Su Casa Southwestern Homes Autumn 2023

Southwest Homes

Fall Parade guide inside

inspiration ideas resources

bucking tradition

with an upturned floor plan

designed for decades a home planned for retirement

VOL. 29 NO. 4 AUTUMN 2023

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

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Southwest Homes

inspiration ideas resources

SOUTHWEST

HOMES 36 Upturned

A North Albuquerque Acres home uses an upside-down floor plan to maximize the surrounding mountain views.

Fotovan

36 On the cover: Las Ventanas Homes turned this floor plan upside-down to capture the best views from the most-used areas of the home. Photograph by Fotovan.

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68 Designed for Living

With retirement on the horizon, a couple selected a lot in the Mariposa community in Rio Rancho, for a custom home with aging-in-place in mind.

SPECIAL SECTION Bring this copy of Su Casa with you as you tour gorgeous, innovative homes in the Albuquerque Fall Parade of homes October 13–15 and 20–22. We’ve included details about each home, plus maps and directions.

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S U C A S A A U T U M N 2023

Shutterstock.com/Kabar

50 FALL Parade of Homes

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68 IN EVERY ISSUE 24

Inside Su Casa

30, 46 Life+Style Southwest

It’s not a showy plant, but sedum is a garden rockstar filling gaps and adding greenery. Black accents add design sizzle to any space.

Artist Lauren Furman captures her creativity on an unusual canvas.

Follow us @sucasamagazine

34

76,100 Design Studio

Local designers shine a light on feature walls and how they can make an impact in your home. Once simply utilitarian, backyard sheds are being reborn as design delights.

80

Vida Buena

The quirky town of Jerome, Arizona, is an art enthusiast’s paradise, and there’s lots of history to explore. Once known as the “wickedest town in the west,” it now has National Historic District designation.

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Just Winging Through

The ladder-backed woodpecker is probably New Mexico’s most common woodpecker, and the coolest, according to our expert birder.

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¡Salud!

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Su Libro

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“The Art of Home” by Netflix star Shea McGee explores the idea that how our home looks can affect how we feel inside it. And HGTV’s Jenny Marrs shares the spirit and stories of her personal home in “House + Love = Home.”

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2023

Courtesy New Revenna

Local brew pubs have built loyal followings as they’ve created new, bold flavors and impressive spaces to imbibe with friends.

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Southwest Homes

inspiration ideas resources

Published by Number Nine Media, Inc.

Publisher

William P. Lang

Publication Director Cheryl Mitchell

We have the Perfect Loan for your needs!

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Heather Shoning

Whether you’re buying your dream home or building it, Waterstone Mortgage has the right loan for your needs.

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

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

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

Dee Rasberry, QB 505.269.1505 dee@deerealtor.com

Dana Gabaldon 505.980.0987 danagabaldon@gmail.com

Helen Demott 505.610.8355 homesbyhappyhelen@comcast.net

Charlotte Trone 505.350.0099 charlotte@thehouseangel.com

Candice Banks 505.350.3188 Candice@BanksRealtyNM.com

Carmenza Duque 505.507.9496 carmenzasellsabq@gmail.com

Stephanie Walter 505.385.4283 stephwalter@msn.com

Linda E. Malott 505.507.2459 linda@lindamalott.com

Teri Hatcher 505.385.1606 teri@terihatcherrealtor.com

Tanya Otero-Villalobos, CRS 505.366.4612 toterovillalobos@gmail.com

Cecilie Bodman 505.250.1356 abqgold@ymail.com

Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico Board of Directors President: Carey Plant First Vice President: Ashley Lawrence Second Vice President: JP Rael Immediate Past President: Jenice Eades Associate Vice President: Danielle Fleming Secretary/Treasurer: Rita Powers Associate-at-Large: Jason Balthrop Builders Council Chair: Troy Crutchfield Production Builders Council Chair: Kevin Vautier Sales & Marketing Council Chair: Jolene Montoya Membership Committee Chair: Joe Menicucci Education Committee Chair: Adam Walker Builder-at-Large: Richard Medina Parade Chair: Danielle Fleming Advisory Members: David Newell, Ron Sisneros, Mackenzie Bishop, Wade Messenger, Diana Lucero Honorary Member: Dr. Susan Bogus Halter Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico Staff Executive Vice President: Lana Smiddle Events & Education Director: Jill Krogman Communication & Membership Specialist: Joseph Moreno

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Copyright © 2023 by Su Casa Magazine.

Photo: Wendy McEahern

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Inside Su Casa

Welcome to the Autumn Issue of Su Casa

A

utumn feels like a transitional stage. As we leave behind the lazy heat of summer, we gather outdoors—even more—to recreate, share meals and enjoy our enchanted surroundings. But before long, you’re bound to notice the calendar pages running thin, indicating the holidays are around the corner. We at Su Casa encourage you to take a moment to relax and settle into the season before you let it take you away. Let the season wash over you and soak in before it’s gone.

Of course, autumn means Parade of Homes time in Albuquerque, and this parade offers up some inspiring homes you won’t want to miss. Su Casa is your guide for exploring the distinctive homes showcased throughout the city. We’re also celebrating the green-building expertise of Sun Mountain Construction, Inc., this parade’s Signature Builder. And homeowners are discovering a decidedly outdoor-focused lifestyle in Mariposa, the parade’s Signature Community in Rio Rancho.

Su Casa was invited inside two homes—one built by Las Ventanas Homes and the other by ECOterra DesignBuild—each with designs that harness our gorgeous mountain views but in wildly different ways. One turns a traditional floor plan on its head, while the other features soft color and aging-in-place considerations.

This issue imparts some inspiration for creating a feature wall in your home. Two local designers show us ways to make a space stand out or feel more intimate using various materials and techniques. And we showcase a Santa Fe artist whose canvas is animal skulls. She creates mosaic New Mexican landscapes onto the skulls using colorful materials—genuinely creative and unique.

We’re also grasping onto as many al fresco dining— and drinking—opportunities as we can by introducing you to four area microbreweries. Whether you grab a barstool or take a 6-pack to go, these local favorites offer innovative brews for any beer-drinker’s palate.

As always, in addition to these highlights, we’re delighted to bring many insightful articles focused on our local community, local people and Su Casa.

William P. Lang

Right: Sun Mountain Construction’s homes not only look amazing, they’re among the greenest you’ll find in our community. Owner, Norm Schreifels, educates his industry partners on the importance of quality green-building techniques. Read more on page 54.

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S U C A S A A U T U M N 2023

Mark William

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Life+Style Southwest

photograph by Wendy McEahern

quiet corner

In a large home with a grand open floor plan, the homeowners wanted an intimate space for watching television or reading a book, so Lorn Tryk of Lorn Tryk Architects captured a small space and created this private nook. Shane Woods, project manager at Woods Design Builders that built the home, says the room captures the overall design theme blending old with new.

“Instead of going with a traditional rounded kiva fireplace, we went more contemporary to tie in with the house,” he says. The crisp edges and steel hearth contrast the textural Kansas rubble rock of the walls. Instead of vigas, they opted for square beams with a gray wash to support the transitional aesthetic.

Lorn Tryk Architects, lorntryk.com Woods Design Builders, woodsbuilders.com Yuki Murata (interior design), moderngoods.com 30

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2023

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say yes to sedum this low-maintenance plant adds changing color to New Mexico gardens WHILE IT’S NOT ONE of the showiest garden species—like zinnias or pansies or roses—sedum holds its own when it comes to offering versatility in landscaping and garden design. Sedum is a large and diverse genus, encompassing more than 400 species.

These species vary in size, shape and color and come in low-growing groundcovers to tall, upright varieties.

Sedum thrives in full sun to partial shade and are part of the succulent family, known for storing water in their leaves, stems and roots, allowing them to thrive in arid, dry conditions—perfect for New Mexico yards. Some recommended sedum species for New Mexico include sedum reflexum (blue spruce sedum), sedum rupestre (Angelina sedum) and sedum spurium (dragon’s blood sedum).

During the growing season, sedum often produce attractive, star-shaped flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink or red. These flowers make them 32

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2023

by Heather Shoning

Shutterstock.com/as_trofey

Life+Style Southwest

Shutterstock.com/Oksana Melnikova

Shutterstock.com/Kabar

attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Additionally, sedum foliage can undergo color changes throughout the year, with some varieties displaying vibrant hues in autumn.

Many sedum species work well as groundcover or in rock gardens. They are ideal for filling spaces between steppingstones, cascading over walls or adding color between rocks, while the dense foliage can help suppress weed growth.

Because they are generally low-maintenance plants, they are popular among busy gardeners or those seeking easy-care options. Sedum can also be easily propagated from stem cuttings, division or by simply laying a broken stem on the soil, where it can take root and grow into a new plant. They have excellent tolerance to heat, cold and poor soil conditions, and once established, they require minimal watering and are relatively pest- and disease-resistant.

Water them deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between watering sessions.

Overwatering can lead to root rot and other issues, so striking a balance is crucial. Sedum are generally hardy, but some varieties may require protection during New Mexico’s colder months. Mulching around the base of the plants can help insulate the soil and protect the roots from freezing temperatures.

Although they might not be the snazziest blossoms on the block, sedum are perfect for filling out your gardens with hardy foliage all year long.

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Life+Style Southwest

by Heather Shoning

classic chic

crisp black adds a touch of elegance to any decor Black is everywhere right now in interior design and architecture. You can add touches of black throughout your home for an upscale, contemporary look.

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2 4

3

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1. Power Paint

Go bold with a black accent wall or even a whole room. Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Black is as pure black as you can get, works well in all light, and has an unsurpassable depth and almost velvet quality. It’s also available in the brand-new Dead Flat finish for walls, woodwork and metal. Pitch Black Interior Paint, $125/gallon, farrow-ball.com

2. Time in a Bottle

This decorative sand timer adds a bit of classic elegance to any bookshelf or tabletop. An ideal pick for modern and glamorous aesthetics, it showcases a sleek hourglass set inside a clean-lined, hand-finished metal frame. Airville Sand Timer, $32, wayfair.com

3. Bee’s Knees

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Equal parts elegant and eye-catching, this dinnerware showcases bees, honeycombs and wildflowers. The plates, bowls and mugs coordinate easily with solid-colored dishes, linens and additional Honeycomb collection items. The durable porcelain features glossy black and white glazes with 18k-gold detailing and is dishwasher safe. The set includes four 4-piece place settings (dinner plate, salad plate, cereal bowl and mug). Honeycomb 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, $299, williams-sonoma.com

4. Wow Walls

Create a glam feature wall or amp up a backsplash with this textured tile that adds a reflective beauty to your room. Designed to look like wood grain, the tile is a mosaic of hand-cut obsidian jewel glass and New Ravenna’s trademarked sea glass and is part of the Natural Selections Collection by Kevin O’Brien. The product comes made to measure—perfect for your space.

Wood grain mosaic, price available upon request, newravenna.com

5. Luxe Linens

Bring the look and feel of luxury hotel linens to your bedroom with this stunning black duvet and shams with striking cream detailing. The linen bedding is made in Chicago

by Eastern Accents, a high-quality brand that supplies several famous interior designers. The set includes a queen duvet, two pillow shams and two throw pillows. Inès Linen Duvet Cover Set, $2,335, wayfair.com

6. Snuggle Up

Warm up a sofa, armchair or bed with this soft, chunky black blanket. The acrylic-blend throw has a two-toned texture and long fringe at each end. Generously sized for maximum snuggling, this Crate & Barrel exclusive hand-loomed blanket takes a skilled artisan one day to create. 70x55-inch Black Throw Blanket, $79, crateandbarrel.com

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upturned

this home harnesses an upside-down floor plan to capture the best views

The opposing slopes of the two shed roofs are the signature exterior feature of this “upside-down house,” built with communal spaces on the top floor to capture the views.

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by Leilani Marie Labong photographs by Fotovan

I

f the phrase “upside-down house” conjures a meteorological casualty or an otherworldly phenomenon, there’s an alternate, more down-to-earth version that requires no suspension of disbelief. One prime example sits on the highest point of a gently sloped one-acre lot in North Albuquerque Acres, located in the shadow of the Sandia Mountains, a broad-shouldered rampart of geologic order. The home bucks two-story tradition by putting the public spaces such as the kitchen and family room upstairs.

“You can see the house from Paseo del Norte,” says the homeowner, who shares the residence with her husband and two dogs, a silver Labrador and a golden retriever.

“It looks like a castle on a hill.” While there are several reasons to build a house with communal spaces on the upper floor, T. Scott Ashcraft, president of Las Ventanas Homes, makes no architectural bones about this dwelling’s modus operandi.

“The absolute whole point of the house is to get those views,” says Ashcraft of the design-build project, completed in March 2023 after a year of construction. “Before we even designed it, we put a scissor lift on the site so the husband could stand ten feet above ground level to make sure that’s the view he wanted.” The plein-air sneak peek—or peak, as the case may be—also afforded sweeping vistas of the Jemez and Manzano mountains in the distance, and the glinting grid of the city, unfolding down to the bosque and beyond.

While the couple’s original plan was not to build a custom home, the allure of acquiring an exclusive, off-themarket property with vista-point-worthy coordinates merited building a house so the couple could have precisely what they wanted. Seeking a different experience from their longtime heritage home in Corrales, the couple trained their sights

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THIS PAGE: The homeowner’s penchant for mixed finishes is on display in the kitchen, from the high-gloss and matte wood veneers on the upper and lower cabinets to the pendant lamps over the island.

OPPOSITE PAGE: You can look over a catwalk railing from the dining room into the doubleheight foyer.

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more on clean lines and state-of-the-art tech and less on the Southwestern vernacular.

Since upside-down houses are hardly of the region—although commonly seen in Scandinavia, Australia and England, where the wife is originally from—departing from the sunbaked charms of Pueblo-style adobe or the Victorian-level detail of Santa Fe– style Territorial architecture was, says the wife, “as easy as falling off a log.”

Upon entering the 4,103-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home, a double-height foyer hints at the upturned arrangement. While the ground floor ’s hushed atmosphere is owed to the two private guest bedrooms, the upstairs great room is predictably more bustling. A cascading chandelier of wire and metal—“It reminds me of dripping water,” says the wife—draws the eye to the second floor, which can be accessed via a floating staircase or an elevator. The former, claims the wife, “keeps us in shape as we get older” (the dogs, unimpressed by such a feat of engineering, refuse to tread the open risers), while the latter is the couple’s contingency plan. However, the lift is currently being used to transport groceries from the garage to an unassuming room adjacent to—and doubles the storage of—the kitchen.

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The living room’s footprint—such measurements can be ambiguous in open-plan spaces—is essentially doubled by an adjacent southfacing veranda.

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“Coming from England, I’m used to a scullery,” says the wife. “I wanted a big pantry, but I didn’t want to see it.” A preference perhaps not unrelated to her admission that cooking is not her specialty, despite a collection of Julia Child recipes or the buffet of homemade New Mexican food she sets out on the quartz-topped kitchen island for friends who come over to watch sports games. “I have aspirations,” she says.

A ceiling of continuous tongue-andgroove pine, offset by greige-hued porcelain tile floors with marble-like veining—both surfaces convey movement through the living, cooking and dining spaces—emphasizes the open format of the second floor. Expansive views, as seen from the windows and multiple verandas, also echo the second floor ’s broad scope of function and form, which includes one private space—an auspiciously eastfacing primary suite with windows that welcome the sunrise over the Sandias.

Speaking of windows, the thin, vertical

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Twin panes flanking the fireplace in the primary suite face east to capture a majestic sunrise and, at the sunset hour, the Sandias’ pinkish alpenglow.

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panes on the second floor are another contemporary break from tradition, framing the views as a triptych painting would. On the first floor, the rectangular shape is reprised as a stack on the three garage doors, and clerestory windows in the guest bedroom allow an infusion of soft daylight without sacrificing privacy. All told the home’s profusion of glass forgoes the need to flip on a single light switch during the day, saving energy.

But Ashcraft’s pursuit of conservation goes deeper than daylight and includes some trademarks of passive homes, an archetype of energyefficient building: an energy recovery ventilator serves as the lungs of the house, expelling stale air and drawing in fresh air that’s cleaned through a filter. At the same time, a specially-designed sealant creates an airtight membrane around the architectural perimeter—both work together to reduce heating and cooling needs. Additionally, the shed roofs jettison rain and snow without a hitch, thanks in part to the heat reflection of the sleek, black-metal surface, which can also save energy costs. Ashcraft says the home meets Build Green New Mexico’s Gold standard.

The shed roof silhouette is a hallmark of midcentury design, but the home’s doubly striking opposing inclines exhibit more contemporary flair. Seemingly precarious, the cantilevered pitches are a technical triumph and the home’s most identifying features from afar, not unlike the parapet towers of any castle on a hill.

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“The absolute whole point of the house is to get those views.”

– T. Scott Ashcraft

resources Home Builder/Designer Las Ventanas Homes lasventanasnm.com Appliances Builders Source Appliance Gallery builderssource.com Bathroom/Kitchen Fixtures Doc Savage Supply Cabinetry Visions In Cabinetry Countertops Arizona Tile (supplier) Creative Countertops, Cabinets & More (installation) Elevator Quality Elevators & Lifts of New Mexico Fireplaces Mountain West Sales mountainwestsales.net Flooring/Kitchen Backsplash Tile Floorscapes Front Door/Sliding Glass Doors/Windows Pella Windows & Doors of Albuquerque pellaofalbuquerque.com Gates/Metal Fabrication Valley Fence Company Interior Doors/Hardware Builders FirstSource Landscaping/Water Feature AccessAbility Design & Construction LLC Lighting Bright Ideas, Inc. lightingfordesign.com

Artist Spotlight

by Patricia L. Garcia

artful revival BEFORE STARTING on any new piece, Santa Fe artist Lauren Furman prepares by honoring her canvas: animal skulls.

“I respect the animal in a big way,” she says. “I almost have a spiritual moment with it when I first get started and ask the animal for permission.”

Using beads, gemstones, glass and tile, she crafts New Mexican desert landscape–inspired works onto animal skulls found by friends on hunting and hiking journeys and purchased from a skull cleaner in Texas. The skulls come in various sizes, from longhorn and bison to coyote and deer. Furman says she started this art form after her brother-in-law gifted her a bison skull.

“It was kind of sitting against the wall for a long time.

I just kept looking at it, and I would wonder if I could mosaic the surface; it’s not flat,” she says. “So, I tried it once, loved it and just kept doing it.”

Her process involves a sketch that Furman describes as a “flowering of the mind.” The drawing usually involves a central idea that grows into an elaborate design. Furman cuts the tiles or glass into shape before grinding them down.

She then adheres the materials to the surface. After a 24-hour 46

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Lauren Furman

artist Lauren Furman breathes life into animal skulls

wait, she applies grout of all colors onto the pieces to get a finished look.

Furman has always been interested in art, drawing in her youth and taking photography, stained glass and mosaics classes in college. In her 20s, the Connecticut native also made jewelry. For Furman, the artistic process is a way for her to decompress from her high-stress job as a nurse. But she’s hoping to pull back on her nursing duties to invest more time in her art.

“My husband and I both took the mosaics class together, and we loved it. I loved working with glass,” Furman says. “So ever since then, it became this little side thing I would do.”

Just as she honors each piece at the beginning of her creative process, the completed work of art brings life back to the animal whose skull she has adorned. “I like the intersectionality between life and death,” she says. “It’s like you’re bringing life back to this animal. Trying to bring life back to each skull has been really meaningful for me.”

To learn more about Furman’s work or to order custom pieces, visit thewildreclaimed.com.

Lauren Furman Casey Yarrow

Roberta Gore 505-917-1447

Sherilyn Lucas 505-710-0201

Ted Zmroczek 505-239-1500

Thomas Mestas 505-819-5838

Sylvia Benavidez 505-908-7958

Marlene Vance 505-203-1097

Meghan Tate 505-508-6298

Nancy Montoya 505-480-2121

Natalie Amershek 505-926-1191

Lynn Johnson 505-350-5966

Lynn Martinez 505-263-6369

Mark Puckett 505-269-6997

Patty Culp 505-440-9895

Carol Bouloy 505-450-2574

Jill Levin 505-385-7714

Jo Cook 505-379-6099

Joe Maez 505-369-0094

Jennise Phillips / Nicole Ackerman 505-331-2288 / 610-5130

Joi Banks Schmidt 505-259-2033

Jonathan Ortiz/ Andrea Romero 505-363-8451 / 610-6481

Laurie Griffo 505-429-6068

Lisa Hebenstreit 505-269-1258

Lydia Shewchuk 925-487-0717

Paul Holley 505-363-1533

Veronica Gonzales 505-440-8956

Wendy Wallace 505-250-2707

Rachael Flance 505-977-6569

Jeremy Navarro 505-377-4070

J Gilmore Daniels & K Gilmore Mosley 505-259-0502 / 463-0680

A. Rucker / A. Czarniak 505-554-4210

Ann Taylor 505-379-7774

Madison Cosio / Anna Medina 505-270-3142 / 239-5993

Silesha Montano Naden 505-804-2139

Susan Nelson Anderson 505-350-3235

Susan & Dave Buchman 505-554-4173/554-7730

Lynda Hartman 505-850-8099

Gary Shaw 505-506-9941

Gina Maes 505-259-6220

Dee Rasberry 505-269-1505

Deb Redford 505-328-3423

Desiree Barton 505-688-3310

Jan & James DeMay 505-450-7635/306-1710

Gina Encee 505-450-5033

Greg Lobberegt 505-269-4734

Diana Griego 505-238-6478

Cassandra Morrison 505-480-8035

Cecilia Chavez 505-463-5650

Charlene Rockwell 505-220-0792

Annie Smidt 505-235-8143

Brittany Love 505-720-4105

Cheryl Marlow 505-238-1000

Chris Speis / Kawika Smith 505-514-3407 / 480-9928

Charlotte Boyer 505-306-3488

Ainsley & Carol Sauder 505-620-5464 / 620-3898

Jeanne Kuriyan 505-249-7666

Jeff Rose 505-205-4175

Jennifer Wilson 505-440-1256

Visit the NM Select Facebook page for all the hottest listings

Terris Zambrano

Jorge Lopez

Fidelity National Title 505-967-9408

Fidelity National Title 505-332-6218

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

It’s A Lifestyle

Mariposa offers amenities galore and wide-open space for a different

By Heather Shoning kind of lifestyle

I

magine having 2,200 acres of dedicated open space with high desert vistas, juniper and pinõn-covered hills, boulder outcroppings, and gentle grasslands right in your backyard. Add to that developed parks, including various ball courts, playgrounds, ramadas and picnic areas, and renowned monumental sculptural art; miles of hiking and bike trails; and a 12,000-square-foot community center with indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and more. That is life at Mariposa.

At completion, there will be 2,500 homes in Mariposa. Currently, multiple neighborhoods are available within the community, and multiple award-winning builders—both local and national—are servicing the area. Each neighborhood features unique architectural details, although they all retain a decidedly “new” New Mexico style for a pleasantly cohesive look throughout. In addition, because it’s a truly masterplanned community, each neighborhood is designed to maintain and showcase its 360-degree views for the ultimate in indoor-outdoor living.

Not only is the community designed for an active, outdoor lifestyle— the homes are, too. There are a variety of home sizes and styles designed for retirees, couples, singles and families. Floor plans range 50

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2023

from approximately 1,600 to 3,012 square feet.

Richmond American Homes offers eight floor plans in Mariposa and two lot sizes designed to accommodate either a two-car or three-car attached garage. And they offer something division president David Newell says is unique to the market. “We offer two home plans with our trademarked UltraGarage,” he says. “It’s an extra-tall garage bay for an RV or extra toys, 4-wheelers, motorcycles, shop space or extra storage, and it’s embedded into the home’s design.” It certainly suits the outdoor-lovers lifestyle.

New construction home plans, of course, can be customized and standard finishes include quartz countertops, white cabinetry and tile flooring. Newell says, “The well-thought-out floor plans for the Seasons at Monarch neighborhood feature efficient use of space and structural options to customize the floor plan itself.”

Meaning buyers can opt for a lower bedroom count

Courtesy Mariposa

Signature Community

Fotovan

Courtesy Mariposa

The stunning community center with its adobe style is a LEED silver certified building.

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SEASONS AT MONARCH

Monarch at Mariposa

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NE

Star Street N E

Redtop Stre e t

Blazi ng

Coneflower Street NE

Wolf Tail Loop NE

Larry Lewis (505) 510-6641 Larry.lewis@mdch.com richmondamerican.com/ seasonsatmonarch

NE

Star Street N E

Redtop Stre e t

Blazi ng

Coneflower Street NE

Wolf Tail Loop NE

RICHMONDAMERICAN AMERICAN HOMESITES RICHMOND HOMESITE MODELS MODEL

PARKING PARKING

RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMESITE

From the Big I head north on I-25 to HWY 550 (exit 242). Turn west (left) on HWY 550 and continue to NW Loop Road. Turn left on NW Loop Rd., then right on Mariposa Pkwy.

Continue to Monarch Way NE and turn right, then another right on Blazing Star St. NE. The Map not drawn to scale. models will be on your right.

Map is conceptual only and is not to scale. May depict planned features, the completion of which may be outside the control of Richmond American Homes. ©2023 Richmond American Homes, Richmond American Homes of New Mexico, Inc., Richmond American Construction NM, Inc.

2/2/23

MODEL

in favor of an office or flex space.

Turnkey packagesPARKING include backyard landscaping, and solar is available for all floor plans.

With highly sought-after masterplan amenities and hundreds of ways to personalize your Richmond American home, choosing the Mariposa lifestyle is easy. In addition to everything available within the 6,500-acre community, the location is coveted. Mariposa sits within Rio Rancho, about 35 minutes north of Albuquerque, and is a quick 40-minute commute to the Albuquerque International Airport. Even better, although the community is void of the traffic and congestion of the city, it’s an easy 15-minute drive to restaurants, grocery stores, wineries, craft breweries, golf courses, entertainment venues and more.

Mariposa encompasses everything active residents want for an indooroutdoor lifestyle.

Map not drawn to scale.

52

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Courtesy Richmond American Homes

Mariposa, liveinmariposa.com Richmond American Homes, richmondamerican.com

2/2/23

Fotovan

Map is conceptual only and is not to scale. May depict planned features, the completion of which may be outside the control of Richmond American Homes. ©2023 Richmond American Homes, Richmond American Homes of New Mexico, Inc., Richmond American Construction NM, Inc.

Richmond American Homes offers eight floor plans in Mariposa, including two with its trademarked UltraGarage.

StyleToursABQ

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Perfect Partners

Sun Mountain Construction, Inc. is committed to sustainability, which makes an impact on industry partners

D

By Heather Shoning

Photography by Mark William

anielle and Michael Schlichte—an appraiser and real estate agent, respectively—have flipped about 300 homes in their career. But when it came time to build what they call their legacy home, they knew they’d need to turn the task over to a custom home builder, and they chose Sun Mountain Construction, Inc., and specifically owner Norm Schreifels.

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S U C A S A A U T U M N 2023

Signature Builder The couple envisioned a home designed with health and wellness in mind. They longed to capture the relaxing, rejuvenating environment of a spa in their home, and they did it by incorporating a dry sauna, hot tub, cold plunge and a pool. “We’re addicted to that feeling of the spa experience,” Danielle says, “of destressing, unwinding, connecting.” Sun Mountain’s commitment to green building and creating healthy homes was a no-brainer.

“Norm’s product is very, very green, and that’s just how he builds everything,” Danielle says. “It’s already part of his system.”

Sometimes Schreifels is questioned about how a large home with a pool could possibly be green. The answer is simple: You have to assess the overall package. With proper consideration given to all of the ways to make a home efficient, there are ways to offset aspects such as square footage and water use. “Somebody is going to build this house, so it might as well be a guy like me that can make it as efficient as possible,” Schreifels says.

He prioritizes his business relationships with

subcontractors who embrace green building to the extent that he does, and in many cases, he leads them in that direction. “We train them as we go, teaching them our practices onsite,” he says. “We make sure they know what we expect. They also need to have a good reputation and be dependable, ethical, flexible. We all work together as a big team.”

Oddly enough, as an 18-year-old, Michael worked for a painter who happened to be a subcontractor for Sun Mountain. “Norm was one of the first builders I met as a young person,” Michael says, adding that Schreifels made an impact on him with the way he held his subcontractors accountable and ran a tight construction ship.

“Danielle reads Su Casa,” Michael says. “She’d occasionally mention seeing one of Norm’s houses in the magazine.” She says she can easily pick them out—especially in Corrales—when she’s out appraising homes. Ultimately, Schreifels’ prestigious reputation in the community, attention to detail, and the fact that they trusted he could build a healthy, green home for their

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SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

wellness-focused lifestyle sealed the deal.

Sun Mountain remains miles ahead of the curve when it comes to building healthy homes and pushing building efficiency to its highest level. “We try to make green building a no-brainer for the homeowner,” Schreifels says.

“When we leave the house, it operates itself, and energy bills are much cheaper.”

The Schlichtes couldn’t be more impressed. “The end result speaks for itself,” Michael says. “Norm is driving his people to a high standard, which is what we hired him for.”

Sun Mountain Construction, Inc. sunmtnconst.com 56

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2023

Signature Builder

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CORRALES

Sun Mountain Construction, Inc. 475 Mariquita Road

1

SIGNATURE BUILDER

4 bedrooms 4 baths 3,277 sq. ft.

Norm Schreifels (505) 892-8855 norm@sunmtnconst.com sunmtnconst.com

This green-built contemporary home is located on a beautiful lot in the heart of Corrales. Some of the features in this unique home include floorto-ceiling windows plus window walls that open

to the outdoor living area, pool, spa and cold plunge. Other features include a chef ’s kitchen and pantry, media room and a dry sauna. Let us design and build your custom GREEN home.

From the Big I go North on I-25 to Alameda Blvd. (exit 233). Turn left on Alameda Blvd. and go 4.3 miles to Corrales Rd. Turn right on Corrales Rd. and go 3.3 miles to Mariquita Rd. and turn right. The house is on the left.

Custom solutions for better living

505.858.1100 californiaclosets.com ALBUQUERQUE 4801 Alameda Blvd NE, Suite G3

©2020 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

Franchises independently owned and operated. Lic #NM61344 58

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2023

NM157_SuCasa_Wallbed_8x4.8_1120.indd 1

11/2/20 11:08 AM

CORRALES

New Haven Homes

2

103 Mesa Vista Lane Mesa Vista De Corrales

4 bedrooms 5.5 bathrooms 5,040 sq.ft.

Bill Reynolds (505) 890-5476 bill@mynewhaven.com mynewhaven.com

Welcome to a home of singular beauty, skillfully built in the green swath of Corrales. Here, life moves slowly, and a house is to be enjoyed.

The home is bathed in a creamy palette and

offers a theatre, expansive outdoor living, elegant cabinetry and a multitude of one-of-akind details. It’s a New Haven Home you won’t want to miss!

From the Big I take I-25 north to Alameda Blvd. (exit 233). Turn west (left) onto Alameda Blvd. and drive 4.3 miles to Corrales Rd.Turn north (right) onto Corrales Rd. then drive 5.4 miles. Turn left onto Cesar Chavez and continue onto Calle Contenta for 300 feet. Turn right onto Mesa Vista Lane. The home is #103.

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Amreston Homes, LLC

RIO RANCHO

6844 Sydney Drive NE Lomas Encantadas

3

4 bedrooms 2.5 baths 2,084 sq. ft. $483,990 (base price) $549,480 (base price + all upgrades) (505) 738-6008 info@amreston.com amreston.com

Welcome to Azure! This home features an open floor plan connecting the kitchen, dining area and living room, maximizing the home’s social aspect. With four bedrooms, it has plenty

of room for the entire family. The Azure is perfect for homeowners who love to cook and enter tain guests.

From the Big I take I-25 (nor th). Exit onto HWY 550 (west) (exit 242).

Turn left (south) on HWY 528. Turn right on Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE then left on Lincoln Ave. NE. Turn right (nor th) on Camino Encantadas NE then left on Zachary Rd. NE. The home is on the right.

LED Lighting Ceiling Fans Interior Lighting Exterior Lighting Lighting Design

505-296-4393 www.lightingfordesign.com 60

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1310 Cuesta Abajo Ct. Albuquerque, NM 87113

Showroom Hours Monday Thru Friday - 9AM-5PM Saturday 10AM-2PM

RIO RANCHO

Pulte Homes

4

6822 Sydney Drive NE Lomas Encantadas 4 bedrooms 2 baths 2,188 sq.ft. $499,000 (price + all upgrades)

Hollie Roerick & Skylar Havens (505) 439-8271 newmexico@pulte.com pulte.com/nm

The Tifton Walk home’s design has an open living area with a centralized kitchen showcasing a waterfall kitchen island adorned with Calcutta gold quartz countertops, pendant lighting, twilight cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances.

The owner’s suite offers a bay window, tiled shower with seat, dual vanity sinks with quar tz counter tops and an expansive walk-in closet.

Enjoy the oversized covered patio perfect for family enter taining.

From the Big I take I-25 north. Exit 242 and merge onto US HWY 550 west towards Bernalillo. Use left 2 lanes to turn left onto NM 528. Turn right onto Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE. Turn left onto Lincoln Ave. NE. Turn right onto Camino Venada NE. Then turn right onto Camino Encantadas NE. Turn left onto Zachary Rd NE. Turn left on Sydney Drive NE. The home is on the right.

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RIO RANCHO

Richmond American Homes 3253 Wolf Tail Loop NE Monarch at Mariposa

5

3 bedrooms 3 baths 1,810 sq.ft. $722,455 (base price + all upgrades) Sales Office (505) 510-6641 larry.lewis@mdch.com richmondamerican.com/ seasonsatmonarch

Discover this exceptional Larimar model home!

Included features are a covered entry, a wellappointed kitchen boasting a sizeable center island, a walk-in pantry, an adjacent dining room and a generous great room. There’s an elegant primary suite showcasing a spacious

RIO RANCHO

walk-in closet and a private bath with an 8-foot barn door, a quiet study, two secondary bedrooms including one with an attached bath, a full hall bath, a convenient laundry, a covered patio and a 3-car garage. This home also offers white cabinetr y and satin nickel hardware.

From the Big I head north on I-25 to HWY 550 (exit 242). Turn west (left) on HWY 550 and continue to NW Loop Road. Turn left on NW Loop Rd, then right on Mariposa Pkwy. Continue to Monarch Way NE and turn right, then another right on Blazing Star St. NE. The home will be on your right.

Richmond American Homes 3249 Wolf Tail Loop NE Monarch at Mariposa

6

3 bedrooms 2 baths 1,950 sq.ft. $747,404 (base price + all upgrades) Sales Office (505) 510-6641 larry.lewis@mdch.com richmondamerican.com/ seasonsatmonarch

Welcome to this eye-catching Copper model home! Included features are a covered entry, a beautiful kitchen boasting a center island, a large walk-in pantry, an open dining nook and an inviting great room. There’s also a secluded primary suite showcasing a patio door, a roomy walk-in

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closet and a private bath; a spacious flex room; two secondary bedrooms with a full shared bath; a central laundry; a covered patio; a 2-car garage; and an attached RV garage. This home offers ceramic plank flooring, white cabinetry and matte black fixtures.

From the Big I head north on I-25 to HWY 550 (exit 242). Turn west (left) on HWY 550 and continue to NW Loop Road. Turn left on NW Loop Rd., then right on Mariposa Pkwy. Continue to Monarch Way NE and turn right, then another right on Blazing Star St. NE. The home will be on your right.

Hakes Brothers HOME NOT OPEN ON SUNDAY 7

RIO RANCHO

2304 Melon Ridge Loop NE Melon Ridge

4 bedrooms 2 baths 1,907 sq.ft. $348,990 (base price) $400,000 (base price + all upgrades) Eric Korpus (505) 440-5812 info@hakesbrothers.com hakesbrothers.com/Albuquerque

Welcome to Hakes Brothers’ newest community located in Rio Rancho. This beautiful Tuscan home features a gourmet kitchen that opens to a spacious dining, living and patio area, making

this home a natural for entertaining family and friends. The home also features pendant lights, a deluxe “walk-in snail shower” and 8-foot interior doors throughout the home.

From the Big I take I-25 north to Paseo Del Norte Blvd. NE. Head west on Paseo Del Norte Blvd., keep right and merge onto Coors Blvd. NW. Continue to follow Coors Blvd. which will merge onto NM-528. Turn west (left) onto High Resort Blvd. SE then turn north (right) onto Broadmoor Blvd. Proceed north then turn west (left) on Northern Blvd.

NE. Turn north (right) on Edinburgh St. NE.Turn left onto Melon Ridge Loop NE. The home is on the right side of the street.

Congratulations I’m the Blind Lady, Albuquerque’s only Congratulations

Hunter Douglas Albuquerque’s only Gallery Dealer!Gallery!

DECADES OF EXPERIENCE LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

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63

!

Westway Homes

RIO RANCHO

8

1100 21st Avenue Oeste Estates

4 bedrooms 2.5 baths 2421 sq.ft. $569,000 (base price) $619,000 (base price + all upgrades) JP Rael (505) 463-4305 jp@thewestway.com thewestway.com

Rio Rancho’s hottest community is Oeste Estates. This home features a modern, open living space designed for today’s lifestyle. The primary suite features a massive walk-in closet

and ensuite with a garden tub and enclosed shower. Oeste is in the fastest growing par t of Rio Rancho. Luxurious and efficient this home is built a Better Way. The Westway.

From the Big I, take I-25 north to Paseo Del Norte Blvd. NE. Head west on Paseo Del Norte Blvd. NE to Unser Blvd. NW. Take Unser Blvd. NW north to Westside Blvd.Turn west on Westside Blvd. to 10th St. SE. Then turn south to 21st Ave. SE. Head east on 21st SE to address.

Pick a lot...any lot.

Oeste is Located Near Unser and Westside in Rio Rancho’s Fastest Growing Area Albertson’s Marketplace

Presbyterian Rust Medical Center

M’Tucci’s Restaurant

Your New Home??

HOMES

North of Ordinary.

now SELLING in rio rancho Building in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Los Lunas & Las Cruces theWestway.com 64

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2023

New Homes, New Designs, Fresh Ideas Jim Bakhtiar NMLS 779932

WESTSIDE WESTSIDE WESTSIDE

Diego Handcrafted Homes 9 5004 Sandpiper Court NW Diego Handcrafted Homes 9 5004 Sandpiper Court NW Diego Handcrafted Homes CONSTRUCTION. 9 5UNDER bedrooms Oxbow

Oxbow

5004 Sandpiper Court NW

Oxbow

SEEbaths YOU IN THE SPRING. 5.5 5 bedrooms 4,928 sq.ft. baths 55.5 bedrooms 4,928 sq.ft.

5.5 baths

4,928 sq.ft.

Diego Ruiz (505) 999-8686 Diego Ruiz diegohandcraftedhomes@gmail.com (505) 999-8686 diegohandcraftedhomes.com Diego Ruiz diegohandcraftedhomes@gmail.com (505) 999-8686 diegohandcraftedhomes.com diegohandcraftedhomes@gmail.com diegohandcraftedhomes.com

©Amadeus Leitner Photography ©Amadeus Leitner Photography ©Amadeus Leitner Photography

A uniquely crafted Desert Modern home combines a harmony of natural stone, iron and A uniquely crafted Desert Modern home comwood, with dramatic clerestory natural light, bines a harmony of natural stone, iron and proportion and scale, to accentuate the sleek Awood, uniquely Desert Modern natural home comwithcrafted dramatic clerestory light, bines a harmony of natural stone, iron and proportion and scale, to accentuate the sleek wood, with dramatic clerestory natural light, proportion and scale, to accentuate the sleek

elegance of modern architecture. Fusing interior and exterior living, this high performance, Gold elegance of modern architecture. Fusing interior Certified Green Home also provides Aging-inand exterior living, this high performance, Gold Place and Universal Design principles. elegance modern architecture.

FusingAging-ininterior CertifiedofGreen Home also provides and exterior living, this high performance, Gold Place and Universal Design principles.

Certified Green Home also provides Aging-inPlace and Universal Design principles.

From the Big I take I-40 west to Coors Blvd. Head Nor th on Coors From the Big I take I-40 west to Blvd. Turn right (east) onto St. Joseph’s Coors Blvd. Head Nor th on Coors Dr. Turnthe rightBigonto Morning Dove Pl., From I take I-40St. west to Blvd. Turn right (east) onto Joseph’s then turn left Head onto Waterwillow Place.

Coors Blvd.

Nor th on Coors Dr. Turn right onto Morning Dove Pl., Then turn right right (east) onto Sandpiper Ct. Blvd. onto St. Joseph’s thenTurn turn left onto Waterwillow Place.

Dr. Turn right onto Morning Dove Then turn right onto Sandpiper Ct.Pl., then turn left onto Waterwillow Place.

Then turn right onto Sandpiper Ct.

DIEGO M. RUIZ

DIEGO M. RUIZ | 505.573.8888 505.573.8888 DIEGO M. RUIZ DiegoHandcraftedHomes.com DIEGO M. RUIZ | 505.573.8888 DiegoHandcraftedHomes.com 505.573.8888

DIEGO M. RUIZ DiegoHandcraftedHomes.com DiegoHandcraftedHomes.com DIEGO M. RUIZ | 505.573.8888 505.573.8888 SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM 65 DiegoHandcraftedHomes.com DiegoHandcraftedHomes.com SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

65

EAST MOUNTAINS

CJ Mead Inc.

10

12 Coila Court The Woodlands 4 bedrooms 3 baths 2,728 sq.ft. $775,000 (base price + all upgrades)

Skip Mead (505) 269-3020 cjmead505@gmail.com

This unique hillside home has an open floor plan, a large primary suite, two additional bedrooms, flex room/office and a large kitchen with custom cabinets. A sizeable rec/media room is

MORIARTY

on the lower level. There are covered patios on both levels. An oversized garage ensures ample storage space, and an unfinished multiuse space is a bonus. Enjoy fantastic views.

From the Big I head East on I-40 to Sedillo Hill Exit 181. Go left on Old HWY66 (NM333) Left over the overpass onto Sedillo Hill Rd. Turn right on Woodlands Dr. then left on Coila Ct. Home is at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Stillbrooke Homes

11

616 Camino Eric Villa Encantada

3 bedrooms 2 baths 1,401 sq. ft. $253,195 (base price + all upgrades) AJ Yarbrough (505) 328-0044 sbh@stillbrooke.com stillbrooke.com

Introducing new cottage homes from Stillbrooke.

From covered front porches to the interior with open style, which includes inviting 9-foot ceilings, countrystyle kitchen with gathering island, cabinets with soft-

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close drawers and doors, large storage and laundry room, and a covered patio. All with Greensmart® energy saving features, electric vehicle charger rough in and available detached garage options.

From the Big I take I-40 east. Take exit 196 then turn right on NM-41 S.Turn left on Central Avenue/US Rt. 66. Turn right on Paseo Poniente then left on Martinez Rd.Turn left on Camino Oriente and left on Camino Eric.The home is on the right.

says …

Looking for a great way to maximize your dining room or eat-in kitchen space? Try a banquette. Since it fits snugly in a corner or against a wall, it eliminates the need for space behind chairs on one or up to three sides of the table, accommodating more people. Banquettes generally include upholstered seating for comfort, and you can purchase a banquette or have one custombuilt for your space and design style. Banquettes can also incorporate built-in storage, which can be a great place to tuck away lesser-used kitchen or serving items, and this seating design encourages friends and family to linger a bit in the intimate dining arrangement.

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® ® ®

Helping you Helping you Helping you realize your vision. realize your realize your vision. vision.

Construction financing solutions Construction financing solutions Construction financing solutions to turn your blueprints into reality. to turn your blueprints into to turn your blueprints into reality. reality.

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Diana Lucero, CGA, CGP, CAPS Diana Lucero, CGA, CGP, CAPS Construction Banker, VP Diana Lucero, CGA, CGP, CAPS Construction Banker, VP

505.830.8103Construction | DLucero@nmb-t.com Banker, VP 505.830.8103 | DLucero@nmb-t.com NMLS# 539895 505.830.8103 | DLucero@nmb-t.com NMLS# 539895 NMLS# 539895

Terri Lynne

HTLF Bank is MEMBER FDIC HTLF Bank is MEMBER FDIC and EQUAL HOUSING LENDER HTLF Bank is MEMBER FDIC EQUAL HOUSING LENDER and and EQUAL HOUSING LENDER

Terri Lynne Construction Loan Specialist Terri Lynne Construction Loan Specialist 505.830.8105 | TLynne@nmb-t.com Construction Loan Specialist 505.830.8105 | TLynne@nmb-t.com NMLS# 1063970 505.830.8105 | TLynne@nmb-t.com NMLS# 1063970 NMLS# 1063970

designed for living

homeowners get a beautiful, functional forever home for aging in place

by Faerl Marie Torres photographs by Zach Saiz

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W

ith retirement on the horizon, Barbara and Norm Wolstein wanted to spend their golden years close to lifelong friends in a home built for an active lifestyle but also designed for aging in place. As fortune would have it, their friends were building a home with ECOterra Design-Build in the Mariposa community in Rio Rancho, and the lot next door was vacant. At the top of the hill, the Wolsteins were taken by the incredible 360-degree views. “It’s the entire expanse of the Albuquerque metro,”

says Kaye Marshall-Cecchini, designer and builder at ECOterra. “At night, it’s unbelievable, and even during the day, it’s gorgeous … and there’s not another house in sight.” Several mountain ranges, a breathtaking view of Albuquerque’s famed city lights and the west mesa are all visible.

Mike Cecchini, a certified energy consultant and co-manager of ECOterra, worked with the clients and the entire design team, and the house began taking shape.

The Wolsteins came to ECOterra with a short list of priorities and a lot of trust—an essential tool for building their dream home. “They were great to work with … and trusted what we were doing,” MarshallCecchini says. “Not everybody does that, but it leads to the best outcomes.”

They arrived at a final design after a detailed questionnaire, lots of back and forth, multiple drafts, and walking the lot with plans in hand. “Kaye took advantage of the space and views and delivered the Wolsteins’ priorities on top of it,” Cecchini says.

ECOterra specializes in green homes that incorporate as many eco-conscious features as possible to create healthy, sustainable and efficient homes for clients interested in the health of their home and the planet.

“We never build the same house twice,” CecchiniMarshall says. Their dedication to customization stems from a desire to build a home that truly captures their clients’ needs and wishes.

For the Wolsteins, this dedication resulted in a home they love with a view from every window.

From the moment you reach the front entrance with its warm gray and brown stone pillar and buttress and modern glass and wood door, it’s clear this space is remarkable. The door frames an unobstructed

Smart features and technology, solar energy and rainwater catchment ensure the infrastructure remains low maintenance while creating utility stability for post-retirement budgeting—an important factor for the Wolsteins in choosing a green-built home.

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TOP: A wall of sliding glass doors in the living room provides an unobstructed view, whether open or closed. Pockets hide the doors when open and double the great room’s footprint. Outside, screens come down to encompass the alfresco living area.

RIGHT: The large format gray tile fireplace adds a modern twist that ties in with the ceiling fan and pendant lights in the kitchen and dining room.

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Zermatt granite in the kitchen, pass-through, and outside bar and barbecue blends browns and grays to balance traditional warmth with contemporary cool. Custom cherry shaker-style cabinetry adds to the natural texture.

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The unique ceiling treatment is reminiscent of a Craftsman-style design.

view of the Sandias and Albuquerque Basin through the living room and backyard. The rest of the home is equally thoughtful in presenting the best vantage points for the couple and their guests to enjoy.

The warm earth tones and natural materials complement the land surrounding the home. “We wanted a warm feeling with natural surfaces,” says designer Lenin Diaz of Decorations

by Lenin. From the large format Kalahari brown tile to the two-toned tongue and groove ceiling in a chevron pattern, the home is designed to bring the outside in. Marshall-Cecchini’s design mantra is: “A home should be of the land, not just on the land,” a refrain brought to life with Diaz’s help and the Wolsteins’ blessing.

Square beams, neutral gray walls and modern tile on the great room and owners’ suite fireplaces showcase the blend of traditional Santa Fe style and contemporary elements creating a timeless, open feel. As an avid baker, Barbara insisted on a spacious kitchen full of drawers for her tools and implements. An oversized island 72

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provides plenty of countertop space, but if that wasn’t enough a half-wall with another bank of cabinetry and a minifridge provide even more. As the heart of the home, the kitchen is centrally located to the great room, dining room and backyard, where a complete barbecue, bar and alfresco dining and living area are only steps away.

Style always complements function in ECOterra homes, and the Wolsteins’ is a beautiful example.

The primary suite was designed with tranquility in mind. Soft blue hues create a calming atmosphere, while the ceiling beams provide a hint of Craftsman style—not common for New Mexico— and visual interest to the serene space.

“The best thing about the bedroom is the nighttime view of Albuquerque from the window,” Norm says. “Barbara anticipates we’ll spend more and more time in front of the fireplace.” The ensuite has a spa-like feel with bold white and black, large-format shower tile and wood-look porcelain floor tile, adding warmth and natural texture.

An avid reader, Barbara was adamant they have a library where she can relax

The aging-in-place design includes no raised thresholds, so all transitions are wheelchair-accessible—even into the shower. In addition, the doors and hallways are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, too.

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and unwind with her vast collection of books and family treasures. “This was an important space in the design of the house,” Diaz says. The traditional aesthetic creates a cozier feel for curling up next to the green kiva fireplace to read. Diaz suggested green to add a dose of color consistent with the natural palette. Another request from Barbara, an avid gardener: a greenhouse. MarshallCecchini placed the room to capture light without too much heat and incorporated a floor drain and automated skylights that keep steady temperature and humidity levels for plants to thrive.

The Wolsteins love being outside and wanted the backyard to be a fully livable space. Marshall-Cecchini designed the stone wall and seating area to the side as a private room that integrates the pool and spa into the structure of the house. It also

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frames the view from the primary suite.

“It’s had a huge positive impact on the aesthetics,” Norm says.

Universal design was on the homeowners’ priority list, and ECOterra delivered. Appliances are placed for easy access, even from a wheelchair, and custom cabinets make reaching and lifting heavy equipment a breeze. All halls are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, the primary suite shower features double doors, and none of the doors have a raised threshold, ensuring the Wolsteins can fully age into their home.

Thanks to thorough feedback and easy communication throughout the process, the Wolsteins’ home is precisely what they wanted. “We both love the house and wouldn’t change a thing,” Norm says. “It’s phenomenal. We’re looking forward to decades here.”

resources Builder ECOterra Design/Build ecoterrallc.com Home Designer Kaye Marshall of ECOterra Design/Build ecoterrallc.com Interior Design Decorations by Lenin decorationsbylenin.com Appliances Builders Source Appliance Gallery builderssource.com Audio/Visual System Advanced Security Integrated LLC Bathroom/Kitchen Fixtures Doc Savage Supply Beams Wholesale Timber & Viga wholesaletimber.net Cabinetry Albuquerque Cabinet Brokers Countertops United Stoneworks Doors Pat’s Doors The backyard half wall topped with tempered glass creates a wind break without disrupting the view.

A secondary wall below is part of the retention and erosion control designed to create a larger, more stable building envelope on the sloped lot.

Fireplaces Mountain West Sales mountainwestsales.net Flooring/Kitchen Backsplash Stonewood Flooring stonewoodnm.com Gates/Metal Fabrication Southwest Metal Design Lighting Turn On Lighting Pool Design & Build Polo Pools LLC Sliding Window Wall/Windows Pella Windows & Doors of Albuquerque pellaofalbuquerque.com Wall Finish Elite Dri-Wall, Inc. Window Coverings Window Fashions, Inc. SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

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Design Studio

by Paula M. Bodah

walls that talk a feature wall can make a style statement in any room in the house. Here’s how to do it right.

BACK IN THE DAY, it was a bold interior design statement to paint one wall of a room in a different color. An accent or feature wall spoke to a homeowner’s sense of adventure in going beyond the usual white or off-white.

Feature walls still make a statement, but today they’ve taken a big step forward. Any room in the house can sport a feature wall, and it’s not just about color anymore.

Texture, pattern and materials—from wallpaper and fabrics to paneling and tile or stone—can all be used to add depth 76

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and character to your living space. “If you do it right, a feature wall can be a beautiful addition to a room,” says designer Emily Foster, of Emily Foster Interiors in Albuquerque.

What does it mean to do it right? That, says Albuquerque designer Melanie Pizzonia of Exquisite Design, depends on what you’re trying to achieve. “If I have a client who’s thinking about a feature wall, I’d want to know first what the purpose is,” she says. “Is it to make a room feel larger, or to make it feel more intimate? To make a space stand out, or to unify it with

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“If I have a client who’s thinking about a feature wall, I’d want to know first what the purpose is.”

– Melanie Pizzonia

Today’s feature wall options include not only paint color or wallpaper, but also fabrics, paneling, stone and specialized tile to create depth and dimension.

another nearby space? To highlight an architectural detail or to draw attention away from something?”

A feature wall can unify and temper the scale of a space. Foster, for example, turned the sweeping expanse of a home’s tall stairwell into a feature wall by painting the panels between the white molding trim a warm, sophisticated gray. The treatment provides a unifying element that carries from the home’s foyer to its secondfloor ceiling. Judiciously placed artwork and decorative lighting help bring down the grand scale of the stairwell.

In another instance, Foster created a feature wall to help create connection between a lightflooded sunroom and the outdoors. She painted the space a pretty shade of spring green, then added a series of vertical wooden slats to just one wall that subtly hint at a gazebo or trellis effect.

“I painted them the same color, so they kind of recede,” she explains. “I added some artwork for another layer. It’s quiet, but it has a three-dimensional effect because of the layering.”

An accent wall doesn’t have to be a total attention-getter to pack a big punch. For a client’s home study, Pizzonia outfitted one wall with a softspoken, monochromatic wallcovering from Moooi’s new Shoji collection. The foambacked fabric covering has an embroidered design in an Asian-inspired floral pattern, lending texture, depth and visual interest while adding a layer of soundproofing to the space.

Another purpose for a feature wall: boosting ambience. Both Foster and Pizzonia point to the success of a bathroom with a serene, contemporary design that includes a floating stone vanity, SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

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Courtesy Emily Foster Interiors

Design Studio

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a herringbone-patterned wood floor and a freestanding tub. Pizzonia says of a partial wall of vertical panels, “It divides the space and anchors the tub.”

It also, she notes, enhances the Zen-like feel of the room.

What if you’re not sure you’ll love the result? Consider peel-and-stick decals, which come in a host of chic designs, or even peel-and-stick wallpaper, the modern version of traditional professionally installed wallpaper.

“This is also a great idea if you rent your place and can’t do something permanent,” Pizzonia says. “Peel-andstick wallpaper is easy to install and remove, and it comes in beautiful patterns, colors and designs.”

Bold or subtle, a feature wall can turn your space from ho-hum to wow.

resources Emily Foster Interiors

Shutterstock.com/ImageFlow

Exquisite Design

Vida Buena

experience Jerome central Arizona’s hidden gem delights visitors with historic charm

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JEROME, ARIZONA, is a small town with a big presence, nestled high in the desert mountains. Passersby might keep on driving—at first glance, the town’s steep streets appear inaccessible, and it doesn’t seem to hold much charm.

However, it’s the quirkiness and character that make it a worthwhile destination.

This former-mining-camp-turned-artist-community has a vibrant culture experienced through its preserved architecture and art-infused atmosphere. Once labeled the “wickedest town in the west” for its population of miscreants and madams, Jerome now has National Historic District designation.

Jerome has something for everyone. Art enthusiasts can explore the many galleries and studios, showcasing a diverse range of work from local and international artists, and participate in workshops and classes to unleash their creativity. The Jerome State Historic Park, located in the former mansion of copper mining magnate Jerome Douglas combines the rough-and-tumble character of

Shutterstock.com/Fotoluminate LLC

by Faerl Marie Torres

the town’s commercial roots with its geographic beauty. Built in 1916 of adobe bricks made onsite, the mansion-turned-museum sits atop a hill overlooking the mine and is full of domestic innovations far ahead of its time. Today, the site celebrates the town’s heyday, the legacy of its founder and the minerals that brought them both much success.

Jerome is surrounded by hiking trails that cater to all trekking and adventure levels with breathtaking views of the Verde Valley. Nearby, Audrey Headframe Park offers a one-of-kind experience from its glass viewing platform over a 1918 mine shaft, and Tuzigoot National Monument preserves a 1,000-year-old, 110-room pueblo site.

Skeptics and believers will enjoy the paranormal thrill of evening ghost tours and spirit walks that introduce visitors to some of the town’s

historic sites and “longtime” residents. End your evening with a spooky good meal at The Haunted Hamburger—named the best burger restaurant by Ranking Arizona, the largest business opinion poll in the state.

Jerome boasts culinary variety to rival larger cities. From cozy cafes to upscale restaurants offering gourmet cuisine and impressive wine lists, there’s a menu to satisfy every palate. Many establishments also showcase the town’s spirit through artistic decor and historical themes that add to the dining experience. As part of the Verde Valley Wine Trail, Jerome boasts award-winning local and family-owned vineyards, tasting rooms and cellars fit for a connoisseur.

Jerome offers a collection of accommodations to suit all preferences. The Jerome Grand Hotel, an architectural gem that was once a hospital,

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Mining camp relics abound throughout this town, reminders of its long and rich history.

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Jerome’s steep streets can be offputting, but the art treasures to be found are worth the effort.

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offers a unique and haunted experience. Bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels provide personalized service and local flavor for a more intimate stay.

The Connor Hotel, built in 1899, has been lovingly restored to its former glory. Sitting in the heart of town, guests are central to the local attractions and can immerse themselves in Jerome’s vibrant atmosphere.

With its unique history, thriving art scene, rich viticulture and stunning natural backdrop, Jerome offers the opportunity to curate the perfect Southwestern getaway.

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Rusted and weathered mining relics add to the ghost town lore throughout Jerome and the surrounding area.

says …

Shutterstock.com/Pipas Imagery

Unique ceiling treatments can transform a space, adding character and depth to a room using an often-overlooked surface.

Many Southwestern homes, of course, feature beams and/or vigas, but there are various ways to give your space some dimension.

Coffered ceilings feature recessed panels, often in a grid pattern— commonly seen in traditional homes. Similarly, tray ceilings have a central raised portion with a step-like design around the edges.

They are prevalent in dining rooms, bedrooms and living rooms.

Taking a less structural approach, ceilings can be textured to add visual interest, stenciled to add an intricate design or wallpapered to create a striking look. When choosing the optimal treatment for your ceiling, consider the height, the room’s purpose and the overall aesthetic of your home.

Just Winging Through

ladder-backed woodpecker one crazy cool head-banger

WE ALL HAVE OUR FAVORITE BIRDS—the ones that make us smile every time we see or hear them. I have a soft spot for woodpeckers, those crazy, gravity-defying, bug-huntin’ head-bangers. The aptly named ladder-backed woodpecker is probably New Mexico’s most common woodpecker, as it prefers dry, desert habitats. And in my opinion, it’s one of the coolest.

The ladder-backed woodpecker (let’s call it an LBW since the name is such a mouthful) is a small member of the species, between 6 and 7 inches long. Its four toes are arranged in an X pattern so that two toes grip upward and two downward 84

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Shutterstock.com/Travis Maher

by Amy Gross

as the LBW navigates tree trunks, branches and cactus spines in any number of upside, downside and sideways positions in search of insects and larvae. A long, sturdy tail helps to support the body during these acrobatics. It earns its name from the beautiful “ladder” of stripes and speckles on the back and wings. The sexes are identical except for the head; the male has a crown of bright red, while the female’s is black.

Despite their showy appearance, LBWs can be hard to spot because those speckles help them to camouflage. Plus,

Shutterstock.com/Dee Carpenter Original

they move so darn quickly, zipping around tree trunks and branches faster than the eye can follow. So, how can you tell a ladder-backed is near? You could listen for the telltale drumming of a beak against wood and follow that sound. Or listen for the LBW’s distinctive call, which often announces the bird’s intention to relocate. Imagine you’re out for a morning walk.

Suddenly you hear this: Chip! Chip! [maniacal giggle!]

Then, a little figure zips past you and makes a beeline directly for a nearby tree. If you can follow this bird with your eyes, you’ll notice it doesn’t gently alight upon a branch in typical birdlike fashion. Instead, it fastens itself to a tree trunk as though it were being magnetized to it, fully upright. Classic woodpecker behavior!

I see lots of woodpeckers in the fall (the gorgeous Northern flickers will be coming in soon), but the LBW is the one I most often see at my feeders.

They love suet and dried mealworms and eat some seed, too. Try all of these in “cylinder” form and hang them where you can keep watch for a funny, speckled acrobat on a perpetual mission for something yummy to eat.

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

SUPPLYING HIGH QUALITY BUILDING PRODUCTS SINCE 1989.

¡Salud!

by Rebecca Toy

local microbrews

locally owned breweries pour flawless pints NEIGHBORHOOD BREWERIES EXEMPLIFY the best of New Mexico–innovation, fortitude and warm hospitality. These brewers transformed passion projects into thriving businesses through creative, sophisticated beers and committed service.

Not Just Another Brewpub At the forefront of the microbrewing movement, Marble Brewery helped prove the region was eager for well-crafted beer. It launched in April 2008, with beer lovers lining up outside the flagship location, a renovated warehouse downtown. The brewing partners purposefully moved away from the traditional brewpub, ditching the kitchen and focusing on production and serving in one location.

Fifteen years later, beer still rules. The most popular styles include the Cerveza Mexican lager, Double White Belgian-style wheat and the Desert Fog hazy IPA. Each of its three taprooms allows outside food, hosts food trucks and allows pets on patios.

Marble Brewery launched two new rotating series this year: The Lighter Side with light, crisp lagers and Alpha Acid Trip with hoppy IPAs.

Courtesy Rio Bravo Brewing

From Ireland to Albuquerque The family-owned and operated Rio Bravo Brewing started in Ireland. Denise and Randy Baker were struck with the conviviality and connections in homey Irish pubs. An almost decade-long dream culminated in opening this brewery in their hometown, Albuquerque in August 2014.

Rio Bravo Brewing opened in a 1947 Firestone building.

Fan favorites include the hazy New England IPA Freak Juice and the Rio Bravo Especial Mexican lager. The team also experiments with styles and tones of coffee, peach and ginger.

Denise Baker expresses amusement and pride in Rio Bravo Brewing’s evolution. “The thoughts of Randy being a bartender and chatting with customers finally came to fruition. However, the cute ‘Cheers’ bar was now 14,000 square feet with an

outdoor biergarten that holds 400 people.”

Rio Bravo Brewing has plans for a second location in Albuquerque.

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Courtesy Marble Brewery

Marble Brewery helped prove the region was eager for well-crafted beer.

Each of Marble Brewery’s three taprooms allows outside food, hosts food trucks and allows pets on the patios.

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¡Salud!

A Delicious Experiment Opened in June 2019, the Brew Lab 101 Beer and Hard Cider Co. serves its creations in a playful space. An equation board, lab tables and samples served in beakers carry a message. “We celebrate the science and engineering of making craft beer as well as the scientific history of New Mexico,” says owner Scott Salvas, who started homebrewing 12 years ago.

Best sellers include the Sexi NuMexi Mexican lager, Wicked Pissah New England hazy IPA, and Peachy Keen cider. The brewery welcomes families and pets to bring food, try a food truck, and enjoy games in the 4000-square-foot beer garden.

Brew Lab 101’s formula is working.

The team has plans to open a second location within the year and is securing a wholesaler license to expand to area restaurants and bars.

Sweet Success with Homebrewing Sours This award-winning venture in Santa Fe started when co-owner John Rowley’s friend shared a brew kit.

Rowley immersed himself in the local homebrewing scene, where he met chef Jeffrey Kaplan and brewer Tyler King.

The three shared a goal: pair sour and funk-forward farmhouse-style ales with comfort foods and a rotating tap list.

Rowley Farmhouse Ales opened in 2016 with one beer in a one-barrel brewhouse. Today, the brewery offers a range of classic styles like stouts, IPAs and lagers. Craft specialties like the Great American Beer Festival silver medal Germophile sour and the Fields of Rye farmhouse ale are also on tap.

As the team plans a second location, Rowley stays focused on the purpose.

“We love making people happy with both our beer and our food and giving back to our community.”

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Player One Productions

Green Piece

says …

induction cooktops

cooking that is quicker, safer and more sustainable

Electrification is all around us! Recent government legislation and conversations about banning gas stoves have led to new consumer rebates for upgrading to electric cooktops. Induction cooktops are categorized as electric appliances because of their power source, but they are not typical electric cooktops. Instead, they use electromagnetic technology to heat conductive pots and pans efficiently. The pan gets hot, but the cooktop around it does not.

How does it work?

A copper coil beneath the cooktop generates an electromagnetic field that interacts directly with conductive cookware for fast and precise heating. Some models include temperature controls and timers to cook with the precision and consistency of gas. The technology is powerful enough to boil water rapidly and gentle enough to melt butter and chocolate without burning.

Induction is more efficient than gas burners or electric elements because it only heats the cookware. Induction transfers 80 to 90 percent of its energy to the food in the pan, compared to gas, which converts only 40 percent, and electric, which manages roughly 70 percent. Because less heat escapes as radiant energy from the source, induction cooking keeps the kitchen cooler and requires less power for ventilation and space cooling. This efficiency can result in significant energy and financial savings.

How safe is it?

Induction cooktops have grown in popularity because of their safety features. Unlike traditional systems, electromagnetic energy cooktops require no open flames or hot coils. Induction cooktops include childsafety locks and control systems that automatically shut off the heat source when no pot is present. Additionally, the cooktop surface remains cooler, reducing the risk of accidental burns. You may have already experienced the technology while traveling on a cruise because most large ship kitchens ban open flames due to fire hazards.

Solar light fixtures are a no-hassle way to light your outdoor walkways—and they are more than the early “stick in the grass” styles. Today’s solar lights can be built into stairs, sidewalks and walls, and advanced photovoltaic technology means faster charging times and increased brightness.

Many solar lights even come with motion sensors and smart controls to adjust settings and turn lights on and off from your phone. They come in different shapes and sizes, mimicking traditional garden lights, lanterns or unique artistic styles, and they come with weatherproofing features to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. You can opt for pathway lighting, spotlights for trees or decorative elements in your yard, or string lights to create ambience on a patio—or a combination of them all.

Not necessarily. Pots and pans must be ferrous and magnetic to work on an induction cooktop. A simple test to determine if your pot is compatible with induction is to try sticking a magnet to the bottom of it. If the magnet clings to the surface, it’s compatible and ready to use. Cast iron and stainless steel cookware are induction compatible. Simple attachments, known as induction disks, allow any type of cookware to be used, including aluminum, copper, glass and ceramic.

Induction silicon mats are also an excellent addition to your induction cooktop, keeping it clean, free of scratches and extending its lifespan.

Carol Orona has 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.

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Do I need special cookware?

Photo: © Daniel Nadelbach

Photo: © Daniel Nadelbach

Photo: © Daniel Nadelbach

Photo: © Dan

iel Nadelbach Photo: © Dan

iel Nadelbach

505 471 3439 frankyardmanconstruction.com

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Su Libro

by Kate Jonuska

embracing imperfection practical ideas for good living

“House + Love = Home: Creating Warm, Intentional Spaces for a Beautiful Life” by Jenny Marrs, published by and photography courtesy of Convergent Books, hardcover, $27.

FANS OF THE HGTV hit show, “From Fixer to Fabulous,” which will air its fifth season in 2024, love the heart-on-sleeve, wholesome authenticity shown by its hosts, Jenny and Dave Marrs, as they renovate classic homes around their hometown of Benton, Arkansas. And unsurprisingly, that wholeheart approach to design and life is on full display in “House + Love = Home: Creating Warm, Intentional Spaces for a Beautiful Life” by Jenny Marrs.

While certainly packed with inspirational photos and actionable tips, this design book also features a lot of Jenny’s authentic voice, spirit and stories about her and Dave’s family of seven. Her design philosophy leans away from consumerism and new goods toward intentionality. As she writes, “Perfection is impossible when it comes to home.

Because perfection is actually the antithesis of a real, well-lived-in home.”

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imperfection, like kitchen tables that proudly display the scratches and scuffs of many family meals. Such a table is the center of the couple’s own farmhouse kitchen, where they chose a large table rather than an island to maximize the limited space of their 1903 farmhouse.

Like many other pieces of furniture that star in their remodels, Dave made the table and inserts a few ideas into the book via attainable woodworking projects. And the couple’s home is featured as an example for each chapter’s theme of living rooms, bedrooms, kids’ zones and more.

House + Love = Home has practical ideas for good living, including porch swings large enough for napping, family laundry rooms and drop zones. The family laundry room was a hit at their house, leading to less parental work and more family dance parties. And drops zones— organizational areas near the entry—can alleviate stress by preparing to handle a bit of mess rather than trying to prevent it.

Through her design ideas as well as stories of how their home helps their family stay organized, enjoy holidays and stage extended family dinners, Jenny Marrs shows how design can support a more loving, intentional and even spiritual life, and makes such design attainable for anyone.

This living room set is shown in one of our Performance Fabrics w/Brown Maple frame finished in our Columbian stain. Available in 7 leathers and over 100 fabrics. The coffee and end tables are shown in Brown Maple finished in our Columbian stain. Available in your choice of over 7 hardwoods, and over 20 finishes.

What makes a house a home?

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

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

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Su Libro

by Kate Jonuska

creating livability

how home design affects our lived experience

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“The Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home” by Shea McGee, published by and photography courtesy of Harper Horizon, hardcover, $35.

SHEA MCGEE of Studio McGee has been a star on Netflix via “Dream Home Makeover” and a success on the internet with online retailer McGee & Co. However, in her book, “The Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home,” McGee reveals that her success in home design stems from being a homebody herself and believing that how our home looks affects how we feel inside it.

Based on her tips and the book’s bright and bountiful photographic inspiration, how McGee wants us to feel in our homes is calm, grounded and naturally beautiful. Describing the Studio McGee lens as “beautifully balanced interiors with a perpetual sense of calm,” she explains and demonstrates how the best rooms balance beauty with livability.

To that end, McGee shares her process, including how to create a mood and work with an architect 94

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PROJECT NAME, LOCATION

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or architectural details. She then travels through the house showing how to spread an air of elevated livability room by room.

“Simplicity is a feeling created by hundreds of nuanced details,” writes McGee, later explaining, “The real secret is in the mix. High and low, old and new, curvy and straight—you could be in a penthouse apartment or a beach bungalow, and this (balancing) approach would land you in the sweet spot of lofty, yet down-to-earth design.”

Generous with her talent and expertise, McGee also shares her favorite color palettes, furniture arrangements, fabrics and more both via photography and an invaluable section called the Style Guide.

The latter is a treasure trove of information about how to size a rug for a room and/ or your furniture; can’t-miss secrets for mixing fabric patterns; how high to hang lights over tables, beds, islands and artwork; and much, much more.

By taking the guesswork out of the process, these designer tips can lend a feeling of calm to your DIY design process as well as your newly designed space and show every reader how they, too, can live in their “Dream Home.”

himself on a street sign at the end of my loop, a tiny sentinel who placidly watches our cars going in and out. Everyone on the street refers to this sweet little guy as the neighborhood watch. The joke is on us, though; he’s actually keeping a sharp eye out for lunch! But as we humans unashamedly anthropomorphize our feathered friends, I’m hoping he will return this summer to preside as our neighborhood greeter once again.

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

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says …

Shutterstock.com/Pixel-Shot

Now is the perfect time to take stock of your gardening tools and perform care and maintenance to keep them in great shape for the next gardening season. After each use, thoroughly clean and dry tools to prevent rust. Periodically, check the cutting edges of pruners, shears and shovels, and keep them sharp using a file.

Lubricate moving parts, such as pivot points and hinges, with a few drops of oil. Check wooden handles for splinters or cracks.

Sand rough areas and apply linseed oil to nourish and protect the wood from the elements.

Inspect your tools for signs of wear and damage and replace any as needed to ensure safe and efficient gardening.

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Award-winning, environmentally mindful, custom green homes

Innovative Thinking — Innovative Environments

ecoterrallc.com

C E R T I F I E D

When you are looking for a

New Home, look for one that takes care of you too

(505) 918-8476

Look for builders that take extra steps to make it right.

Don’t just think “Green”... ...think Energy Efficient, Comfortable, Healthy Indoor Air Quality Ask your builder to certify with Build Green New Mexico

Here are a few who already certify homes:

QUESTIONS OR FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact Steve Hale, Build Green NM program Director (505) 688 - 5335 • Steve@CertifiedGreenNM.org SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

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Jason Collin

on the market

hilltop vistas

This stunning masterpiece in the Tierra Monte neighborhood marries luxurious living with breathtaking views. Sitting high in the foothills, this home offers sweeping panoramic views, inviting the outdoors to become an integral part of your everyday life. The home boasts not just one but two expansive decks, plus 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, an in-law floor plan and more than one acre of land. The home has four fireplaces, multiple living areas and a dedicated office with built-in cabinetry. Beautiful hardwood floors, beams and a chevron-pattern wood ceiling are just a few bonus design elements.

The primary suite is a private retreat with its own balcony to savor your morning coffee or evening stargazing. In addition, this property features a 3-car attached garage.

Listing Price: $1,350,000 Contact: David Stafford, 360 Ventures Real Estate, 505-750-3360, 360abq.com

upcycled wood from albuquerque

SLABS. MILLING. FURNISHINGS. (505) 433-1915 www.cutanddrylumber.com

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Melissa Salazar

CUT + DRY LUMBER CO.

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Design Studio

supreme sheds

ditch the dated, drab backyard storage for a little outdoor eye candy

BACKYARD SHEDS have undergone a renaissance in recent years with the advent of she sheds and a new breed of auxiliary dwelling unit uses, including home offices, backyard bars, home gyms and more.

But the good ol’ shed sometimes needs just to be a shed for housing things such as gardening tools, outdoor equipment, seasonal items, bicycles and other things you don’t want cluttering your garage.

We usually think of it as a place for lawn care items such as the lawn mower, weed eater, and potting and gardening supplies. However, with the right design— including ventilation and light—it can also act as a greenhouse for cultivating your plants early to be 100

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replanted outdoors and a place to keep plants out of extreme temperatures.

Sheds are also a perfect spot to stash potentially hazardous materials, chemicals or tools to keep them away from young children and pets. Install a lock or other safety latch that small people and crafty pets can’t open.

With this shed resurgence, we’ve also seen the design of this utilitarian outbuilding go from basic blah to trendy and tranquil. Even if you start with your standard Big Box kit, you can make it feel like a purposeful design element in your yard. Depending on your personal aesthetic or the style of your home,

Shutterstock.com/Virrage Images

by Heather Shoning

Shutterstock.com/M Gl Shutterstock.com/Jonathan Park

you might opt for a modern-looking shed or something more rustic. Choose stained and finished wood siding or a color palette that blends in or stands out—whichever suits your style.

Add decorative elements such as window boxes with flowers (if your shed doesn’t have windows, add faux ones), shutters and a decorative front door for a cottage-like feel. Vintage hardware like handles and hinges can give your shed a designer look. Add a porch with seating to make it even more backyard friendly.

A pitched-roof entry on your shed provides places to hang birdfeeders, plants, windchimes, ristras and more. To ensure the shed doesn’t feel like a discarded corner of the yard, landscape around it and create a gravel or steppingstone path leading to it.

Express your personal style and combine various design elements to create a cohesive and charming look to turn a storage space into your own supreme shed.

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

on the market AUTUMN 2023 Advertisers Affordable Solar LLC..........................................................................27 Albuquerque Sound & Vac..............................................................102 Albuquerque Window Door and Trim...........................................91 American Clay.........................................................................................3 Bell Bank Mortgage.............................................................................29 Bontina Distinctive Cabinetry Design..........................................103 Bright Ideas, Inc....................................................................................60 Build Green NM...................................................................................97 Builders Source Appliance Gallery..................................................48

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byDry custom home designer Jim Beverly, is an exquisite Cut & Lumber Co.........................................................................98 showcase of meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail.byIt’s located on a cul-de-sac with 1.33 acres Decorations Lenin...........................................................................93 backing to the National Forest on a Forest Service lot. As Diego Handcrafted you step inside, Homes...............................................................65 you’ll be greeted by solid oak flooring that exudes elegance, complemented by Pella windows DMC....................................................................................................9 creating a warm and inviting ambience throughout the home.Design Arches,Build.......................................................................97 tray ceilings and beautiful fireplaces are EcoTerra just some architectural details defining this home. The Enchanted Spaces................................................................................4,5 Eric Spurlock Custom Home Design..............................................89 Frank Yardman Construction.............................................................91 Homes by Joe Boyden LLC..............................................................15 Ideal Mirror & Glass...........................................................................96 I’m the Blind Lady................................................................................63 J. Douglas Furniture & Interior Design............................................8 John Mark Custom Homes...............................................................95 Keller Williams Realty.........................................................................53 Kirtland Credit Union...........................................Inside Back Cover La Puerta Originals..............................................................................22 Las Ventanas Homes...........................................................Back Cover La-z-boy..............................................................................................25 Leeco Grounds Management, Inc....................................................28

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6300-Gambel-Oak

Lee-Sure Pools, Inc...............................................................................45 Lowe-bo Homes...................................................................................88 Maloy Mobile Storage.........................................................................99

Mountain West Sales..............................85 New Haven Homes..................................59 New Mexico Bank & Trust......................67 New Mexico Select...................................49 Pella Windows & Doors SW.....................1 PRMI.............................................Gatefold Pulte Homes..............................................61 PWKI LLC....................................................6 Realty One..................................................21 Redline Excavating, Inc............................99 Reliance Construction, Inc....Inside Front Cover Remax Select..............................................14 Rio Grande Credit Union.......................17 Ron Hanks Design LLC..........................96 Rubber Stone NM.....................................26 Sandia Green Clean................................103 Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union....19 Spiegel-Kinsley Construction LLC........83 Stewart Title...............................................89 Stonewood Flooring LLC.......................79 Submaterial.........................................12 Sukhmani...........................................11 Sun Mountain Construction, Inc...........57 Tesuque Stucco Co......................................2 The Amish Connection............................93 The Firebird..................................................7 Twilight Homes........................................13 Vineyard Homes LLC.............................47 Waterstone Mortgage..............................20 Western Building Supply........................23 Westway Homes.......................................64 Wholesale Timber & Viga........................88 WinSupply of Albuquerque...................31 Woods Design Builders...........................10

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Adios

photograph by Daniel Nadelbach

a perfect view As if this mountain modern home with jutting cantilevered overhangs, floor-to-ceiling windows and copious right angles was not dramatic enough, architect and general contractor Gabriel Browne of Praxis Design/Build, wanted to push the design further. The chopstick column, he says, adds a little play into the design, and it draws the eye in a new direction. The net-zero home has solar that offsets electric use and powers the homeowners’ vehicles. The design is water-conscious, too, with a rainwater capture system, some of which feeds into the outdoor planters. The homeowners, who are big skiers, built the Adirondack chairs from old skis so they could sit in front of the custom outdoor fireplace and look at the ski area.

Praxis Design/Build, praxisdesignbuild.com

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For life’s ‘now’ moments as well as the roads ahead, let our Local Mortgage Team assist you with ‘common-sense lending’ options to fit your unique loan needs.

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