March Spaces Bay Area

MARCH 2010www.SpacesBayArea.com

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Tired of Your Messy Garage: G E T I T O R G A N I Z E D N O W !

S ince the family entrance is generally through the garage you think they will be when they have more than a narrow pathway to inch their way through to the door? You know what we mean. There is so much “stuff” in the garage

that there’s barely room to go in and out, much less park the car! Admit it. It’s embarrassing to open the garage door and have the neighborhood see your mess.

Now imagine having the garage floor looking more like a brilliant showroom rather than the ugly stained and dirty concrete you have gotten used to. Innovative new technologies have created floor’ coating systems that can be installed in as little as one day, and driven on the next. And cleanup is as easy as your kitchen floor; simply wipe up spills with a soft cloth or paper towel, all without ever leaving a stain in the finish.

One of the biggest surprises in organizing your garage with cabinetry and floor coatings is the expanded living space and utility that is suddenly available, not to mention a home for the family car, boat or .motorcycle, as the space becomes more of a useful extension of your home. The other plus is the increased value additional storage brings to the home.

After a thorough sorting of your garage possessions to determine what to keep, toss, and donate, begin the makeover with fully finished, full-back cabinets, The easy-clean melamine interiors are designed to store anything from camping gear to holiday decorations to luggage and golf clubs. Use the upper portions of the cabinets for seasonal storage and the lower sections for items used more frequently.

With all-steel construction hardware, high-grade European concealed hinges and cast steel handles, they’re the ultimate in storage solutions. The one-inch thick, fully adjustable shelving can hold a load of 100 lbs. per shelf. The cabinets stand up to harsh temperature extremes and are mounted off the floor to prevent water damage and pest infiltration.

Finish the garage makeover with the latest in chemical and stain resistant floor coatings that are designed and engineered for easy cleaning. The exclusive hybrid polymer finishes enhance lighting and eliminate that ugly, dirty look of raw concrete. These coatings, which can be installed quicker and driven on sooner than the traditional “epoxy” floor coatings of the past, turn the garage into a more inviting space that you’re likely to set up your next party or weekend gathering in.

The search for durable, attractive garage cabinetry, flooring and organization ends with Premier Garage of the Bay Area. For a one-stop solution to your garage mess, and to schedule a designer, you can call them at 650-286-9676, and visit their website at www.PremierGarage.com.

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4 SPACES MARCH 2010

Design Week 2010 in retrospect One-name wonder Clodagh shares her design secrets.

Also visit us at SpacesBayArea.com

FeaturesView from the hills | page 26Mark English transforms a hillside house into a sophisticated retreat.

Detailed design | page 32Makeover master and rising star Luke Vahle reworks a stuffy Victorian.

Home buying guide | page 38Create a smarter home with these cool new gadgets.

Getaways | page 40A remote Arizona town is the ideal base for exploring desert surroundings. e h

h

The wide world of rice | page 44A host of colors and varieties diversify this global staple.

Haute stuff | page 11Rocking chairs: sleek versions of a comfy classic.

Shop talk | page 14Housed in a former bakery, Trove dishes up handmade finds; Asian

simplicity is the hallmark at Gingko.

In style | page 16March comes in like a lion, with lots of peach and green hues that will

make you roar with delight.

The tasting room | page 18Tips for hosting your own wine-tasting party.

In the garden | page 20From A to Z, these blooms are sure to beat the winter blues.

At the table | page 22Succulent Pan-American cuisine at Bocanova and innovative American

fare at Madera.

Around town | page 42Things to do, see and enjoy in March.

Departments

get fabulousnowspring savings

6 SPACES MARCH 2010

Flip through the pages of this issue and itbecomes clear that it’s all about remarkableremodels, the homes that personify the“before and after” projects that designerslove to show-off. For architect Mark English,that was an outdated hillside home hereworked into a sophisticated retreat. Fordesigner Luke Vahle, it was transforming astuffy Victorian into an airy and stylish pieda terre. If you’re planning your own homemakeover, you'll find the latest accessoriesand furniture, including trendy new rockingchairs. Plus, there’s an A to Z springplanting guide if your makeover is outdoors.

Enjoy the issue.

Kristine M. CarberEditorial Director

Contributors

Joan JacksonIn the garden | page 20Like Susan Boyle, I dream adream. Not as a singer, of course,but as a flower gardener. I dreamwistfully about spring: sunnydays, giant sunflowers, tinyforget-me-nots, colorful cosmos,butterflies dropping in for a visit.Should I try something newalong the walkway, or stick withmy favorites? Is this the year forthe all-white garden? No matter,it's time to plant tiny seeds, prowlthe nursery aisles for somethingrare and beautiful and haul homethe six-packs. Spring is coming,the season of my dreams.

The premier magazine of design

editorial directorKristine M. Carber

art director Timothy Tsun

contributing designerSue Tracy

departments editorNatalie Martinez

staff writerCrystal Chow

contributing photographersAndrew BoeppleNorma Lopez MolinaKerry Hiroshi PaulKen Perkins

contributing writersHolly BereczCraig Summers BlackJoan Chatfield-TaylorJoan JacksonKathryn Loosli PritchettStephanie Simons

SpacesVol. 4, No. 1 ©2010 by theBay Area News Group.All rights reserved. Material herein maynot be reprinted without expressedwritten consent of the publisher. If youreceive a copy that is torn or damaged,call 408.278.3464 for a replacement.

www.spacesbayarea.com

Design by Luke VahlePhoto by Andrew Boepple

Mark EnglishView from the hills | page 26This Los Altos Hills home wascompletely redesigned for a couplewho enjoy entertaining. It has agreat flow, with a brightly coloredkitchen enlivening one wing of thehouse, and balanced by theinterconnected piano room, sittingroom and great room. The fireplacewas inspired by those found inmodern hotels, and everything isunited by a new bamboo floor. Theresult is a sophisticated yetcomfortable home that the ownershad always wanted.

1231 Comstock Street, Santa Clara

www.easternfurniture.com

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Never before have we offered such dramatic savings on the finest name brands such as:

Celebrate with us and enjoy HUGE SAVINGS of 50% to 70% and more during our Grand Opening SALE.

We have too much furniture and not enough space so we’ve expanded to a second location to liquidateHuge Factory Overstocks of Quality Brand Name Furniture, Accessories and Fine Area Rugs.

Grand Opening SALE of our New Santa Barbara Location

The premier magazine of design

targeted publications national editorial directorDenise Gee

targeted publications directorJohn Stoeser

magazine sales managerMonica Balistreri

distribution director Joe Lauletta

sales supportShiela Trias

advertising designTimothy Tsun

for advertising information,call 925.943.8259 or 408.920.5793For other information,call 408.278.3464

Copyright 2010 Bay Area News Group

8 SPACES MARCH 2010

n homen entertainmentn diningn hot finds

MAY 2009

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ne 7

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PICNIC WINES

BUYING GUIDE

TO POOLS

OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Outdoor

living

get outdoors

in may

COMMENTS?Spaces welcomes story ideas and commentsfrom readers. Write to: Spaces, 750 RidderPark Drive, San Jose, CA 95190 or e-mail us [email protected].

Enjoy fine food and design?

Join the link.

When you sign up for Spaces’ Haute Linksnewsletter, you’ll get the early scoop ontrends in home design and food, rising starsin the industry, Bay Area shop andrestaurant openings, special events andmore. You’ll also qualify for nifty offers fromSpaces and our partners. The subscription isfree, so sign up today. Simply email yourname with SHL in the subject line to:[email protected].

Spaces’ Haute Links

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Redwood City650-261-02002424 El Camino Realone block south of highway 84Open: M-F 10am-7pmSat. 10am-6pmSun. 11am-6pm

For more than seven decades, Thermador has been making the American kitchen, more beautiful, more e?cient, and more luxurious, with meticulously crafted appliances engineered and designed to appeal to the most discriminating culinary enthusiasts. Our history of innovation in the kitchen combined with superior styling and outstanding performance make Thermador the right choice for all your kitchen projects. To learn more, please visit www.thermador.com

in Hayward and Redwood City

HauteStuff

Rockyourworriesaway

This handmade cherry rocking chair is a spectacular, streamlinedversion of the classic wooden chair. Each piece is handmade byartist Gregg Lipton and takes up to 20 weeks to create anddeliver. $11,000 at www.artfulhome.com.

If you’ve always thought of rockingchairs as too stuffy or traditional foryour contemporary tastes, we inviteyou to look again. These sleek designsfit into even the most modern ofdesign schemes. After all, who doesn’twant a comfy place to relax?

— Natalie Martinez

12 SPACES MARCH 2010

HauteStuff

2. Emeco’s Hudson Chair, designed by Phillippe Starck andnamed for the Hudson Hotel in New York, brings an industrialelement to any room. According to Design Public, the chairs aremade of 80 percent recycled aluminum, which requires only 5percent of the energy needed to produce virgin aluminum. Alsoavailable with arms and in three finishes. From $795 atwww.designpublic.com.

3. Anthropologie’s Bresson Rocker boasts a sleek, no-fuss designbut the warm brown leather cushion is inviting enough for anafternoon rest. $1,798 at www.anthropologie.com.

1. Danish-born designer Jens Risom brings Scandinavian style tothe rocking chair in his Risom rocker at Design Within Reach.The fabric is made of 78 percent recycled polyester. $1,428 atwww.dwr.com.

4. The Sleepytime Rocker’s refined urban looks work just as wellin a contemporary den or tucked into a cozy corner of abedroom. $900 at www.modmama.com or checkwww.nurseryworks.com for local stores that carry the line.

12

34

MARCH 2010 SPACES 13

HauteStuff

5. Iglooplay’s diminutive Mod Rocker is a comfy place for littleones to catch up on a favorite book — but it’s also strong enoughto hold up to 450 pounds. In three finishes. $285 to $385 atwww.designpublic.com.

6. The fluid silhouette of the Luca Glider brings sophistication to anursery staple. The chair is available in nine colors, with theoption of contrasting or matching piping for a customized look.$945 for chair and $385 for ottoman atwww.modmama.com.

7. Artist Richard Laufer custom makes each of these NewportRockers out of walnut and cherry woods in about six weeks.$3,900 at www.artfulhome.com.

5

7

6


ShopTalk

Unique treasure hunt

Trove

Contrary to the dour retail climate, business at Gingko HomeFurnishings has been fairly strong for at least the past six months. Thethree owners, siblings Joe and Sarah Chang plus Jerry Hsai, Sarah’shusband, seem to be offering just what people want in their dwellingsnow. Gingko interprets “timeless aesthetics in a decidedlycontemporary mode,’’ its Web site says. Expect a clean Asian look, witha nod to Arts & Crafts. The furniture is fresh and modern, “yetcomfortable and familiar,” Sarah Chang explains. Consider the popularSaito bed, which Chang characterizes as a “good combination of manystyles. It’s not generic, yet pleasing to many people.’’ Design andmanufacture of all the pieces is done by hand in Northern China,using the traditional carpentry technique of mortise and tenon — nonails. Interestingly, the advent of flat-screen TVs has drawn manyclients to the store. Entertainment centers are top sellers. And oncethat becomes a fixture, it’s only natural for owners to be inspired torevisit what they’ve done to the rest of the house. More purchasesfrom Gingko are the harmonious result.

— Crystal Chow

Fresh and modern

Gingko Home Furnishings

Phot

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Ker

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i Pau

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Phot

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Ken

Per

kins

Trove1310 10th Street, Berkeley510.525.7991; www.trovehome.com

Gingko Home Furnishings2496 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View650.396.7455; www.gingkofurniture.com

In a city saturated with home furnishing megastores, truly originalpieces are easy to spot but sometimes hard to find. Despite being a“premium outlet,” Trove is one respite from assembly line assimilation.The deceptively large boutique at Berkeley’s Gillman Village spotlightsunique finds by local artisans and designers (pieces are priced at 40-70percent off), and it occupies a space formerly belonging to a bakery.Owner Diane Haydon has retained the vintage quality of the building,keeping the cement floors and the rolling door where bread deliverytrucks used to load, but she’s added urban-cool flourishes: charcoalwalls serve as a backdrop for brightly colored and richly texturedceramics, and skylights illuminate the reclaimed wood furnishings thatare artfully arranged on the floor. Items change weekly, but a recentwhirl through the boutique unearthed bowls made from jade, boxeshand-carved from stone, and vases so sinewy you’ll want to plant yourown flower garden so you’ll always have something to fill them with.Keep an eye out for the ones made of resin encasing mosaics of peanutshells or seeds.

— Stephanie Simons


InStyle

This block print on linen pillow from DermondPeterson Design looks so refreshing andmodern, we just had to include it. (The wordsare green-related.) Measuring 20 by 20inches, it has a feather insert and everything iswashable. $195 at www.shopcielo.com.

Can an accent piece be happy? We thinkthis solid maple fiddlehead end table byMaine Cottage is downright delightful. It’s25 inches round and 32 inches high andcomes in 40 vibrant colors. $590 atwww.mainecottage.com.

Don’t play it safe with lighting that recedesinto the background. The shade on thisVanderbilt hi-light pendant lamp is aphotographic print on transparency. It’s 11 inches tall and 5 inches in diameter; theporcelain socket uses a standard light bulb.$135 at www.weegohome.com.

With March coming in like a lion,

we opt to likewise take charge

of our surroundings with

authority. The assertive attitude

starts with looking fierce — i.e.,

exceptional — fashionwise, as in

this head-turning number from

Jason Wu. It moves on to the

home front, where anything

that echoes the ensemble’s

peach and green hues makes

us want to roar with delight.

Chrysanthemums are in bloom again, at least on this rug that’ssuitable for high-traffic areas indoors or out. It’s hand-hookedand hand-tufted in five sizes, starting at 2 by 3 feet and $50.Available online only from Gump’s, www.gumps.com.

It’s a spring awakening with this colorful wall art by KristinaBass-Bailey. The 24-square-inch gicle´e print is reproducedon stretched canvas by Oopsy Daisy, costs $160 and isavailable at www.mainecottage.com.

— Crystal Chow

Marchgladness

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T hink of it as the “9 1⁄2 Weeks”approach to wine tasting. The aim ismuch the same as in the movie – the

heightening of the senses – except instead ofMickey Rourke blindfolding Kim Basinger,you blindfold the wine.

Blind tasting, as it is called, is a way toeliminate your own prejudices and evaluatethe wine in a controlled, fairly clinicalsituation. You will like what you like,regardless of the wine’s price or reputation –because you won’t know the wine’s price orreputation. You can withhold otherinformation as well: varietal, locale, ratings,you name it. Naturally, we suggestundermining the so-serious aspects of blindtasting by turning it into a party. If you aregoing to humiliate yourself in public (“I lovedthat stuff? But it’s swill!”), you might as wellinvite your friends and loved ones to debasethemselves similarly.

Here’s a primer on having a blind tasting inwhich you will be able to both educate your palate and also snigger and point at close friends.

• Think thematic. You might have a

tasting of five pinot noirs (a great all-aroundwine for just about any meal this season). OrWashington Merlots. Or New Worldchardonnays. Or $12 reds.

• Cheat. To further provoke your guests,throw in a ringer. The variation can be subtle(throw a Napa merlot, say Duckhorn, in withthe Washingtons) or sizable – add a priceyBordeaux (got a better reason to open one ofthose 2005s?) to the mix.

• Pour short. You will be tasting from fiveto seven glasses. You will most certainly notwant to drink five to seven full glasses. Thepoint is to remember the evening.

• No fancy food. You don’t want anyaccompanying appetizers to mask the flavors of the wine. And as a courtesy, some of you will want to tone down the perfumeand aftershave.

• Disguise the wine. You can spring forthose fancy velvet bottle covers devisedespecially for blind tastings, but the long, slimbrown paper bags the grocery stores use toseparate bottles work just as well. Just loop ahefty rubber band around the bagged neck afew times.

• Identify the bottles. Use a grease pencilto number the bottles (on the bag) and theglass that wine goes in (on the base). Youwant to be able to discuss how the No. 3 winehas nice legs, but the No. 7 makes you weakin the knees. In another variation on blindtastings, some folks like to hand out statsheets on every single one of the wines (but,heaven forfend, not the ringer), giving not justthe usual info but even Wine Spectator orRobert Parker ratings.

• Don’t slip up. Remember that somebottles telegraph their contents. Burgundianand Alsatian wines have distinctive shapesthat even velvet bags can’t obscure. You can’tplay mix and match with these.

• Don’t take it too seriously. While blindtastings do force you to analyze and evaluate,try to relax. Don’t be a cork dork. Don’t actlike a wine weenie. After all, after an eveningof sipping too-pricey-for-you Burgundies, itcan be a comfort to find that your palatemuch prefers the ringer – that $12 pinot fromthe grocery store.

— Craig Summers Black


TheTastingRoom

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InTheGarden

Easiest plants to grow: from A to Z

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Cosmos sulphreus


T he hardest thing about growing warm-season flowers isdeciding which ones to actually have in your garden.Wander through rows of started plants at the nursery or

peruse seed racks and you’ll see the dilemma. There’s everythingfrom A for ageratum to Z for zinnia — and many dozens ofannuals in between.

So, how to choose? First, figure out how much time you’rewilling to devote to the project. You could plant a dozen marigoldsalong the driveway and call it a flower garden. Or, you couldstudy colors, growing heights and care details for a never-endingfloral tapestry throughout summer and fall. Another option issimply to choose seeds and plants that catch your fancy and hopefor the best. Regardless of which path you take, here are a fewflowers to consider:

Cosmos are the easiest of the “easies.” They are sun-loving,multi-branching and come in heights that range from knee-high to 5 feet or more. These daisy-like charmers vary frombright and bold tones to the softest pastels. Cosmos can bestarted from seed in spring or from transplants anytime in springand summer.

Another carefree choice are sunflowers, which most peoplethink of as being brilliant yellow. However, thanks to breeders,sunflowers now come in an assortment of yellow-bronze-red hues,all of which are highly valued as cut flowers. Whether the choice

is the Russian Mammoth, with its single huge head on a toweringstalk, or one of the numerous multi-branching varieties, it allstarts with seeds either sown directly in the ground or started insmall pots and then transferred to chosen spots. Let some flowersgo to seed to self-sow for the next season.

The name nasturtium doesn’t sound very romantic, but don’t befooled. This old-fashioned, ultra-easy flower from South Americabrings quick color to the garden through the hottest part ofsummer. Either from seed or transplant, trailing nasturtiumcrawls over the ground to fill wasted spaces or climbs daintily ona low fence or wall. The small blossoms are also edible, with apeppery taste that will dress up a salad. Another bonus:Nasturtium reseeds itself.

Zinnia, another effortless candidate, has brightly colored petalsand does double-duty in cut-flower bouquets. There is nothingboring about zinnias, which produce heavily through fall: Choosebig-flowering varieties on tall plants for accents, or tiny onescalled Peter Pan that work in low borders and in containers. Thetrick to growing zinnias over a long period is to keep water off theleaves, as moisture causes them to develop mildew. Otherwise,just make a home in your garden for them and get ready formonths of gorgeous blooms.

— Joan Jackson

InTheGarden

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AtTheTable

Madera2825 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park650.561.1540; www.maderasandhill.com

Photos by Kerry Hiroshi PaulMADERA

Executive chefPeter RudolphAAggee:: 39

Hometown: Martinez, but nowlives in San Francisco

Experience: Worked in pizzaparlors as a teenager but laterdecided to become a photographer.Lost interest in photography yet stillenjoyed cooking so attendedCalifornia Culinary Academy in SanFrancisco, graduating in 1994 andtaking an externship at BrasserieSavoy in San Francisco. Joined theRitz Carlton, where he worked as achef in Atlanta, Marina Del Rey andHalf Moon Bay (Navio). Left totravel through Southeast Asia withhis family. Came back to the Bay

Area and joined Rosewood Sand Hillto open Madera.

Early inspiration:“My grandmother. She madecomfort food: cakes, stews, potroasts, very American-centric, veryBetty Crocker.”

Mentors: Joel Antunes, Gunter Seegers, TroyThompson and Xavier Salomon

Your culinary philosophy: “Stay fresh, stay excited. Use the bestproducts in an interesting way.”

Your favorite foods: Sweetbreads and artichokes

Leisure time: “Biking (mountainbikes) and spending time with my

family, either camping and hiking orcooking together. My son (5year-oldLogan) is into food and loves freshsardines. I wrote a kid's menu and he changed four dishes and they're No. 1 sellers.”

What is the biggest challenge?Balancing the business aspect andthe creative aspect of being a chef.

If you weren't a chef, whatwould you be doing: Running a bike shop, or aprofessional bike rider.

Most proud of: "Madera and the team that is here,and the product."

— Kristine M. Carber


Loch Duarte salmon, shrimp tortellini, black trumpet mushrooms

Serves 3

Ingredients:4 each 5-ounce skinned and filleted loche duarte salmon1 teaspoon shallot brunoise4 teaspoons each picked nettles and black trumpets4 each shrimp tortelliniNettle puree8 teaspoons marinated beets2 teaspoons chopped chives

MADERA

Directions:• Season salmon with salt and pepper. In a stainlesssteel pan, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil and sear salmonflesh side down until golden brown. Flip fish and ladle 2 teaspoons fish glaze on top coating generously andcontinue cooking salmon in a 375 degree oven forabout 5 minutes for medium rare. Sauté black trumpets,shallots and nettles in olive oil and use as a base on theplate for your tortellini. • Fill a 2-quart pot with water and season liberally withsea salt; bring to a boil. Drop in tortellini and cook forabout a minute until the filling is set. Strain and tosswith butter. Place tortellini on top of sautéedmushrooms and nettles.

To plate:Drop 1 tablespoon of nettle puree on the plate and forma teardrop by dragging the spoon across the puree.Carefully drop 2 tablespoons of marinated beets aroundthe plate. Place the tortellini on top of nettles and blacktrumpets and place the salmon beside it.

>>Visit spacesbayarea.com for additional recipes from Madera.

AtTheTable


AtTheTable

BocanovaJack London Square, 55 Webster Street, Oakland510.444.1233; www.bocanova.com

Photos by Ken PerkinsBOCANOVA

Chef de cuisineRoss Kaplan AAggee:: 33

Hometown: Columbia, Maryland

Experience: Kaplan, an East Coastnative, started out at Union SquareCafé in Manhattan, under thetutelage of renowned chef MichaelRomano. When he came to theWest Coast, he worked at CaféCacao in Berkeley and thenMarketBar in San Francisco. RickHackett, the chef at MarketBar,recruited Kaplan to help him launchBocanova, which opened inSeptember 2009.

Global inspiration: At Bocanova,the menu draws inspiration from theAmericas, with influences as

varied as Brazil, Costa Rica andindigenous cultures. It’s been fun touse that as a basis for ideas. Therestaurant’s Bay Area location isimportant, too, because it allows the“California produce and food tospeak for themselves.”

Early inspiration:“When I was younger, I used to watcha lot of cooking shows on PBS. And inmy family, we used to eat a lot offamily dinners on the weekend.”

What is your biggestchallenge? “I really enjoy teaching.Maybe it’s because my parents wereteachers. It’s a pleasure and one ofmy bigger challenges. You have toinvest in the people you’re workingwith. But it’s always a challenge toteach people and have them absorbthe information you need them to know.”

What is your favoriterestaurant? “I like going to PacificCatch in San Francisco and getting apoke bowl” — raw tuna salad.

Guilty food pleasure: “I lovepizza. What can I say? Pizza is alwaysa great stand-by.”

If you weren’t a chef, whatwould you be doing? “I’ve alwaysloved music. So I see myself as a radiopersonality. I’m not actually amusician, but I do love music.”

Culinary philosophy: “Make itdelicious. I’ve also always taken theposition that what you cook isingested into somebody’s body andbecomes a part of them.”

— Natalie Martinez


Yucatan seafood stewServes 8-10

Ingredients:4 white onions, diced3 serrano chiles, minced30 garlic cloves, pan roasted and chopped1/2 cup white wine16 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and roughly chopped1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano2 teaspoons lime zest lime juice to taste 6 cups fish stock2 cups tomato sauce3 pounds white fish 2 pounds shellfish

Garnish:White onion, habanero chile, cilantro — all minced; lime juice

BOCANOVA

Directions:For stew base:• Sauté onions in olive oil until soft. • Add chiles and garlic; cook for about five minutes.Deglaze pan with wine. • Add tomatoes and reduce to a thick paste. Addoregano, zest and juice. • Add stock and tomato sauce; simmer 10 minutes.Season to taste.

Add fish and shellfish and simmer until fish is opaqueand shells have opened.

To serve:Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with minced whiteonion, habanero chile, lime juice and cilantro. Serve withgrilled bread on the side.

AtTheTable



A rchitect Mark English first started drafting plans for aremodel of this Los Altos Hills home 10 years ago. “Theoriginal house was a small, strange little ‘50s structure

with a prow-shaped living room that happened to sit on a lot witha spectacular view that stretched from Oakland to South SanJose,” says English. “You felt like you were on the edge ofcivilization when you looked out at the view.”

Eventually, English and his client decided they would scrap theremodeling plans and start from scratch. “I hate to tear buildingsdown, but the structure had probably been sliding down the hillsince the ‘60s. It needed major structural work so we decided tojust start over.” The new home has a free-flowing layout thatmatches the client’s desire to entertain. A central public area wasdesigned as a great room with two private bedroom wings oneither side. “I saw this as an entity that might take flight,” says

By Kathryn Loosli PritchettAfter photography by Norma Lopez Molina

viewfrom

the hills

After

Large anodized aluminum frame windows by Blombergshowcase the dramatic view. English designed a bold fireplace wall that matched the grandeur of the view.Quiet recessed lighting and simple bamboo floors retreatinto the background.

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English of the stucco and ledge-stone house. “You really get thatsensation when you’re out on the ipe wood entertainment terrace.”

Walking in the sandblasted glass front door, you’re struck by twosignificant design elements — the big windows and the massivefireplace. Because the view through the commercial grade windowsis so dramatic, English knew that the fireplace would need to bedramatic to hold its own. “One of my pet peeves is when fireplacesare unattractive and don’t fit the space,” he says, so he designed afireplace “wall” made out of the same ledge stone used on theexterior of the house. Then he created a long, low 12 x 2-foothearth filled with flame emitters that was inspired by a similarfireplace in the W hotels.

English defined the adjacent dining room space through itscoffered ceiling. “It separates out the space and cues you thatsomething different is happening here.” A circular light fixture

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Opposite page: Tangerine colored cabinets from German manufacturer Schuller add a pop of color to the entire great room. The slotted sink in the island as well as themain sink on the back wall are made out of the same white Caesarstone as the counter. “One less material change helped keep things clean and simple,” says architectMark English. Above: The fireplace is surrounded with the same Caesarstone used in the kitchen to create an intimate feel.

by YLighting “pins down” the dining room table andprovides a sense of stability in the open space.

The kitchen provides a vibrant pop of color with itsorange and gray cabinets from Schuller topped withwhite Caesarstone. Overscale white porcelain tiles areset straight into the sheetrock so that there isn’t a needto use bull nose or other trim details. “We didn’t wantan all white kitchen,” says English. “We wanted tomake a statement; we didn’t want to be meek.” Most ofthe appliances and the workspace are on one side ofthe central island so that the owner can efficientlyprepare food while her guests are conversing on theother side. “It’s definitely a kitchen designed for a cook

who likes to entertain,” English adds. The walls in thekitchen and throughout the house are painted a crispwhite. Bamboo flooring — “renewable but also moreclean visually” — and trimless walls complete the greatroom’s design. “The owner wanted to keep thingssimple, drawing on contemporary Japanese andEuropean design for inspiration.”

Regarding the clean lines of the structure, Englishgives credit to San Jose contractor Mark De Mattei. “Inorder to create a contemporary home like this you needa talented builder who gets every detail right from thebeginning,” says English. “You can’t use molding downthe road to cover up mistakes.”


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The master bedroom features a wall that folds over the bed for a canopy effect.


Resources:

Mark De Matteiwww.demattei.com

Mark English Architects415.391.0186www.markenglisharchitects.com

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The more private family room on the non-view side of the house features ahigh narrow window that lines up with the lowered ceiling. Its deliberateplacement allows light into the room while blocking the view of the adjacentdriveway. Here, a smaller fireplace surrounded with the same white Caesarstonethat was used in the kitchen creates an intimate feeling. English designed thefamily room to be perfectly square. “Square rooms are very comfortable, stableand calm. Some spaces create activity, this space creates a feeling of calm.”

He designed the master bedroom to be almost square as well. A separateinterior wall folds out over the bed giving the impression of a built-in canopy.Combined with the treetop view, the design of the room exudes a feeling ofenclosure and protection. “It was clear from the beginning of this project thatthe view outside was the most important aspect of the design.” “With viewhouses, our mantra is always ‘keep it simple.’”

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Architect Mark English kept to a simple materials palette of integrally colored stucco, natural ledge stone, and ipe wood for the exterior of the home. Theentire structure was oriented towards maximizing the views that stretch from the Oakland Hills to Coyote Hills to South San Jose.


Detailed design


Don’t throw away that lamp that’sbeen slanguishing in the basement.That grandmother clock you saw at

an estate sale? It could be the find of thecentury. That’s the advice of interiordesigner Luke Vahle, who expresses hisbasic approach to design in a few words,“You start with restraint, and then you addthings that are more ephemeral. The detailsare the things that make us happy.”

Vahle uses jolts of color, whimsical juxtapositions of

By Joan Chatfield-TaylorPhotography by Andrew Boepple

Rising star Luke Vahletalks about easy andquick makeovers


Vahle uses jolts of color, whimsical juxtapositions ofobjects, unusual materials and a touch of humor togive personality to pared-down settings. If the objectsare as varied as an oversized tic-tac-toe board to a lightfixture made of a web of wires, they share a boldness ofscale and simplicity of form. It’s more important thateach object has an impact than that it is precious orcostly. He takes the same approach to accessories as hedoes to furniture. “Fewer, larger pieces make a smallspace feel luxurious. It’s about choosing the mostmeaningful pieces. Three or four big pieces, and you’re done.”

When he moved into a Bay Area Edwardian, hedecided to transform the interior from the cozy,

cluttered look of the previous owners, a family withseveral children “and all that entails” to crisp andsophisticated, with a little formality to match thearchitecture. “I had never lived in an Edwardian house,and I was struck by the gorgeous details and thebeautiful moldings.”

The family’s scheme of bright red and green andtartan patterns detracted from these fine decorativeelements, so he turned to a neutral color palette toallow the details to shine. The living room becamecool white, warmed up by shelves of books. He paintedthe dining room a matte black that he chose afterbrushing three different samples on the walls. “It wasthe one that looked like a hole in the wall, as if the

Previous page: In Luke Vahle’s San Francisco dining room, a white light fixture from West Elm hangs above a table by Dutch designer Tord Boontje, featuring a swirling design ink-printed onthe underside of the glass top. The black plates are from Crate and Barrel. Opposite page: Vahle kept things simple in the music room, dominated by a grand piano and lit by a resin-coatedyarn sphere from Moooi, casting delicate shadows on a Frida Kahlo poster that’s the only bright color in the space. Above: The designer’s love for black and white is expressed in the livingroom by pillows in different textures, vintage Lucite candleholders by modernist designer Dorothy Thorpe and a pseudo-zebra rug under the coffee table.


wall had dropped away and you were left with beautiful details.” Theoriginal moldings are painted a glossy white, so that they stand out likesculpture against the invisibility of the walls. The effect, he says, isboth cozy and theatrical. Then Vahle started adding accessories tolighten the austerity of the background. Some details repeat the blackand white color scheme. A zebra-patterned rug lies under the coffeetable, white pillar lamps stand out against black walls, and even theweights of the door chimes have been painted a shiny black. Theoccasional jolts of color — the red shawl in a poster for a Frida Kahloexhibit, the deep pink of lilies, the green of artichokes in anarrangement of vegetables and flowers on the dining room table — areso carefully applied that they give each room a charge of electricity.There’s humor as well; the hooves of a carved wooden carnival horse ispropped up against a banister so that the steed seems to be watchingthe comings and goings on the stairs.


Resources:

Luke Vahle Designwww.decorati.com/lukevahle

Past Perfect415.929.7651

Ribboneriewww.ribbonerie.com

Satin Moon Fabrics415.668.1623

Vahle’s search for these delightful details is far-ranging. “I combine things fromnear and far. I like to support local artisans, but I also use things I find online.In San Francisco, I like places like Past Perfect on Union Street, which hasdifferent vendors who have rented spaces. I keep my ears open for Bay Areaestate sales, and I even find great things at garage sales. I also tell people toshop their attics for something that just needs a little help. I recently found agrandmother clock that I had lacquered in baby blue with hot pink accents, andit’s going add a bit of whimsy to an otherwise modern loft.”

He points out that old lamps can often be transformed by replacing tired andmediocre shades or by dressing up an existing shade with fresh trim. In SanFrancisco, he’s a fan of the Ribbonerie, a Sacramento street boutique that’spiled high with thousands of ribbons and trims, and Satin Moon, the fabricstore on Clement Street. Vahle’s clean, fresh approach is attracting lots ofattention. He was recently named a finalist for Fashion Group International’sRising Star Awards.

Opposite page: Vahle looks everywhere for accessories. In this sitting room, the varied reds of a Chinese wedding chest are repeated in unmatched pillows. A porcelain tea setsits on a wooden mirror used as a tray (from Past Perfect in San Francisco) ; the shiny black sphere by the fireplace came from a garden supply store. Above: A lounge chair inblack, brown and white ponyskin adds a sculptural element to the living room.

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1. Digital ArtSave valuable desk space and keep cable clutter undercontrol. The LaCie USB Hub is part sculpture, partpractical solution for using multiple USB devices withyour computer. Compatible with Mac and PC, itallows you to connect up to seven devices at one time.It’s made of sturdy polycarbonate and priced around$80; www.cableorganizer.com.

2. Sing AlongIt’s everything you might love about karaoke, withoutthe two-drink minimum. iKaraoke from GriffinTechnology works with your iPod, letting you singalong with your favorite songs. It fades the lead vocalsand uses an FM signal to transmit the tunes, alongwith your voice, to your home stereo. Retails for$17.50; www.amazon.com/electronics.

HomeBuyingGuide

From an alarm clock that really getsyou rolling in the morning to yourown private karaoke machine, hereare the latest techie tools for yourhooked-up home.

By Holly Berecz

High-Tech Home

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3. Watchful EyeSay goodnight in person even if you’re miles away. Eyeball 2.0is a 2 mega pixel Web cam with CD-quality audio and HD-quality video. Ideal for instant messaging and videoconferencing, it uses a USB connection and driverlessinstallation. The integrated stand fits virtually any monitor.Available for $80, Eyeball features an innovative camera-offprivacy feature; www.bluemic.com.

4. Roll With ItNot your everyday alarm clock, Clocky Mobile Alarm Clockgives you one chance to get up and at ’em. If you hit thesnooze button, Clocky — still sounding the alarm—will jumpright off your nightstand and roll around your room, lookingfor a place to hide. Engineered to jump up to three feet,Clocky’s durable wheels can handle any terrain. Available forabout $40 in the colors aqua, almond, coco, raspberry andchrome; www.nandahome.com.

5. Round & RoundVinyl may be outdated, but it’s not obsolete (especially if you’restill a die-hard album fan). Rediscover your records with theTTUSB turntable from Ion Audio. It uses a USB connection tolet you play your LPs on your home stereo or turn the musicinto digital files. A plug and play connection makes it a snap touse and included software lets you quickly transfer music toyour iTunes library. Sells for $120; www.ionaudio.com.

6. Friendly FireEnvironmentally sound and striking, the Zeta freestandingfireplace by EcoSmart runs on renewable denatured ethanol. Aclever fusion of timber, leather and stainless steel, the portableunit sits on a stainless steel swivel base and features a space-age curve. Priced around $11,000, it’s available in an array ofleather options including ciocolatta, Nero, ranch hide andlatte; www.ecosmartfire.com.

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HomeBuyingGuide

Getaways


1Old town/new sightsOnce known for its Western-styleshops, Old Town Scottsdale (30

minute from Carefree) has developed athriving waterfront and arts district wherelocals gather on Thursday night for theweekly ArtWalk. Follow the blue trail tothe galleries and then settle in for finedining at a canal-side restaurant such asOlive and Ivy.

2Haute hotelsThe Boulders Resort is Carefree’sluxury accommodation, and a

short drive from downtown. Appropriatelynamed for its boulder-style architecture,this desert oasis features a championshipgolf course, hiking paths and casitas withtheir own balconies and first-classamenities including access to the famedGolden Door Spa (opposite page).

3Cool architecturePerhaps the most famous historicbuilding in the area is Taliesin

West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s former homeand institute for architecture interns.Tucked back in the desert foothills,Taliesin is a complex of buildings nowhousing offices, studios and a gift shop. Amust do is the twilight tour, offering aspectacular view of Wright’s hallmarkcantilevered roofs.

4A-spiring artThough designed in 1957, itwasn’t until 2004 that Frank

Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West Promenadespire was erected at the southeast cornerof Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard andScottsdale Road. Wright created the 40-ton structure as a centerpiece to a

proposed state capitol but drawings werefiled in a drawer for the next 47 years.Today, the spire’s glow is a beacon fortravelers at night.

5Carefree in CarefreeHead down Easy Street (yes,really) for a tour of the town’s

outdoor art (including the largest sundialin the nation). Monthly concerts in thegarden are offered Thursdays at dusk.

DDeessttiinnaattiioonnCCaarreeffrreeee,, AArriizzoonnaaHere are 5 reasons to make this desert town a base for your next visit to Scottsdale.

Taliesin West

The Boulders

Carefree Town Center

Promenade Spire

Getaways


WHAT TO DO, SEE AND ENJOY AROUND TOWN

March 12-14The Most Happy FellaSan Jose’s California Theatre is the majestic venue for the concertpresentation of this romantic musical set in the beautiful NapaValley. Symphony Silicon Valley and a cast of Broadway veteransand talented local performers perform the full story and score. Information: www.symphonysiliconvalley.org.

March 13-14Marin County Spring Antique ShowMore than 70 distinctive dealers will be selling fabulous antiquesand collectibles — including fine and decorative art, vintage andestate jewelry, Asian art, prints and posters. Also available: freeappraisals as well as glass and porcelain repair.Information: www.goldengateshows.com.

March 19-21Art International/San FranciscoThe San Francisco Design Center is transformed into a showplacefor fine art. Plus, this event is being held in conjunction with theSan Francisco Fine Jewelry & Antique Show. Information: www.artinternationalfair.com.

March 20San Francisco International Chocolate Salon 2010Chocolate lovers will convene at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion forthe largest major chocolate show on the West Coast, featuringpremium delights from more than more than 65 chocolatiers,confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans. Information: www.sfchocolatesalon.com.

March 20Barrel Tasting WeekendMore than 25 Livermore Valley wineries open their doors to wineaficionados for a lively day of tastings right out of the barrel. Information: www.lvwine.org.

March 24-28 San Francisco Flower & Garden ShowAt the heart of this event are the 25 breathtaking, full-scalegardens spread over four acres at the San Mateo Event Center.Plus, visitors can broaden their landscape know-how at dozens offree seminars and shop to their heart’s delight at the event’s 300exhibits. Information: www.sfgardenshow.com.

March 27Meet the Artists Day at Filoli Gardens Learn what inspired the works — drawings, paintings,photographs and more — featured in the garden’s Patterns andAbstractions of Nature exhibit. The exhibit runs through April 11. Information: www.filoli.org.

Through April 18Golden Gate Express Garden Railway The Conservatory of Flowers celebrates San Francisco on a small-scale with an elaborate model train landscape, complete withcable cars and streetcars zipping miniature versions of the city’slandmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and the TransamericaPyramid. Information: www.conservatoryofflowers.org..

AroundTown

03/2010

San Francisco Flower & Garden Show

Beautiful designer furniture at consignment prices

Visit one of our bay area locations & see for yourself.

LiveLarge (Spend little.)

San Mateo650-577-89791888 S. Norfork

Saratoga408-871-8890600 El Paseo de Saratoga

Danville925-866-61641901 Camino Ramon

Mountain View650-964-7212141 El Camino Real

Corte Madera925-456-2765801 Tamalpais

Additional locations: Yorba Linda, Laguna Niguel, Las Vegas, Folsom, Foothill Ranch, Roseville, Newport Beach and Austin

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(408) 364-3700 • FAX (408) 364-3718CONCORD 1695 Willow Pass Road(925) 852-0300 • FAX (925) 852-0318FREMONT 43800 Osgood Road(510) 252-5300 • FAX (510) 252-5318

PALO ALTO 340 Portage Ave.(650) 496-6000 • FAX (650) 496-6018SAN JOSE 550 E. Brokaw Road(408) 487-1000 • FAX (408) 487-1018SUNNYVALE 1077 E. Arques Ave.(408) 617-1300 • FAX (408) 617-1318

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