Su Casa Southwestern Homes Winter 2024

Southwest Homes

inspiration ideas resources

a sophisticated Santa Fe retreat Far East fusion

in a hilltop Placitas home VOL. 30 NO. 1 WINTER 2024

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

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From folk talismans worldwide to childhood yarn crafts in the 1970s United States, these concentric and colorful forms have fascinated generations. The Ojo panel is an intentional mixture of color and line weight that communicates an illusion of depth and dimensionality. The mesmerizing pattern of the Ojo wall art panel, whether fabricated in a muted or kaleidoscopic colorway, draws you in and keeps you looking.

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Nestled on the westside in the petroglyph area, a new community is taking shape, courtesy of Twilight Homes.

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Southwest Homes

Mark William

inspiration ideas resources

48 SOUTHWEST

HOMES 48 Far East Meets Southwest

A trip to Japan—and Japanese philosophy—inspired this Placitas renovation.

On the cover: Modulus Design helped a couple convert a dated hilltop home,

fusing Japanese design theory with midcentury modern touches. Photograph by Mark William Photography.

36

58 Sophisticated Santa Fe Retreat

Visit SuCasaMagazine.com

18

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2024

Shutterstock.com/Virrage Images

Designed for a family of golfers, this luxury course-side home offers resort-style living and one-of-a-kind views.

A FRESH PALETTE OF BANKING AWAITS! Like picking the perfect paint color, your finances call for a palette of choices. From rewarding savings and checking accounts to a full range of loans, we’re here to help you achieve your dreams.

RioGrandeCU.org

Daniel Nadelbach

58 IN EVERY ISSUE

Follow us @ sucasamagazine

26 Inside Su Casa

80

28 Life+Style Southwest

Add rich, tempting teal to your home to create a little moody drama with these statement-making products.

32 Design Studio

Cozy fireplaces, show-stopping wine rooms and quiet reading nooks are perfect for whiling away a winter afternoon.

68 Vida Buena

Fort Collins, Colorado, is a delightful destination with an emphasis on craft beer culture, street art and best-in-class outdoor recreation.

72 Just Winging Through

The cackle of Pinyon jays is a backyard highlight, although local numbers of these bright blue birds are declining.

76 Su Cocina

Albuquerque’s Hotel Chaco serves up modern New Mexican ranch cuisine with a beautiful backdrop from its rooftop Level 5 restaurant.

Hot cocoa is the perfect drink for spicing and spiking to warm up on a chilly winter’s eve.

86 Su Libro

“Call It Home” outlines how surroundings should influence our home’s design, and “Quiet Spaces” offers peeks into places where calm and quiet define the style.

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Shutterstock.com/amberto4ka

80 ¡ Salud!

Realize Your Dream Home With SLFCU! Today’s housing market can make it hard to determine the next steps for home ownership.

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Southwest Homes

inspiration ideas resources

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

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Inside Su Casa

Welcome to the Winter Issue of Su Casa

N

ew Mexico’s winter is not what people who don’t live in a desert climate think it is. While it’s crisp and cool and sometimes snowy, it’s a time when dormant ideas are shifting about and taking shape—especially when it comes to our homes. That’s why we dedicate our winter issue to interior design and remodeling.

To that end, this winter, we’re thinking about wine rooms and reading nooks—such wonderful spaces to while away winter afternoons and evenings. Plus, local designers and builders share striking fireplace designs, which are such a warm, wonderful way to customize your home. If you’re considering upgrading your entryway, lighting can create the wow factor you want.

Our cover story is about a Placitas remodel that turned a dated, dreary home with loads of potential into a multiculturally inspired showplace. Its unique exterior finishes blend with the surrounding sloping desert while simultaneously juxtaposing it with soaring projections jutting from the rocks and sand.

Our second feature home, a new build in Las Campanas, was meant to be the family home of Zachary Shultz of Zachary & Sons Homes. Still, when his wife passed away during the planning phase, the family decided to proceed with construction as a tribute to the matriarch of the family. It’s a decidedly sleek, contemporary home with all the touches of softness and warmth you’d expect for modern living.

We encourage you to warm up this winter with spiked cocoa or a lovely dinner at Level 5 in Albuquerque’s boutique and inspired Hotel Chaco.

Craving a little getaway? Try Fort Collins, Colorado.

This charming college town boasts something for everyone with its first-class beer culture, extensive art scene and abundant recreational opportunities.

As with every issue, we encourage you to sit, relax and peruse these pages—there’s so much more inside to discover! We hope to inspire your indoor and outdoor living for every season.

William P. Lang

Right: Striking angles, perfectly planned cutouts and ample portal space in this Santa Fe home ensure visual interest everywhere you look—meant to enhance the stunning golf course views and not detract from them. Read more on page 58.

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Daniel Nadelbach

Publisher

Life+Style Southwest

photograph by Wendy McEahern

welcome home

Designer Yuki Murata teamed up with Rippel Metal to design this custom solid steel and glass front door for an Atalaya home by Woods Design Builders. The striking full-glass design allows natural light to flood the home’s foyer. “The entry hall has stone walls, so as you approach the home, sun highlights that detail creating a wow factor,” says Shane Woods, project manager at Woods Design Builders. In addition, the materials and style complement the courtyard gates and nearby garage doors. Woods adds that it’s a beautiful contrast of present-day style with indigenous materials—neither too traditional Santa Fe style nor too contemporary.

Woods Design Builders, woodsbuilders.com Lorn Tryk Architects, lorntryk.com Yuki Murata, yukimurata.com Rippel Metal, rippelmetal.com 28

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Life+Style Southwest

by Heather Shoning

tempting teal create a little drama with this moody hue This deep teal jewel tone juxtaposed with black and white, or a neutral backdrop can make a bold statement in your home.

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S U C A S A W I N T E R 2024

1. Up-Leveled Cooking

Stanley Tucci loves to cook, so he partnered with GreenPan to create a cookware collection from the ground up, focusing on innovations that take cooking to the next level. Made in Italy, these pans blend refined architectural details with pioneering technology. GreenPan’s all-new woven induction base stays flat and delivers superior results on all stovetops, while the ceramic nonstick coating is infused with layers of diamonds for unparalleled heat transfer and incredible durability. Compatible with all cooktops—optimal for use on induction or electric— the pans are also oven and broiler safe to 600°F; lids are oven safe to 425°F. The set includes: 8-, 10- and 12-inch fry pans; 2- and 4-quart saucepans with lids; a 4-quart sauté pan with lid; 6 ½-quart Essential Stanley Pan with lid’ and an 8-quart stockpot with strainer insert and lid. GreenPan Stanley Tucci Ceramic Nonstick 15-Piece Cookware Set, $999, williams-sonoma.com

2. Swimming in Style

The Parry 3- by 8-inch glossy ceramic tile in teal is elongated, with an arched top and “v” at the bottom, reminiscent of the popular fish scale tile patterns. Timeless, with a hint of Art Deco style, the finely crafted, Spanish-made Parry is a playful alternative to the traditional subway format. Its reflective, glossy finish brings a dewy sheen to backsplashes, feature walls, baths and more. Parry Fishscale Glossy Ceramic Wall Tile, $15/sq.ft., tilebar.com

3. Fantastic Fixture

This trendy pendant collection features unique handblown glass in a variety of colors, including clear, amber, sapphire and aqua. Available configurations include a sconce, single pendant, multi-light pendants (as shown) and an island pendant. This dramatic, sculptural fixture is sure to be the focal point of any room. Frames include a polished chrome finish, and fixtures come with 8 feet of clear cord. Meteor 3-Light Pendant from Bright Ideas Inc., $748, lightingfordesign.com

4. Restful Reclining

Forget your grandma’s recliner—enjoy a new generation of La-Z-Boy in this artfully sculptured, small-profile luxury recliner. Its sophisticated flair with decorative wood legs, semi-attached back and comfy attached seat cushion makes a bold statement for any home. Functionality includes a press-back recliner—manually push back for easy reclining, double-picked blown fiber fill for improved cushion loft and shape retention, and a high-grade foam seat cushion that maintains its comfort and appearance. Customizable with your choice of fabrics and other available upgrades.

La-Z-Boy Riley High-Leg Recliner, $3199 (as shown with high-grade leather upholstery), la-z-boy.com

5. Seeing Stars

Your walls will shine with this deep teal and copper geometric star–patterned wallpaper designed by Spoonflower artist Crystal Walen. It’s available in peel-and-stick, grasscloth, removable and traditional wallpaper types, so there’s something for every space, every style. These papers feature eco-friendly inks and are formaldehyde-, phthalate-, and PVCfree, and are great for upgrading whole rooms, one wall, temporary spaces, bookcases and an array of craft projects. The pattern and colorway are also available in fabric and home decor items. Spoonflower Star Geo Wallpaper, $99–549/roll, spoonflower.com

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31

Design Studio

playing with fire

local designers and builders tell us how fireplaces can play a central role in home design A FIREPLACE can create a warm and comfy atmosphere, making your home more inviting and comfortable. The flickering flames and the sound of crackling wood can add a touch of visual and auditory spirit to your home.

Whether you sit nearby to read a book, play board games with family or friends or simply enjoy the warmth, fireplaces offer a cozy backdrop for various leisure activities.

The soft glow and warmth of a fireplace also create a romantic ambience for a primary bedroom.

Fireplaces are also important to the architectural design of a home, adding character and charm or even a dramatic focal point. In many cultures, fireplaces have 32

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historical and cultural significance, especially the kiva in New Mexico. The term kiva fireplace is believed to come from the historical and spiritual term “kiva,” which was a large and generally circular underground room used

by Pueblo people, mostly for spiritual ceremonies. Kivas are considered sacred and private and hold an important part of the Pueblo heritage.

Lisa Samuel, of Samuel Design Group, says any fireplace must fit the space. For a stylized kiva-style fireplace in one of her projects, she drew inspiration from the surrounding artwork. Samuel worked with a Polish artist to refine the already-existing fireplace. The artist used layers

Wendy McEahern

by Patricia L. Garcia

Wendy McEahern

Blending a stone hearth with the contemporary look of steel plates is a perfect example of the transitional style Shane Woods says his clients desire.

Wendy McEahern

of plaster to create depth and a polished, waxed finish for a delightful sheen. But the visual inspiration came from a painting to the right of the fireplace that looks like three-dimensional paper doll cutouts, so Samuel added dashed lines to represent perforations and a pair of scissors on the side of the fireplace.

“Those scissors are saying, ‘Okay, I can cut on the dotted line.’ And because it looks like you’re cutting paper, I chose to do the fireplace in that sort of whimsical fashion,” Samuel says. “The room is very playful, whimsical and fun.” Although kivas are part of our local heritage, there are many striking fireplace design styles—only limited by your imagination.

Tierra Concepts’ Keith Gorges looks to the space to find inspiration but is also guided by the surrounding area. The linear wood-burning fireplace in a Santa Fe home has a natural stone surround that continues up to the chimney, visible SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

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Design Studio

Shutterstock.com/korisbo

Fireplaces are also important to the architectural design of a home, adding character and charm or even a dramatic focal point.

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Shutterstock.com/Wilm Ihlenfeld

through the glass skylight that sits just above the fireplace.

“When we say contextual modern, it’s in the context of Northern New Mexico, Santa Fe-style, in the sense that it has natural materials,” he says. An extra-long slab cantilevered hearth can serve as additional seating in the family room.

Shane Woods of Woods Design Builders says it’s crucial to create fireplaces that are presented in a contemporary way.

The steel back–plated fireplace, for instance, is traditional and contemporary, flanked by white plaster and large wood beams. “Most of our clients are looking for transitional—they don’t want the heavy Santa Fe–style anymore,” he says.

“They don’t want the heavy contemporary; it’s more of a mixture of both.”

Some sleek, contemporary looks can be tempered by the warmth of rich wood, quite literally. Boxy, integrated recessed areas that hold firewood turn the clean-lined look into a more organic design detail. Woods says this fireplace has a polished look that can work with various home styles, although he suggests placing the wood storage below the fireplace for easy access.

A centrally located, four-sided open fireplace is a sophisticated centerpiece that can be enjoyed from multiple rooms

and seating areas. The modern style is well-served with a modern design such as black steel and sleek stone slab hearth. “A fireplace like this is meant to be a showstopper, but it will probably be found in a contemporary house,” says Gorges. He adds that while you can use different materials— from glass to stone to steel—your designer and contractor must consider the heavy load on top of the fireplace.

No matter the style or materials, consider a fireplace in your home to create an ambience that is inviting and comfortable year-round.

resources Samuel Design Group Tierra Concepts tierraconceptssantafe.com Woods Design Builders woodsbuilders.com SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

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Life+Style Southwest

Shutterstock.com/Hannamariah

by Paula M. Bodah

private property YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE WONDERFUL FOLKS, no doubt, but you don’t necessarily want to have a conversation with them every time you both happen to be out in your yards. You could erect a nice, tall fence to create privacy, but that doesn’t seem very, well … neighborly.

Fortunately, there’s no need to go to extreme lengths to foster a sense of seclusion in your yard. Robert Bernacki, owner of WaterQuest Landscaping in Albuquerque, suggests using a handful of pretty plantings to create a visual barrier. “A few strategically placed trees can do a great job of blocking someone’s view,” he says.

Perhaps the neighbor’s kitchen window gives them a view of your firepit.

Bernacki says a pretty tree, such as an ornamental pear or plum, would be pleasing to them while keeping their focus off the firepit. “Really what you’re trying to do is keep the focal point from being you,” he points out.

If your backyard deck or patio needs screening, Bernacki cautions against installing tall plants around it. “Creating a hedge around your patio will give you privacy, but it will also block your view of the rest of the yard.” A better idea, he says, would be to plant shorter, more delicate things around the patio, then as you move farther away, stagger a few larger plantings such as small trees or tall bushes.

Freestanding potted plants can also be a simple—and flexible—way to create a sense of privacy, Bernacki adds. Simply move them around to act as a screen for a sitting or dining area.

Michael Erickson, owner of Plant World is a fan of using trellises as a way to create privacy. “One of the nice things about trellises is that you have a lot of leeway in what sort of plant you can put on it,” he says. Among his favorites 36

S U C A S A W I N T E R 2024

Shutterstock.com/Virrage Images

Feel like you’re getting away from it all right in your own backyard

Shutterstock.com/Theplantedwanderer

Plant layering is a convenient way to create privacy and a little visual drama in your yard.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

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Laser-cut metal screens come in a vareity of designs allowing you to create an outdoor feature wall and privacy.

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Shutterstock.com/PhotoMavenStock

Life+Style Southwest

is bignonia capreolata—tangerine beauty crossvine, a vigorous vine that offers vivid orange flowers all season long and retains its green leaves to continue the screening effect through the off-season. Trellises come in all shapes, sizes and materials, including the hand-crafted, pre-rusted decorative trellises Erickson sells in his Albuquerque shop. To make things extra easy for homeowners, he sells espaliered plants—plants that are already trellised and formed.

These might be fruit trees, grapevines or something evergreen such as a euonymus. A planted trellis makes the perfect screen for a hot tub, he notes.

For an easy-care option, consider a decorative element that doesn’t require a green thumb. Decorative metal panels are a good choice for creating privacy, says Erickson. “The laser-cut perforated screens are very versatile,” he says.

Shade structures such as a pergola, arbor or gazebo have the bonus of offering a bit of privacy, says Jeff Gonzalez, whose Bernalillo-based Wholesale Timber & Viga sells gazebo kits and other custom shade structures.

He also suggests fencing at various heights. “I’ve done a lot with varying heights of privacy fence to define areas—even a small fence about twoor three-feet high,” he says. This allows you to create breaks in sightlines without wrapping the entire yard in an 8-foot tall privacy fence—cutting off all opportunities for being neighborly.

Whether you go with plants or fencing, a freestanding gazebo or a pergola that attaches to the house or pool house, creating a sense of privacy should make both you and your neighbors happy.

resources Plant World WaterQuest Landscaping Wholesale Timber & Viga wholesaletimber.net

Design Studio

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by Faerl Marie Torres

a room of wine’s own

Baxter Imaging LLC

designing a residential wine space that will be a focal point of your home RESIDENTIAL WINE-TASTING ROOMS and in-home cellars are becoming increasingly popular. Whether hosting a private tasting, showing off a collection or artfully storing an investment, the design possibilities are limitless and can be paired with any oenophile’s interior taste.

Factoring in the design of a wine room or cellar is crucial in creating the right ambience while showing off the unique characteristics of a collection. “The first step is determining storage needs, ensuring sufficient capacity now and in the future,” says Sandy Horowitz, president of Innovative Wine Cellar Designs. “It really gets down to the visual the client wants.”

“There’s always a tradeoff between how many bottles you want to store, how you want to store it and the space you have available,” says Christopher Hanks of Christopher Hanks Design in Albuquerque. Dedicated wine rooms with tasting space and an uncorking station require significant real estate, but there are other design options within stricter space and budgetary confines.

“Recently, there’s been a big push towards wine walls,” says Jamie Dunjey, president of Heritage Vine, Inc. Two-feet deep and 8- to 10-feet long and tall, wine walls don’t require a large footprint. “It’s a shallow jewel box in the living space or dining room with frameless glass, where the bottles are the feature instead of the racks,” Dunjey says. In contemporary designs, bottles are stored horizontally with the label forward, making it easy to see the label and identify the varietal.

A wine room designed for the client’s needs is the first step, but the wine space must match the rest of the home. “The big picture of design and style must be considered with the primary goal of the client—storing, tasting, collecting, investing, sharing the hobby,” Hanks says. In addition to wine, tasting rooms and cellars can incorporate collections SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

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Courtesy Heritage Vine

Courtesy Heritage Vine

Design Studio

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of high-end spirits with decanter displays or other collections of different shapes and sizes of bottles.

“It’s usually coming from a longstanding hobby that’s grown and needs a larger, more custom space.”

Comfortable seating is vital to the guest experience. “A lot of people have a dream of a big walk-in cellar with a seating area surrounded by wine racks, but realize a cellar is too cold to be comfortable,” says Dunjey, who advises including the wine wall in the dining room, where you can appreciate the collection, but in an ambient space with a tasting area and uncorking station outside the cellar.

The building materials used should reflect the homeowner’s taste, and the options are limitless—stainless steel, acrylic, wood, glass—even cable suspension makes interesting racking. “It’s a focal point, an art piece,” Horowitz says. The style of the room should be consistent with the rest of the home, incorporating complementary fixtures, art, and building materials and finishes. “Aesthetics are key,” Dunjey says.

“Design is critical, but what’s a wine cellar without proper climate control?”

Dunjey emphasizes the importance of protecting wine for years by ensuring the storage space is adequately insulated, sealed and climate controlled—55 to 60 degrees with 50 to 70 percent humidity and minimal vibrations, which can degrade the wine.

“It’s an art form to design, size and cool wine rooms,” he says. “It’s not air conditioning; it’s proper, mid-temperature refrigeration.”

Building a residential wine cellar or tasting room is an oenophile’s dream come true. By considering the present and future collection and the insulation, refrigeration and temperature control factors necessary for safe, longterm storage, any home can beautifully incorporate a space for wine lovers to enjoy and share a curated collection.

resources Christopher Hanks Design Heritage Vine Innovative Wine Cellar Designs

Design Studio

by Heather Shoning

turn the page

a dedicated reading area promotes self-care and ups the aesthetic of your home

DO YOU LOVE TO READ? If you’re an avid reader or want to cultivate a reading habit, having a designated space for it can be motivating and enjoyable. Regular reading is associated with cognitive benefits such as improved vocabulary, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Reading is also a form of self-care. It can reduce stress, improve mood and contribute to overall well-being.

A reading nook—or any dedicated space in a corner or underused area of a room—provides the ideal setting for this self-care practice. It offers a place where you can lose 44

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yourself in the stories, knowledge and adventures found in books, allowing you to explore different worlds and cultures without leaving your home. Your reading nook can be a personal sanctuary where you can enjoy solitude and introspection. It’s an ideal place for self-reflection and personal growth. Reading nooks can also be familyfriendly spaces. They are great for parents and children to spend quality time reading together, promoting a love for books in the family. It’s a place where you can escape, learn and find solace, all while enhancing the aesthetic

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appeal of your home.

Choose a quiet and relatively private spot in your home, away from distractions. It could be in a corner of the living room, bedroom or home office, or it could be a space of its own, such as a nook or window seat. Select furniture, colors and decor that reflect your personal style and make the space inviting. Ensure that it’s comfortable with a quality chair and a small table for placing your books, a cup of tea or reading glasses. Cozy cushions, throws and bookshelves can add to the charm. You can incorporate elements that

inspire your reading, such as artwork, plants or quotes on the wall. Good lighting is essential for reading. Natural light during the day is ideal, but make sure you have adequate artificial lighting for evening reading.

A reading nook can be a wonderful addition to your home, providing a sanctuary for relaxation and intellectual stimulation. It can be a space where you can escape into the world of books. If you have the passion and space for it, building a reading nook can offer you a little slice of self-care heaven right in your own home.

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Design Studio

by Faerl Marie Torres

lighting up OPULENT FOYERS are often seen in luxury hotels, historic mansions and other prestigious settings, where attention to detail and aesthetics is of utmost importance. These spaces are designed to leave a lasting impression and set the tone for the interior of the building.

The same can be true for your home. The foyer can be its calling card. From starkly cool and modern to richly warm and traditional, whatever your interior’s signature style, the foyer is a preview of what’s to come, and lighting sets the mood.

“It’s a pivotal part of the house,” says Shawn Lease of Turn on Lighting. “You don’t want the light fixture to dominate, but it should make a statement.”

To achieve that statement, interior designer Heather Van Luchene of HVL Interiors advises clients first to consider the proportions of the foyer.

Whether your home has a dedicated entry or opens directly into the living space, you can create a space to pause and take a moment with lighting. “If it opens into a big floor plan, there’s an opportunity to create a place of welcome through furnishing arrangement, like a round table or bench with an entry fixture above,” Van Luchene says. This arrangement can create the feeling of a purposeful entryway that may not be there in its own right.

Statement-making fixtures and pendant clusters reign supreme for homes with a dedicated foyer. For grand entrances with high ceilings, there are a lot of options. “Grouped pendants and interesting arrangements with multiple fixtures that become sculptural create a great focal point,” Van Luchene says.

Lower ceilings aren’t banished from high design. For more traditional heights—eight to ten feet—Lease recommends semi-flush-mount fixtures that spread out across the ceiling to create impact without height. “Wall sconces 46

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foyer lighting makes a big first impression

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framing a picture or mirror can also make a statement in entryways with lower ceilings,” he says.

“When you’re sizing the fixture, keep in mind the door height,” says Arielle Cofer of Bright Ideas, Inc. There are no hard and fast rules, but be sure to have plenty of clearance between the door and the fixture, and the ideal diameter is no more than half the total square feet of the foyer. General arrangement guidelines include fixtures hung no lower than seven and a half feet. If it hangs above furniture, there should be 34 to 36 inches between the fixture and a tabletop. Another consideration is how the fixture looks when it’s turned off. “With built-in LEDs, you can have large, airy pieces that cast cool light patterns on the ceiling,” Cofer says. When LEDs are off, the glass and bulbs all but disappear, maintaining a minimalist look that focuses on the style instead of the function.

Material influences the impact and aesthetic of the fixture statement. “Softer elements are coming back,” says Cofer. “We’re seeing a throwback to natural materials—wood, rattan, bamboo, natural jute rope.” Warm woods alongside brown and gold tones that enhance the style of many Southwestern homes are great options. Mixed-metal finishes are on trend throughout the home, and the foyer is no exception. Black metal and warm brass marry contemporary sophistication with timeless elegance to create a striking contrast that highlights the character of both.

Van Luchene likes glass and paper or parchment—translucent materials that create nice light for entries, as well as patinaed

metals with softer finishes like bronze, pewter and aged brass.

“It depends on the space and aesthetic,” she says, advising clients never to select an unwelcoming fixture with anything sharp at the bottom. “You also have to consider the view from below since that’s mainly what you see when you walk in.”

Smart technology has become an integral part of luxury lighting design, providing homeowners with unrivaled control and convenience. Van Luchene and Cofer use 2700K bulbs for entry lighting and alter the output based on the desired mood.

“Homes should be soft, warm and inviting. It’s important to control the color temperature and light level in an entry by putting the fixture on a dimmer,” Van Luchene says. The best way to achieve an elegant invitation is to set the tone at the front door, making bold statements and incorporating natural elements through purposeful lighting design.

resources Bright Ideas, Inc. lightingfordesign.com HVL Interiors Turn On Lighting SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

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Far East meets Southwest tenets of Japanese philosophy inspire design elements of a Placitas renovation Modulus created perforated, sliding steel screens to reduce the desert heat on the decks and to maintain airflow and views.

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by Anne Maclachlan photographs by Mark William

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ravel exposes us to different cultures, each with its own unique design aesthetics, materials, colors and patterns, and these influences can be integrated into interior design to create spaces that reflect the richness of a particular culture. It inspires aesthetically pleasing but also meaningful and personal spaces that become expressions of a homeowner’s experiences and passions. It was a trip to Takayama, Japan, that inspired David Hamlin’s vision for the place he and partner Aaron Wiley would call home in Placitas. Classic Takayama architecture combines the principles of wabi-sabi—wabi is about recognizing beauty in humble simplicity, while sabi is concerned with the passage of time and the way things age and decay. David, founder and creative director of Submaterial, knew these would translate well to their plans for a home together.

When David and Aaron found their spot in Placitas, the views and tranquility captivated them. They landed a little Southwesternstyle stucco to rent, nestled into a hill with 180-degree views. “It was the shabbiest house in the neighborhood,” David laughs, “but it was on the best of the lots.” After six

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“It was our first remodel project, and we’re grateful that we took the time to think it through.”

– David Hamlin

Approaching the home, you’re met with the wabi-sabi principles guiding the home’s design—the simplicity of design and the aging of materials in an elegant and thoughtful manner.

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The kitchen is designed for ease of use and to conceal the major appliances, in keeping with David’s minimalist tastes. The materials blend seamlessly from one space to the next creating continuity in the design.

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years as tenants, the pair bought the rental they’d nicknamed “The Taco Bell House” for its distinctive exterior-mounted iron bell, which was later re-set to invite neighbors to join in evening happy hours.

The structure itself was falling into disrepair at the time of purchase, with its original decks beginning to crumble. For the renovation, it was important to David to keep the existing space, respect the landscape on which the house is situated, and maintain the connection to the land and with the neighbors. Light, contrast and blending comfort with streamlined practicality—wabi—were essential to the remodel.

The couple’s vision for a wabi-sabi-based restoration was paired with the unique expertise of Christian Harper and the team at Modulus Design, a full-service design-build firm in Albuquerque. “We’re a bit of an anomaly,” Harper explains, adding that it is of the utmost importance “to create spaces that have a positive effect on clients’ lives.”

Although the company focuses on commercial contracts, Harper says his firm enjoys the challenge of a unique project. In conjunction with David and Aaron, Modulus came up with a plan to preserve the footprint of the original house, restore the decking and enclose the exterior stairway, transforming the “Taco Bell House” from a simple structure to an elegant, Japanese-influenced retreat.

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A thoughtful enclosure turned this open space into a peaceful primary retreat, and the custom sliding doors have a decidedly Japanese inspiration.

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As part of the primary suite addition, the bathroom features an enormous soaking tub with spectacular views.

While the work was underway, David and Aaron stayed at a neighbor’s casita and struck up long-lasting friendships with curious locals who were stopping by the construction site. As with many renovation projects, it was not without challenges. As the house was built into a hillside, the design team discovered that it needed structural reinforcement with steel pillars sunk into the ground. The infamous stucco-overwire facade, or “faux-dobe”—as locals call it—was looking worse for wear. Modulus replaced sections with a stunning steel exterior that was acid-etched for a warmly weathered look, embracing the principles of sabi. The decks were reconstructed and expanded with a similar artistic approach. A new primary bedroom, bathroom and exercise area were incorporated into the structure’s upper level. This was all managed while maintaining the original footprint, respecting the existing surroundings, and—the biggest challenge—making the most of light and views throughout the home while mitigating the extreme heat indoors.

David loves the result. “If you stand in the center of the house, you can look at any of the four cardinal directions and see the open landscape.” His own design talents took the living spaces to new levels, using wood, concrete and steel as primary components.

During the Takayama visit, he was struck by the ancient end-grain elm flooring at the inn where they stayed, softly worn down by hundreds of years of history and footsteps.

In a nod to this prime example of sabi, he incorporated flooring created with end-grain fir, sourced in Oregon, and stained black to contrast with the polished concrete throughout the house.

Submaterial’s creations are found throughout the interiors. A hanging wooden room divider in the living area plays up the touches of walnut that accent the various rooms. The style and wooden shapes align with the feel of the space with its sleek, low midcentury-style furnishings. David notes that about 60 square feet of warm golden panels complete one wall in the new reading nook, creating the ideal quiet space to escape with a good book.

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resources Home Designer/Builder Modulus Design modulusdesign.com Appliances Builders Source Appliance Gallery builderssource.com Bathroom/Kitchen Fixtures Platte Designs Cabinetry/Kitchen Countertops Henrybuilt and Viola Park Bathroom Countertops American Countertops Flooring/Polished Concrete Modulus Design Flooring/Wood Oregon Lumber Co. Modulus Design (Installation) Front Door/Sliding Window Wall/Windows Pella Windows & Doors of Albuquerque pellaofalbuquerque.com Metal Fabrication Modulus Design Interior Doors Albuquerque Window Door and Trim Interior Custom Wood Doors/Glass Divider James Gannaway Landscaping Sunbelt Landscapes & Nursery Window Coverings ABQ Custom Blinds The home has various portals and decks that capture views in every direction. Modulus created perforated, sliding steel screens (far left image) to reduce the desert heat while maintaining airflow and views.

that allowed for ease of prep, cooking and cleanup. He replaced the six-burner Bosch gas range with an induction stove—also by Bosch. The sleek stove is the only appliance not cleverly hidden behind the remodeled kitchen cabinetry. Gray cabinetry with slab doors and drawers ensures a sleek, unfussy appeal. Rich wood tones soften the space while creating continuity with the adjoining dining room that features a clean-lined dining table and a floating buffet—both in rich, striated woods.

The new primary bathroom features an enormous soaking tub situated at a large window overlooking natural space. “I knew it would be nice,” David notes. “But to sit in that tub and watch the harvest moon come up ...”

The Modulus team incorporated the clients’ requests to maintain the views and light while respecting the fact that the southwest-facing aspect was essentially a heat trap. The solution: window glazing and an extraordinary set of movable weathering steel screens that don’t block the expansive views. Playing with the light for which New Mexico is famous, Harper built this exterior artwork to allow for ever-changing shadow patterns as the creatively perforated screens are overlapped as desired.

Harper focused on his clients’ desire for a blend of linear and organic, simplistic and industrial, old and new components—expressions of the couple’s travel experiences and their individual and shared passions. The results exceed David’s and Aaron’s expectations. “It was our first remodel project,” David explains, “and we’re grateful that we took the time to think it through.”

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sophisticated Santa Fe retreat this see-through house offers delightful design surprises

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by Leilani Marie Labong photographs by Daniel Nadelbach

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nce upon a double lot facing the 18th green in Las Campanas, an exclusive gated community in Santa Fe, a custom “seethrough house” was built for a family of avid golfers, and in memory of one in particular.

When the Shultz matriarch passed away in 2019 during the conception phase for this ultimate family home, her brood of builders—husband Zachary and sons Josh and Aaron of Santa Fe-based Zachary & Sons Homes—decided to continue with the deeply personal project in tribute. “We had gotten far into the process before my mom passed away,” explains Josh Shultz. “So, we wanted to put all our love into seeing it all the way through.”

This sentimental take on a “see-through house” isn’t exactly what associate designer Andrea Caraballo of Hoopes & Associates Architects had in mind when she coined the term for the 3,600-square-foot southwestmodern residence that she designed with unimpeded sightlines. “There’s a reveal upon entering the house that you wouldn’t necessarily expect,” Josh Shultz explains.

“You don’t necessarily know how special the place is until you walk in the front door.” Like many golf course homes, this one has a modest street presence, partly for privacy and partly to play the role of humble foil to the drama on the other side.

From almost anywhere in the house— starting from the front door—westerly views dramatically unfold. First, your eyes encounter the inviting outdoor spaces, which add an additional 2,800 square feet of livable footprint to the home. Next comes the golf course, a verdant oasis complete with a shimmering lake. Finally, the high desert meets your long gaze with its broadshouldered mountains and fiery sunsets.

“It’s like the house is integrated with the land,” Caraballo says. “That’s also the reason why no two houses that I design can be the same—because no two sites are ever the same.” This hyper-site-specific approach to SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

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The deeply veined granite slabs of the island underscore the blackened patina of the steel range hood and offset the rusticity of the woodfaced cabinetry and ceilings with a more polished surface.

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The media room is separated from the living room by a second blackened steel–clad fireplace.

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Associate designer Andrea Caraballo designed this “see-through house” in Santa Fe’s Las Campanas with unimpeded sightlines that start at the front door, travel through the house, under the main portal, over the golf course and continue as far as the horizon.

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There are two primary bedrooms that flank the house, each with a semi-private patio.

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the architecture also rebuffs the cookie-cutterism typical of some housing developments. A bird’s-eye view of the home reveals geometry that’s defiantly askew compared to the formulaic tidiness of other subdivision domiciles.

“Can you imagine framing a house like this?” Josh Shultz muses. “It’s not easy. Not one wall in the house is straight.

You won’t find a perfect 90-degree angle. But that intention provides a sense of movement. You won’t necessarily see it while you’re in the house, but you’ll feel it because everything is pointing you in the direction of the view.” Caraballo designed openings of all sizes, from gapingly generous (the

central portal) to curiously constricted (slits in the side walls of the outdoor space maintain privacy but still glimpse at nature).

Even the modern pergola, with its thin steel rafters, summons the skyscape into the outdoor lounge.

Most homes in Las Campanas squeeze into long, narrow lots, but owing to its double tract, the Shultz residence—now Zachary’s primary residence and a hub for family celebrations— is more expansive, allowing for luxury additions rarely seen in standard layouts: two primary suites, one on each side of the house; an attached mother-in-law unit that includes a private kitchenette; a service pantry with its own espresso machine,

There are two primary bedrooms that flank the house, each with a semi-private patio.

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dishwasher and wine refrigerator; and in the kitchen, a more formal 50-bottle, glass-enclosed wine cabinet, arguably the centerpiece of the home.

“I feel like we were ahead of the blackened-steel trend, using it to clad the peninsula-style fireplace and the nearby wine cabinet,” Josh Shultz says. “Together, these two elements are the focal point of the house, tying together the kitchen, living room and dining room.” This prêt-à-patina is an aesthetically robust choice that conveys either industrial edge or luxe sophistication. Nevertheless, the blackened steel is a stylish aberration in a home that Caraballo describes 66

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as “earthy and warm,” given its contemporary tableau of sculptural furnishings in a neutral color scheme, as well as its traditional New Mexican materials palette of stucco and wood.

Drawing from her background as a dancer, Caraballo created spaces in the home that flow, most significantly from the inside to the outside. Of course, the living room’s sliding glass doors, which pocket with the touch of a button (also standard operating procedure for the window shades and lights), greatly assist the fluidity of the indoor-outdoor continuum, as do the reciprocal furniture arrangements under the main portal and in

resources Architecture/Interior Design Hoopes & Associates Architects Home Builder Zachary & Sons Appliances Sierra West Sales Artwork Acosta Strong Fine Art Audio/Visual System/Smart Home AudioSmith Bathroom/Kitchen Fixtures Santa Fe by Design Cabinetry/Interior Doors Baglione Custom Woodworks Countertops Counter Intelligence Fireplaces Mountain West Sales mountainwestsales.net Flooring Emil America Furnishings/Home Decor BUILT Design Metal Fabrication Architectural Metals, Inc. Landscape Design/Water Feature Serquis & Associates Landscape Installation Joaquin Marquez Landscaping the adjacent living room. The uninterrupted floor and ceiling materials—large-format porcelain tiles and engineered wood planks from Sweden, respectively—also create continuity inside and out. Caraballo turns this architectural seamlessness into a metaphor in motion. “When you are dancing, the flow comes from the connection of one movement to another,” she says. “There’s a similar feeling in the house. Everything is so cohesive, it’s almost like you are floating between the spaces.”

Predictably, the builders see the ease and flow of the layout less as the architectural equivalent of a pas de deux and more like the “hallmark of a good modern home,” Josh Shultz says, recalling the paradox of growing up with a dad who built good modern homes for other people. “We always asked, ‘When are we going to get a house that you built?’ And he always told us, ‘One day.’ That day finally came. Best of all, we made it happen together.”

Sliding Window Wall/Windows Marvin Windows Wall Finish Javier’s Lath & Plaster Wood Ceiling Plaza Hardwood, Inc.

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Vida Buena

Fort Collins raises the BAR Beer, Art and Recreation are top-notch in this northern Colorado college town 68

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NO MATTER WHAT SEASON you choose to visit, Fort Collins, Colorado, is a bustling, vibrant city with unique activities and a propensity for beer, art and recreation. Initially home to Native American tribes, including the Arapaho and Cheyenne, Fort Collins was officially founded as a military outpost in 1864 during the height of the Colorado Gold Rush. The fort was established along the Cache la Poudre River to provide security for those moving westward and was named after Lieutenant Colonel William O. Collins.

The fertile land in the Cache la Poudre Valley (pronounced pooh-der) made it ideal for farming, so when the fort was decommissioned in 1867, many soldiers and their families chose to stay in the area and establish farms. In 1870, Fort Collins was selected as the location for the Colorado Agricultural College—now known as Colorado State University—which played a significant role in the city’s development and growth. The expansion of agriculture, education and commerce

Richard Haro

by Heather Shoning

home to one of the nation’s only Fermentation Science & Technology 4-year degree programs.

Many of the local breweries offer tours, and the monthly brewery events are too numerous to list, assuring that there will be plenty to choose from no matter when you visit. A great way to booze cruise— or just see the city—is on a bicycle. The city has a relatively flat terrain, wide bike lanes and multiple trails, including the popular ones that follow the Cache la Poudre River and Spring Creek. You can book a tour or rent a bike and go on your own.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s talk art before we dive too deep into recreation. Fort Collins has a reputation as the cultural capital of northern Colorado thanks, in part, to CSU’s world-class performing arts center, local community and professional acting troupes, traveling Broadway shows, venues devoted entirely to musical theatre (with and without dinner), longstanding children’s theatre companies with summer performances under the stars, and the Downtown Creative District.

We promised there were unique activities: How about the Otterbox Digital Dome Theater, the Horsetooth International Film Festival or—here we go—The Craft of Shoemaking at the Colorado Shoe School, where you’ll

Armstrong Hotel

provided continued growth, and the town was officially incorporated in 1883. Its connection to the transcontinental railroad further boosted its economic prospects. Over time, Fort Collins diversified its economy with a focus on manufacturing, technology and tourism. The city embraced innovation and sustainability—it’s a ClimateWise-designated city— which led to a thriving microbrewery scene and a reputation as a hub for outdoor recreation.

So, let’s start with beer because—honestly—it’s what this town is known for. According to Food & Wine, Fort Collins is No. 11 on the list of cities with the most breweries per capita. Smartasset.com ranks it No. 8 on its list of top cities for beer drinkers based on the cost of beer and access to breweries. Despite its present-day moniker, “Napa Valley of beer,” Fort Collins was a dry town until 1969—a whopping 36 years after Prohibition ended. Although Anheuser-Busch opened its brewery there in 1988, the craft brewery movement started the following year with the opening of CooperSmith’s, which is today located in the heart of Old Town Square.

It’s one of the city’s 20 breweries. In addition, there are two cideries and four wineries. Not only is Fort Collins serving a lot of beer, but it’s also educating the next generation of brewers. Colorado State University is

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You can hike to the top of Horsetooth Rock for breathtaking views.

Public art abounds in Fort Collins, and you can take a self-guided tour to see a dozen painted pianos plus painted transformer boxes, murals, sculptures and more.

Courtesy Visit Fort Collins

be provided all the materials, tools and guidance needed to craft your own pair of shoes. If you’d rather observe art, hop on a bike and cruise around town on a self-guided public art tour (there’s a map available online). You can see dozens of pavers designed by Fort Collins youth depicting Fort Collins life, painted (electrical) transformer cabinets, and more than a dozen pianos—painted each year by local artists— throughout town for budding and seasoned musicians to play, as well as a variety of murals and sculptures. Not to mention the 15-plus art galleries in the historic downtown area.

Recreation runs the gamut here. From climbing to golfing, hot air ballooning to horseback riding, biking to birdwatching, there’s truly something for everyone. However—at least in

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Vida Buena

Richard Haro Richard Haro

the warmer months—water reigns supreme here. You can enjoy rafting, kayaking, boating, fishing and swimming, and the two main water venues are the Cache la Poudre River and Horsetooth Reservoir. A trip down the river boasts majestic views of craggy cliffs and riveting rock formations enveloped in ponderosa and lodgepole pines, sagebrush, mountain mahogany, and aspen trees.

The Poudre is Colorado’s only nationally designated “Wild & Scenic” river. It begins high in the peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park, along the Continental Divide, flows north and east through Roosevelt National Forest, then tumbles down the slopes of the Front Range and meanders through the city of Fort Collins. From its headwaters to the confluence with the South Platte River east of Greeley, the Cache la Poudre River drops 7,000 feet in elevation.

In 1933, Poudre Valley farmers endured years of drought and dust storms and realized the need for more water to satisfy the thirst of the crop-bearing farms around Fort Collins. The construction of Horsetooth Reservoir solved the problem. It takes its name from the unique rock formation that sits above the 6.5-mile-long body of water.

A Native American legend says the Valley of Contentment (today’s Horsetooth Reservoir) was once guarded by a giant so that no buffalo, deer or antelope could be hunted in the valley. Chief Maunamoku led Indians to slay the giant, and in doing so, the Chief slashed at his heart, first in the center, then on the right and then on the left with a tomahawk from the heavens. The next day, the giant turned to stone and is now known as Horsetooth Rock. Alternatively, it could just be that the rock looks like horse teeth, but who are we to argue with an ages-old legend?

Regardless of its namesake tale, the reservoir provides ample water activities in addition to camping and hiking—you can even hike to the rock formation, then scramble to the top for 360-degree views of Fort Collins, the reservoir and nearby Longs Peak (a famous 14,000-foot mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park).

Whatever it takes, you should scramble to Fort Collins for an above-BAR getaway in 2024. The city offers so much to see and do— we didn’t even touch on the diverse shopping, including many “made in Fort Collins” spots, top-notch dining, wellness and spa options, family fun, and more. Plan your trip at visitftcollins.com.

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Just Winging Through

by Amy Gross

ecosystem in crisis

pinyon jays need our help

THIS PAST SUMMER, I was doing some yard work when I absentmindedly registered the sound of seagulls flying overhead.

Wait—seagulls? I had to laugh out loud. Pinyon jays catch me off guard every time I hear them, which admittedly is only once or twice a year. Their distinctive cackle is indeed reminiscent of seagulls, which I grew up hearing on the Jersey Shore. About a hundred of these large, crow-like, gray-blue birds suddenly appeared on the scene, eagerly in search of their favorite food—piñon pine seeds—and over the next couple of months my neighbors and I witnessed lots of raucous pinyon jay parties in our piñon-juniper trees. Pinyon jays apparently like to talk while they eat, and their delighted cackling could be downright deafening!

I was especially gratified to “host” this flock of pinyon jays because I recently learned that their numbers are plummeting—at an alarming rate. “The pinyon jay is one of the fastest declining wildlife species in North America,” says Peggy Darr, the New Mexico representative with the national 72

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conservation organization Defenders of Wildlife. “Since the 1960s, we’ve lost more than eighty-four percent of the global pinyon jay population.”

Why are these birds disappearing? Darr points to the thinning and clearing of piñon-juniper woodlands by public and private landowners for livestock grazing and fire hazard reduction, coupled with inadequate efforts to address climate change.

“Piñon pine seeds are the primary food source for pinyon jays, and pinyon jays are the primary distributors and planters of piñon pine seeds. If we lose one, we lose the other,” Darr explains. “Without pinyon jays, we lose an ecosystem that supports myriad other wildlife species, and erase from our Earth a species that has evolved to be one of the most genetically distinct and ecologically important in North America.”

How can we, as concerned citizens and backyard bird lovers, help conserve pinyon jays? For one, if you don’t have piñon pines on your property, plant some! Just make

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sure you’re planting the appropriate piñon pine species for your area (if you don’t know, ask your local plant nursery). If you already have piñon pines, Darr suggests watering them more frequently and mulching around the bases—both of which will help the trees produce more seeds.

Darr also urges residents to take action by commenting on federal land management actions in piñon-juniper woodlands that result in conservation of pinyon jays.

Amy Gross is a birder and the organizer of Santa Fe Birdbrains, a Northern New Mexico–based Meetup group. Learn more about pinyon jay conservation efforts at defenders.org.

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says …

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While house numbers may appear to be a small detail in the grand scheme of your home’s design and the primary role is functionality—helping people locate your house—it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with them. House numbers come in various styles, fonts and materials, including metal, wood, ceramic or even ones illuminated with LEDs. Choosing stylish and aesthetically pleasing house numbers can enhance your home’s curb appeal, and they serve as an attractive focal point, especially when they complement—or contrast—the architectural style of the house.

They can provide an opportunity for artistic expression if you design and make your own. This little detail can make your home stand apart from the rest.

Su Cocina

by Heather Hunter

next-level cuisine

Level 5’s new chef aligns his menu with the flavors of New Mexico

THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT has one of the most diverse landscapes. Packed with stunning natural topography ranging from mountain forests to sparse deserts with bosques, gorges, mesas, lakes, valderas and canyons— specifically Chaco Canyon.

A national historic park, Chaco Canyon preserves one of the most important pre-Columbian cultural and historical areas of ancient ruins in the country and was the inspiration behind Albuquerque’s Hotel Chaco and the towering rooftop restaurant, Level 5, represents the five levels of Chaco Canyon. Executive Chef Marc Quiñones says, “This is an intriguing story with so many parallels. The entire property

was built to honor Chaco Canyon.”

After serving as Masa’s executive chef at Hotel Andaluz for almost six years, Quiñones assumed the lead at Level 5 in March 2023 and ambitiously rolled out a brand-new menu only two months later. “The menu was Europeancentric,” he says, “and I respected that but felt strongly that the restaurant’s direction had to focus on New Mexico—and feature all things New Mexico at its best!”

Quiñones was inspired by how the designers and team built the hotel to mimic Chaco Canyon in a modern era and wanted Level 5’s menu to follow suit. “I proudly work with our ranchers and farmers, sourcing wild game, buffalo and

Courtesy Level 5

Roasted Bone Marrow

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RyanGobuty

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Su Cocina

Courtesy Level 5

Chorizo Wrapped Diver Sea Scallops

elk, while honoring the amazing hunters to create modern New Mexico ranch cuisine at Level 5,” he says. “We source as many ingredients as we can locally, including microgreens from Corrales, and we have a garden directly south of the property where we grow enough for approximately thirty percent of the dishes.”

The essence of the menu is based on the way people cooked 100 years ago, using preservation methods such as pickling and acidic marinades for meat. “We pride ourselves on the food being lovely to look at, but our passion and purpose is that our food tastes better than it looks and tells a story of truth and honesty,” Quiñones says. “I believe New Mexico cuisine is one of the rarest cuisines out there.”

By introducing a small plate menu along with the entrees, guests choose their experience. “The small plate program puts the decision in the hands of the guest,” Quiñones says. Some of the popular dishes on the menu include a classic calabacitas with asparagus. By using all local vegetables, along with a green chile–infused Tucumcari cheddar with chimayo chiles, 78

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corn and squash, this simple dish is elevated by charring the vegetables.

The New Mexico piñon and house-cured bacon fried rice is so good “it’s absolutely silly” Quiñones says. Lobster bao buns with tarragon and pico de gallo is another beloved item on the menu and many tables have two orders. A hearthealthy dish is the guajillo chile braised buffalo short rib, which sits atop hand-rolled fresh torn pasta tossed with cold pink peppercorn pickled corn and au jus to make a succulent and savory dish with the added layer of a cold element playing with the hot and tender short ribs.

“This has been unbelievable, and I am so thankful to be at Level 5 with a great team,” Quiñones says. “My team comes in early and stays late and they are so committed. The continuity that we have is beautiful, and I am excited about this story we are telling. It’s for New Mexico, by New Mexico. We want the locals to be proud to come here because it speaks their language and tells their story, and they can be proud that we are doing it on a world-class level.”

Nick Merrick

Courtesy Level 5

Courtesy Level 5

Berkshire Pork Belly

Level 5 Executive Chef Marc Quiñones

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¡Salud!

by Haley Rae Shoning

spiced and spiked

add a kick to a classic cold-weather beverage to stay warm and unwind this winter Cortez brought the drink to Spain, where the Spanish began preparing it with sweetener instead of chili peppers, serving it hot, and even adding beer or wine.

After another two hundred years, hot chocolate spread across the rest of Europe, and the English added milk to the recipe—thus evolving the beverage into something more akin to the hot chocolate we drink today. Modern hot cocoa still varies from country to country. In Spain, it’s typically a thicker consistency and very decadent. In Mexico, it is often prepared with cinnamon or other spices and a blend of sweet and bittersweet chocolates to create a rich flavor.

Shutterstock.com/Puzurin Mihail

WHEN YOU CRAVE comfort and warmth during the cold months, a steaming mug of hot cocoa might be just the trick to warm you up and evoke the nostalgia of holidays and ski trips past. But hot chocolate has taken thousands of years across many cultures to evolve into the Swiss Miss packets we use in a pinch today.

Drinking chocolate originated as early as 500 BCE in Central America. The Mayan creation was made of cocoa seeds ground with cornmeal and chili peppers, and it was served cold. The Aztecs adopted the drink into their culture and called it xocōlātl. A thousand years later, the explorer

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Shutterstock.com/amberto4ka

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¡Salud!

Though our hot chocolate differs significantly from the bitter xocōlātl Cortez brought to Spain, we have maintained the Spanish practice of spiking hot beverages with alcohol.

Aged rum pairs beautifully with sweet hot cocoa. Bourbon is another popular choice to warm up from the inside. Does the dreary winter weather have you in need of a pick-me-up? Bourbon is also well suited for spiking coffee. Or try carajillo, another Spanish beverage made of espresso with rum or brandy.

Settle into winter with a cozy fire, a page-turner novel, loved ones surrounding you and your favorite spiced and spiked hot drink.

CUT + DRY LUMBER CO. SLABS. MILLING. FURNISHINGS. (505) 433-1915 www.cutanddrylumber.com

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Shutterstock.com/Igor Normann

upcycled wood from albuquerque

says …

Shutterstock.com/Ground Picture

Have you ever felt anxious or uneasy sitting in a cluttered room? Clutter and disorganization can indeed lead to feelings of overwhelm and stress. A tidy space can help create a sense of calm and tranquility, making it easier to relax and unwind and contributing to greater happiness in your daily life.

An organized living space makes it easier to find what you need, reducing the time wasted searching for items and is easier to clean and maintain, promoting better indoor air quality and overall health. An organized home office or hobby room can stimulate your creativity and imagination, making it a more inspiring environment for artistic endeavors or brainstorming sessions.

A tidy bedroom can promote better sleep quality. In addition to the mental and physical health benefits, uncluttered spaces look more aesthetically pleasing and add to the overall beauty of your home.

LED Lighting Ceiling Fans Interior Lighting Exterior Lighting Lighting Design

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1310 Cuesta Abajo Ct. Albuquerque, NM 87113

When you are looking for a

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

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

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

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

Here are a few who already certify homes:

QUESTIONS OR FOR MORE INFORMATION:

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says …

©corrie photography

Shutterstock.com/BM_27

Size matters when it comes to rugs.

If your rug is the wrong size, it can detract from the space and even disrupt traffic flow. While there are no hard and fast rules, these guidelines can help you choose the right size rug for your space.

It’s common to leave a border of floor space anywhere from 6 to 18 inches, depending on the size of the room. Specific rooms and furniture groupings can impact size as well. In a living room, choose a rug that’s wider than your furniture grouping—and ensure there’s enough space for the front legs of chairs or sofas to be placed on it.

In a dining room, the rug should be large enough to accommodate the table and chairs, even when they are pulled out, so they don’t catch on the edges. In a bedroom, both the bed and nightstands should fit on it, with about 24 inches on each side for comfortable walking space.

DIEGO M. RUIZ | 505.573.8888 DiegoHandcraftedHomes.com

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Su Libro

by Kate Jonuska

natural influence

homes inspired by the environment around them

“Call It Home: The Details That Matter” by Amber Lewis, published by Clarkson Potter, photographs by Shade Degges, hardcover, $36.

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SOME HOME DESIGNS resemble art galleries, and others stylish store-window displays, but Amber Lewis’s projects feel uniquely organic and alive. By drawing inspiration from nature and through brilliant choice of natural materials, each of the eight homes highlighted in Lewis’s new book, “Call It Home: The Details That Matter,” is so well suited to its setting that it could have grown from seed in place.

“Our surroundings should influence how we design our homes,” says Lewis, founder of Amber Interiors, who hopes all her clients “have a strong sense of the outside environment even when inside their home.”

To create that sense, she experiments heavily with wood in every form— reclaimed, distressed, painted, polished—as well as on every surface, including walls, ceilings and even sealed for bathroom floors. A North Carolina home tucked in the forest boasts a showstopping range hood of reclaimed wood meant to feel like it came from “a magical, dilapidated European barn.”

Lewis is unafraid to bring rougher, more exterior stones indoors, stacking them or pairing them with thick mortar for an ancient, earthen vibe. Veiny marble slabs, metal staircase railings wrapped in leather, unsealed brass elements meant to patina and add further depth. In each project, natural details layer to create a world related to and as compelling as the world outside.

Granted, the views of the outdoors from some of these well-designed homes are unmatched worldwide. For example, Lewis shares two homes she designed that sit on the famed Pebble Beach golf course. Drawing inspiration from the color and texture of sand for both, she kept the designs tonal and earthy, not to compete with the stunning outdoors. Rather than imitating the beach outside, both homes feel as much a part of the moody scene as polished driftwood shaped by the waves, creating a design that feels discovered rather than created.

With tons of inspirational photos and varied projects—including the author’s own California ranch—“Call It Home” shows how attention to detail can create spaces that are as elegant and timeless as Mother Nature herself.

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Su Libro

by Kate Jonuska

in silence

William Smalley explores the quiet spaces of design

“Quiet Spaces” by William Smalley, published

by Thames & Hudson, hardcover, $65.

MEDITATIVE RATHER THAN OSTENTATIOUS, “Quiet Spaces” by designer William Smalley is an unexpected design book in several ways, including that aside from his own projects, the author features art galleries, artist studios and the private homes of other architects that inspire him. Rather than chapters themed around design concepts like color and scale, this book’s four sections are devoted to space, silence, shadows and life.

The result feels less like a designer portfolio and more like an exploration of Smalley’s aesthetic of calm and private quiet. In this conception, he explains, quiet does not mean a silent space and is instead about peace, balance and presence.

“In silence all is heightened and you appreciate the details of a space; the texture of the walls, the meeting of materials, how light strikes a surface,” writes Smalley, who is naturally drawn toward lime-washed walls over paint and loves the timeless texture of polished plaster. “It is hard not to find beauty in silence. Everything becomes important.”

While certainly minimalist, this introverted approach to design is specifically not modernist, which celebrates clean lines, ample light and using the latest materials.

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These newer materials, the author notes, often look best when first installed and show wear as they age.

“Modernism’s concept of universal space, your piece defined with the minimum of means, feels to me cold and impersonal,” writes Smalley, adding, “There are no shadows, and there is nowhere to hide in modernism.

And sometimes we all need to hide.”

“Quiet Spaces” travels the globe from Mexico and Sri Lanka to New York City and throughout the author’s native U.K. in search of spaces in which to live consciously, choosing only necessary objects and paying attention to how light interacts with the space over the day and over the decades. In Italy, Smalley features the uneven texture of the bricks in the granary of a 16th-century villa, a homely but wonderful space meant to be private, with as much love as the villa’s impressive loggia (gallery) and barchessa (service building). Even private spaces— shadowed places—deserve care and contemplation.

Humans love light and are social creatures, certainly, but Smalley writes, “We (also) need quiet, and shadows are quiet places. They provide comfort. My spaces are layered, and they make space for our humanity.”

Few design books dare to contemplate the nature of humanity inside the spaces we build, but “Quiet Spaces” not only dares but succeeds, offering a design philosophy with intellectual and artistic heft.

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Harry Crowder

Harry Crowder

Green Piece

by Carol Orona

modernize for beauty and comfort

energy efficiency considerations when planning a remodel vs. a new build As life changes, you might find that your home is too small, too large or no longer meets your needs. Perhaps it’s just grown a little dated and worn out. Updating can change the look and flow of the house, and some simple green upgrades will improve its efficiency, comfort and long-term costs.

Kitchens and Baths Environmentally friendly kitchen renovations can also increase safety. For example, appliances like convection ovens, induction cooktops and smart range hood vents require less energy and produce fewer toxins. Many manufacturers now provide dishwashers that use less water.

Modern bathroom fixtures combine safety with a relaxing experience. Low-flow faucets and shower heads conserve water and can operate using temperature and motion sensors for efficiency. Some water-saving toilets have heated seats, hands-free opening and closing, night lights, and automatic flushing. Modern ventilation fans are quiet and automatically remove moisture and odors using humidity and motion sensors.

Step it up by adding a high-efficiency water heater, a recirculating pump, an insulated hot

water loop and on-demand controls at the water fixtures. This will use less energy to heat the water and quickly provide water at just the right temperature.

Living Spaces and Bedrooms To reduce the cost of utility bills, switch to LED lighting and smart switches that offer apps for easy programming and management. Additionally, quickly warm small spaces and reduce heating costs by installing heat mats underneath the flooring in the bathroom and bedrooms.

Choose formaldehyde-free carpets and pads, solid- or engineered-wood flooring, or durable porcelain tiles for the best indoor air quality. Verify that cabinetry is free of additional urea-formaldehyde and that glues and paints are labeled “low VOC” (volatile organic compounds).

New Construction Many of these features are now common in new homes. If remodeling costs are greater than 75 percent of the price of new construction, a fresh start might be a more economical choice.

Carol Orona has a master’s degree in architecture and is passionate about building science. She has received national recognition for her work and dedication to high-performance, sustainable buildings, and she enjoys sharing her knowledge with others.

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To our devoted readers and advertisers, we so appreciate partnering with you on this journey.

Southwest Homes

inspiration ideas resources

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on the market

fresh traditional

If you seek serenity, this private compound with a 2,123-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 2-bath home tucked away in a cul-de-sac is a perfect option. The beautifully updated, one-of-a-kind adobe home by renowned adobe builder Hap Crawford offers the stunning traditional local style with all the modern living conveniences, including new interior and exterior lighting, whitewashed beams and ceilings, radiant heat brick and wood floors, refrigerated air, three custom kiva fireplaces, remodeled ensuite baths featuring stone sinks, and more. Chefs will love the open-concept kitchen boasting new cabinetry, quartz countertops, a gorgeous stone farm sink and top-of-the-line appliances including Wolf, Sub-Zero and Bosche.

2832 Maximillian Rd NW, Albuquerque, Listing Price: $900,000 (Seller financing is being offered), Helen Jackson, Q Realty, 505-610-6960, HelenSellsABQ.com

spectacularly secluded

This stunning Tesuque property situated on a beautiful 6-acre lot features a 1972 Bill Lumpkins home that has been completely remodeled. The 3,167-square-foot, 2-story main house features 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with brick floors, vigas, a chef’s kitchen, all new windows and doors, and some of the most incredible views Santa Fe has to offer. There’s also a charming 286-squarefoot, 1-room casita, a separate 230-square-foot studio, plus a 4-car garage. A pool area with a portal completes this amazing property. The premises have been completely landscaped with new walkways, an irrigation system, trees, flowers and sweeping lush lawns.

44 Paseo Encantado SW, Santa Fe Listing Price: $2,495,000 Team Stedman/Kehoe/Hirsch/Pollack, Sotheby’s International Realty, 505.670.5566 and 505.988.8088, sothebysrealty.com/santafe 92

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Courtesy Sotheby’s

Karl Horodowich Photography

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

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Adios

commanding views

photograph by Wendy McEahern

An incredibly unique ridgetop location in La Tierra in Santa Fe is the pictureperfect perch for a contemporary home with nearly unobstructed 360-degree views of the Sandia and Jemez mountains. Designed by well-noted Santa Fe architect Robert Zachry, the 3,500-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home is a lesson in traditional style gone contemporary. “Some interesting characteristics of this home are the exposed concrete slab floor inside, lots of glass, plus steel windows and beams,” says Keith Gorges of Tierra Concepts. “There’s a strong nod to northern New Mexico Pueblo Revival, but in this case, the beams are steel, resulting in a more contemporary genre.”

Tierra Concepts, tierraconceptssantafe.com Robert Zachry, robertzachryarchitect.com

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