Su Casa Southwestern Homes Summer 2023 Edition

Southwest Homes

creative kitchen design

inspiration ideas resources

sustainably smart Corrales home inside and out style in Santa Fe

Selling and buying your home is challenging at any time. But today’s volatile market makes it more important than ever to put one of the state’s most successful brokers on your team. Finding one is easy; simply visit NMSELECT.COM. These highly respected brokers are uniquely qualified and ready to help make your next real estate transaction a success in all market conditions.

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inspiration ideas resources

48

SOUTHWEST HOMES

60 Bare-bones Beauty

In partnership with Sun Mountain Construction, Inc., a Corrales couple dedicated themselves to building a beautiful dream home with the least environmental impact.

SPECIAL SECTIONS

52 Creative Kitchens

Peek inside five local kitchens that offer inspiration for beautiful design and extraordinary functionality.

86 Now Trending

Local pros weigh in on trends that are shaping today’s kitchen design.

Southwest Homes

52

Wendy McEahern

On the cover: Woods Design Builders created an Atalaya Mountain home that is all about connection to the outdoors and the vast expanse of undisturbed forest surrounding it. Photograph by Wendy McEahern.

Robert Reck Photography

IN EVERY ISSUE

30 Inside Su Casa

32 Life+Style Southwest

Add loads of character to your home’s exterior with colorful zinnias and consider a synthetic lawn for year-round greenery. Inside, perk up your place with sunny yellow products.

42, 70 Design Studio

Step inside a Santa Fe interior designer’s home to see how he approaches design. And explore a home centered around indoor-outdoor living principles. Get tips from local retailers on how to punch-up your outdoor living spaces.

74

Vida Buena

Explore the colorful, teeming-with-life, historic lands of America’s first national park: Yellowstone.

78 Just Winging Through

One of the most beneficial things you can do for birds is put out water. We explore why it’s so important—it’s not just for drinking— in the dry summer months.

80

Su Cocina

Santa Fe’s La Casa Sena retains local history in its location while providing an evolving menu with global influences.

85 ¡ Salud!

Traditionally known for its red wines, Spain is producing surprising and tasteful whites.

90 Su

Libro

The Flower School will inspire you to bring in cuttings or visit your favorite floral shop to create arrangements of your own.

Daniel Nadelbach

Sam Adams

Realize Your Dream Home With SLFCU!

If you like the area where you live, but aren’t totally in love with your home... Consider getting a Home Equity CreditLine and using your home’s equity for remodels, repairs, or new appliances to freshen up your space.

If you are looking to purchase a home, but the current rates intimidate you... Consider getting pre-approved for an adjustable rate mortgage and get the benefit of a lower rate than a fixed rate mortgage – with rate caps for peace of mind.

If you want to build your dream home, but don’t own property... Consider getting a vacant land loan to purchase property. Let the equity work for you as you move to a construction loan to build in your desired location.

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Dee Rasberry, QB 505.269.1505 dee@deerealtor.com

Carmenza Duque 505.507.9496 carmenzasellsabq@gmail.com

Tim and Karen Brown 505.550.1447 karenbrown.abq@gmail.com

Helen Demott 505.610.8355 homesbyhappyhelen@comcast.net

Linda E. Malott 505.507.2459 linda@lindamalott.com

Linda Coy, CRS 505.259.7477 Lindacoy.AlamedaR1@gmail.com

Charlotte Trone 505.350.0099 charlotte@thehouseangel.com

Teri Hatcher 505.385.1606 teri@terihatcherrealtor.com

Maria M. Constantine 505.903.0667 maria.newmexicohomes@gmail.com

Candice Banks 505.350.3188 Candice@BanksRealtyNM.com

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Discover our brand-new homes nestled in the highly desirable NE Heights of Albuquerque. Experience the perfect blend of elegance, convenience, and unrivaled amenities. Featuring Twilight Homes’ Signature Series, immerse yourself in excellence crafted

Discover our brand-new homes nestled in the highly desirable NE Heights of Albuquerque. Experience the perfect blend of elegance, convenience, and unrivaled amenities. Featuring Twilight Homes’ Signature Series, immerse yourself in excellence crafted

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Publisher William P. Lang

Publication Director Cheryl Mitchell

Editor Heather Shoning

Creative Director B.Y. Cooper

Contributors

Paula M. Bodah

Jessa Cast

Amy Gross

Ben Ikenson

Kate Jonuska

Carol Orona

James Selby

Faerl Marie Torres

Lisa Truesdale

Photography

Sam Adams

Daniel Nadelbach

Wendy McEahern

Advertising Manager Cheryl Mitchell

Correction: In the winter 2023 issue, we incorrectly identified Eric Spurlock as an architect (page 66) instead of a home designer.

For advertising information contact: 505-344-1783

SuCasaMagazine.com

Copyright 2023 by Number Nine Media Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Basic annual subscription rate is $15.95, Canada & Mexico is $31.95. Other international countries is $35.95. U.S. single-copy price is $6.95. Back issues are $7.95 each.

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Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico

Board of Directors

President: Carey Plant

First Vice President: Ashley Lawrence

Second Vice President: JP Rael

Immediate Past President: Jenice Eades

Associate Vice President: Danielle Fleming

Secretary/Treasurer: Rita Powers

Associate-at-Large: Jason Balthrop

Builders Council Chair: Troy Crutchfield

Production Builders Council Chair: Kevin Vautier

Sales & Marketing Council Chair: Jolene Montoya

Membership Committee Chair: Joe Menicucci

Education Committee Chair: Adam Walker

Builder-at-Large: Richard Medina

Parade Chair: Danielle Fleming

Advisory Members: David Newell, Ron Sisneros, Mackenzie Bishop, Wade Messenger, Diana Lucero

Honorary Member: Dr. Susan Bogus Halter

Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico Staff

Executive Vice President: Lana Smiddle

Events & Education Director: Jill Krogman

Communication & Membership Specialist: Joseph Moreno

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In every summer issue, we—of course—bring you top-notch outdoor living content. But this season, we’re taking it even further. Our aim is always to embolden you to create your ideal home—inside and out—with ideas and inspiration from the local community shown throughout our pages.

To inform your exterior spaces, we have two outdoor living articles—one chock full of tips for creating a livable and beautiful outdoor area. The second one takes you inside and outside of a Santa Fe stunner that demonstrates how local home builders make indoor-outdoor connections.

In addition, we share with you the pros and cons of synthetic laws and how you can use this alternative to have a beautiful green space all year to help preserve our precious water resources. And what yard wouldn’t benefit from the cheerful addition of color from planting zinnias?

In this issue, we also highlight five local kitchens by creative builders and kitchen design firms. These kitchens inspire culinary creativity with beautiful views, luxurious features, over-the-top organization and functionality, and smart floor plans and design.

Speaking of smart design, this issue’s feature home will surprise you with its exquisite aesthetics and thoughtprovoking sustainable design elements. The homeowners wanted to create a blueprint for going green, so they teamed up with Sun Mountain Construction, Inc. because owner Norm Schreifels is known for his commitment to sustainability in every home he builds.

Santa Fe designer and owner of J. Douglas Furniture & Interior Design invited us inside his personal home to see how he created a show-stopping interior using bold print furnishings, extraordinary artwork and a blend of textural elements.

Sena Plaza in Santa Fe is home to La Casa Sena, one of the area’s most beloved fine-dining restaurants. We explore the history of its location and its unique twist on New American West fare.

We also tell you how to keep your home cool naturally to save on energy bills and about the importance of putting out water for our parched—and dirty! feathered friends. Embark on a trip to America’s first national park: Yellowstone. And learn about some of its hidden secrets and quirky lore.

Enjoy New Mexico’s beautiful summer; we sure will! And we hope you glean some inspiration from these pages to create your perfect home—indoors and out.

William P. Lang Publisher

Right: A LEED Platinum–rated and Build Green New Mexico Emerald–certified home shows off its industrial nature with exposed ducting and trusses. Read more on page 60.

Sam Adams

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The homeowners wanted bright and cheerful when they worked with Tierra Concepts to build a new territorial-style home. They also wanted traditional elements with a modern twist. “When you walk into this house, everyone loves it no matter their style,” says Keith Gorges of Tierra Concepts. For this interior space in the core of the home with no windows, Gorges got creative. The floor throughout the home is a light reclaimed oak and, of course, he incorporated a skylight into the design. But the magic is in the hand-troweled, white walls. “The walls are reflective, but not super polished,” he says. “The corners are squared off—that little bit of edge against traditional territorial style makes the space sing.”

Tierra Concepts, tierraconceptssantafe.com

photograph by Wendy McEahern

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zest for zinnias

a rainbow of hues for a cheerful garden addition

EVERY FLOWER INSPIRES an emotion. Roses evoke romance, spring daffodils feel like a new beginning, end-of-summer chrysanthemums might trigger a touch of melancholy. And zinnias? Well, zinnias just make us happy, bobbing their brightly colored heads on the breeze from early summer to mid-autumn.

Growing in masses on their own or popping up among the perennials, zinnias sound a cheerful note anywhere they’re planted. “Their blooms are amazing,” says Jesse Darling, general manager of Jericho Nurseries in Albuquerque. “On top of that, they handle the sun in the southwest pretty well.”

While perennials bloom year after year, some only for a few days or a week, zinnias, like all annuals, must be replanted every year but bloom continuously, painting the garden with color all season long. They’re also good pollinators, attracting birds, butterflies and bees.

And oh, what color! Zinnias come in every shade of red from

by Paula M. Bodah

the palest pink to the deepest burgundy, as well as yellow, orange and lots of pretty hues in between. “Peach zinnias are a favorite among our customers,” Darling says. “Another is senorita, which is a salmon color.”

His own favorite, he confesses, is green envy. “I’m a sucker for green flowers, because they’re unusual.”

Whether you sow seeds or use plants that have already been started at the nursery, wait until the danger of frost has passed, says Tom Jones, who goes by T.J. and is store manager at one of Payne’s Nursery’s two Santa Fe locations. “If you live in Albuquerque (zones 7a and 7b), that’s in April,” he says. “Here in Santa Fe (zone 6b), it’s more like mid-May.”

Check your soil before you plant. “If your soil is sandy, mix in some compost,” Darling advises, to help hold moisture.

Set seeds or plants 10 or 12 inches apart. “Zinnias need good air flow,” Darling explains. “If they’re too close together and it’s 95 degrees–plus, they’ll look like they’re melting no matter how much you water them.”

Jones advises watering early in the morning and avoiding getting the foliage wet. “Mildew can form if you water them at night,” he cautions.

Use a fertilizer that’s high in phosphorous to keep those blossoms coming, and, Jones says, deadhead—that is, cut off spent flowers—to encourage more flowers. “They should bloom all summer long,” he says.

As for where to plant them, it’s a matter of taste. “I like them all by themselves,” Jones says. “I might put some marigolds around them. Or I grow them in pots, so I can control the water better and move them around.”

Darling suggests mixing them with perennials. “They add a nice showiness to the perennial bed,” he says, and they make good companions for any number of perennials, including coneflower, salvias, yarrow and autumn sages.

Whatever varieties you choose, and wherever you plant them, vibrant zinnias will bring cheer all season long.

by Faerl Marie Torres

enduring emerald

synthetic lawns provide authentic beauty

WHETHER IN NEED of a backyard oasis for al fresco entertaining or wanting to add a jewel to the curb-appeal crown, grass is the traditional solution. But lawns can be controversial in the desert Southwest. On top of requiring intensive preparation and careful handling, natural grass lawns are expensive to install and require constant maintenance and water. A lot of water—up to a quarter inch per day in the warm season, which can add up to more than 100,000 gallons per year—for an average-sized lawn. With all that, an alternative might make more sense.

Like lab-grown emeralds, synthetic lawns are as beautiful as the real deal, and they are a high-endurance, authentically eco solution that isn’t solely comprised of rock and succulents. Savings abound when you eliminate swollen water bills, chemical fertilizers and treatments, in addition to time and energy spent maintaining a grass

lawn. “You put it in and call it done,” says Chris Baca, owner of SYNLawn of New Mexico.

In addition to providing year-round beauty and a verdant view, synthetic lawns require no water, are zero-maintenance, durable and cost nothing after the initial installation. “With artificial turf, the maintenance is almost nil; it’s like a patio,” says Steve Forster of Southwest Greens of New Mexico. “You can’t put a value on time, and that’s really what you save.”

As an economic boost, most of Forster’s clients report a real return on their synthetic investment in three to five years. Baca believes the return makes it worth it. “Especially the Americanmade products that have a warranty,” he says. Yvonne Wilson, the owner of Always Green NM Synthetic Turf, says its product lasts fifteen to twenty years with normal wear.

Like other home improvement projects, synthetic lawns have options based on budget and needs. There are different levels with upgrades and premium features. “The other option is education,” Baca says. “You can pay a professional, or you can buy it and do it yourself.” Many companies sell direct to consumers and are happy to talk them through the installation process. “We want to make it accessible,” Wilson says.

Unlike the AstroTurf of decades past, modern synthetic grass is soft, lush and remarkably realistic, with options to tailor the lawn to your lifestyle. Southwest Greens of New Mexico

Rodriguez Fotografia

Today’s

synthetic lawns are designed to look and feel like the real thing, even with some replicating grasses from the Southwest.

Take the heat off bare feet: There are many systems and options to reduce the surface temperature of synthetic lawns.

• Anti-reflective properties in upgraded blade threads reduce sun absorption and heat.

• Polymer-coated sand used as an infill can reduce the surface temperature up to 50 degrees with a simple once-daily watering. The sand holds the water and slowly releases it throughout the day, acting as an evaporative cooling system beneath your feet.

The nose knows: New developments in backing materials, antimicrobial infill and enzyme treatments are specifically designed for pet owners.

• New synthetic lawn backing materials allow liquids (such as urine) to pass directly through the lawn, preventing the build-up of odor.

• Antimicrobial-coated sand in the synthetic lawn base eliminates the urine bacteria.

• Environmentally friendly and biodegradable odor-eating treatments can be applied by professionals or homeowners.

replicates regional grasses with a special turf line designed for the Southwest, ensuring its product looks natural year-round. Artificial grass can be custom designed to suit your needs, including at-home putting greens or unique spaces for your pets.

The first artificial turf was developed more than fifty years ago; since then, the technology and expertise have helped develop unique, lifestyle-specific products, ensuring anyone can have a rich, green lawn regardless of drought.

Courtesy SynLawn of New Mexico

Courtesy Always Green NM

Courtesy Always Green NM

yearning for yellow

invite sunshine into your home

We embrace our indoor-outdoor living to its fullest extent in New Mexico, and now you can bring a little of the outdoors in with these beautiful products in an array of sunny hues.

1. Sitting Pretty

Dress up your yard with this classic Adirondack chair that is synonymous with summer. Ditch wooden design for this maintenance-free version made of recycled plastic bottles. Slatted and sloped, this chair (and the matching ottoman) provide the ultimate outdoor lounging experience. The weather-resistant, high-density polyethylene with stainless steel hardware ensure your chair will be beaming for years to come. Made exclusively for Crate & Barrel. 31”W x 37”D x 35”H. Vista II Lemon Outdoor Adirondack Chair by POLYWOOD, $499, crateandbarrel.com

2. Sunny Snacks

You’ll want to get caught with your hand in this beautiful cookie jar! Finished with jaunty bands of bold hues, the Maeve dipped canisters offer storage with flair. This medium (5.75”diameter x 6.6”H) cream-glazed stoneware vessel takes a dip in mustard yellow, creating a fresh color-block look while holding your kitchen essentials. A silicone gasket provides airtight storage. For a cheerful kitchen, add other colordipped pieces from Crate & Barrel’s exclusive Maeve collection. Maeve Medium Dipped Canister, $25, crateandbarrel.com

3. Perfect Pour

This simple pitcher brings European elegance to mealtimes with its design inspired by France’s picturesque countryside. The durable stoneware pitcher is painted with a reactive glaze to enhance its rustic beauty and hand finished with a contrasting rim. It’s ideal for serving everything from juice and water to iced tea and sangria, and it coordinates with a collection of Provençal dinnerware. Provençal Pitcher, $70, williams-sonoma.com

4.

Cover Up

Transform your bedroom or a guest room into a perfectly pleasant and dreamy space with this fabulous floral quilt inspired by traditional block print techniques. The detailed design was originally hand carved on wood, then transferred and printed on cotton. The 100-percent cotton and batting makes it supremely soft and lightweight—perfect for layering. And, you can switch up the look with its reversible patterns. Bette Handcrafted Reversible Quilt, $229–$279, potterybarn.com

5.

Walking on Sunshine

This rug brings a hint of sunshine to any room. The polypropylene rug features a faded, Persianinspired pattern in yellow hues for an heirloom look with classic style on your floors. Plus, the slim-profile half-inch pile height, is perfect for softening hardwood and tile floors without being a tripping hazard. Hand-curated by Kelly Clarkson. Baylee Performance Yellow/Ivory Rug, 6’7” x 9’6”, $168, wayfair.com

6.

Towel Off

Add a slice of sunshine to your kitchen with these mix-and-match towels. Slender navy and white lines intersect in a windowpane plaid on the golden yellow dish towel. Add lemon-print or choose another colorway for contrast. Woven of pure organic cotton, the sunny yellow fabric is prewashed for extra softness. Fringes at either end finish the cloth with a touch of texture, and a hanging loop keeps the tea towel right where you need it for drying hands, dishes and countertops. Yellow Plaid Dish Towel with Fringe, $10, crateandbarrel.com

second act

by Paula M. Bodah photographs by Daniel Nadelbach

a designer turns to his eponymous showroom to outfit his personal home

DOUGLAS BRADFORD was on track for a pleasant retirement. Fulfilling a longtime dream of moving to Santa Fe, the designer and owner of J. Douglas Furniture & Interior Design, a furniture and accessories showroom in Dallas, bought a house in the Las Campanas community two years ago. “I was slowly working toward retiring,” he says.

There was only one glitch in the plan. “I got bored,” he confesses. “You can only do so much gallery shopping.” When he drove into town one day to grab a cup of coffee and spotted a vacant space with a “For Lease” sign on it, he decided to put retirement on hold by opening a second J. Douglas showroom, in Santa Fe.

Naturally, Bradford turned to his own resources to outfit his home.

“Everything you see, except for the finer art pieces, comes from my showroom,” he says. The five-year-old house, built by Tierra Concepts, needed no major transformations.

For any design project, Bradford says it’s important to incorporate elements that speak to the location, and from the outset, that was his priority for this home. “I wanted to honor the surroundings as much as possible,” he says. He set the tone with a palette he calls “masculine and earthy,” in shades of chocolate, gray and cream enlivened with lustrous fabrics. “I didn’t want to draw attention away from the views with a lot of color and pattern,” he explains. He notes that every project is different and material selections should be based on the homeowners and how they live.

The combination of earthiness and glamour is on full display in the entry, with a Theodore Alexander cabinet inlaid with gold in a manner reminiscent of kintsugi, a Japanese technique for repairing broken porcelain. Atop the cabinet sits a chunk of gleaming crystal. “I like the crystal, because it’s a piece of nature, and to me, that’s what Santa Fe is all about,” Bradford says.

An open floor plan defines the main

In the living room, traditional elements like leather and a classic Greek key pattern take on a Santa Fe vibe. Bradford’s art collection features many Southwestern artists: the bronze on the end table is by Hopi sculptor Evelyn Fredericks, the Native American figure next to the TV is by Santa Fe sculptor Doug Hyde, and the paintings above the fireplace and on the side wall are by Phoenix artist John Douglas.

Design Studio

living area, with an easy flow from the kitchen through the dining area and into the living room. The living room’s expansive glass doors slide back into the wall, opening the indoors to the spacious patio. The kitchen’s dark chocolate-gray cabinetry makes a sophisticated counterpoint to the natural rough-hewn ceiling beams, while striking pendant lights of luminescent selenite crystal dangle above

The entryway sets the home’s mixand-match tone with its blend of Asian-, indigenous- and Southwest-inspired touches.

LEFT:

RIGHT: White linen-covered chairs and pendant lights fashioned from chunks of selenite strike a sophisticated note.

Design Studio

the island. Bradford replaced the kitchen island’s stone with a waterfall granite in dramatic black and white.

In the living room, the designer added a bit of pattern and texture to the subdued color scheme. Of mixing and matching in design, Bradford says: “I really don’t think there are any rules anymore when it comes to design. Much like fashion, we mix everything these days.” A swivel chair sports embossed leather that suggests tree bark and a pair of Hancock & Moore barrelback chairs wear a fabric that resembles a Greek key design, but with a Santa Fe vibe. The

This bedroom features a leatherupholstered bed with a plush blue velvet quilt and silky pillows.

quiet design scheme makes a fine backdrop for Bradford’s diverse collection of paintings and sculptures, that give the house its warmth and personality. “I always try to use local artists in my work to give a sense of the city’s vibe,” he says. He adds that scale is the most important consideration in selecting art for a space. “It has to fit the space,” he says. “As far as subject matter, I let the client guide me because art is personal.”

While his best-laid plans may have changed, Bradford is delighted with both his new home and his new business. “I love what I do so much,” he says. “I don’t want to retire.”

Chairs covered in fauxleopard velvet and a trio of woven baskets give the study an African vibe. The horse sculpture in the corner is by Santa Fe artist Tammy Garcia. SUPPLYING HIGH QUALITY BUILDING PRODUCTS SINCE 1989.

outside-in luxury

a vacation home designed with nature in mind

MELISSA THOMAS KNEW EXACTLY what she wanted for a second home in Santa Fe. “We lived in town before,” Thomas explains, “but we spent all our time in the outdoors, going up to the mountain.” Along with her husband Stephan, Thomas knew when the time came, they’d build a house that fits them perfectly—a vacation home that provides an escape from their busy lives, the confinement of four walls and constant lure of technology. Their Atalaya Mountain home is about connection to the outside and the vast expanse of undisturbed forest surrounding them. They chose an exclusive lot and designed the house to fit organically into the terrain, creating yin and yang between outside and in at every turn.

“The most important aspect is the lot the house was built on,” says Rob Woods of Woods Design Builders. Surrounded by the Santa Fe National Forest and sitting on one of the highest positions on Atalaya Mountain, the Thomas’ home is built to complement the topography and make the most of the vistas on every side. “It’s looking over St. John’s College Arroyo, Sun and Moon mountains, the

by Faerl Marie Torres photographs by Wendy McEahern Design Studio

The designer and homeowner intentionally selected materials throughout the home to reflect the colors and textures from the surrounding outdoor space.

Design Studio

Jemez Mountains, and across the city of Santa Fe,” Woods says. When they started building, everyone’s first thought was blending the house into the land. The interior space was designed to minimize the delineation between inside and out, from the window size and placement to the furnishings, fixtures and lighting.

“The home epitomizes transitional design,” Woods says. While paying homage to the historic Santa Fe style, natural stone and wood elements are blended with modern glass to enhance the design and expand the views. The palette was also selected from outside. “We decorated with an eye toward eliminating distraction from the natural setting—the diamond plaster walls are the color of aspen trunks and winter snowfall, and the browns and earthen tones throughout are all found in the surroundings with a nod to traditional Santa Fe style,” Thomas says. Even the bathrooms were designed to feel close to nature.

The couple’s favorite room is the courtyard, which they can enjoy, whether inside or out, thanks to custom doors and fully windowed hallways. “We had a very small footprint because of the slope,” Thomas says, “and had to choose carefully how to spend the space. It was more important to me to have that courtyard than another room in the house.” The back patio is designed with floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors, as an extension of the open-concept kitchen, dining and living rooms, with all the comfort and amenities of the interior spaces. “We have most of our meals out there,” Thomas says of the versatile exterior room where her family eats, plays games and reads.

The kitchen countertop extends outside with accordion windows that open completely to the bar. “Whether you’re in the kitchen or on the patio, it’s the same space. When the windows are open, there’s no wall, which really encapsulates bringing the outside in,” Woods says.

The addition of skylights throughout, including the laundry room and bathrooms, allows the Thomas family to sync with a more natural daily rhythm. “We often forget to turn on the lights,” Thomas says. “There’s so much natural light, and our rhythm is set by the house, waking up with the daylight and being energized by the sunshine until the evening.”

When the sun sets, the outside spaces are transformed by the night sky and sparkling view of the lights in the city below. The fire table on the back patio is the centerpiece of quiet evenings, regardless of the season. “It’s more of a lifestyle for us,” Thomas says of the home’s intentional indoor-outdoor design. “We trusted our instincts and got it right.”

“It’s more of a life style for us. We trusted our instincts and got it right.”

— Melissa Thomas

When the accordion windows are open, the sink area essentially functions as an island— joining the indoors and the outdoors.

by Heather Shoning

creative kitchens

a peek inside local kitchens with top-notch designs and amenities

Builders and kitchen designers are raising the bar on design and functionality as well as beauty and an enduring aesthetic. Be inspired by these inviting spaces to create a one-of-a-kind kitchen in your home.

In his personal home, Chris Martinez, owner of Picasso Builders, built an entertaining kitchen meant to showcase what’s possible in luxury kitchen design, so it’s not only gorgeous, but it’s also uber-functional. Of course, it includes top-of-the-line appliances from Sub-Zero and La Cornue, but it’s the custom cabinetry that stands out. The ultra-modern style features a touch-toopen mechanism—although some have pulls designed to coordinate with the style of the range—and LED lighting that turns on when they open. Cabinet drawers are made of metal with tinted glass side rails, and many are outfitted with impeccable inserts for organization. Some cabinetry features glass doors with crystal glass shelves backlit with LEDs. “I wanted to mimic the look of the windows with a design feature to tie it all together,” Martinez says. Directly below the expanse of windows, there’s a six-foot sink, and the countertops and backsplash behind the range are a richly veined quartzite.

kitchen showcase Lyric Moya

maximum views

Spiegel-Kinsley Construction LLC is known for its commitment to sustainable building practices, which certainly did not take a back seat in this Placitas home. However, a significant driver of the design was an effort to maximize the mountain views. “We wouldn’t normally do a corner range, but it was optimal for capturing the views and providing indoor-outdoor access through the folding windows,” says Evan Kinsley, president and partner. The large window on the sink wall provides seamless access to additional bar-top seating and an outdoor kitchen. An open floor plan and spacious room for entertaining were also at the top of the must-have list, so Kinsley designed an oversized island with a double waterfall countertop as a space to gather and put out a spread.

Noah Romero

Noah Romero

subtle serenity

The owners of this small townhouse wanted a calm and serene kitchen that would look decidedly not fancy or brand new. So, they sought La Puerta Originals for custom cabinetry and the help of Catherine Gammon of Catherine’s Custom Interiors to tie it all together. “It’s a small space, and they wanted to fill it with carved antique material,” says Melissa Coleman, La Puerta’s president. “You don’t come to us if you want slick and shiny.” La Puerta employed design elements such as soft closing drawer glides, a pullout waste bin and upper cabinets with a plate rack to maximize functionality. An ornate hood provides a beautiful focal point, and the palette is warm and sunny. Open shelving helps keep the room feeling light and airy. “It’s one of the prettiest, most welcoming kitchens,” Coleman says. “It truly reflects the values of the couple living there.”

Wendy McEahern

After 20 years, these homeowners wanted an upgraded kitchen with all the modern conveniences such as soft-close drawers and doors, spice drawers, and better organizational features in the cabinetry. When they showed up to a meeting with Arturo Febry, owner and designer at Bontina Distinctive Cabinetry Design, with a cabinet stain sample nearly identical to what they already had, Febry exposed them to other possibilities. “They opened up to new options,” he said. From there, they decided on knotty alder custom cabinetry in a rich, warm wood tone that—unlike the previous cabinets—goes all the way to the ceiling to maximize storage. The new design eliminated a double oven and small desk to accommodate more storage and countertop space, while a custom tile backsplash draws attention to the range area. Not only did the homeowners get their wish for modern cabinetry with exceptional storage capabilities, but they also got a new pantry with a drawer specifically designed for dog food.

modern Pueblo

Robert Reck Photography

oak throwback

When Jordan Pacheco of CJ & J Construction wanted to put oak cabinetry in a speculative home in Rio Rancho, he caught some flak— namely from his parents who he is in business with. “Oak is hard and heavy, and it will last forever,” Pacheco says. “It’s a pretty wood with lots of grain.” To give his vision an updated look, he went through more than 20 stain samples to get the perfect shade of weathered oak, a style he’d seen trending on the West Coast. Expansive pantry doors show off the much-loved wood grain, as does the contrasting dark gray island. Rollout shelves, a pullout waste bin and an appliance cabinet are optimal for functionality. The backsplash plays second fiddle with its white-on-white tile and grout combination. The look is subtly sophisticated and allows the cabinetry to shine.

resources

kitchen showcase, page 52

Builder: Picasso Builders; Appliances: Builders Source Appliance Gallery; Cabinetry: BauTeam; Countertops: Arizona Tile

maximum views, page 54

Architecture: Jim Beverly Designs; Builder: Spiegel-Kinsley Construction LLC; Interior Design: Laura Myers Interiors; Appliances: Builders Source Appliance Gallery; Cabinetry: J&K Cabinetry; Countertops: United Stoneworks; Fixtures: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery; Flooring: Stonewood Flooring LLC; Tile: Artistic Tile

subtle serenity, page 55

Kitchen Design: La Puerta Originals; Interior Design: Catherine’s Custom Interiors; Cabinetry: La Puerta Originals; Tile: Statements In Tile/Lighting/Kitchens/Flooring

modern Pueblo, page 56

Builder: Refiners Construction; Kitchen Design: Bontina Distinctive Cabinetry Design; Appliances: Builders Source Appliance Gallery; Cabinetry: Visions In Wood; Countertops: United Stoneworks; Flooring/Backsplash: Stonewood Flooring LLC

oak throwback, page 58

Builder/Designer: CJ & J Construction; Appliances: Lowe’s; Cabinetry: J.R. Custom Cabinets; Countertops: Granite Connection; Tile: Floor & Decor

bare-bones beauty

a Corrales couple uncovers the beauty in building sustainably

The homeowners’ association required a traditional New Mexican style to the exterior, so warm, Southwestern stucco wraps an industrial interior. The front door is rife with meaning: The three lines on the top represent the Rio Grande rift valley while the lower half honors the Sandia Mountain peaks visible from the entry.

by Jessa Cast

photographs by Sam Adams styling by Spatial Harmony

From the street, you’d never guess the secrets hidden inside this typical New Mexican adobe-style home—or, more aptly, not hidden. Homeowners Kyrie and Hal Stillman, selfdescribed nomads, have renovated homes all over the world—Chile, Florida, England and Sweden, to name a few—plus two former homes in Albuquerque. When they found a one-acre lot on a former alfalfa field in Corrales, they decided to embark on a new adventure: building a home from the ground up.

The couple chose the area for its beloved location and amenities. “Corrales is an amazing place to live,” Hal Stillman says. “It has access to the Rio Grande, the ditch, ten minutes to any shopping you need. It’s a really nice village with wonderful people— that’s the most important aspect.”

For this foray into building, the Stillmans dedicated themselves to creating the most beautiful home with the least environmental impact. So, that was their project’s focus. “We could have built any house,” Kyrie Stillman says. “We wanted to create a demonstration home that would help people envision how to build sustainably.” The couple harnessed the tenants of biophilic design—an approach to architecture that seeks to connect building occupants more closely to nature—to create a healthy built environment.

To help them achieve the goal, they brought in Sun Mountain Construction, Inc., and owner Norm Schreifels says this was a first. “I like to do things that I haven’t done before. I’ve built about 150 houses, and I’ve never built anything like this.” This summer marks 36 years for the company, and over those years he’s distilled his business. “I don’t take any project unless it’s something spectacular.” Perfect for the Stillmans.

In addition to building sustainably, it was important the home capture the picturesque views of the Sandia Mountains and offer ample space for entertaining—with overnight accommodations for family. Right from the beginning, the Stillmans were both very involved in the design of the home. “We centered the house so the main space captures the views of the mountains,” Hal Stillman says. Even the front door speaks to the location: Its double-peak design

Towards the top of the column housing the gas fireplace is a slender vent. In the unlikely event that the main heat fails, that vent can push enough heat from the fireplace to heat the whole house. A sliding barn door enables the Stillmans to close off the primary suite wing of the home for added privacy when guests are in residence.

represents the two nearby mountain peaks.

Inside, the biophilic principles are evident in the clerestory windows that allow natural light to flood the space, the sliding glass doors that allow the home to open wide to the outdoor living area, plus the natural materials and neutral palette that offer a sense of serenity and peacefulness. “It’s repetition, symmetry, balance and harmony,” says Hal Stillman. “There’s a lot of thought behind this: designing for people, comfort, health and energy efficiency.”

As for what’s not hidden in this home: the structural elements and its vital systems. “Everything is exposed,” says Hal Stillman. “The whole idea of the house is to use the minimal amount of material to get the maximum amount of comfort and energy efficiency.”

Inside the super-efficient 4,000-squarefoot envelope are three bedrooms, fourbathrooms, a gym and an office with Murphy beds to accommodate guests. The floor plan faces the living areas toward the stunning view of a swimming pool with the mountains as a backdrop.

Towering sixteen-foot-high ceilings bracketed by rows of windows create an airy space. An intricate web of exposed trusses and ductwork plus a concrete floor, heavy with locally sourced basalt aggregate, lend a decidedly industrial feel to the space. In the main living area, the furnishings are sleek in shape, but warm white upholstery, rich wood tones and substantial area rugs juxtapose the adamantine shell. The wide-open floor plan offers ample seating for guests and allows for plenty of mingling.

Stainless steel countertops line the kitchen, inset with handsome Wolf, Sub-Zero, Cove, and Fisher & Paykel appliances. Dual islands offer even more seating, and cleverly, one has wheels, for easy reconfiguration for work or entertaining surfaces. Both are topped with a pale Cambria quartz, also utilized for the bathroom countertops.

Frosted glass doors enclose a media room directly off the open concept living space. Here, pops of spring green and shades of blue in the decor reflect the outdoors and comfortable upholstered furnishings are perfect for an evening in.

All the ductwork was cherry-picked for the bestlooking pieces, which, after installation, were carefully cleaned and hand-polished.

The primary suite is one direction off the main living area, while a “hotel wing,” as the Stillmans call it, is the other direction, offering privacy for the homeowners and guests. The walls and ceilings throughout the home are constructed of structurally insulated panels, or SIPs, which are filled with dense foam. They add to the privacy and quiet atmosphere by absorbing sound. Additionally, the primary purpose of the SIPs is to provide insulation and maintain an almost-constant indoor temperature. “You could probably light a candle on both ends of the house and the house

would warm up,” Schreifels says. “It’s that efficient.”

The quartz countertops, stainless steel, tile, wood-chip doors and powder-coated MDF cabinetry all met LEED rating-required percentages of pre-consumer waste.

“Everything in the house is designed to create as little CO2 as possible,” says Hal Stillman. It’s a healthy home, too, thanks to the planned absence of volatile organic compounds. The project goals were accomplished. “The project is off-the-hook green,” Schreifels says. “And that’s not just me saying it or Build Green New Mexico saying

Due to supply chain backlogs, Schreifels designed custom trusses built from wood and steel pipe. Once the design was engineer-approved, they were built on site for installation.

“The whole idea of the house is to use the minimal amount of material to get the maximum amount of comfort and energy efficiency.”

– Hal Stillman

it, but the highest level of LEED saying it. There’s a lot to it.” Indeed. The house is both LEED Platinum–certified and Build Green New Mexico Emerald–rated, and it swept the awards in the Fall 2022 Parade of Homes.

If you’re curious, the Stillmans are happy to wax poetic about all the details. “We decided to build a home that we felt good about building,” Kyrie Stillman says. “That when we finished, we could say we did the best we could to build a house that was sustainable, energy efficient, welcoming and that people would enjoy being in. I think we accomplished that.”

For architectural interest, an exterior staircase that provides access to an upper deck area is made of Fiberon composite decking with raw steel handrails.

resources

Architecture

Equiterra Regenerative Design

Home Builder

Sun Mountain Construction, Inc. sunmtnconst.com

Interior Design

Spatial Harmony Color Consulting + Design

Appliances

Builders Source Appliance Gallery builderssource.com

Audio/Visual System

Albuquerque Sound & Vac abqsoundandvac.com

Bathroom Tubs/Sinks/Fixtures

Doc Savage Supply

Cabinetry/Front Door

Antigua Woodwork

Countertops/Cambria

United Stoneworks

Fireplace

Mountain West Sales mountainwestsales.net

HVAC

Installation Service Heating Cooling (ISHC)

Interior Doors

Moore Window & Door

Landscaping

The Hilltop

Lighting Turn On Lighting

Polished Concrete

Sun Mountain Construction, Inc.

Pool Design & Build

New Mexico Pools and Spas

Solar Affordable Solar affordable-solar.com

Sliding Window Wall/Windows

Alpen High Performance Products

Stainless Steel

Southwest Custom Stainless

Tile

Stonewood Flooring LLC stonewoodnm.com

Window Coverings

Window Fashions

keep

With summer temperatures rising, keeping the air conditioner operating day and night seems like the only way to stay cool. Even though it can get expensive, how could we live without it? At one time, it was quite common not to have air conditioning. In fact, several regions around the world still live without mechanical cooling.

Natural cooling, or passive cooling, focuses on controlling heat gain and dissipation with little to no energy and can be an effective alternative to running the air conditioner. With a little pre-planning to prevent heat from entering your home and using simple techniques to remove heat, you can keep cool while reducing your energy bills.

Simply opening windows on either side of the house allows the morning and evening breeze to flow through and cool the house naturally. Setting ceiling fans to operate counter-clockwise increases airflow and circulates the fresh air through your home. This can also be done inexpensively with the blower motor on an evaporative cooler. When it’s cool outside, turn on the blower and slightly open windows in the rooms you would like cooled. Be mindful to close the windows to seal in the cool air before the heat of the day begins to set in.

Once the house is cool, it’s important to keep it cool. Install LED lights which produce only a fraction of the heat of incandescent bulbs. Turn off computers when not in use. Computers are huge heat producers; an average computer can generate 130 watts which is enough to heat 10 square feet. Avoid using heat-producing appliances during the day. For example, hang laundry on a clothesline, they’ll dry faster and it’s gentler on fabrics. Look into the latest technology in multifunction ovens which combine a convection oven, air fryer, broiler and microwave into one fast and energy-saving appliance. Enjoy your patio and use the grill to cook outside.

The most beautiful natural cooling is the 20-year plan: Plant a tree. Trees provide shade for the house in the summer and drop their leaves allowing the sun to warm the house in the winter. Avoid rocks near the house since they absorb heat and radiate it when the sun goes down. Instead, spread mulch under the tree canopy and deep water in the morning and evening to allow the moisture-cooled air to flow through the open windows of your home.

If you are lucky, songbirds will nest in your tree and serenade you in the morning. Enjoy!

Carol Orona holds a master’s degree in architecture and has a passion for building science. She is nationally recognized for her work and dedication to sustainable high-performance homes and loves sharing her knowledge.

your home cool naturally inexpensive and energy-efficient ways to chill out

lounging and living

making the most of your outdoor space all year long

ONE OF THE LUXURIES of living in northern New Mexico is relaxing outdoors nearly all year long. “We experience outdoor living perfection, and we should use it to its full extent,” says David Rentfrow, owner of The Firebird in Santa Fe. Rentfrow designs “complete outdoor living experiences” with fire features, fully equipped kitchens, multiple seating areas and more. “The clients who come to us have a dream in mind, and we tell them, ‘if you can dream it, we can build it.’”

The first step in designing an outdoor space is determining what its primary use will be. Do you entertain guests frequently, will it mainly be a refuge where the family can relax, or is it a combination of the two? Either way, it’s a vital extension of your home, and here are three ways to enhance it.

Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen has numerous benefits, whether it’s simply a grill with a counter or a fully appointed cooking area with a grill, griddle, oven, refrigerator, countertops and storage space. For one, you’re not heating up the inside of your home during the blistering summer months. You’re also not darting in and out of the house whenever you need something, missing time with guests or family.

Rentfrow believes outdoor ovens are especially important—though he doesn’t refer to them as “pizza” ovens. Although it is what they’re called, it’s too limiting. “Everything you can do in a regular oven you can probably do in an outdoor oven,” he says, adding that he likes to heat a cast iron pan in his and throw in fresh veggies from his garden.

TIP: Not ready to commit to a complete backyard kitchen? Stock a rolling bar cart with all your grilling accessories and serving dishes.

“A contemporary look is trending in outdoor fire pits, for instance, a polished concrete style with a linear burner.”

– Jim Lyle

Furniture and Accessories

When choosing furniture and cushions, consider the weather. “You’ll want frames and fabrics that stand up to the extreme temps,” advises Rentfrow. He sells teak and powder-coated aluminum frames but says durable, long-lasting HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is especially popular right now. He also suggests a high-quality, outdoorrated cushion fabric, like Sunbrella brand. “You’ll get so many design options,” he says, “like different grades of cushions, but also dozens of fabric choices.”

Rentfrow also suggests creating multiple seating areas throughout the yard for dining, lounging, small groups and larger groups.

TIP: Add a pop of color with smaller accessories that instantly freshen up your outdoor space, including umbrellas and awnings, hanging lights, decorative planters, accent pillows, outdoor rugs, and colorful, unbreakable dishes.

Fire

With a fire feature in the yard, there’s no need to head inside when the infamous canyon winds kick up or when the sun disappears, and the chill descends. Fire allows you to transition from afternoon to evening seamlessly—and it’s not just about the warmth it provides, it’s also about the design. Jim Lyle, owner of Mountain West Sales, Inc., says, “A contemporary look is trending in outdoor fire pits, for instance, a polished concrete style with a linear burner.”

He also notes that not all projects are conducive to a fire pit because of code restrictions, and in that case, Lyle says a fireplace is a great option. “Outdoor gas fireplaces don’t require venting, so they don’t obstruct views, sometimes the design element is better with a fireplace,” he says. He also notes a two-sided fireplace can help further retain outdoor views. Lyle also says today’s gas fireplaces include upgraded

burner designs to make the flames look more realistic like a wood fire.

In addition, Lyle says gas outdoor fireplaces are designed to be userfriendly and there’s no need to worry about a pilot—if it goes out, it relights automatically—and they are truly push-button easy so all you need do is sit back and relax.

TIP: While deciding, consider a gas or electric patio heater, which can be easily rolled to different locations in the yard as needed.

Courtesy Mountain West Sales

Enjoy the soothing sounds of tinkling wind chimes in your outdoor spaces or even indoors when the windows are open. Because they come in a wide range of sizes, styles and materials, you can choose the perfect sound—a soft chiming to a hearty gong. In addition to creating a relaxing, peaceful sound as they blow in the breeze, they can help drown out ambient noise. Wind chimes also serve as beautiful decor for your outdoor living area when you choose one made of shells, bamboo, clay or other ornamental materials. Tenets of Feng Shui say that wind chimes attract positive energy, so kick back, close your eyes and absorb the tranquil tones of wonderful wind chimes.

Yellowstone

no, not the show … visit the birthplace of America’s National Park System

WHILE THE TELEVISION SHOW did take America by storm, you can find an equally dramatic diversion in real life at the nation’s first national park. From the rich history to the mysterious lore to the roads less taken, you’re sure to discover a new favorite spot to visit or remember what you’ve always loved about this magical place.

A Historical View

Yellowstone National Park is located primarily in Wyoming but also extends into Montana and Idaho encompassing 3,472 square miles. It was the world’s first national park, established in 1872 by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant. However, the history of Yellowstone, of course, goes back much further than its establishment as a

national park. Scientists have discovered artifacts indicating that Native American tribes inhabited the area more than 11,000 years ago. The park contains many historical and cultural sites significant to these tribes, including hunting grounds, sacred sites and artifacts.

The first recorded visit by a non-Native American was in 1807. John Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, was the first person to describe the geothermal features of the area, including the famous Old Faithful geyser. In the following decades, the area became more well-known to explorers and fur traders, but it wasn’t until the 1860s that serious efforts were made to survey and document the site. Over the years, Yellowstone has faced many challenges, including wildfires, invasive species and illegal hunting.

by Heather Shoning

Vida Buena

Shutterstock.com/Susanne

Pommer

However, the park has remained a popular destination for visitors worldwide and continues to be a center for scientific research and conservation efforts.

Fun Facts

Although the park is famous for its incredible geothermal features, including hot springs, geysers and mud pots (where surface water collects in a shallow, impermeable depression in the clay mud), there are several fun and quirky things to know about Yellowstone before you go.

Half the world’s hydrothermal features are found at Yellowstone: more than 10,000. Heat-loving microorganisms called thermophiles live in the hot springs, mud pots, fumaroles (openings where volcanic gases and vapors are emitted), travertine terraces and geysers, and give the park its brilliant colors.

Old Faithful isn’t as reliable as its name. Yellowstone has more geysers than anywhere else on earth, with the most famous being, of course, Old Faithful, which got its name in 1870 for its regularity. However, over the last few decades, the average interval between eruptions has lengthened, calling into question its “faithfulness.” Even if it’s not always on time, it does erupt more frequently than any of the park’s other large geysers—around 17 times a day.

If you aim to see wildlife, Yellowstone is the place to be. It’s home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48

Courtesy Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone’s magnificent Lower Falls is a 308-foot-tall waterfall, and it is most likely the second most photographed spot in Yellowstone, with Old Faithful Geyser being the first.

The

Yellowstone bison population fluctuates from 2,300 to 5,500. They live in two subpopulations, defined by where they gather for breeding with the northern herd breeding in the Lamar Valley and on the high plateaus around it, and the central herd breeding in

Hayden Valley.

states, including grizzly bears, wolves, lynx, fox, moose and elk. Bison is one of the park’s biggest draws. The herds in Yellowstone have lived in the park continuously since prehistoric times.

Yellowstone has its own Grand Canyon created by erosion from the Yellowstone River. It’s more than 1,000 feet deep and roughly 20 miles long. And a mysterious underground river runs beneath the park, carrying water from the hot springs and geysers to the surrounding rivers and lakes.

There’s a phenomenon known as “lake music.” Explorers and tourists have reported a strange buzzing sound that has moved across Yellowstone Lake since the park’s inception. Visitors who camp in the lake area still report hearing the sound today—and despite numerous scientific studies, none have explained what causes the strange sonance.

Unfamiliar Territory

If you prefer to avoid some crowded areas—because, let’s face it, Yellowstone is always busy—give these alternatives a try.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone might be the most spectacular sight in the park, and the Mount Washburn Trail offers a less-populated way to see it. The views from the trail’s 10,243-foot summit stretch 20 to 50 miles. You can reach it from the Dunraven Pass Trailhead (6.2 miles round trip) or the Chittenden Road parking area (5 miles round trip). Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep along the way.

With its shimmering deep blue and orange hues, Grand Prismatic Spring is yet another most-loved spot, which is easy to see based on the foot traffic on its expansive boardwalk. For a more

Grand Prismatic Hot Spring

Vida Buena

serene experience, view it from the Fairy Falls Trail. There’s a small parking area near the trailhead, and a half-mile trek takes you to a viewing platform where you can enjoy the spring and the Midway Geyser Basin views without rubbing elbows with other visitors.

The 136-square-mile Yellowstone Lake boasts 100 miles of shoreline, and while Lake Village, the Fishing Bridge and Bridge Bay Marina on the north shore are certainly worth visiting, avoid the crowd by going to the West Thumb area. Named for its appendagelike shape, it has a namesake geyser basin, views of Abyss Pool—the park’s deepest hydrothermal pool—fumaroles, paint pots (mud pots with colors derived from oxidation states of the iron in the mud) and hot springs.

Despite the abundance of water in the park—more than 10,000 thermal features, about 2,500 miles of streams and rivers, and more than 600 lakes and ponds—there aren’t many opportunities to swim or soak. The thermals are much too hot, and the lakes are too cold. But just north of Mammoth Hot Springs, a thermal feature meets the snow-fed Gardner River, resulting in a string of natural pools that are the perfect soaking temperature. The area is open seasonally, so check before you go, but when you do: Jump right in; the water’s fine!

Although you’re not likely to run into John or Beth Dutton or witness any of the made-for-TV drama, a visit to Yellowstone National Park is sure to inspire awe with its breathtaking vistas, thrill thanks to the magnificent thermal features, and a sense of pride in our country’s history for creating and preserving such an unspoiled marvel.

Plan your visit at nps.gov/yell

bathing birds

PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS TELLING ME (usually wistfully) how much they love watching birds but choose not to put out feeders for various reasons. But I have good news for anyone resistant to setting out bird seed: You will be doing your birds as much of a favor—if not more—by simply putting out fresh, clean water for them to drink and bathe in. I am not exaggerating when I say that water is a bird magnet In our dry climate, especially in the summertime, birds are anxious to find drinking water, and to paraphrase a famous movie quote, “If you pour it, they will come.”

In my front yard, I put out a large water bowl on a ground platform feeder that draws finches, quail, crows, bluebirds, towhees—you name it. We live in a rural area, and that water is also a blessing to bobcats, squirrels, rabbits and even the occasional coyote. I keep a smaller bowl on the railing of our backyard deck, and it’s a nonstop draw for birds of all sizes. The key is to keep the bowls very clean and refill them daily, especially during the dry summer months. Trust me; it goes fast!

If you want to take it a step beyond just drinking water, consider a birdbath. It does require some maintenance, e.g.,

regular cleaning and filling, but it’s because you won’t be able to keep birds out of it, offering hours of birdwatching fun for you and a much-needed pitstop for them. In their travels, birds pick up all kinds of grit and dirt in their feathers that they desperately need to be rid of. Birdbaths are typically very shallow, allowing even the littlest finches to safely wade in and vigorously “wiggle and jiggle” to get themselves nice and clean. Remember that, as with feeders, birdbaths can also be breeding grounds for disease, so regular cleaning and occasional disinfecting are critical. When it gets cold, there are even heated birdbaths for the winter months.

Perhaps consider combining the above—drinking and bathing—in the form of a gorgeous, flat-topped fountain strategically placed in your yard for easy viewing. It will look beautiful, especially when filled with happy, healthy, grateful birds.

Amy Gross is a birder and the organizer of Santa Fe Birdbrains, a Northern New Mexico–based Meetup group.

put out water in summer to keep your feathered friends happy

says …

VINEYARD

by Ben Ikenson photographs by Daniel Nadelbach

transforming a treasure

La Casa Sena keeps tradition alive, updated for the 21st century

LA CASA SENA , a fixture in the Santa Fe fine dining scene for the last four decades, has undergone transformations just like the historic building in which it’s located. Once a small adobe home built in the 1860s, it was expanded into a grand 33-room hacienda, Sena Plaza. The building included a ballroom that was a popular spot for gatherings as the family its name derives from hosted lavish feasts with music and dancing. Its historic horse stables are now the main dining room of this locals’favorite restaurant.

Two years ago, the restaurant’s various menus underwent a metamorphosis, too, incorporating a Mediterranean flair into its New American West fare. “I have fun with whatever ingredients I get my hands on,” says executive chef José Rodriguez. It shows in creative

dinner options, for example, that now include the likes of black-ink pasta with lobster, sea urchin and caviar in a saffron ouzo sauce; grilled elk tenderloin with fetamashed potatoes; and pan-seared branzino, a delectable Mediterranean seabass.

Originally from central Mexico, Rodriguez moved to Santa Fe in 1991 and steadily worked his way through the ranks at some of the city’s most vaunted restaurants. He joined La Casa Sena ten years ago, not long after a lifealtering visit to Greece. “That trip was fateful,” Rodriguez says. “I fell in love with the flavors and the freshness, the healthiness of the food.”

La Casa Sena also boasts an award-winning and comprehensive wine list and a wine shop on the premises. “With selections from around the world, our guests are

Executice chef José Rodriguez joined La Casa Sena ten years ago and recently oversaw the development of its upscale menu with a Mediterranean flair.

La Casa Sena’s fresh take on niçoise salad.

delighted with special vintages that enhance their culinary experience,” says the restaurant’s director of operations, Stu Dickson.

La Casa Sena’s alfresco environs are equally alluring as its exquisite fare and wine. What was once an enclosure for the Sena family’s goats is now an expansive brick-tiled courtyard with crepe myrtles, rose bushes, dahlia plants, flowering clematis and trumpet vines, with a vibrant crab apple tree standing firm in its center. “With the lush foliage and spectacular atmosphere, it’s considered one of the premier outdoor seating areas in Santa Fe,” says Dickson. “When the weather cooperates, most guests want to sit outside to enjoy the setting.”

Inside, La Casa Sena’s popular in-house jazz club—an intimate lounge that seats about 65 and offers a light-fare menu—features live entertainment, such as the Robert Fox Jazz Trio and the Alex Murzyn Quintet, on evenings Wednesday through Saturday.

Although the music and provisions have evolved over the years, Plaza Sena—more than a century and a half after it was built—still draws a crowd, as does La Casa Sena.

Squash blossoms filled with creamy ricotta cheese.

Su Cocina

by James Selby

peart pickings

ancient vineyards in Spain are churning out fresh flavors in white wine

ONE JOY OF WINE IS DISCOVERY. Spain, predominately known for red wine, has a treasure of exciting, unexplored whites, spurred by a new wave of winemakers cultivating ancient vineyards and indigenous grapes.

Albariño from the Rías Baixas (REE-ez-BUY-shez) region along the windswept northwestern coast of Galicia, is the most well-known white of Spain, producing a range of invigorating profiles from crisp, high-acid wines to lush, round expressions. Characteristic notes of lime, nectarine and melon are classically paired with seafood, fried calamari, fish tacos, even Asian cuisine (Santiago Ruiz, $21).

Txakoli (chah-kuh-lee), a low alcohol wine named for its coastal region in Spanish Basque Country, is made from the local Hondarrabi Zuri grape. Fun, thirst-quenching, lightly effervescent with an appley, citrus energy, it’s just the thing with tapas, oysters, clams, salads (Ulacia Getariako Txakolina, $19).

Intense sun pairs with Verdejo grapes from the Rueda region north of Madrid to produce a clean, fresh white of green apple and fennel, scented of orange blossoms. A sapid, versatile pairing with ceviche, sauteed shrimp and jamon (Bodegas Protos, $15).

Viura, a.k.a. Macabeo, is the most important white grape of the Rioja region of northeastern Spain. Set apart by floral aromatics, toasted almond, lemon and tarragon nuances, Viura delivers a taut, focused finish, suiting tortilla de patatas, fish or foul (CVNE Monopole Clásico, $30).

Garnacha blanca, grown in the Catalonia region of northeastern Spain, makes distinctive whites. Evoking jasmine, ripe peach, ginger, loaded with Mediterranean herbs, Garnacha blanca shows a royal, silky texture suited to crab salad, scallops, grilled chicken (Bodegas Puiggròs Exedra Blanc, $25).

Godello (go-day-yo), a grape likened to chardonnay, grows on the steep terraced vineyards of Ribeira Sacra in Galicia. Vivid aromas of pear, lemongrass, essences of stone fruit and chamomile give a suave accompaniment to pan-roasted halibut, lobster or risotto (Guímaro Blanco, $23).

A new era of growers are harnessing the terraced vineyards of Ribeira Sacra in Galicia to grow whitewine grapes.

Courtesy Santiago Ruiz

by Faerl Marie Torres

now trending

Improving your kitchen design and functionality is a top priority whether you’re building, remodeling or purchasing a new home. And, of course, you want it to be stunning. Here are things to consider to ensure your new kitchen sizzles.

Our local experts:

Karen Atencio, sales at Stonewood Flooring LLC

Arielle Cofer, lighting designer at Bright Ideas, Inc.

Ron Hanks, principal owner at Ron Hanks Design

Janet Saint, showroom manager at WinSupply of Albuquerque

Marc Sowers, owner at Bespoke Woodwork

Karin Trimble, design specialist at Builder’s Source Appliance Gallery

Responses were edited for length and clarity.

What’s different today from previous approaches to kitchen design and layout?

Ron Hanks: We’re seeing more walk-through cabinets, that open to a full hidden pantry. As far as style, waterfall countertops are popular, and mixing several finishes in the kitchen. More warm wood tones, such as walnut cabinetry, are trending, and man-made materials for slab cabinet doors in warmer tones—light browns and beiges.

Janet Saint: The pantry is becoming a complete second kitchen, used instead of the kitchen to warm, cook and clean up.

Karin Trimble: The traditional “work triangle” is no longer standard in kitchen design. Owners and designers are electing to create more custom spaces to match individual needs. Multiple specialized appliances and larger prep areas allow the kitchen to spread out and function in a personalized manner.

What’s trending in tile for the kitchen?

Karen Atencio: The overarching trend in tile is a warming palette; a shift from all gray and white to blonde, earthy tones. Organic shapes, high texture, bold patterns and statement pieces are big this year. For kitchen backsplash and tile, artisanal looks are trending, as are geometric and metallic designs, and large format tiles. Technology has evolved to produce tile that represents a true wood-look, which is still popular. Concrete, stone and oxidized metal looks allow for an infusion of style to make your space uniquely yours.

local experts dish on top kitchen design ideas

What’s trending in countertop design and material?

Karin Trimble: While quartz remains popular, quartzite offers similar movement in a natural stone. Lighter color variations and veining make this very sought after.

The countertop’s high visibility sets the tone and style of a kitchen. From colored veining to dramatic stone, countertops are trending organic and bold with engineered and natural surfaces making statements. Honed and leathered finishes create a more grounded, tactile feel that’s trending throughout the home.

What’s innovative in appliance design and technology?

Karin Trimble: Induction cooking is gaining popularity as high energy efficiency becomes standard building practice. From preheating your oven and diagnosing malfunctions remotely, evolving smart features continue getting better and more practical. Aesthetically, appliance colors have grown tremendously. Today’s residential appliances come in any color you can imagine. In addition, prints or wallpaper patterns can be applied to appliances for a truly custom look.

What direction do you see clients trending for lighting in the kitchen?

Arielle Cofer: The current style is a return to color in the kitchen. Vibrant pinks, greens, purples and blues are trending, as are colored glass and stone in fixtures. We’re also seeing a mix of materials, with metals and natural stones and fibers being combined for dramatic effect. Also, smart lighting and flangeless recessed lights are making a big push into residential design. Warm dim technology is a nice upgrade, giving the LED a more natural warmth as the output lowers.

Janet Saint: Modern minimalistic and 1950’s midcentury modern lighting fixtures for kitchen and dining areas are popular, along with warm golds and golds mixed with black or white to coordinate with fixture and appliance finishes and accents.

Lighting is an often overlooked, but critical design element, particularly in the kitchen where pendants take centerstage over islands and highlight luxury surfaces. Advances in LED technology allow lighting to be tailored to fit the mood. From undercabinet to hidden pathway lighting, the adaptations are endless.

How has cabinetry design and functionality changed recently?

Marc Sowers: Today’s cabinetry has more delicate details. A low-profile crown molding, skinny furniture legs, a flat door with only a small bead on the outside edge. We’re seeing more natural wood tones, and a mix of both paint and wood. Sometimes an entire room where the walls, trim and glossy cabinetry are all the same color. This can be very dramatic. It’s quite fun!

While cabinet faces might be simpler, interiors are going fully custom with organization designed specifically for your dishes, pots and pans, and more. Also, pullout drawers are taking the place of traditional lower cabinets for better use of space and ergonomics.

What’s in style for kitchen fixture design and finishes?

Janet Saint: Plumbing fixtures are constantly changing. We’re seeing a lot of golds and matte black and white with softer, matte and brushed finishes.

Fixtures and finishes are the jewelry and accessories of an haute home. Small changes to knobs, pulls and handles create major sartorial impact.

What makes a house a home?

You. Your style. Your design choices. Let us help you bring them to life with the state’s best selection of hand-crafted solid wood furniture.

At The Amish Connection, you’ll discover so many ways to express your unique style from traditional to contemporary.

505.573.8888

©corrie photography

says …

Longing for more prep space in your kitchen but not sure you have room to add an island? You’ve still got options. A general rule says you will need at least 42 to 48 inches of open space around your island for clearance (to open cabinets and appliances easily). So, if your kitchen is less than 13 feet wide, you really don’t have space for a full-sized island. However, there are a variety of moveable islands on the market that could give you the prep space you need plus additional storage— until you’re ready to upgrade with a new home or remodeled, larger kitchen.

by Kate Jonuska

making arrangements

pick some posies and practice these techniques for floral design

The Flower School: The Principles and Pleasures of Good Flowers, by Joseph Massie, published by Quadrille Publishing, images courtesy of Quadrille Publishing, hardcover, $26.

WITH ITS GORGEOUS WHITE COVER stamped with gold foil and the full-color interior blooming with flowers, “The Flower School: The Principles and Pleasures of Good Flowers” by Joseph Massie might be the most beautiful book you will ever make grubby with use. While it would certainly fit in on the most stylish coffee tables, Massie’s book is more than half full of step-by-step tutorials for flower design and will likely spend more time on your worktable, perhaps highlighted and bookmarked. The author started a career in flowers by chance, picking up a part-time job at a flower stall as a teenager. Massie writes that with “The Flower School,” he’s intentionally creating “the very thing that I wish I could have had back when I was a 14-year-old, desperate to learn as

much as I could about something that I loved, and still love to this day.”

Indeed, the book covers the basics of floral tools and how to “condition” flowers (meaning how to trim, feed and otherwise prolong life). You’ll learn the elements and principles of floral design, including the fascinating differences between classic and contemporary floristry.

However, most of the book is handson instruction with clear accompanying photos of how to arrange flowers—for the home, for entertaining, for celebrations and even for weddings. The projects clearly explain foundational techniques like using taped vases and pin holders as structures, then build in difficulty toward wreaths, bouquets and large installations.

With this straightforward and stylish collection of Massie’s expertise, a novice florist could progress through this comprehensive book toward mastery for years to come, making “The Flower School” a wonderful gift for anyone dabbling in the art of flowers.

on the market

High Desert traditional

This 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath home, designed and owned by custom home designer Jim Beverly, is an exquisite showcase of meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. It’s located on a cul-de-sac with 1.33 acres backing to the National Forest on a Forest Service lot. As you step inside, you’ll be greeted by solid oak flooring that exudes elegance, complemented by Pella windows creating a warm and inviting ambience throughout the home. Arches, tray ceilings and beautiful fireplaces are just some architectural details defining this home. The

6300-Gambel-Oak

kitchen with custom cabinetry, top-notch paneled appliances and a large island exudes a truly traditional style. This home offers an unparalleled living experience with breathtaking views from every room, bringing nature’s beauty into your daily life.

Listing Price: $2,300,000 Contact: Kate Southard, Kate Southard Real Estate, 505-264-9586, katesouthard.com

Bringing Security, Comfort and Convenience to Albuquerque Homes for over 30 years.

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fashions enhance the beauty of any textures, styles and colors for your for years to come.

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Designer Screen Shades

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From traditional to contemporary, Hunter Douglas window fashions enhance the beauty of any décor. Contact us to explore the wide variety of fabrics, textures, styles and colors for your home. Whatever you select, your rooms are sure to be inviting for years to come.

window shadings Designer Screen Shades

From traditional to contemporary, Hunter Douglas window fashions enhance the beauty of any décor. Contact us to explore the wide variety of fabrics, textures, styles and colors for your home. Whatever you select, your rooms are sure to be inviting for years to come.

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From traditional to contemporary, Hunter Douglas window fashions enhance the beauty of any décor. Contact us to explore the wide variety of fabrics, textures, styles and colors for your home. Whatever you select, your rooms are sure to be inviting for years to come. ©2021 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are

and Surveillance Systems, and Structured Wiring and Networks. innovative, customized, warrantied solutions to meet your needs.

Sandoval Street, Santa Fe,

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Hunter Douglas window fashions, the possibilities are

428 Sandoval Street, Santa Fe, NM

Hunter Douglas window fashions, the possibilities are endless.

window shadings

everlasting beauty

The beauty of traditional Southwestern adobe style homes is that they never go out of style. Take, for instance, this casita in the yard of a Bernalillo home by former builder Penny Nafus of New Decade Homes, built two decades ago. When the homeowners selected the site on the river with sweeping views of the mountains, they opted to capture the vistas with the main home and put the casita in the front under a beautiful canopy of cottonwood trees. “People love to go over there because it’s so private,” says the homeowner. She loves the adobe look with its clean lines. “It makes me think of the Georgia O’Keefe house,” she says. “I love its simplicity.”

Adios

photograph by Daniel Nadelbach

BUILT FOR THE WAY YOU LIVE.