator in combining Emtone with Emsculpt for the ultimate in body sculpting. Dr. Chris Bacchi’s education includes multiple areas of medical practice such as skin to weight loss, giving her the unique perspective of someone who has studied health care for facial rejuvenation and body contouring. Unlike most doctors in the field, Dr. Bacchi meets with you personally and takes the time to customize an overall body and skin care plan to meet your expectations and desired outcomes.

807 D Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 415.785.4604 | www.marinmedicalaesthetics.com marinmedical.aesthetics | marinmedical.aesthetics


my obsessions.

Clockwise from top left: When Simon Met Ralph dress; When Simon Met Ralph necklace; Kate Moss walks the runway in a dress from Alexander McQueen’s legendary Dante collection; Simon Ungless

the perks of the Bay Area: “It’s my heaven on every level.”

Arbiter of Fashion

Alexander McQueen collaborator, fashion pioneer and Bay Area educator Simon Ungless lets us in on a few of his favorite things. By Casey Gillespie Larkspur resident Simon Ungless has been leaving his mark on the fashion industry for more than two decades. Fashion die-hards still worship Alexander McQueen’s iconic 1996 Fall/Winter Dante and Spring/ Summer 1995 The Birds collections — both of which Ungless played a major part in creating. “I believe the Dante collection took McQueen to a new level of design and I’m still very proud to have been part of it,” he says. “I have one secret piece from the collection; it truly is my most valued possession.” Originally from West Berkshire in Southern England, Ungless came to the Bay Area in 1996 to help build the fashion school at Academy of Art University. “It was going to be for six months 26 september/october 2020 marin living.

max, but I fell in love with Northern California.” Twenty-five years on, now the executive director of The School of Fashion at the Academy, he is still innovating. “Due to the pandemic, we are having to build new models in education … we have created a true hybrid situation where we have physical studio time done under full CDC guidelines paired with online classes and Zoom sessions. It’s the future, and although super challenging, it feels so right to be at the forefront,” adds Ungless. Between his career in education, consulting for major fashion brands and designing his own line, When Simon Met Ralph (@whensimonmetralph on Instagram), Ungless still makes time to enjoy

Vintage finds: I source vintage daily for When Simon Met Ralph so my sources are all over. I have had the best success at Goodwill and the Salvation Army in San Rafael, but yard sales, flea markets and estate sales in Marin and Sonoma are high on my list. Buying gifts: I don’t do new. My two go-to places to find completely unique gifts are Murphy’s Curiosity Shop (1591 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard) and Beach House Style (www.thebeachhousestyle.com) in Fairfax. I can spend hours in both and find items that are used, cared for and perfect for the people I buy for. With out-of-towners: A night out in Fairfax. Start with a wander around the unique stores, then dinner at Sorella Caffe (www.sorellacaffe.com) — literally the best place ever, with amazing atmosphere and live music — followed by lavender vanilla ice cream at Fairfax Scoop (63 Broadway, Fairfax) and live music at one of the bars. To unwind: Low tide at Agate Beach with rock pools and a long walk around to Duxbury Reef and Bolinas Point will unwind anything.

Clockwise from top left: Dress and necklace photo by Danielle Rueda; Robert Fairer; Isabella Bejarano

Home design: Black & Gold (www.shop blackandgold.com) on Noe Street — Samuel Genthner has the best taste in town for anything home related. Obsessed.


Ideas Worth Sharing

Shifting

mind | body | world | life

A TEDx ONLINE BROADCAST

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020 6pm. See this years speakers and register now at: TEDxMarin.org

This event is made possible with the support of our sponsor community:


out & about.

A Day Out in Jackson Square

A little jaunt over the bridge leads to a treasure trove of design-forward goodies for you and your home. By Casey Gillespie

28 september/october 2020 marin living.

Courtesy of The Rug Company

The Rug Company


out & about.

5. Fritz Hansen

440 Jackson Street www.fritzhansen.com Design addicts flock to this heritage brand for the best in Danish contemporary furniture, lighting and home accessories. The brand collaborates with some of the biggest names in the industry, offering customers high-quality pieces that are heirloom-worthy.

6. The Rug Company

722 Montgomery Street www.therugcompany.com Whether you are looking for traditional, contemporary, vintage or you want to build your own, The Rug Company has a selection so vast and diverse that it is impossible not to find a rug you love.

7. Lan Jaenicke Atelier

431 Jackson Street www.lanjaenicke.com Fashion connoisseurs in search of unique pieces made with luxurious fabrics should look no further than this atelier. No chainstore trends here — instead expect timeless designs paired thoughtful touches.

S

8. Schott NYC AN

FRANCISCO’S

JACKSON

Illustration by Tiffany Dang

Square is home to a notable collection of top architecture firms, home furnishings stores and fashion boutiques as well as some of the most touted restaurants in the Bay Area. Historically, this was the city’s first commercial district and a bustling waterfront. The original port sat roughly along Montgomery and Jackson Streets before landfill extended the city’s border. In the mid-1800s, the area was home to everything from big businesses to bars and brothels, a far stretch from the laid-back, design-forward air of the area today. From the city’s finest collection of architecture books to the best in Danish furniture to a Scandinavian-inspired clothing line for fashion enthusiasts, this little pocket of the city offers a quaint dose of urban life.

1. Cotogna

490 Pacific Avenue www.cotognasf.com Cotogna, the more casual offering from the adjoining Quince restaurant, offers day trippers a convenient stop for rustic Italian fare with charming outdoor dining options. The menu is updated daily.

2. Simon Breitbard Fine Art

843 Montgomery Street www.sbfinearts.com Specializing in contemporary paintings, photography and sculpture, the talented team of art consultants offer in-home curating, custom commissioning and complimentary delivery and installation.

3. William Stout Architectural Books

804 Montgomery Street www.stoutbooks.com With more than 70,000 titles on topics such as architecture, urban planning, furniture, interior design, landscape architecture and more, the shop has served as a fundamental resource for all things design for more than 30 years.

4. Anine Bing

412 Jackson Street www.aninebing.com Inspired by Scandinavian minimalism with a touch of American rebel, this Los Angeles– based clothing brand offers classic wardrobe staples as well as investment pieces in leather, cashmere and 14k gold that will beg to be loved for years to come.

619 Sansome Street www.schottnyc.com Credited with the being the first brand to put zippers on jackets, this century-old, family-owned label is a favorite among motorcycle enthusiasts and lovers of Americana.

9. Verjus

528 Washington Street www.verjuscave.com One part outdoor cafe and wine bar and one part local market, it’s the perfect stop after an afternoon of shopping. Order a CSA basket (from the website) and pick it up during the cafe’s Farmers Market Friday, or simply stop in for dinner essentials on the way home.

Museum of Craft and Design

2569 Third Street www.sfmcd.com A short drive from Jackson Square, the Museum of Craft and Design is San Francisco’s only museum that spotlights designers, makers and artists. The museum partners with not only artists but other museums, universities and design outlets to create stimulating experiences that the whole family can enjoy. marin living. september/october 2020 29


eat & drink.

Sister Act

A mutual love of wine instantly bonded a pair of long, lost sisters, and soon after, co-founders of the wildly successful Bay Area–based McBride Sisters Collection.

Robin (standing) and AndrĂŠa McBride

art credit

By Daniel Jewett


eat & drink.

T

Courtesy of McBride Sisters Collection

HE STORY OF how the McBride sisters, Robin and Andréa, reunited and started the McBride Sisters Collection (www. mcbridesisters.com), the largest African American owned wine company in the country, is something straight out of a movie. The sisters, born of the same father but unaware of each other until they reached adulthood, finally found each other in 1999. It was at this point when they realized that they — Robin who was living in Monterey and Andréa in Marlborough, New Zealand — had comparable upbringings, shared a passion for wine and even hailed from very similar wine regions. We speak to Robin about reuniting with her sister and starting their Oakland-based empire. What was it like seeing your sister for the first time? We didn’t know what to expect; we had no idea what the other looked like. We met in New York at the airport. I got off the plane and was walking down the jetway when I’m looking at what I think is my reflection in a mirror. I realize it’s not moving — and I’m like, “oh, that’s my sister.” I walked up and we hugged and cried. We had an intense, instant bond. It was a life-changing moment. Why did you decide to get into wine? As we got to know each other and we

visited both places, we realized how eerily similar our upbringings were. A key component of that was wine. We had a mutual interest in wine and winemaking, and Andréa had experience as a child in her uncle’s vineyards. Once we were drawn together it felt like something we should try to explore. We started our business importing super small micro-production New Zealand wines into California. Your wines are produced from California Central Coast and New Zealand vineyards and offered on your own labels. Tell us about Black Girl Magic. “Black girl magic” was a cultural tagline that was floating around — kind of a celebratory term. In 2018 we went to the Essence Festival in New Orleans. We decided to make a commemorative bottle and gifted it to the mayor on stage, and everyone went crazy for it. So we kept making it every year, and to this day we still aren’t making enough — there is a lot of demand. Now you can find it at places like Target and Total Wine. What is the significance of your canned wine, She Can? We launched She Can on International Women’s Day in 2019. It is dedicated to our mothers. Proceeds go into the She Can Professional Development Fund to help advance the careers of women who are in the wine and spirits industry.

A Growing Industry

A taste of Robin’s favorite Black-owned wineries. Brown Estate In 1995 the Brown kids decided to start making their own wine from grapes grown by their parents in the eastern hills of Napa Valley. www.brownestate.com

P. Harrell Wines Paula Harrell loves to make wine in Sonoma because “wine seamlessly intertwines people from all walks of life, creating genuine friendships.” www.pharrellwines.com

Theopolis Vineyards Theodora R. Lee, aka Theo-patra, Queen of the Vineyards, is the owner of this small lot vineyard and handcrafted winery located in the Yorkville Highlands of the Anderson Valley. www.theopolisvineyards.com

Wachira Wines This women-owned winery in Alameda is the brainchild of Chris Wachira, the first Kenyanborn, Californian winemaker, distributor, importer and exporter. www.wachirawines.com marin living. september/october 2020 31


take note.

Take Two While the content will remain as equitable as ever, this year the 43rd Mill Valley Film Festival’s offerings will be screened virtually to audiences at home as well as at a first-ever drive-in event.

I

T’S BEEN A roller coaster ride for planners of the 43rd Mill Valley Film Festival (www.mvff.com). First it was happening in theaters, then probably happening in theaters and now, definitely not happening in theaters. But there has been an upside to all the plot twists — festival planners have been able to put together an exciting lineup of films that audiences can watch in their homes October 8–18, and have discovered new ways to get films out to virtual attendees, including at a planned drive-in event at the Civic Center. We talk to the festival’s director and founder, Mark Fishkin, about

32 september/october 2020 marin living.

By Daniel Jewett running a festival during a pandemic, and to its director of programming, Zoë Elton, about its innovative Mind the Gap (www.mvff.com/mind-the-gap) gender equity initiative.

A Different Kind of Festival “Many of these films have been sitting there for months, waiting to have a debut. We want to give a voice to those filmmakers,” Fishkin says. “I think the experience that people will find, either online or at the drive-in, is going to be equally rewarding.

“There is a film we already booked, starring one of the biggest and most respected actors in the history of cinema, and by the end I’m sitting here at my computer crying, looking at it on a 13-inch screen,” Fishkin says. To make this year’s event happen, the MVFF invested in a new ticketing and streaming platform that guarantees that the security, capacity and presentation is first rate, and it kept its commitment to providing extra content in the form of conversations with directors and stars. “We are working really, really hard to bring audiences the best possible films available,” he adds.


take note.

The principles it stands for have to be inclusive of people of color and LGBTQ+; we have to make sure we have that sensibility running through this program.

An Equitable Festival

Tommy Lau (top); courtesy of Mill Valley Film Festival (directors)

A 2013 MVFF panel revealed that only 7 percent of directors in Hollywood were women, and this caught Zoë Elton’s attention because it was the same number she had heard quoted in the 1990s. “I started wondering what we could do to make a dent. Mind the Gap was born out of that lightbulb moment,” she says. So in 2015, Mind the Gap was launched with the goal of achieving a 50/50 balance of women directors represented at the festival by 2020. “For us, 2020 was going to be the culmination of our commitment of getting to 50/50 of women and men directors and also the 100th anniversary of women

The Cultured Life

Zoë Elton highlights some of the festival’s most inspiring films by female directors.

getting the vote — there were a lot of significant milestones that seemed to be popping up,” Elton says. “The rug was completely pulled out from under that when Covid happened. But we are still on track for 50 percent women directors.” According to Elton, with the Black Lives Matter movement sitting front and center, this year also presented a unique opportunity to use the Mind the Gap initiative to look at all kinds of inequities. “I think that some of the groundwork that we’ve done with Mind the Gap in the context of gender equity leads us into thinking about how we enhance the commitment we’ve made,” she says. “The principles it stands for have to be inclusive of people of color

The Falconer

Ruthless Souls

Veins of the World

In this documentary,

Canadian director

Brooklyn-based

Madison Thomas

director Annie

and LGBTQ+; we have to make sure we have that sensibility running through this program. I think it becomes a practice.” Elton says this year’s shift to a virtual festival is really about looking at the tools that are available and considering unforeseen benefits to the challenge. “I think this is changing the film industry forever, although it doesn’t mean that theaters are going to go away,” she adds. “But it does mean that what we will be seeing online is going to have the potential for reaching so many people in so many places who wouldn’t have had access otherwise.” And maybe that even includes the next history-making female director.

Jumbo

Coded Bias

A child’s-eye view

First-time French

In this documentary,

of the pressures

director Zoe Wittock

Brooklyn-based

follows Jackie as she

facing the Mongolian

tells the strange

director Shalini

Kaempfer introduces

grapples with grief

nomadic lifestyle

tale of a shy young

Kantayya looks at how artificial intel-

audiences to Rodney

and guilt surrounding

is the focus of

woman and her

Stotts, a former drug

her partner’s death

Mongolian director

whirlwind love affair

ligence, when left

dealer and prison

due to complications

Byambasuren

with an amusement

unchecked, can ex-

inmate who becomes

from gender reas-

Davaa’s enlightening,

park ride despite her

acerbate racial and

a trained falconer.

signment surgery.

message-led drama.

mother’s wishes.

gender inequities.

marin living. september/october 2020 33


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ELEVATED SPACES From Marin to San Francisco to Wine Country, the Bay Area is where innovative design comes to live.

Courtesy of RH Marin

By Casey Gillespie and Daniel Jewett

marin living. september/october 2020 35


Courtesy of RH Marin

36 september/october 2020 marin living.


RH MARIN THE GALLERY AT THE VILL AGE

Previous page: Exterior of RH Marin at The Village at Corte Madera. This page: RH Marin’s stylish rooftop restaurant and lounge boasts views of Mount Tam and the bay.

Normally, dining at a shopping destination like the Village at Corte Madera is a fun act of convenience, not something you would consider for date night. But with July’s opening of the spectacular RH Marin (rh.com; the gallery is currently open, the restaurant closed until it is safe to reopen) featuring three levels and 60,000 square feet of artistic luxury home installations in a gallery setting, an interactive interior design studio and, of course, a rooftop restaurant, that all changes. But this is no ordinary restaurant. The space sits atop a double floating staircase and seamlessly blends inside and out as it opens onto a landscaped park featuring unobstructed views of Mount Tamalpais to the west and San Francisco Bay and its wetlands to the east. Influenced by the classical gardens of Europe, the outdoor area features intimate RH Outdoor lounge spaces covered by an atrium with retractable glass walls, the mood enhanced by crystal chandeliers, heritage olive trees, sculptural evergreens and the sound of trickling fountains. And yes, there is also a climate-controlled wine bar off the grand staircase featuring champagne selections from around the world and wine from Napa Valley small vintners. “We’re not the first ones to put a restaurant in a retail store, but we are the first to seamlessly integrate one into a retail experience,” says RH Chairman and CEO Gary Friedman. “What we’ve created here is an inspiring and immersive experience that blurs the lines between residential and retail, indoors and outdoors, home and hospitality.”

marin living. september/october 2020 37


Estate and grape photos by celebrated photographer and co-founder of Healdsburg’s Aperature Estate Andy Katz.

38 september/october 2020 marin living.

Andy Katz

APERTURE ESTATE


Andy Katz

out & about.

Founded by father-son duo Andy Katz, a world-renowned photographer, and Jesse Katz, a winemaker, Healdsburg’s Aperture Estate (www.aperture-cellars.com) has been a family affair from its conception. “We had two goals for the winery: to ground it in the context of the Sonoma Valley and to represent the unique perspective of this collaboration,” says Juancarlos Fernandez of Signum Architecture. Based on the octagonal shape of a camera’s aperture, Fernandez and his team “deconstructed the aperture into eight elements, manipulating and reassembling them into

four connected structures that became the winery production building. The eight sides of the aperture form the building’s eight rooflines.” Dramatic angles, clean lines and the use of natural light define the estate’s buildings, and the interior design follows suit: “The geometric feature seen in the main tasting room skylight inspired the rug shape and open-furniture plan as if to radiate the furniture from its epicenter,” adds designer Hayley Palmer. “Blackened steel, warm bronze and light woods along with a natural palette and soft fabrics bring a richness to the space.” The hospitality

building’s glass walls and sweeping outdoor spaces offer guests breathtaking views of the Sonoma Mountains and surrounding area, but the gallery space, which showcases Andy’s photos, is what provides the historic framework for the wine. “I was inspired to become a winemaker after traveling to some of the world’s top wineries as a teenager with my father,” says Jesse. “We take a similar approach to making wine that my father does with his photos — let the beauty and quality of the source materials speak for themselves, with very little manipulation or processing.”

marin living. september/october 2020 39


Residents of 181 Fremont enjoy plenty of public space, including an entire floor that features a wrap-around observation terrace, fitness and yoga rooms, and two lounges. The piano bar is shown here.

It is no secret that San Francisco’s skyline has changed quite a bit over the last 10 years. But only one building in that lineup can lay claim to being the West Coast’s tallest mixed-use tower, and with the recently-launched grand penthouse, it also boasts the tallest residence west of Chicago sitting on top. That South of Market high-rise, with its distinctive sawtooth pattern exoskeleton designed by Heller Manus Architects and its LEED Platinum certification, is none other than the award-winning 181 Fremont (www.181fremont.com). “As the building utilizes the exoskeletal system for internal stability, it is able to create open floor plates without interior columns between the facade and the core,” says Jeffrey Heller, the founding principal of Heller Manus Architects. “Since a triangle is the strongest shape in nature and is the basic building block of the design, it expresses the building’s strength.” The tower is also notable for its earthquake safety and green design features, including 42 of the deepest construction caissons ever drilled in San Francisco, anchored to bedrock; a system that captures, treats and reuses graywater and rainwater; and a unique glass curtain wall system that maximizes natural light. But you can be sure residents are most interested in the luxury interiors of their spaces, which begin at 500 feet above the ground, design by internationally renowned ODADA. “The views are obviously phenomenal from this tower and keeping the detailing clean and minimal was not easy nor inexpensive but was well worth it,” says David Oldroyd, principal and owner of ODADA. “The quiet understatement of the finishes reinforces the great care the team took to create this amazing residence.”

Matthew Millman

181 FREMONT


marin living. september/october 2020 41


art credit

42 september/october 2020 marin living.


Castle on the Hill

art credit

Photography by Justin Buell Shot on location at Quail Hill, Ross

This month, we are given a rare glimpse into one of Marin County’s more shrouded homes, one that has remained in the same family for 50 years and sits on land that has traded hands only a few times since the original Punta de Quentin land grant of 1840. Quail Hill (www.quailhillross.com), a 20-acre property in Ross, was constructed around 1970 by Robert and Kathleen Pomeroy, the same family who helped to build the Golden Gate Bridge some four decades earlier. The Mitsuru Tada–designed home was inspired by the couple’s travels through Japan and is a fusion of midcentury and contemporary Japanese styles. The temple-like building cantilevers out over a canopy of trees and has scenic views of Ross Valley and Mount Tamalpais. Linen walls, a black marble fireplace, oak panels, Japanese shoji screens, slate flooring and imposing entryway doors that feature the Japanese imperial seal are among details that make this house one of a kind. As one would expect, the gardens surrounding the house are just as awe-inspiring. The family hired Nagao Sakurai, once chief gardener for the Imperial Palace of Tokyo and the designer behind the Zen Garden in Golden Gate Park and the Japanese Tea Garden in San Mateo, among others, to create a maze of gardens that weave around the house and through interior courtyards, seamlessly blending the property into the natural landscape. In the pages that follow we pair some of this season’s best fashion with one of Marin’s treasured architectural jewels. —Casey Gillespie marin living. september/october 2020 43


Previous spread: gr.dano cropped sweater. Marin Layer pants. Stylist’s own shoes. This page: Marine Layer cardigan. CP Shades white linen top. Pamela Minton Designs necklaces. Tracey Cox mala beads. Handbag available at Citrine boutique, Larkspur. Opposite page: Hat available at Citrine boutique, Larkspur. Soko Kiri hoops. gr.dano top.

44 september/october 2020 marin living.


art credit

marin living. september/october 2020 45



CP Shades white linen top. Pamela Minton Designs necklaces. Tracey Cox mala beads. Paige denim. Brave belt. Rothy’s lace-up sneakers. marin living. september/october 2020 47


This solid ash stool is from Oakland-based designer Yvonne Mouser’s The Bucket Stool Collection (www.yvonnemouser. com). It is designed in California and handmade by Amish crafters in Pennsylvania. Available in four sizes.


M made in Italy top. Pamela Minton Designs necklace. Leslie Francesca cuff bracelet. Marine Layer pants.

marin living. september/october 2020 49


art credit

50 september/october 2020 marin living.


art credit

The mug featured here is by Petaluma-based potter and tile maker Forrest Lesch-Middleton. He uses a technique called volumetric image transfer to apply screen-printed patterns onto the surfaces of his creations while they are being thrown on the wheel. Mug with Cortina pattern, $65 each, available at www.flm ceramics.com.

Marine Layer dress. Pamela Minton Designs necklace. Leslie Francesca ring.


A Japanese-inspired design detail that adorns the door separating the dining room and kitchen. 52 september/october 2020 marin living.


Opposite page: Soko horn strip circle hoop earrings. This page: gr.dano dress. Soko horn strip circle hoop earrings. Leslie Francesca ring. Stylist’s own shoes.

marin living. september/october 2020 53


art credit


art credit

Team Credits Styling: Evan Nguyen; Hair and makeup: Julie Dy; Photo assistant: Jack Bober; Model: Xue Xue Zhang for JE Model Management Special thanks to the Pomeroy family and Compass Real Estate and Neil Ward (www.neilwardproperties.com) for allowing us to shoot at Quail Hill.

gr.dano dress. Soko horn strip circle hoop earrings. Leslie Francesca ring. Stylist’s own shoes. marin living. september/october 2020 55


Where to Buy gr.dano cropped sweater. Marine Layer pants.

COVER

P. 44–45

P. 47

signs necklace ($553)

P. 54–55

ADDRESSES

Hat available at

Left-hand page:

CP Shades white linen

available at Citrine.

gr.dano dress ($170)

Citrine

Citrine, Larkspur.

Marine Layer cardi-

top ($190), Pamela

available at gr.dano

485 Magnolia Avenue

gr.dano top ($88)

gan ($110) available

Minton Designs

P. 50–51

Boutique and Design

Larkspur

available at gr.dano

at Marine Layer

necklaces ($27, $35)

Marine Layer dress

Studio. Soko horn

www.citrineca.com

Boutique and De-

boutiques and online.

and Tracey Cox

($98) available

strip circle hoop ear-

sign Studio. Leslie

CP Shades white linen

mala beads ($190)

at Marine Layer

rings ($78) available

Bella

Francesca ring ($82)

top ($190), Pamela

available at Citrine.

boutiques and online.

at Marine Layer

444 Ignacio Boulevard

available at Bella. CP

Minton Designs

Paige denim ($198)

Leslie Francesca ring

boutiques. Leslie

Novato

Shades skirt ($286)

necklaces ($27, $35),

and Brave belt

($82) available at

Francesca ring ($82)

www.bellamarin.com

available at Citrine.

Tracey Cox mala

($110) available at

Bella. Pamela Minton

available at Bella.

Rollie slides ($150)

beads ($190) and

Bella. Rothy’s lace-

Designs necklace

Rothy’s

available at Citrine.

handbag ($485)

up sneakers ($165)

($33) available

2448 Fillmore Street

available at Citrine.

available at Rothy’s

at Citrine.

San Francisco

boutiques and online.

P. 42–43, 56

www.rothys.com P. 52–53

gr.dano cropped

Right-hand page:

sweater ($89)

Hat ($120) available

P. 49

gr.dano dress ($170)

gr.dano Boutique and

available at gr.dano

at Citrine. Soko Kiri

M made in Italy top

available at gr.dano

Design Studio

Boutique and Design

hoops ($58) available

($62) and Leslie Fran-

Boutique and Design

325 Pine Street

Studio. Marine Layer

at Marine Layer bou-

cesca bracelet ($120)

Studio. Soko horn

Sausalito

pants ($78) available

tiques and online.

available at Bella.

strip circle hoop ear-

www.grdano.com

at Marine Layer bou-

gr.dano top ($88)

Marine Layer pants

rings ($78) available

tiques and online.

available at gr.dano

($98) available at

at Marine Layer

Marine Layer

Boutique and

Marine Layer bou-

boutiques. Leslie

2106 Chestnut Street

Design Studio.

tiques and online.

Francesca ring ($82)

San Francisco

Pamela Minton De-

available at Bella.

www.marinelayer.com

56 september/october 2020 marin living.


Organic. Soulful. Elevated. What are you doing for dinner tonight? Dee Coleman, of Marin-based Dee’s Organic Catering, is standing by to be your personal chef for daily or weekly meals that will satisfy the whole family. “I love designing menus for my clients that will provide a delicious meal or gracefully complete an event,” Dee says. “I want you to always remember the food.” A Black-owned family business, Dee wants to bring her family traditions to your table. www.deesorganic.com | 415.312.0790 #Deesorganicmarin

advertise with us. Let us help evolve, grow and promote your brand. For more information, contact Dina Grant, advertising director, at dina@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.238.2030.

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Bay Area Design

Beautiful design truly is the spice of life — without it, the world would be a pretty boring place. It is with that in mind that we honor the Bay Area’s best designers, architects, builders, makers and craftspeople. These talented individuals and businesses make our lives just a little more interesting, and in the following pages we invite you to get to know them.


PROMOTION

BAY AREA DESIGN

Peter Gilbert MOS DESIGN (MY OWN STORY)

Combining industrial, residential and commercial design with retail experience to maximize your design and staging experience. What is it about you and your business that makes you a Bay Area design expert? I have a wide array of experience and a unique design background that spans both industrial design (particularly fashion apparel, lingerie, luxury travel gear and handbags, beauty product collections) and residential and commercial design focusing on concept realization, space curation, optimization for aesthetics and operation. What is your unique approach to design that sets you apart in the industry? I see myself as an experienced storyteller who carefully selects products to create a journey of discovery manifested in every detail. Why should customers or clients consider you for their next design upgrade? I am aware of all aspects of a project, including function, aesthetics, cost and production and integrate these into the client’s story through design. Tell us about your professional experience? I have spent 20 years working in retail, most of that in a senior leadership role. I was a lead member of the team who designed the “store of the future” for Sephora. What new services and products do you specialize in that address our current times? I use state-of-the-art Matterport-powered 3D modeling for staged homes that allows for virtual observation of projects. Why is living and working in the Bay Area so special? This is my home. My family is here and after 20 years of corporate travel nothing feels better than being back where I grew up.

404 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo, CA 94960 | 415.521.8151 | peter.mosdesign@gmail.com



PROMOTION

BAY AREA DESIGN

Karima Gironce THE BAZAAR

Specializing in authentic, handcrafted furniture and textiles, The Bazaar brings a touch of Morocco to Corte Madera. What is it about you and your business that makes you a Bay Area Design expert? My triple culture: I’m Moroccan, French and now a bit American. That means that I have been raised in two big, elegant cultures and over the last four years I have seen the beauty of the American taste. I also work with interior designers and artists from Morocco and France. What is your unique approach that sets you apart in the industry? Our products are handmade with centuries-old patterns, and the techniques and craftmanship used to manufacture the pieces have been passed down for generations. What is the easiest way to upgrade your space in a hurry? Get rid of clutter and things that have been accumulating for years. Add some accent pieces, maybe a colorful pillow, pouf or mirror. Break the monotony by incorporating an armchair made in a different color and a different material than your sofa. Dare to use a piece that you wouldn’t have chosen last year — try something exotic. What are you doing to stay connected with the local community? Before the shelter in place was issued, we were planning to organize free cooking sessions, discussions about Mediterranean food and the way of living, but now we are waiting until the end of the pandemic to be able to do that. What do you want people to know about your business? We don’t use any middlemen to find our items. We go deep into remote parts of Morocco to meet the artisans. By paying them directly, the money goes to the people who worked to make the products.

417 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera, CA 94925 | 628.758.8706 k.gironce@thebazaarsf.com | www.thebazaarsf.com | @thebazaarsf @thebazaarsf |



PROMOTION

BAY AREA DESIGN

Cass Calder Smith ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS

Experience, collaboration and a team approach define this architecture firm. What is it about you and your business that makes you a Bay Area Design expert? I have my master’s degree in architecture from UC Berkeley and have been designing homes in the Bay Area for 25 years. What is your unique approach to architecture that sets you apart in the industry? I like to create very clean-lined contemporary houses set in nature with strong indoor-outdoor connections to the landscape and views beyond. And since we usually do the interiors too, we have a strong attention to detail, and use a rich range of materials. Why should customers or clients consider you for their next design upgrade? I work very collaboratively and have a talented team.

What is unique about your approach to serving your customers? As an avid collaborator, I really listen — as it makes projects better and more personalized to the client. What new services and products do you specialize in that address our current times? We almost always include solar systems on the houses we do to save energy and we use as many sustainable materials as possible. Why is living and working in the Bay Area so special? It’s so beautiful here, and also each area is unique with its own sense of place. Most sites we work on have spectacular views and everywhere the quality of light is very nice.

What are you doing to stay connected with the local community? I am involved with the SFMOMA photography department. I teach an architectural design studio every few semesters at UC Berkeley. I’m on the board of the Djerassi Resident Artists Program in Woodside. What are your hobbies and interests outside of your business? I collect contemporary photography. What do you want people to know about you and/or your business? The work I have done over the years has been a complete team effort with our clients, my staff and business partners, whom I am grateful to. Also, that we are dedicated to design excellence.

44 McLea Court, San Francisco, CA 94103 | 415.864.2800 | www.casscaldersmith.com @ccsarchitecture | @ccsarchitecture | /ccs-architecture


PROMOTION

BAY AREA DESIGN

Chelsea Asermely JULY COLLECTIVE

Strategic design for brands, businesses and abodes with soul — let July Collective become your personal all-in-one creative director.

What is your unique approach that sets you apart in the industry? My varied background in the arts allows me to look at each project from a strategic point of view first. With a solid foundation established, I build upon the intent with creative solutions to ultimately support the client’s goals in a beautiful way.

Why should clients consider you for their next upgrade? I provide full-service, turn-key design through careful relationship building that enables me to pull together the right team for any scope. Having this single point of contact eases the stress of a large-scale project. From copywriters and photographers to furniture makers and general contractors, all the bases are covered allowing for projects that go the extra mile from start to finish. Why is good design so important? Design is truly a visual form of communication, and we all know that communication is key. At the root of it, your home or brand is a reflection of your energy. When properly aligned with form and function, the stage will be set for your life to un-

fold more effortlessly than you could ever have imagined. What is unique about your approach to serving your customers? Think of me as your complete personal creative director. I see the big picture, and how all the pieces will support one another in achieving your goals. When every touchpoint is in harmony, the outcomes can be life changing. Why is living in the Bay Area so special? It’s filled with diverse individuals and aesthetics. My projects and designs are a direct reflection of my clients’ unique point of view and are comprised of custom and vintage pieces and new finds that support local makers who are full of personality and soul.

chelsea@julycollective.com | www.julycollective.com | 203.859.1597 | @julycollective

Anna DaMommio of Hey Honey Photography

What is it about you and your business that makes you a Bay Area design expert? Through the lens of my clients, I see how those in the Bay Area both work and live, allowing me to better design for all aspects of their lives. From a mountainside homeowner to tech startup mogul, the Bay Area encompasses so many talented and inspiring individuals and families. Happily, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many of them on projects big and small.


PROMOTION

BAY AREA DESIGN

Kathleen McCoy BELLA NOTTE LINENS

Inspired by the relaxed beauty of the Bay Area, Bella Notte offers one-of-a-kind pieces crafted in Novato. In an age of far-flung supply chains and mechanized perfection, you can delight in each Bella Notte piece being one-of-a-kind. We begin by responsibly sourcing the finest quality materials from our trusted vendor partners. Every product is designed at our Novato headquarters, exquisitely crafted by master sewers and dyed to order in small batches in our unique, handmixed palette. Inspired by the relaxed, natural beauty of the Bay Area, all of our linens are made with intention and care for you and your family. To us, good design is a balance of quality, intentionality and timeless appeal — creating something that brings joy for years to come.

60 Galli Drive, Suite 2, Novato, CA 94949 customercare@bellanotte.com | www.bellanottelinens.com @bellanotte.linens | Bella Notte Linens @bellanottelinens |

medical & health innovators.


PROMOTION

BAY AREA DESIGN

Kevin Skiles, President URBAN BUILDING WORKSHOP, INC.

Let Urban Building Workshop design and build your custom home or handle your next renovation. Urban Building Workshop is an award-winning design and build firm focused on creating custom homes and executing renovation projects in Marin and Sonoma Counties. Our passion for design and craftsmanship elevates every project we work on. We are always excited to work with homeowners to help them realize their dreams and create bright, warm, modern homes that will have lasting value and enjoyment for years to come. Firm President Kevin Skiles is both a licensed architect and general contractor and brings more than 20 years of experience.

2845 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 415.306.3431 | info@ubwsf.com | www.ubwsf.com | Contractor Lic #970911 @urban_building_workshop | @UrbanBuildingWorkshop

Want to be part of our Medical & Health Innovators advertorial feature? In our next issue, Marin Living magazine will honor the Bay Area’s top medical and health innovators. This advertorial feature will provide readers with an inside look at the people and businesses that have made a significant impact in the Bay Area through the state-of-the-art practices and products they offer the community — these are the foremost trailblazers in their respective fields. These pages allow you to tell your story in your own voice. Whether you’re a health provider, medical or cosmetic physician, or provide natural health and wellness solutions for the mind and body, our readers want to know what makes you a pioneer in your field. Marin Living will enhance your exposure by promoting your profile not only in print, but in our e-newsletter, website and on social media. For more information, contact Dina Grant, advertising director, at dina@marinlivingmagazine.com, 707.238.2030.

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www.marinlivingmagazine.com


A S E C LU D E D E N C L AV E O F U N PA R A LLE LE D B E AU T Y A N D P R I VAC Y I N R O S S $43,000,000 8 BED

|

9. 5 B AT H

11,565 SQ FT

|

20+ ACRES

6 CAR S/S GAR AGE P O O L PAV I L L I O N

QUAILHILLROSS.COM

N E A L WA R D 41 5 . 269.9 93 3 N E A L @ C O M PA S S . C O M DRE 01052285

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.


going places. Life by Design

White Water Inn guest room, www.whitewatercambria.com; Jessica Alexander

Design infuses all aspects of our lives — from the homes we live in, the cars we drive, and the hotels where we stay. One thing is for certain: all great design begins with an even better story.

marin living. september/october 2020 69


Design’s Wild West The scenic Central Coast wine region is putting a sophisticated, sustainable spin on Wine Country architecture. By Casey Hatfield-Chiotti Paso Robles, the town and viticultural region four hours south of Marin on Highway 101, has always had a certain disregard for rules. Co-founded by outlaw Jesse James’ uncle Drury James, who came to California looking for gold in the late 1800s, the wine industry’s “Wild West” (and the state’s fast-growing AVA), is unbound by the tradition found in more 70 september/october 2020 marin living.

rigid regions like Bordeaux and Napa. Independent winemakers have planted a dizzying array of grapes — from jammy zinfandel to acidic albariño — on the golden rolling hillsides dotted with twisty oak trees. (Rhône varietals and innovative blends are also hallmarks.) Lately, it appears this ingrained experimental spirit is influencing local design. Acclaimed

architects and designers from places like San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles have been commissioned to design hotels inspired by environmental awareness and the region’s rustic landscape. Guests at these properties can enjoy everything from a stay in sleek industrial upcycled shipping containers to an equestrian-inspired getaway.

This page and opposite: Paul Vu Photography, courtesy of Geneseo Inn

voyager.


voyager.

Geneseo Inn

art credit

Cass Winery’s new boutique hotel (from $325, www.casswines.com) is an impressive feat of modern engineering. Incorporating a matrix design concept, the buildings, all recycled shipping containers, are located in three clusters with different orientations, producing an interesting play of light and shadow. The luxury bed-and-breakfast’s eight guest rooms, including a larger bridal suite, are raised above the vineyard on steel pilotis to create covered parking areas and unobstructed views. Twelve-foot-high cathedral ceilings with multiple windows open up the lower spaces and enhance natural ventilation. The ceilings and floors in the guest rooms are made of materials recycled from a winery barn. Architect Walter Scott Perry, the founder of Los Angeles–based Ecotech Design, has been a sustainable design leader since the ’70s and pioneered the use of shipping containers in architecture.

marin living. september/october 2020 71


White Water Paso’s design renaissance is spilling over to the coast. A 40-minute drive from Paso in Cambria, White Water (from $299, www.whitewatercambria.com), the first luxury-minded boutique hotel on the mile-long stretch of Moonstone Beach, opened in August. This is Los Angeles– based designer Nina Freudenberger’s first hospitality project, and the hotel sports a dark, off-black exterior with olive accents referencing native Monterey pine trees. The lobby and common area mix Scandinavian design and California bohemian vibes. A wall of windows provides abundant natural light and coastal views, while an intimate library is stocked with 72 september/october 2020 marin living.

National Geographic magazines from the 1970s. Cabin-inspired guest rooms have Baltic birch wood, vintage fabrics and modern lighting.

Stables Inn The 18-room Stables Inn (from $155, www.stablesinnpaso.com), near Paso’s verdant Downtown City Park, was a labor of love for owners Robert and Sherry Gilson. The equestrian-loving couple, who also own Paso’s storybook Hotel Cheval, re-created the whitewashed stables found in Great Britain and furnished the inn with antiques found on their travels. Originally a midcentury roadside inn, the Gilsons added cupolas to the roof and cladding.

Sliding doors and farmhouse furnishings, like simple white bed frames in guest rooms, add a western touch. The stunning Tack Room, a common space with woodbeamed ceilings, black-and-white photos and a galvanized metal windmill tail vane from the early 1900s, feels plucked straight from a Ralph Lauren ad.

The Piccolo Open since October 2019, this luxury boutique hotel (from $409, www.thepiccolo.com) has been a welcome addition to Paso’s historic downtown; much of the architecture dates back to the turn of the century. Designed by San Luis Obispo–based Ten Over Studio, the

White Water photo by Shade Degges

voyager.


voyager. Law Estate Wines

Design-Centric Wine Stays

Sophisticated design in Paso also extends to the region’s wineries and shops. Paso Market Walk

has solar panels, a

the first winery on the

slanted rainwater

California coast oper-

The 16,000-square-

collecting roof

ated until 2001. New

foot Paso Market

and an outdoor

owners bought it and

Walk, which opened

fireplace. www.law

opened it as Epoch

August 1, is an

estatewines.com

Estate Wines in 2016. The state-of-the-art

innovative mixed-use development that

Saxum

Law Estate Wines photo by Phil Pfunder

White Water

four-story property with a brick facade would be right at home in New York City. Guest rooms, including 23 luxury king rooms and a two-bedroom suite, resemble urban lofts with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, wide-planked dark wood floors and custom chandeliers by local blacksmith Hans Duus. Communal spaces mix urban sophistication with Paso style. Nature and local culture inspired the courtyard’s large hand-painted mural by California artists Hennessy Christophel and Sofia Lacin. The cozy library features locally sourced materials, while the Tetto Rooftop Bar, the first of its kind in downtown Paso, has contemporary slate gray couches and modern fire pits beneath a covered trellis.

tasting room has original bricks and

includes a restored Victorian house and

This lauded winery,

wooden pillars as well

contemporary struc-

built in 2016, features

as new floor-to-ceil-

tures. The detached

some of Paso Robles’

ing glass windows and

buildings house a

most beautiful mod-

doors, steel beams

mix of merchants

ern architecture. Sax-

and concrete walls.

including a Mexican

um’s spare-looking

www.epochwines.com

restaurant, wine

winery and tasting

shop and experiential

room, made of rusted

plant nursery. The

steel, was designed by

project also includes

award-winning Lake/

This winery’s new

the Lofts, six suites

Flato Architects,

wine cave and

that are available

while Clayton & Little

angular tasting

for short-term stays.

designed the modern

room with sliding

www.pasomarket

pole barn. The winery

glass doors will open

walk.com

is only open to wine

later this year; the

club members.

11,000-square-foot

www.saxum

cave will be carved

vineyards.com

into a vineyard-laced

Law Estate Wines

hillside. Booker wine-

The modern tasting room and winery Bar Architects cre-

Booker Wines

Epoch Estate Wines

maker Eric Jensen, who thinks many of the white wines in

ated for sustainably minded Law Estate

Lake/Flato Architects

the region are too

blends seamlessly

also took on this proj-

tart, makes rounder

into the landscape.

ect, which combines a

white blends from

Perched on the edge

historic structure and

roussanne and viog-

of Peachy Canyon,

modern architecture.

nier grapes. www.

the functional winery

Established in 1882,

bookerwines.com

marin living. september/october 2020 73


land & sea.

A day at the track offers a chance to rev the engine, take the turns and mingle with other car enthusiasts. By Daniel Jewett Residents of the Bay Area — and Marin in particular — are well-known for their love of performance cars. But driving these sleek machines at high speeds down Highway 101 isn’t the best idea. With local clubs like Exclusive Track Days (www. exclusivetrackdays.org), anyone can feel like a race car driver for a day — and what better place to get behind the wheel than at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca near Monterey? “I went to other track day club events and noticed that it was aimed at having the cheapest possible track days with the least amount of drive time,” says Exclusive Track Days founder, architect and professional race car driver Ace Robey, aka Ace. He started the club in 2014 to give enthusiasts — most bring their own street cars to track events, but rentals and classes are also available — more laps and additional time behind the wheel. With fewer cars at the track, attendees drive a minimum of seven 20-minute sessions, hitting speeds ranging from 70 to 150 mph, during an event day. 74 september/october 2020 marin living.

“You have people who take the day off work or it’s their weekend and they want to go to the track, drive their sports car, have some fun and meet people with similar interests,” Ace says. A day at the raceway — whether it be behind the wheel of a Porsche Cayman GT4, Ferrari or McLaren — “is a great stress reliever,” Ace adds. “It’s a great way to do something both physical and mental and have a great time.” And drivers love attending events at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “It’s one of the oldest tracks in the U.S., one of the most historic,” he says. “You can talk to people in any country in the world and they know about Laguna Seca. And it’s a great area, you can go to Carmel or Monterey, have dinner, go wine tasting.” Upcoming WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Events Ferrari Challenge series (Sept. 24–27); MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest (Oct. 23–25); Exclusive Track Days at Laguna Seca (Nov. 21–22).

Bay Area Track Clubs to Know Hooked on Driving — NorCal This school offers instruction on safely driving sporty or high-performance cars during noncompetitive track days. www.hookedondriving.com Porsche Club of America Golden Gate Club One of the nation’s oldest, largest and most active branches of the PCA, serving San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. www.pca-ggr.org SCCA San Francisco Regional Wheel-to-wheel, competitive road racing at Sonoma Raceway, Thunderhill Raceway Park and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. www.sfrscca.org SpeedSF A San Francisco club offering events, instruction and track days. Beginners with unmodified cars are welcome. www.speedsf.com

Paolo Lekai

License to Thrill


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new digs.

The Great North Bay Real estate in Marin is seeing unprecedented demand and buyers are in search of amenities that combine home, work, school and play — but how far north are they willing to go and how much are they willing to pay to have it all?

we have all been watching and waiting as the Bay Area real estate market is being reshaped. The most drastic shift is happening in San Francisco, where for the first time in recent memory housing sales are cooling. The San Francisco Chronicle recently reported that finalized sales in the city have dropped by more than 16 percent, a 40-year low. Pre-Covid, San Francisco had the highest building occupancy rate in the country, but now things are looking very different. Domm Holland, CEO of tech start-up Fast, had been living with his wife and two small children in San Francisco since 2019, and they knew that eventually they would want to find a place outside of the city with more space, but when the shelter-inplace order was issued there was a sudden urgency. “Our number one goal for our next home was more space, both inside and out. More room for our children to be able to play in their rooms and a backyard where we could have grass, a trampoline and room to run around,” he says. While there have been endless reports of people deserting the Bay Area altogether, agents in Marin are seeing a huge spike in interest in the North Bay from people leaving the city, with Marin sitting

76 september/october 2020 marin living.

Open Homes Photography

INCE THE PANDEMIC struck,

Jennifer Bowman’s 9 Fairview Avenue listing in Corte Madera, which recently sold for $1,550,000, offers the indoor-outdoor lifestyle Marin is known for.

Brian McCloud

S

By Casey Gillespie


new digs.

marin living. september/october 2020 77


new digs.

at the top of the list. Marinites have long been aware of the benefits of the county’s generous green spaces, hiking trails, beaches, schools and homes with enough land to enjoy the indoor-outdoor lifestyle. And with so many of us working from home for the last six months — with no foreseeable return to office life — urban dwellers are feeling the pull of the suburbs and all that life outside the city has to offer. “Being in a remote location is not the deal breaker that it once was for many buyers,” says Compass agent Deborah Cole. “Many of the buyers leaving San Francisco think nothing of driving way up in the hills of Marin and even pretty far out Shoreline Highway because now they don’t have to go to the city every day. They are used to coming to Marin for recreation and excited about the prospect of being able to go right out their door onto trails and being surrounded by natural beauty,” she adds. “All of Marin is busy. We are seeing more activity and higher price points than we have in the past for West and Northern Marin. And there is a bias toward houses 78 september/october 2020 marin living.

that are move-in ready,” Vanguard Properties agent Jennifer Bowman adds. According to Redfin, the average selling price of a house in Marin was $1.33 million in July, up 17.3 percent since last year. And the Marin Independent Journal reported that data from the county’s assessor-recorder’s office documented the median home price was $1,550,000 (an increase of 24 percent over 2019). And for that price, people want more than location, location, location — they want amenities as well. Corcoran Global Living agent Kimberly Hering says, “Everyone wants a pool right now as well as more space, which means something different to every buyer. It can be lot size, home size or the number of rooms in the home so they can create ‘zones’ to accommodate school, home office, working out, play and living areas.” However, a have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too market this is not. Location paired with the most desirable design aspects has driven prices far higher than those aforementioned average and median sale prices.

“To get a pool, views, living zones, move-in-ready home in Marin you will be paying well over $2 million unless you are looking in Novato and some parts of San Rafael. I have a buyer who is willing to spend up to $4 million and even with that we have had a difficult time finding a home with all of those in-demand qualities,” adds Hering. With interest rates at record lows (under 3 percent), Marin is undoubtedly experiencing a seller’s market, but what measures are people taking to secure one of the county’s coveted properties? “You would have to have all cash, no contingencies and be prepared to pay 20 percent over asking to secure a ‘desirable home’ with all of the most-wanted features,” says Hering. Buyers may be feeling the sting, but that is great news for locals who have been contemplating a move themselves. “With demand high, inventory low and commute being a less significant factor, now is the time to sell if you have been wanting a new adventure,” adds Bowman.

Brian McCloud

Deborah Cole’s 624 Main listing in Sausalito (3 bed, 2 bath) sold in April for $1,635,000.


PROMOTION

Community Minded

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First Impressions Are Everything in Real Estate Our team has a tried and true formula for transforming a home into a showplace using our curated selection of property enhancements like: contemporary lighting, flooring, landscaping improvements, painting, hardware and fixtures. With a nominal upfront investment our clients are seeing huge returns on their sale to the tune of several hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is money that would have been left on the table had we not given the home our signature look. Give us a call if you would like a tailored plan to update your home for sale. Rahdi Ahern & Scott Kalmbach, AHERN + KALMBACH 415.879.8311 | team@ahern-kalmbach.com www.ahern-kalmbach.com

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Peace of Mind

TEDxMarin speaker Rhonda Magee explains how mindfulness can be a long-awaited solution to lawyer burnout, excessive incarceration and inequitable policing. By Daniel Jewett What if mindfulness could be used to lower the stress levels of law students and practicing lawyers? What if it could help police respond to calls with more empathy and help all of us rethink how to bring equality to social justice? This year, Rhonda Magee, who specializes in these topics professionally as a lawyer, author, public speaker and 80 september/october 2020 marin living.

USF professor teaching mindfulness-based stress reduction, joins 15 other speakers who will all seek to challenge conventional thinking at the first-ever online broadcast of TEDxMarin (www.tedxmarin.org). Magee was born in Kinston, North Carolina, in 1967, when segregation was the de facto reality and the

community was steeped in racism. It was her grandmother who taught her how a mindfulness practice could help: “I would see the evidence of her using the practice of a centering prayer every morning to ground herself in her own value and worth.” Magee eventually found her way to the Bay Area and has been a full-time faculty member at USF since 1998 and a full professor since 2004. “I became inspired to start offering mindfulness to folks in law,” she says about her time in law school. “At that time, it was innovative in nature.” Magee says this practice is needed because there is a crisis among those on the legal front lines. “It’s the predictable consequences of this being a profession in which we are prepared to rush in toward the fire and the conflicts and be of some support.” And when it comes to the topic of policing, racism and equality in all levels of the criminal justice system, mindfulness can play an important role there, too, Magee says. “There are many efforts to incorporate mindfulness into the training of a range of different participants in law enforcement: police, prosecutors, defense counsel or judges. I’ve been involved with training of folks at all of those levels and it is ongoing,” she says. “We can redirect this hyper-investment in a warlike, militarized policing model and start supporting policy makers, as I have done, to come up with more of a community-enhancing, proactive investment.” See the TEDXMarin HD broadcast online at 6 p.m. on September 12. Ticketing options include watching the event opening night, within 24 hours, or within one week. PPV options will be available for two months.

Blake Farrington

drawn together.


16 15 4

17 2

6 3

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1

14

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Distinctive Design Thoughtful Details

SUTTON SUZUKI Architects

SuttonSuzuki.com Mill Valley CA 415 383 3139


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