inspiration ideas resources
far niente
stunning vistas from a home they waited a decade for simply elegant a Santa Fe home with a modern twist
V I E W S
If you know, you know - Albuquerque’s sky’s and veiws of the Sandia Mountains are mesmerizing. For that reason, Twilight Homes is thrilled to unveil it’s newest community on the bluffs of Albuquerque’s Westside
Quivira, situated close to the Petroglyph National Monument, offers a distinctive combination of location, stunning views, and luxury. This is a chance that potential homeowners should seize. Residents will enjoy convenient access to hiking trails with breathtaking panoramic views of the Sandia Mountains, excellent school districts, and quick proximity to shopping, dining, and more
New homes are available now - don’t waitthis community is selling fast. Secure your view and start building your new dream home today.
Quivira
A Time for Change and Transition
SOUTHWEST
50 Simply Elegant
A Santa Fe home by Reliance Construction blends traditional Pueblo style with a modern twist, creating the perfect space for homeowners who’ve lived in homes throughout the country.
62 Far Niente
A dream Southwest retreat comes to life after a decade-long search for the perfect view thanks to the homeowners’ patience and a distinctive style from Palo Santo Designs.
SPECIAL SECTION
36
Stunning Sanctuaries
Local building professionals coalesced our community’s eclectic and vast New Mexico design aesthetics in these top-notch bathrooms—both new construction and remodels.
Chris Corrie
On the cover: After living in homes across the country, these homeowners sought a bright home with ample windows, and their primary bathroom follows suit.
Photograph by Chris Corrie.
Wendy McEahern
Elevating every moment.
When you step into your kitchen, what do you aspire to do? Master a new cooking technique? Serve food even your pickiest family member will eat with enthusiasm?
Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliances are meticulously crafted to achieve a higher standard of performance, dependability, and style—so you can raise the bar on every meal you make.
Your future kitchen starts with Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, featured exclusively at
Yarrow is a quintessential New Mexico plant to add vibrant color to any garden. Beautiful linen offers a relaxed yet sophisticated look in a variety of home products. Make your home safer with these home security tips.
Local
Artist
The
Whiskey distillers in the Land of Enchantment build on traditional styles with this area’s unique ancient Indigenous
Despite the Northern flicker’s size—almost a foot in length—you’ll likely hear one before seeing it. But when you do see one, enjoy its distinctive spots and glorious pink or yellow under feathers.
“The Love of Home: Interiors for Beauty, Balance, and Belonging” inspires you to have a home that feels like you. “Stillness: An Exploration of Japanese Aesthetics in Architecture and Design” is a striking resource for thoughtful, minimalist style.
Put your home’s equity to work with an SLFCU Home Equity CreditLine.
CreditLines are a smart way to borrow for unexpected bills or major expenses like home improvements or debt consolidation.
Unlock the potential of your home’s equity with flexible, low-interest financing. Borrow what you need, pay down the balance, and use the funds again with no need to re-apply.
Ready to get started?
Scan the QR code or visit slfcu.org/HomeEquityCreditLines to learn more.
Publisher
Publication
Editor
Creative
Contributors
Paula M. Bodah
Amy Gross
Heather Hunter
Kate Jonuska
Carol Orona
Lexi Reich
Samantha Ruble
Rebecca
Emily Van Cleve
Kastle Waserman
Photography Chris Corrie
Robert Reck
Advertising
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Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico Board of Directors
President: Ashley Lawrence
First Vice President: JP Rael
Second Vice President: Kevin Vautier
Immediate Past President: Carey Plant
Associate Vice President: Danielle Fleming
Secretary/Treasurer: Rita Powers
Associate-at-Large: Yvette Klinkmann
Production Builders Council Chair: Troy Crutchfield
Sales & Marketing Council Chair: Jolene Montoya
Communications&OutreachCouncilChair: Danielle Fleming
Green Build Council Chair: Adam Walker
Custom Builder Council Chair: Richard Medina
Parade Chair: Jason Balthrop
Builder-at-Large: Mike Gorenflo
Advisory Members: Jenice Eades, Diana Lucero, Wade Messenger
Honorary Member: Dr. Susan Bogus Halter
Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico Staff
Executive Vice President: Lana Smiddle
Events & Education Director: Jill Krogman
Communication & Membership Specialist: Joseph Moreno
award
Copyright © 2024 by Su Casa Magazine.
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Welcome to the Autumn Issue of Su Casa
As the sun sets on summer and we welcome cooler temperatures, I intend to embrace some much-needed relaxation. For some, that might simply mean sitting on the portal watching grandkids play in the yard. For others, it might mean long walks or even a strenuous hike in the mountains. Whatever way you choose to relax, we hope some of that will include perusing these pages for some at-home inspiration. In this issue, we take you inside two beautiful custom homes. Reliance Construction was tasked with creating the perfect blend of New Mexican style and modern living in a home for a couple who’ve lived in more than a dozen homes across the U.S. Palo Santo Designs built a custom sanctuary for a couple who’d spent 10 years searching for the perfect location to settle in far niente , without a care.
Looking for some inspiration for your home’s private spaces? We share seven refined bathrooms by local designers and builders—some remodels, some new construction—each with its own unique look and amenities.
Other top topics in this issue include home security and tips for displaying artwork. And don’t miss the article about yarrow, a gardener’s favorite perennial. Get outside and explore with a trip on the The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, enjoy an internationally inspired meal at Central Bodega and sample some New Mexican whiskeys. We also introduce you to a local artist who literally puts New Mexico in her art.
As always, in addition to these great stories, we’re dedicated to delivering more insightful articles focused on our local community, local people and Su Casa
William P. Lang Publisher
These homeowners value design that honors the landscape and also brings the outside in, and the color palette they selected reflects the home’s high desert surroundings. Read more on page 62.
Right:
by Paula M. Bodah
easy, breezy yarrow
it’s colorful, fragrant, versatile and oh-so-simple to grow
SOME PLANTS are natural standouts, created to play a starring role in the garden. Think of the beautiful, romantic rose, the showy gladiola or the fun-loving sunflower. Then there’s the supporting cast, those species whose colors and foliage complement rather than compete with the star. They may not be the first plants to draw your attention, but they’re every bit as crucial to the success of a garden as their more celebrated comrades.
That’s where you’ll find yarrow. Low-growing and bushy, or tall
enough to wave in a breeze, yarrow is something of a workhorse, creating a colorful, textural and often fragrant backdrop for the garden’s flashier florals.
Yarrow, a perennial herb, is legendary for its medicinal properties. According to lore, the plant—whose Latin name is Achillea—was named after the mythical Greek hero Achilles, who is said to have used it to stem the bleeding of his soldiers’ wounds. New Mexico’s indigenous cultures used all parts of the plant, from flower to root, for an array of medical issues from toothaches to digestive problems to the common cold. Luckily, the useful plant grows with abandon in these parts.
New Mexico’s climate is yarrow-friendly, notes Linda Churchill, director of horticulture at Santa Fe Botanical Garden. “Almost any yarrow will do well, especially in the northern part of the state,” she says.
Achillea millefolium, also called common yarrow, is New Mexico’s single native variety. Its clusters of white flowers atop fern-like leaves are fragrant, making it a nice choice to cut and bring indoors. These, and yarrow in general, can be an important part of a pollinator garden. “The white one, especially, is much loved by butterflies and bees,” Churchill says.
For those who crave color, many cultivars are readily available at local nurseries. Among the most popular is Moonshine, which can grow up to 24 inches and sports a flower of neon-bright citrine. “It’s a stunning plant,”
Churchill says. “Landscapers like it because it has pretty foliage. It’s sturdy and upright and a gorgeous gray with a bit of a blue tinge.”
Moonshine blooms in late April and into May, earlier than most other varieties of yarrow, so gardeners don’t have to delay their gratification.
Coronation gold is also yellow, albeit a mellower, more golden version with silvery gray-green foliage that can grow as tall as four feet and blooms in early to mid-July.
Yarrow also comes in a wide range of hues in the red family, from pale pink to ruby red to paprika and terracotta. “You won’t find it in blues or purples, but it makes a great contrast with plants of those colors in the garden,” Churchill says. Lavender, poppies, ornamental grasses and salvia all look even prettier when surrounded by yarrows of varying heights and colors.
For the best results, plan for yarrow in your garden now, but plant it in the spring in full sun, then ignore it, for the most part. Yarrows love poor soil, especially if its sandy, doesn’t need fertilizer and prefers to be watered no more than once or twice a week. To deadhead or not is the gardener’s choice. Cutting off spent flowers can help extend the bloom season, while leaving them on will offer interesting texture during the winter months. Finally, don’t forget to bring plenty of stems inside to dry for a bouquet to enjoy all year long.
Life+Style Southwest by Heather Shoning
loving linen
as a fabric or texture, linen adds a subtle yet effective punch to every room
Linen is one of the oldest textiles in the world—dating back to 8,000 BCE—but that certainly doesn’t make it outdated. In fact, linen is one of the most on-trend styles for interior design and not just the fabric itself, but the pattern, too.
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1. Posh Pillows
Transform your home with these stylish pillow covers, featuring a charming fringe and a hidden zipper for easy removal. Like French flax linen, these pillows effortlessly bring texture and unique character to your living space, combining durability and touchable texture for a stylish, cozy home aesthetic. Linen Abington Throw Pillow Cover, $23, wayfair.com
2. Looks Like Linen
Up-level your space with linen-look porcelain tile. It’s perfect for the floor, in a shower, or for adding texture and visual interest to a backsplash area. Ristretto is an ideal, low-maintenance way to get the same warm and welcoming look and function of carpet minus all of the pesky vacuuming and upkeep that comes along with it—a threaded look with none of the snags. The unique, matte-finish tiles come in various sizes to help you achieve the look you desire.
Ristretto Matte Porcelain Tile, $7/sq.ft., tilebar.com
3. Sublime Storage
Spruce up your storage areas with crisp, clean baskets. These linen utility baskets, available in a variety of sizes, can be used to hold winter garments, old photographs, souvenirs or even office supplies. Still, they’re designed to fit into closets. Use them to max out your storage space or collapse them when they’re in between jobs. Made of MDF and covered with linen, they can be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth. Linen Utility Baskets, $29–69, potterybarn.com
4. Refined and Relaxing
We spend almost a third of our lives in bed, so you should have a bed you love. The Ivery modern bed frame features clean lines and simple edges, paired with the soft linen color and texture, to create a contemporary aesthetic perfect for minimalists. The platform comes equipped with sturdy, evenly-spaced slats that directly support your mattress, eliminating the need for a box spring. The premium performance fabric provides a soft, luxurious feel designed to wick away moisture and promote airflow, ensuring a restful sleep.
Upholstered Ivery Bed with Headboard, $1,380, wayfair.com
5.
Kick Back
Superb comfort meets a simplified silhouette for a look as refined as it is laid back in Pottery Barn’s Jake Collection sofa. The linen-covered body with square arms and high-performance cushions is defined by its legs—the wood base adds a grounding texture and a relaxed feel. An engineered hardwood frame with mortise-and-tenon joinery provides exceptional structural integrity, while no-sag sinuous springs provide cushion support. Crafted in America by skilled artisans. Jake Seadrift Wood Base Sofa (63”–96”), $1,899–3,999, potterybarn.com
6. Sleep Tight
This elegant yet laid-back (pun intended) bedding made from sustainable European flax linen helps naturally regulate temperatures so you stay cozy in the winter and cool in the summer. The warm, natural hue gives your bed a modern, organic look, while well-tailored details, including button closures and inner corner ties in the duvet, add crisp finishing touches—and it’s machine washable. The set includes a king duvet cover, a king sheet set and two king pillow shams. European Flax King Bedding Set, $792, crateandbarrel.com
by Emily Van Cleve
home, safe home
security systems add a layer of protection from intruders
IMAGINE ENJOYING a lovely summer dinner with friends and returning home just before dusk, only to find broken glass and items strewn throughout your home—a burglary in progress. While you’re entering your home through the front door, an intruder escapes out the back. The following morning, you’re on the phone arranging to have a home security system installed.
“Through the years, I’ve gotten quite a few calls from homeowners who have had some kind of home intrusion experience and feel an urgency to get a home security system,” says Brandon Brooks, president of Southwest Security in Albuquerque.
Unlike security systems of the past, which required wiring rooms of the house, today’s wireless systems are easy to install and much more affordable. Homeowners can keep it simple by only setting up motion sensors for entry doors, or they can go all out and monitor every window in the house. When the system detects an intrusion, it immediately notifies a monitoring center that contacts the homeowner before contacting the police in case it’s a false alarm. If there is a false alarm, the system can be disarmed and rearmed from a cell phone.
Although video surveillance may not be included in a basic security system package, Brooks says most customers opt to add it. “You can keep an eye on the rooms in your home and the outside of your home from an app on your phone,” he says.
Another valuable home security option is putting what Brooks calls “a digital box” around storage sheds and vehicles on the property. The homeowner is immediately notified if there’s any unwanted activity around these items. And like security systems have been doing for years, loud internal and external sirens go off if the system tracks any
intrusion on the property.
There are effective ways of preventing home intrusions without installing a security system, says Albuquerque Police Department’s senior crime prevention specialist Laura Kuehn. One simple tip is to trim bushes and trees around the home, leaving entry doors and windows visually unobstructed. Another is to install solar motion sensors and solar lights around the outside of the home.
Kuehn also suggests making a slight modification to entry doors. “Door striker plates and hinges usually come with halfinch screws that secure the door to the framing. If these short screws are replaced with three-inch screws, it becomes more difficult for intruders to kick a door in, and they’ll make more noise trying to do it,” she says.
One of the best home security measures is establishing good relationships with neighbors who will watch your house and let you know if they see anything suspicious. “A feeling of community is really important,” Kuehn adds. So, reach out and adopt an attitude of looking out for one another.
Photo
by Kastle Waserman
artistic flair artistic flair
how to select and display art in your
how to select and display art in your home
AS HOMEOWNERS, we strive to ensure our tranquil spaces also reflect our personalities and aesthetic style. It goes well beyond the bones of a home, the views we capture or the furniture we place inside. It’s more than manicured lawns and well-organized pantries. One way to ensure your home is one-of-a-kind is through thoughtfully curated artwork, and lucky for us our area—and Santa Fe, in particular—is overflowing with an abundance of galleries and local artists with an array of styles and mediums.
While art may enhance the look of a room, don’t think
of it in terms of matching it to your interior design style or coordinating with your sofa. “Art is an emotional experience, not necessarily intellectual,” Victoria Sanchez of Victoria at Home says. She adds that mixing design styles together can create interest and reveal various aspects of your personality. “One of my favorite things to do is use really contemporary art with antiques or with furnishings that have a Southwest flair.”
If you’re moving to a new home and already have a collection of art, figuring out where to place it may be a matter of just moving art around the house, says interior
This Annie O’Carroll Interior Design project features various pieces of art with coordinating frames and continuity in the color palette.
designer Annie O’Carroll of Annie O’Carroll Interior Design. Hold pieces up in a range of areas to see what works, keeping in mind the size of the wall and size of the art so the scale is right. One of the biggest mistakes people make is hanging art that is too small for a space.
Another mistake is hanging art too high. A good rule of thumb is to put the center of the art at eye level, or roughly five feet high.
O’Carroll says for people who move from a smaller home into a larger one, their pieces may be too small, especially in New Mexico where homes often have
expansive walls and high ceilings. In that case, think about grouping pieces together to create a gallery wall or cluster with a similar theme. “You could reframe all the pieces to have a common look such as black or gold. The frames don’t have to match, but they can relate to each other. You can have a really interesting wall that way,” she says.
Creating a gallery wall can be a bit like a puzzle that needs to be pieced together to see how it looks before you start hanging. “Put everything on the floor and use blue tape to mark the size of your wall, then literally place the pieces down and move them around until it looks right.
Wendy Mceahern
Design Studio
This project by Victoria at Home demonstrates how the designer likes the juxtaposition of the contemporary art with furnishings that have a Southwestern flair.
Take a picture of it and transfer the layout to your wall,” O’Carroll says.
New Mexico homes often have large windows to bring the outdoors in; Sanchez suggests choosing art that complements the window views. “Rather than a lot of little pieces, having a large impactful piece of art is a nice balance to large windows and scenery,” she says.
Also consider lighting. Be careful not to hang art where it could be damaged by long hours of direct sunlight. In darker spaces use gallery lighting for a soft glow or adjustable recessed lights pointed to illuminate a piece.
When thinking about what art should go where, both designers agree that family photos belong in personal areas such as hallways leading to bedrooms.
For other art, consider how each room is used. The bedroom may call for more calming pieces of art, such as textiles, while the living room could have something more vibrant. An entry offers an opportunity to display a bold piece with impact. “Ask yourself how you want to feel in a room, then pick art that reflects that,”
O’Carroll says. Keep in mind that art can transform a space through mood, vibration and symbolism.
Annie O’Carroll Interior Design
Victoria at Home
Daniel Nadelbach
stunning sanctuaries
soak up seven local relaxing retreats designed to inspire, delight and enhance living
by Heather Shoning
Coalescing homeowner styles and design elements was vital in devising these topnotch bathrooms—both new construction and remodels—designed and built by local professionals. This collection is a montage of our community’s eclectic and vast New Mexico design aesthetics.
dramatic elements
Blending the homeowners’ existing furnishings into a new home creates an opportunity to forge a transitional, tastefully curated style, and that was the task at hand for interior designer Annie O’Carroll when she signed on to design this Santa Fe new build. In the primary bathroom, that meant making selections that would feel cohesive with the rest of the home. She opted for traditional-leaning elements such as the faucets and maple cabinets for the floating vanity. But she customized the space and gave it real pizazz by wrapping the vanity on all four sides with the quartzite countertop material for visual interest, plus an oversized mirror hiding two medicine cabinets, striking fused glass cylinder pendants and a showstopping feature wall of herringbone mosaic tile that flows into the skylight niche above. “It’s a marriage of function, beauty and dramatic elements,” she says. “There’s drama in the view, of course, but also in the tile going all the way up that wall.”
A certain panache was associated with this large, traditional Santa Fe home that the homeowner sought to retain during a renovation, and the primary bathroom space was no exception. It was grand, and they wanted it to stay that way. David Naylor of David Naylor Interiors was up to the task. He envisioned glamorous finishes that would be harmonious with the regional elements, such as the rustic beams. “Floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall tile is a sure way to make a bathroom look and feel expensive and glamorous,” Naylor says. So, he selected a sophisticated patterned tile to complete the space while contrasting the hammered metal fireplace door and hardware. The elegant soaking tub is the perfect spot to wind down and enjoy the views from the oversized doors.
Wendy McEahern
spacious and gracious
Room to move and universal design were critical elements in the plan for this bathroom, but the goal was beauty and function. A large opening and no threshold entering the shower ensures usability for years to come, and the design is like an on-trend oasis that will never go out of style. Two separate vanities in rich, warm brown–stained white oak offer ample storage and personal space, while floating them keeps the room light and airy. The alluring accent tile conjures a connection to nature with its multitude of green hues and organic, handmade style, but the stacked design is decidedly modern and sleek. “The linear, modern tiles on the floor and shower walls, create a calm, spa-like space,” David Waszak, owner of Waszak Design + Build, says. Countertops that embody the entire palette and sleek plumbing fixtures complete the Zen-like aesthetic.
Fotovan
Fotovan
warm
contemporary
When the owners of this new custom home in far Northeast Heights expressed a desire for an organic modern look, Las Ventanas Homes delivered. Specifically, in the bathroom, a blend of natural tones and textures, plus clean lines and crisp black accents, is the ultimate expression of the aesthetic. A mix of the light wood veneered floating vanity and woodlook tile behind the bathtub and in the shower gives the space its earthy elegance, while the black fixtures and accents add a modern touch.
“Initially, the tub was designed to be in the middle of two vanities,” Scott Ashcraft, owner of Las Ventanas Homes, says. “But the wife wanted it tucked away in the back of the room.” The result gives it prominence and balances the shower at the opposite end of the room. The homeowners wanted the shower to feel open, so Ashcraft opted for a ½-inch thick glass wall. Another modern touch that perfectly frames the artful shower fixture.
Fotovan
Fotovan
The owners of this custom home told Deborah Short, owner of Vineyard Homes, they wanted something simple—meaning conservative with little embell ishment—that they could decorate themselves. Her solution included beautiful yet neutral finishes and custom cabinetry for they way they live. “They wanted lots of d rawers,” she says, so she designed a piece with two shallow and four deeper drawers in the center of the mediumstained alder vanity. The tub niche, which is more like a room of its own, according to Short, includes an area to hang robes, small side tables and windows with rain glass for beautiful light without sacrificing privacy. To add additional warmth, Short specified large-format marble tile with golden-brown veining and, hinting at the Southwestern location, a solid oak beam stained to match the cabinetry.
custom simplicity
Ahhh, Italy and its historic charm. That was the design driver behind this bathroom, which echoes the ancient blended with contemporary as seen in many Italian countryside homes. Melanie Pizzonia, a des igner who owns Exquisite Design and consults on Twilight Luxury Homes’ design plans, drew on her husband Vinny’s heritage when incorporating this into their Albuquerque home. She used flat pebble tile to create the meandering look of old, exposed stonework. The patterned floor tile has a well-worn appearance, and the shower wall tile looks like “it’s seen better days,” as Pizzonia puts it. This old is contrasted with the new of the sleek, high-gloss floating vanity and on-trend mirrors and light fixtures. “Everything is so strong, so no one thing overpowers the other,” Pizzonia says. “I’m a big believer in: “If you like something, it’s going to work,’ so you select things in the same vernacular.”
Daniel Nadelbach
Old World charm
pretty in peach
This Las Companas home overlooks the 18th hole of the Sunset course, offering stunning evening views, which easily could be the inspiration for the vibrant peach hue of the bathroom vanity. However, it’s actually a nod to classic Santa Fe style that drove the design for this space. “The home has both traditional and transitional styles, including the vigas and natural woods, but also modern elements,” Rob Woods of Woods Design Builders says. The custom cabinetry color with its richness, plaster wall finish with a creamy light color and the handmade, hand-stenciled Tabarka Studio terracotta tile honor a traditional approach to design. Contrasting the time-honored style is the slate tile shower floor and sleek glass surround, while the heavily veined granite blends the neutral colors in the palette. “The house has a theme and language that connects one space to the next,” Woods says. Additional connective elements include the antiqued bronze sconces and brushed nickel plumbing fixtures.
Wendy McEahern
BringWallsYour to Life
resources
dramatic elements, page 36
Home Designer: Studio Beili; Builder: Green Star Builders; Interior Design: Annie O’Carroll Interior Design; Countertops: Arizona Tile/Counter Intelligence; Fixtures/ Sink/Tub: Santa Fe by Design; Lighting: La Luz Artful Lighting; Tile: Statements In Tile/Lighting/Kitchens/Flooring
traditional respite, page 38
Home Designer: Studio Beili; Builder: Tierra Concepts; Interior Design: David Naylor Interiors; Fixtures/Sink/Tub: Santa Fe by Design; Tile: Statements In Tile/Lighting/ Kitchens/Flooring
spacious and gracious, page 39
Home Designer/Builder: Waszak Design + Build; Cabinetry: Oster Wood Products; Countertops: Arizona Tile; Fixtures/Sink/Tub: Winsupply of Albuquerque; Lighting: Bright Ideas, Inc.; Tile: Stonewood Flooring, Inc.
warm contemporary, page 40
Home Designer/Interior Design: Las Ventanas Homes; Builder: Las Ventanas Construction; Cabinetry: Pro Source Cabinets; Countertops: Creative Countertops, Cabinets & More LLC; Fixtures/Sink/Tub: Doc Savage Supply; Lighting: Bright Ideas, Inc.; Tile: Floorscapes
custom simplicity, page 41
Home Designer: Tomenstock LLC; Builder: Vineyard Homes; Cabinetry: High Mountain Custom Cabinets; Countertops: Arizona Tile/Villanueva Granite, Inc.; Fixtures/Sink/Tub: Doc Savage Supply; Lighting: Bright Ideas, Inc.; Tile: Stonewood Flooring, Inc.
Old World charm, page 42
Home Designer/Builder: Twilight Luxury Homes; Interior Design: Exquisite Design; Cabinetry: Bespoke Woodwork; Countertops: NM Granite, Inc.; Fixtures: WW Sales Company; Sink: Doc Savage Supply; Shower Surround: Ideal Mirror & Glass; Tile: Stonewood Flooring, Inc.
pretty in peach, page 43
Architecture: Lorn Tryk Architects; Builder/Interior Design: Woods Design Builders; Cabinetry: Bespoke Woodwork; Countertops: Arizona Tile/La Piedra Granite LLC; Fixtures/Sink: Santa Fe by Design; Tile/Lighting: Statements In Tile/ Lighting/Kitchens/Flooring
Peggy and Tim Wheeler
505.450.5211 peggy@peggywheelerteam.com
Becky Perry 505.269.3410 beckyperrysellshomes@gmail.com
Stephanie
505.385.4283 stephwalter@msn.com
Tim and Karen Brown 505.550.1447 karenbrown.abq@gmail.com
Charlotte Boyer, CRS 505.306.3488 Char@CharlotteBoyer.com
Linda
505.507.2459 linda@lindamalott.com
Candice@BanksRealtyNM.com
505.269.1505 dee@deerealtor.com
505.507.9496 carmenzasellsabq@gmail.com
Cramercollc@gmail.com
A surprising yet highly effective cleaning solution can be found right in your bathroom—shaving cream. This multi-use foam is excellent for shining glass and cleaning mirrors, plus it has the added benefit of preventing fogging. Spread it evenly over the glass or mirrored surface, then wipe with a clean, dry cloth. It’s also great for polishing chrome fixtures and removing fingerprints from stainless steel appliances using the same cleaning method. You can also use this wonder cleaner outside the kitchen and bath. It can remove carpet stains (apply the cream to the stain, let sit for a few minutes, then blot with a damp cloth) and clean upholstery (apply it to a small area, scrub gently with a soft brush, wipe off with a damp cloth). Always use shaving cream with no colors or fragrances, and test it on a small area first.
simply elegant
a Santa Fe home with a modern twist
by
Lexi Reich
photographs by
Chris Corrie
More than a dozen moves across the U.S., from New Orleans’ French Quarter to the shores of Maui, Hawaii, with each house—from traditional and colonial to ranch and contemporary—adding a new layer of design aesthetic, will enable a couple to envision a clear picture of what they want and love about a house. That’s what shaped the design of this home just outside Santa Fe with stunning landscape views. The homeowners’ vision? A lightfilled haven that would serve as both a personal retreat and a welcoming space for entertaining. “It was all about light,” the wife says. “I wanted a bright, light house with windows everywhere.”
The process of designing and building their home was one of collaboration and trust. After being introduced to builder Kay Beason of Reliance Construction by their real estate agent, the homeowners immediately felt a connection. “You meet someone, and you just know they get you,” the wife says.
The homeowners’ design vision was shaped by their extensive travels, having relocated more than a dozen times across the country due to the husband’s career in hospitality. This rich tapestry of experiences informed their diverse and well-curated design choices. Windows strategically placed throughout the home enhance natural lighting, creating ever-changing patterns as the sun moves across the New Mexico sky.
“That’s how it was with Kay. And when she introduced us to Jim Beverly, we felt the same way. They understood our vision.”
Beverly, a long-time collaborator with Beason, took the homeowners’ vision to heart. Renowned for his meticulous approach, Beverly studied the property’s views and prevailing winds before drafting the plans. The result is a home where nearly every window frames a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. And Beason built the project with every attention to detail in the luxurious finishes throughout.
The result? “We call it Santa Fe modern,” Beason says. “It’s neither Pueblo nor strictly modern—it’s simply elegant.” It’s a seamless, stunning blend of contemporary sophistication with the enduring charm of New Mexican traditional design.
Upon entering through the custom front door, visitors are immediately greeted by an expansive view through large glass doors that lead to the patio. The open-concept living area centers around a striking fireplace that embodies the home’s style—hints of traditional detailing with sophisticated clean lines. The room’s high ceilings and thoughtfully chosen light fixtures add drama without overpowering the space.
The kitchen, a centerpiece of the home, was designed with both function and flair. “My husband’s the cook of the family,” the homeowner explains. “So, the kitchen was all about what he wanted. He said, ‘I’ve never had a kitchen with enough counter space.’“ The result is a gourmet’s paradise, featuring ample work surfaces and a 60-inch refrigerator. And true to the homeowners’ aesthetic, the kitchen is free of visible outlets, while strategically placed glass-front cabinets add a touch of light and break up the solid wood expanse. Because of the open concept and interconnected spaces,
The kitchen design includes minimally veined white quartzite countertops, stainless appliances and chrome fixtures. Warmth and texture come from taupe cabinetry and fabric bar stools, while the generous island is designed with large drawers.
Opposite page: A custom-designed pantry has become one of the homeowner’s favorite features, offering ample storage for gourmet ingredients and cookware.
there’s a captivating view in nearly every direciton.
A neutral color palette creates a serene, timeless atmosphere throughout the home. “Neutrals, to me, are calming, and they never seem to go out of style,” the wife says. The primary bathroom is a divine example with its soft gray vanity color that echoes in the tiles, while the chrome fixtures and sconces add just a touch of bling.
To prevent the minimlist-leaning vernacular from feeling stark, the design incorporates rich textures and organic elements. It’s perhaps the combination of high-quality finishes and the unseen aspects of the home that captured the homeowners’ attention when selecting a builder. They note that excellent insulation and energy efficiency make the home comfortable and cozy any time of year.
As with many projects in recent years, building the home was not without its challenges. “We faced issues with both labor and materials, trying to get things in and keeping people on the job,” Beason says. Yet the homeowners remained actively involved, with Beason praising the wife as resourceful and a “go-getter.”
The couple’s hands-on approach extended to the interior design. While many homeowners might rely heavily on a designer, this couple drew inspiration from their travels and past homes to create a space uniquely theirs. “She came with all of her ideas,” Beason says. “She knew exactly what she wanted, with pictures to show. Our job was simply to bring it to life.”
neutral color palette with touches of crisp chrome make the primary bathroom a lesson in timeless, classic style.
The
Beason highlights the homeowners’ commitment to minimalist design, noting that the home is a masterclass in keeping surfaces clean and clutter-free. “The wife prefers a sleek look, eschewing unnecessary items on counters to maintain a streamlined appearance,” she says. This ensures that the home’s natural beauty and thoughtful details remain the focal points, creating a space that is both visually stunning and functionally serene.
The accurate measure of the home’s success lies in its functionality for daily life and entertaining. Recently, the couple hosted guests for an anniversary celebration. What was meant to be an outdoor gathering moved inside due to rain, yet as Beason
The outdoor living space includes a covered patio, allowing the homeowners to enjoy Santa Fe’s famous night skies year-round. When landscapers were scarce, the homeowner took charge of the outdoor design. Builder Kay Beason pitched in, purchasing plants in Albuquerque and transporting them to the Santa Fe site, exemplifying the collaborative spirit behind the project.
shares, the homeowner said, “We had no problem at all entertaining forty people in our house.”
It’s clear that this Santa Fe modern residence has achieved something special—a harmony between contemporary design and the timeless beauty of New Mexico. It stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between visionary homeowners and skilled professionals, resulting in a space that is, in Beason’s words, “super livable” and “just very well done.”
resources
Home Designer
Jim Beverly Fine Home Designs
Home Builder
Reliance Construction, Inc.
Project Management
Carpenter and Craftsman LLC
Appliances
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
Bathroom/Kitchen Fixtures/Sinks/Tub
Winsupply of Albuquerque
Beams/Interior Doors
Sun Mountain Custom Doors
Cabinetry
Wildwood Cabinetry & Design
Countertops/Kitchen Backsplash
Sherpa Stone LLC
Custom Painting
Haber Painting
Fireplaces
NM Fireplace Gallery
Front Door
Adobe Door, Inc.
Lighting
Winsupply of Albuquerque
Patio Doors/Windows
Pella Windows & Doors of Albuquerque
pellaofalbuquerque.com
Tile
Floor & Decor
The Tile Shop
far niente
a dream Southwest retreat comes to life after a decade-long search for the perfect view
by Lexi Reich photographs by Robert Reck
As the sun dips below the horizon, Jeff and Lanette Meister sit on their western porch, watching the New Mexico sky transform into a canvas of oranges, pinks and purples. This nightly spectacle is a view they’ve waited years to call their own.
Welcome to Far Niente, the Meisters’ sustainably crafted home nestled in the hills of La Tierra Nueva, about 20 minutes northwest of Santa Fe. The name, derived from an Italian expression meaning “without a care,” encapsulates the essence of what Jeff and Lanette have created—a sanctuary where time slows down and the beauty of the Southwest takes center stage.
The road to Far Niente began long before the first blueprint was drawn. The couple, longtime residents of the Washington D.C. area, spent years searching for the perfect location to build their forever home. “Each time we would travel, we would look at that place as potential for our next home,” Lanette recalls.
The fireplace wall, a focal point of the living area, showcases a poured concrete hearth. Three nichos to the right of the fireplace box offer a subtle nod to Southwestern design while maintaining the home’s contemporary aesthetic.
In 2007, they first set foot in New Mexico as a couple, and something clicked. “It seemed like everywhere we visited here just felt like home,” Lanette says. “We loved the big skies, the mountains, the fresh air, the lack of traffic.”
In 2018, the Meisters found their slice of paradise—a 20-acre lot in La Tierra Nueva. “When we drove up to where the building site would be, we stood there and rotated our vision around; we had almost three hundred and sixty–degree views,” Lanette says.
“We weren’t intending to buy at that point,” Jeff adds. “But when we stood on this lot and saw the views, we just looked at each other and didn’t say anything for a long time. And then we decided we had to figure out how to do this.”
With the land secured, the Meisters turned to Palo Santo Designs to bring their vision to life. The couple had first met founder Mark Giorgetti a decade earlier and were impressed by his expertise.
“Both of us have, for years, admired homes that honor the landscape and also bring the outside in through large floorto-ceiling windows,” Lanette explains. Giorgetti worked to create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living, allowing the Meisters to immerse themselves in the beauty of their surroundings.
“Their desire to create a home that truly honored the landscape aligned perfectly with our design philosophy at Palo Santo,” Giorgetti explains.
Inside, the home is a masterclass in thoughtful design. The kitchen, featuring a uniquely designed island, serves as the heart of the home. “Our island is designed to position people facing each other,” Lanette says. “What that does is create a great place for sharing our coffee together in the morning and having conversation.”
Lanette points out another distinctive feature: a gallery hall that connects the main living spaces. “It’s not just a hallway—it’s an expansion of each of the rooms that open onto it, creating a sense of flow and openness throughout the home,” she explains.
Environmental stewardship was a
The Meisters’ kitchen features custom cabinetry and the unique quartz countertops that invite visitors to run their hands across the distinctive finish.
Carefully selected paint colors throughout the home create a neutral palette that complements the New Mexico landscape. The Meisters worked closely with their painter, whom they describe as “an artist in his spare time,” to choose the perfect shades.
cornerstone of Far Niente’s design and construction. Giorgetti prioritized energy and water efficiency, mindful site management, and the use of environmentally preferable methods and materials. This approach ensures the home complements its natural setting and minimizes its ecological impact. The Meister home features highefficiency heating and cooling, rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation, and energy-efficient LED lighting throughout.
Jeff and Lanette worked closely with Palo Santo Designs’ network of local suppliers and artisans throughout the building process. “So much of the success of the projects that Palo Santo Designs engages in has to do with our close network of vendors, subcontractors and suppliers,” Giorgetti says. The couple emphasizes how they benefited from the relationships Giorgetti had fostered within the close-knit Santa Fe builder community.
Jeff’s enthusiasm for working with Giorgetti and his team remained unwavering throughout the project. Despite warnings that his positive feelings might fade on a project of this scale, Jeff’s appreciation only grew. “When I told people around town how much we loved our builder,” he recalls, “they’d say, ‘Give it time—that’ll change.’ But it never did.”
For Giorgetti, the Meister project stands out as a gratifying experience. “The best thing about the Meister home wasn’t about the physical project itself as much as it’s about the alchemy that our team had with the homeowners,” he says. “It creates such a pleasant experience for everybody and a remarkable end result.”
Now settled into their dream home, Jeff and Lanette find themselves continually in awe of their surroundings. “We just pinch ourselves that we get to enjoy this kind of living,” Lanette says.
For the Meisters, Far Niente is more than just a beautiful home—it embodies a lifestyle. As Lanette puts it, “We want people who visit us here to feel that vibe in the air—that rhythm of life to join us in living without a care.”
resources
Architecture
WAMO Studio Architects
Home Builder Palo Santo Designs palosantodesigns.com
Appliances
Sierra West Sales
Audio/Visual System/Smart Home A Sound Look
Bathroom Fixtures/Sinks/Tub Winsupply of Albuquerque
Bathroom Tile
Statements in Tile
Beams Builders FirstSource
Blinds/Solar Shades
Santa Fe Awning santafeawning.com
Cabinetry
H and S Craftsmen
Countertops/Kitchen Backsplash Counter Intelligence
Custom Painting
Luxury Painting
Fireplace/Fire Pit/Outdoor Furnishings
The Firebird thefirebird.com
Front Door/Windows
Sierra Pacific Window and Door
Metal Fabrication
SM Metal Work LLC
Interior Doors
Stately Doors & Windows
Kitchen Sink/Faucet
Dahl Plumbing
Landscaping
San Isidro Permaculture, Inc.
Lighting Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
Stucco
Sam’s Stucco & Construction
Tile
Arizona Tile
Today’s homeowners long for space-saving alternatives and multi-use spaces. A Murphy bed is optimal for having a guest room and the home office or reading room you’ve always wanted. Although they can be more expensive than a traditional bed, getting double duty out of your space can be worth the splurge. Plus, with a custom Murphy bed—and sometimes with readyto-install versions—they can add style and storage to the room with open shelving or cabinetstyle storage. This functional furniture can come so the bed folds out lengthwise or widthwise, so one side is up against the wall. Worried about comfort?
Don’t be! Today’s Murphy beds are designed to accommodate standard mattresses. So, make the most of your home’s space with this time-tested furniture concept.
by Kastle Waserman
soul soothing art elements of the earth bring Kate Russell’s art alive
LOOKING AT KATE RUSSELL’S ARTWORK, you might first see beautiful landscapes and warm tones. But upon closer inspection, the texture begins to emerge—leaves, twigs, rocks and sand start to make themselves known. You realize she makes her art from elements of the earth, bits foraged from long walks in nature.
“It’s hard to go hiking with me,” she laughs. “I’m always stopping and picking up leaves and samples of dirt.”
She says she’s careful to keep the planet’s integrity intact, collecting only what’s fallen to the ground and not picking from living plants, something she learned from workshops at Ghost Ranch educational center.
For Russell, art is therapeutic, helping her get closer to her authentic self, soothing the effects of what she describes as a tumultuous childhood. After her parents split in her teenage years, her hopes of attending Pratt School of Art were dashed.
She considers herself a survivor and self-taught artist. While she spent much of her life relocating for her husband’s job and raising their four children, art remained a constant as she took occasional teaching jobs at a paint-and-sip studio and worked with children at St. Jude in Huntsville, Alabama.
In the wake of abruptly ended live teaching sessions and her husband retiring, the pair began dreaming about a new location to call home. They decided to go west and explore
Vida Buena
Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. Then, a friend asked Russell to live in their home in Santa Fe for a month and paint a mural. They jumped at the chance.
She took classes at Ghost Ranch, learned to work with earth pigments and discovered artist Georgia O’Keeffe. “She’s a big inspiration for me, not necessarily her art, but her lifestyle,” Russell says.
The couple eventually settled in Albuquerque, where she could finally let herself bloom. Russell says the nature around the nearby Bosque satisfies her eye for beauty: “I feel like I’ve always looked at things differently; I’ll look at a tree and see the different shapes and the way the wind blows the leaves.”
Another artist who propelled her art forward was Pansy Stockton, known for using fragments of hundreds of varieties of vegetation as mediums in her work. Russell discovered Stockton’s art when it literally hit her in the head.
“I was sitting at a friend’s house and kept hitting my head against this picture on the wall. I turned around and said, ’Oh my gosh, what is that? What is that made out of?’” Russell recalls. “I researched her, and my heart just exploded.”
From that discovery, Russell’s artwork blossomed with its deep integration of this beloved location as she began incorporating more elements of nature into her work, from leaves to moss to tree bark. The results are highly textured, 3D pieces alive with pure appreciation of the natural world.
“I remember a Georgia O’Keeffe quote saying, ’Take time to look,’ and I think that’s so important, especially now when everybody’s on their phones,” says Russell. “Nobody gets to daydream anymore and just be. And that’s what nature does for me.”
Kate Russell’s art can be found at katerussellart.com
by artist
is known for using fragments of vegetation as mediums in her work.
Today, Russell includes bits of New Mexico’s landscape in her work.
Anthony
Nicolau
Kate Russell was inspired
Pansy Stockton, who
by Samantha Ruble
all aboard!
experience
Old West charm and scenic beauty on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
IN FEBRUARY OF 1880, the Denver and Rio Grande Railway track crews began laying the first rails of the San Juan Extension going south from Alamosa toward Antonito, Colorado. From there, the line continued west, arriving in Chama, New Mexico, in December. Lumber mills and oil transportation kept the line busy, but winter plagued its success because of the 10,000-foot Cumbres Pass. So, in 1968, the railroad company filed for abandonment of its narrow-gauge line. In 1971, New Mexico and Colorado took joint ownership, and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad was formed, launching a tribute to the golden era of rail travel.
Holding fast to that gilded age, the train conductor will punch your ticket, instantly transporting you to a time when train travel was the height of luxury. With its National Historic Landmark designation, the railroad offers an unforgettable journey through forests of aspens and evergreens, across high plains bursting with wildflowers and through the most amazing rocky gorge showcasing stunning geological formations. You might see deer, antelope, elk, foxes, eagles and even bears. Stretching 64 miles, it’s the longest, highest and most authentic steam railroad in
Courtesy Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
North America. The train crosses state borders 11 times, meandering along canyon walls, tunneling through two mountains and steaming over the 137-foot-long Cascade Creek Trestle.
You can freely travel from car to car and enjoy the beautiful scenery from the open-air observation gondola. You’ll be accompanied on this adventure by knowledgeable volunteers who can speak to the history of the train.
Several ticket options include the All Aboard Full Excursion Trip— the entire line between Chama and Antonito that provides lunch and motor coach service for the onehour trip back to Chama. There are half-day and express trips, plus several car options to choose from.
The Parlor Cars offer pure Victorian elegance for adult passengers 21 and over. You’ll enjoy lounge-style comfort with panoramic windows, morning pastries and fruit, complimentary beverages, an afternoon snack and a unique souvenir to take home.
Deluxe Cars blend elegance and comfort with cafe-style seating and some extra room. It’s suitable for all ages, too. You will get a morning and afternoon snack, with complimentary beverages available throughout the day. For those seeking a more economical option, the coach cars provide comfortable padded bench seating with windows that open to let in the fresh Rocky Mountain air. Snacks and beverages are available in the concession car.
Railroad history buff or not, this adventure back in time and through the wild forests of the West on the highest and longest narrow-gauge steam railroad in North America is something for everyone to enjoy.
Samantha Ruble
Samantha Ruble
Today’s medicine cabinets are no longer simply storage solutions; they are stylish, functional elements of bathroom design. Manufacturers, builders and homeowners are getting uber creative to make these once-boring accessories bling for the bathroom. Consider a pop of color when you open your medicine cabinet in the morning—line the inside with a bold wallpaper for a bit of fun behind the closed door. Everything else in the home is smart these days, so why not the medicine cabinet, too? Some come with built-in bluetooth speakers, charging ports and touch controls. Take medication that needs to be refrigerated? Keep it handy in a refrigerated medicine cabinet. For something uniquely you, consider a custom cabinet that meets your specific needs and preferences including unique shapes, personalized storage configurations and high-quality materials.
by Heather Hunter
cuisine alchemy
big city tastes in a down-home, friendly atmosphere
A NOB HILL HOT SPOT that has garnered plenty of awards and accolades since opening in 2022, Central Bodega is the alchemy of owners Seth and Jessica Beecher. This dynamic couple spun their real estate savvy and culinary pasts into creating their dream dining experience in Albuquerque.
Seth Beecher started cooking when he was 13, owned a restaurant during his 20s and provided the culinary vision for Central Bodega. Jessica also worked in the hospitality industry throughout high school and college and said their “concept allows people to walk inside and feel transported to a different place. With the feeling of being in a big city.”
Like all big cities, Central Bodega offers a wide array
of cuisines to tease customers’ palates with dishes from Spain, Italy, France, America and, most recently, Greece.
After spending 17 years at Yanni’s, formerly the Duke City’s go-to Greek restaurant, executive chef Izzy Beltran joined Central Bodega late last year and added a dash of Greek influence to the menu.
“Our culinary approach for Central Bodega was Mediterranean and European countries—pulling styles and flavors which aren’t offered in Albuquerque. We love serving various foods from different countries in one spot,”
Jessica Beecher says.
Diners come from all over town and across the country to
Courtesy of Central Bodega
Courtesy of Central Bodega
Courtesy of Central Bodega
contemporary castle
Experience luxury in this North Albuquerque Acres contemporary estate with a striking circular design aesthetic from the circle drive to the curved living area to the rounded portal over the outdoor living space. The viewing deck offers marvelous mountain vistas, stunning sunsets and balloons. Waterfalls cascade from the patio ceiling into the pool creating beautiful sights and sounds. Inside, the 5,780-square-foot home with four bedrooms and five baths also includes a modern chef’s kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances, wet bar, home office, multiple living areas and more. The owner’s suite includes a reading area, oversized closet and a bathroom with a steam shower.
8500 Glendale Ave NE, Albuquerque
Listing price: $2,850,000, Michelle Rohl with ERA Summit, 505-221-7799 michelle-rohl.com
enjoy the exceptional craft cocktails and lively bar scene at Central Bodega, and they stay for the global cuisine. While the menu has plenty of options—small bites, salads and soups, mussels and clams, and main dishes—they also offer a hearty and healthy brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays that attracts a big crowd.
Driven by seasonality, expect the menu to change often to keep the experience fresh. But staple menu items that are popular, like the chowder, steak frites, mussels and the whipped feta, will always remain on the menu.
The festive bar scene and the bar menus are intoxicating—in the best way. The signature cocktails are the main attraction, and they offer a
Mauricio Figueroa
generous list of classic cocktails, bubbles, New Mexican and global wines, beer, and sake. “We wanted to open people’s minds about sake because it’s not just to be paired with sushi.” They also want to avail their guests a chance to try an exceptional glass of wine without having to buy the bottle. They do this through a preservation technology called Coravin—a wine device that uses a needle to extract wine without removing the cork.
This is the Central Bodega approach—classic with a creative twist along with plenty of surprises to expand our collective minds and tastebuds.
Courtesy of Central Bodega
New Mexico whiskey
unique high desert harvests elevate a classic
THE SMOOTH, RICH, AMBER WARMTH of whiskey conjures visions of rugged Scottish Highlands and Tennessee’s secluded springs. Yet distillers in the Land of Enchantment build on traditional styles with this area’s unique bounty. Their masterpieces celebrate ancient Indigenous ingredients like blue and red corn, ponderosa, mesquite and piñon, deliciously bringing the magic of the high desert to your glass.
Red 96 Bourbon Whisky
Hollow Spirits, Albuquerque
Hollow Spirits distillery marries time-honored New Mexican ingredients with artisanal innovation. The company’s pride in the state starts with heirloom Tucumcari red corn for its base. Owner Frank Holloway and distiller Ben Martinez then play with creative finishes, adding the original bourbon to rum, brandy and honey barrels for an elegant range. They’re also creative in the way they spell the word, opting for no “e,” meant to capture their love for the “old-style.”
New Mexico’s lack of humidity also works in distillers’ favor; the dry climate and temperature swings encourage barrels to breathe, increasing flavor nuances. “In New Mexico, we don’t have to wait for decades to produce a great whiskey,” Frank Holloway says.
Amanda Powell Brian Langwell
New Mexico Blue Corn Whiskey
Left Turn Distilling, Albuquerque
The city’s first distillery pays homage to Bugs Bunny’s long-bemoaned regret of not taking that left turn in Albuquerque. Left Turn Distilling, proud of its place in the community’s story, also doubles down on its New Mexican identity with blue corn as a whiskey staple. President Brian Langwell describes the almost popcorn profile that comes through, with the roast adding hints of chocolate. “Basically, we are making atole.”
While unique, Left Turn’s blue corn whiskey and straight bourbon, the state’s first, are versatile. Langwell swears the whiskey makes the best Old Fashioned.
Colkeagan Single Malt Whiskey
Santa Fe Spirits, Santa Fe
Santa Fe Spirits captures New Mexican flora, from cholla flowers in gin to liqueur with roasted piñon and ponderosa sap. For their single malt, the team turns to the hardy mesquite tree. “The mesquite is a much less harsh smoke than peat, with sweet undertones, yet has a wonderful heartiness that lets the grain stand out,” says head distiller Stephen Julander.
Santa Fe Spirits follows Scottish aging standards, blending whiskey aged in used bourbon barrels and new American oak. The result is a balance of grain, smoke, wood, sugar, caramel and color.
Ponderosa 4.2 Whiskey
Ponderosa Whiskey Co, Taos Liza Barrett and Nicole Barady weren’t whiskey lovers when the Taos Land Trust approached their fledgling vodka distillery in 2019 with more than 2,000 pounds of rye from fallow land in town. The challenge: Create a drinkable whiskey that supports local farms, sources water from the Taos Mountains and spotlights New Mexican flavors.
With FDA approval, the team macerates sustainably foraged ponderosa bark in organic corn, creating notes of vanilla, cardamom and maple. Pecan wood from Lucero Farm in Las Cruces adds sweet nuttiness. The result is smooth, adventurous and oh-so-sippable
Luna Blue Corn Moonshine Whiskey
Algodones Distillery, Algodones
This distillery is inspired by the philosophy that handcrafted goods connect us to time and place. Consistent with this, the team sources local heirloom grains like blue corn and botanicals and uses traditional distilling methods. While Appalachian whiskey is historically barrel-aged in uninsulated rickhouses, Algodones Distillery recreates this method on its forested property, allowing the high desert to enrich the interaction between the spirits and charred barrels.
The distillery also offers variations of Luna, including a blue corn bourbon and single-barrel whiskey. A pecanflavored whiskey is in development.
Nor thern flicker flashy and fabulous
I HAVE A PARTICULAR FONDNESS for woodpeckers, who spend their days drilling tree trunks in a perpetual search for yummy insects. You have to wonder: How on earth do they do it? Most woodpeckers have that wild-eyed look that suggests they’ve maybe banged their head against a few too many trees, but there’s one that defies that convention. With its impressive size, distinctive spots, glorious pink or yellow under feathers, and generally placid demeanor, the Northern flicker breaks the woodpecker mold—a calm and gorgeous, tall drink of (avian) water.
Unlike most woodpeckers, flickers migrate. They’ll start moving back into Northern New Mexico in the fall and remain here throughout the winter months—a welcome flash of color in those sometimes-drab days. Despite the flicker’s size—almost a foot in length—you’ll likely hear one before seeing it. Listen for a very loud, single Reeeep! Then, search nearby trees for a bird sitting calmly on a branch or clinging to a tree trunk. Have your binoculars handy to take in the flicker’s amazing spots, popping dramatically against its light gray body. Both males and females have a distinctive “necklace” on the throat, and males also have a red mustache.
But it’s when the flicker takes flight that you know for sure you’ve spotted one. There are two types of Northern flickers, determined by the
underside color of their shaft (tail) feathers: yellow-shafted and redshafted. We have the red-shafted flicker, and that red—more like a salmon pink—extends from the tail to beneath the wings. So, when a flicker passes overhead, you’re treated to a beautiful fan of pink from wing tips to tail feathers. You can’t miss it!
Northern flickers are insect eaters but will gladly come to feeders for seed and suet. Remember, though, that these are very big birds, so a tube feeder won’t allow any way for them to perch. They will eat off the ground beneath feeders, hopping about to pick up dropped morsels. But you can make their snacking easier by hanging a platform feeder, which easily accommodates their size, or by using suet cylinders without a cage. Your flicker friends can perch on top and nibble away at the suet until it’s gone.
I’m hoping for a banner flicker season this year. When lots of these magnificent birds are in town, the winter months are just so much more colorful.
Shutterstock.com/Annette Shaff
SUPPLYING HIGH QUALITY BUILDING PRODUCTS SINCE 1989.
empowering your home
solar made simple for sustainable living
Growing numbers of homeowners are embracing solar panels for reasons like reducing electrical bills, environmental sustainability or decreasing reliance on traditional grid power. Regardless of the motivation, it’s essential to consider critical factors before transitioning to solar energy.
Evaluate Energy Needs
Analysis of past energy bills determines the size of the system. However, improving the efficiency of heating and cooling systems, water heaters, lighting, appliances, and vehicle charging, as well as addressing drafts and poor insulation before transitioning to solar, can result in a smaller and more cost-effective system.
Determine Roof Suitability
Evaluate the suitability of your roof by assessing its orientation, slope, shading, weight capacity, age and condition. A south-facing roof with minimal shade and coordination with other roof improvements often achieves optimal results.
Understand Local Regulations and Obtain Permits
Familiarize yourself with local regulations and homeowner association rules, and obtain necessary permits, as compliance ensures a smooth and legal installation.
Establish Budget and Financing Options
Budget your solar project by considering upfront costs, incentives and financing. Choose between ownership, which provides long-term benefits with substantial upfront investment or leasing for immediate savings with potential long-term expenses.
Optimize Your Solar System
Understand solar component quality, efficiency and
compatibility, including panels, inverters, mounting structures and optional battery storage. Optimize the layout for peak performance, considering location and consumption patterns.
Prioritize solar panel efficiency for cost-effective, longterm electricity generation. Select a reliable and efficient inverter for converting direct current to alternating current electricity, with monitoring capabilities for effective system performance tracking.
Ensure durability in panel mounts, emphasizing corrosion resistance, weight capacity, roof fit, aerodynamics and code compliance. Additionally, consider incorporating battery storage for backup power during outages, maximizing self-consumption, optimizing time-of-use, smoothing energy output and contributing to grid stability.
Choose Reputable Installation Professionals
Hire a reliable solar installer by reviewing their credentials, past projects and customer reviews. Consider those offering extended warranties on highquality solar panels for added peace of mind, reliability and protection.
Explore Incentives and Rebates
The growing demand for clean energy highlights the importance of grid balancing and reducing electrical losses over long distances from large solar farms. Governments and utilities provide incentives and rebates for distributed generation for homes aiming to localize power generation. If your solar panels generate more electricity than you consume, utilities may compensate you for the excess generation at their avoided cost or offer net metering. Net metering enables homeowners to accumulate credit during lowenergy months and use them in high-energy months.
Carol Orona holds a master’s degree in architecture and is passionate about building science. She is nationally recognized for her work and dedication to high-performance, sustainable buildings, and she enjoys sharing her knowledge.
blending simplicity
two aesthetics come together for beautifully quiet design
and Japanese beliefs intersect, such as on nature, function, craft, the role of the senses, and simplicity,” writes Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen from Architects Norm, an international firm that has long partnered with established Japanese firms. That shared austerity, he goes on to write, “can be traced back to religious or spiritual beliefs: in Scandinavia, they find roots in Protestantism, and in Japan, Shinto and Zen Buddhist philosophies.”
Photography is the star of this new art book, with the photos in the first half explaining Japanese concepts like ma (emptiness) and kami (the spirits that inhabit everyday objects) alongside short essays by Japanese architects, designers and artists.
“Stillness: An Exploration of Japanese Aesthetics in Architecture and Design” by Architects Norm, published by and photography courtesy of gestalten, hardcover $56.
A FAMED ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN firm based in Copenhagen, Denmark, Architects Norm writing a book about Japanese aesthetics may at first appear an odd cultural match. As the book’s beautiful photography and interesting commentary unfold, however, the historical and artistic relationship between the two schools of design becomes clear. In fact, Japanese design is truly fascinating seen from the perspective of the Danish, another culture known worldwide for its minimalism.
“There are many points at which Scandinavian
The latter includes Kyoto-based product designer Sosuke Nakabo, who explains that the Japanese “think there are kami in the timber or the stone—even in the material of the table we’re sitting at. Also in plants, soil, and rivers.”
The belief is one reason to value quality materials and keep them in a relatively natural state. In fact, Japanese design centers around nature in many ways, including via the concept of shakkei, which means to borrow the landscape or views outside for your enjoyment indoors.
But not all of Stillness is an educational exploration of Japan’s minimalism. The book’s second half transitions into the inspirational with some stunning projects, including former palaces and modern homes as well as high-end hotels, spas and Michelin-starred restaurants, some located in Japan and others in Denmark, making the book an excellent resource for anyone hoping to bring some thoughtful minimalism into their own modern life.
belonging
creating a connection to your home through thoughtful
design
“The Love of Home: Interiors for Beauty, Balance, and Belonging” by Kate Marker, published by and photography courtesy of Gibbs Smith, hardcover $45.
OF THE THREE IDEAS called out in the subtitle—beauty, balance and belonging—the latter is by far the most striking and most welcome aspect of “The Love of Home: Interiors for Beauty, Balance, and Belonging” by Kate Marker. In these pages, Marker honors the idea of having a loving relationship with your home and its design, wanting you to love your home and “for your home to love you back.”
She writes, “A sense of belonging is born when beauty and balance are brought together in intentional, thoughtful ways. It’s both a physical experience—the smells, sights, tastes and
by Kate Jonuska
textures that feel like home—and an inner reassurance. It’s a subconscious, comforting knowing: There is space for me here.”
Indeed, the projects shared in The Love of Home feel welcoming, serving as possible inspiration and examples to step through the Kate Marker Interiors process. Boasting the fresh, cohesive and upscale comfort for which her firm is known, the book’s beautiful photos are a masterclass in patterns and textures. The millwork featured shows impressive attention to detail, as does the elegant use of natural materials, and paint-color palettes are a wonderful place to experience how different colors make you feel—and which feel most like you.
“The greatest compliment I ever receive after designing a home for my clients is hearing them say, ‘It feels like us,’” says Marker, who encourages folks to find decor with which they feel a genuine connection. With exposure to enough ideas and experimentation— perhaps starting with the pages of this book—your confidence in your taste and instincts will grow along with your design.
After all, she writes, “Authentic connection is one of the most vital ingredients in the recipe for belonging … connection to our homes and each other not only brings joy but it also adds meaning to our daily lives.”
Pella
Pulte
Sandia
eve settles in
We’re fortunate to have an abundance of technicolor Southwestern sunsets over the stunning New Mexico skyline. This one with its vibrant shades of yellow and orange was captured in the Pojoaque Valley in El Rancho, about 20 minutes outside Santa Fe, just as the sun was about to dip behind the Jemez Mountains. Adios to the sun as it sets on another beautiful New Mexico day.
Adios photograph by Daniel Nadelbach
BUILT FOR THE WAY YOU LIVE.
Fotovan