Su Casa Southwestern Homes Summer 2022 Digital Edition by sucasaabqsf

Southwest Homes

inspiration ideas resources

simply sublime dream homes

inspiring spaces inside and out

VOL. 28 NO. 3 SUMMER 2022

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Southwest Homes

Daniel Nadelbach

inspiration ideas resources

54 SOUTHWEST

HOMES

On the cover: When an Albuquerque builder/designer couple decided to build their forever home, they incorporated exactly the design elements they love for an eclectic, cosmopolitan home. Photograph by Daniel Nadelbach.

54 Finally, Just for Us After building 32 homes for other people, this design and build couple is finally keeping one for themselves.

64 Team Effort An analytical couple parse out the details for their new home with a little help from their custom builder.

SPECIAL SECTION 46 Beautiful Kitchens

46 18

S U C A S A S U M M E R 2022

Talitha Tarro

Soak in some major inspiration from these six local kitchens packed with clever ideas and gorgeous design elements.

Daniel Nadelbach

64 IN EVERY ISSUE

Visit SuCasaMagazine.com

30 Inside Su Casa 36

Life+Style Southwest

Perk up your perennial garden with color from annuals. Ditch the indoor kitchen and cook outside. Try on a hint of turquoise in your home with these gorgeous blue hues.

74 Design Studio

Aaahh, pool life. Create an aquatic oasis in your backyard for family fun, relaxation and exercise.

78 Vida Buena

Ouray, Colorado, is a tiny town with soaring mountain views and a long history of mining riches.

82 Just Winging Through Awe over beautiful bluebirds right outside your back door this summer.

84 Su Cocina

Santa Fe’s ultimate steakhouse, Rio Chama, is offering top-notch entertainment to accompany your delectable meal.

89 ¡Salud!

Wet your summer whistle with these tasty wine spritzers made with local fruits and wine.

The authors of “Take It Outside: A Guide to Designing Beautiful Spaces Just Beyond Your Door” bring an interior design perspective to outdoor spaces.

S U C A S A S U M M E R 2022

Daniel Nadelbach

90 Su Libro

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The Perfect Fit

Southwest Homes

inspiration ideas resources

Published by Number Nine Media, Inc.

Publisher William P. Lang

Publication Director Cheryl Mitchell

Editor

Heather Shoning

Creative Director

Whether you’re buying your dream home or building it, Waterstone Mortgage has the right loan for your needs. We are local, and have all the tools you need to achieve your dream. You have more options than ever before with our product variety: • •

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Contributors Cullen Arlington Curtiss Paula M. Bodah Jessa Cast Amy Gross Kate Jonuska Kendra Lee Faerl Marie Torres Lisa Truesdale

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For advertising information contact: 505-344-1783

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Correction: On page 96 of the spring 2022 issue, we incorrectly identified Carol Ware of WAMO Studio Architects. Her correct title is designer. Number Nine Media Inc. 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 USA Phone (505) 344-1783 Copyright 2022 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 $5.95. Back issues are $6.95 each. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address corrections to Su Casa Magazine P.O. Box 16925, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6925

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Six Generations of Homebuilding

Celebrating Thirty Years of Distinguished Homes in Santa Fe 505.982.7 768 | ZacharyAndSons.com @zachar yandsons

Hom e Bu i l de rs As s o c iation of Ce nt ra l Ne w Mexico B oa r d of Dire c tors

President: Jenice Eades First Vice President: Carey Plant Second Vice President: Ashley Lawrence Immediate Past President: Mackenzie Bishop Associate Vice President: Diane Huerta Secretary/Treasurer: Danielle Fleming Associate-at-Large: Rita Powers Green Build Council Chair: Adam Harper Production Builders Council Chair: Kevin Vautier Sales & Marketing Council Chair: JP Rael Custom Builders Council Chair: Ashley Lawrence Membership Committee Chair: Diana Lucero Education Committee Chair: Jason Balthrop Builder-at-Large: Wade Messenger Remodelers Council Chair: Adam Harper Parade Chair: Danielle Fleming Advisory Members: Ron Sisneros, David Newell Honorary Member: Dr. Susan Bogus Halter Hom e Bu il de rs As s o c iation of Ce nt ra l Ne w Mexico St a f f

Executive Vice President: Lana Smiddle Events & Education Director: Jill Krogman Communication & Membership Specialist: Joseph Moreno

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We hand-craft custom doors, gates and kitchen cabinetry using reclaimed wood and architectural antiques from around the world — creating timeless beauty and design for your home. LaPuertaOriginals.com/design-inspirations Santa Fe, New Mexico • 505.984.8164

Number Nine Media Inc. 7777 Jefferson NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 344-1783 Please direct editorial queries to editor@sucasamagazine.com Su Casa’s cover and text are printed by Publication Printers in Denver, Colorado.

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Inside Su Casa

Welcome to the Summer Issue of Su Casa

et’s get outside! Outdoor living is the best, and here in New Mexico, we design our homes to make the most of it. We know how to do summer right from outdoor kitchens to pools to extravagant entertaining areas and large sliding doors that open wide to all of it. Su Casa aims to bring the best of the season right to your fingertips. We look at how a complete outdoor kitchen can enhance your alfresco dining and entertaining and give you a peek at a couple of local ones for inspiration. Speaking of kitchens, we’ve got pages of indoor kitchens with smart floor plans, modern accoutrements and design ideas you may have never considered. While you’re in the kitchen, you might want to whip up one of our tasty wine spritzer recipes using some favorite local wines. Or head to Rio Chama for a break from cooking. This quaint Santa Fe steakhouse is serving fine food as well as world-class entertainment. We talk about spotting bluebirds in your backyard and taking a weekend getaway to historic Ouray, Colorado, a picturesque tiny town aptly dubbed the “Switzerland of America.” And, of course, no issue would be complete without inspiring feature homes, and we’ve got two you won’t want to miss! The first is the forever home of the husband-wife team behind Twilight Luxury Homes. They designed it just for them, and it features a top-notch outdoor living space they’ll enjoy all summer long. In the other, the couple celebrated their new abode by getting married in the backyard after embarking on a collaborative effort with LOWE-BO Homes to design and build their dream digs. Whether you get outdoors enjoying our local landscapes, dining on a patio or entertaining friends at home, we hope you make the most of the season with some inspiration from these pages.

William P. Lang

Right: In this Albuquerque custom home, lift up cabinet doors not only hide the clutter of spices and other cooking essentials, they also hide a pass-through to the service pantry tucked behind the kitchen. Read more on page 54. 30

S U C A S A S U M M E R 2022

Daniel Nadelbach

Publisher

Innovative Windows, Doors & Garage Doors, And Expert Architectural Design Support

We are passionate about bringing your projects to life with windows, doors, skylights, and garage doors that complement any project design. Schedule an appointment today to visit our showroom ClearOvations.com

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Life+Style Southwest

Photography by Wendy McEahern

Tension Tamer This Las Campanas home’s outdoor space illustrates “contextural modern” design. “The home is rooted in the context of the local vernacular—pueblo revival—with a modern twist,” says Keith Gorges of Tierra Concepts. Sleek pocketed glass doors contrast with the rustic Belgian rubble stone pillars. Like those inside the home, the portal beams are square instead of round, giving them a modern edge. The outdoor flooring includes porphyry rustic granite stone with a rough surface, while the stacked pattern applies a modern design aesthetic. Hollyhocks in the foreground are the quintessential Santa Fe flower, wild and flowing. “The fescue grasses lined up in soldier course, spaced equally, ordering like in contemporary architecture, contrast against wildness and the untamed,” says Gorges. “When you create tension between contemporary and traditional, you bring attention and excitement to each of those styles.” Tierra Concepts, tierraconceptssantafe.com

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MM MEERR 2022 2022 SSUU CCAASSAA SSUUM

LUXURY KITCHENS BEGIN WITH

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by Lisa Truesdale

Shutterstock.com/Terry Hill

Life+Style Southwest

annuals are a great way to add pops of color

IF YOU’RE LONGING for a garden area that is more French country romantic than desert chic, with rich, lush color lasting throughout the season, annuals are the answer. Despite the term, “annuals” don’t actually bloom annually. In the garden, annuals are plants that complete their entire lifecycle in a single growing season. Compare that to perennials, which faithfully regrow year after year, and there’s no reason to ever consider adding annuals to your garden, right? Not so fast, says Lynn Payne, president of Payne’s Nurseries in Santa Fe. “Annuals are equally as important to any garden or gardener as any other plants,” she says. “Annuals are the true workhorses of the garden, giving us so much pleasure for so little effort.” Here, Payne and two other local experts share their reasons why gardeners shouldn’t overlook annuals:

S U C A S A S U M M E R 2022

Shutterstock.com/Vilu

summer color

Annuals bloom longer. Unlike perennials, easy-to-grow annuals don’t need to expend precious energy establishing root systems to survive the winter. All their energy goes towards blooming—which they do prolifically, all season long. Annuals are ideal for saturating your yard with splashes of color, says Dave Mitnik, backlot manager at Rehm’s Nursery and Garden Center, especially in bare spots where your perennials haven’t filled in yet, or for experimenting with color combos before committing to perennials. “Annuals give your garden a muchneeded color boost, a focal point of interest,” he says. “One annual our customers flock to is portulaca. This succulent flower is extremely heat-resistant, making it a great candidate for those hard-to-grow sections of the yard, like places with full sun exposure.” Annuals don’t care about hardiness zones. So, you’ll find a plethora of choices, although Albuquerque and Santa Fe gardeners do play favorites. “Some of the more popular annuals here are geraniums, petunias and marigolds,” says Payne, “although these hardly scratch the surface of all the different varieties and colors available.” Payne and Mitnik both like calibrachoa (million bells). “They come in many different colors, have petunia-like flowers, bloom like crazy and don’t need to be deadheaded,” Payne says.

Shutterstock.com/Roman_studio

Annuals do well in containers. You can plant them directly in the ground to fill in around perennials or plant them in pots and strategically place them in the garden, along walking paths, at the front door or anywhere you want a splash of color. To maximize the beauty of your annuals when planting in containers, Teresa Edens, a local master gardener, suggests combining “fillers, spillers and thrillers.” The thriller is a specimen plant, such as a gallon-size geranium. Fillers are intermediate plants in the middle of the container, like dahlias, marigolds or nemesia. “Spillers are low-growing, fluid plants that like to languish on the edge of your container, such as bacopa and alyssum,” she says. Give some thought to the flower colors you choose, advises Edens, and to the containers themselves. Choose a bloom palette you love and mix with patterned and solid-color planters. Edens loves Talavera pottery but also mixes in solid-colored ceramic pots and plain terra cotta. “Then, you’re not limited to any specific color palette.”

Shutterstock.com/wanchalerm_Thailand

Annuals attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Payne explains that because of their bright colors and longer-lasting blooms, they’ll naturally attract more pollinators throughout the summer. Edens shares one final reason for embracing annuals and container gardening: “I love the instant gratification. Forget seeds. They take too long to be beautiful!”

Annuals in a variety of colors and bloom sizes create the most interesting pops of color to your perennial gardens.

resources Paynes Nurseries Rehm’s Nursery & Garden Center SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Life+Style Southwest

all about alfresco moving mealtime outdoors is easy when you’ve got a “just right” outdoor kitchen

Will Prull and Jodi Vevoda’s outdoor kitchen is anchored by a Viking grill and a pizza oven set into a base topped with polished concrete. The Alaskan yellow cedar overhang protects the space from sun and rain, while an expansive skylight frames the stars come nightfall.

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SSUU C CAASSAA SSUUM MM MEERR 2022 2022

by Paula M. Bodah

Daniel Nadelbach

WHEN YOU LIVE in a state that averages nearly 300 sunny days every year, spending plenty of time outdoors is an obvious perk. So why head inside just because it’s dinnertime? An outdoor kitchen— not just a grill and a picnic table, but a thoughtfully designed space that lets you cook and enjoy a feast without stepping foot inside—is fast becoming a must-have element for homeowners. Builder Tom Cardenas, owner of TC Building & Realty Inc., and Albuquerque-based architectural designer Mike Cabber have been collaborating for 30 years, and the two agree outdoor kitchens are enjoying a moment. “They’re always on our clients’ wish lists because here in New Mexico we can enjoy them all year long,” Cabber says. Creating the perfect outdoor kitchen means blending style and function. There are specific requirements: a grill, of course, chief of among them. But cooking alfresco has moved way beyond the tarp-covered barbecue hidden in a corner of the patio. Now, the grill is front and center, a gleaming, stainless-steel beauty anchoring a workspace equipped with everything from pullout trash bins to warming drawers. Joe Rogillio, director of sales at Builders Source Appliance Gallery, suggests homeowners think beyond the grill. The indoor kitchen has multiple cooking options beyond the cooktop, so why not expand the outdoor choices, too? For his customers, pellet grills are surging in popularity. “Most people think of a pellet grill as a smoker,” he says, “but they can do almost everything a gas grill can do, except for putting a good sear on a steak.” Pizza ovens are another versatile choice. “Just about anything you’d do in an indoor oven can be done in a pizza oven,” Rogillio says. Lobster bake, anyone? He also recommends a side power burner for boiling pasta, simmering sauces or wok cooking. Built-in drawers and cabinets keep utensils and dishware close at hand for maximum efficiency. “From pullout trashcans and drawers to rollout shelves and even a tilt-out paper towel holder, you can really equip an outdoor kitchen with nice cabinetry,” says Will Prull, president and coowner of Santa Fe’s Prull Custom Builders. He recommends using full stainless steel cabinets and drawers to discourage rodents from making themselves at home.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Life+Style Southwest

All these state-of-the-art appliances deserve a beautiful setting. For an Albuquerque home, Cardenas and Cabber built an outdoor space that echoes the interior design. While open walls let the breezes flow freely, a stucco ceiling with decorative wood beams covers the long stretch from the dining area to the bar and grill. A granite countertop, the same stone used for the indoor kitchen as well as the bathrooms, is both durable and elegant. Prull and his wife and business partner, Jodi Vevoda, designed their outdoor kitchen with yearround entertaining in mind. Radiant electric heaters in the ceiling above the dining table keep guests warm on chilly nights, and three zones of LEDs let the hosts control the ambience. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet dinner for two or entertaining a crowd, there’s nothing quite like fresh air to enhance the experience. Says Rogillio: “Investing in an outdoor kitchen is an investment in quality of life.”

Shutterstock.com/Daxiao Productions 42

Mark William

The granite countertops in this Albuquerque kitchen are a good choice for outdoors, says builder Tom Cardenas. Lower walls of stuccocovered cinderblock keep worries about moisture at bay.

S U C A S A S U M M E R 2022

by Heather Shoning

Life+Style Southwest

cool hues

these soft shades of blue bring a beach ambience to your space

There are many names for this sweet summer shade—turquoise, aqua, robin egg and more—but no matter what color you call it, these items conjure a coastal vibe even in our landlocked state.

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S U C A S A S U M M E R 2022

1. Seeing Clearly

These beautiful recycled Spanish glass lamps will brighten any side table. Pair it with a burlap shade and the soft aqua tint adds a hint of beach cottage feel to your space. Choose the small 12.5”-diameter or the large 19”-diameter fixture or group them together for a complete look. Mallorca Recycled Glass Table Lamp, $199–$299 (shade sold separately), potterybarn.com

2. Summer Dining

What tabletop—indoors or out—wouldn’t look great with this gorgeous turquoise dinnerware? The beautiful shine, that looks like high-quality pottery, hides a secret—it’s melamine! So, they are perfect for dining alfresco. A set includes four of each: dinner plates, salad plates and bowls. Cabana Melamine 12-Piece Dinnerware Set, $118, potterybarn.com

3. Sitting Pretty

Amp up your seating arrangement. The rich teal color adds a bit of whimsy to this traditional tufted armchair. It features dark coffee-colored wooden legs and serpentine-style arms with a removeable seat cushion. Update your living room or add it as a comfy reading chair in any corner. Galesville Tufted Wingback Chair, $369, wayfair.com

4. Patio Pillow

Add a brushstroke of serene color to your outdoor furniture with this UV-resistant polyester pillow. The mold-, mildew- and fade-resistant, linen-weave fabric holds up to the elements while adding relaxed comfort to lounge chairs or an outdoor sofa. Wide Stripe Spa Outdoor Pillow, $46, crateandbarrel.com

5. Wrap Up

Envelop yourself in the luxurious comfort of this Turkish cotton bath sheet. Innovative technology makes the long fibers exceptionally soft, absorbent and quick drying. The 40-by-70-inch size is perfect for poolside. Parachute Classic Towel Pool Bath Sheet, $49, crateandbarrel.com

6. Ocean Dreaming

Surround yourself in the color of water with this dreamy tile made with a mix of glossy and frosted glass. You can use it on the floor and/or the walls. It’s the perfect hue for a spa-like bath or a crisp, luminous kitchen. Loft Adriatic Mist Penny Round Glass Tile, $20/sq.ft., tilebar.com

beautiful kitchens inspiration in every corner from design to tile to appliances and more by Heather Shoning Local builders are going all out to uplevel the kitchens they design and build. You’ll get inspiration for everything from incorporating natural light to luxury tile in unique designs to genuinely custom cabinetry, unlike anything you’ve seen. Hang on to these pages for your new kitchen idea file, and see page 53 for a complete list of resources.

clean and sleek When these homeowners moved from a more traditional home, they wanted an entirely new look: elegant simplicity. And they achieved it with the help of Zachary & Sons Homes using sleek, modern cabinetry and a neutral color palette of blonde wood with warm grays. Chrome hardware adds a touch of bling, while the textured stone backsplash lends an organic contrast to the slab-door cabinetry. To streamline the room’s perimeter even more, they opted for a cabinet-front refrigerator and a rectangular custom hood cover with minimal trim to match the cabinetry. The ceiling beams have a light, warm gray tone, as does the oversized, grounding floor tile, and the space is punctuated with black window trim and barstools. 46

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Wendy McEahern SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Sheena Chakeres

carving a new kitchen In true historic renovation style, this kitchen was designed and built to look like it has been here for 100 years. But, in fact, there was no kitchen in this space at all. Owner Doug Maahs and his team at DMC removed a wall and a fireplace to create this new yet very old kitchen. “The client was creative and added so much to this process,” says Maahs. There was some cabinetry throughout the home featuring the carved panel doors made in Mexico, and the client wanted to replicate the look on the refrigerator door panels, among others. These, plus the remainder of the cabinets, have a hand-rubbed custom finish for the rustic patina. Despite the aged look, the cabinets have modern-day functionality such as soft-close doors, adjustable shelving and more. The columns flanking the range conceal spice racks, while the backsplash sports what appears to be decorative panels that hide additional drawer storage. A bi-level island serves as a work area with additional storage. 48

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Talitha Tarro

traditional undertones Marc Sowers of Bespoke Woodwork assumed these homeowners who relocated from Europe would want a sleek European kitchen. Instead, the wife had a clear vision for a white traditional space. Sowers and general contractor Zach Maguire worked within the original footprint. Instead of replacing all the flooring which ran throughout the home, they replaced a center section to create a contrast area for the table—another unique feature as the homeowner didn’t want an island; she wanted more seating. The cabinetry features raised-panel doors and turned leg details to give it the heft and look of furniture. Forgoing a garbage disposal allowed Sowers to build a custom under-sink drawer to maximize storage. The homeowner wanted the crisp black and white look, so the walls that don’t feature the highly veined granite backsplash are painted matte black. The original range hood was refinished in black to match the apron-front sink and black drawer pulls. SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

As a result of additions to the home over the years, this kitchen was stranded in the middle with no exterior views. When the homeowners sought the help of Gabriel Browne of Praxis Architects, Inc., he was able to design a bright, airy space open to the outdoors and the adjoining living area. It required removing the sunken floor of the living room as well as a massive fireplace. Browne’s design lifted the overall ceiling height but added beams for architectural interest and local flair. The detailing is simple with the white perimeter cabinetry, under-cabinet lighting and white subway tile designed to recede while the gray island and the glass pendants pop. “The subtle palette makes it super clean and bright and reflective,” Brown says. “It’s a dramatic change: Treading a line between contemporary and clean while still embracing warm hues.”

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Daniel Nadelbach

warm modern

captivating views

Courtesy Dreamstyle Remodeling

This remodel was all about capturing the views of the Sandia Mountains. Dreamstyle Remodeling removed the wall between the kitchen and the family room, which was blocking the views from the large windows, and they relocated the kitchen sink to the island so when the homeowners are working in the kitchen, they can enjoy the views. The family has young children and pets, so the new kitchen design needed to withstand a lot of use while looking great for entertaining. The blue cabinetry features a catalyzed painted finish to help keep it looking fresh, while cabinetry under the seating side of the island offers additional storage for lesser-used items. The brushed brass cabinet hardware provides a pop of glam when contrasted with the stainless appliances.

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Herschel Mair

all in the details Originally designed to be a model home, Ted Lowe of LOWE-BO Homes LLC went all-out on the details throughout this kitchen. The open concept floor plan features an oversized island with room to comfortably seat three, a corner pantry, a beverage station with a wine refrigerator and more. The espresso-colored cabinetry matches the large, sandblasted beams replete with natural graining. A huge skylight brings in lots of natural light1. One of Lowe’s favorite touches is the Legrand undercabinet lighting and power system that mounts under the cabinetry to avoid outlets in the backsplash. Lowe credits designer Maria Ochoa-Gutierrez, of Ray’s Flooring Specialists, Inc., with choosing the finishes, including the striking arabesque tile behind the range. 52

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resources clean and sleek Builder: Zachary & Sons Homes; Tile: Arizona Tile; Cabinetry: Ernest Thompson; Fixtures: Dahl Plumbing; Countertops: Sherpa Stone LLC; Appliances: Sub-Zero/Wolf, Builders Source Appliance Gallery traditional understones Builder: Maguire Renovations LLC; Cabinetry: Bespoke Woodwork; Countertops: Alpine Granite, United Stoneworks; Appliances: Sub-Zero/ Wolf, Builders Source Appliance Gallery carving a new kitchen Architect: High Desert Creative; Builder: DMC; Designer: Aviva Baumann, DMC and homeowners; Tile: Mosaic Tile Direct; Cabinetry: H&S Craftsmen LLC and Conestoga Wood Specialties; Custom cabinetry panels: Sofia’s Rustic Furniture, Texas; Fixtures: California Faucets; Sinks: Shaws of Darwen, House of Rohl; Countertops: Leblon Quartzite, Arizona Tile; Custom painting: Gretchen Overman Designs; Appliances: La Cornue/Miele, Builders Source Appliance Gallery warm modern Architect: Praxis Architects, Inc.; Builder: Praxis Ltd. Co.; Tile: Arizona Tile; Cabinetry: Sierra Woods Cabinets LLC; Sink/Fixtures: Ferguson; Countertops: La Piedra Granite LLC; Appliances: Builders Source Appliance Gallery captivating views Builder: Dreamstyle Remodeling; Tile: Arizona Tile; Cabinetry: R.D. Henry & Company; Sink: Kohler; Faucet: Delta; Countertops: Cambria, Santa Fe Granite; Appliances: Builders Source Appliance Gallery, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Amazon.com all in the details Builder: LOWE-BO Homes LLC; Designer: Ray’s Flooring Specialists, Inc.; Tile: Maniscalo (arabesque blueberry), Daltile flooring; Cabinetry: Aesop’s Gables; Sink: Blanco; Faucets: Moen; Countertops: Monte Cristo Granite, Creative Countertops, Cabinets & More; Appliances: Fisher Paykel, Builders Source Appliance Gallery

finally, just for us

a builder/designer, husband and wife team create their forever home

The stunning entrance to this home features a warm, organic rammedearth wall that conceals a courtyard contrasting the crisp lines of the sleek, black detailing and crisp white wall.

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by Jessa Cast photographs by Daniel Nadelbach

inny and Melanie Pizzonia finally have a house that’s all their own, and it only took four decades to get there. Forty-four years ago, newly married, they bought their first house in Connecticut—a 1700s-era home on which they executed a historic renovation. “Vinny’s father cried when he saw it and told us he would lend us money to get a ‘real house,’” says Melanie. Vinny laughs, “The porch had fallen off from dry rot—you had to jump into the house.” Little did they know the long road that first renovation would lead them down. Since then, from Connecticut to Texas to New Mexico, the Pizzonias have lived in 32 homes. That affinity for breathing new life into a house sprouted both of their careers. Vinny owned Vantage Homes but retired in 2010, “for a month,” he chuckles. He then partnered with Twilight Homes with an eye on growing the business. Twilight Luxury Homes was born and now builds 10 to 15 custom homes per year and a newly introduced line of affordable homes. Melanie, a designer who owns Exquisite Design, also consults on Twilight’s design plans. Both are well-practiced in creating beautiful homes for other people. But this 33rd home is a keeper, one in which they have committed to spending the rest of their lives. Early on, when they discovered their love for remodeling and building homes, they executed each project with the next buyer in mind, making sure their choices would appeal to a broad audience for resale purposes. “We’d think we can’t do this or that because not everyone would like it,” says Melanie. That limitation is over now. “This is the only house where we decided to do just what we want and love,” says Melanie.

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A Design Style of Their Own

The home’s front façade is an exercise in sleek modernism, but a warm, layered rammed-earth courtyard wall hints at the unique features inside. An elegant entry with shiny black tiles in a herringbone pattern and a modern pivot door opens to a foyer with a dark ceiling and handpainted Valhallan wallcoverings. It provides an airy view straight through the home to the backyard. Slender pendant lights reveal a subtle shimmer in the wallcovering. That understated shine carries throughout the home in an array of finishes. Barely noticeable, it creates an ambience, subtly elevating everything. Melanie refers to their new abode’s style as “modern organic,” a contemporary home with a veritable potpourri of beautifully appointed spaces and finishes. Eschewing a solitary motif, they instead employed meaningful variety and visual novelty in their interior design. Rooms aren’t meant to match but to represent the inhabitants. Their choices in flooring reflect the Pizzonias’ modern organic genre. Sleek, gray porcelain tile graces the living areas, then, in the study, switches to an eyecatching, handmade Italian wood floor. Also imported from Italy is the electricgreen, custom-made La Mercanti desk, another of the many nods to Vinny’s Italian heritage. On the study wall, above a fireplace trimmed in a geometric green and black mosaic tile, is a wood mantle fabricated by the couple’s son, Justin. A cool touch fireplace serves both the dining and living rooms. In the living room, opposite the 10-foot-tall glass patio doors is a dry-stacked concrete wall, providing texture and interest. In both rooms hang stunning and very different sculptural lights; over the tiered coffee table, five handblown pendants by Bocci, and over the dining table, a drapey chandelier that just begs to be touched. Contrasted by a riff-sawn oak island is an entirely matte black kitchen with solid surface countertops and ultra-sleek cabinetry. Here, as in most of the rooms, knobs and pulls are omitted in favor of doors and drawers that open with a touch. An almost neon-bright tube light 56

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The foyer features a modern pivot door, a dark ceiling and hand-painted Valhallan wallcoverings. Slender pendant lights reveal a subtle shimmer in the wallcovering—an element that will repeat throughout the home.

“This is the only house where we decided to do just what we want and love.” – Melanie Pizzonia

The visual weight of the stacked concrete wall anchors the sitting area, which features a view of the pool and towering valley cottonwood trees. Two layers of glass with air flow in between make the peninsula fireplace cool to the touch and safe to use year-round.

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An induction range in the kitchen is supported by a gas range in the service area, which allows for party meal prep without cluttering the socialization area.

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Bespoke Woodwork went to painstaking measures to ensure the grain in the riff-sawn white oak cabinetry lines up for an even greater sleek, streamlined look.

over the sink notches up the edginess of the black background. Another novel feature is a remotecontrolled panel behind the range that reveals a pass-through to a generous pantry and service area. In tandem, a similar panel opens behind the breakfast-area credenza to reveal a coffee station and toaster. Everything is designed to be efficient and useful but easily hidden and visually clean at a moment’s notice. A tiled wall—shimmery, of course—exudes a subdued poshness in the primary bedroom, as does the Phillip Jeffries’ Marbelous wallcovering behind the bed. The SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

While the homeowners can enjoy a view of the pool from their bedroom, for privacy, the casita has no windows poolside. A semi-rustic Restoration Hardware light ties into the ceiling beams and raw wood floor.

“When you look in the mirror, you have this beautiful scene behind you.” – Melanie Pizzonia

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The large dual shower features an urban-style black metal and glass enclosure, a feature tile stripe and a rain shower head in the center.

unfinished hickory floorboards impart an earthy vibe for that organic aspect. In the spa-like bathroom, one end features a freestanding soaking tub with a striking bubble glass chandelier while the other end is home to a large shower with an urban-style black metal and glass enclosure. A double vanity with a makeup station floats the length of the room. The mirrors reflect a floor-toceiling Graham and Brown floral wallpaper mural that— like so many other touches throughout the home—bears a slight sheen. “When you look in the mirror, you have this beautiful scene behind you,” says Melanie.

A Simple Starting Point

Before the grand home came into fruition, the Pizzonias first built a 940-square-foot, two-bedroom guest casita on their 3.8 acres in the North Valley. They lived there while the 5,600-square-foot, three-bedroom main home was underway. It was worth the wait. Today, the casita is an anchor at one end of the spectacular outdoor living space, complete with multiple seating areas, a well-manicured lawn and a large swimming pool. The portal provides indoor-quality design with outdoorsturdy furnishings in fun charcoal and white wood- and leopard-print designs. Plants and woven pendants provide warmth and an organic feel. The pool’s shallow SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

end features in-pool lounge chairs, while a second poolside lounge area sits in front of another rammed-earth wall creating a rich backdrop and earthy color. The entire outdoor living space has wideopen fluidity between indoors and out, and it’s just how Melanie and Vinny want to live. “It was freeing to know we weren’t building this house with a future sale in mind,” she says. Vinny confirms, “It’s for us. Just for us.”

Multiple seating areas allow for entertaining parties of all sizes. Above: In the corner, floor-toceiling tile mimics a stone wall and creates a resort feel. 62

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resources Builder/Contractor Twilight Luxury Homes twilightluxuryhomes.com Designer Willis Design Studio Interior Design Exquisite Design Appliances Builders Source Appliance Gallery Bathroom Sink/Bidet/Bathtub Doc Salvage Supply Bathroom/Kitchen Fixtures Southwest Sales Beams/Front Door/Interior Doors Builders FirstSource Cabinetry Bespoke Woodwork Countertops Arizona Tile New Mexico Granite (installer) Fireplaces Mountain West Sales mountainwestsales.net Flooring/Accent Tile Stonewood Flooring stonewoodnm.com Artitalia (wood in study) Gates/Metal Fabrication Ade Wrought Iron (entry gate) Marquez Iron Works Landscaping/Water Features Agua Dulce Earthscapes Lighting Turn On Lighting Pool Design/Build Hermanson Construction Shower Surround Ideal Mirror & Glass idealmirrorandglass.com Sliding Window Wall/Windows Andersen Windows & Doors Builders FirstSource (supplier)

team effort

tape measure in hand, an analytical homeowner worked in tandem with her builder

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by Cullen Arlington Curtiss photographs by Daniel Nadelbach styling by Michele Rainwater

The Ragsdales’ quartz countertop island accommodates up to six people and encourages conversation with the option of sitting on two adjacent sides.

n September 2021, Marta and Michael Ragsdale were married in their backyard, presided over by a stunning Sandia Mountain view. The small family-and-friends wedding was a beautiful way to celebrate the couple’s new 3,000-square-foot custom home in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights. “This home is really my baby!” Marta exclaims. During the design and construction gestation period, this CPA/CFO carried not only the evolving house plans anywhere she went but also a tape measure, ever prepared to tease out an inspiration. Michael holds a similar professional role at his company, and Marta says they both like things “very much in order.” Hence, working with a builder who would allow them to retain a lot of control and give guidance was just what their analytical brains called for. The Ragsdales found the perfect match with custom home builder Ted Lowe, owner of LOWE-BO Homes LLC. They met at a spring 2018 Parade of Homes, and in less than a year, Lowe, who likes to be part of the early decision-making in the homebuilding process, was walking a potential property with the couple on a cold winter day. “From the road, it looked like a total misfit of a lot, but Ted gave us a vision,” Marta says. “I remember thinking that day, ‘This is the lot!’ And Ted was a big piece of that. He definitely earned our trust.” The Ragsdales visited Lowe’s personal home and a couple of his clients’ homes, which gave them design ideas and even greater comfort with the project. Marta expressed detailed concepts for nearly every room, often with precise pencil drawings on graph paper, which she says is a quirky habit. “Ted and his team just did such a good job of making my pictures look real!” She was amazed when the cabinetmaker produced a gratifyingly exact replica of one of her drawings. Lowe was also sensitive to design explorations, cost considerations and the Ragsdales’ must-haves, including Marta’s desire for her cat Bowser to have a room and oversized windowsills in the living space for the cat’s crouching and gazing. And for the canine Winston? An outdoor run.

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The dining room cabinetry is a single color, contrasting that in the kitchen, for a subdued look that allows the kitchen to shine.

Designing Modern Cozy

The Ragsdales’ home features an open floor plan and a warm neutral palette with touches of crisp black throughout—a look Marta calls “modern cozy.” Walking through the vast, modern front door, you’re greeted by the kitchen on the left and the living room on the right. The kitchen cabinetry is a sleek style with flat-panel doors and some open shelving, but a rich brown-gray finish makes the vast space feel cozy. Marta grew up on a farm in Iowa and is proud of it. So much so that she wanted to design her home around some of the pieces she inherited from her family and the farmhouse. The open shelving boasts her inherited Fiestaware. Long white subway tile installed in a herringbone pattern creates a geometric look to the backsplash and behind the range reaching all the way to the ceiling. Modern farmhouse–style pendants in matte black hang over the island with seating for six—their finish matching the fixtures and cabinetry hardware.

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“Ted and his team just did such a good job of making my pictures look real!” – Marta Ragsdale

The combination fireplace and television feature is tiled from floor to ceiling, and the generous hearth offers a banco-like seating option. SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

The floor-to-ceiling tiled fireplace echoes the one in the living space and draws on the warm gray accent wall behind the bed.

Just beyond the kitchen, the dining room includes a beverage station with more open shelving for glassware and wine storage. The cabinetry is a solid warm gray with a soft chevron pattern backsplash—this look repeats in the tucked-away service pantry behind the kitchen. The living area incorporates even more open shelving flanking the floor-to-ceiling tiled fireplace surround. Marta discovered that tilework was a dynamic opportunity for accenting her large home. The herringbone, chevron and block formats offer a mix of visual patterns. Although vigas would be a traditional Southwestern element, even in this modern home, Marta had a hard time committing to the dominating design and the high cost. She researched other solutions, homing in on tongue-and-groove tray ceilings that coordinate with the flooring and cabinetry palette and mimic the exterior entrance soffit. Lowe immediately suggested adding the element to the foyer ceiling for greater connection in the design. The outcome complements the modern and amps up the cozy. The cozy continues into the private areas of the home. Another floor-to-ceiling fireplace surround in warm gray variegated tile anchors the primary bedroom. Among Marta’s favorite family heirlooms are her grandparents’—tornado-surviving!—crushed-velvet armchairs that grace this fireplace area. A blocky wooden mantle matches the sliding barn door leading to the en suite with a floating vanity, built-in soaking tub and an oversized shower with a bench and custom niches. Passionate to have certain design elements such as wallmounted faucets, vessel sinks and floating vanities, Marta gave her tape measure a workout while collaborating closely with Lowe to get everything installed at just the right height. 68

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Modern black fixtures and hardware provide crisp contrast to the warm brown-gray tones in the cabinetry and tile in the primary bathroom.

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A secondary bathroom offers guests a soaking tub, separate shower and beautiful tile backsplash and niches.

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Most evenings, you’ll find Marta and Michael on their back patio, enjoying the solitude of soaking in their hot tub with a perfect view of the Sandias.

Michael had two personal priorities: a large backyard rose garden and ample space to accommodate his six vehicles, which are safely ensconced in flanking four- and two-car garages. Already extraordinary due to sheer square footage, these spaces are even more functional. A shared priority for the couple is storage, so each garage has an adjoining corrugated sheet metal tower that holds extra tires and other car-related items. While practical, the towers are also a striking design feature on the home’s exterior—their symmetrical angled roofs with wood-paneled soffits and black fascia echo the front entrance, presenting a meaningful lift and contrast to the cubed, off-white living spaces. Now that the Ragsdales have lived in their home for nearly two years, Marta has removed the tape measure from her purse, but she still can’t help collecting ideas, calling herself an amateur designer. “I have the itch to do it again!” For the moment, however, she says, “I am such a homebody. It’s so nice to have a home where every piece of it you really love.”

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resources Architect Ron Montoya Designs Inc. Builder/Contractor LOWE-BO Homes LLC lowe-bohomes.com Appliances Builders Source Appliance Gallery Audio/Visual Paradise Village Bathroom Tub/Sinks/Fixtures/ Kitchen Sink Dahl Plumbing Blinds JC Blinds Cabinetry Castillo Custom Cabinets Closets Closet Trends Countertops Creative Countertops, Cabinets & More Custom Painting White Mountain Painting Fireplaces Mountain West Sales mountainwestsales.net Flooring/Kitchen Backsplash Ray’s Flooring Specialists Front Door/Interior Doors Pat’s Doors Kitchen Hood KitchenAid Wall Canopy Hood Landscaping The Hilltop Lighting Bright Ideas, Inc. shop.lightingfordesign.com Windows Andersen Windows & Doors Western Building Supply (supplier) westernbuildingsupply.com

says …

Shutterstock.com/Tunatura

Elevate your home’s curb appeal with some sizzling summer color. Large planters plump with blooming annuals flanking the front door provide a sweet welcome to your guests. Start with good, fresh soil and some basic greenery. If your pot is large, instead of putting rocks in the bottom for drainage, choose packing peanuts or other Styrofoam pieces that will allow water to pass without weighing the pot down. Punctuate it with petunias, marigolds, geraniums, alyssum or whatever colorful flora you love. For more tips on how to perfect your pots, refer to our annuals article on page 38.

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Homes & Remodels

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by Kendra Lee

Design Studio

aahh ... pool life adding a pool to your backyard creates a new way of living

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DO YOU EVER FIND yourself looking longingly at the backyard à la Clark Griswold daydreaming about a pool? The perfect place for family to gather. Just the spot to beat the New Mexico heat. A centerpiece for entertaining guests. It’s true that having a pool can change the way you live. Whether you want a pool for the kids to dive, slide, splash and play with friends; or you’re looking for an easy and cool way to stay fit; or you’d like a refreshing spot to while away your weekends; the options for a backyard oasis are numerous. Grab your floaty, a cocktail—no glass containers, please—and start planning your new pool life today. The Albuquerque and Santa Fe area has some fantastic pool specialists to help you get just the right water world for your family. “Most pools are installed for exercise purposes but also to bring the entire family together, regardless of age,” says Dion D’Angelico, owner of D’Angelico Enterprises, Inc.. “I think the pandemic really opened people’s eyes who neglected to invest in the place they were bound to. They realized home is a sanctuary and is worth investing in.”

Shutterstock.com/Natnan Srisuwan

What’s Trending

First of all, pools and spas go hand-in-hand, so you might consider both from the start. And, of course, you need to think about seating and lounging spaces and how you’ll interact in the pool area. Your backyard sanctuary will be completely custom from the layout and integration with indoor areas to the materials and color palette for the pool and surrounding hardscapes. The most popular pool materials in this area include fiberglass and gunite, which is a specialized concrete installed with a high-pressure hose, says Jacob Poper, general manager with Lee-Sure Pools, Inc. “We’ve been seeing more spa vault installs—a portable spa that is partially dropped down into the ground to make it more visually appealing.”

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Design Studio Feras Irikat and Kate Wiseman, faculty advisors for GENESIS, a company of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, that provides education and certification on pool construction, design, engineering and business, have been noticing new design trends. They include natural, organic textures; earthy colors such as creamy whites, soft blacks and sage green; metallic and porcelain tiles; and more art incorporated into tile designs. They also cite more elaborate and upgraded outdoor area components. Add a firepit, outdoor kitchen, TV viewing area and family room-style furnishings to achieve greater integration between indoor and outdoor spaces.

conditions the water vessel (pool) with a draft hydrant is not only enjoyable but becomes a viable alternative for protection against fires,” he says. “We believe that awareness helps to create comfort and security for families that are now entertaining installing pools in our area.” Whether for family time, stress relief, emotional value, physical fitness or entertainment, there’s no debating a pool/spa is a great investment … just be ready to become the new neighborhood hangout! “We always hear from clients: ‘Why did I wait so long?’” says Poper. “The love attraction is instant! Very simply, a pool or spa elevates your backyard into a beautiful setting for pure family time, stress relief, and good ol’ fun in the sun.”

“It’s not just about adding a pool, it’s creating an entire outdoor experience,” said Amy Willer, associate marketing and communications director at Pool & Spa Alliance. “More than ever, people are designing for functionalities that speak to them, like a swimming pool, an outdoor kitchen, an outdoor seating area and play areas. In fact, pool builders and designers are seeing requests for pools with smaller footprints so people can enjoy being in the water no matter the size of their space.” It’s all about creating the backyard oasis that suits your needs but also changes the way you live. “Installing or remodeling a pool creates a luxurious, serene getaway that eliminates the expense and stress of travel,” says D’Angelico. “A custom pool and spa turn your backyard into a vacation location all year long.”

Courtesy D’Angelico Enterprises, Inc.

Designing a Lifestyle

Local experts agree that an automatic safety cover is one of the best accessories you can buy for your pool.

Safety and Maintenance

“Robotic cleaners, covers, water features and heaters are all really nice accessories to add to any pool installation or remodel,” says Poper. In addition, fencing, sensors and alarms should be on the list for your outdoor oasis. But automatic covers are a must. “Automatic safety covers are the best accessory you can invest in for your pool and spa. It secures the pool in all aspects from safety through maintenance,” advises D’Angelico. He goes on to say pools are water storage vessels, and as such, another popular feature is a draft hydrant. “As we are experiencing historical drought

D’Angelico Enterprises, Inc. dangelicoenterprises.com Lee-Sure Pools, Inc. leesurepools.com 76

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Courtesy Lee-Sure Pools, Inc.

resources

Having a backyard oasis is like being on vacation all year.

D R E A M I T. B U I L D I T. L I V E I T.

Scan Me Dream Here

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Vida Buena

by Heather Shoning

Switzerland of America Ouray, Colorado, vistas provide as much awe as its history YOU’VE GOT TO STAND in the middle of town and turn in a circle to grasp the meaning of Ouray’s moniker. Photos—even panoramic images—don’t do it justice. But standing there, the high peaks feel as if they might close in on you. In one direction, they are tall mounds of striated red rock lined with pines creeping out of each layer, but as you turn slightly, they transition to foreboding gray granite monoliths poking at the clouds with razorsharp peaks. It’s almost too much to take in, but now you know why it’s called the Switzerland of America.

History

In addition to being a majestic scene begging to be photographed, this tiny town 78

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is rich in history and, well, riches. First inhabited by the Ute tribe, nomadic Native Americans traveled here during the summer months to fish, hunt and soak in the hot springs, which they considered sacred. In 1873, Chief Ouray, a multilingual leader of Southern Ute’s Tabeguache and Uncompahgre tribes, relinquished the treasured San Juan territory to encroaching white settlers. Incorporated just three years later, the town was named in the legendary chief’s honor. The settlers sought the area’s rich deposits of silver and gold. Ouray and the surrounding areas were home to more than 30 working mines in the heyday. Camp Bird Mine between Ouray and Telluride produced 1.5 million troy ounces of gold between 1896 and 1990. In the late 1800s, the population exploded from a few hundred to several thousand. With development and growth, including hotels, schools, churches, stores and restaurants, among others, came the railroad and the eventual shift from mining to tourism—although nearly 100 years later—as its mainstay industry.

Adventure

If you want to visit the ghost towns, or remnant mines, that dot the hillsides around the area, you’ll want a four-wheel-drive vehicle, although there are some you can visit by passenger car and some hiking. The Ouray County Historical Museum can offer guidance, historical information and maps to help you locate a plentitude of these ramshackle

Shutterstock.com/Jacob Boomsma Heather Shoning

remnants of the area’s storied past. But there’s more to do in Ouray than visiting old mine sites. Check out Box Cañon Waterfalls, where you can hike and cross metal grate bridges and hunch your way through a tunnel to experience the water falling 285 feet into a narrow quartzite canyon. Be sure to go down the metal stairs to the bottom and dip your feet in the chilly but crystal-clear water. To get a great, almost birds-eye view of the town, hike the 4.4-mile perimeter trail. There are plenty of places to hop on and off this trail, but at the very least, hike the section that will take you to Cascade Falls. There is a narrow, slightly harrowing section and a small scramble, but it’s worth the fright when you feel the mist on your face from behind the waterfall looking out over the town. Do a little “urban” hiking through town to visit the many shops where you’ll find local souvenirs. Favorites include The Blue Pear, Khristopher’s Culinaire, Bloom Modern Mercantile and Ouray Bookshop. Make a stop for a cold local microbrew at Ouray Brewery—this place has the best views and brews in town. Must-try menu items are the elote dip and the green chile burger. (I know what you’re thinking, but just trust me.) After a day of hiking—“urban” or otherwise—soak sore muscles in those sacred mineral waters the Native Americans loved. If you stroll around town in the early morning or late evening, be vigilant as it’s not uncommon to encounter a bear or two right in town. SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Vida Buena Ouray, Colorado Fun Facts • Country singer C.W. McCall, whose real name is Bill Fries, was elected mayor of Ouray in 1986 and remained in office for six years. He’s more known for his spoken-word song “Convoy,” which inspired the Kris Kristofferson movie by the same name. • Ouray is home to the world’s first ice-climbing park. • The famous baseball pitcher Howard Ellsworth “Smoky Joe” Wood grew up in Ouray, after relocating from Kansas City as a child. • Telluride is only 10 miles away from Ouray, but you have to drive 50 miles to get there. You do the math. • Much of the filming of the 1969 hit movie “True Grit,” featuring John Wayne, took place in the San Juan Mountains including in and around Ouray. • When settlers arrived in the Ouray valley, there were more horses and mules than people. Thanks to those who struck gold, it didn’t stay that way for long. • Not so fun fact: Evalyn Walsh McLean, the daughter of a prospector who hit the mother lode near Imogene Pass between Ouray and Telluride, became a wealthy Washington socialite. In 1911, she purchased the cursed 45.5-carat Hope Diamond. Her fascinating—yet tragic— life, including the loss of two children and the heartbreak of an unfaithful, drunken husband, is outlined in the book “Ouray, Colorado’s Evalyn Walsh McLean and the curse of the Hope Diamond.”

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In the mining heyday, Ouray and the surrounding area had more than 30 working mines.

There are a variety of harrowing routes in the area best accessed by four-wheeldrive. Black Bear Pass (shown) is one way to make the drive from Ouray to Telluride.

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Just Winging Through

by Amy Gross

In New Mexico, you can see the beautiful western bluebird year-round.

bluebirds Shutterstock.com/Jesse Nguyen

colorful characters

THERE ARE LOTS OF BLUE BIRDS in North America, but only three kinds of actual bluebirds. In Northern New Mexico we see the beautiful western bluebird, with its electric blue feathers and burnt orange breast, nearly all year round, while royal blue mountain bluebirds appear in flocks in meadows and scrubland in the spring and summer months, popping against the brownish scenery. (How to remember which is which: Think “western sunsets are orange.” Western bluebirds also have orange.) Both species have a pointy black beak and a distinctive white eye ring. And both are unmistakable when their richly hued feathers catch the sun and flash a gorgeous azure. If you’re hoping to attract these beauties to your yard, you’re in luck: Bluebirds visit feeders and water bowls, and they are fond of nesting boxes. They are not fond of nesting near other bluebirds, however, so if you take the plunge and install a box, be sure to space it well away from any other boxes. The hole in the box should be between 1 ½ and 1 ” in diameter. Yeah, they’re that picky. My yard exploded with bluebirds when I started serving dried mealworms in a hanging platform feeder. It took the birds a while to figure out the mealworms were there, but once they did, the news spread fast. Other birds like the mealworms, too: robins, spotted towhees, curve-billed thrashers and even crows.

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I’ve been enjoying the antics of three fledgling western bluebirds who are almost ready to leave the nest. Big, floofy fuzzballs Huey, Dewey and Louie venture out on regular outings with their watchful parents, who stay close but let the kiddos do some exploring at one of the feeding stations. Still sporting their baby spots, the trio jostle and poke at one another sibling-style on the rim of the water bowl as they take tentative sips. When tired of this, they’ll practice flying short distances from the water bowl to tree branches and back again. With those eye rings and perpetually wide-eyed expressions, the babies appear to be utterly amazed at their own prowess. I love watching their confidence grow exponentially in just a couple of hours, and I know they’ll be on their own soon enough. I can only hope they’ll continue to visit my feeders as adults and grace my yard with the occasional flash of wondrous and breathtaking color. Amy Gross is a birder and the organizer of Santa Fe Birdbrains, a Northern New Mexico–based Meetup group.

says …

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Amp up your beverages all summer long with fanciful and tasty ice cubes. Herbs, fruit, berries and even edible flowers make gorgeous additions to your summertime sips. Cut up your favorite fruits and herbs to fit in ice cube trays. You can use whole berries and edible flowers such as pansies and geraniums. Use tap, bottled or sparkling water depending on the drinks planned for the decorative cubes. Keep your wine cool in the summer sizzle with wine cubes! Yes, wine will freeze, so open a bottle of your favorite and freeze it with or without fruit or flowers. You’ll be sipping cool all summer long.

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Su Cocina

by Faerl Torres photographs by Daniel Nadelbach

dinner and a show Rio Chama Prime Steakhouse brings in big-time entertainment RIO CHAMA PRIME STEAKHOUSE is as authentically New Mexican as its neighbor, the capitol building. In true Santa Fe style, the interior is rich and understated; a warm, refined welcome without pretense. To Karen Gallegos, the general manager and northern New Mexico native who grew up on a ranch, it feels like home. As summer approaches, Rio Chama is preparing to inject more vitality into the historic Barrio de Analco community with live music and seasonal ingredients to complement the classic menu. This spring, the President’s Room at Rio Chama began showcasing renowned Santa Fe-based pianist Doug Montgomery twice a week. With plenty of indoor space and alfresco versatility, the President’s Room is the perfect site for the Juilliard-trained artist to entertain diners. Like the seasonal menu, Montgomery’s song list changes to suit the audience and atmosphere each evening. Whether you’re sipping a glass of chardonnay over the

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heirloom tomatoes or cutting into a locally sourced Wagyu New York strip, the music will pair as perfectly as the wine. Executive chef Joshua Ortiz is looking forward to the energy Montgomery’s fans will bring. “I think we’ll see a new crowd brought in by Doug’s music who will be enticed to become regulars by the menu.” Like Montgomery’s timeless-meets-spontaneous musical repertoire, Ortiz’s menu features classic steakhouse offerings, prepared with an unexpected twist. Upon taking over as executive chef in 2020, Ortiz reframed the menu, dubbing it “traditional American steakhouse with New Mexican flare.” His signature style shines through in every offering, from the Chupadero squash

The seabass is the star of the show at Rio Chama. It comes seared with butter, topped with citrus beurre blanc, and served on a bed of pearl couscous.

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Su Cocina

Rio Chama showcases renowned Santa Fe–based pianist Doug Montgomery twice a week.

S U C A S A S U M M E R 2022

blossoms to his custom-crafted steak sauce to the seabass. He says the seabass is the star of the show, seared with butter, topped with citrus beurre blanc, and served on a bed of pearl couscous beside roasted tomatoes, artichokes and fennel with olive tapenade. Ortiz recommends pairing it with the house pinot grigio. Like its namesake river, Rio Chama has two sides: a place to meet for a drink and rousing political discussion with colleagues from the Roundhouse, and a place to sit and bask in the contentment brought by mountain air, fine music, premiere food and close companionship. Rio Chama Prime Steakhouse is all things Santa Fe; the menu may be seasonal, but the pleasure and elegance are as evergreen as the piñon. For a look at the seasonally changing menu or Doug Montgomery’s performance schedule, visit riochamasantafe.com.

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by Lisa Truesdale

quintessential summer sips chill out with a wine spritzer on a sweltering summer day CRISP, LIGHT AND LOW-CAL, wine spritzers are the perfect cocktail for hot days—even the name sounds refreshing! Summery fresh and endlessly adaptable, wine spritzers are also super-simple to make. All you need is wine (any color) and a sparkling mixer, like seltzer (plain or flavored), club soda, tonic or Sprite. The classic recipe combines three parts wine with one part soda, though some mixologists advocate for a 50-50 ratio. Grab your favorite locally produced wine, toss in slices or chunks of fresh, in-season fruit you picked up at the farmers market, and you’ve got an instant crowd-pleaser for patio parties and picnics all summer long.

Spritzer Tips • Choose a wine with a fruity flavor and mild tannins, like riesling, sauvignon blanc or pinot noir. Fizzing up a bad wine won’t magically make it taste better, so use a wine you’d also enjoy drinking by itself.

• Make sure your wine and seltzer are VERY cold. Use lots of ice, but the traditional kind will melt quickly in the summer sun, ruining this drink’s aesthetic appeal and watering it down. Consider reusable cubes, like those made from stainless steel or soapstone. Or, freeze your fruit (after it’s cut) before making your spritzers and use it as ice. • Fancy up your presentation (and enhance the flavor profile) with sprigs of fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, mint or basil. • For parties, create a “make your own” station. Offer three different wines, three different sparkling beverages, and an assortment of fresh fruit and let guests get creative.

Combos to Try Casa Rondeña 2019 Serenade + club soda + sliced apricots or peaches, or watermelon chunks with cucumber Noisy Water 2020 Riesling + BlueFly Farms’ lavender sparkling water + strawberries and/or lemon slices Vara Viura Vino Blanco Espanol + Sprite or 7-UP + strawberries and blueberries or blackberries (so festive for the 4th of July) SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Su Libro

by Kate Jonuska

interior design gets dirty mixing design with gardening creates beautiful results

Courtesy TBD Photo Credit

Take It Outside: A Guide to Designing Beautiful Spaces Just Beyond Your Door: An Interior Design Book by Mel Brasier, Garrett Magee and James DeSantis; published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Random House; photographs copyright © 2021 by Dane Tashima; hardcover, $21.

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SOME FOLKS come to gardening from the dirt up, interested first in plants, flowers and botany. Other folks, like the authors of “Take It Outside: A Guide to Designing Beautiful Spaces Just Beyond Your Door,” find their way to plants via party planning. Interior designers Mel Brasier and James DeSantis loved planning outdoor birthday parties with and for graphic designer Garrett Magee, so the trio found new careers together in landscape design bent on creating wonderful outdoor spaces for others to enjoy. In this book, the trio’s perspective on outdoor design is, unsurprisingly, grounded in many interior-design concepts, such as starting by mapping out the functions of your outdoors, preferably with one area each to chill, gather, cook, grow (plants) and play. They embrace melding the outside and in and creating deeply layered spaces. Says DeSantis, “Some of the most beautiful homes in the world flow seamlessly between the interior and exterior and are designed with that balance foremost in mind.” That perspective allows for unique and valuable advice that blends the best of gardening ideas with great design tips. For instance, few gardening books include entire sections on textiles, rugs and objet d’art alongside information about drainage and soil pH, but such oft-absent finishing touches create outdoor spaces you not only use but truly enjoy. Such temporary ideas are also vital for renters or city dwellers with only concrete outdoor space, significantly widening the audience and usefulness of this gardening resource. Plus, the book’s information about container gardening as well as gardening large yards makes beautification even more accessible, regardless of your space. So beautiful, in fact, that you might just throw a few inspirational parties of your own.

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It’s Summer! Let’s Restucco!

√ Start with a nice, clean grill √ Oil the grill before you turn it on √ Let it preheat for five minutes √ Don’t put meat straight from the fridge onto the grill; let it sit out for 30 minutes first so it will cook more evenly √ Don’t move the food around; if it’s stuck, it’s not ready to flip √ Don’t squish the juiciness out of the meat √ Cook chicken over low heat √ Cook beef and pork over high heat √ Take the food off just before you think it’s done √ Let meat rest for 10–15 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices

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‘Tis the season to grill! Start this summer grilling season off right with these tips and tricks for preparing perfect meals in the great outdoors. Whether you’re using a charcoal grill while camping or if you have a full outdoor kitchen on your back portal, you can’t go wrong following these simple ideas.

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Adios

photograph by Wendy McEahern

watching over The owners of this Santa Fe sanctuary enjoy hours sitting in their backyard oasis, reading and watching their nine grandchildren playing in and around the swimming pool. When walking down Canyon Road one day, they spotted the bronze sculpture by Carole LaRoche in her gallery. “We thought it was perfect because it’s what we do in that space,” says the homeowner. The grandchildren have since dubbed the girl “Jane Austen,” and she’ll watch over the pool—book in hand—for years to come. Carole LaRoche Gallery, laroche-gallery.com 96

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