Su Casa Southwest Homes Winter 2013 Digital Edition

going

Southwestern homes

green ÂŽ

in ABQ

inspiration ideas resources

this old Santa Fe house

Steve Thomas remodels an eastside adobe

rammed earth

takes on the elements in Taos

two households,

one goal:

sustainability Vol. 19 no. 1 WINTER 2013

SuCasaMagazine.com

Exceptional Home Products & Expert Installation AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR

WINDOWS & DOORS

WINDOWS

LUXURY BATH LUXURY BATH

DOORS DOORS

CABINET REFACING

SUNROOMS SUNROOMS

SPAS & HOT TUBS HOT TUBS | SPAS

FIREPLACES | STOVES

STUCCO

We Proudly Support

Albuquerque showroom

5504 Menaul NE

between San Mateo & San Pedro

505-248-2462

PATIO COVERS

Santa Fe showroom

199 Paseo de Peralta East end DeVargas Center

AnimalhumaneNM.org

www.dreamstyleonline.com Home Resort Living Inc. Lic. 91738

505-992-7647

Let U.S. Arrange the Pieces to Your New Home

We Are “The Eagle”

All the pieces to a picture-perfect mortgage can be yours. At U.S. New Mexico, The Eagle, we’re ready to lend when you’re ready to buy, refinance, or remodel. Call Bruce McCandless today at 505-342-8872, and let The Eagle finance your loan.

Mortgages • Auto Loans • Credit Cards • Business Services

505-342-8872 usnmfcu.org

Lux�r� has never been so...

Green

w w w. G ol d e n - E ag l e - D e s i g n . c om

Golden Eagle Design Golden Eagle Design, New Mexico’s most innovative kitchen and bath showroom, features many eco-friendly and green products for your home.We can assist you with anything from low-�low toilets, to grey water systems for your landscaping. We offer a large selection of products, from classic style to modern luxury, to help you create the kitchen or bathroom of your dreams!

Our knowledgeable and experienced associates can assist you in making the best possible selection for you and your home.

Our parent company, Perry Supply Co., is your best source for solar and tankless water heaters. Complete your home improvements with the perfect water heater to compliment your green �ixtures.

Albuquerque, NM 505.888.9457 2601 Vassar DR NE Albuquerque, NM 87107

Santa Fe, NM 505.473.5177 3935 San Felipe RD Santa Fe, NM 87507

Taos, NM 575.758.7987 65 Upper Las Colinas RD El Prado, NM 87529

ENERGY STAR® homes pile on

the green features.

An ENERGY STAR home offers the quality, comfort and safety you’d expect in a new home, plus features designed to deliver exceptional energy performance. These homes are more efficient than homes built to code, and that means energy and cost savings for you.

• Savings of up to 30% on monthly energy bills • The latest in energy-efficient technology • Independently verified construction • Consistent temperatures throughout the home • Improved indoor air quality • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

Learn how an ENERGY STAR home is a great investment and find a homebuilder today by visiting NMsaves.com PNM and New Mexico Gas Company are proud to work in partnership to sponsor an ENERGY STAR Homes Program in our electric and gas service areas throughout New Mexico.

Southwestern homes

Above: Amadeus Leitner; Below: Douglas Merriam

42

ÂŽ

inspiration ideas resources

southwestern

homes

50

56

42 well connected

Two households are merged together under one roof, where harmony is achieved through a balance of contemporary styles and soft New Mexican features.

50

this old adobe

For TV building expert Steve Thomas, renovating a historic Santa Fe casita is all about keeping things simple, streamlined, and green.

60

earthly delights

A rammed earth home in Taos thoughfully combines Territorial and Pueblo building styles—all while inviting the beautiful scenery in, and keeping the harsh elements out.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

7

in every issue

14 Inside Su Casa 16 Life+Style Southwest

16

The Southwestern portal defines the art of sitting, countertops with a conscience, contemporary gas fireplaces, tips for redecorating your home, and more.

Interior designer Annie O’Carroll provides the best ways to brighten your home while remaining eco-friendly.

36 Su Cocina A look into the family-oriented kitchen of bookstore owner Dorothy Massey.

72 It’s So Easy Being Green Eco-friendly products for your home.

76 Su Libro

Three books delve into our region’s history, from intimate stories of outlaws in Lincoln County to colorful depictions of ranch houses. Plus, an insider’s perspective on the life of Georgia O’Keeffe.

88 Dream On

60

Cover: A crumbling adobe casita on Santa Fe’s eastside gets a complete makeover from Steve Thomas, former host of PBS’s This Old House.

Photograph by Douglas Merriam.

Visit SuCasaMagazine.com

Kirk Gittings

Courtesy of Unearthed Paints

A Paa-Ko home’s wine cellar is the ultimate in luxury.

Builders Source Appliance Gallery 308 Menaul NE. Albuquerque, NM 87107 Phone: 505.889.3001 www.builderssource.com

Builders Source Appliance Gallery 1608 Pacheco Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 Phone: 505.982.5563

Builders Source Appliance Gallery 760 West Palms Las Cruces, NM 88007 Phone: 575.526.5200

Builders Source Appliance Gallery 6560 Montana Avenue, El Paso, TX 79925 Phone: 915.775.1000

WE KNOW

NEW MEXICO

Southwestern homes

inspiration ideas resources

Published by Bella Media, LLC Publisher

Bruce Adams Associate Publisher

B.Y. Cooper Advertising Manager

Cheryl Mitchell Editor

Amy Gross Associate Editor

Samantha Schwirck Contributors Dianna Delling, Ben Ikenson Alicia Kellogg, Kathleen McCloud

Charles C. Poling, John Vollertsen Graphic Designer

Sybil Watson Contributing Designer

Michelle Odom Photography

Kirk Gittings, Amadeus Leitner

Local partners serving the needs of New Mexicans for almost 20 years.

New Home Purchases, Refinancing and Reverse Mortgages (505) 275-3040 or (800) 375-9101

Gabriella Marks, Douglas Merriam Advertising Sales Executives

Yvonne Johnston, Melissa Salazar David Wilkinson For advertising information contact: 505-344-1783 Operations Manager

Ginny Stewart-Jaramillo

8421 Osuna Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111 2424 Louisiana Blvd NE, Suite 120, Albuquerque, NM 87110 www.ameriplexmortgage.com

SuCasaMagazine.com For subscriptions, call 800-770-6326

Su Casa (ISSN 1084-4562) is published four times a year (March, June, September, and December) by Bella Media, LLC, 215 W San Francisco, Suite 300, Santa Fe, NM 87501 for $9.95 for 4 issues or $15.95 for 8 issues.

Periodicals postage paid at Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Denver, Colorado.

POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Su Casa Magazine PO Box 461393, Escondido CA 92046.

Pella® 350 Series windows and doors with Advanced Low-E triple-pane glass are #1 for energy efficiency among top national vinyl brands.* So you can spend less on your energy costs and have more for other things that matter to you. In fact, Pella offers many different energy-saving glass options. So we can help keep your home — and your budget — comfortable. Other windows and doors merely frame the landscape. At Pella, we’re creating a better view of your energy costs. Month after month. Year after year.

888-512-6136 or 505-345-3502 • pellasw.com Albuquerque, NM 3901 Singer Blvd. NE (New Location!) | Santa Fe, NM 706 Saint Michaels Drive, #5B El Paso, TX 6703 North Mesa Street *Pella® 350 Series windows and patio doors with InsulShield® Advanced Low-E triple-pane glass have superior NFRC U-Factors and SHGC ratings among top national vinyl brands. © 2013 Pella Corporation

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

President: Mike Cecchini First Vice President: Rob Hughes Second Vice President: David Newell Immediate Past President: Garret Price Associate Vice President: Stephanie Peterson Secretary/Treasurer: Ron Sisneros Associate Member-at-Large: Carla Wersonick Custom Builders Council, Chair: Otley Smith Green Build Council, Chair: Lora Vassar Home Builders Care, Chair: Bain Cochran Membership and Parade Committee, Chair: Diana Lucero Production Builders Council, Chair: Bret Bailey Remodelers Council, Chair: Debra Speck H om e Bu il de rs Asso c ia tio n o f C e nt r a l N e w M e xic o S ta f f

Executive Vice President: Jim Folkman Vice President of Operations: Lana Alderson Events Specialist: Kimberly Johnson Receptionist/Clerical Assistant: Mercedes Morton

presidential award

Copyright Š 2013 by Bella Media, LLC. Bella Media, LLC 215 W San Francisco, Suite 300 Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-983-1444 sucasamagazine.com Please direct editorial queries to editor@sucasamagazine.com.

Su Casa’s cover and text are printed by Publication Printers in Denver, Colorado, on SFI-certified paper. The papers used contain fiber from well-managed forests, meeting EPA guidelines that recommend a minimum 10% post-consumer recovered fiber for coated papers. Inks used contain a percentage of soy base. Our printer meets or exceeds all federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) standards and is a certified member of the Forest Stewardship Council.

Inside Su Casa

a life more perfect

I

Publisher

The house dubbed “Casa de KP3,” built by Kayeman Custom Homes, showcases community and sustainability. Read more on page 42.

14

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Amadeus Leitner

Bruce Adams

DAVID ROBIN

n the course of a lifetime, we experience transformative moments that demand significant and positive changes in our lives. These changes might come from family transitions, life choices, career adjustments, changes in our own health or the health of a loved one. When these situations occur, we, in essence, must remodel our lives.

Many homeowners decide to remodel their homes for exactly the same reason. They realize that a significant life change demands a repurposed home that will better match their new set of needs. For those of us in love with our current home, the option and decision to remodel outweighs buying a new one. And sometimes with our home—as with our life—all we need to do is change one thing, and then it’s perfect.

There are of course situations when only a completely new home is the answer. Su Casa often features amazing new homes that were built to the dreams and specific needs of homeowners. In meeting these homeowners, I so enjoy the excitement in their eyes as they describe how their homes were built to precisely meet their dreams.

In this issue, you’ll get a chance to meet someone who understands how needs change and how creating that perfect space can be both challenging and rewarding. Steve Thomas, former host of PBS’s This Old House and Planet Green’s Renovation Nation, shows how he took on the complete remodel of a historic adobe home and turned it into a dream getaway. Even for pros like Steve, remodeling is a significant process.

What makes it easier is working with superb contractors.

While we rarely hesitate to spend time and money on remodeling our lives, we often neglect remodeling our homes—and with the exceptional builders and remodelers we have here in Northern New Mexico, there is simply no reason for that. The craftsmen featured in Su Casa are endlessly innovative: They can transform your kitchen, bathroom, or any other part of your home into an up-to-date solution that fits your needs now. Not only will your remodel look beautiful and add value to your home, but it will give you a home that better meets the changes in your life. And won’t that make your life just a little bit more perfect?

Photos: Albuquerque The Magazine

Life+Style Southwest

looking up A guest bathroom in this off-the-grid La Jara home is a visually striking mélange of classic New Mexican hues, thoughtful decor, and an impressive glass ceiling with antlers resting on top. Built by homeowners David Strip and Elaine Gorham— both retired Sandia National Laboratories scientists—the home is a seamless blend of the natural with the avant-garde.

Robert Reck

Architect: Jonathan Siegel of Siegel Design Architects, siegeldesignarchitects.com

16 16

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013 S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Cool Temps Can mean hot Deals in Real Estate.

Here in New Mexico, cold weather never shuts down the real estate business.

In fact, with the help of the state’s best Realtors, you could find this to be a hot market for buying and selling homes.

Count on one of the members of New Mexico Select to help you save some cold, hard cash this winter.

John Kynor

Robin Riegor

Sean & Christine Remington

michelle Smith

lynn martinez

Joi Banks Schmidt

Jill levin/ Joan Wagner

Shirley Rich

Cheryl marlow

Greg Walker

Veronica Gonzales

Will Beecher

Joseph Sanchez

Jeannine Dilorenzo

Suzanne Kinney

249-1212

450-7635

Jan Demay

mindy Prokos

400-6488

690-2225/235-9398

Vicki Criel

annie Stofac Smidt

Sandi Pressley

mark Puckett

Joe maez

Shireen Jacob/Jeanne Kuriyan

michelle Selby

Charissa Grigsby

263-2903

280-1445

385-7714 /220-0060

250-3977

615-3333

401-5775

307-4006

280-8811

238-3272

235-5840

235-8143

404-0379

980-2999

321-5521

417-1640

615-3131

269-6997

319-3989

263-6369

259-2033

Phyllis & Robert Boverie

401-3881

ann Taylor

918-5730

890-2063

Susan Feil/alicia Feil Peterson

Connie Johnson

Carrie Traub/Bev listek

Susan nelson anderson

Winnie DeVore

Jo Cook

lauren herman

440-8956

259-2415/280-6088

379-6099

350-3235

948-0001

270-6300

239-8526

www.nmselect.com FoR FuRThER inFoRmaTion Call :

Susan Jameson @ Wells Fargo Private mortgage Banking 766-7205 or Terris Zambrano @ Fidelity national Title 967-9408

Susan Jameson 766-7205 nmlSR iD 442357

Participating Real Estate Companies: The Ann Taylor Co. 505-890-2063 | Champion Properties 505-319-3989 Coldwell Banker Legacy 505-828-1000, 505-293-3700, 505-263-6369, 505-271-6306, 505-292-8900 | North ABQ/Corrales Realty 505-890-3131 Criel & Associates 505-615-3333 | Ida Kelly Realtors 505-888-1000 | Keller Williams Realty 505-271-8200, 505-897-1100 | KW Realty Group 505-250-3977 Platinum Properties 505-332-1133 | Prudential New Mexico Properties 505-797-5555 | Q Realty Inc. 505-750-0059 | Remax Elite 505-798-1000

Terris Zambrano 967-9408

southwest 101: portales the art of sitting

Attractive and functional, the Southwestern portal isn’t just for summer sitting anymore.

These days, portales are outfitted with fireplaces, outdoor grills, and fire pits for year-round enjoyment.

by Charles C. Poling

“Our portal is sacred,” says builder David Peterson of David C. Peterson Construction in Albuquerque. “We sit on it every night— and I mean every night.”

A longtime builder in Central New Mexico, Peterson remains one of the last local contractors making walls from mud bricks. Many of his homes are in the classic Pueblo Revival style, and a Pueblo-style house without a portal is like an enchilada without chile.

As the New Mexican variant of the allAmerican porch, the portal has a long history here. In the definitive book Of Earth and Timbers Made: New Mexico Architecture, historian Bainbridge Bunting noted that in colonial New Mexico, houses lacked the ornamentation found elsewhere in the Spanish empire. “If there was an element of architectural interest,” he wrote, “it was a narrow portal.”

And it’s just gotten more interesting with time. The truly seminal Carlos Vierra house in Santa Fe, built around 1918, shows extensive portales with carved corbels topping round posts. John Gaw Meem virtually codified the portal in Santa Fe style, pushing it to 15 feet deep, dressing it up, and making it an outdoor room.

People began furnishing portales and adding fireplaces, ceiling fans, built-in bancos, and even televisions.

“New Mexico’s climate is so geared toward outdoor living,” Peterson says. “There’s two good portales here: one on the east side for the evenings and one on the west side for the mornings. Ideally, you’ve got to have both. And in our house, we have a south-facing portal with a west wall that shields it from the summer sun and provides a warm spot throughout the sunny winter.”

Peterson has a few design tips for your portal: “If you’re going to use it for a room, make it 12 feet deep—that’s awesome—and about eight feet tall.” Insulating the roof blocks summer heat, while “fans are damn-near a must.” The wall finish should match the rest of the house. Being an adobero, Peterson likes a traditional ceiling: “We’ve done sheetrock, but to do it right, it’s got to be beams or vigas and plank decking or latillas.”

Naturally, you don’t have to own an adobe house to have a portal. It looks good on any regional-style home, from flat-roofed Pueblo to modern Tuscan-Southwestern. Whatever the style, the portal says take it easy. “A portal should be somewhere you go sit at the end of the day,” Peterson says, letting your troubles drift away in the open air.

18

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Daniel Nadelbach

A Pueblo-style house without a portal is like an enchilada without chile.

Life+Style Southwest

by Amy Gross

green and gorgeous Countertops with a conscience

Countertops made with recycled materials, like 3form’s 100 percent recycled plastic countertop (above) and Vetrazzo’s recycled glass countertop and backsplash (right), are gaining in popularity.

20

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

“We love reusing materials that are already available and turning them into works of art.”

—Melissa Coleman, La Puerta Originals resistant, and absorbs virtually no water, it’s perfect for moisture-heavy areas like bathrooms and kitchen sinks. Mocha and Slate are popular colors right now for kitchens and bathrooms, says Peter Sims, owner of Tom Sawyer Enterprises in Albuquerque. Look for other recycled paper countertops under the names EcoTop and Squak Mountain Stone.

Recycled metal? You bet. Although not inexpensive, recycled metal countertops, found under brand names like Alkemi and Eleek, are sleek, lustrous alternatives to earth-based countertops. If you yearn for the look and feel of an industrial kitchen, Alkemi is made from 60 percent scrap aluminum and a resin compound that will give you a look similar to stainless steel, but allow you to feel a whole lot better about your decision to go metal.

Ever wonder what happens to all of your recycled milk cartons and laundry detergent containers? Some get turned into recycled plastic countertops, such as those manufactured under the brand name 3form 100 Percent.

Made entirely from post-consumer recycled plastics, these countertops are formidably durable, and color options include solids, vibrant umbrella stripes, and whimsical specks for a midcentury or retro feel.

If a rich, warm, traditional look is what you’re after, a salvaged, reclaimed, or sustainably managed wood countertop is considered a renewable resource and the perfect solution. Bamboo, which is fast-growing, is considered quite sustainable. The U.S. Green Building Council suggests looking for Forest Stewardship Council-certified salvaged or reclaimed wood. You can even ask for a Chain-of-Custody certification. To ensure your wood countertop is

Left: Courtesy of 3form; Right: Courtesy of Vetrazzo

T

he question of countertops is one of the biggest nail-biters for home remodelers and new homebuilders. The usual issues of aesthetics, durability, cost, and ease of maintenance become even more complicated for those concerned about sustainability and eco-friendliness. Happily, stylish, long-lasting, and sustainable countertop options abound today for highly discerning homeowners who are concerned about their home’s impact on the environment.

Recycled glass (terrazzo) countertops, commonly marketed under brand names like Vetrazzo, Trend Glass, and EnviroGLAS, are made of glass chips mixed with a hard composite such as cement or resin.

“Trend Glass has a sheen like granite but more bling,” says Del Reanne Lucas of Granite Transformations of Albuquerque. The crushed and broken glass particles create brilliant, eye- and light-catching designs.

ECO by Cosentino recycles a variety of commonly discarded items—mirror, porcelain, glass, and ceramics—to create its NSF-certified countertop product. Even 94 percent of the water used in the manufacturing process is reused. “Customers come to us demanding an eco-friendly product, but then they see ECO and realize they really like the colors,” says Cosentino’s Matt Merhege.

PaperStone, a paper composite product, is made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled office paper and petroleum-free phenolic resins. Because the surface is almost completely nonporous, stain-

Life+Style Southwest even more eco-friendly, Melissa Coleman, president of La Puerta Originals, designers of custom, handcrafted wood designs, also notes the importance of avoiding petro–based chemicals in finishes and sealants. “We work only with reclaimed wood,” says Coleman, “and we love reusing materials that are already available and turning them into works of art.”

It’s important to note that your preferred green countertop may not be immediately available in your area. Before you decide that you simply must

ECO by Cosentino, shown here in Riverbed, offers a granite-like look using recycled materials (above), while reclaimed Douglas fir (right) enjoys new life as a bathroom countertop and hand-carved vanity by La Puerta Originals.

22

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Left: Courtesy of Cosentino; Right: Eric Swanson

continued on page 82

Life+Style Southwest

no hearth, no problem Contemporary gas fireplaces are sleek, clean, and versatile

by Amy Gross

Above: Jøtul’s GF 370 gas stove delivers warmth and beauty in a sculptural vertical design.

24

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Left: Clean and elegant, the brushed bronze faceplate of a Regency Horizon gas fireplace extends barely an inch from the wall.

And its that elongated, linear look that homeowners are seeking these days.

“That cleaner look goes with all kinds of home styles,” says Lyle. “You don’t have to have an ultra-contemporary home for these long, slender fireplaces to fit in; they go just as well in soft contemporary or modern homes. But if you want to set your home apart from every other one on your street, the long rectangular shape will do it.” Mountain West Sales carries fireplaces by Heatilator, Heat & Glo, and Town & Country.

See-through fireplaces have always appealed to homeowners who like the idea of heating—and decorating—two rooms at once. The Firebird carries fireplaces

by Ortal, an Israeli manufacturer of gas fireplaces, which has taken see-through one step further, creating a long, slender model that juts out from one wall (up to seven feet), enclosed on three sides by frameless glass. There are no seams above or below. “All you see is glass and fire,” says Butler.

Courtesy of The Firebird and (left) Regency Fireplace Products, (right) Jøtul Group

M

ove over, kiva. Once the defining heating solution for the Southwest, the wood-burning fireplace is seeing some competition from Europe, especially in contemporary homes. Long, slender, and unfrilled, modern gas fireplaces from countries like Norway, Germany, and Israel are distinctive, sexy options for discerning homeowners.

Where “gas fireplace” used to mean a clunky, black-framed box with louvers, lattice grills, and fake logs, contemporary gas models are often frameless and use more artistic materials like crushed glass, glass beads, mirrors, and smooth rocks at the base. The result is a look that fits seamlessly into any wall, a flame that leaps upward without obstruction, zero mess, and a refined, elegant aesthetic. Bob Toppert, owner of Western Building Supply in Albuquerque, refers to these elegant fireplaces as “fire art.”

“One of the advantages of a contemporary gas fireplace is the ability to bring the finish right to the edge,” says Gene Butler, owner of The Firebird in Santa Fe. “It’s as clean a look as you can possibly get.” This is attractive for owners and builders of contemporary-style homes who want sculpted lines, a minimum of detail, and an uncluttered look. Another advantage is that because of their efficient design, these fireplaces don’t require a hearth or a mantel, freeing up both floor and wall space. In fact, most contemporary fireplaces can be placed at almost any height on a wall.

“Floor-height fireplaces are great, but depending on where you are in the room, your sightline may be obstructed,” Butler points out. “When you raise the fireplace higher, you have a better view of it from any spot in the room.”

Jim Lyle, owner of Mountain West Sales in Albuquerque, agrees, noting that it’s the ability of these flush fireplaces to go anywhere that opens up design options not only for homeowners, but for builders who are looking to offer clients something out of the ordinary. “Many of these linear fireplaces are being placed at chest level,” he says. “The look is immediately quite different and distinct.”

EVERY home needs a solid FOUNDATION. Ours are built on Trust.

KEYSTONE H

O

M

ltd. co.

E

S

For More Information Call: Scott Hauquitz, Owner/Builder, at 505.362.6644 New Construction

Remodel

Certified Green Builder

Life+Style Southwest Another advantage to modern fireplaces, according to Bob Toppert of Western Building Supply, is their efficiency. “They’re sealed units,” he explains. “The front is a fixed panel; there are no operating doors.” In New Mexico, where the winters are challenging, this is a great feature. Most new gas fireplaces also meet green building codes, which require an airtight envelope in the house.

If the European look appeals to you but a fireplace is not quite what you’re looking for, a contemporary gas stove might be the ticket. Unlike their classic wood stove counterparts which tend to be short and squat, modern gas fireplaces are vertical and slim.

They come in black and metallic finishes with glass on three sides, and the sleek design is the perfect complement to a sharp-edged minimalist decor. European-style gas stoves also take advantage of those decorative base materials (such as glass and stones), fake logs, or a combination of both. Butler, Toppert, and Lyle all caution, however, that the only base materials that will safely withstand the heat of these gas fireplaces are the manmade ones; those pretty rocks you have in your backyard will have to stay there.

The lowly fireplace has come a long way. If you’re thinking outside the box for your remodeling or building project, think outside the fire box, too. A contemporary gas fireplace or stove may be the perfect year-round home accent.

Right: A picture window fireplace from Heat & Glo, so-called because of the simple frame that surrounds it, uses a combination of glass and metal pipes for an unusual look.

Courtesy of The Firebird and (top) Heat & Glo, (bottom) Regency Fireplace Products

Below: Set against a stone wall, a linear black-framed fireplace by Regency Horizon is a subtle focal point in a rustic setting.

26

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Life+Style Southwest

makeover

magic

Add color to brighten dark spaces, and think green when redecorating

Q

What’s the best way to lighten up a dark space in the middle of the winter?

Our natural tendency in the winter is to draw in and to nest. If your space is too dark, it can be a little oppressive. Adding a pop of color adds balance and lift to an otherwise dark space.

Try adding a combination of colorful pillows in orange and yellow tones to a neutral sofa. A colorful rug on a dark floor will immediately lift the room. Choosing a drapery fabric in a color that contrasts with the wall color will immediately add drama to a room and create a cozy feel. Using white linens in the bedroom projects purity, cleanliness, and neutrality and enables fresh beginnings. Paint is the easiest and most affordable way to transform a room. Paint your kitchen cabinets a happy cherry red! If you aren’t ready to paint your walls, consider painting a ceiling the color of the sky.

Santa Fe–based interior designer Annie O’Carroll can be reached at Annie O’Carroll Interior Design, 505-983-7055, annieocarroll.com.

28

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

I’m remodeling my home, but I worry about being wasteful. How can I remain eco-friendly while redecorating?

For drama, look to paint and go with a low-VOC option.

Virtually every paint company offers low-VOC paints now.

Not only will this choice prove to be environmentally responsible, but it will cut down on odor and toxicity.

Think about repurposing or remodeling your existing furniture. Remember the 24” deep armoires we used to accommodate traditional TV profiles? Transform your old armoire into a dry bar by adding a mirrored back to showcase barware, or add shelving to the TV cavity and turn it into linen storage.

Adding dimmers to your existing light switches is a cost-effective way to lower the amount of electricity you are using while creating a beautiful ambiance. Finally, look for organic fabrics. We are seeing more fabrics made from organic cottons, hemp, and linen.

Top left: Courtesy of Target; Others: Courtesy of Unearthed Paints

by Annie O’Carroll

Life+Style Southwest

by Samantha Schwirck

blissful blue With the New Year right around the corner, now is the perfect time to give your favorite space a fresh start. This year, blue hues are taking the stage, particularly Monaco Blue, Pantone’s Top Fashion Color for the spring. Described as a shade that falls in between bright cobalt and sapphire blue, we’re thankful for this lively color’s recognition—its energy and versatility can give any room the extra pop you’ve been searching for.

Altogether Home Ball Vase Add flowers or incense, place it on your end table or staircase landing, and enjoy. $59, Altogether Home, altogetherhome.com

Coyuchi Stacked Stones Pillow A hand-stitched appliqué is the focus of this 100 percent cotton pillow, whose cover closes with funky coconut shell buttons. $115, Sachi Organics, sachiorganics.com

Zeroll Ussentials Nylon Spaghetti Server Serve pasta and other dishes without sacrificing style or function using a dishwasher-safe utensil ergonomically designed to avoid fatigue. A no-slip grip prevents accidents before they even happen. $16.99, Williams-Sonoma, williamssonoma.com

World Market Peacock Quincy Chair Birch legs and nailhead detailing are a perfect complement to this bold chair’s rich color. Its deep-seated design works equally well as a striking accent piece or a comfy retreat. $179, Cost Plus World Market, worldmarket.com

Coyuchi Cotton Throw This cozy cotton blanket is made without any chemicals, dyes, or bleaches. It reverses to ivory for a subtle color balance and comes with a wooden gift box—though you’ll probably want to keep it for yourself. $234, Sachi Organics, sachiorganics.com

30

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Rowenta Stick Vacuum Cleaning becomes easy and fun when your vacuum doubles as a fashion accessory.

This model also has a lightweight design, a 180-degree swivel head, and three settings for floor type. $259.99, Macy’s, macys.com

Design Studio

Interview by Alicia Kellogg

let the sunshine in Attractive and energy-efficient, new windows can do wonders for your home

W

Spears Architects, Inc.

hether outfitting a freshly built home or a sorely needed remodel, great windows deliver a significant dose of performance and style. Andrea White of Sierra Pacific Windows, an environmentally responsible manufacturer of Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)–labeled wood and aluminum-clad windows and doors, shares how this high-impact design feature transforms a home’s looks, comfort, and energy efficiency.

What can windows do for a home’s design?

Letting in daylight is a huge benefit of the right design; so is being able to see the beautiful views outside. So much technology has gone into windows in the last few years to improve the U-value, or transfer of heat.

Low-E glazing has also come so far, and it does a lot of things. In the summer, it can prevent solar heat from coming in. In the wintertime, it helps prevent losing the heat in your house. And now with passive solar building, there are low-E coatings that allow more solar gain, something many builders are taking advantage of. It’s still a benefit in the winter for the same reason: You’re not losing heat like you would with clear glass.

“Windows add to the interior and the exterior of a house.

Not too many upgrades do both.”

— Andrea White, Sierra Pacific Windows What kind of value can we expect from replacing old windows?

In older houses, there are still single-pane, single-glaze windows out there, and some of them have the old aluminum frames where there’s no thermal break. If you are going from something like that to almost any window sold these days, you’ll see a huge difference in your energy use. Replacing windows also creates healthier homes because you won’t have the air infiltration—dirt, dust, pollen—which causes allergies.

Improved comfort is another benefit. Because of the way windows are made today compared to the way they were made 20 or 30 years ago, you can sit next to one now and not feel the cold draft that you might have felt then. Improving the energy efficiency of your windows should also help resale value. In terms of aesthetics, windows are going to add to the interior and the exterior of a house. Not too many upgrades do both, so that’s a big advantage.

32

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Energy-efficient replacement windows (top) and bifold doors (bottom) from Sierra Pacific Windows transform the look of a home at the same time they’re adding value to it.

by the numbers The average U.S. household spends more than 40 percent of its annual energy budget on heating and cooling costs.

(U.S. Department of Energy) Household energy costs in most U.S. homes could be reduced by up to 15 percent by installing more energy-efficient windows.

(Energy Star)

Sierra Pacific Windows/Mark William Photography

If all residential windows in the U.S. were replaced with Energy Star qualifying models, we would save $7 billion in energy costs over the next 15 years—enough to light every home in the New York City metropolitan area.

(Energy Star)

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

33

What should we keep in mind when selecting windows for our homes?

Window and door products should be tested and certified through the NFRC—the National Fenestration Rating Council. If they are, the products will have a label showing the results. The U-value, the solar heat gain coefficient, the visible light transmittance, the condensation resistance—all of those things are tested through a third party. You want to buy windows that have been tested, because if they’re not tested, you don’t know what you’re getting. Ask about the manufacturer’s warranty; some warranties are transferable if you sell your house, some are not. Of course cost is a factor, and there are a lot of options out there. You also need to make sure you have a licensed contractor installing your windows.

Are there any new products you are excited about?

The door systems are really exciting. We have these massive door systems now that virtually open up a whole wall to create the indoor/outdoor living spaces. We have bifold doors and huge sliding doors that pocket into walls or stack on each other. They make for a very dramatic look and feel.

Sierra Pacific Windows has showrooms in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos. The Albuquerque showroom can be reached at 505-797-7880 or sierrapacificwindows.com.

NanaWall’s folding glass windows can be installed on kitchen counters to create instant indoor-outdoor entertainment space.

Top: Courtesy of VELUX; Bottom: Courtesy of NanaWall; Opposite: Courtesy of Solatube

Above: The CABRIO balcony roof window by VELUX transforms unused rooms and attics into bright living spaces.

34

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Using a minimum of ceiling space, Solatube Daylighting Systems let in a ton of natural light. Unlike traditional skylights, there’s no need for structural or drywall changes, tunneling, or even repainting.

highly illuminating natural lighting alternatives Designed to deliver maximum light through a small opening in the roof that connects to the ceiling with a reflective dome and tubing, energy-efficient Solatube Daylighting Systems offer fast, low-impact installation and minimal solar heat gain compared to many traditional skylights. Visit solatube.com for more information.

VELUX offers a variety of natural lighting solutions including the No Leak Skylight, which has three layers of water protection and double-glazed technology for heat control and UV protection. The company’s electric venting skylights provide airflow and have control systems that can be connected to a home automation system. The VELUX Sun Tunnel skylight tubular daylighting device is an easily installed, energy-efficient way to bring in more light. Visit veluxusa.com for more information.

NanaWall folding glass walls allow homeowners to fully or partially open an entire wall to the outdoors to expand their living space while offering natural light and unobstructed views. Visit nanawall.com, or call 800-873-5673 for more information.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

35

Su Cocina

to grandmother’s house we go Three generations gather to cook in Dorothy Massey’s Santa Fe kitchen

by John Vollertsen

A

Photographs by Gabriella Marks

s co-owner of Santa Fe’s Collected Works Bookstore & Coffeehouse, Dorothy Massey has kept Santa Fe residents and visitors well read for over 16 years. But Massey’s own life journey, from her youth in a sprawling home on suburban Long Island to her new abode in the Northern New Mexico countryside, would itself make a great novel: part romance, part tragedy, but with a triumphant third act.

The untimely death of her beloved husband Paul in 1990 played a major role in the destiny that would bring Massey to the City Different. But it is the new man in her life, a little guy named Jackson, who lured this sophisticated city gal to a charming casita in the woods. Massey’s new role as grandmother helped determine the size, shape, and layout of the house she built and plans to spend her golden years in.

Massey and her daughter, Collected Works co-owner Mary Wolf, bought the Santa Fe bookstore in 1996. Massey promptly moved out west and rented a small apartment downtown until the two got set up, then bought a historic house

Above: Dorothy Massey at home with her collection of copper pots. “We entertained a lot,” she says of her childhood. “The first thing my mother ever taught me to make was hollandaise.”

With fresh-daily eggs from chickens in her backyard, Massey is well equipped to share the art of hollandaise-making with grandson Jackson (left).

36

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

“I didn’t want it to look like grandma’s house; I wanted neat and livable.”

—Dorothy Massey

Not an inch of space is wasted in Massey’s neat-as-a-pin kitchen, in which tableware, cookware, and glassware are all concealed within ample cabinetry. Stainless steel GE Monogram appliances complete the clean, uncluttered look.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

37 37

on Acequia Madre which she describes as “sweet as hell with a crazy 1970s kitchen.” An avid entertainer, Massey says she often had up to 200 guests stop by on Christmas Eve during the Canyon Road Farolito Walk.

When Jackson arrived almost three years ago, Wolf and her husband bought a house off Old Las Vegas highway with a pottery studio in the back already fitted with plumbing and electricity. “Mary called and said, ‘This would be a good place for you, Mom,’ so I met with Craig Hoopes [of Hoopes & Associates Architects] and started designing,” Massey recalls. “I think Santa Fe style is all about the gentle rounded edges and interesting vistas of Santa Fe homes. The wonderful use of our historic architecture all comes down to that welcoming feeling of home and hearth. I told Craig I wanted views (an unblocked view of Shaggy Peak is right out the window), light, a big kitchen, simplicity, and a protected area for the dogs. I love that he gave me exactly what I wanted.”

The 800-square-foot building, an SIP (structural insulated panel) structure, took just four days to assemble after the concrete slab was poured. Venetian plaster walls and lots of tall windows grace the home, and the soaring ceiling includes fans per Massey, who is not a “fan” of air conditioning. The kitchen, dining, and living areas open into each other in one main room, and a cozy wood-burning stove adds Massey’s must-have hearth feature to the room.

Of her sleek but comfortable kitchen, Massey says, “I wanted lots of cupboards and deep drawers for pots and pans. Craig said, ‘Stop with the cupboards already!’, but I have a lot of plates and glassware from my years of entertaining. Mother’s china is on the top shelf of my big cup38

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Above: Daughter Mary Wolf and 3-year-old Jackson wash vegetables for the family’s evening meal. An undermount sink beneath polished granite allows for easy prep and cleanup, while a huge picture window overlooking the stovetop lets in plenty of natural light that’s perfect for cooking.

copper in the kitchen In Dorothy Massey’s kitchen, where cooking and entertaining are commonplace, a timeless set of copper cookware plays a pivotal role. “Copper lasts forever and is the mainstay of my cooking life,” Massey says. “It’s a joy to work with.” Not only is the color aesthetically pleasing, but copper is also considered by many chefs to be the ideal cooking metal: It conducts heat extremely well, warms quickly and evenly, and cools down evenly too.

Copper cookware does have its downfalls, however, starting with the price; a good set can set you back upwards of $1,000. Plus, it must be lined with an additional material—usually tin or steel— because copper is reactive and will contaminate food it touches. Last but certainly not least, the pans must be polished—and often— because copper corrodes quickly.

If you decide to invest in a set, the cleaning process is crucial— harsh cleaners can ruin the tin or steel and expose the copper, and then your expensive kitchenware is essentially ruined. Try using a homemade lemon and salt mixture or a store-bought commercial cleaner like Twinkle; just be sure to avoid abrasive materials and unforgiving scouring pads.

board. The everyday plates are within easy reach for Jackson, who loves to set the table for dinner. I love my Dutch door because I think it feels so welcoming whether looking in or out. The walkway out to the carport is heated, and there are solar panels. Mary gets (little) checks from PNM monthly that go toward Jackson’s college education.”

Chickens right outside the door provide fresh eggs daily. All of the kitchen appliances are GE Monogram, including a fiveburner stove, modern hood over the stove, and a two-drawer freezer for easy access.

The large center island sports a deep sink, skylights above, and lots of clear counter space for cooking. “I call clutter ‘counter terrorism,’” Massey laughs. “I didn’t want it to look like grandma’s house; I wanted neat and livable.” (In true grandmotherly fashion, however, Massey proudly displays Jackson’s poster paintings on the fridge.)

Though she now has a 20-minute commute to and from the shop, Massey doesn’t mind. “I love the separation of work and home,” she says. “Plus the beauty of the drive is so relaxing; it’s nice to be back in the countryside again. And of course there is Jackson. He calls me at 7:15 AM to say he’s coming over. You can’t beat that.”

40

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Salmon Gravadlax Dorothy serves this Scandinavian specialty for Christmas Eve along with sliced brown bread and a honey mustard dill sauce. serves 8-10 as an appetizer 1 side (about 2 lbs.) of salmon, skin on 1/3 cup kosher salt 1/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons whole white pepper, coarsely crushed* 1/4 teaspoon whole allspice, coarsely crushed 3 tablespoons brandy* 1 large bunch fresh dill weed, stemmed and chopped Wipe salmon with a damp cloth. Check for pin bones and remove with needle-nose pliers or tweezers. In a large, nonreactive, oblong pan, mix salt, sugar, white pepper, and allspice until well blended and spread mixture out into a shape that will facilitate the most contact to the salmon flesh.

Cover mixture with fresh dill. Sprinkle fish with brandy and lay it, flesh side down, onto prepared cure mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and place a similarly sized pan directly onto salmon. Weigh down pan with canned goods or bricks and refrigerate for 36 hours. Drain fish and scrape off dill and spices. Slice on a slant, wafer thin, away from the skin. Serve with lemon wedges, mustard sauce, and freshly ground black pepper. (*For a Santa Fe twist, substitute equal amounts of crushed caribe chile for the white pepper and tequila for the brandy.)

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

41

well connected Two households live in harmony with the land and each other

Kayeman Custom Homes can be reached at 505-857-9964 or kayeman.com.

Despite its multilevel layout, a green-built soft contemporary home in Albuquerque’s North Valley blends in beautifully with the surrounding landscape.

42

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

by Ben Ikenson Photographs by Amadeus Leitner

M

irroring the river’s meandering path, Albuquerque’s Rio Grande Boulevard offers commanding views of the Sandia Mountains and charming glimpses of the area’s rural roots, roots still nurtured by centuries-old earthen acequias. Little wonder Karin Perry and Karen Partlow, both from central Illinois, wanted to put down roots of their own here. In the summer of 2009, the couple towed their 1969 Airstream trailer to New Mexico looking for locations where they might conceivably build their home. By day, the avid bicyclists clocked countless miles scouring the city’s North Valley for available properties, but became discouraged by the steep cost of real estate. Pedaling the scenic streets one last time before deciding they’d have to look elsewhere, they spotted a “for sale by owner” sign for a small lot that they could afford—a third of an acre sandwiched between two alfalfa fields running along one of those ancient irrigation ditches. Today, Karin and Karen live on that spot in a two-story, 2,758-square-foot contemporary Northern New Mexico–style home that is a masterpiece of green design and cohousing ingenuity.

Karin’s identical twin sister, Kristin Perry, is scheduled to eventually join her and Karen at what they’ve dubbed “Casa de KP3,” which references the women’s shared initials. “We all get along great,” says Karen. “We’re family and love spending time together. And sharing the cost and upkeep of a home makes a comfortable retirement more doable for all of us.”

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

43

The realization that they wanted to merge two functioning households under the same roof would certainly add a layer of complexity to both design and construction. “We wanted shared, common space both inside and out,” says Karin, “but we also needed private space to make it workable for the long term.” A tour of the home reveals that such complexity was not a compromising issue. The compound features what could roughly be described as two asymmetric wings. A common entry vestibule and shared utility room link the wings together and offer passage from the front door to the backyard. In the larger west wing where Karin and Karen live, a contained kitchen space looks out onto a shared great room on the first floor; a mud room and a guest suite with a handicap-accessible bath are attached.

Stairs lead to a hallway connecting a simple Zen bedroom with attached balcony, a home office from which Karen telecommutes, and a bathroom.

The smaller east wing, where Kristin will live, features a spacious open kitchen and sitting room with another stairway leading directly into a bedroom-and-bath, also with an attached balcony.

Throughout the house, clean, planar lines help highlight an artful contrast between modern accents, earthy paint tones, and rustic wooden furnishings. Lofty ceilings and abundant natural light create an open, airy feel and a sense of connectivity between the indoors and the world beyond.

Two functioning households are merged together under the same roof in this custom-built home that won Best in Show at the 13th annual New Mexico Green Built Tour. Designed by Leslie Buerk of Kalyx Studio and built by contractors at Kayeman Custom Homes, the residence features two asymmetric wings with common areas as well as private living accommodations.

44

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

“We wanted shared common space both inside and out, but we also needed private space to make it workable for the long term.”

—Karin Perry

This page and opposite: Warm colors, rustic furniture, and a modern kitchen with sparkling stainless appliances exude comfort and livability.

Almost an extension of the interior space, the property itself was designed for more than mere passing enjoyment. “We made a big effort to design each outdoor space to be protected from winds during the windy season, make use of shade from the building, and to be visually screened as much as possible from the other outdoor spaces as well as from foot traffic on the adjacent ditch,” says Leslie Buerk of Kalyx Studio, the local architect who designed the home.

The landscaping also benefited from the fact that Kristin is a professional gardener, and her sister Karin holds a degree in horticulture. “We selected the plant material with careful thought given to water usage, pollinator attraction, soil enhancement, and, of course, fragrance, size, texture, and color,” Karin says. Along the perimeter of the SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

45

The ecologicallyinspired design, the flowing layout that accommodates two separate but connected households, and the seemingly countless sustainability features make this place truly unique.

A simple and refined kitchen (located in the smaller of the two wings) helps with the owners’ goal of achieving net-zero energy, where the home’s energy consumption doesn’t exceed its production. Loft-style ceilings and large windows provide an airy, open feel and help connect the indoor spaces with the outside patios and balconies.

46

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

back of the house, a walkway of crusher fines leads around a series of sunken mulch-covered garden beds planted with fruit trees, wild clover, and other vegetation. Elsewhere, native and drought-tolerant plants adorn the yard.

On the property’s west end, the women hope to create a bumper crop of vegetables come summertime. And they won’t even have to go inside to enjoy the food they grow: Lining the edge of a brick patio is a striking centerpiece—a sleek-looking poured concrete counter with a stainless steel sink, grill, and two-burner stove set into it. Set against the backdrop of undulating alfalfa grasses, the bold structure, almost a work of abstract sculptural art, strikes yet another appealing contrast between contemporary and traditional.

But clearly the women share more than just aesthetic sensibilities (and initials). Their strong environmental bent dictated that their home be built and designed sustainably and operate efficiently. It wasn’t until consulting their architect, however, that they really began to see the remarkable potential of their home. Buerk, an accomplished permaculturist, employs a holistic design approach that strategically integrates considerations like site orientation, prevailing winds, and topography.

Working closely with Buerk and their mutual clients was Kaye Marshall of Kayeman Custom Homes, the general contractor on the project. “We delivered the final product by engineering all of the individual systems into a whole-house solution,” says Marshall. “We addressed energy conservation first and then energy generation to achieve net-zero energy.”

Indeed, the clients hoped to live in a “net-zero home,” one whose energy consumption doesn’t exceed its on-site production. Since the home has only been occupied at two-thirds capacity for just a few months, it’s too early to say if this goal has been achieved, “but we’re pretty darned close,” Karen says. In fact, even after entertaining a regular series of visitors since moving in, the homeowners are receiving a monthly check for about $40 from PNM, thanks to the 13 roof-mounted photovoltaic solar panels tied into the power grid that generate more than 500 kilowatt hours of electricity per

The home was the recipient of the City of Albuquerque’s first gray water permit for new construction, which means that water from the showers and washing machine drain directly into sunken garden beds that also benefit from a 1,000-gallon rainwater cistern (located behind the pitched garage).

In the bathrooms (above and next page), low-flow fixtures and dual flush toilets also help to conserve water.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

47

“We really wanted our home to have a small ecological footprint, especially here in New Mexico where water is such an issue.”—Karen Partlow month. Also on the roof, a heat exchanger on a solar thermal panel heats water for domestic use and for space heating, and connects with a high-efficiency boiler. Energy-efficient appliances and LED lights also reduce electricity demands.

Two four-sided turrets that rise above the roofline represent passive cooling towers, both with windows on all four sides that suffuse the interior stairways with natural light. With only the east-facing windows that can be opened at the push of a button, the prevailing western winds create a negative pressure on the leeward side, creating a kind of vacuum effect that sucks out warm air from the house during the summer. “The towers also work as a result of the ‘chimney effect’—which is the fact that hot air rises,” says Buerk. “So even when the wind isn’t blowing, air will move up and out.” An energy-efficient whole house fan further supports the passive cooling system by purging hot air from the attic space, outside of the well-insulated thermal envelope, to create a buffer zone that extends the time it takes for heat to re-enter the interior.

On the façade of the home, large south-facing windows on the first floor not only provide excellent natural light, thereby reducing dependence on artificial lighting, but promise to bring in heat during the winter. In warmer months, retractable metal awnings outside can be adjusted for shade. Passive cooling and heating are likewise enhanced by exterior landscape design including seasonal cover on the south: a grape arbor. Inside, treated concrete floors and counters provide biomass that retains heat and coolness accordingly.

“We really wanted our home to have a small ecological footprint, especially here in New Mexico where water is such an issue,” says Karen.

To this end, the home became the recipient of the first gray water permit for new construction in Albuquerque, so that water from showers and the washing machine can drain directly into some of the sunken garden beds. And behind the pitched garage, which houses the couple’s numerous bicycles and a 220V outlet that may eventually be used to charge an electric car, sits a 1,000-gallon rainwater-harvesting cistern. Low-flow fixtures, dual flush toilets, and a recirculating hot-water pump also help minimize water consumption.

Altogether, the ecologically-inspired design, the flowing layout that accommodates two separate but connected households, and the seemingly countless sustainability features make this place truly unique. In fact, the home scored top honors as Best in Show at the 13th annual New Mexico Green Built Tour and achieved the highest Build Green New Mexico rating of Emerald, which earns the homeowners hefty tax credits—not to mention, bragging rights.

For the recent Midwestern transplants who saw a small plot of land along the Rio Grande three years ago, and, with it, the possibility of creating a homestead, there’s certainly reason to be proud.

48

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

admin

admin

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

49

this old

adobe

TV building expert Steve Thomas renovates a historic Santa Fe casita, keeping things simple, streamlined, and green

by Dianna Delling

T

Photographs by Douglas Merriam

here wasn’t a cameraman in sight when, back in November 2011, Steve Thomas ripped the first piece of flooring out of his decades-old adobe in Santa Fe. As host of the PBS television series This Old House (1989 to 2003), Thomas had renovated more than two dozen buildings for others, but this one he was tackling for himself. Thomas was confident he could turn the run-down hilltop casita into a modern but still regionally authentic home—a place where he and his wife, Evy Blum, could escape the winters that routinely clobber their primary residence, an island cottage off the coast of Maine. Still, he never expected the project, which took about eight months to complete, would turn out to be one of the most satisfying of his career.

“This house, in many ways, is a masterwork,” says Thomas, the once-crumbling adobe now a neat, polished, aspen-shaded home. “More than any other project I’ve done, this one is the perfect marriage of an architect at the top of his game and a builder at the top of his.”

The architect he’s praising is Stephen Samuelson of Plan A Architecture—one of the

Plan A Architecture can be reached at 505-820-1460 or planaarch.com.

50

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Acting as his own builder and contractor, Steve Thomas (above), former host of This Old House and current spokesman for Habitat for Humanity International, remodeled an adobe casita on Santa Fe’s eastside for himself and his wife, Evy Blum. To add space without extending the footprint, Thomas and architect Stephen Samuelson looked downward, digging out old flooring to add a foot-and-a-half of height to the home’s original, cramped, six-foot ceilings.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

51

many friends Thomas has made in Santa Fe since featuring a 1930s Camino Don Miguel adobe on This Old House back in 1990. After that first stay, he and Blum began vacationing here several times a year, and in 2007 bought their own fixer-upper adobe: a one-bedroom, one-bathroom casita that needed loads of work but was close to downtown, on a ridge overlooking the Sangre de Cristo mountains. When Thomas was ready to start work on it last fall, Samuelson offered up his design skills.

“Stephen would stop by on his way to or from work, just to help me out,” says Thomas. Rather than developing a master set of drawings at the beginning, the pair made decisions as they went along. “We’d look at the problem, he’d sketch things out, and I’d build it. The collaboration was complete and seamless and really fun.”

52

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

organic beauty

Originally, the house was a 1,200-square-foot structure that had been built in sections over the years, each with a different material—adobe, wood, and penitentiary tile. Six-foot ceilings made the small rooms feel even smaller, and the place was in desperate need of new plumbing, wiring, and windows. Thomas knew right away that job one was gutting the building’s interior. The next step—rebuilding it—involved decisions that were dictated in part by city ordinances.

Thomas wanted to keep the original timbers in the adobe part of the house, but he needed more height. So instead of building up, he built down, removing the original, rotting floor structure to gain a foot-and-a-half of vertical living space. On top of compacted dirt, Thomas installed insulation, radiant heat tubing, and a new concrete slab floor.

The historic integrity of the modest original structure inspired

“We probably could have carved out another bedroom, but the house wouldn’t have it. It sounds strange, but a lot of times, the house kind of tells you what it wants to do.”

—Steve Thomas

Opposite and above right: Steps connecting the dining area to what Thomas calls the “martini room” are reclaimed Douglas fir from a factory building in Denver that burned down; the charring is still visible.

Above: Bold kilim rugs accent an otherwise serene bedroom.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

53

Thomas to stay within the existing footprint—a challenge in itself. “The only way you can get functionality out of building in a small space is to focus on design,” he says. “Every square foot counts.”

While Thomas left the interior adobe walls intact, he moved a couple of others, opening up the dining area and making the bedroom a little more private. The bathroom remains in its original location across from the bedroom, but Thomas moved the kitchen, which used to sit just inside the front door. Visitors now enter the home through what Thomas calls the mud room—a space for coats, boots, and storage that’s separated from the adjacent dining room not by a wall, but by cleverly placed cabinets that also offer additional storage space.

“We probably could have carved out another bedroom, but the house wouldn’t have it,” says Thomas. “It sounds strange, but a lot of times, in my long experience working on houses, the house kind of tells you what it wants to do.”

He kept his materials simple—wood, concrete, and plaster, in light natural tones—to achieve a Northern New Mexico look that is quiet and uncluttered. Thomas and Blum’s midcentury-modern furniture and art look entirely appropriate in the finished home’s interior. “I like to describe it as Georgia O’Keeffe minimalism, very spare and modern in its sensibility,” says Thomas. For a New England builder who’s accustomed to interior adornments like wainscoting, baseboards, and window and door trim, the clean lines of Southwestern style are endlessly refreshing. “The essential structure of the adobe reads right though,” Thomas says. “It knocks me out.”

less is more (except when it comes to insulation)

As host of the 2007–2009 series Renovation Nation on cable’s Planet Green channel, Thomas taught viewers about sustainable building and how money spent on energy efficiency can often be quickly recovered through lower heating and cooling bills. Insulation, he says, is the key to making any home greener, so in his Santa Fe casita he installed 3 to 4 inches in the floors, 5 to 8 inches in the walls, and 15 to 16 inches on the roof. To further boost efficiency, he replaced the old single-pane windows (“they looked like something you’d see in an RV”) with highly efficient, low-E argon-insulated models.

The home’s outdoor areas are xeriscaped with native trees and grasses that require little water once established. Inside, Thomas avoided pressure-treated lumber and other materials that might emit toxic gases or chemicals. Cabinets from Great Northern Cabinetry are manufactured to the standards of the Environmental The living room, like the rest of the house, is simply and carefully appointed, allowing the home’s adobe features to shine through.

Concrete floors dyed in Pebble grace every room, creating a seamless and peaceful flow from space to space.

54

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Bold artwork is a theme throughout the house. Thomas relaxes in the living room in front of Atheism, a striking print on paper by American artist Jim Dine. Thomas and Blum were drawn to it because “it was big, colorful, and iconoclastic.�

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

55

Above and opposite: Now clean, bright, and streamlined, the kitchen was relocated from the front of the house—one of only a handful of changes Thomas made to the interior footprint. With energy efficiency firmly in mind throughout the remodel, Thomas selected high-end appliances by Wolf, Asko, and Sub-Zero.

Left: Visitors now enter the home through the mud room, flanked on both sides by storage space-creating cabinetry. Fir beams from Southern Colorado spanning the mud room and dining room are brightened with recessed lighting.

56

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

“The only way you can get functionality out of building in a small space is to focus on design.

Every square foot counts.”—Steve Thomas

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

57

A gate post that once heralded the entrance of a Buddhist temple in Thailand adorns one wall of the dining room. Whimsical tilted vases from Paris brighten the Le Corbusier glass-topped table, while Silver Lake, an oil on canvas by Thomas and Blum’s longtime friend Ruth Bauer, is a serene focal point for diners.

58

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Above: Thomas and architect Stephen Samuelson, engaged in their favorite game: “You design it; I’ll build it.”

Stewardship Program (ESP), which is a benchmark for cabinets under the National Association of Homebuilders’ Green Building Standard.

Energy Star–certified appliances (including an Asko dishwasher and a Sub-Zero refrigerator) were selected for their efficiency and high quality.

“It’s extremely well built, which is a big part of being green,” says Thomas of the house. “The better it’s built, the less maintenance it will require and the longer it will last. You’re taking the carbon cost of the renovation and amortizing it over a much longer period of time.”

In the months ahead, in his new role as an international spokesperson for Habitat for Humanity International, Thomas will travel the world sharing his knowledge of smart, affordable construction practices. As time permits, he’ll visit Santa Fe, keeping in touch with the people who helped him make the casita renovation so successful.

“Members of the building and renovation community welcomed me as a brother and were tremendously helpful,” he says. “More than any other place I’ve ever worked, Santa Feans really came out and said, ‘You’re one of us, and we’ll do anything we can to help you out with your project.’”

Resources listed on page 75

Celebrating a Collaboration of

200 years

of traditional woodwork ing in new mexiCo

Furniture, Doors, Cabinetry and Twig Shuttes 7

view our collections online: ernestthomPson.com southwestsPanishcraftsmen.com

albuquerque showroom: 4531 osuna ne, albuquerque, nm, 87109

=

505.344.1994

santa fe showroom: 1512 Pacheco st, a103, santa fe, nm, 87505

=

505.988.1229

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

59

earthly delights A rammed earth home in Taos invites the scenery in while keeping the elements out

60

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

by Charles C. Poling Photographs by Kirk Gittings

W

hen Peter and Maria Grazia Selzer decided to build on their spectacular lot west of Taos, they knew what they wanted, certainly, but also what they didn’t want: a run-of-the-mill Pueblo-style house. Peter recalls chatting with his ski buddy, San Francisco architect Nick Noyes, who would go on to design the home. “I told him, my wife and I like the Pueblo style, but it’s all you see around here. It’s trite.

Can we do something with elements of it, but different?”

Peter also knew that he wanted to use rammed earth for walls instead of adobe or wood frame. “[Maria and I] just love the look of it inside and out. We love the edges and how everything is rough-textured and cavelike, yet it’s [visually] warm,” he says.

Not surprisingly, the Selzers also wanted to bring in the spectacular views.

Across the sagebrush plain from the northeast to the south, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Wheeler Peak, the state’s highest point, loom in sharp detail through the clear air. To the west and immediately below the home site, the Rio Pueblo flows through a dramatic basalt canyon lined with willows, reeds, and cattails. Across it, sage-dotted Taos Pueblo land rises to a near horizon.

As architect Noyes remembers, “We

Nick Noyes Architecture can be reached at 415-512-9234 or nnarchitecture.com.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

61

The Selzers’ two-part home consists of a pitched-roof main house and an attached building with a long portal. The resulting courtyard design protects outdoor space from the Northern New Mexico elements.

took the landscape pretty seriously. It was so wild when we got there, which made it really interesting figuring out how to approach it. And in Taos, with the spiritual feeling of the place, you don’t want to blow it.”

Peter found the lot in 1993, although the house wasn’t built until 2007. A radiologist practicing in Madison, Wisconsin, Peter came out to Taos on a ski trip and fell in love with the area. “I decided to buy land just in case I decided to do something with it,” he says. He got his chance when, shortly thereafter, Peter met Maria Grazia. They eventually married, and fortunately, Maria loves Taos, too. Today Peter practices parttime at nearby Holy Cross Hospital in Taos.

As the couple began thinking about their dream house, the criteria became firm: something different from the typical pueblo house, with rammed-earth walls, views, a focal-point kitchen, a pitched roof, and room for guests. As for the question of style, Noyes says, they didn’t entirely eschew the New Mexican vernacular.

“We studied John Gaw Meem and ended up doing a mishmash of styles,” he says.

The main house [with its metal roof, great room-slash-kitchen, and living areas] is very Territorial, while the rest is more classic Pueblo style, but minimized. All accents, even the corbels, are stripped down, with simple detailing. It was important to the owners that the house be more modern but not cold and austere.

After going through a bunch of different layouts, Noyes and the owners eventually settled on the classic courtyard house, providing what Noyes calls “a protected outdoor space against the daunting landscape.”

The 3,600-square-foot home forms a U opening toward the east-southeast. The garage and a small self-contained guest apartment form the detached southern wing. A small patio—with an arresting view of the river canyon below—connects A mesmerizing wave pattern is the hallmark of rammed earth walls, shown here on the exterior of the house (left) and indoors (opposite, bottom). The lack of wall decor is deliberate; the homeowners, who love the look of rammed earth, allow the walls to serve as artwork.

62

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

to the west wing and the main living areas. The bedroom wing forms the other leg of the U. A high-roofed great room-kitchen dominates the public spaces along with a loosely connected, cozy living room. Broad and open, the kitchen anchors the east side of the great room. Floor-to-ceiling built-in shelves filled with cookbooks attest to the importance of the culinary arts in this home, while the cooking island and countertops, with their no-fuss river-washed black granite surfaces, ensure Maria is fully engaged with her guests as she prepares meals. The great room also includes a wood-burning fireplace flanked by a day bed under a tall window, a cozy seating spot, and a dining area with a rustic wood dining table beside that terrific west view.

“This is where it all happens,” Peter says. “It’s where we entertain and spend virtually all our time.”

A large pantry-and-cabinet block housing two ovens and the fridge divides the great room and kitchen from the living room; short passages on either side of the cabinet block allow you to access that area. The builder, Ian Forsberg, crafted the lovely alder cabinetry throughout the home. A furniture maker for 38 years, Forsberg says he particularly enjoyed the challenge of integrating the carpentry and the fireplaces into the rammed earth walls.

And it’s those striking rammed-earth walls that catch the eye and demand your attention. Produced by Huston Rammed Earth, the walls are made by pouring a sticky slurry of earth, cement, and water

Latticework decorating the main building was designed by architect Nick Noyes to match the pattern of the safety railing on the south patio custom-made by Taos metalworker Johnny McArthur.

Below: In the living room, a cozy built-in daybed invites reading, napping, or admiring the incredible Taos scenery outside. The mosaic coffee table, a family piece on Peter’s side, dates to the 1960s.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

63

In this home, the outdoors is never far away. The cool, neutral shades of the simply appointed master bedroom allow the colors of the high desert to serve as background decor in any season.

64

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Left: Hand-crafted alder cabinets throughout the dining area and kitchen create the feeling of log cabin warmth with a modern flair.

Below: The oak dining table, placed carefully for admiration of the stunning landscape, invites guests to linger over lively conversation about the day’s skiing adventures.

“We took the landscape pretty seriously. And in Taos, with the spiritual feeling of the place, you don’t want to blow it.”

—Nick Noyes, architect

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

65

Above: Maria’s kitchen is an entertainer’s paradise: Sub-Zero refrigerator, extra sink with industrial-style pull-down faucet, Wolf island cooktop, double oven, built-in steamer, and double drawer dishwasher by Fisher & Paykel.

Left: A Pueblo-style building with a portal, the pitched-roof main building, and two long adobe walls enclose—and protect—the courtyard.

66

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Your Local Experts

Photovoltaic, Solar Thermal Radiant and Solar Hot Water Energy Solutions License #33662

Put The Sun To Work For You! 40% Combined State and Federal Tax Credit Reduced Carbon Footprint Energy Independence Environmental Stewardship Fixed Utility Rate Substantial Savings

Helping you plug into the sun

Serving Santa Fe, Taos, Espanola and Northern New Mexico

Solar Power will lower or eliminate your utility bill. Rising utility rates are no match for the power of the sun and the energy it produces.

Ph: (575) 770-7042 www.sollunasolar.com info@sollunasolar.com

Let us orchestrate your dream.

For the perfect products for your kitchen or bath, stop by a Ferguson showroom. It’s where you’ll find the largest range of quality brands, a symphony of ideas, and trained product experts to help orchestrate your dream. With showrooms from coast to coast, come see why Ferguson is recommended by professional contractors and designers everywhere.

APPLIANCES

PLUMBING

Albuquerque: FERGUSON.COM

PASSIONATE PEOPLE

FIXTURES

4820 Hardware Drive NE

LIGHTING

(505) 345-9001 ©2012 Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

67

30 Years of Building Excellence Professional Design Services New Homes Remodeling Commercial

Award Winning Design Green Building

505.890.5000

www.JosephCustomHomes.com P.O. Box 66297

68

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Albuquerque, NM

87193

into wood forms, then compacting it.

In the Selzer house, the earthen walls sandwich two inches of foam insulation in the middle like a vertical layer cake, so the two-foot-thick walls provide both thermal mass to retain heat and coolness and insulation to buffer the interior against Taos’s extreme temperature swings. The walls go up in roughly 12- to 18-inch layers called lifts.

With the walls left unfinished inside and out, the seams between lifts create a mesmerizing, almost geologic, wavering pattern of horizontal strata.

From the living room, a sunny hallway with lovely built-in display cabinets leads past two spare bedrooms to the master suite at the tip of the final leg of the U. These walls, which are highly insulating pumice-crete, wear stucco on the outside and a soft warm plaster in. Overhead on

the roof, a solar thermal system hides behind the parapet. In one corner of the master bedroom, a traditional kiva fireplace nestles opposite a bank of windows and glass doors that open onto the courtyard and nearby hot tub. Designed by landscape architect and Zen monk Martin Mosko of Boulder, Colorado, the courtyard dramatically counters the rolling, sage-covered plains that surround the home. “It’s a real joy,” Peter says, “an oasis.”

For Peter, much of his love for the place comes back to rammed earth: “It makes [the house] so peaceful and quiet, and it’s quiet out here already,” he says.“We love the views out every window. They’re spectacular. The size of the house works well for us, too. When our kids or ski friends come, we’ve got room to put people up, and when it’s just us, it’s not too big or overwhelming. What’s not to like?”

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

69

on the market

spacious and elegant Classic Southwestern features—arched entryways, wooden beams, lighted nichos, and warm kiva fireplaces—define this lovely 5,080square-foot, four-bedroom North Valley home in Albuquerque.

A spacious and modern kitchen, luxurious master suite with jetted tub in the bathroom, and home office speak to the home’s timeless structure and decor. But don’t worry; the space is also fit for contemporary living. A 2,400-square-foot seven-car garage, home theater, and charming outdoor living area—complete with a pool and see-through fireplace—are the ultimate comfort amenities.

Kristine Massey

List Price: $1.68 million Contact: Cheryl Marlow, New Mexico Select, nmselect.com

70

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

BEYOND COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT At Associa, first-class community management services are just the beginning.

We offer lifestyle products and services, unsurpassed in the industry, designed to improve your life. And, with offices in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and El Paso, Associa Canyon Gate is trusted by more associations in the Southwest than any other firm.

Call or visit us today to find out more!

8500 Jefferson St. NE, Suite B Albuquerque, NM 87113 (505) 342-2797 | www.cgres.com Delivering unsurpassed management and lifestyle services to communities worldwide.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

71

by Kathleen McCloud

it’s so easy being green Eco-friendly products for the home

W

orried about your carbon footprint and the toxicity of your home? Sifting through all of the “greenwash” to assess products that tout greenness can be a real challenge. The good news: There’s no need to try to go green all at once; in this admirable endeavor, baby steps are perfectly acceptable. Here are a few products to improve your home’s overall healthiness and impel forward progress toward green living and sustainability.

green from the ground up

Courtesy of Teragren

When it comes to flooring, consider a fast-growing renewable material such as bamboo or cork.

Teragren manufactures LEED-certified bamboo flooring, veneers, and paneling for interiors.

Although all bamboo products are laminated

Control your home from the palm of your hand Wirelessly stream every song on earth and access a whole new world of online video entertainment from your iPad.™ At ListenUp, you’ll find the ultimate in home entertainment, matched by a level of expertise you won’t find anywhere else.

For over 40 years, we’ve been designing and installing custom systems that perfectly fit your home, as well as your budget.

Let ListenUp turn your home entertainment dreams into reality.

6916 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Suite A Albuquerque 87109

296-6978 Locations also in Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs

listenup.com iPad is a registered trademark of Apple

72

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

and emit some degree of VOCs (volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde), Teragren products are lower in VOC than other products. They also offer formaldehyde-free products. teragren.com Low-VOC paints are readily available everywhere these days, good news for people who used to suffer lightheadedness from paint fumes. Choosing low-VOC or VOCfree paints is a great first step toward creating a healthy home, but even though odors are minimized with these paints, a certain level of toxicity remains even after the paint has dried. As an alternative, consider natural paints such as those from Unearthed Paints.

Unearthed Paints defines natural paints as those “made with raw ingredients such as clay, chalk, marble, and earth and mineral pigments and not produced with petrochemical (oil-derived) or synthetic ingredients.” Although a bit more expensive than the big-box stores’ low-VOC or VOC-free paints, the colors of natural paints are just as vibrant but are more home-and-human healthy. unearthedpaints.com

recycled and reforested

Once the house is painted you’ll want to relax and enjoy your home—maybe sit under the portal and enjoy the sunset.

Loll makes outdoor furniture “for the modern lollygagger” (think Adirondack chairs and tables that are easy to move).

Colorful, distinctively shaped, and virtually fade-resistant, Loll furniture is made with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sourced primarily from milk jug containers—18 million pounds reclaimed thus far by the company. lolldesigns.com If you consider plastic in any form a style or environmental violator, check out Reforest Teak, a furniture company committed to ecological reforestation and restoration of blighted forests in Costa Rica where the furniture is made. The company uses sustainably harvested teak, supports the local economy with fair wage jobs, and pledges environmental accountability— from planting seedlings to lifetime guarantees of its products. reforestteak.com

Your Dream Home. Our Expertise.

Finally a mortgage lender that works for You Our local mortgage professionals combine lending expertise with a highly personal approach to every client relationship.

Kathy Breneman

Marita DeVargas

889-1923

992-2343

6501 Americas Pkwy Albuquerque NMLS #5881 kbreneman@1stnationalbanknm.com

62 Lincoln Ave Santa Fe NMLS #458776

mdevargas@1stnationalbanknm.com

Steven Dougherty

Becky Farnham

889-1926

992-2244

6501 Americas Pkwy Albuquerque

1910 Trinity Dr Los Alamos

NMLS #189228

NMLS #458360

bfarnham@1stnationalbanknm.com

sdougherty@1stnationalbanknm.com

We specialize in Portfolio Loan Products with flexible terms for self employed and jumbo loan borrowers. We also offer construction/permanent and conventional financing.

Call, stop by or go online to find out how quickly our local lenders will get you into your dream home.

Apply Online! www.fnb-sf.com Independent community banking since 1870

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

clean air, clean home

Get this: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air, with the bedroom having the lowest qualSUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

73

ity air in the house. To improve the quality of air in your home, look for furniture and carpeting that does not use toxic glues, formaldehyde, or polyethylene. Urban Woods, a furniture company based in Los Angeles (a city that knows a thing or two about air pollution), makes furniture from reclaimed wood and uses only water-based stains and non-toxic glues. Urban Woods has received the Sustainable Furnishings Council seal of approval for their urbanhip furniture creations. urbanwoods.net Housecleaning is no fun, no matter which products you use. But if you can’t get excited about housecleaning, at least feel good about what you’re cleaning with. It goes without saying that products featuring prominent caution warnings and labels with skulls and crossbones are best avoided. Biokleen offers a line of household cleaning products that contain no phosphates, chlorine, ammonia, petroleum, solvents, alcohol, glycol, ether, or compounds that are so hard to pronounce they’ve been reduced to initials like SLS, SLES, EDTA, or DEA. Biokleen has been around since 1989, claiming green standards that take into consideration packaging as well as the chemistry and effectiveness of the products, most of which are available through online sites. biokleenhome.com “Reduce, reuse, recycle”—the familiar anti-waste mantra—has been expanded in Europe to include recovery and disposal as well. There are plenty of eco-friendly products out there, but do your due diligence before buying. Critically review products that claim to be green, eco-friendly, sustainable, and natural, and whenever possible, buy local; that cuts down on your footprint, too.

Top to bottom: Courtesy of Loll Designs; Courtesy of Unearthed Paints

Loll Designs creates colorful outdoor furniture with all recycled materials.

continued from page 59

resources Steve extends special thanks to: Rob Anderson Ra Patterson John Wolf Stephen Samuelson Edy Keeler Steve Peterson Jim Etzler Richard Wilder

Peter Wolf Dale Scharp Florencio Garcia Jay Maes Glynn Juben Kolbe Windows & Doors Great Northern Cabinetry Stone Systems

Architecture Stephen Samuelson, Plan A Architecture 505-820-1460, planaarch.com Windows and Doors Ra Patterson, Sun West Construction Specialties/ Kolbe Windows & Doors, 505-438-7199 Concrete Floors Steve Peterson, Constructors and Associates 505-438-8200, steve@cainm.com Cabinets Jim Etzler, Great Northern Cabinetry greatnortherncabinetry.com Interior Design Edy Keeler, Core Value Inc. 505-577-2167, santafeinteriordesigner.com Insulation/Roofing Matt Segura and Aaron Lewis, Southwest Spray Foam 505-231-6032, southwestsprayfoam.com Landscaping Richard Wilder, Wilder Landscaping, 505-989-8524 Lighting Lucy Dearborn, LucĂ­a Lighting, lucialighting.com Michael Cornelius, mcldesign@comcast.net Plaster and Stucco Valente Ochoa, Ochoa Lath & Plaster 505-920-4979, ochoainc.com Roy Carroll, L & P Building Supply 505-828-0332, lpbuildingsupply.com Kitchen Countertops Dale Scharp, Stone Systems, stone-systems.com Electrical Peter Chang, Saturn Electric, 505-930-0040 Plumbing Frank Kilmer, Golden Sun Solar, 505-982-9899 Tile Greg Woeffel, Applied Tile, 505-852-2765 Appliances Jason Roberts, Builders Source Appliance Gallery 505-982-5563, builderssource.com Bathroom Fixtures Dahl Plumbing & Hardware 505-471-1811, dahlplumbing.com Rough Sawn Beams Hansen Lumber Company, Inc. 505-471-8280, hansenlumber.com SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

75

a different time and place Three new books, three lessons in American history.

Return to a postwar era of distinctive modernist decor, explore the lawless past of Lincoln County, New Mexico, and meet a caregiver to Georgia O’Keeffe.

Atomic Ranch: Midcentury Interiors,

by Michelle Gringeri-Brown, photographs by Jim Brown, Gibbs Smith, Publisher, hardcover with jacket, $40

U

nabashed champions of the ranch home, Michelle GringeriBrown and Jim Brown, editors of the magazine Atomic Ranch, showcase eight examples of that postwar architectural wonder in their second book, Atomic Ranch: Midcentury Interiors.

Modular Eames chairs, spiky mirrors, carports, chrome-and-plastic dinettes—they’re all here, a Mad Men set gone deliciously wild.

Saturated with gorgeous photos of period furniture and home accents from the ’50s and ’60s, each page verges on sensory overload; the feeling of nostalgia is palpable. Fans of the period will revel in the edgy color schemes, huge mod circles, curvy furniture, and plastic everything. It’s a time warp to a blissful childhood filled with shag rugs and kitchens draped in laminate. Clearly, the owners of the eight homes featured in the book have strong ties to those times.

“The residents in this volume are all living contemporary lives, but they understand and acknowledge how they and their homes are grounded in the recent past,” says Jim Brown. The authors chose each of the featured ranch homes to demonstrate the ingenuity and sense of adventure it takes to live in a home built half a century ago.

That’s not to say that these homeowners are struggling with ancient appliances or flimsy furniture. In most cases, modern accents pair beautifully and seamlessly with even the most obviously period furniture and decor. In a kitchen with—wait for it—dark blue, robin’s egg blue, lime green, and white metal cabinetry and a lime-colored tile backsplash, high-end stainless appliances and Corian counters keep the room from going overboard. The quintessential pink-tiled midcentury bathroom gets a total facelift with muted colors, sleek new bathtubs, and modern fixtures.

It might also get a “spacelift.” The original homeowners may have worked around awkward design boo-boos, but in bringing their old spaces up to modern snuff, the current owners had no compunction about slashing walls, replacing or expanding windows, and ripping out cabinetry that didn’t make sense.

Clusters of authentic atomic-era ranch homes can be found in Northern New Mexico in places like Los Alamos and areas of Santa Fe and Albuquerque. But owners of brand-new, ultra-modern and 76

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Courtesy Gibbs Smith, Publisher

Su Libro

contemporary homes in the Southwest are discovering that the midcentury aesthetic is also the perfect complement to clean lines, sharp corners, and minimalism. No matter where your home is on the architectural timeline, Atomic Ranch: Midcentury Interiors is a veritable catalog of inspiration for anyone drawn to another time—an era where kooky was okay, color was the rule, and home was the safest place in the world to be.—Amy Gross

Leavening curves and soft surfaces balance this largely geometric-looking living room.

Above: A punchy dining space showcases a metal and glass table ca. 1928 and fiberglass Ion chairs.

Su Libro

Gold-Mining Boomtown: People of White Oaks, Lincoln County, New Mexico Territory, by Roberta Key Haldane, University of Oklahoma Press, hardcover with jacket, $45

A firsthand witness to the lawlessness of the area in the late 1800s, Susan McSween Barber is one of the most colorful characters in Roberta Key Haldane’s Gold-Mining Boomtown: People of White Oaks, Lincoln County, New Mexico. Colorful in the literal sense (she dyed her hair red into her seventies and favored fuscia riding jackets), McSween Barber was also a feisty, shrewd businesswoman who built a cattle empire from the proceeds of her late husband’s life insurance policy. (Alexander McSween was famously killed running from their torched home in the bloody aftermath of the infamous Lincoln County War.) Susan defended herself against threats by his murderers, later became the jefa poquita of her own ranch, and lived to a ripe old age as the reigning doyenne of White Oaks.

This is a book that needs no color photography; the history of the town of White Oaks and its former residents is the definition of colorful. In the years following the Civil War, legitimate ranchers, prospectors, and mercantilists struggled to eke out existences in this small New Mexico town while outlaws, gunslingers, and rustlers flocked to the same wideopen spaces to do their dirty deeds to much greater—and deadlier—notoriety.

But author Haldane, herself a Lincoln County native, proves that in the wild, wild West, you didn’t have to be famous to be fascinating. Although Billy the Kid makes several appearances in her book, he is merely a vehicle for former White Oaks residents to share their own, equally interesting, stories—the so-called ordinary folk who put Lincoln County on the map.

They were settlers like William Calhoun McDonald, who, upon arriving in White Oaks, promptly abandoned teaching and the law in favor of mining and politics; he would become New Mexico’s first elected governor in 1912. They were entrepreneurs like David “Happy Jack” Jackson, a barely literate African American who built a business empire and became one of the town’s most beloved citizens. And they were characters, too, like John Burchem Slack, professional con man, gold miner, carpenter, coffin maker, undertaker, and co-perpetrator of the Great Diamond Hoax of 1872.

Their dour expressions captured in hundreds of old blackand-white photos, these are the former denizens of White Oaks, Lincoln County, New Mexico Territory. While the West was being slowly, painstakingly won, these were the men and women who lived and died through decades of violence and tumult, paving the way for the establishment of law and the creation of a new state.—AG

78

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Courtesy of University of Oklahoma Press

“I came to White Oaks because it is so peaceful here. My life has been . . . strenuous. I have seen so much fighting and killing during my life, that in my old age I want peace.”

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

79

Remembering Miss O’Keeffe: Stories from Abiquiú,

by Margaret Wood, Museum of New Mexico Press, hardcover with jacket, $19.95

In Remembering Miss O’Keeffe: Stories from Abiquiú, Margaret Wood offers readers an unusually fresh look into the life of Georgia O’Keeffe, beginning in 1977 when the youthful 24-year-old Wood headed west from Nebraska to the quaint village of Abiquiú, New Mexico, where she worked as a companion and caregiver to the 90-year-old artist.

Though a bit unconventional, the women’s age difference was not an obstacle for their relationship, which grew from one characterized by anxiety (on Wood’s part) and exactness (on O’Keeffe’s part) to one where both women were able to appreciate the Southwest—its quietness, solitude, and beauty—together.

As Wood’s stories and anecdotes unfold, the reader comes to appreciate the duo’s time spent together and develops a subtle understanding of the artist’s personality and values. At only 62 pages, Wood’s book nonetheless offers new insight into the life of an artist who has been studied relentlessly: how O’Keeffe lived once she was unable to hike to the “Black Place” to camp, when she could no longer venture to the “White Place” to paint, and once her days spent rafting down the Colorado River with friends were over. It was in these later days of O’Keeffe’s life that distractions seemed to drift away and the Southwest’s impressive attributes—natural beauty, softness, spirituality, and charming architecture— became even more important.

Imagine strolling through Abiquiú’s red hills in the evenings, reading by the warmth of a kiva fireplace during cool desert nights, and juicing fresh carrots from the garden in the mornings.

As Wood recalls, these were some of the ways that O’Keeffe appreciated and celebrated the Northern New Mexico lifestyle. As the author writes toward the end of the book, “Miss O’Keeffe would sometimes wave her hand into the landscape toward Pedernal, more than twenty miles distant, and say, ‘This is my backyard. Pretty good, isn’t it?”’

For anyone interested in O’Keeffe’s life, especially the artist’s later days in Abiquiú, Remembering Miss O’Keeffe presents an insider’s view that is original in its nature and quite charming because of it. Extras—black and white photographs by the author’s father, Myron Wood, as well as a thoughtful forward by essayist and memoirist Miriam Sagan—carefully balance the text.

—Samantha Schwirck 80

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

A warm memoir tells the story of a unique friendship between 24-yearold Margaret Wood and an aging Georgia O’Keeffe.

Courtesy of Myron Wood and Museum of New Mexico Press

Su Libro

“Miss O’Keeffe would sometimes wave her hand into the landscape toward Pedernal, more than twenty miles distant, and say, ‘This is my backyard. Pretty good, isn’t it?’”

—Margaret Wood

enchanting SELECTION

exceptionally LOW PRICES

25,000 floorcovering choices with no retail mark ups.

If your contractor, builder or interior designer did not shop ProSource – you paid too much.

2400 Midtown Place NE Albuquerque, NM 87107

505-761-4076

www.prosourcefloors.com/albuquerque Private Floorcovering Showroom Exclusively for Trade Professionals Access Showroom Through Your Trade Professional.

continued from page 22

Vetrazzo recycled glass countertop in Charisma Blue with Patina.

82

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Courtesy of Vetrazzo

have those slabs, take into consideration the effects that transporting them will have on the environment. Try to source your materials within a radius of 500 or fewer miles in order to minimize impact on air pollution.

In choosing the right green countertop for your home and lifestyle, your best bet, according to the U.S. Green Building Council, is to consider now where your countertop will end up when its lifecycle is over. If you choose a countertop that can later be reused, recycled, or turned into other products, you are taking a big step to going green.

REMODELING – HISTORIC RESTORATION – CUSTOM HOMES – DESIGN BUILD

1925 Rosina Street, Suite B

Santa Fe, NM

505.982.9699

www.fabuwallous.com Statement of Ownership 1.Publication Title: Su Casa. 2.Publication No.: 23618. 3.Filing Date: 10/04/10. 4.Issue Frequency: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn.

5.No. of Issues Published Annually: 4. 6.Annual Subscription Price: $9.95. 7.Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication (Not Printer): 215 W. San Francisco, Suite 300, Santa Fe, NM 87501. Contact Person: Bruce Adams, 505-983-1444. 8.Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher (Not Printer): 215 W. San Francisco, Suite 300, Santa Fe, NM 87501. 9.Full Names and Complete Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher: Bruce Adams, 215 W. San Francisco, Suite 300, Santa Fe, NM 87501. Editor: Amy Gross, 215 W. San Francisco, Suite 300, Santa Fe, NM 87501. Owner: Bella Media, 215 W. San Francisco, Suite 300, Santa Fe, NM 87501. 11.Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12.Tax Status: For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates. The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months. 13.Publication Title: Su Casa. 14.Issue Date for circulation data below: 06/01/2011, 15.Extent and nature of circulation: A.Total no. copies (Net Press Run): Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 24,200. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 25,000. B.Paid and/or requested circulation: 1.Paid/requested outside-county mail subscriptions stated on Form 3541 (Include advertiser’s proof and exchange copies): Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 9,000. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 9,000. 2.Paid in-county subscriptions stated on Form 3541 (Include advertiser’s proof and exchange copies): Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 0. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 0. 3. Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sales, and other Non-USPS Paid Distribution: Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 9,000. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 9,000., 4.Other classes mailed through the USPS: Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 86. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 20. C.Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4)): Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 18,000. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 18,000. D. Free Distribution by Mail (Samples, complimentary, and other free): 1.Outside county as stated on Form 3541: Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 0. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 0. 2.In-county as stated on form 3541: Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 0. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 0. 3.Other classes mailed through the USPS: Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 0. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 0. 4.Free distribution outside the mail (carriers or other means): Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 0. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 0. E.Total free distribution (Sum of 15D): Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 18,000. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 18,000. F.Total distribution (Sum of 15C and 15E): Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 24,200. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 24,200. G.Copies not distributed: Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 200. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 200. H.Total (Sum of 15F and 15G): Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 24,200.

Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 24,200. I.Percent paid and/or requested circulation (15C divided by 15F, times 100): Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 74%. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 71%. 16.This statement of ownership will be printed in the Winter 2013 (December 2012) issue of this publication.17.

I certify that all information stated above is true and complete: Bruce Adams, Publisher, October 8, 2012.

solar makes sense... check it out!

energy solutions that make sense

Call TODAY for your

FREE analysis

Discover how you will:

ZERO OUT your monthly electric bill Get up to 40% back on your taxes

DPW Solar Electric is the Southwest’s leader in solar electric power – grid-tied & off-grid systems www.dpwsolarelectric.com

CAll TODAY!

800•260•3792 Winter 2013 Advertisers ABQ Home Expo..................................................................49

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery.................67

Piñon Window and Door, Inc.............................................82

Action Security Iron..............................................................83

First National Bank of Santa Fe........................................73

Plumbsquare Construction................................................69

Adobe Bungalow.......................................................................85

General Electric..........................................................................9

PNM & NMGC Energy Star Homes Program.............6

Albuquerque Cabinet Brokers...........................................75

Golden Eagle Design............................................................4-5

PPC Solar.......................................................................................3

Albuquerque Home & Garden Show.............................79

Granite Transformations......................................................49

Pro Source Wholesale Flooring...........................................81

Ameriplex Mortgage..............................................................10

Hermanson Construction, Inc...........................................12

Renewal by Andersen................................................................1

Annex General Contracting & Design..........................85

Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico...12

RMH General Contractor, Inc..........................................79

Architectural Surfaces, Inc...................................................68

Hopkins Concrete...................................................................85

Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association...................29

Associa Canyon Gate..............................................................71

JCH/Joseph Custom Homes............................................68

Santa Fe Granite......................................................................71

Build Green New Mexico.....................................................21

Keller Williams Realty...........................................................27

Sierra Pacific Windows..........................................back cover

Builders Source Appliance Gallery...................................23

Keystone Homes......................................................................25

Sol Luna Solar............................................................................67

California Closets....................................................................87

Listen Up.....................................................................................72

Southwest Spray Foam...........................................................73

Centinela Traditional Arts...................................................86

Marc Coan Designs................................................................86

Statements in Tile/Lighting/Kitchen/Flooring...........22

Consolidated Solar Technologies.......................................13

Marie Enterprises, Inc............................inside front cover

Stonewood Flooring...............................................................87

ContemporarySouthwestFurniture................................87

Metal Depots.............................................................................39

Sun Mountain Construction...............................................82

Custom Builders Council....................................................74

Mexican Tile Designs.............................................................86

Thompson Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc..............69

Dahl Kitchen & Bath Studio...............................................15

Mountain West Sales.............................................................86

U.S. New Mexico Federal Credit Union.............................2

David C. Peterson Construction......................................87

New Haven Homes.................................................................77

Union Savings Bank................................................................41

Designer Studios, LLC...........................................................75

New Mexico Bank & Trust....................................................33

United Stoneworks..................................................................79

Diego Handcrafted Homes.................................................59

New Mexico Select..................................................................17

Western Building Supply.......................................................19

DPW Solar Solutions.............................................................84

OGB Architectural Millwork..............................................31

Wholesale Timber & Viga....................................................82

Ernest Thompson Custom Cabinets & Furniture.......59

Panorama Homes.......................................inside back cover

Window Connection.............................................................85

Fabu-WALL-ous Solutions, LLC......................................83

Pella Window and Door.........................................................11

YourHomeSource(SpecialAdvertisingSection)..86-87

84

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

The Infinity Difference A No-Hassle Experience

(505) 205-9928 Window Connection 300 Broadway NE Suite J, Albuquerque, NM 87102 thewindowconnection.com Save $500 on window installation or 0% interest for 12 months APR includes: FREE Energy Package with AD restrictions apply see rep for details, not valid with any other offer.

See the difference our new low maintenance, energy-efficient Infinity Replacement Windows can make. Stop by our showBegins: 1/1/13 room or call for an in-home consultation.

Expires: 3/31/13 SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

85

Your Home Source FIREPLACES

Mountain West Sales

We offer the very finest gas, wood, and pellet fireplaces and stoves from Heat n’ Glo, Heatilator, and Town and Country Fireplaces.

Please visit our showroom.

2718 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107 505-888-4464 MountainWestSales.net

KITCHEN DESIGN

86

ART

Centinela Traditional Arts

Traditional Woven Arts Centinela Traditional Arts is a tapestry gallery located in Chimayo, New Mexico, specializing in hand woven tapestry wool products using natural dyes, custom-dyed yarns, handspun yarns, and the traditional Chimayo/Rio Grande weaving styles.

HCR 64 Box 4, Chimayo, NM 505-351-2180 ChimayoWeavers.com

C U S TO M T I L E

Marc Coan Designs

Mexican Tile Designs

Love Your Home – Hate Your Kitchen – We Can Help For more than 20 years we have been creating amazing spaces that our clients love to live in. Let us help you make your home everything that you want it to be.

We carry hand-crafted ceramic Talavera tiles, sinks, and murals, offering hundreds of designs, all handmade and hand-painted by craftsman families in Mexico.

We also offer design services to assist you.

3301 Menaul Blvd NE S-28, Albuquerque, NM 87107 505-837-8888 MarcCoanDesigns.com

700 East 2nd Ave, Durango, CO 866-320-1628 MexicanTileDesigns.com

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

Special Advertising Section

FURNITURE

Contemporary Southwest by Grazier Ltd.

CLOSETS

California Closets

For 24 years Ron and June Grazier, with our team of skilled Artisans, have been commissioned to create and hand build premium solid wood furniture for life’s lasting needs and savored rewards.

Custom Storage Solutions Serving the entire state of New Mexico, California Closets creates custom designs for every room in the home, utilizing only the finest materials and suppliers available. Find out what California Closets can do for you. Call us today.

2027 Yale Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 505-243-8044 ContemporarySouthwest.com

4801 Alameda Blvd, Suite 63, Albuquerque, NM 505-858-1100 CaliforniaClosets.com/Albuquerque

FLOORING

Stonewood Flooring, LLC

Exquisite surface selections and sensational new products to inspire your imagination! We collaborate with you to create a beautiful custom design for your home, meeting your budget and needs.

Porcelain • Ceramic • Stone • Variance • Wood • Carpet 3700 Rutledge Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107 505-938-3125 StoneWoodFlooringLLC.com

BUILDER

David C. Peterson Construction

Green Builds, New Builds, Remodels, Adobe, E-CRETE, and Frame Stucco. Thirty years of hands-on experience with designs by homeowners and architects. Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico award winning custom home builder and remodeler.

505-239-3729 DavidCPeterson.com adobero@comcast.net SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

87

Dream On

For serious wine lovers, a space reserved specifically for allowing favorite vintages to mature is the ultimate home amenity—perhaps even a necessity. The owners of this magnificent wine cellar, located in an elegant Paa-Ko home in Albuquerque’s East Mountains, can rest easy knowing that their prized vintages have all the time and space they need to age to perfection. But this is no common storage area. With a built-in wet bar, an arched brick ceiling, hand-painted wall murals with vineyard motif, and ample room to proudly display wine accessories and gadgets, this cellar is its own living space, a luxurious retreat for the serious wine connoisseur.

Panorama Homes, 505-688-6834, panoramahomes.com 88

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2013

ABQ Home Pics

pour the wine

Photo: ABQ Home pics

CUSTOM HOME BUILDER

AWARD-WINNING CUSTOM HOMES – EVERY PRICE RANGE, EVERY STYLE! No Cost, No Obligation Design Model Home at 9700 Sand Verbena Trail NE (Paseo del Norte & Holbrook) | 505.688.6834

Cielo Estates - our Exclusive, Green-Certified Subdivision Affordable Luxury. Cost-Saving Engineering. Healthy Indoor Environments. Quiet Comfort.

www.panoramahomes.com