Su Casa Southwest Homes Winter 2020 Digital Edition by sucasaabqsf

mad for

maximalism

artful

timeless

Southwest textiles

VOL. 26 NO. 1 WINTER 2020

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Santa Fe remodel

Â©MarkWilliamphotography.com

~ AWA R D -W I N N I N G B U I L D E R ~

~ Building energy efficient homes in New Mexico for over 30 years ~

KAY BEASON ~ 505.379.3877 ~ beasonka@icloud.com Albuquerque ~ Rio Rancho ~ Los Ranchos ~ Placitas ~ Santa Fe

Kay Beason

See our gated community in the heart of beautiful Los Ranchos de Albuquerque.

A CO M PA N Y O F C R A F T S M E N B U I L D I N G T O S U I T YO U R TA S T E

Exactly What You’re Looking For. No Matter What You’re Looking For. Pella® Architect Series® wood windows and patio doors can highlight your home’s architecture with the beauty and warmth of wood, our most customizable designs and exceptional energy efficiency.

Call today! 505-431-5283 or visit: PellaofAlbuquerque.com | PellaofSantaFe.com Visit your local Pella Showroom: Albuquerque, 3901 Singer Blvd. NE, Ste. A Santa Fe, 3201 Zafarano Dr., Suite D

Window & Door Replacement

“All the capabilities to design and build a unique landscape that fits your vision and budget.”

IN COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE Serving the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas. yellowstonelandscape.com 505.898.9615

zero-voc • non-toxic • absorbs odors • humidity buffering • easy repair & clean up • resists dirt & mold

Never

Paint Again

Bring Your Walls to Life With 8 plaster finishes in a variety of textures and 239 fade-resistant colors, American Clay plasters create a space of natural warmth and beauty incomparable to any other material. americanclay.com | 1-866-404-1634

Northern New Mexico

Chris Corrie

inspiration ideas resources

SOUTHWESTERN

HOMES 36

Artfully Done

“So much art, so few walls” was always Pamela and Robert Fiedler’s lament. Not so anymore, thanks to a dramatic transformation of their Southwest-style home into a contemporary retreat that holds almost a much art as the gallery they own together.

That’s a Wrap!

As film industry professionals, Patty and Mike Malone derive a lot of satisfaction from completing a big project. Giving their Old Town home a facelift was just as thrilling, especially now that they get to enjoy the time they spend in Albuquerque in style and comfort.

Renovation Roundup

Feast your eyes on three bathrooms and three kitchens that have undergone dramatic makeovers at the hands of some of the area’s most talented builders and inerior designers.

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Marshall Elias

SPECIAL SECTION

Chris Corrie

36 IN EVERY ISSUE

On the cover: Abstract and African art has a place in nichos and on walls in a Southwest contemporary home in Santa Fe. Read more on page 36. Photograph by Chris Corrie.

12 Inside Su Casa 14 Life+Style Southwest

Visit SuCasaMagazine.com

Pattern pops in a tiled shower; Steve Thomas advocates addressing fundamentals first when remodeling; the marriage of farmhouse and industrial styles; and Su Casa celebrates 25 years in publication.

24 Design Studio Builders and designers share what they wish every client knew befor embarking on a renovation; maximalism takes design to joyous extreme.

52 Vida Buena Southwest textiles are more than artistic statements: they’re living history.

56 Su Cocina

Move over, coffee—tea’s popularity is on the rise, especially at tea houses and tea shops around Northern New Mexico. Create your own warm winter beverages with our roundup of products, or check out James Selby’s recommendations for Barolo and Barbaresco wines.

64 Su Libro 71 What’s Happening? Northern New Mexico is a winter wonderland. Don’t miss these festivals, shows, and performing arts events happening through March.

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Courtesy Pendleton

Trash or treasure? The Joy of Junk appeals to the collector in all of us.

Building and remodeling homes is dangerous work. We sometimes get paper cuts. Smart homebuilders and homeowners know that a loan or line of credit from Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union is the best tool in the toolbox for new construction and remodeling projects. For more than 70 years, our members have benefitted from the credit union difference: local decisions, locally serviced loans, and low fees with quick closings. And best yet, just about anyone can join SLFCU. Learn how our personal service, competitive rates and loan products are built just for you.

Build a solid foundation for your next project. To get qualified quickly, visit slfcu.org/HomeLoans, or call 505-237-7161 or 800-947-5328 x7161.

Federally insured by NCUA

Northern New Mexico

inspiration ideas resources

Published by Bella Media, LLC

Publisher Bruce Adams

Managing Editor Amy Gross

Contribuing Editors Sarah Eddy Patricia L. Garcia Lisa J. Van Sickle

Contributors

The Perfect Fit

Jessa Cast Michaela G. Hart James Selby Tom Smylie Steve Thomas

Art/Production Director B.Y. Cooper

Whether you’re buying your dream home or building it, Waterstone Mortgage has all the tools you need to achieve your homeownership dreams. We are local, close on time, and offer a wide variety of loan programs, like: • •

Single Loan Close Construction Program Jumbo loans

•

Wealth Building Loan

•

Medical professional loans

Graphic Designers Sonja Berthrong Valérie Herndon

Photography Chris Corrie

Advertising Manager Cheryl Mitchell

Advertising Sales Executive Melissa Salazar For advertising information contact: 505-344-1783

SuCasaMagazine.com For subscriptions, call 818-286-3162

Nancy Griego

Jason Pike

Eleanor Hutt

NMLS #305357

NMLS #471725

NMLS #470211

505.506.3600

505.828.9400

505.463.6742

Su Casa Northern New Mexico (ISSN 1094-4562 & USPS # 2-3618) Volume 26, Number 1, Winter 2020. Su Casa Northern New Mexico is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by Bella Media, LLC at Pacheco Park, 1512 Pacheco St, Ste D-105, Santa Fe, NM 87505, USA, Phone (505) 983-1444. © Copyright 2020 by Bella Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Basic annual subscription rate is $9.95, Canada & Mexico is $23.95, Other international countries is $27.95. U.S. single-copy price is $5.95. Back issues are $6.95 each. Periodicals postage paid at Albuquerque, NM, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: send address corrections to Su Casa Northern New Mexico P.O. Box 16925, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6925

Geographic restrictions apply — contact a mortgage loan professional for additional information. All loan requests are subject to credit approval as well as specific program requirements and guidelines. For some programs, income and property restrictions may apply. Information is subject to change without notice. Equal Housing Lender. Waterstone Mortgage Corporation (NMLS #186434) is a wholly owned subsidiary of WaterStone Bank SSB (NASDAQ: WSBF). New Mexico Mortgage Loan Company Licensee. NM-ALB-1975-111219

Subscription Customer Service: Su Casa Northern New Mexico P.O. Box 16925, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6925 Phone (818) 286-3162, Fax (800) 869-0040, ssacs@magserv.com, sucasamagazine.com

MODERN PRINCIPLES. MARVIN INNOVATION. Introducing Modern. Part of the Marvin Signature Collection, our Modern line considers every detail. The result is a line of windows and doors that pairs pure modern design with category-leading energy performance. Discover it at marvin.com/modern. F I N D YO U R I N S P I R AT I O N AT YO U R LO C A L , I N D E P E N D E N T M A RV I N D E A L E R TO DAY.

H om e Bu il d e rs Asso c ia tio n o f C e nt r a l N e w M e xic o Boa r d of D ire c to rs

President: Mike Fietz First Vice President: Kevin Patton Second Vice President: Mackenzie Bishop Immediate Past President: Scott Ashcraft Associate Vice President: Brooke Nutting Secretary/Treasurer: Antionete Whittaker Associate-at-Large: Jason Balthrop Education Committee, Chair: John Berg Home Builders Care, Chair: Doug Keaty Parade Committee, Chair: Paul Wymer Production Builders Council, Chair: Jenice Eades Remodelers Council, Chair: Diana Lucero Sales & Marketing Council, Chair: Wade Messenger Green Build Council: Diane Huerta Custom Builders Council: Wade Wingfield Builder at Large: Carey Plant Advisory Member: Bo Johnson Honorary Members: Bruce Adams, Dr. Susan Bogus Halter H om e Bu il d e rs Asso c ia tio n o f C e nt r a l N e w M e xic o S ta f f

Executive Vice President: John Garcia Vice President of Operations: Lana Smiddle Communication & Membership Specialist: Bridgette Madrid Events & Education Specialist: Jill Krogman

presidential award

Copyright ÂŠ 2020 by Bella Media, LLC. Bella Media, LLC Pacheco Park 1512 Pacheco St, Ste D-105 Santa Fe, NM 87505 505-983-1444 sucasamagazine.com Please direct editorial queries to amygross@sucasamagazine.com. Su Casaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cover and text are printed by Publication Printers in Denver, Colorado.

Inside Su Casa

25 years!

Publisher

Right: Seeking an enclosure more integrated with its surroundings than the traditional coyote fence, Robert and Pamela Fiedler opted for gabion walls, which define the backyard spaces but allow deer and other wildlife to visit. Read all about this Santa Fe home on page 36. 12

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Chris Corrie

Bruce Adams

GABRIELLA MARKS

or 25 incredible years, Su Casa Magazine has been tantalizing us with this beautiful lifestyle we have here in New Mexico. We have invited our rich culture and local history into our homes and made the incredible New Mexico landscape and skies part of our homes. No other publication celebrates our lifestyle like Su Casa Magazine. There have been a few overriding concepts that have dictated our editorial. The most important one, and I write about it often, is that your home is truly your castle and it can be whatever you want it to be. It might be bold or require courage, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your home to create the kind of environment that will provide you personal satisfaction. The images and stories are not so much meant for you to copy, though you are welcome to do that, but rather to inspire. You might grab an idea from the magazine, but put your own personal twist on it. Possibly, a story of how someone fitted their home to their tastes could help you to get in touch with your own taste. You get to apply that your home. Unlike a lot of other home and lifestyle publications, we try to introduce you to the homeowners and hear from their own lips what has motivated them to build or redesign their home, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to them, and how their home works to support their lifestyle. You learn their backgrounds, and you learn how they have worked with builders to achieve mutual satisfaction. Have a satisfying home in the beautiful landscape of New Mexico is what Su Casa is all about. Your home is your life. Make it beautiful.

Windows with a Greener Outlook.

Designed for a More Beautiful Future.

Design + Build: Diego Handcrafted Homes Location: Albuquerque, NM Photo: Chris Corrie

With new Sierra Pacific Windows and Doors you not only improve the performance of your home, but you create a lifestyle of beauty, comfort and reliability that you will enjoy for years to come. All Sierra Pacific Windows and Doors carry the seal of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Our products are made from sustainably-grown wood and manufactured in America. www.SierraPacificWindows.com

P.O. Box 8489, Red Bluff, CA 96080

800-824-7744

A Division of

Albuquerque, Santa Fe & Taos

Life+Style Southwest

In a recent design project, Santa Fe interior designer Jennifer Ashton was faced with an unexpectedly small, galleystyle master bath. With no room for a tub, freestanding or otherwise, one alternative for bringing personality to the bath was to concentrate on the narrow, linear shower. Ashton created her own mix of porcelain tile patterns from Roca Tile’s Boulevard collection as an eye-grabbing focal point against neutral tile on either wall. “I tried to give the tile as much impact as I could in a small space,” she explains. “And since there wasn’t width or scale, it made sense to exaggerate the height to make it more dramatic.” A built-in seat is not only functional, but visually breaks up the vertical lines and gives the shower depth. Simple champagne gold fixtures tie it all together, creating a warm, sepia look Ashton says she’s loving these days. “I’m going more for glow and mood, rather than a lot of material.” Jennifer Ashton Interiors, jenniferashtoninteriors.com 14

Laurie Allegretti

pattern with punch

Erskine Photography

Life+Style Southwest

by Amy Gross

Su Casa … 25 years ago timing is everything when you’re starting a magazine

hen Jim Folkman was asked to be the Executive Vice President (the role that today is called the Executive Officer) of the struggling Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico (HBACNM) in 1992, he accepted, with the caveat that it would be only a shortterm gig. “I told them, I’ll do what I can from a business perspective for two years, and then I’m outta here,” says Folkman, whose background was in real estate construction and development. “Of course I was there for 21 years.” Folkman was no sooner installed in his new office when he was informed that the HBA would be holding a Parade of Homes in a few short months, only the second parade in its history, and, he recalls wryly, “that ‘I’d better get with it because there was a lot to do.’ Of course, I didn’t even know what a parade was, much less anything about how to put one on—or that there was a magazine associated with it.” The no-frills Homes of Enchantment Parade Magazine, produced by a company in Texas, presented the entries on the home tour along with some canned editorial, mostly in black and white. “We could do this better—and make more money,” Folkman thought—a mantra he would in fact repeat many times in the ensuing years. He hired someone to produce the magazine for the HBA itself, and in its second year the parade magazine was indeed more lucrative.

Above: Jim Folkman launched Su Casa in 1995 and remained the publisher until 2010. Right: The Spring 1996 issue featured a home built by Altair Homes. Finishes in the master bath included blue tile, carved cabinet doors, and carpeting.

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Above: The cover of the premiere issue of Su Casa, Autumn 1995, featured a kiva fireplace that unequivocally established the magazine’s New Mexico focus. Below: A home built in 1996 by David C. Peterson Construction is certainly an argument for the timeless elegance of classic adobe design and craftsmanship.

dmaahsconstruction.com 505 992 8382

Above: The Parade home entry for Joe Boyden Construction (today called Homes By Joe Boyden) in Su Casa’s inaugural issue, Autumn 1995. Homes By Joe Boyden regularly participates in the Parade to this day. Of the 74 homes on the 1995 Parade, more than half fell into the under $300,000 price range. Above: The HBACNM’s second-ever Homes of Enchantment Parade (today simply called the Parade of Homes) featured 34 houses. The Homes of Enchantment Parade Magazine was Su Casa’s predecessor by two years.

In year three, Folkman hired Myra and Robert Cochnar, owners of the now-defunct New Mexico Business Journal, to produce the Parade magazine. “It went pretty darn well,” Folkman says—so well that the HBA began hosting, in gratitude for their service, destination retreats for the member builders who volunteered as Parade committee members. It was on one of these retreats that Folkman and Duncan Milloy, the HBA’s then-second vice president, came up with the idea for a magazine that would not only promote the Parade of Homes, but New Mexico home building and design in general. “Duncan’s a very creative sort, and he and I were sitting on the San Antonio Riverwalk at a singalong bar called Dick’s Last Resort,” Folkman remembers. “The more beer we drank, the more creative we got. And that’s where the idea for Su Casa originated.” Quickly tabling the idea of a monthly magazine in favor of a more manageable quarterly, Folkman and the publishers launched the premiere issue of Su Casa—a roaring kiva fireplace squarely on the cover—in Autumn 1995. “The idea was that the flagship issue would be the Parade issue, since we only did one Parade a year at that time, and that the other three issues would be based on home building,” he says. Twenty-five years later, Su Casa Northern New Mexico 18

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Right: Builders Source Appliance Distributing (today called Builders Source Appliance Gallery) was one of a handful of businesses advertising in color in the first issue of Su Casa. In 2020 they remain one of the magazine’s biggest supporters.

follows the same editorial model, but with home-related themes specific to certain issues such as kitchens, remodeling, and outdoor living, and with two Parade issues, one in the spring and one in fall. Eventually the HBA parted ways with the original publishers and inherited the freelance contractors that made up the magazine’s team of professionals, among them editor Charles Poling and sales director Cheryl Mitchell, the magazine’s longest continuously tenured employee. Though sales and subscriptions of Su Casa greatly contributed to the HBACNM’s bottom line, both Folkman and Poling were focused on improving the quality of the magazine itself, developing a stable of talented photographers and writers able to capture and speak the language of New Mexico home design. “Under Charles’s guidance every issue of Su Casa improved, and it really became a stellar publication,” Folkman says. “I wanted to instill in the HBA’s membership that this was their award-winning magazine, and that they should take pride of ownership in it.” Su Casa won the President’s Award at the National Association of Home Builders one year, prompting Folkman and his team to consider exciting—but short-lived—forays into national districontinued on page 33

BRING YOUR

TO LIFE

Take your home from drab to dreamy with major or minor home renovations – and roll the cost into your mortgage.

Ask us about Bell’s home rehab loans, and get started today!

bellbankmortgage.com

CATHY NEUHARTH

KATHY BRENEMAN

YVETTE KLINKMANN

NANCY ARMSTRONG

KATHLEEN SHARPE

ALBUQUERQUE

SANTA FE

NMLS #: 470210

NMLS #5881

NMLS #471722

NMLS #: 247518

NMLS #470784

24427

505.401.9012

505.220.9758

505.280.0508

505.660.9643

505.699.5240

Life+Style Southwest

by Sarah Eddy

farmhouse meets industrial a perfect pairing of warmth and practicality

ELK Lighting

ELK Lighting Wood Arches 4-Light Chandelier Simply Amish Ironwood Coffee Table

Sharp edges and straight lines make the Ironwood Coffee Table a modern and dignified choice. The sturdy table will fit in with other industrial furnishings, or it can add a subtle contemporary edge to a softer farmhouse vibe. It can be customized with a number of different finishes, all of which become even more elegant when paired with the ink black of the table’s legs. Price varies by customization, Simply Amish of Albuquerque, simplyamishabq.com

Warm wooden arches cradle rustic metalwork in this intriguing chandelier. Somehow appearing both timeless and modern, its symmetrical arches are made of solid wood construction in a red oak finish while the metalwork is oil rubbed bronze hardware. $400–$500, Bright Ideas Inc. dba The Lamp Shop, lightingfordesign.com

Blanco Ikon 27" Silgranit Farmhouse Sink

A classic apron front sink is a must-have for any kitchen looking to incorporate elements of farmhouse design. The Blanco Ikon 27" Silgranit Farmhouse adds a smooth, contemporary flavor to the scene. Deep, but at just 27 inches in lenth, it packs a pragmatic and compact punch. $896, Santa Fe By Design, santafebydesign.com

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Furniture Row

BLANCO America

Simply Amish, Ironwood Collection

The comfortable farmhouse and the steely, modern industrial loft: they sound like polar opposites, but these two design styles blend surprisingly well. Their similarities—both styles rely on a simple practicality, often incorporating timeworn elements such as distressed wood—allow them to meld while their differences can add balance to any living space. Here are a few industrial- and farmhouse-style furnishings to consider adding to your home.

Oliver Furniture Oliver TV Stand

A true marriage of farmhouse and industrial style, this TV stand pairs rustic metal with solid Brazilian pine reminiscent of reclaimed barnwood. Simple, functional, yet full of worn-in charm and character, the stand balances the bucolic and the modern without missing a beat. It’s perfect for an industrial style space looking to subtly soften things up. $499, Albuquerque Furniture Row, furniturerow.com

Life+Style Southwest

by Steve Thomas

fundamentals first

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Above: As one of the first steps in the renovation of an old house, Steve’s team picks out out rotted timber around the floor joists.

builder and renovator.” I didn’t have to point out that having pretty murals on the dining room walls wouldn’t matter if the house were rotting from underneath. “We love this house,” they stated. “We intend to live in it until we’re in our dotage, and we understand it needs work.” (I noted the barely audible gulp after this declaration.) Whether the home is an old adobe in Santa Fe, New Mexico, or a first period colonial in New England, the fact is that our historic buildings demand respect. They are the three-dimensional representations of the stories from the past that help bind us together. “Houses find people; people don’t find houses,” a friend of mine once told me. I know this to be true because a number of fine, old, needycase houses have found me over the years, and I’ve completely renovated them, putting them on solid footing for the next 75 or 100 years. Fundamentals do matter. The challenge is figuring out a way to fix these old places without breaking the bank or breaking the house. I’ll let you know how this one turns out! Steve Thomas is a home renovation expert. The former host of This Old House and Renovation Nation, he now heads up Steve Thomas Builders.

Evy Blum

Douglas Merriam

y new dermatologist eyed me curiously as she examined my face and arms for signs of the consequences of a builder’s life in the sun. “Why do you look so familiar?” she kept asking. Finally I told her I’d been host of This Old House and Renovation Nation. “Oh my gosh!” she gushed, “I love those shows!” She shared that she and her husband had purchased a 1795 colonial home in the heart of Camden, Maine. To Steve Thomas their dismay, however, her husband had discovered rotten sills and corner posts, and who knows what else. I handed her my card. Several Sundays later I visited the home, a fine, big, first period colonial atop a hill above the harbor. The scene 200 years ago must have been magnificent—only a few other houses, the farmland surrounding the house rolling all the way down to the harbor. I pictured a crisp fall day, the foliage turning, wood smoke issuing from many chimneys. The previous owners had lavished money on a new kitchen, bathrooms, and an elaborate mural of the 1800s harbor in the dining room. The new owners had a list of plenty more projects to come: an addition, a new terrace off the kitchen, built-in storage under the main stair, reconfiguring some of the traffic flow, and so on. Two-hundred-year-old houses always have problems, and I knew this one would have its share. “We’d love to build all that,” I said cheerily, “but we should probably focus on the problem at hand—you know, the rotten sills.” We trudged down into the basement, and 200 years back in time, structurally speaking. The home’s underpinnings consisted of massive beams and full logs for floor joists, squared off at the ends and set into pockets in the beams. The subfloor, visible between the log joists, consisted of very wide pine boards—“king’s pine,” so named because King George I had once reserved the tallest and straightest of the old growth Eastern white pine for ship masts for the Royal Navy. Though the structure was impressive, it was indeed all pretty rotten, a fact later verified by my friend and timber frame engineer Ben Brungraber. “As an engineer,” he said, blithely sticking a knife through the rotten log joists, “I wouldn’t assign any structural value to any of these timbers.” It was engineer code for saying the whole floor structure had to be replaced. We spent the next hour figuring out how to hold the big, fine, colonial house up, while replacing its underpinnings. My new clients took the bad news with the equanimity that perhaps one can only possess from being in the medical profession. “Fundamentals matter,” I said, “in what you do as a doctor and in what I do as a

Evy Blum

when renovating, structural issues take precedence over cosmetics

Above: Having just replaced a crumbling sill in his cottage in Maine, Steve levels it out using a boat building slick.

Select Knowledge. Select Experience. Select a Professional.

Jo Cook 505-379-6099 jo@jocook.net

Paul J. Chavez 505-720-7807 paulc2424@gmail.com

Susan Storan 505-358-2700 susansells505@gmail.com

Mariessa M. Sanchez 505-440-7413 mariessa.sanchez@remax.net

Kim Jensen 505-948-1399 kim@kimjensenhomes.com

Lisa Parker 505-220-7068 lisa4re@msn.com

Santiago Aceves 505-270-2662 santiagoaceves@gmail.com

Kristina Nguyen 505-264-9189 homes@kristinanguyen.com

Jennifer Wilson 505-440-1256 jenlilith@msn.com

Mel Candelaria 505-263-2867 MelCandelariaNM@gmail.com

Sarah Black 505-401-0705 sarahblack@remax.net

Mila Lucero 505-550-6824 luceromila@gmail.com

Jessica Beecher

505-401-9633 jbeecher@remax.net

Ruben Ortega 505-459-8589 Ruben@NMhomes4sale.com

Scott Dean

505-980-6383 scott@abqhomesearch.com

Kristi L. Bowen 505-280-3505 Kristib@remax.net

Nobody sells more Real Estate than RE/MAX! 122 Wellesley Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 | (505) 265-5111 | 3401 Central Avenue NE, Albuquerque | (505) 433-5600

www.abqselecthomes.com

Design Studio

if you only knew! building and design pros share their advice for a painless remodeling experience So you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen, your bath, the backyard—maybe even your entire house. Chances are you’re probably reaching out to every friend or neighbor who’s gone through the process for advice on what to expect or avoid. That’s a great start; firsthand recommendations from those who have gone through a renovation are undeniably helpful. But Su Casa asked remodeling and renovation professionals in the building, design, and banking trades to weigh in with their own best tips for preparing for—and surviving—a remodel. Here’s what they wish every client knew.

“Contact an interior designer early on in the process. Oftentimes clients come to us and they are too far into the project to make changes that we would have suggested. Something as simple as switching the location of a door or a window might make it much easier to plan furniture placement and allow the best traffic flow for a space.”

DANA STRINGER

Dana Stringer Interiors, danastringerinteriors.com

Courtesy Fabu-WALL-ous

“A remodel project is an intimate relationship between a builder and client, and as with any relationship there needs to be a natural connection between the parties—a comfortable feeling I call ‘The Right Fit.’ The logistics of a remodel are all critical and essential, of course, but in my experience are more manageable if the client-contractor relationship has the foundation of ‘The Right Fit.’”

BILL DEUSCHLE

“Take your time and ask questions of whomever you are considering hiring! Make sure they have a current license; ask for recent customer references; what’s their pricing structure and how do they typically charge their customers—draws, lump sum, hourly, etc.? Ask how they handle their scheduling, how many days/hours they prefer working, how they manage their subs, order products, and so forth. Ask who they use for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work and ensure everyone who enters your home is licensed. Will they pull permits if needed, and if so, will that be accounted for in their pricing? What about product and service warranties?”

BOBBI GOROUM

Dreamstyle Remodeling, dreamstyleus.com

“Take your time in the planning process of a new kitchen because so many things can change when you’re laying out the big picture. Decide on the big pieces first: cabinets, then countertops, then backsplash. Oh—and hire an award-winning remodeler!” DOUGLAS MAAHS D Maahs Construction, dmaahsconstruction.com

“Don’t go it alone! Homeowners often get design exhaustion and become overwhelmed with choices, ending up in ‘analysis paralysis.’ This is usually when the fun begins to fade. Designers are there to distill the millions of choices and stoke the thrill of the process. It’s easy to forget that this is a milestone moment that you have worked hard to afford, and something to be very happy about. Homes hold our sense of self, and in a busy world, are sanctuaries. If your house doesn’t make you feel happy, then what’s the point of the investment? It not about pieces; it’s about peace.”

Bevin McPartlon 24

Amy Gross

Fabu-WALL-ous Solutions, fabuwallous.com

MATT & HEATHER FRENCH

French & French Interiors, frenchandfrenchinteriors.com S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Story Portrait Media

“Plan on spending less money than you have, because more than likely you will spend more money than you intend to. If you budget all the money you have, you may end up needing to shortcut at the end of the project, eliminating things that were special items for you at the beginning. Most think about a house as a finished project—the faucets, finishes, beautiful countertops, etc., but if you end up encountering problems in the building process that cost more money than you’d expected, you may end up sacrificing the finishes.”

“Do not live in the house during the renovation! It’s not worth it. Save your sanity by living elsewhere until the project is complete.”

ROB WOODS

Woods Design Builders, woodsbuilders.com

SCOTT CHERRY

Lightfoot Inc, lightfootinc.com

CHANDLER PREWITT Chandler Prewitt Design, chandlerprewitt.com

EDY KEELER

Edy Keeler Interiors, edykeelerinteriors.com

“The clearer (to the nth degree!) you are about your desires, preferences, lifestyle, assumptions, and priorities up front, the better for the team and the project. Incorporate as many ‘green’ aspects into the design as possible, invest in good quality furnishings from the start, and buy original art—at any level you can afford!”

HEATHER VAN LUCHENE & STEFFANY HOLLINGSWORTH HVL Interiors, hvlinteriors.com

Reece Martinez

“I always like working with a client who has done their homework. It’s great when clients come to an initial meeting with pictures of what they want their home to look like; it really focuses the discovery phase and informs us as to how we can make a home perfect for the homeowner’s needs.”

Babak Dowlatshahi

countertops, and flooring. Most appliances last 10 to 15 years, so keep replacement in mind. Budget according to your home’s value; overspending will reduce your ROI. And always plan for the unexpected: Keep 15 percent of your budget aside for surprise expenses.”

Narrative Media

Courtesy Chandler Prewitt

“When remodeling a kitchen, put most of your budget into permanent items: cabinets,

“Hire a professional designer with remodeling experience, one you like to work with and who works closely with your contractor. A contractor typically builds, not designs. It’s painful when I see people spend money on their biggest investment only to have design flaws that could have been avoided. All too often contractors get asked design questions they shouldn’t be answering. Have a designer in your corner.”

KYLE TIDMORE

More Brothers Construction, morebrothers.com

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

by Jessa Cast

Design Studio

renovation roundup modern kitchen and bath makeovers

he new year is a great time to make a resolution to update those home spaces in need of attention. Whether it’s merely cosmetic changes like updating paint and tile, or renovating an entire space by knocking down some walls, freshening up your home is a feel-good way to start the year. Read on to see how six remodeling professionals lifted their clients’ spirits with revamped and renewed spaces.

wide, open spaces

Ric Rutherford

Ric Rutherford’s clients needed help with their master bathroom. It was cramped, dark, and not at all relaxing. Built in the 1990s, it was also severely compartmentalized. “It was divided into a bunch of squares,” says Rutherford, owner of Rutherford Design & Construction. “It was unusable and congested.” Rutherford knocked out the dividing walls to make it one cohesive space. “We created a walk-in shower and a separate toilet room, and added a window to bring in some natural light,” he says. “Using stacked stone and a freestanding tub, we gave it that spa feel.” A quartz-topped banco and dual shower heads completed the feeling of a retreat. Builder/Remodeler: Rutherford Design & Construction; Flooring: Stonewood Flooring, stonewoodflooringllc.com

bigger + better A referral brought design-build professional Lora Vassar of Arch Design to clients with a tiny, troublesome kitchen. “It was a very small kitchen—holy cow!” says Vassar. Her clients desired not only more space in their kitchen, but more functionality. “We doubled the size by stealing some of their patio space,” Vassar explains. The homeowners chose an eclectic style to complement their Southwestern home, using a deep brown island to accent the floor and contemporary colors to modernize the space. Two sinks, underlit shelves, wine storage, and hidden electrical outlets give the space a tailored look. Hand-cut tiles around the window and clay walls soften the shape and give the kitchen a whole new aesthetic.

David Stein

Remodeler: Arch Design, archdesignnm.com; Beams: Wholesale Timber & Viga, wholesaletimber.net; Cabinetry: McCoy Custom Cabinetry; Countertops: El Desierto (fabrication), Arizona Tile (supplier); Flooring: Flooring Direct; Handmade Tile: Syzergy; Landscaping: AccessAbility Design & Construction; Walls: Solamente Natural Plaster; Windows: Andersen from Western Building Supply 26

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Courtesy Jeannette Salaazar Interior Design

Stephen Dunn

on the edge When Steffany Hollingsworth’s clients bought a new home, they called upon her for help. “The bathrooms were the most egregious thing in the house,” says Hollingsworth, an interior designer with HVL Interiors. Especially the cavernous master bathroom, clad in outdated, dark red and green stone. “It was very off-putting,” she says. “The goal was to make this bathroom more of a sanctuary, with a bit of an edge.” New surfaces, including limestone wall tile, matte charcoal floor tile, and glass brick around the tub lend an almost Japanese modern approach, using very clean lines within a range of deep, neutral colors. “It does have edge now,” Hollingsworth muses, “but it’s tranquil, too.” Interior Design: HVL Interiors; Countertops: Sherpa Stone Tile; Statements In Tile/ Kitchens/Lighting/Flooring;

modern + gleaming As part of a whole-house remodel, and using some artistic license, Steven Storms turned a derelict property into a beautiful home. Built and stuck in the 1970s, not to mention vacant for a decade and with a leaky roof, it was a mess. The kitchen was especially outdated and in need of rescue. Storms tore down a wall for an open concept kitchen and incorporated natural light. Smooth, reflective surfaces, a glass subway tile backsplash, and layered lighting create a bright ambience. Contemporary cabinets provide plenty of storage. The result is an airy kitchen with nary a hint of its former sad life. “It was a Frankenstein transformation,” says Storms. Remodeler: Steven Storms; Glass Backsplash: The Tile Shop; Granite Countertops: Arizona Tile; Dale Hart

When Aaron Borrego recently gutted an entire home, he partnered with longtime friend Erica Ortiz Berke of Neubleu Interior Design for the remodel. The problem: an awkward 8 x 8-foot Jack-and-Jill bathroom that served both the master and guest bedrooms. Making creative use of adjacent spaces, one bathroom became two. “We changed the configuration and absorbed a closet and some living room space to make two normal bathrooms,” says Borrego. For the aesthetic, Ortiz Berke used several tile patterns in similar gray and while hues, mixing and matching them in fun, unexpected ways. “It’s definitely modern, with a midcentury flair,” she says. Crisp white cabinetry with retro hardware completes the look. Remodeler: Aaron Borrego; Interior Design: Neubleu Interior Design; Countertops: Arizona Tile; Field Tile: Artistic Tile; Tile: Stonewood Flooring, stonewoodflooringllc.com; Shower Doors: Action Glass

Laurie Allegretti

dazzling design

moody hues Tired of their outdated kitchen, Jeannette Salazar’s clients brought her in to give it a cosmetic overhaul. They desired something trendy, in modern, monochromatic whites and grays. “But they wanted to make sure it didn’t feel cold,” says Salazar, owner of Jeannette Salazar Interior Design. “So I warmed it up with wood tones.” By blending clean lines and rustic touches, all set atop porcelain flooring, Salazar created a transitional style that’s modern without being stark. The hood, the visual centerpiece, is wrapped in carefully mitered Cambria stone, for a smooth, clean finish. Patterned concrete tile on the backsplash, she explains, “is a unique point of interest.” Interior Design: Jeannette Salazar Interior Design; Appliances: Builders Source Appliance Gallery; Cabinetry: Hector Lerma Precision Cabinetry; Flooring, Backsplash, Countertops: Stonewood Flooring, stonewoodflooringllc.com; Lighting: Turn On Lighting SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Peggy & Tim Wheeler 505.450.521 1 peggy@peggywheelerteam.com

Linda Coy 505.259.7477 lindacoy@aol.com

Beverly Hilton 505.250.6272 Beverly@BevHilton.com

Alayna Setter, SRS, ABR 505.994.8198 abqburbs@gmail.com

Helen Demott 505.610.8355 homesbyhappyhelen@comcast.net

Rebecca Ybarra 505.319.5811 soldbyrebeccaybarra@gmail.com

Amy Romero-Riley 505.362-2244 AmyRsquared@gmail.com

Elias G. Medina 505.660.6452 eliasgmedina 1 @gmail.com

Sandi Reeder 505.269.9498 sandi@sandireeder.com

Sean & Christine Remington 505.977.2004 Christine@RemProps.com

Rachel Murphy 505.440.3030 rachel@jaredandrachelteam.com

Aaron Sandoval 505.249.1986 aaron@nmhomepros.com

Shea Nolan 505.304.51 7 4 sheanolan.rl newmexico.com

Matt Ortiz 505-720-5918 MattOrtizHel psVets@gmail

Jeanette Raver 505.250.5799 Jeanette@raverteam.com

505-883-9400

www.realtylnewmexico.com

Special Promotion

On the

HOME PROS: Surfaces

CuttingEdge When Scott Lardner’s father, a mason by trade, opened Rocky Mountain Stone in 1963, the company mainly sold flagstone, building stone, veneer stone, and aggregates—most of which, today, come from the family’s quarries in New Mexico. Travertine, from another family quarry, became big business for the company in the late ’70s. When Scott took over as president in 1988, granite was emerging as the country’s hot new residential countertop material. “We did our first granite countertop in 1985, for Sheilah Garcia of Garcia Automotive Group,” Scott recalls. Riding the wave of granite mania into the ’90s and beyond, Rocky Mountain Stone moved firmly into the dimensional stone arena. “We’ve done about 12,000 kitchens since 1985—about 1.2 million square feet of countertops!” says Scott. Though granite is still king, Scott notes that quartzite, a natural stone that surpasses even granite’s durability, is becoming more popular as a countertop option. So is manmade quartz, the material commonly branded as Silestone, Caesarstone, or Cambria. As you might expect, a stone company that’s installed over 12,000 countertops needs to stay on the cutting edge, so to speak, of that technology. Rocky Mountain began what Scott calls the company’s “digital journey” in 2007, digitally

Calacatta Gold marble countertops in a kitchen designed by Erin Williams. Photo by Robert Reck.

templating countertops. Today, 3-D templating has become the industry standard. It’s a fascinating process involving setting up a 3-D laser in the middle of a kitchen, collecting data points, and from that information creating a line drawing of a countertop. “A unique thing we do is take a calibrated photograph of every slab that comes into our shop,” says Scott, noting that in their slab yard, Rocky Mountain stocks around 60 different colors of granite, quartz, and quartzite. “A computer program imports the line drawing and the photo of the slab. Then we can take the pieces and drag them over the top of the slab, and the program captures the image. It creates a layout of exactly what that kitchen will look like before we even cut it!” Being a leader in the stone business for over 50 years involves more than staying abreast of technology, however; you need an accomplished production team. “Our install crews have 70 to 80 years’ experience between them, and we have 10 employees who have been with us for 20 years or more,” says Scott. “We have a depth of knowledge and experience that not many companies in our industry have.”

Copper Canyon Granite

Rocky Mountain Stone rmstone.com SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

29 31

Design Studio

by Michaela G. Hart

more is more maximalism embraces color, pattern, and joyous excess

Marshall Elias

The vivid colors and patterns of Morocco look right at home in a Santa Fe–style home designed by Marty Wilkinson of Metamorphosis.

Kate Russell

A maximalist dining room by David Naylor of David Naylor Interiors plays off a dramatic chandelier. There’s nothing matchy-matchy here in either the furnishings or the textile patterns covering them.

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

ore soul, more colors, more layers—maximalism is a strong statement in the design world. Though its sleek, strippeddown cousin minimalism is still popular, maximalism is in every magazine, in showrooms, and blanketing social media. The Southwest, and New Mexico in particular, which has always embraced a local maximalist, multicultural aesthetic, is especially enjoying the resurgence of this trend. “I take the human approach in my work; I corral and blend collections,” says Santa Fe interior designer David Naylor. The owner of David Naylor Interiors (davidnaylorinteriors.com) since 1997, Naylor is an unabashed maximalist. “Everybody has stuff; you can’t tell people they can’t have their stuff!” Forget matchy-matchy, or relying on a particular era or the dictates of some school of design. Maximalism, Naylor explains, is “a negotiation between inanimate objects. It’s putting things together well, creating authentic tension.” Maximalism is all about energy, emotion, art, and living. It may be a little vulgar, though never severely chic. Humorous, healthy, and above all, layered, maximalism is flexible. It’s about color—lots of color—and the liberal incorporation of texture and objects. Think walls filled with art and floors covered in rugs (sometimes one on top of another). It’s an excuse to have beautiful rooms and our stuff, too, the treasures we’ve accumulated over the years and kept across families because they hold our history. “Maximalism is realistic, with high notes and base notes,” Naylor says. “It’s natural. It’s interesting.” However, Naylor notes, there is a tipping point. A little restraint and finesse go a long way. He loves re-covering and reframing, working with existing furniture and artwork—as he says, corralling and blending.

Left: Sumptuous and masculine, a living room by David Naylor Interiors exemplifies the tasteful layering of patterns, materials, and textiles. Note the unexpected pairing of kilims with animal hide.

Designer and home stager Marty Wilkinson, owner of Metamorphosis (stageyourlife.net) in Santa Fe, works with homeowners and real estate agents selling homes, as well as private interior design clients. Like Naylor, she loves the joyous excess that maximalism embraces. “I’ve always, from the beginning, been a maximalist,” says Wilkinson. “For myself, the sky’s the limit with colors, textures, patterns.” Wilkinson is perfectly comfortable adding maximalist elements to spare modern rooms. “Navajo rugs and weavings, African art, a global look” work well in white painted interiors, she says. Further, she notes, adobe architecture, simple and organic, is found all over the world. “Why wouldn’t artifacts and bold patterns look great in clean, Pueblo-style spaces? Pots and textiles have been in those places for ages!” As you move through your home or workspace, do you love what you see? Are there memories of rescuing a family heirloom or hand-me-down, or acquiring something rare and beautiful? Do you remember the thrill of buying a bargain nobody else noticed? One of the little joys of life—and the maximalist aesthetic—can be picking up a wonderful find that’s been left out for the trash truck, hauling it home, and incorporating it into your world. Thrift and consignment shops are more popular than ever. Estate sales and auctions are held every weekend, and 24/7 on the internet. (If you need validation, just watch Antiques Roadshow or American Pickers.) Maximalism gives a homeowner the freedom to relax, rely on their own senses, and stop worrying whether they’re using the right shade of gray. Compare it to taking off a pair of tight jeans and putting on your comfy yoga pants. You don’t need to worry about tidying up the magazines or squaring up the corners. Instead of arranging the pillows, fling ’em. Bring the family photos out of hiding. Enjoy where you live and work. Maximalism takes personal preference into account, rather than rules. It offers the latitude to take chances, be sentimental, treasure the off-beat and the slightly out of style—the life-changing ability to expand into our spaces rather than being defined by them. 32

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Marty Wilkinson: MAXIMALISM 101 Collections. “For maximum impact, keep items in a collection together, rather than scattering them about. Choose settings, cabinets, or shelves that complement the collection and consider the color of the cabinet or the style of the shelf, be it glass, wood, metal, or another material.” Architecture. “Don’t fight the obvious; white paint isn’t going to ‘brighten up’ a dark room with little natural light. Instead, use colors like chocolate, and go for cozy rather than bright.” Limits. “Limits are a matter of personal taste. One person’s limit is the next person’s invitation to do more. With maximalism, there’s no such thing as too much, especially if you love an over-the-top look. If you want more patterns, paint designs on the walls around the doors and windows. Want more color? Add layers of textiles. If texture is your goal, think about hanging 3-D art on the walls.”

Marshall Elias

Kate Russell

Below: To create a cozy bedroom retreat, Metamorphosis extended the sumptuous faux wall finish to the coved ceilings and even a built-in armoire. Pillows, art work, and décor add fun but not distracting pops of color.

continued from page 18 bution and even an HGTV show based on the Su Casa model. “Right at the time we were pitching them the concept, HGTV was transitioning from a content-driven model to a reality TV model,” Folkman laughs. “Our timing was terrible.”

“I wanted to instill in the HBA’s membership that this was their awardwinning magazine, and that they should take pride of ownership in it.”—Jim Folkman In another case of bad timing, Folkman was personally overextended when the housing market nosedived in 2006. In addition to heading up both the HBACNM and Su Casa magazine (which by now was a wholly owned independent subsidiary of the HBA called Hacienda Press), Folkman was also managing the nonprofit Foundation for Building, which he had co-founded, and was involved in a host of other projects. He suggested the HBA sell the magazine. In 2010, Bruce Adams, owner of Bella Media and publisher of Santa Fean magazine, purchased Su Casa, which was later renamed Su Casa Northern New Mexico when an El Paso & Southern New Mexico edition was formed. Melissa Salazar joined the staff in 2010 as an advertising sales representative, and Amy Gross served as editor from 2012 to 2019. As Su Casa celebrates its 25th year of publication in 2020, we remember all of the local homebuilders, designers, and product and service providers who have helped make our magazine beautiful over the years. We also raise our hats to the hundreds of homeowners who have generously opened their incredible homes to our readers. From all of us at Su Casa, thank you for your support over the last quarter century.

Jennifer Ashton, Allied ASID Trailhead Design Source 922A Shoofly St. | Santa Fe 505-913-0104 | jenniferashtoninteriors.com

Making your life a little brighter.

L.E.D. Lighting Ceiling Fans Interior Lighting Exterior Lighting Lighting Design

Bright Ideas, Inc. New Showroom Opening Soon! Open Monday thru Friday – 9am-5pm Saturday 10am-2pm 34

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

d.b.a. The Lamp Shop

Located at 121 Eubank Blvd NE • Albuquerque, NM 87123

505-296-4393 • www.lightingfordesign.com

Special Promotion

HOME PROS: Builder/Remodeler VINEYARD HOMES Deborah “Deb” Short, the owner of Vineyard Homes, has been building homes for 25 years in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and other parts of Northern New Mexico. Vineyard Homes has won multiple Parade of Homes awards, among them best bath, best kitchen, and best remodel, as well as three coveted Buyer’s Choice Awards. What sets Vineyard Homes apart from other builders? When you build a house with Vineyard Homes you get a great builder—myself—and you are not handed off to anyone else. The designer who creates your plan works with me from the beginning. And I believe that adding a woman’s touch really enhances the scope of features and planning that goes into designing a home. How would you recommend someone hire a builder? First decide what’s important to you, then consider budget and quality. Visit one of the builder’s finished homes and look at the details: Are the corners of the base trim perfect? Is all the tile level? Are the cabinets a good quality? Is the atmosphere calm? Are the textures and finishes too much, or too hodge-podge looking? That would not happen with me; I take pride in every home I finish. What do you wish clients knew about the homebuilding process? I wish they weren’t so afraid of it! If you trust your builder, they’ll lead you to a beautiful outcome. The relationship between a builder and a homeowner should be a respectful one—each should respect the role the other plays in the project. I think it’s important to remember that your builder is looking out for your best interest. We’re there to see that at the end of the project, you really love your home.

Anything new on the building horizon for Vineyard Homes? I’m excited about a townhome project I’m working on that will hopefully be on the Parade of Homes in 2020 or 2021. I hear from so many people that they want to simplify. Well, here is their chance! These townhomes will be gorgeous, single-story homes with a beautiful view of the mountains, and within walking distance of shopping and restaurants. Be looking for them in Su Casa Magazine!

Vineyard Homes vineyardhomesnm.com deb@vineyardhomesnm.com

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Photo by MarkWilliamPhotography.com

What keeps you excited about home building? I move forward with every project thinking I am gaining friends and helping everyone achieve their dream home. I like to connect with my clients because I enjoy building with friends. If I didn’t love what I do, I would not be doing it. I invite anyone to visit my homes on the Parade of Homes. Ask me anything you’d like to know about the possibility of building your home. You will have my attention, and you will see that I care and appreciate your time.

artfully done

a Southwest contemporary remodel is part gallery, part retreat

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

by Amy Gross

photographs by Chris Corrie

amela Fiedler still pinches herself every time she enters her southeast Santa Fe home. “I walk into the kitchen and go, this is my kitchen? This is our house?” It certainly is now, following a series of wellconsidered remodeling projects that transformed the 40-year-old, partially subterranean residence into a striking, Southwest contemporary home customized to the tastes and needs of Pamela and her husband Robert, the owners of Intrigue Gallery just off Canyon Road. “I’ve never lived in a place where I’ve been able to hang so many paintings!” Pamela laughs. “A lot of the things in here we had at the gallery, but I said nope! Putting them in the house. Not for sale!” The gallery looks much like the Fiedlers’ home, probably because Robert’s African tribal art and Pamela’s own figurative and abstract oil paintings are displayed in both places. The crisp white walls are indeed the perfect backdrop for Pamela’s highly detailed paintings, while the African art brings another warmth to the space. The couple started collecting African art while liv-

The crisp white walls are the perfect backdrop for Pamela’s highly detailed paintings, while Robert’s collection of African art brings warmth to the spaces. ing in San Francisco and finishing up their degrees, Robert’s in anthropology and Pamela’s in fine art. “We started purchasing pieces one at a time because we were on a budget,” Robert recalls, “but we had some really great mentors who taught us about authenticity and the quality of buying at a much higher level than a student usually would.” Opposite: Though Pamela does mostly figurative paintings these days, abstracts were her first love. A commanding piece above the fireplace was chosen as a focal point for the living room because it picks up the copper in the concrete flooring and doesn’t detract from the view through the windows.

Above: It’s no wonder the Fiedlers love to start their day with coffee and books in the light, bright living room.

Left: Robert and Pamela have been collecting African and tribal art since the ‘70s. They sell it through their gallery, Intrigue Gallery, and display it at home as well. Sharp-edged, underlit nichos in the dining room are perfect for showcasing the 3-D figures. 37

Above: The geometries of the home are fun to analyze, from the rectilinear built-ins, dining table, paintings, and windows, to the triangles in the rug, side table, and barstools. Left: A clunky, Southwestern-style ceiling fan over the dining table was replaced with an elegant, ultra-modern chandelier.

“That’s what you were coached: If you wanted to start a collection, buy one good piece a year,” Pamela adds. “Stretch your budget a little, but get something fine.” The couple exercised the same mentality in updating the home they purchased last year: tackle one or two projects at a time. They loved the improvements that had been done by the previous

The Fiedlers exercised the same mentality in updating their home as they did in building their art collection, stretching their budget a little and focusing on one or two pieces or projects at a time. 38

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Above: Soothing grays and taupes, not to mention a lot of reconfiguration by D Maahs Construction, have made the kitchen a very comfortable place to work and hang out. In this house, even the kitchen countertops serve as a means of displaying art (below).

owner, such as the contemporary living room addition and the very modern nicho walls. The exterior stucco colors, however, were something out of a Crayola box, and the 1980s-era kitchen and master bath were both impossibly awkward. “We re-stuccoed and changed the whole color scheme,” says Pamela. “It was green, yellow, red, and blue. It just needed a contemporary look.” The exterior is now a medium charcoal and light gray, with mango-orange entry pillars that come to life when the sun hits them. Pamela says the effect is stunning. Transforming dated spaces—particularly kitchens and baths—into beautiful and functional ones is Douglas

Below: A wall used to close off the kitchen from its beautiful views. Today nice bar seating facilitates conversation while Pamela is cooking or baking.

“This house would be great for entertainment, but we don’t really entertain at all. We like our privacy, and it’s a very intimate, very comfortable space to live in.”—Robert Fiedler

Above and right: The expansive walls of the studio, which is actually a casita with a full kitchen, living area, and wine fridge, allow Pamela to hang, observe, and rotate her own art. Pamela, who calls herself “prolific,“ says, “I try to paint every day.”

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Maahs’s specialty. The Fiedlers felt an instant synergy with the experienced contractor, whose company, D Maahs Construction (DMC), has been renovating homes in the Santa Fe area for over 30 years. Understanding that his clients were interested in a contemporary look with just a flavor of Southwest style, Maahs squared off the rounded arches around the house, raised low ceilings, and created an opening between the living room and the kitchen. “The first thing Pamela said to me when we met about the kitchen was, ‘The floor has to stay,’” Maahs recalls. Initially the brown and gray tile seemed like an obstacle

“It was when I had my first in my own home studio that I said, now I can call myself an artist!” says Pamela. She’s had several studios, but this one, an 1,800-square-foot space clad in corrugated metal, takes the take.

to the envisioned contemporary aesthetic, but when soothing gray cabinets were suggested, the team realized the floors would actually add depth and warmth to the modern lines and hues—a concept Pamela, as an artist, could appreciate. Removing a clunky wall between the dining room and the kitchen greatly opened up and lightened the space, and chic bar seating now facilitates conversation during food preparation. But in sliding the cooktop down a bit, the question of an exhaust hood arose. “The drop-down stainless steel hoods are gorgeous, but I didn’t want to obscure the space I’d just opened up,” Pamela recalls. Maahs suggested a ceiling-mounted exhaust fan—complete with remote-controlled lighting and fan speeds—and it was the perfect solution. It was also the first one DMC had installed. Outside, the couple opted for simple landscaping with native plants. Steel retaining walls were used to deal with issues that arise when it rained. And gabion walls, essentially cages Above: The master bath used to have, inexplicably, a seven-foot ceiling and a 10-foot-deep filled with rock, create a barrier of sorts that skylight. Without adding square footage to the compact space, the Fiedlers installed a soaking keeps the yard open, but provides a screen for tub for Robert, a sliding barn door on the shower, and a crisp, modern vanity. SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

TK word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word

Right: Intrigue Gallery owners Pamela and Robert Fiedler have transformed their home into a personal retreat where they can create art as well as enjoy the art they’ve collected.

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

privacy—if you don’t count the families of deer that regularly stroll in to partake of the fountain in the backyard. A piece of sculpture unto itself, the fountain is also of the gabion style and, when all lit up, provides a beautiful and soothing view in the evening. The home’s outdoor features provide ways to enjoy the outdoors from inside, without sacrificing privacy, particularly from the home’s living room. “We enjoy it in the morning with a cup of coffee, reading books,” Pamela says. “And in the evening, after we get back from work, it’s just so open, yet now with that gabion wall, you feel private and cozy.” Though the home is now a place where the Fiedlers can easily host family and friends, it’s more of a personal retreat the couple is undertandably reluctant to share. “This house would be great for entertainment, but we don’t really entertain at all,” says Robert with a smile. “We like our privacy, and it’s a very intimate, very comfortable space to live in.”

resources Remodeler/Contractor D Maahs Construction dmaahsconstruction.com Appliances Builders Source Appliance Gallery Countertops Counter Intelligence Landscaping EcoScapes Landscaping Lighting Ray of Light Form + Function Shower Doors The Glass Man

Above: After dealing with the aftermath of a few torrential rains, the Fiedlers knew retaining walls were in order. EcoScapes helped them build these gorgeous steel walls and fill them with xeric, minimalist plants.

Windows Pella Windows & Doors pellaofsantafe.com

Right: An enclosed rear courtyard often hosts visitors of the winged and four-legged varieties. Deer and birds come to sip at the gabion fountain, which lights up at night to cast a lovely glow on the backyard.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a wrap! film industry professionals put the finishing touches on the remodel of their Old Town residence

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

by Jessa Cast photographs by Chris Corrie

s the film industry has grown in New Mexico, due to attractive tax incentives, amazing scenery, and a talented pool of resources, so too has an influx of full- and part-time film residents in the state. Actors, directors, crew members—all have housing needs for the time they spend here. Some stay in New Mexico for the duration of a single project— mere weeks or months, which has led to an increase in furnished rentals targeted to this industry. Others fall in love with the Land of Enchantment and elect to purchase homes.

Fond of both contemporary and Western styles, the Malones opted for a blended aesthetic Patty loosely refers to as “Western industrial.”

The layout of the living room is meant to be conversational, and available to the kitchen and dining room. The three huge pieces of art above the living room are Patty’s work.

For Patty and Michael Malone, marrying their globe-trotting jobs in the film industry with their shared love of New Mexico means living somewhere in between. Patty, whose background is in set decorating and interior design, and her husband Michael, a freelance producer, discovered their love for New Mexico when Michael produced the Netflix TV series Godless, filmed in Santa Fe. His next project, Daybreak, brought them to Albuquerque, inducing them to buy a home in the city. “We thought it was a great opportunity to put down some roots,” says Patty. “We’ve made some close friends here and love the lifestyle that the Southwest offers.” Their realtor, Crystal McAlerney, piqued their interest in a townhome near Old Town, then put them in touch with custom SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

A friendly faux stag head with twig antlers is an eye-catcher from any point in the living room, particularly on the stairs.

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Above: The Malones worked with The Iron Anvil to choose the layout of the steel of the contemporary stair surround.

Above: For a cozy and homey look, a gallery wall in the dining room features photographs taken by the Malonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; son.

Left: With most of the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finishes in grays, neutrals, and burgundies, a splash of Southwestern color on this bureau accents the desert palette throughout the home.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Left: One of the biggest transformations happened in the kitchen, where the island was originally much smaller and ran in the other direction. Upper cabinets were replaced with extended open shelving for a much more spacious feel, and subway tile mimics the horizontal geometries of the cabinets and shelves.

Below: The thick, chunky shelves only look heavy. They’re actually very light, hollow, and hung via a clever hidden system.

builder Michael Maddox. Maddox founded Refiners Construction LLC in 2009, specializing in the construction and remodeling of both residential and commercial projects. He joined the Malones in their evaluation of the townhome, to help ferret out any unseen issues prior to purchasing. Maddox not only helped assess the soundness of the home, but the feasibility of an extensive remodel, for while the Malones loved its location—a short hop to the airport and close to good eateries and entertainment—the home itself needed an update. The layout of the 2,200-square-foot, two-bedroom abode felt confined and awkward. A narrow hallway with head duck–inducing seven-foot ceilings separated the tight kitchen and living room, and the master bedroom had a loft-style opening overlooking the downstairs social areas, obviating any privacy. “It was tight, it was cramped, 48

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

The master bedroom used to have a giant, loft-style opening facing the living room. By filling the hole with a solid wall, the homeowners regained some privacy.

For consistency, the black plumbing fixtures were carried over from the kitchen to the bathrooms, contrasting the light wood finishes, for a modern rustic feel.

For Patty and Michael Malone, marrying their globe-trotting jobs in the film industry with their shared love of New Mexico meant balancing part- and full-time residence here.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Left: This abstract painting is another of Patty’s works, and is a perfect match to the glossy teal dresser that sits below.

resources Remodeler/Contractor Refiners Construction Cabinetry 1 Custom Woodworking Countertops Santa Fe Granite Fireplace New Mexico Fireplace Gallery Flooring ProSource 50

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Furnishings Jackalope The Raven Consignment Seret & Sons Native American Rugs Seret & Sons Steel Fabrication The Iron Anvil

and it wasn’t very functional,” says Maddox. “It felt a lot smaller than it actually is.” Confident the home’s bones were suitable for renovation, the Malones bought it. Aside from cosmetic and modernizing updates to the bathrooms, bedrooms, and patios, and new wood flooring throughout, the team expanded the living spaces by removing all the unnecessary dividing walls. Now, sunlight from the high living room windows floods the kitchen from where Patty, an avid cook, can watch television while preparing dinner. Previously, two doors to a small patio flanked the fireplace, plus there was a dining room door to the same patio—a perplexing and unwarranted door-to-space ratio. Maddox’s team suggested reclaiming the living room doors as wall space, which allowed for a wallto-wall banco, beautifully balancing the horizontal and vertical dimensions and closing the conversation circle of the furnishings. Fond of both contemporary and Western styles, the Malones opted for a blended aesthetic. In the kitchen, muted wood tones, black fixtures, and thick, open shelving creates a rustic modern ambience; the same feel is echoed throughout the house. Patty loosely refers to it as “Western industrial.” “I don’t think that’s a genre,” she laughs, “I kind of made it up.” Really, though, the description is spot-on, and fitting in a state that’s forever finding new ways of intermingling modernity with Western charm. From the get-go, Michael fancied steelwork for the staircase. Metalwork like that requires an expert, so Maddox brought in Jeremy Hedrick and Richard Kalas, coowners of The Iron Anvil, with whom he’s worked before. The Iron Anvil specializes in hand-forged, custom metal work with a modern bent, from curlicue door handles to massive, barbed wire–themed driveway gates. “We call it contemporary blacksmithing,” says Hedrick.

By removing the existing stairwell wall, they made space for a thoroughly eye-catching stair rail, which the Malones helped design. “We laid out some steel at our shop so the Malones could look at it,” says Hedrick. “They knew exactly what they were getting because they were a part of the process.” The Malones were so happy with the railing they commissioned further work: a front gate and steel I-beams, in triplicate, as Western industrial–themed, load-bearing supports between the kitchen and living room. The beams are visually substantial yet allow for more light and visibility between spaces, artfully tying into the mixed aesthetic of clean lines with a rustic underpinning. The Malones loved everything about their newly renovated home— the location, the look, the feel. Then, just four months into living in their new home, the industry they work in pulled a classic move. A film opportunity arose … overseas. They took it. “We thought we might be here for the next five to 10 years, and then this project came up,” says Patty. “It was a shock and surprise when we left.” While they’re away, they rent their home out to other film and TV cast and crew members, giving the New Mexico temps a comfy place to reside while in town. But the Malones intend to come back when work allows, which they are confident will happen. “With Netflix and NBC buying stages in New Mexico, there’s an incredible amount of work in the state,” says Patty. “We’re happy that New Mexico, and specifically Albuquerque, has gained so much notoriety and subsequent business from the film tax incentives. It’s an easy place to shoot; there are good crews.” Meanwhile, she points out, “our renters are delighted!”

Cabinets & More

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Vida Buena

by Sarah Eddy

Left: A design by Irvin Trujillo, a seventh-generation Rio Grande weaver. Below: Trujillo’s more modern designs, which he creates with traditional methods, appeal to buyers on a number of levels.

living history the popularity of Southwest textiles has stood the test of time

any styles of Southwest textiles have been around for centuries, slipping effortlessly into adobe homes and contributing to their sense of place and history. However, it’s the simplicity of the earthy tones and bold, geometric patterns of these textiles that have enabled them to adapt just as easily to contemporary interior design. From larger brands like Pendleton, which produces blankets and other textiles inspired by cultures and locations around the Southwest, to homespun spots like Centinela Traditional Arts in Chimayó, New Mexico, the Southwest textile industry has stood the test of time. According to Irvin Trujillo, the spellbinding aesthetic of Southwest textiles can quickly enchant even those unaware of the history behind the designs. Trujillo is a seventh-generation Rio Grande weaver who began to learn the craft from his father, a master, at the age of 10. He now sells his creations, along with those of several other local weavers, at Centinela Traditional Arts in Chimayó. “Their history and tie to the West is fascinating, but when people see these pieces, I think they’re often attracted to the designs—not just the culture, but as beautiful works of art,” Trujillo says. “I think that’s why they get interested.” One advantage of Southwest textiles is that they are highly versatile. “The same jacquard blanket can easily fit in a Southwestern-style home or a modern downtown loft,” says Linda Parker, corporate communications and public relations specialist at Pendleton Woolen Mills. “The design appeal is broad, and our brand is recognized in the larger market as quintessential American heritage style.” She says that Pendleton, which has a store in Albuquerque, finds inspi-

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

“Their history and tie to the West is fascinating, but when people see the pieces, I think they’re often attracted to the designs—not just the culture, but as beautiful works of art.”––Irvin Trujillo

Building premium pools with the highest quality & craasmanship. LeeSurePools.com • (505)345-6606 •

8509 Calle Alameda NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Above: A Chimayó striped blanket by Pendleton brings the traditional design to a wider audience.

ration in traditional designs but often modernizes them through color, scale, and layout. “We have seen interest in Southwest textiles growing in the past decade into more mainstream markets.” Trujillo agrees that that modern Southwestern designs are capable of adapting to a variety of contemporary, clean-lined environments, adding balance to minimalist interiors. “The traditional Rio Grandes—the classic designs—there are of course collectors who buy those,” he says, “but I think the general public who’s uneducated and just seeing the pieces for the first time are more attracted to the modern abstract designs.” These days, Southwest textiles aren’t limited to just throws, blankets, and other traditional forms. Centinela Traditional Arts also sells purses, wallets, bags, eyeglass cases, and portfolio covers. Pendleton has taken the medium to a national and international audience, creating products such as backpacks, towels, shoes, and clothing featuring Southwest-inspired designs. Among their offerings are throws, pillows, rugs, and blankets with traditional striped Chimayó designs. “In addition to our in-house design team, we commission Native American artists for special blanket collections,” Parker explains. “These are very important and impactful partnerships to Pendleton.” 54

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Above: Trujillo works in an improvisational manner, allowing him to discover his designs as he goes along.

“The same jacquard blanket can easily fit in a Southwestern-style home or a modern downtown loft.”––Linda Parker

Right: Pendleton brings Southwest designs to modern accessories, such as this backpack inspired by Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

Despite the increased production of Southwest textiles nationally, Trujillo feels there is plenty of business to go around. There are also advantages to sharing ideas openly. “With internet exposure, anyone in the world can see our pieces and be influenced or inspired by them,” he says. “As can we! We can look at most weavers in the world and just see their work and possibly gain an influence from them. … I saw a piece made in Oaxaca influenced by one of my pieces. For me it just shows that we must be producing something that’s valuable.”

Remodeling - Re-vitalization Structural Remediation

Historic Restoration - Exterior Space Custom New Homes & Design

s u c i s o f you! r u O

“Our experience with working with Fabuwallous went above our expectations. They turned our ideas into a much more enjoyable space than we had even envisioned.” Steve and Debbie Gray

RECIPIENT OF NUMEROUS AWARDS – WHY? – ATTENTION TO DETAIL & OUR CLIENTS

1925 Rosina Street, Suite B, Santa Fe, NM

fabuwallous.com 505 982 9699

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Right: Afternoon tea at The St. James Tearoom is a relaxed, leisurely experience in which delicious teas and a menu of traditional tea time dishes are chosen around a whimsical monthly theme—in this case, “La Vie en Rose.” Reserve space early for your twohour tea time.

Courtesy The St. James Tearoom

Below: Tucked into one of The St. James Tearoom’s many private and beautifully decorated nooks, guests are encouraged to take a pause, catch up with friends, and embrace the experience. Costumes are entirely optional.

SU CASA

Courtesy The St. James Tearoom

Su Cocina

by Amy Gross

suited to a tea the traditional beverage has never been so in vogue

f the rising number of tea houses and tea stores in the U.S. is any indicator, tea appears poised to give coffee a run for its money as the king of American beverages. Though it’s certainly delicious all year long, there’s nothing more soul-warming than a cup of tea in the coldest winter months, as these Northern New Mexico tea houses and tea shops can attest. The nexus of David Edwards’s interests and talents are clearly evident when you walk into New Mexico Tea Company (nmteaco.com) in southwest Albuquerque. The retail tea store is filled with canisters of teas whose colorful and visually arresting labels are as titillating as their names, such as the Darjeeling First Flush Moonshine or Mango Mata Energizer. Edwards, whose background is in graphic design, creates all of the labels himself. There are over 350 types of loose teas on offer at New Mexico Tea Company, with an online store that supports the physical shop. In November, Edwards expanded his teacentric vision to another area of Albuquerque. Uptown Tea (uptowntea.com), located in the ABQ Uptown Mall, continues New Mexico Tea Company’s retail presence with loose teas and teaware, but here you can also sample a tea of your choosing by the cup— hot, iced, or as a latte. Can’t get to either store? Enjoy their blends at a host of Albuquerque dining establishments including Vinaigrette, Farm & Table, Humble Coffee, and Tia Betty Blue’s. On the outside, the unassuming building is just another adobe structure on Osuna SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

David Edwards

New Mexico Tea Company owner David Edwards recently opened Uptown Tea (above) in ABQ Uptown, where you can enjoy a brewed cup of tea while shopping for loose leaf teas and teaware.

Though it’s made with many of the spices used in traditional chai, ArtfulTea’s Organic Rooibos Chai blends them with South African rooibos for a version that’s naturally caffeine-free.

Courtesy Artful Tea

Boulevard. Inside, however, is a step back in time and place to Victorian England. Exquisitely and authentically decorated, The St. James Tearoom (stjamestearoom.com) offers a fully immersive and whimsical afternoon tea experience based around monthly themes familiar to Anglophiles, from wizardry and elves to the chasing of white rabbits. Knowledgeable servers garbed in 19th-century costume unobtrusively ascertain that guests, who have reserved their private spaces ahead of time, fully enjoy their two-hour tea time, guided by a “script” through the thematic pairings of sweets, breads, savories, and teas. The leisurely enjoyment of not only the food and tea offerings, but also the company of friends and loved ones, is St. James’s guiding principle. “In our culture we run at such a hectic pace, with time pressures on our shoulders,” says Mary Alice Higbie, co-owner with son Daniel Higbie. “The tearoom takes people away from Albuquerque, and from the present, and gives them a sense of wonder.” Guests are free to enjoy the experience in whatever way gives them the most pleasure, whether that’s dressing in jeans or in costume. Menus change frequently based on the current theme, which through February 2 will be “Welcome to the Roaring Twenties: An Invitation to the Abbey.” Weekend and holiday reservations fill quickly; make yours well ahead of time. After 10 years as an attorney, Karen Gardiner realized that being a lawyer didn’t exactly feed her soul. What did, as it turns out, was tea. Shortly after moving to Santa Fe, Gardiner opened ArtfulTea (artfultea.com), selling loose-leaf teas first online, then at brick and mortar locations. Now on Marcy Street in a bright, happy space, ArtfulTea is enjoying a successful wholesale business as well as walk-in and online sales. Whoever happens to be working the floor that day decides which tea blend customers will get to taste, and when you make a purchase of a loose tea, you’ll take home a sample of another blend for later. Gardiner, who is keen on educating customers about tea, offers rotating classes that might include how to make teabased smoothies, fold origami cranes (while sipping Japanese green tea), or guided meditation. Several restaurants and cafes serve ArtfulTea’s blends, including Iconik Coffee Roasters, Henry and the Fish, and Tesuque Village Market. A longtime patron of The Teahouse (teahousesantafe.com) in Santa Fe, Rich Freedman jumped on the opportunity to purchase the beloved Canyon Road restaurant seven years ago. At the upper end of Canyon, The Teahouse is the perfect stop for visitors exploring the iconic street’s art galleries and shops, especially in fine weather when the outdoor seating areas are ideal for leisurely tea-sipping and people-watching. There are over 150 teas from all over the world on the extensive menu, from herbal infusions and matchas to Freedman’s personal favorites, rare oolongs. Alongside traditional tea house favorites are a good number of Italian dishes, a slow-cooked item of the day, and inventive “benedicts” that pair deliciously with teas and tea lattes. Come in for a cup of Guava Mango green tea with a scone and homemade lemon curd. The combination is restorative: comfort food to fill the belly and tea to feed the soul.

TRUE CUSTOM HOMEBUILDING DESIGN • BUILD • REMODEL SERVICES

The fireplace is the heart of the home. FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

fireplaces hearth products skylights specialty products

SUPPLYING HIGH QUALITY BUILDING PRODUCTS SINCE 1989.

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM:

2718 University NE | Alb, NM 87107 | 505.888.4464 | MountainWestSales.net SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

sip, sample, stock up Japanese, oolong, matcha, pekoe—these fine establishments speak the language of tea and are eager to share it with you. Chocolate Maven. In addition to breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch, this favorite Santa Fe restaurant-slash-bakery serves a high tea Monday through Saturday between 3–5 PM. Bring some friends and enjoy finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and cookies paired with delicious teas. chocolatemaven.com Figments Tea Shoppe & Gallery. You can buy teas online from Figments’ website, but why not stop by their lovely shop in Albuquerque and enjoy Tea Time? No reservations are required, and the price is right for a break that includes a nice cuppa (choose from over 150 teas), a scone, fruit or yogurt, and a featured dessert. figmentsllc.com Hadley’s Tea. Located in the Market Square shopping center on Jefferson in Albuquerque is a charming, one-stop shop for purchasing tea and tea accessories, and for enjoying a cup of tea on the spot on a chilly winter’s day. After you’ve tasted, reorder your favorites online. hadleystea.com Moons Coffee & Tea. Featuring over 100 loose leaf teas and tea blends, including blacks, jasmines, pu-ehrs, and rare whites, Moons offers products online as well as in their store on Juan Tabo in Albuquerque. If you’re more in the mood for coffee, Moons’s posts their weekly roasting schedule on their website. moonscoffeeandtea.com

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Old Barrel Tea Company. As the name suggests, Old Barrel Tea Company in Albuquerque has an old-fashioned general store feel, with all kinds of teas, tea accessories, raw unfiltered honeys, and herbs and spices artfully arranged atop barrels. Can’t get to the store? Everything’s available online, too. oldbarreltea.com Opuntia. Temporarily housed at El Rey Court in Santa Fe, Opuntia will soon be installed in their new, larger location in the Santa Fe Railyard. A nice assortment of English and Asian teas, herbal tisanes, and coffee and espresso drinks pairs well with the minimalist fare. Pick up an opuntia (cactus) while you’re there. opuntia.cafe The Fragrant Leaf. Focusing primarily (but not exclusively) on Asian teas, this lovely Albuquerque tea room and boutique offers sit-down tea service, as well as brewed tea to go and bulk teas and tea accessories for sale. Sunday themed lunches pair teas with an assortment of savories and sweets (by reservation only), and tea classes and tastings are offered regularly. thefragrantleaf.com The Ivy Tearoom. A full-service English tearoom in Los Ranchos serving afternoon tea “with a modern day twist,” The Ivy Tearoom seats by reservation only, but there’s no time limit to how long you may sit and sip. Large and private parties up to 40 guests are welcome. theivytearoom.com

Amy Gross Amy Gross

Above: David Edwards shows off the label he designed for New Mexico Tea Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delicious Cream Earl Grey blend.

Above: Located on Canyon Road, The Teahouse offers one of the best spots for people-watching in Santa Fe and an extensive tea and food menu. Inset: Bulletproof Matcha, made with butter, cinnamon, and honey. SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Su Cocina

by Amy Gross

winter warmers

Courtesy G+H

The snow’s falling, a fire’s blazing in the hearth, and you have absolutely no reason to be on the road. What a delicious feeling! Time to reach for a book, a cozy throw, and a soul- and bodywarming cup of coffee or tea. With these handy accessories, the brew you concoct at home can easily match any made in a coffee or tea house. Here’s to one of the best hygge comforts of the season!

Courtesy Bodum

coffee and tea accessories for a delicious, home-brewed cuppa

Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press

G+H Tea Assam Tea Bag Squeezer

Bet you didn’t even know you needed a tea squeezer! No more fumbling with tea bags (with or without strings). This simple but oh-so-handy gadget easily plucks a hot tea bag from a mug or teapot; a simple squeeze extracts all of the liquid from the tea blend and doesn’t leave a mess on your fingers or countertop. $6, Hadley’s Tea, hadleystea.com

Good design doesn’t have to be expensive, as Bodum’s Brazil French Press proves. Nor does it have to be complicated. The 34-ounce carafe is made of durable, heat-resistant borosilicate glass and a BPA-free plastic handle. A three-part stainless steel mesh filter extracts the coffee’s aromatic oils and flavors. Available in red, shown here, or classic black. $20, Red Rock Roasters, redrockroasters.com

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

Hanselmann Pottery

Hanselmann Pottery Tall Mug

Made by hand in Corrales, New Mexico, Hanselmann Pottery’s stoneware, once heated or cooled, will retain its temperature for a long time, and is microwave-, oven-, and dishwasher-safe. When the day calls for a serious dose of caffeine (or beer!), this 6-inch-tall, hand-thrown mug with lug-style handle holds about 20 ounces of your favorite beverage. $49, Hanselmann Pottery, hanselmannpottery.com

Bamboo Matcha Whisk

Finum Tea Filters

Courtesy Submaterial

Courtesy Finum

Also called a chasen, this handcrafted whisk is perfectly designed to whip up a creamy, frothy matcha drink. Matcha is the powdered green tea from Japan, and this handy tool, hand-carved from a single piece of white bamboo, is the traditional whisk for preparing the colorful, flavorful, antioxidant–forward beverage. $20, ArtfulTea, artfultea.com

Featuring a self-tamping portafilter and programmable cup sizes up to 6 ounces, the Ultima PRO brews up to two coffee specialties at a time. A powerful frother creates steam for cappuccinos, and there’s a hot water setting for Americanos. Made of polished stainless steel, the Ultima PRO is compact and counter space–saving—the perfect pump espresso machine for your kitchen. $200, Las Cosas Kitchen Shoppe & Cooking School, lascosascooking.com

Courtesy Capresso

Courtesy ArtfulTea

Capresso Ultima PRO Programmable Espresso and Cappuccino Machine

Concerned about chemicals lurking in your tea bags? Make the switch to natural fiber paper tea filters. Easy to fill, free of chemicals, and fully biodegradable, they’re perfect for steeping tea in any cup or teapot, or for taking on the go with your favorite herbal blend. Simply add tea in the open end; the wide bottom keeps the filter standing up during steeping for better infusion. $7.50, The Fragrant Leaf, thefragrantleaf.com

Aerolatte Handheld Milk Frother

Coasters are great for protecting table surfaces from scratchy mug bases, but what’s to protect a table from a coaster? These gorgeous, chic coasters are made of three layers of wool felt that’s easy on all table surfaces. Your coffee or tea mug will look beautiful against the muted colors, and when the coasters are not being used, they fit neatly into a spindled base for an artistic look. $125, Submaterial, submaterial.com

Courtesy Williams Sonoma

Submaterial Spindle Coaster Set

Love the foam at the top of your favorite coffee house’s latte or cappuccino? You can create your own at home with this simple, easy-to-use frother. Simply place the frothing head in a mug or glass of milk, press a button, and you’ll have a rich, creamy foam in 15–20 seconds. Add espresso or hot chocolate and enjoy. Latte art optional! $20, Williams Sonoma, williams-sonoma.com

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Su Libro

paying it forward Carter Berg

in two new books, history is both revered and preserved

Above: Mary Randolph Carter’s home is an ode to the eccentric and the collectible, with items meaningful to her filling every space.

The Joy of Junk, by Mary Randolph Carter, Rizzoli New York, hardcover, $55

minimalist Mary Randolph Carter is not. Books, ceramic figures, painted bowls, dolls, snow globes, and stuffed animals cover nearly every surface in her home. The walls are lined, almost frameto-frame, with eclectic paintings—there are portraits, still lifes, historical renderings, and everything in between. Carter outlines her passion for “junking”—scouring flea markets, yard sales, and thrift shops for intriguing objects—in her new book, The Joy of Junk. In The Joy of Junk, Carter gives the wannabe junker some helpful starter tips. Junking is always a fun time, she explains, but those looking to nab the best items should arrive early with a wheeled cart, extra bags, a camera, and, of course, wearing a well-stocked junker’s vest. Carter fills her roomy vest pockets with essential tools such as a notepad, a magnifying glass for close inspection of potential buys, sunscreen, and cash—everything she needs to dive into some serious treasure hunting. Profiles of passionate junkers from across the country fill the bulk of the The Joy of Junk. Each of these sage veterans collects and arranges an idiosyncratic variety of objects. Retiree Oscar Zoroaster collects large

Carter Berg

Below: Mexican Christmas cutouts give Carter’s busy shelves extra color year-round.

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

quantities of specific items, like Scrabble tiles, katsina dolls, and balls of twine, and places them in creative arrangements. Actress Jane Ives treats her urban loft like a stage set, decorating with props such as dolls, chipped cups, and broken clocks. Ten-year-old Mary Stufano uses the whole world as her junking playground, hunting for beads, pins, and interesting rocks everywhere she goes. But wait—isn’t this all a little off-trend? Minimalist interior design, with its clear surfaces and empty spaces, has been in vogue as of late. Carter addresses the theories of Marie Kondo, the author of the highly popular The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Kondo says that homeowners should assess whether each object they own truly sparks joy. Carter writes, “Looking around at the hundreds of objects that clutter the shelves of my memory cupboard, I wonder just how long the “spark” test would take? Substituting a quick visual grasp of each, in the focus of my eyes, I see sparks flying everywhere. …So in the end, I fear my cluttered cupboard would remain just as it is.” With lots of full-page photos, The Joy of Junk provides ample inspiration for those looking to start decorating their own spaces with collectibles. It also identifies top locations for thrifting across the country and includes tips on how to case new locations, how to choose what to buy, and how to barter. Carter has been filling her New York City apartment with treasures for more than four decades. “Slowly, oh so slowly, these rooms have filled up with the essentials—not the sofas and chairs or a dining table, but the really essential things—the things we have collected, made, or been given that tell the stories of who we are,” she writes. “The things that make a home a home—a scrapbook of our living.”—Sarah Eddy

Over 125 Home and Remodeling professionals totaling 225 booths, full of great home ideas. Live Better!

• FREE Parking • First hour free both days • Special show specials and pricing

Santa Ana Star Center • Rio Rancho, NM From the front door to the backyard, and beyond, you’ll find it all!

www.nmremodelingshows.com

Interested in exhibiting? Call today! 505-269-6985 SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

¡Salud!

by James Selby

finding Nebbiolo

less tannic, and therefore softer, more graceful and fresh, and sells for less than Barolo. While it has firm tannins and acidity reflective of the region, Barbaresco’s lighter feel, with its flavors of raspberry, cherry, and strawberry, is more approachable. Barolos are aged longer. Their light Above: Fratelli Alessandria, producer of fine hue belies a Barolos, was founded in the early 1800s, leathery, bold grip and has been owned and operated by the on the palate that benefits from time. Alessandria family since 1870. Essences of dried cherries, wild rose, cinnamon, anise, tar, and truffles, with sweet, spicy, savory notes harmonize the tannin. A finely produced Barolo will range from $60 to well over $100. Many souls believe it a worthy tithe for such penetrating depth, elusive, seductive aromas, and innumerable flavors. Seek out dinners and consumer tastings featuring Barolo and Barbaresco, or ask a sommelier to be your guide. Be forewarned: Delving into the Nebbiolo wines of this region may become a pricy—albeit heavenly—habit. But devil may care!

James Selby

Poderi Aldo Conterno winery (above) and its magnificent Favot Estate, shown here, are located in Bussia, in the heart of the Barolo wine region. 66

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

James Selby has directed wine programs in New York, Portland, and Santa Fe, where he lives and works as a wine consultant and writer.

Azienda Agricola Fratelli Alessandria

bandon all hope, ye who enter here. By “ye,” I mean you wine aficionados who remain among those uncommitted to Barolo and Barbaresco, where the most famous Nebbiolo wines are produced. Nebbiolo grapes have grown in the undulant, fog-prone mountains of Piedmont in northern Italy since the 13th century. Historically, farmers marked where winter snows melted first to determine what sites received the most sun. Without utmost exposure to sun, vines would suffer from frost. There are nearly 900 bottlers of Barolo and Barbaresco, two of Italy’s most majestic reds, occupying 6,000 acres of tiny vineyards, each eking out miniscule amounts of wine. (In contrast, Napa Valley has 46,000 acres under vine.) The wines and the two regions are named after the villages of Barbaresco and Barolo. Both are made with the same grape, their boundaries just a few miles apart, but the wines are notably different. Nebbiolo is high in tannin, the compound also found in black tea and walnuts that produces an astringent sensation. Tannin lends complexity to wines. Generally, Barbaresco is

Courtesy Massanois

the devil in the details

on the market

Hollywood glam There’s undeniable glamour in this 6,603-square-foot home in Tinnin Farms. The elegant staircase that greets guests in the open foyer has a direct line of sight to the home’s outdoor spaces, giving a glimpse of what’s to come. The two-story living room is bright and airy, perfect for entertaining or for simply enjoying family time. The kitchen is well appointed with high-end appliances, quartz countertops, and maple cabinetry, while a custom mudroom provides organizational space with a shoe rack, bench, and storage. Generously sized for a large family or visiting guests, the home features six bedrooms, four full baths, and two partial baths, as well as accessible features, such as a zerothreshold shower. The backyard includes an Olympicsize swimming pool, a gazebo, a playscape, and irrigation for the fruit trees and cottonwoods. Inside or out, this address provides elegant spaces that will guarantee you never want to leave home.

Dedicated to beautiful spaces rooted in ecological practices.

Listing price: $1.69 million Contact: Joe Maez, The Maez Group, 505-401-5775, themaezgroupnm.com

Lyric Moya

505-473-1097|info@lightfootinc.com

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Choose Andersen and Nothing Less.

on the market

natural beauty Photo courtesy of PWKI, Design Build Remodel.

... with Andersen Architectural Collection wood windows & doors. • • • • •

50 Standard Exterior Clad Colors Custom Sizes and Colors 8 Factory Applied Interior Stains Full Service Department Excellent Product Warranties

“Andersen” and the AC logo are registered trademarks of Andersen Corporation

a dream home begins

Looking for a custom home that’s close to nature and the city? This 3,989-square-foot home sited on 1.13 acres in Corrales is around 200 yards from bosque trails, with stunning mountain views that can be enjoyed from the lush yard or even from inside the home. Large picture windows in the living room frame the beauty of the Sandia Mountains, and wood beam ceilings bring an additional touch of nature into the home. With four bedrooms, two full baths, and two partial baths, there is plenty of privacy and lots of functional space for the whole family. The bright, spacious kitchen features a large center island; combined with two living areas, it’s ideal for entertaining. Outside, the covered patio, koi pond, and garden area are lovely relaxation spaces. A finished four-car garage and custom shed help keep things organized. Listing price: $815,000 Contact: Peggy Wheeler, The Peggy Wheeler Team, 505-450-5211, peggywheeler.net

with

dream design 505.268.6223

WWW.TONYWATERMELON.COM

Remodel with Passion! 505-344-0002 www.archdesignnm.com

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

StyleTours Photography and Marketing

Kitchen Bath Patio DecK FirePlace

Just Winging Through

Thank You !

by Tom Smylie

Cooper’s hawk ambush attacker

CONGRATULATIONS

Mike Davis

2019 Parade of Homes Award Winners

Mark L. Watson

hile sipping my morning cup of joe recently, I was enjoying watching songbirds busily feeding at the feeder when they instantly disappeared, a winged predator in hot pursuit. I had just witnessed an ambush attack by a Cooper’s hawk. The Cooper’s hawk is a member of nature’s fiercest hawks, the accipiters, which have shortrounded wings and long, white-tipped tails for maneuvering in thick woods and brush. Their flight pattern is easily recognized by three quick wing beats followed a short glide with a cross-like silhouette. That hawk you’re seeing in your yard is likely to be a Cooper’s, because the Cooper’s likes to hunt at feeders. Its hunting technique is to stealthily hide in a tree and ambush its prey, which includes quail, doves, and small birds and mammals. Immature Cooper’s are predominantly brown with a streaked tan breast and bright yellow eyes. Adults transform into a spectacular slate blue back that fades into a black head. Blood red eyes and a rusty-red barred breast complete the fierce look. Another local accipiter, the sharp-shinned hawk, closely resembles the Cooper’s, but is smaller and has a square tail, while the Cooper’s tail is rounded. Above: Concealed within Cooper’s hawks are year-round residents throughout New a tree, a juvenile Cooper’s Mexico. They’ll begin nesting in early spring, building large hawk keeps eyes peeled for stick nests in trees. They’ll lay three to five white eggs, with small birds and mammals. Its adult counterpart (top) the young fledging in four or five weeks. ponders lunch in the rain. Dr. Brian Milsap of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service heads Note the transformation from up a team of scientists and volunteers conducting a 10-year yellow eyes to red, and brown study of Cooper’s hawks in the Albuquerque metro area. Milsap streaked feathers to blue-gray. has found that, though once uncommon in Albuquerque, the Cooper’s population has exploded due to the increase of white wing and Eurasian collared doves. Milsap estimates over 500 breeding pairs of Cooper’s hawks can now be found in the Albuquerque area and surrounding suburbs. The Cooper’s hawk has been much maligned for its predation on quail and songbirds, but like all predators, it provides an important role in the balance of nature. One cannot help but admire these beautiful and agile masters of the ambush. Tom Smylie, from Edgewood, New Mexico, is a retired wildlife biologist affiliated with the World Center for Birds of Prey.

PREMIER BUILDERS Abrazo Homes *Hakes Brothers Construction Homes by Joe Boyden Koinonia Builders Inc. *New Haven Homes Pulte Homes *Sun Mountain Construction *Twilight Homes PREMIER GREEN BUILDERS Diego Handcrafted Homes Las Ventanas NM, Inc. *New Haven Homes MOST INNOVATIVE Diego Handcrafted Homes BEST KITCHEN Abrazo Homes Crescent Custom Homes Diego Handcrafted Homes *Hakes Brothers Construction Koinonia Builders Inc. Las Ventanas NM, Inc. *New Haven Homes Stillbrooke Homes

BEST BATH Abrazo Homes Diego Handcrafted Homes *Hakes Brothers Construction Koinonia Builders Inc. Las Ventanas NM, Inc. *New Haven Homes Stillbrooke Homes *Twilight Homes Westway Homes BEST INTERIOR DECORATING *Hakes Brothers Construction Homes by Joe Boyden Koinonia Builders Inc. Pulte Homes *Sun Mountain Construction *Twilight Homes BEST OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE D.R. Horton Koinonia Builders Inc. *Lowe-Bo Homes *New Haven Homes *Sun Mountain Construction *Twilight Homes

*A special “thank you” to all those who have supported our business throughout the years. We appreciate your support of local business.

Steve King

505.292.4800

daviskitchens.com

Doug Thresher 505.292.5665

moorewindowanddoor.com 2200 EUBANK BLVD. NE • ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87112

Your Home Source Edy Keeler Interiors

WHAT’S

HAPPENING?

ALBUQUERQUE COMIC CON January 17–19 Albuquerque Convention Center, 401 2nd St NW, ABQ $20–$30, kids $5 At the 10th annual Albuquerque Comic Con, guests include animator Thomas Estrada, artist Andrew Sanchez, author Amanda Strong, voice actor Todd Haberkorn, and others. albuquerquecomiccon.com

Design | Material Sources | Project Management Edy Keeler Interiors collaborates with you to design and create the vital working spaces in your home, for the most basic activities, for sustenance and regeneration. Kitchens are reborn -- from this 80’s renovation to the contemporary styles on our website. Visionary bathrooms are designed to relax and soothe.

THE PEKING ACROBATS January 12, 3 PM Popejoy Hall at UNM, ABQ $25–$59 Redefining audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics, the Peking Acrobats perform trick-cycling, precision tumbling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. Live musicians playing traditional instruments help give the performance the festive air of a Chinese Carnival. popejoypresents.com

Courtesy of Roadrunner Food Bank

111 N. St. Francis Drive Santa Fe, NM 505-577-2167 edykeelerinteriors.com

Softstage Santa Fe

Souper Bowl 2019

SOUPER BOWL 2020 January 25, 11 AM–2 PM 5840 Office Blvd NE, ABQ $40 in advance, $50 at the door, $10–$15 children under 12 The Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico hosts the annual Souper Bowl the weekend before the NFL’s big game. A fundraiser for the food bank, this soup and dessert sampling event and competition features more than 40 local restaurants and chefs, live music, and prizes. rrfb.org

We are always excited by challenge. Homes with problems become homes with interest to potential buyers when staged by SOFTSTAGE SANTA FE. Our interiors are furnished with architectural style in the forefront of the design. softstage1@gmail.com 412-855-5405 70

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2020

KRONOS QUARTET, A THOUSAND THOUGHTS January 30, 7:30 PM Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 W San Francisco, Santa Fe $29–$115 The Grammy-winning Kronos Quartet teams up with filmmakers Sam Green and Joe Bini to deliver a creative multimedia performance that pairs live music and narration with archival footage and filmed interviews to explore late-20th- and early-21st-century music. lensic.org

TAOS WINTER WINE FESTIVAL January 30–February 2 Taos Ski Valley, Taos, various locations Event times and prices vary Events in the town of Taos and at Taos Ski Valley feature great food and wine, seminars, tastings, and wine dinners. All tickets are electronic and must be purchased in advance. taoswinterwinefest.com

Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally

Patrick Chando.

THE BOOK OF MORMON February 4–9 Popejoy Hall at UNM, ABQ $65–$175 This satirical nine-time Tony Award–winning Best Musical follows a mismatched pair of missionaries sent across the world to preach the religion of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. popejoypresents.com

Extra dinary

FRIENDS AND LOVERS BALLOON RALLY February 8–9, 7 AM Balloon Fiesta Parkway, ABQ Free The second-largest balloon rally in the nation. Special shapes, ascensions, and competitions including a cooking contest. hotairballooning.org

Homes & Remodels

THE ALBUQUERQUE HOME REMODELING & LIFESTYLE SHOW February 23–24, Saturday 10 AM–5 PM, Sunday 10 AM–4 PM Expo New Mexico, Lujan Building, ABQ $7 general admission; 11 and under free Over 150 vendors will be available to chat and discuss ideas for your home renovation, remodel, or other home improvement project. abqhomeshows.com

N  L A W D • B

D M. R | .. DiegoHandcraftedHomes.com

Su Casa Ad May 2015 1/6pg.indd 1

5/14/15 3:28 PM

Look for Builders who go the

Extra Distance The Albuquerque Home Remodeling & Lifestyle Show

ABQ Home Shows LLC

Let us certify it “GREEN”

Ask if your builder’s homes are

“Certified: Build Green NM” Contact Us Today

bgnm@comcast.net www.BuildGreenNM.com (505) 688-5335 SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

Winter 2020 Advertisers

America’s Leading Distributor of Architectural Wood Products, Decorative Surfacing, Doors and Millwork.

Plywood, Hardwood Lumber & Moulding, Laminates

Cabinet Hardware, Staron Solid Surface & Sinks

Aesop's Gables....................................................................51

Osuna Nursery.....................................................................55

Albuquerque Home & Garden Show...................72

Panorama Homes...........................................................BC

American Clay........................................................................3

Pella Windows and Doors................................................1

Arch Design, Inc. ............................................................68

Piñon Window & Door, Inc. .....................................68

Bell Bank Mortgage..........................................................19

PWKI LLC. .....................................................................59

Build Green NM...............................................................71

Realty One...........................................................................28

Clay Custom Homes........................................................21

Reliance Construction...............................................IFC

D Maahs Construction..................................................17

RE/MAX Select.................................................................23

Davis Kitchens...................................................................69

Rocky Mountain Stone..................................................29

Diego Handcrafted Homes.........................................71

Rugby Architectural Building Products................72

Edy Keeler Interiors.........................................................70

Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union............7

Fabu-WALL-ous Solutions..........................................55

Sierra Pacific Windows....................................................13

Hermanson Construction............................................10

Softstage Santa Fe............................................................70

Homes By Joe Boyden.....................................................11

Southwest Chocolate & Coffee Fest......................60

JCH Design Build..............................................................51

Stonewood Flooring.........................................................61

Jeebs & Zuzu........................................................................53

Sukhmani Home................................................................35

Jennifer Ashton Interiors...............................................33

The Lamp Shop dba Bright Ideas, Inc. ...............35

John Mark Custom Homes.......................................61

United Stoneworks...........................................................57

Keller Williams....................................................................31

Urban Earth Landscaping..............................................71

Kirtland Federal Credit Union............................IBC

Vineyard Homes...............................................................35

Koinonia Architects & Builders...............................57

Watermelon Mountain Design Works.................68

Lee-sure Pools......................................................................53

Waterstone Mortgage........................................................8

Lightfoot Inc. .....................................................................67

Western Building Supply................................................15

Maloy Mobile Storage......................................................67

Wholesale Timber and Viga........................................65

Marvin Design Center/Clear Ovations ..................9

Winsupply......................................................................5

Mountain West Sales........................................................59

Yellowstone Landscape.....................................................2

New Mexico Home & Remodeling Show...........66

York Septic Systems..........................................................55

The Longest Running Home Show in Albuquerque

April 18 & 19, 2020 Expo New Mexico

The Show you need to exhibit in. Produced by Sunflower Productions.

Interior & Exterior Doors, Hardware, Jambs, Frames 1050 18th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

505-924-2270 www.rugbyabp.com

Call and Reserve your Location Today.

800-333-2122

Don’t let a big down payment slow your home buying roll.

p m Ju Start! Jump Start Down-Payment Assistance

Jump Start is a grant program JUST for first-time (or first-time-in-long-time) homebuyers that can give you up to $6,000 towards your down payment! Plus, all Kirtland FCU home loans offer you:

LOCAL service • LOCAL payments • LOCAL experts See if you qualify for Jump Start, and get started today!

CLICK

Daytime, nighttime, anytime! KirtlandFCU.org/JumpStart

VISIT

The Home Loan Center at 6700 Jefferson NE, Ste. D-1

An equal housing lender. Financing available for properties in New Mexico only. Loan subject to credit approval. Income limits and restrictions apply. Maximum assistance will be up to 3% of the purchase price or a maximum of $6,000 with a maximum loan amount not to exceed $200,000. Loans with Jump Start assistance will require Private Mortgage Insurance. Borrowers will be required to complete a homebuyer education course. At least one borrower cannot have owned a home in the past three (3) years to be eligible for Jump Start assistance. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Program may be cancelled or suspended at any time without notice. Membership eligibility required. See a representative for complete details.