Su Casa Southwest Homes Autumn 2015 Digital Edition

tour 37 homes

Northern New Mexico

in ABQ’s 2015 fall parade Ž

inspiration ideas resources

all in the family

sleek Corrales contemporary

hot springs getaways

new life for old wood unexpected modern find

in the Upper Valley VOL. 21 NO. 4 AUTUMN 2015

SuCasaMagazine.com

Award Winning

Mesa Verde Homes Green Home Builder

with Marie

Where Green Living is Clean Living

What’s your style? Traditional – Old World – Contemporary

Danny C. Fletcher

We welcome you to visit our two Parade of Homes entries this year.

Mesa Verde Homes with Marie is a collaboration of established builders with innovative ideas, talent and resources. Building green has affordable options for everyone. Call Mesa Verde Homes today and let Marie build you the home of your dreams.

2012 National Custom Home Builder of the Year 2014 Home Builders Association Hall of Fame

Marie “Betty” Blea 505-991-1405

www.MesaVerdeHomes.net • womanbuilder2@gmail.com

Builder: Tierra Concepts Inc. Photo compliments of Wendy McEahern Photography

Pella has energy efficient wood, fiberglass or vinyl window and door options to fit your home and budget. So you can spend less on your home energy costs and have more for other things that matter to you.

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 | Santa Fe, NM 3201 Zafarano Dr. Suite D (New Location!)

El Paso, TX 6703 North Mesa Street

© 2015 Pella Corporation

NEVER WORRY ABOUT YOUR ROOF AGAIN! Fix My Roof is a state-wide roof restoration specialist company located in Santa Fe. When roofs reach the end of their normal life, rather than waste money to tear off the old roof, we advise home owners to take the National Roof Council’s advice: “85% of old roofs can be restored” using liquid silicone, which never breaks down from exposure to UV rays.

“What we didn’t expect was the tremendous increase in comfort.

It’s been a scorcher here in Corrales, but our house has never been this cool!”

PHIL & KRISTI D. & Mesa Corrales Homeowners

STEWARDSHIP We take pride in helping home and business owners improve energy efficiency, increase property values & extend the life of their roofs by restoring them with materials recognized by the Cool Roof Rating Council.

SUSTAINABILITY Energy & environmental performance are the key reasons we developed our Roof Restoration program. Roof Restoration eliminates unnecessary landfill waste, protects buildings from water damage and UV deterioration & saves money by reflecting heat & lowering AC costs.

SATISFACTION Fix My Roof measures satisfaction by the hundreds of hugs received when we return for our Free Annual Maintenance Visit.

Whether your roof is currently leaking or you’d like to restore your roof before it fails,

Fix My Roof is the right choice. Call for a free roof assessment: 505.919.8011

FixThisFlatRoof.com

www.

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL | We restore all flat roofs: tar & gravel, rolled, foam, metal, rubber, TPO, and more

Contractor’s License #386200

Welcome to the new New Mexico.

Photo by Amadeus Leitner

Golden Eagle Design

Celebrating Our 10 Year Anniversary

Golden Eagle Design, New Mexico’s most innovative kitchen and bath showroom, is celebrating 10 years of bringing the people of New Mexico the highest quality products to make their kitchen and bath dreams a reality.

In addition to carrying a large selection of products for your kitchen and bath, we now carry everything you need to light your home as well. Come see our all new selection of lights to perfectly out�it your home.

Let Golden Eagle Design help make your house feel like home.

Come visit us today!

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 Colonias RD El Prado, NM 87529

Join us, and Pin-Ups For Vets, at our Open House on October 22nd, and a show at Popejoy Hall on November 7th!

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

Northern New Mexico

®

inspiration ideas resources

Kate Russell

106

Built around a pool, an Upper Valley home delivers year-round family fun and a visually stunning atmosphere.

southwestern

homes

52

52 a long time coming

Albuquerque home designer Suzanne Williams officially passed the baton to her daughter Erin in 2012, but there was one project they had to collaborate on together: Suzanne’s current residence, an extraordinatry pitched-roof contemporary in Corrales.

106 unexpected finds

A lot of planning and details went into the design of this gorgeous, desert modern home in the Upper Valley. But the discovery of fun surprises they didn’t plan for has made their home even more interesting for its owners.

SPECIAL SECTION

6

There are 37 homes on Albuquerque’s Fall Homes of Enchantment Parade, which will be held October 9–11 and 16–18. Before you go, catch all the details about each home in this issue, from descriptions and pricing to directions and builder information.

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Robert Reck

66 Fall Homes of Enchantment Parade

MADE TO ORDER

Robust handles. Impressive power. Generous capacities. GE Cafe Series delivers restaurant-grade performance and style that takes food further and kitchens from everyday to gourmet.

To learn more, contact your dealer or visit geappliances.com

See our great line of GE appliances at: 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 Ave El Paso, TX 79925 Phone: 915.775.1000

in every issue 14 Inside Su Casa

18 Life+Style Southwest Reclaimed wood adds pedigree to even the newest homes; Steve Thomas “seeks professional help”; fabulous wall décor; and more.

28 Design Studio

Year-round outdoor living; ShowHouse Santa Fe and Moll Anderson brings her vacation ideas home. NEW! A charming reading nook with an innovative wallcovering is our first-ever Super Space.

42 Su Cocina

Chef Steven Lemon of Pranzo sources ingredients for work and for home at the Santa Fe Farmers Market; the dos and don’ts of wine tasting.

62 What’s Happening?

Live performances and events through December.

120 Vida Buena Relax and rejuvenate in the healing waters of three of the Southwest’s mineral hot springs.

S u Libro 122

Two new books look to colorful eras from the past.

36 Four species of towhee can be found in Northern New Mexico—if you know where to look.

50 8

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

132 Adios A guest suite any visitor would be thrilled to call their temporary home.

On the cover: An award-winning kitchen is just one of the many standout features of a clean-lined Corrales contemporary. Read all about it on page 52.

Photo by Robert Reck.

Visit SuCasaMagazine.com James N. Stuart

Santa Fe Properties

ShowHouse Santa Fe will turn this historic estate into an example of “Lux New Mex” glamour.

We have a million reasons for you to drive through our gate www.diamondtail.com

505.771.2000

Protected Night Skies • Nature Trails • Estate Lots starting at $150K (not to mention spectacular sunsets)

4 houses under construction - PHASE ONE SOLD OUT! Visit our NEW Diamond Tail Sales Office at Homestead Village 221 Hwy 165, Suite G

Placitas, NM 87043

Stop by during the Parade! We are providing a “comfort station.”

Kay Beason REALTOR/ BUILDER 505.379.3877

Nancy & Wayne Ullery REALTORS 505.440.9586

Reginald & Cathy M Olson REALTORS 505.263.7995

LOCAL BANK? We’re it.

inspiration ideas resources

Published by Bella Media, LLC

Publisher Bruce Adams

Associate Publisher B.Y. Cooper

Editor Amy Gross

Assistant Editor Carolyn Patten

Contributors Moll Anderson, Ashley M. Biggers Ben Ikenson, Cristina Olds, Elizabeth Sanchez Donna Schillinger, James Selby, Tom Smylie Steve Thomas, Danielle Urbina, Emily Van Cleve

Lead Graphic Designer Sybil Watson

Designer & Media Specialist Michelle Odom

Photography Douglas Merriam, Robert Reck Kate Russell

Advertising Manager Cheryl Mitchell

Advertising Sales Executives Melissa Salazar, David Wilkinson

WE KNOW ALBUQUERQUE and what it takes to get business done here. Our local status enables us to provide a quick turnaround for your loan.

For 10 years Main Bank has been serving the community of Albuquerque and surrounding areas with exceptional banking and loan services.

We specialize in Construction & Commercial Lending.

For advertising information contact: 505-344-1783

Operations Manager Ginny Stewart

Local Owners Local Management Local Directors

We’re investing in Albuquerque.

Look for our new location coming in Spring 2016.

880.1700

mainbank.com 2424 Louisiana NE | Albuquerque

SuCasaMagazine.com For subscriptions, call 818-286-3162 Su Casa Northern New Mexico (ISSN 1094-4562 & USPS # 2-3618) Volume 21, Number 4, Autumn 2015. Su Casa Northern New Mexico is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by Bella Media, LLC at Pacheco Park, 1512 Pacheco St, Ste D-105, Santa Fe, NM 87505, USA, Phone (505) 983-1444. © Copyright 2015 by Bella Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Basic annual subscription rate is $9.95, Canada & Mexico is $23.95, Other international countries is $27.95. U.S. single-copy price is $5.95.

Back issues are $6.95 each. Periodicals postage paid at Albuquerque, NM, and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: send address corrections to Su Casa Northern New Mexico P.O. Box 16925, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6925 Subscription Customer Service: Su Casa Northern New Mexico P.O. Box 16925, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6925 Phone (818) 286-3162, Fax (800) 869-0040, ssacs@magserv.com, sucasamagazine.com

Uninterrupted quality time

The fastest, most reliable in-home WiFi With XFINITY® Internet, you’ll get the fastest, most reliable in-home WiFi so everyone can get online and do more on their devices. Plus, you’ll enjoy reliably fast speeds, even during peak hours, so you can chat, surf, stream HD movies and shows and game online — all at the same time.

Call 1-800-XFINITY, click xfinity.com or visit the XFINITY Store at 4800 Cutler Ave. NE, Suite 25, Albuquerque, NM 87110.

Not available in Rio Rancho.

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. WiFi claim based on September and November 2014 studies by Allion Test Labs, Inc. Reliability claim based on 2014 FCC Measuring Broadband America report. © 2015 Comcast. All rights reserved. NPA167217-0005

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: Brian McCarthy First Vice President: Jamie Rayne Second Vice President: Scott Ashcraft Immediate Past President: David Newell Associate Vice President: Diana Lucero Secretary/Treasurer: Lora Vassar Associate-at-Large: Connor Payne Custom Builders Council, Chair: Bill Reynolds Green Build Council, Chair: Brooke Nutting Home Builders Care, Chair: Bain Cochran Membership Committee, Chair: Ron Sisneros Parade Committee, Chair: Diana Lucero Production Builders Council, Chair: Kevin Patton Remodelers Council, Chair: Dominic Padilla Advisory Member: Mike Sivage Honorary Members: Bruce Adams, Mark Russell H o m e Bu i l 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: John Garcia Vice President of Operations: Lana McClure Events Specialist: Kimberly Johnson Communication & Membership Specialist: Damian Abeita

presidential award

Copyright Š 2015 by Bella Media, LLC. Bella Media, LLC Pacheco Park 1512 Pacheco St, Ste D-105 Santa Fe, NM 87505 505-983-1444 sucasamagazine.com Please direct editorial queries to amygross@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.

Come for the golf.

Stay for the green.

There’s a green secret in Albuquerque. The alluring, year-round alpine environment of the East Mountains that is home to Paa-Ko. From the great green outdoors, to the custom-designed golf greens, to the gated green living of the Casita Community on the fairways.

Green. It’s why some choose Paa-Ko. Others are just green with envy.

Golf course homesites starting under $150,000 Homesites starting under $100,000 Homes starting under $400,000

1-800-310-3094 505.281.1900 www.paako.com Paa-Ko Communities is a development by the ROGER COX COMPANIES

Inside Su Casa

the season to dream

I

Publisher

Right: Clad in stone and built around a pool, this Upper Valley “mountain modern” home is as stunning outside as it is inside. For the story, see page 106.

14

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Kate Russell

Bruce Adams

DAVID ROBIN

t’s easy to sense the change of seasons in New Mexico.

You can smell it. Not just the fragrance of roasting chile, but an aroma that suggests even the air and the plants are changing and getting ready for a new season. We start pulling out evening sweaters and spending more time indoors and enjoying our homes from an indoor perspective. The holidays are looming in the not-too-distant future. It’s time to begin dreaming.

Whether you’re remodeling or buying a new home, the process all starts with a need, a wish, and an idea. The good news is that all you have to worry about is the need or the wish.

Your builder will have lots of solution ideas. This issue of Su Casa, which contains information about the 37 homes on the Albuquerque Fall Homes of Enchantment Parade, is all about needs, wishes, and ideas. As you tour these homes, I suspect that you will develop wishes you didn’t know you had, and identify needs that should be addressed. You may see solutions for home or design problems that have challenged you. You might discover a potential lifestyle, provided by the design or qualities of a particular home, that will suggest to you a need to relocate—that there’s a house that fits your lifestyle and needs so much better than your current one.

Our homes are our castles, regardless of size. We are entitled to have our homes exactly as we wish, reflecting who we are and even our eccentricities. It is the one place we can be exactly who are—and maybe who we want to be. Our home is the stage upon which we can dress, relax, dine, and pursue our passions in exactly the form we choose. You may find, however, that the limitations of your current residence will compromise these wishes. They don’t have to. The high-quality builders in this publication can build you a home that will be the perfect stage for your life.

Think about your stage and the life that you would like to see performed. Remember the other players on your stage and how they’ll be able to perform in a home more closely aligned with your passions. It’s then you get to dream and maybe even visualize what your home might look like.

If your dreams and visualization are cloudy and unclear, I have wonderful news for you: As you see how others have created their dream homes on the Parade of Homes, your own vision will be unleashed and your passions stimulated. It is, after all, the season to dream.

Photos: Kate Russell

Commercial & Residential Design Sho wroom Hours 9-5 M-F ~ 111 N. Saint Francis Drive Santa Fe 505.988.3170 ~ www.Da vidNaylorInteriors.com

NEW MEXICO’S PREMIER ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITY

RETIREMENT PLANS? LET THIS NEW CHAPTER OF LIFE BE ALL ABOUT CHOICES…AND YOU!

Choices is what Jubilee Los Lunas is all about. It all starts with customizing your new home from the ground up…by a lot…or just a little. Then, be as active as you want to be with dozens of indoor and outdoor activities to choose from every day. You’ll stay fit, make new friends, laugh and enjoy your beautiful new home and lifestyle.

Gated Community | Semi-Custom Homes | Luxurious Villa/Activity Center Fabulous Mountain Views | 320+ Days of Sunshine | Fitness Center Year-Round Pool | Tennis, Pickleball & Bocce Ball | Hiking & Biking Trails Billiards, Bunco & Mahjong | Classes, Clubs & Parties...and so much more!

Photos by: MarkWilliamPhotography.com & Patrick Massengale

Learn more at

JubileeLosLunas.com

To schedule a tour, call us at

877 866 1777

Life+Style Southwest The “Icarus” mirror with its feather-like layers of weathered driftwood by artist Ben Forgey is the highlight of a remodel by Santa Fe’s HVL Interiors that makes the most of natural textures, simple shapes, and clean lines to bring a dated guest bath into the present. The soft, vegetable colors of the cast concrete sink, limestone tiles on the tub surround, and velvety wall paint all work in harmony to create a serene retreat that reflects the calm of the outdoor view. “The homeowners wanted to absolutely love everything in the room, and make sure every detail was a luxury,” says designer and principal Heather Van Luchene, ASID. “This was a really fun collaboration.”

HVL Interiors, hvlinteriors.com 18

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Amadeus Leitner

natural selection

WO O DS

DE SIGN | BUILDER S

photography by Wendy McEahern

Consistently the best Designing and building the finest homes in Santa Fe for over thirty-eight years

302 Catron Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

•

505.988.2413

•

woodsbuilders.com

Life+Style Southwest

by Amy Gross

These 1"-thick reclaimed Southern pine planks from Texas are used

by Echo Reclamation to make tabletops and shelving.

Pat Crowe

Despite its distressed appearance, this gate by La Puerta Originals is brand new—with the exception of the salvaged panels inset into the doors.

a piece of history reclaimed wood adds character to Southwestern homes

T

hey say that what’s old can be new again. For some homeowners, sourcing antique wood and repurposing it for use in even the newest and most contemporary homes is a primary design goal. Reclaimed, salvaged, vintage—whatever the term, many people believe there’s nothing like really old wood.

“The patina that comes with aged wood is beautiful, and the grain is incomparable,” notes Pat Crowe, founder and owner of Echo Reclamation (echoreclamation.com) in Albuquerque, which sells reclaimed wood to area businesses and homeowners and uses it to make furniture. For flooring, Crowe reclaims antique Southern pine, which he says is “almost as hard as red oak” and once grew in abundance from East Texas to the Atlantic. It was timbered out by the late 1920s, however, so the wood Crowe sources—which is used for flooring and furniture-making—comes from buildings in Texas built before 1930.

“People are starved for character, personality, and soulfulness in their homes,” notes Melissa Coleman, president and owner of Santa Fe–based La Puerta Originals (lapuertaoriginals.com), adding that today’s homeowners are looking for something unique. Often they’ll find it in La Puerta Originals’ 4.5-acre antique yard, which boasts the largest reclaimed inventory in the country—doors and carvings from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Swat Valley in Pakistan, among other places. The company also typically gets in some 30,000 board feet of antique Douglas fir per month, salvaged from deconstructed Army barracks from the Western part of the United States.

“We build new pieces from old materials,” says Coleman, whose husband Scott is the lead designer of the custom doors, cabinets, and furniture pieces sold by the company.

Of the 60 or so doors produced by La Puerta in a given month, many are built around an antique door or carving. “You have to have a certain level of tolerance for holes in the 20

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Pat Crowe

“The patina that comes with aged wood is beautiful, and the grain is incomparable.”—Pat Crowe

Pat Crowe of Echo Reclamation built this table from wood reclaimed from an abandoned schoolhouse in Wingate, Texas. Above: Panels with Nuristani (Afghanistan) goat symbols will be incorporated by La Puerta Originals into an interior door.

YOU BOUGHT THE HOUSE FOR THE VIEW. LET IT IN.

sR

d

At Marvin® Windows and Doors, we’re committed to creating distinctive, beautiful products that continually elevate the standard of quality and innovation. Our scenic doors embody this spirit and help you to discover new possibilities in home design. Connecting open, spacious interiors with open, spacious exteriors, 85 Marvin Lift andwySlide and Bi-Fold Doors take our Built around you ® philosophy to a new level of inspiration.

illo

mH

Ce rr

a Can

Ca n

am

Hw

y

25

To learn more, call or visit us today.

ad

ge

W

ta on Fr

Ro

am

wy

H

n Ca

14

85

599

Bisb ee L ane s

on vati

ourt ee C

rO Clea

Bisb

25

ho

nc

Ra

j Vie

lvd oB

32 Bisbee Court Santa Fe, NM www.ClearOvations.com 505-988-2001

14 599

©2015 Marvin Windows and Doors. All rights reserved. ®Registered trademark of Marvin Windows and Doors.

wood because it’s been reclaimed and repurposed. Of course,” she adds with a smile, “we think that’s okay.” So do La Puerta’s customers, who are often as interested in the provenance of their wood door or the story behind their furniture as they are in having a piece that’s one of a kind.

And they’re willing to pay for it. Just because a piece of wood is old doesn’t mean it’s inexpensive. In fact, quite the opposite is true: Reclaimed wood typically costs considerably more than new. What you’re paying for, says Crowe, is the overhead.

“Deconstructing is very hard work,” he explains. “It’s dangerous and dirty. You have to worry about nails, about mouse droppings and detritus falling on you, and the possibility of collapse. And then you have to pull out the nails and tacks and trim the waste wood.”

When a customer comes to them with a request for reclaimed floors, Albuquerque’s Benchmark Wood Floors, Inc. (benchmarkwoodfloors.com) uses several types, including river-recovered logs from Florida’s Lake Okeechobee and timbers salvaged from old buildings and remilled and repurposed into flooring.

Although reclaimed flooring represents only a small percentage of Benchmark’s product, president Kevin Mullany notes that the customers who are actively seeking reclaimed wood flooring are “very educated and have done thorough research. The most important thing to them about using reclaimed wood is their perception that they’re not destroying any forest.”

22

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Buena Vista Photography

Goodwin Company

Goodwin Company in Micanopy, Florida, salvages old wood and supplies it to flooring companies like Benchmark Wood Floors in Albuquerque.

With holes and irregularities left in the wood, riverrecovered heart cypress log rounds (right) and antique heart pine (above) are truly one-of-akind flooring options.

Goodwin Company

“The most important thing to [our customers] about using reclaimed wood is their perception that they’re not destroying any forest.”—Kevin Mullany

Decorative panels, lintels, and other accent pieces are saved

by La Puerta Originals to be re-created into furniture, gates, and even bathroom vanities.

Coleman agrees. “I like the sustainability of using that material. If we don’t use it, it’ll likely just be discarded.” And that would be a shame, because unlike new growth wood, antique wood is a limited commodity. As Coleman notes, “When it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Life+Style Southwest

Design it yourself? Not me.

by Steve Thomas

“Seek professional help” applies to homebuilding, too

Steve Thomas

O

n one of my early projects some 35 years ago my wife suggested we work with an old family friend who was a very successful and well-known New York designer.

Fully convinced of my own capacity in that regard I proudly presented the designer, the late Marilyn Ruben, with my renovation plan, expecting praise and her blessing. Instead Marilyn said, very patiently, “Well, that’s a good start.” She then laid a piece of tracing paper over my design, and with swift, sure strokes of her pencil completely reconfigured my plan, spun the drawing around, and said, “Perhaps something like this.”

Speechless, I started to get really defensive when I realized that her design was really great, and mine was, well, the work of an amateur. That’s when I learned the value of a really good design professional.

I am very active—some architects and designers I’ve worked with (along with my wife) would complain way too active—in the design process, but I’ve come to understand that for a project to be successful you need a vigorous and independent voice for

I’ve come to understand that for a project to be successful you need a vigorous and independent voice for design.

Stephen would argue for design elements from the architectural point of view, and I would argue from the practical standpoints of cost and “buildability.” Sometimes he prevailed, sometimes I did, but most times a synthesis emerged that was probably the best design solution of all. Stephen would often stop by the job site on his way to or from his studio, check out the progress, and sketch revisions on the back of a 2x4. Then, I’d build it. The process was more like sculpture than architecture, and we had a blast.

If you’re looking for a good designer or architect, here are some pointers.

First and foremost, seek recommendations from friends. Go look at any prospect’s work. Interview them.

Then ask yourself if their practice fits your job. An architect who principally does 8,000-square-foot adobe homes might not be the right fit for your 1,500-square-foot contemporary.

Does their design work reflect your style? Did the prospective design professional listen to you—and to your

significant other? Ask them straight out how they charge: Will they fix-price the job, and what can you do to reduce their scope of work and therefore their fee? Ask them for recommendations, and take the time to go talk to those folks. This seems like a lot of work, but remember, it takes the same bricks and mortar to build a bad design as it does a good one.

There are three buckets of cost in any project: workmanship, materials, and features. Design is the element that weaves them all together. You don’t want to compromise on workmanship, because poor build quality will come back to haunt you year after year. However, you can trim costs by eliminating features and by trading materials—polished concrete for costly Italian marble flooring, for example. There are dozens of trade-offs like this throughout a project. Where a design professional really earns his or her keep is to help you make these trade-offs so you can stay on budget and still achieve a great design.

Above: Steve Thomas and architectural designer Stephen Samuelson collaborating on Thomas’s Santa Fe remodel.

Their ongoing war cry “You design it, I’ll build it!” created a synergy and shared creativity between them that produced an efficient, elegant home design.

Steve Thomas is a home renovation expert and the spokesperson for Habitat for Humanity International.

24

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Douglas Merriam

design. Probably the best illustration of this process was the project I did that was featured in this magazine several years ago (Su Casa, Winter 2013, “This Old Adobe”). The house, a small, Eastside Santa Fe adobe, required renovation from the ground up and redesign from the inside out. Santa Fe–based architectural designer Stephen Samuelson took on the challenge in a magnanimous gesture of friendship.

LOVE WHAT YOU BUILD. Inspiring Ideas for Home Projects.

ProBuild offers a complete solution for all of your building and re-modeling needs. With high quality lumber and a robust selection of building products, we can provide you with the best materials for your home. We recognize the importance of offering products that meet your high standards and lumber and building materials are what we know best. But ProBuild doesn’t stop there. We also offer a full line of windows and doors to put the final touches on a product you will be proud to put your name on. If you need it, we have it. Please call or come in today with all of your decking needs.

LUMBER | TRUSSES | WINDOW | DOORS | STUCCO WALL PANELS | DECKING

ALBUQUERQUE 7801 TIBURON ST NE 505.823.2700 Come In To Visit Our New One-Of-A-Kind Decking Display!

SANTA FE 1137 SILER RD 505.471.7474

www.probuild.com

Life+Style Southwest

by Carolyn Patten

what’s on your wall? chic dress-ups to personalize every space Taking your walls on the journey from basic to beautiful can be as simple as choosing one outstanding piece—such as a sleek, wall-hung fireplace or a boldly graphic shade—or as complex as working with a master finisher to create the look of ancient, well-worn bricks. To get your imagination started, take a look at some of the newest ideas in the design world.

Budget Blinds Graphic Window Shades Have the high-resolution image of your choice printed directly onto a window shade for a one-of-a-kind pop of customization. Cityscapes, sport team logos, vacation photos, landscapes, nostalgic advertising labels—the only limit is your imagination. A graphic shade is the ideal solution for an in interior window with a nondescript view or for adding year-round color to an outside patio.

Tech Revel Linear LED Wall Sconce For a contemporary take on ambient lighting for halls and passageways, these sconces have a sleek metal surface that is laser cut in horizontal slots, allowing LED lights to shine through the inner acrylic diffuser. Optional wood end caps soften the silhouette. $953, The Lamp Shop, lightingfordesign.com

Approximately $60 per square foot, Budget Blinds, budgetblinds.com

Variance Faux Brick Finishes Durable, breathable, and low maintenance, a faux brick wall is transformative. This treatment is especially effective on indoor-outdoor spaces such as covered patios and transitional passageways and looks stunning in combination with areas of faux stone or Venetian plaster. $8–$12 per square foot, Illusions Painting & Plastering, plasteringalbuquerquenm.com

Napoleon Wall-hung Fireplace This elegant, stainless steel fireplace hangs on the wall like fine art, taking its place in modern or transitional décor and adding a welcome touch of warmth. $2,400–$2,800, New Mexico Fireplace Gallery, nmfireplacegallery.com

continued on page 118 26

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Remodeling made simple the only interactive design experience 5 KITCHENS

BATHS

REFACING

FLOORING

WALK-IN TUBS

NATURAL STONE

Select your...

• Cabinets • Counter tops •• Fixtures Flooring • Backsplash

all in our Design Center!

“ STOP

This is truly ONE

shopping!

”

- Mrs. Hendel, Albuquerque

505.880.2500 | PoulinDesignCenter.com 2 Albuquerque Design Centers Cottonwood Mall (Next to Dillards)

2426 Washington NE (2 Blks. S. of Menaul)

Santa Fe Design Center 3494 Zafarano Dr., Suite A (Next to Lowes)

Lic. #21850

Design Studio

by Donna Schillinger

a yard for all seasons

Courtesy of Lifescapes

colorful landscaping trends to keep you outdoors all year long

Uplighting, underlighting, and a fire pit provide an ambient glow in this backyard designed by Lifescapes.

No hard lines here; the rounded, flowing lines of the brick patio mimic those of the mountainous landscape.

T

hink summer has to be the end of colorful, outdoor living?

Think again. When winds turn colder and temperatures drop, it may be tempting to retreat inside for a long winter’s nap, but savvy planting, coupled with exciting trends in outdoor living, make year-round outdoor living not only possible, but beautiful and comfortable, even in Northern New Mexico.

Courtesy of The Hilltop

all-season color

Above: Flagstones, carefully placed large boulders, and a rustic waterfall give this pool area, designed by The Hilltop Landscape Architects & Contractors, year-round visual interest.

28

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

As summer ends, delay or eliminate the annual fading of greenery with carefully selected cultivars (selectively bred plants). Tried-and-true Northern New Mexican favorites for fall and winter interest include many varieties from the pine, spruce, and fir families, which often produce cones and colorful berries.

“Oregon grape has a broad, glossy leaf, like holly, which is a nice texture to contrast a matte, drab winter. It features yellow blooms and blue berries in other seasons,” says landscape architect Catherine Clemens, principal at Clemens & Associates (clemensandassociates.com), a landscape architecture, contracting, and maintenance firm in Santa Fe. Clemens also suggests red twig dogwood, a shrub so named for the color of its bark in winter.

“The ruby-red twigs look great against evergreens or a pile of pinecones in a container,” she adds.

Even deciduous trees in winter dormancy can provide visual interest.

“Use deciduous trees and plants that have character—multitrunk common trees to ornamental dwarf trees like vitex, crape myrtle, ninebark trees, and Japanese maples,” suggests Rick Garcia, president of Landscape Solutions, Inc. (landscapesolutionsnm.com), which serves Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and the surrounding area.

Courtesy of Landscape Solutions

Not all homes have views to die for, but the creative and thoughtful placement of plants that bloom at different times of the year can create amazing visual interest right in your own backyard.

A langorous, flowing water feature created by Rick Garcia and his team at Landscape Solutions is dotted with green ground cover and colorful ground and water plants. Its dramatic, multilevel design delivers the wow in this Albuquerque yard.

the whole outdoor package

Design is the first step to re-envisioning your yard. “If you don’t feel your outdoors has a flow or cohesiveness to it, you don’t want to be there,” adds Henry. “Walking outdoors should feel like you’re walking into an extension of your home.”

To that end, dressing up the outdoors for year-round revelry is possible with unprecedented options in all-weather furnishings, upholsteries, rugs, art, and accessories. Clemens notes that outdoor fabrics have advanced beyond the stiff canvas of a few years ago, and that color—whether natural or manmade—can make a huge different in your landscaping.

“Amazing pillows and cushions are available in velvet and chenille now, making it more comfortable to be outdoors,” she says. “And big containers with evergreens, garden ornaments, and rugs are perfect examples of ways to add color outside in cold weather.” Clemens also suggests incorporating 30

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

“This Santa Fe yard was in a state of tragedy; I wanted to lavish it with love,” says landscape designer and healer Tobi Wilde of Glorious Earth Landscapes. Wilde’s business partner Adam Steinberg built the fantasy pathways she designed. Colorful rocks and a water feature added depth and sound.

Gabrielle Loffer

Where to plant is as important as what you should plant for a successful landscape design. “Lead the eye to a mountain view with layers of depth,” says Eric Henry, owner of Lifescapes (lifescapesnm.com), an Albuquerque-based landscape design firm. He suggests building on the lawn with a layer of ornamental grasses, then shrubs and small trees leading to that majestic view.

Tierra Concepts is honored to have won an unprecedented 5 Grand Hacienda Awards GET INSPIRED :

TierraConceptsSantaFe.com

Brightly colored walls in a lazy S are a recurring theme in this garden designed by Clemens & Associates for a sophisticated art collector in Santa Fe.

Courtesy of Clemens & Associates

permanent color in features such as tile around a fountain, or a bold accent wall. Certainly they contribute color year-round, but these features really pop when summer plant life fades to gray.

Henry notes that outdoor kitchens and fire features are coming up in virtually every job his company does because the backyard is ideal for entertaining. “If you like to hang out around the island or kitchen counter, take that outside,” he suggests. Outdoor fireplaces under shelter of a stately ramada make the perfect backdrop for family dinners— even Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts.

Finally, don’t forget outdoor lighting. “Lighting done right can make the outdoors extremely inviting, create a draw for those quiet moments, or add a festive feel to gatherings with friends and relatives,” says Rick Garcia.

Fall is an ideal time to make structural as well as botanical updates and additions to outdoor living spaces. An investment in a landscaping project today can turn your yard into a four-season sensation.

&A

Mike Erickson Plant World Inc.

Rethink the idea of “the dead of winter” by giving your landscape a visual boost with perennials that provide vibrancy on the bleakest of days. Mike Erickson, a vice president of Plant World, Inc., in Albuquerque, highlights a few of his favorite colorful options.

What new varieties are suitable for the Northern New Mexican climate and provide fall or winter interest?

Tiger-eye sumac, grown as a large shrub or a multitrunk tree, has striking fall color. Its chartreuse foliage stands out and looks quite nice in our environment. “Hot Wings” tatarian maple is an ornamental shade tree with bright red seeds against green leaves in late summer. As fall approaches, leaves change from yellow on the inside to orange red toward the outside. This tree also tolerates the high alkalinity in the soil around here. “Blonde Ambition” blue grama, a mounding ornamental grass that reaches approximately three by three feet, has seed heads that come out green and then turn blonde and hold on well into winter.

What’s your short list of landscaping staples for fall and winter?

Burning bush, a large shrub, is not particularly showy in season, but in fall, it turns an amazing red. Raywood ash, a large shade tree with a compact growth habit, has striking fall color, from red to purple. For winter interest, I like “Arnold Sentinel” Austrian pine.

Columnar and dense, it’s a dwarf pine with slow growth, making it a good match for smaller lot sizes. It’s too cold here for oleander, but Arizona rosewood, a drought-tolerant evergreen, has a similar look and will survive our climate.

How about fall and winter gardening?

Fall is a good time to plant anything that is cold-hardy for our zones or below. In winter, start cold-crop veggies like broccoli, kale, and spinach indoors so they are ready to set out in early spring.

Plant World Inc., plantworldinc.com

32

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Courtesy of Plant World

Phillip Madrid

Desert Rose Landscape & Maintenance in Santa Fe created a lush but waterfriendly flowerbed using butterfly bush, alpine currant, Jupiter’s beard, and other colorful, xeric plants.

Q

Super Spaces

the space reading nook created by Chandler Prewitt, Chandler Prewitt Design

her little corner of heaven

This salago fiber wallcovering

by Weitzner is made of two pieces of wallpaper that have been glued together.

34

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Bill Stengel Photography

T

o say that the owner of this Santa Fe condo is “high-powered” might be the understatement of the year—she’s the attorney for a railroad. But when she manages to make it out to New Mexico for a little downtime, her cozy reading nook is a peaceful sanctuary where she can steal a book off a nearby shelf, curl up on a comfy chair, and shake off the demands of work—at least for a little while.

“Santa Fe is her getaway place, and her condo is her little pied-à-terre,” says interior designer Chandler Prewitt, who, with D Maahs Construction, renovated the entire condo in about a year.

“The condos at Quail Run are a great example of compact, urban living in Santa Fe,” he adds.

The reading nook, which is part of the home office in the master suite, is carefully furnished with a Lee Industries hair-on-hide wingback chair, an Old Biscayne Designs pedestal table, a Robert Abbey floor lamp from Reside Home, and an eye-catching, fluffy sheepskin area rug from Overland in Taos. The textural Weitzner wallcovering— handmade paper applied to a monofilament grid—gives the room added depth and dimension from an unexpected place; indeed, it almost begs to be touched. Prewitt chose the covering specially for his client.

“I’m a big wallpaper fanatic; I’ll put it on ceilings, cabinets, everywhere,” he says. “When I came to Santa Fe, people told me, ‘We don’t do wallpaper here.’ And I said, ‘Oh, I’m going to change that.’”—Amy Gross

STUCCO SOLUTIONS FOR THE SOUTHWEST

EIFS • STUCCO ASSEMBLIES • FINISHES & COATINGS For nearly 50 years, ElRey, ParexUSA’s flagship brand, has been providing exterior building solutions accross the southwest. El Rey offers home builders and designers with the perfect palette of texture and colors they demand. From Southwest tradition to ultra modern, El Rey building systems and finishes reflect the heart and soul of what is New Mexico.

Visit us today at www.elrey.com for more information

ShowHouse Santa Fe third annual design event reimagines Western style

36

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

The historic Frank Applegate Estate in Santa Fe will receive a modern “Lux New Mex” makeover this fall. Fans of interior design are invited to tour ShowHouse Santa Fe over two weekends, October 3–4 and 10–11.

Courtesy of Santa Fe Properties

I

t’s a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll. And with the creative vision of nearly 30 talented designers leading it, 2015 ShowHouse Santa Fe promises to be a feast for all the senses—a creative melding of Western chic design within a historic shell.

The historic shell in question: a sprawling Eastside compound built in the 18th century that’s still named after the modernist artist who expanded and lived in it in the 1920s. With no fewer than six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and several living areas, the Frank Applegate Estate, presented by Deborah Bodelson and Cary Spier of Santa Fe Properties, is the perfect location for a ShowHouse tour.

This year’s theme—“Lux New Mex”—encourages the participants, who represent expertise in interior design, landscape design, and fine art, to embrace classically Western materials such as leather, denim, and suede in their own personal reinvention of Santa Fe style. Each designer or design team is assigned a space to make over, and according to co-coordinator David Naylor of David Naylor Interiors, ShowHouse gives designers at all levels the same opportunity to show off their talents. “We have veteran designers and designers who are brand new,” says Naylor, “but they’re all equal with this event.”

The public is invited to tour ShowHouse over two weekends, October 3–4 and 10–11. Proceeds from the tour and The Fiesta (a gala preview party on October 2) benefit Dollars4Schools.org. For more information about tickets and all ShowHouse events, visit showhousesantafe.com.—Amy Gross

Enchanted Spaces

by Moll Anderson

inspiration destination create spaces inspired by your favorite travel locations

O

ur summer vacations may be behind us, but now we can take some time to reflect on the memories of those fun summer getaways. Whenever I have a fabulous and memorable vacation, I spend time reflecting on the spaces that inspired me and take away more than just photos and memories from the trip. In my mind, I tuck away the simple details that brought me the most joy

Beall + Thomas Photography

Michael Gomez Photography

Imagine a destination—either a place you have actually traveled to or a location that inspires you—and bring the elements of this magical place to your home.

38

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

in order to create a destination in my home that I can enjoy every day, all year long.

First thing to do is think back to the hotels or resorts you visited. What made these locations really special and unique? Maybe it was the room you stayed in, the overall feel of the hotel, the views, the gardens, or the beaches. All you need to do is look for those elements from your destination and mirror them in your home.

Having a crazy busy schedule, I don’t always get to travel everywhere my heart desires. To be honest, I simply cannot be away from work long enough to actually get to some of the more exotic locales like Morocco. But I never let that hold me Left: “Luminaries placed around the courtyard give the look of having been dug up during an excavation,” says Moll.

BUILDING QUALITY HOMES FOR TWO GENERATIONS. For two generations the Wade Family has been building QUALITY HOMES all across New Mexico. Thomas Wade, the Owner of Palo Duro Homes Inc. is carrying on the family tradition by offering high quality, high performance green homes that New Mexicans can be proud of. Pioneers of Green Home Building in New Mexico, Palo Duro Homes Inc. is excited to offer their best homes ever. We look forward to building you a high performance green house that you can call HOME.

These highly patterned tiles were selected for their exotic appearance.

High Performance Green Homes: • LEED Certified - Silver Standard • Zero Energy Ready / Solar Homes • Craftsman & Northern NM Style • Cielo Azul Sub. $255K to $318K • Custom Build Off-Site / Your Land For a full list of our Green Home amenities visit: palodurosf.com For information about building on our lots or your land, call Joe Padilla at 505.259.6004.

OFFERED BY:

Beall + Thomas Photography

Katie Johnson Photography

Joe Padilla, CRS JP and Associates

Liz Lopez Photography

Ornately carved wooden columns add to Moll’s Moroccan experience at home, as do the outdoor furniture cushions she covered with pretty scarves (above).

back and keep me from traveling to a faraway place right in my own backyard.

Imagine a destination—either a place you have actually traveled to or a location that inspires you—and bring the elements of this magical place to your home.

I was inspired by the magic of Morocco in reimagining my outdoor living areas.

I found beautiful carved doors (see page 38) in Los Angeles in a warehouse and made them the focal point of my outdoor

Don’t worry about being perfectly on track as if a historian were keeping score.

Jeff Katz Photography

space. I used the doors to create a courtyard effect, and just like that, the transformation began to sweep me off my feet.

Soon I was adding decadent details in the fabrics, walls, accessories, and textures, which all provided the finishing touches to my Moroccan theme. You can easily do the same. Don’t worry about being perfectly on track as if a historian were keeping score. All that matters is that you are creating your dream destination—in your own home.

Moll Anderson Life stylist and philanthropist Moll Anderson is an Emmy Award–winning television personality and the best-selling author of four books, including The Seductive Home.

3700 Rutledge Road NE • Albuquerque, NM 87109 505-938-3125 • www.stonewoodflooringllc.com

Su Cocina

farm to his tables Chef Steven Lemon cooks with ingredients from the Santa Fe Farmers Market both at home and at Pranzo Italian Grill

by Ashley M. Biggers

C

photographs by Douglas Merriam

hef Steven Lemon’s 2014 return to Pranzo Italian Grill wasn’t just a homecoming to the restauarant—it marked repatriation to the Santa Fe Farmers Market. Lemon was the original chef of Pranzo, from 1989 to 1995, and when he bought the Italian and Mediterranean restaurant last year he sought to elevate the food to its original quality—beginning with fresh-from-the-field ingredients.

Lemon shops regularly at the market, perusing the staples of Santa Fe— chile, corn, beans, squash, and tomatoes. He rarely goes with a shopping list; rather, he allows that day’s harvest to speak, letting it spark his culinary imagination. “It keeps the food communal,” he says. “[The farmers] show up with what they picked that morning. We buy it and prepare it. And our customers eat it that same day.” On Saturdays, he drags his son out of bed and to the market, allowing the youngster to pick out what looks good to him, whether it’s garlic from Stanley Crawford’s El Bosque Garlic Farm or a grass-fed ribeye from Red Mesa Meats. Often these ingredients make their way to the chef’s home, sometimes directly to Pranzo’s kitchen.

His trips to the market go beyond shopping for produce. He shares camaraderie with the farmers whose passion for quality ingredients equals his own. “It’s wonderful what the farmer can do—and endure—just to get some heads of lettuce. It’s really hard work,” he says.

Right: “Farmersmarket fresh” means you can put hands on the produce you’re thinking about buying and talk to the folks who grew it. In Steven Lemon’s case, his purchases are used both at home and at work. “We were farm-to-table before it was cool—26 years,” says Lemon of Pranzo.

42

SU CASA

Right: Pranzo chef and owner Steven Lemon chooses fresh greens from a farmers market vendor. Above: An assortment of mushrooms, green and wax beans, herbs, squash, and garlic.

Below: Lemon hits the Santa Fe Farmers Market both days it’s open during the summer and fall—Saturday and Tuesday— to see what’s freshest. Right now: lettuce, tomatoes, rapini, sweet corn, squash blossoms, and Tuscan kale.

© CORRIE PHOTO

Extra dinary

Lemon has a standing policy that he’ll buy from any farmer who shows up on his restaurant’s doorstep, and he often travels directly to the fields throughout the week.

Each Tuesday and Thursday during the summer he drives to Espanola Valley Farm (owned by Salvador and Dolores Corona) to pick squash blossoms. He zooms back to the kitchen to prepare a filling with which to stuff the delicate flowers before they wilt.

Often, his dishes highlight the ingredients’ flavors at their simple best, as with a pan-seared ribeye paired with a classic red wine, such as the Gattinara from Travaglini Giancarlo, available at Susan’s Fine Wine & Spirits. The Travaglini label is known for its use of the nebbiolo grape—Chef Lemon’s favorite. He says the classic red wine’s floral notes and intense cherry and spice flavors make it a perfect complement to the mushroom-like flavors of the hearty steak.

Below: A sprinkling of salt is the final step before roasting basil oil–soaked chanterelle mushrooms— a woody complement to a hearty grass-fed ribeye steak (left).

Above and right: Lemon’s recommendation for a perfect ribeye pairing: Travaglini’s Gattinara Riserva 2004, available at Susan’s Fine Wine & Spirits.

Made with the nebbiolo grape, “it has a nice wood and spice flavor,” says the chef.

44

Lemon has a standing policy that he’ll buy from any farmer who shows up on his restaurant’s doorstep.

Pan-seared Ribeye with Roasted Chanterelle Mushrooms serves 1 THE STEAK 1 14-oz dry-aged, grass-fed ribeye Olive oil Salt and pepper Butter Place a skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add a little olive oil to the pan. Salt and pepper the steak. Place the steak in the pan to sear, 4–5 minutes on each side. Put a pat of butter in the pan and let it melt. Baste the steak with the resulting juices for the last minute on each side. Place the steak on a warm plate. Allow it to rest for 5–8 minutes before serving.

THE MUSHROOMS 8 oz chanterelle mushrooms, cleaned 1 1/2 oz basil oil 1 shallot, diced Fresh thyme Salt and pepper Toss the mushrooms and shallot in the basil oil and allow to marinate. Sprinkle with thyme, salt, and pepper; place in a clay dish. Bake, uncovered, at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.

Editor’s note: Stay up to date with what’s available each month with the Santa Fe Farmers Market’s online produce calendar: farmersmarketinstitute.org/wp-content/ uploads/Monthly-Market-Product-List-byClass.htm

¡Salud!

a taste of heaven expand your wine knowledge one delicious sip at a time

H

ow do you learn about wine? Taste, taste, taste.

Local wine shops regularly offer consumer tastings—gratis, or for a modest fee. Wine festivals and special events proffer as many as 60 to 100 wines for easy sampling. To help you enjoy participating in a tasting, here are some tips and etiquette.

At your favorite wine emporiums, ask to be signed up for emails

Try everything.

Don’t pass on whites because you only like cabernet. Broadening your palate will expand your knowledge and pleasure.

You could be holding the keys to success Whether you’re building, buying, re-financing or remodeling, Kirtland FCU has 24 mortgage loan professionals who can secure financing to fit your special needs and budget.

• Conventional, including 5/5 ARM and 30/15 products • VA • FHA Our membership is more inclusive than you think.

Visit KirtlandFCU.org, call 505.254.4369 or stop by our branch locations to learn how you can become a member.

by James Selby announcing their tastings. Best not to put away a three-course meal before attending one; your senses should be alert and ready to perceive aromas and flavors.

Likewise, going into a tasting on a completely empty stomach won’t do you any favors, either.

Larger venues and festival events will have food, but most in-store tastings are casual, with a half-dozen or more wines of a particular variety, region, or winemaker on offer. Rarer are vertical tastings (the same wine from different vintages) or horizontal (same type of wine in a single vintage). Wines will be arranged in order from the lightest and simplest to the most full and complex. Try everything. Don’t pass on whites because you only like cabernet. Broadening your palate will expand your knowledge and pleasure.

Wine shops will provide disposable cups at a tasting; it’s perfectly correct—and polite— to use the same cup throughout.

TC Building D E S I G N

RealTy inC. B U I L D

Tom Cardenas has been designing and building refined homes of distinction for over 30 years.

Tom Cardenas | 505.823.4543 office | 505.991.4486 cell 8100 WYOMING BLVD. NE #508 | ABQ, NM 87113 www.TCBuilding.com

PHOTOS: STYLE TOURS

Best not to put away a three-course meal before attending a tasting; your senses should be alert and ready to perceive aromas and flavors.

You’re welcome to bring your own wine glass since it will enhance tasting of the wines and allow you to see and smell them better. If packing glass seems risky, consider reusable, stemless acrylicware like that made by Govino.

It gets crowded around a tasting table. Don’t be shy about putting your arm out to get a sample, then step out of the fray and focus on your taste. Use the “Six S” method: See, Swirl, Smell, Sip, Savor, Spit. “That’s disgusting!” a woman said to me at a tasting.

“People are spitting in that bucket!”

“But, madam,” I replied, “it’s a ‘spit bucket.’” “Well, I’m not spitting!” she said indignantly. Remember that a dozen one-ounce samples is equivalent to half a bottle of wine.

Don’t let your enthusiasm for new wines impair your ability to judge them, let alone drive afterward.

Take notes you can refer back to.

The wine shop may provide printed handouts for this, or you can bring a designated journal. Moleskine makes several specifically for wine.

Tastings are a wonderful way to sample a slew of different wines— at little to no cost—so that you can make informed decisions about how to invest your wine dollars later. Be safe, ask questions, and have fun!

James Selby has directed wine programs in New York, Portland, and Santa Fe, where he lives and works as a wine consultant and writer.

who’s pouring?

Whether you’re a novice wine drinker or dedicated oenophile, there’s a wine tasting event happening around Northern New Mexico you should check out.

Here’s a sample (pun intended) of just a few of the many wine bars, wineries, and restaurants in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas that regularly offer tastings.

Arroyo Vino

218 Camino La Tierra, Santa Fe 505-983-2100 Arroyo Vino holds Saturday afternoon tastings along with monthly wine seminars. See the website for details, as cost and vineyard selections vary. arroyovino.com

Gruet Winery

8400 Pan American Frwy NE, Albuquerque 505-821-0055 Tasting room open Monday through Friday from 10 AM–5 PM, and Saturdays from noon–5 PM. Sparkling wines, vintage sparkling wines, and still wines. gruetwinery.com

Jubilation Wine & Spirits

3512 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque 505-255-4404 Free tastings twice a month, on Saturday afternoons from 2–4 PM. Check the website for occasional winemaker

French Door Oven Iyla Bath Collection

“My expert advice? Rely on an expert.”

events. jubilationwines.com

La Bella Vino Winery

10126 Coors Blvd NW, Albuquerque 505-922-6610 Tasting room open daily 11 AM–8 PM except Tuesdays.

Taste a variety of wines, including those from New Mexico wineries Milagro, Tierra Encantada, St. Clair, and others. labellavinowinery.com

La Casa Rondeña

733 Chavez NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque 505-344-5911 Saturday afternoon tours ($25) at 1:30 and 4:30 include a private wine tasting. casarondena.com

Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta

Grand Tasting, September 26, 12:00–4:00 PM Santa Fe Opera, 301 Opera Drive, Santa Fe Taste wines from some 100 vineyards, complemented by bites from more than 80 Santa Fe–area restaurants.

Tickets are $150, sold online only. santafewineandchile.org

St. Clair Winery & Bistro

901 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Albuquerque 505-243-9916 In the bistro, do a tasting with the bartender or at your table. Private tastings are also available. stclairwinery.com

Susan’s Fine Wine & Spirits

1005 S St. Francis, Ste 105, Santa Fe 505-984-1582 A Santa Fe favorite, Susan’s offers both wine and beer tastings on Friday and Saturday evenings. Call for times and selections. sfwineandspirits.com

AMY MATTHEWS TV Host and Licensed General Contractor

TV host and Licensed General Contractor Amy Matthews has built and remodeled lots of homes over the years. As an expert, she knows better than anyone the value of working with professionals – like the ones at Ferguson. Our product experts will help you find the perfect products from the finest bath, kitchen and lighting brands in the world, so you can take pride in your home – on every level. Set up your consultation with Ferguson today, and let us show you the possibilities for your next project.

Visit Ferguson.com/Showrooms and schedule your appointment today.

Total Wine & More

Coronado Center, 505-830-2080 Cottonwood Corners, 505-890-8467 Free tastings on Fridays from 4–7 PM, Saturdays from noon–6 PM, and Sundays from noon–5 PM at both Albuquerque locations. Monthly wine classes also available; see website for details. totalwine.com

Albuquerque 4820 Hardware Drive NE (505) 345-9001

FERGUSON.COM/SHOWROOMS ©2015 Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.

lying low you can spot towhees by keeping an eye to the ground

I

hear a rattling and scruffy sound in the underbrush from the nearby dry leaves.

It sounds like a covey of quail, but upon closer examination, I see a single ornate bird of black, white, and ruddy rust coloring. It’s a male spotted towhee in search of berries, seeds, and insects. With a flurry of his black and white wings he explodes from the underbrush, calling his given name, tow-heeeee!

Towhees are active groundfeeding members of the finch family, and in fact they are commonly seen in brushes or on the ground. The spotted towhee is the most colorful of the four species of towhee found in New Mexico. Males have black hoods, chestnut-colored flanks, and white underparts, with conspicuBelow: Resembling a robin but with striking markings on its back, the spotted towhee can often be found foraging for food on the ground. Opposite: The green-tailed towhee has a distinctive, bright red cap.

just winging through

Photos by James N. Stuart

by Tom Smylie

ous white wing patches and corner tail feathers. Slightly smaller and more streamlined than robins, they are nevertheless much more ornately patterned.

The green-tailed towhee is the smallest with muted green coloring and a jaunty red cap. They’re found on the mountains above 7,000 feet in bushy undergrowth of sage, wild rose, currant, and other ground cover but move to lower elevations during the winter. Brown, or canyon, towhees are a sooty brown with a buffy throat bordered with dark streaks. The most common and trusting members of their family, they’ve earned their nickname, “the camp bird” around ranch country because they are often seen around human dwellings and developments. Abert’s towhee is the largest of the species seen in New Mexico but is confined to the bottomlands of the Gila River of New Mexico and Arizona.

Look low and listen carefully, and you’ll have a good opportunity to see one of these grounddwellers that make up the more than 400 species of birds to be found in our state.

Tom Smylie, from Edgewood, New Mexico, is a retired wildlife biologist affiliated with the World Center for Birds of Prey.

a long time

coming the design baton passes from mother to daughter, and together they build a magnificent contemporary in Corrales

Despite its contemporary design and finishes, the home pays homage to Northern New Mexico style with a pitched roof.

52

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Clean lines and sharp angles are the hallmarks of this split-level home in Corrales. Abundant natural light flows through floor-to-ceiling windows (above), sliding window walls (left), and a stainless steel pivot entry door (below).

by Amy Gross

S

photographs by Robert Reck

uzanne Williams has designed many, many homes over her career— including a few for herself—but she and her husband David agree: This one takes the cake. “I am so comfortable here,” says Suzanne, who operated her eponymous architectural design firm in Albuquerque for 22 years. “We finally got a house that was more livable.”

No doubt its purposeful design was due, at least in part, to the fact that its lead designer and builder knew her clients pretty darn well: Erin Williams is David and Suzanne’s daughter, and her company, Erin Williams Homes, picked up, quite seamlessly, where Suzanne Williams, Inc. left off in 2012. Mother and daughter SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

53

The “front” kitchen (a pantry and a prep area are hidden behind the cooktop wall) is finished with Calacatta Gold marble and oversized limestone floor tile. A regional winner of the 2014–2015 Sub-Zero/Wolf Kitchen Design Contest, the kitchen features horizontal-grain walnut cabinetry, ergonomically designed drawers, and an integrated flow of appliances.

David assembled the wine room his wife designed. “There were thousands of parts,” Suzanne marvels. This view from the kitchen captures not only the wine room but the small vineyard the couple hopes will produce enough grapes to pay off in bottles of white wine.

54

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

share design and décor aesthetics, fortunately, and David and Suzanne’s contemporary residence, a 5,100-square-foot, two-bedroom home in Corrales, reflects its three collaborators’ shared vision and best ideas and preferences. Good thing, too; its owners don’t plan to move again.

“This will be our final resting place,” Suzanne deadpans.

Despite the light-hearted banter that’s almost always going on between them, it’s clear that the Williamses, who might not always take themselves very seriously, certainly are not joking around when it comes to home design.

Suzanne and Erin share a passion for quality construction, high-end finishes, and midcentury architecture and furniture; they also feel they have an obligation to support

Below: A cozy TV nook opposite the wine room is a lovely spot to catch up on the day.

A dreamy atmoscape (at right) by New Mexican artist Angus Macpherson is representative of the Williamses’ colorful, modern art collection.

Expansive, arctic white walls allow the art to be displayed gallery-style throughout the home.

“From early on, I was partial to midcentury modern architecture, not even understanding where it would take me.”—Suzanne Williams

With an impeccable eye, Suzanne mixes elegant, designer furniture with iconic midcentury pieces like the Barcelona chairs in the foreground. A study in neutrals, geometries, and light, the living room offers several interesting focal points.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

55

He doesn’t play, but David, a retired periodontist, makes guitars in his workshop.

A few of his hollow body acoustics hang in the media room (left), one of the family’s favorite places to gather.

Chris Hanks and Suzanne codesigned this sexy, cantilevered desk in a distinctly midcentury style. Poised above the pool off the second-floor master suite, it’s filled with light and captures lovely views. Work? Bah.

56

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

The master bedroom is a virtual treehouse with its corner windows overlooking Corrales farmland.

A sliding barn–style door (below) divides the bedroom from an office and a sitting room. Very cool, says Tater, an English cream lab.

local craftsmen and subcontractors and maintain those relationships. In fact, that’s one of the reasons Suzanne encouraged her daughter, who had worked with her for years, to take up the baton and strike out on her own. Suzanne had shut down operations, but suddenly three potential clients were knocking on her door. “I said, Erin, look at all the people who would have work if you took these jobs. Thirty subs?”

Erin agreed, and Erin Williams Homes was born. With no shortage of clients since hanging out her shingle in December 2012, she builds clean-lined, contemporary, luxury homes in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The home she designed with and for her parents is sited on a bucolic lot in Corrales with an extraordinary view corridor facing east.

“When we settled on this lot, I said to SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

57

In the master bath, a walk-in shower is hidden discreetly behind the floating vanity.

A mix of finishes—porcelain, limestone, walnut, glass, chrome, sheepskin—keeps things visually interesting while fun, translucent cabinets add depth.

Partially frosted windows over the freestanding tub provide privacy while regular windows let in abundant light.

58

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Erin and David that we should do something more typical of Corrales,” Suzanne says. They decided that natural brick-laid stone would look better and fit the environment, and the pitched roof—a first for Suzanne—is certainly New Mexican.

Despite its ample square footage, the home has only two bedrooms—complete master suites upstairs and downstairs. The one upstairs, designed by Erin, offers breathtaking views through corner windows. David and Suzanne figure they’ll move into the downstairs master when stairs become an inconvenience. There’s a large office/ sitting area just off the upstairs master, and in fact, tons of additional dedicated space in this house: a media room, a glass-enclosed wine room off the kitchen, and an enormous studio and workshop. “We live in every room of this house,” Suzanne says.

“Except for the fitness room,” David jumps in, not missing a beat.

“We avoid that like the plague.”

The kitchen and living areas on the first floor open into one another, with 11-foot walls of glass facing the pool area and those gorgeous views. The elegant and functional kitchen, which Chris Hanks of Ernest Thompson Furniture Company entered in SubZero/Wolf’s 2014–2015 Kitchen Design Contest, won a regional award for Best Kitchen out of some 17,000 entries, and no surprise.

Combining the design preferences of all three members of the Williams family, its pantry and prep space are tucked behind the cooking

Right: The backyard is designed for gracious, comfortable entertaining, from the pool and covered seating areas to the wood-fired pizza oven.

Below: Suzanne built raised beds to simplify her gardening hobby. David raises bees; his hives produced 100 pounds of honey last year.

Their home easily accommodates the host of hobbies and interests Suzanne and David are finally able to indulge in their retirement.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

59

space, while all of the appliances are well integrated into Hanks’s horizontal-grain, Corazon walnut cabinetry. Suzanne had purchased an enormous slab of Calacatta Gold marble from Rocky Mountain Stone years before and had been waiting for the right time to use it. It now serves as a dramatic backsplash to the cooking space opposite the waterfall island—also marbleclad—where original Bertoia barstools add the perfect midcentury modern touch.

The home is filled with lovely features, most of which were built, designed, or both, by its owners.

“David’s always had a hobby and is always making something,” his wife explains. On a whim, David, a retired periodontist, designed and built a wood-fired pizza oven for the patio, and one day decided to try making acoustic guitars. He builds them in his workshop—when he’s not tending to his beehives. He and Suzanne also have several raised bed gardens and even an experimental vineyard on the north side of the house. Rick Hobson of Milagro Vineyards chose the Rhône Valley white grapes for David and Suzanne; in return, they’ll get a few bottles of wine from the crop.

With Erin splitting her time between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, the decision was made to build a casita on the same lot as her parents’ home for when she’s in town. “It’s a fun challenge for me,” says Erin, “trying to design the casita so that it has the same big house feel and appointments as this house, but at a smaller price per square foot.” The casita, she notes, will be “more slick [than the main house]. It’ll use a lot of technology and be easier to care for.”

It’s delightful to see how Erin and Suzanne feed off each other’s energy, and how united they are in their all-the-way modern design aesthetics. You won’t see Erin Williams Homes building any Tuscan residences, though her mother admits, “At first, I would accept any style that came along, but I wasn’t happy. From early on, I was partial to midcentury modern architecture, not even understanding where it would take me.”

Turns out, it would eventually take her to Corrales, New Mexico, where her own home not only espouses every design and décor preference she’s developed over the years, but also accommodates the host of hobbies and interests she and David, who have been married 51 years, are finally able to indulge in their retirement. In many ways this home represents a lot of firsts; in others, it’s been a part of them for years.

“Mom,” her daughter says thoughtfully, “I think you’ve had this house for a long time.”

60

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Above: The views from the pool— and indeed, from much of the house itself—are spectacular. Comb-like metal fencing is unobtrusive and lets the beauty of the scenery flow throw it. Below: Steaks, vegetables, or pizza? A gas grill and a woodfired oven (which David built) make outdoor cooking a snap.

resources Designer & Builder Erin Williams Homes erinwilliamshomes.com Appliances & Plumbing Fixtures Ferguson Bath, Lighting & Kitchen Gallery ferguson.com Cabinetry Chris Hanks Ernest Thompson Furniture Company Fencing & Gates More Than Gates Flagstone & Tile Arizona Tile arizonatile.com Granite & Marble Rocky Mountain Stone rmstone.com HVAC & Wine Cooler System Thompson Heating & Cooling

Building Premium Pools with the Highest Quality of Craftsmanship

Landscaping The Hilltop Landscape Architects & Contractors

We Specialize in Custom Gunite Pools and Viking Fiberglass Pool Installation

Windows & Glass Doors Argon Glass

LeeSurePools.com • (505) 345-6606 8509 Calle Alameda NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113

what’s happening?

ALBUQUERQUE GRECIAN FESTIVAL October 2–4 Friday & Saturday 11 AM–10 PM, Sunday 11 AM–5 PM 308 High St SE, ABQ Free on Friday from 11 AM–5 PM; all other dates/times $2–$5, free under 12, active/retired military, firefighters, and police officers Lose yourself in a three-day international experience amid live Greek bands, authentic Greek foods, and colorfully dressed dancers. abqgreekfest.com

62

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Eliska Broe

ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA October 3–11, times vary Balloon Fiesta Park $8 general admission, under 12 free, other prices vary The 44th annual “Where Dreams Take Flight” Balloon Fiesta premier international ballooning event is back again with more traditional New Mexican food, souvenirs, and nationally and internationally based hot air balloons. On October 10, country artists Gloriana will be performing alongside national headliners The Band Perry, whose hit singles include: “If I Die Young” and “You Lie.” balloonfiesta.com

RIVER OF LIGHTS November 28–January 3, 6–9:30 PM (Closed December 24, 25, 31, January 1) ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden $6–$12, under 3 free A beautiful display of over 500 glittering animated and stationary light displays in New Mexico’s largest walk-through holiday production is back with hot food and drinks, Supper with Santa in the Shark Reef Café, the Polar Bear Express, and Holiday Nature Crafts on select evenings. bioparksociety.org

ALBUQUERQUE AMERICAN INDIAN ART FESTIVAL October 3–4, 10 AM–5 PM Indian Pueblo Cultural Center 2401 12th NW, ABQ $3–$6, under 5 free Celebrate the traditional and contemporary beauty of over 100 indigenous artists working with various mediums, accompanied by food and entertainment. indianpueblo.org

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Mukul Gadde Arts

27th RIO GRANDE ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL—BALLOON FIESTA October 2–4 and 9–11 Fridays and Sundays 9 AM–5 PM, Saturdays 9 AM–6 PM Expo New Mexico $8–$21, under 12 free Ranked as number six in the nation, this show’s iconic “Big White Tent” will allow attendees to talk with some of the 280 fine artists, sample traditional New Mexican dishes, listen to live music, watch demonstrations, and shop to their hearts’ content. riograndefestivals.com

Albuquerque American Indian Art Festival

Ray Watt

ELL Photography

October through December

5th ANNUAL ALBUQUERQUE TANGO FESTIVAL October 28–November 1, times vary Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town Prices vary Enjoy five days of dancing and three days of classes for observers as well as dancers of all levels. This year’s event features a tango clinic, milongas, and world-class DJs and instructors. albuquerquetangofestival.homestead.com

FAMILY PROMISE CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR November 21–22 (Saturday 10 AM–4 PM, Sunday NOON–4 PM) Four homes, various locations $20 For the second year, tour homes in Albuquerque that have been splendidly decorated for the season, and enter the raffle to win a Christmas table design and other holiday décor. The four-home tour benefits Family Promise, a not-for-profit organization that helps families who are experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque to achieve independence. familypromiseabq.org

RIO GRANDE ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL—HOLIDAY SHOW November 27–29, 10 AM–5 PM Lujan Exhibit Complex at Expo New Mexico, $7–$9, under 12 free From pottery to leather to jewelry, this festival is a great kickoff to your holiday shopping season. Browse original gift ideas while enjoying live holiday music, festive food samples, and more. riograndefestivals.com CHRISTMAS AT THE PALACE December 11, 5:30–8 PM Palace of the Governors Santa Fe Plaza Mr. and Mrs. Claus make their annual visit to the Plaza to join in family-friendly holiday fun that includes hot cider, cookies, live music, craft-making, and more. nmhistorymuseum.org

continued on page 116

F E AT U R E D : OUR HANDCRAFTED VILL A LIBR ARY BOOKC A SE.

ALBUQUERQUE 12521 MONTGOMERY BOULEVARD NE AT TRAMWAY 505.291.9494

©2015 ETHAN ALLEN GLOBAL, INC.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

63

Diana & Terri... making great things happen!

New Mexico Bank & Trust is a full-service bank with knowledgeable staff offering the finest in construction financing.

Member

ALBUQUERQUE

RIO RANCHO

320 Gold Ave. SW 7021 Jefferson St. NE 3002 Louisiana Blvd. NE 6201 Riverside Plaza Ln. 9500 Montgomery Blvd. NE 3701 Fourth St. NW 4001 Southern Blvd. SE 7830 Enchanted Hills Blvd.

LOS LUNAS

1810 Main St.

CLOVIS

709 Pile St.

PORTALES

1612 East Spruce St.

SANTA FE

1592 St. Michael’s Dr. 1549 Paseo de Peralta

Diana Lucero, CGA, CGP, CAPS VP, Construction Lending NMLS#539895 505.830.8103 | dlucero@nmb-t.com

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

www.NMB-T.com Great Things Happen! TM

The smart way to start your personal Parade is with a click.

With so many homes to see, you need an efficient way to find the ones that best suit your personal needs. Utilizing their many years of Parade experience, the members of New Mexico Select are ready to help. Visit nmselect.com on your computer, pad or phone, and you’ll be in contact with one of the state’s most highly respected realtors who can save you both time and money. Real estate excellence and Parade experts are just a click away at nmselect.com.

www.NMSelect.com

Robert & Phyllis Boverie

Mark Puckett

Winnie DeVore

Vicki Criel

Shirley Rich

Janie Gilmore-Daniels & Katherine Mosley

401-3881 / 710-2086

615-3333

269-6997

280-8811

Susan Feil & Alicia Feil Peterson

270-6300

259-0502 / 463-0602

Amy McGuckin

Kelly Taliaferro

Dana Wilson

Kate Southard

Wende Calvert

Joe Maez

Rachael Flance

Kevin Mullaney

Jessica M Beecher

Jennise Phillips

263-2519

401-5775

270-5552

977-6569

400-4199

710-6918

264-9586

401-9633

452-6934

331-2288

690-2225 / 235-9398

249-8282

Tim Lopez

Meryl Manning Segel

250-5988

379-6099

Jo Cook

Susan Nelson Anderson

Jeanette Raver

Jeannine DiLorenzo

John M Lopez

Claudia Brown

Suzanne Kinney

Veronica Gonzales

Charissa Grigsby

Will Beecher

Dianna L Johnson

Cheryl Marlow

Sandi Pressley

Maggie Ebbens

Martha Greenleaf

Liz Karsten

Jeanne Kuriyan

Missy Ashcraft

362-6823

263-2526 / 263-0556

Christine & Sean Remington

Lamia Faruki

Gary Shaw

Michelle Selby

Sandy Levinson

Lynn Johnson

980-1282

604-4380

977-2004

249-1212

301-1191

259-6239

440-8956

Judy Settle

319-3989

Ann Taylor

459-4988

379-7774

Jan Demay

Joi Banks Schmidt

450-7635

259-2033

350-3235

918-5730

315-1564

506-9941

250-5799

463-9332

249-7666

321-5521

235-5840

238-3272

977-3373

991-3386

980-2999

Tracy & Tego Venturi

350-5966

VISIT US AT:

NMSelect.com Annie O’Connell

263-4141

Lynn Martinez

263-6369

Greg Lobberegt

269-4734

Mary Spensley

610-0806

Carol Sauder

620-3898

Kas MacKenzie

205-4375

PARTICIPATING REAL ESTATE COMPANIES: Berkshire Hathaway Home Service 977-3373 | Coldwell Banker Legacy 828-1000, 293-3700, 292-8900, 898-2700 | Criel & Associates 615-3333 Champion Properties 319-3989 | Corrales Realty 890-3131 | ERA Sellers & Buyers Real Estate 296-1500 | EXP Realty, LLC 554-3873 | Keller Williams Realty 271-8200, 897-1100, 933-6881 Johnson Team Realtors 798-9201 | La Puerta Real Estate 867-3388 | Lucky Dog Realty LLC 270-5552 | Platinum Properties 332-1133 | Re/Max Select 265-5111 | Win Win Realty 255-2322

Terris Zambrano Fidelity National Title 505-967-9408

Susan Jameson 505-766-7205 NMLSR ID 442357

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. © 2013 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801. AS1059689 Expires 6/2015 Equal Housing Lender.

Trim Size 8 x .875

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Signature Community

Mariposa New builders join in supporting the revitalization of this amenity-filled, master-planned community

by Ben Ikenson photographs by Chris Corrie

I

n many cultures, the butterfly symbolizes transformation and rebirth, which is aptly fitting for a master-planned community in Rio Rancho that goes by the Spanish word for that lovely winged creature. Due largely to the housing crash and recession, Mariposa had been stalled for several years. Now it is poised to spread its wings, thanks to the vision of Harvard Investments, a community development firm, and the interest of several topnotch builders.

“Seeing Mariposa come back to life and flourish with tremendous builder activity is very encouraging to us,” says Tim Brislin, vice president of Scottsdale, Arizona–based Harvard Investments, which boasts extensive experience in large master-planned communities and the revitalization of distressed communities. “The builders have their ears to the ground and know what the market is looking for.

Working together, we plan to establish Mariposa as the best-in-class master-planned community in New Mexico.”

Set amid breathtaking vistas and pristine natural landscapes, the 6,500-acre Mariposa is indeed prime real estate. Although the community initially opened with great success, the original development company’s financial challenges left the property with an uncertain A 12,000-square-foot community center is the hub of activity for residents of Mariposa.

66

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

“Mariposa has a great design with excellent infrastructure and amenities, beautiful home sites, a gorgeous setting, and a great Rio Rancho location convenient to both Santa Fe and Albuquerque,” says Tim Brislin. future. Thanks to the work of the City of Rio Rancho, the property’s bondholders, and the new master developer, the financial issues,

The spacious fitness center (above), the indoor and outdoor pools, and miles of trails around Mariposa encourage exercise and exploration.

including those surrounding the PID, have now been permanently resolved.

“The original vision was superb,” says Brislin. “When we bought it last year, we thought it was a phenomenally planned community with incredible potential. It has a great design with excellent infrastructure and amenities, beautiful home sites, a gorgeous setting, and a great Rio Rancho location convenient to both Santa Fe and Albuquerque.”

Mariposa is now buzzing with activity. Today its state-ofthe-art community center is reopened, the beautiful community park is resodded, and the homeowners association has been reestablished. And to ensure a diversity of home options for future residents, four new builders have been recruited to join Sivage Homes and Twilight Homes. The new home builder lineup includes nationally renowned D.R. Horton as well as local stars like Rachel Matthew Homes, RayLee Homes: A New Generation, and Abrazo Homes (this issue’s Featured Builder). Model homes are currently being built, and development steadily continues in each of Mariposa’s six existing neighborhoods.

“With so many reputable builders in one place plus an array of estate lots, buyers will have access to a wide variety of styles and floor plans to make their dreams a reality,” says Brislin. “It is unique in all of the metropolitan area for buyers to have this many home choices in one location plus great amenities.”

A contemporary sculpture representing the area’s native blue grama grass welcomes visitors at the entrance to the community. A large community park (left, bottom) is the perfect place for pooches and owners alike to stretch their legs.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

67

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Connecting Mariposa residents to the community’s central amenities and to the natural beauty around them are miles of trails ideal for hiking, biking, and running.

Home prices start at an accessible $200,000, and custom designs and luxury features are also available. Buyers seeking higher-end options can tour custom home sites with undisturbed surrounding landscapes and unrivaled vistas.

The community also features a number of impressive amenities: a 12,000-square-foot community center with fitness equipment, locker rooms, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools, as well as a 4.5-acre community park that includes a playground, basketball courts, and wide open turf space. Connecting residents to these central amenities and to the natural beauty around them are miles of trails ideal for hiking, biking, and running.

With some 120 homes already occupied, Brislin expects residents will eventually occupy about 2,000 homes total. In August, a grand opening enabled scores of prospective new homebuyers to view model homes.

“It’s very exciting to see the project unfold,” says Brislin.

“The whole idea behind the community—to blend superbly designed homes and community buildings with the existing natural beauty—is hard to resist.” Visit LiveInMariposa.com for more information.

Mariposa residents enjoy a multitude of amenities including a café area, an indoor pool (above, center), weekly fitness classes, and covered outdoor seating areas at the park (right).

68

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Mountain views and the natural beauty of the surrounding hills and valleys enhance home sites and landscaped areas of the community.

Signature Community

Mariposa

2501 Parkway Avenue

Signature Community

Driving Directions from Rio Rancho and Albuquerque’s Westside: Follow Unser Boulevard 6.5 miles north of Northern Boulevard. Turn left onto Mariposa Parkway to enter Mariposa.

From Albuquerque and the Sunport (Airport): Proceed north on I-25 to Exit 242 (US 550 in Bernalillo). Turn west onto US 550 and go 7 miles, turning left on Northwest Loop Road. Go 1.2 miles, then turn left onto Unser Boulevard. Mariposa is just 2 miles up the road, on the right. Turn right onto Mariposa Parkway to enter Mariposa.

BUILD YOUR DREAM IN MARIPOSA These fine homebuilders are currently building in Mariposa. Come out to see their models, or contact them directly to discuss your next home in this fabulous community!

Abrazo Homes Larry Stapp 505-453-6049 AbrazoHomes.com D.R. Horton Larry Perez 505-515-8347 DRHorton.com/NM

ECOterra Development & Construction Michael Cecchini 505-918-8476 ECOterraLLC.com

RayLee Homes: A New Generation Tammy Grady-Thornton 505-917-1677 RayLeeHomes.com

Rachel Matthew Homes Krystin Apodaca 505-205-3201 RachelMatthewHomes.com

Sivage Homes Dennis Romero 505-715-6326 Sivage.com

Twilight Homes Ann Daniel 505-349-3723 TwilightHomesNM.com Custom Lots Martha Greenleaf 505-301-1191 Coldwell Banker Legacy

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

69

Featured Builder

Abrazo Homes Customers get more than they might expect, but everything they deserve

by Ben Ikenson photographs by Chris Corrie

I

n late 2007, Brian McCarthy and Mackenzie Bishop founded a company that converted recycled shipping containers into ultra-affordable housing for employees of the maquiladoras along the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico border. Unfortunately, the recession doomed their efforts, but there was an upside.

“It was our failed venture together that really forced us to rethink what success looks like,” says McCarthy. “We bottomed out together, and we’ve worked our butts off ever since to make sure we never have to do it again.”

In 2010, at the height of a major housing slump, McCarthy and Bishop established Abrazo Homes, a homebuilding company that has since left a major mark on the Albuquerque metropolitan area. With homes in seven distinct local communities, including Petroglyphs Estates and Mariposa (this issue’s Signature Community), the company has garnered major props, including last year’s Avid Gold award, the top spot for customer satisfaction in a survey on 747 builders in the Western United States.

“We want all of our homes to include the amenities our customers expect and require in order to live proudly and comfortably in their homes. … As we like to say, ‘Upgrade if you want to, not because you have to.’”—Brian McCarthy “Buying a home is typically the largest financial commitment that our customers will make in their lifetimes. We like to honor and respect the trust that our customers place in us,” says Bishop. “We pride ourselves on the service we provide to our customers and in offering an unparalleled level of value included in the base package.”

Light and bright, the open-concept floor plan is designed around entertaining.

Above: Abrazo’s homes in Petroglyph Estates sit on the volcanic escarpment with views of the Sandia and Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

70

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Abrazo Homes, 505-369-4663, abrazohomes.com

“We pride ourselves on the service we provide to our customers and in offering

The kitchen demonstrates creative use of lighting, including under-cabinet and under-island lighting, as well as abundant natural light via skylights.

an unparalleled level of value included in the base package.”—Mackenzie Bishop

The expansive master suite features a freestanding tub, an oversized, walk-in shower, and optional closet system.

Wall accents and geometric tile patterns that mimic lines in the circular ceiling treatment create a dramatic entry.

Indeed, Abrazo builds “all-inclusive” homes that come with more amenities than most of their peers: a full Whirlpool appliance package, blinds, covered patios, an integrated home network and entertainment package, and a home automation system that allows users to control lighting, security, door locks, and climate control from anywhere in the world—with no monthly fee.

“We want all of our homes to include the amenities our customers expect and require in order to live proudly and comfortably in their homes,” says McCarthy. “With our wide range of included amenities, our customers get everything they need and should expect on day one.

This is not to say we don’t afford them the ability to upgrade their homes at our in-house design studio, but, as we like to say, ‘Upgrade if you want to, not because you have to.’”

Both graduates of the University of New Mexico’s Anderson School

of Management, McCarthy and Bishop became friends and associates in the early 2000s, launching a dozen new communities in 2006 and 2007 for another prominent local homebuilder. After their efforts in Mexico, the pair established Abrazo Homes, initially operating out of a 400-square-foot temporary building. Today, the company comprises more than a dozen devoted employees, from its sales team to its design and construction staff.

“We always strive to manage by example,” says McCarthy, “and we’ve been able to assemble the hardest-working, most results-oriented team we could have ever imagined. There are no ‘job titles’ at Abrazo Homes. Everyone maintains a team first mentality, and we all pitch in to assist one another to accomplish our goals.”

In terms of the housing market, “It has nowhere to go but up,” McCarthy quips, before offering a Darwinian perspective. “Joking SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

71

Featured Builder aside, we see the market as lean and mean, with any improvement yielding sizeable gains on the business side. The downturn has been tough for everyone, but those of us who are left are leaner and better for it. Customers get a better-built home, builders have to be much more attuned to their buyers, and decisions have to be very well considered. It’s a challenging environment, but one with great opportunity for the well-run builder to not only survive, but grow.” Case in point: Abrazo Homes.

“We have the best team in the business!” says Abrazo Homes partner Brian McCarthy.

The open dining, kitchen, and living areas take an entertaining approach and encourage easy congregating.

Below: Abrazo’s “infinity door” invites you to the outside and easily accommodates indoor/outdoor living. The community enjoys wonderful Sandia and city of Albuquerque views.

72

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Abrazo Homes 8008 Compass Drive NW

WESTSIDE

Featured Builder

Petroglyph Estates

3 bedrooms 3 baths 3,153 sq. ft. $388,850 (base price) $489,450 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, take I-25 north to Paseo Del Norte, turning left on Paseo Del Norte and continuing to Unser. Turn left on Unser and continue to Rainbow/ Compass. Turn left on Compass, and the home is on the left side of the street.

This breathtaking residence rests atop Albuquerque’s volcanic escarpment and captures panoramic views of Albuquerque, the Sandia Mountains, and the Rio Grande Valley. Petroglyph Estates offers one-quarter to one-halfacre lots in the desirable Volcano Vista school

district. This expansive, single-story plan features double master suites, a 3.5-car garage, a home theater, and an indoor/outdoor living area that is an entertainer’s dream. High-tech features and contemporary finishes meet classical design in the Fall Featured Builder home!

Warren Harris (505) 450-5520 warren@abrazohomes.com abrazohomes.com

Subcontractors & Vendors

All businesses are located in the Albuquerque area.

Alarm: ADT Security Systems

Grading: RAC Construction

Appliances: Builders Source Appliance Gallery

HVAC: Longhorn Construction Services

Block Walls: Aspen Block, LLC

Insulation: Garrity Insulation

Cabinets: Mastercraft Cabinets, Elkay Manufacturing Company

Landscaping: Territorial Landscape Co.

Closet System: Longhorn Construction Services

Lighting: Turn On Lighting

Concrete: Aspen Construction

Lumber: ProBuild

Countertops: Tom Sawyer Enterprises

Painter: Bullseye Painting

Decorator: Classically Clean Design

Pest Control: HomeTeam Pest Defense

Drywall & Framing: Hammer Construction, LLC

Plumbing: D&J Plumbing

Doors: Stock Building Supply

Roofing: Otero and Sons Roofing

Electrical: Budget Professional Electric

Stucco: Aspen Construction

Excavation: Guzman Construction Solutions

Surveying: Community Sciences Corporation

Flooring: HD Supply

Trim Carpentry: JLK Construction

Flooring Supplier: Emser Tile, Shaw Carpet

Trusses: Champion Truss, Inc.

Glass/Mirrors/Hardware: Form-cove Manufacturing

Windows: Western Building Supply

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Rachel Matthew Homes 6504 Pato Road NW

WESTSIDE

1

Petroglyph Estates

4 bedrooms 3.5 baths 2,584 sq. ft. $364,900 (base price) $429,900 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, take I-40 west to Coors, turning north (right). Take Coors to Western Trail and turn left. Right on Unser for 2.5 miles, then right onto Kimmick. Right on Urraca, then right onto Pato.

Our model home in Petroglyph Estates is settled on Albuquerque’s Northwest Mesa, where you will find large estate lots and convenient access to schools and shopping. This model features a

separate casita and a balcony overlooking a stunning view of the Sandia Mountains. Your dream home awaits you!

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Stillbrooke Homes 2300 Westcreek NW

Watershed

Krystin Apodaca (505) 792-4663 krystin@rachelmatthew.com rachelmatthewhomes.com

WESTSIDE

2

3 or 4 bedrooms 2 baths 2,201 sq. ft. $307,950 (base price) $339,779 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, travel west on I-40 to the Unser exit, turning right (north).

Take Unser to Tierra Pintada, turning left. Right onto Westcreek.

Our newest signature home features a luxurious “oasis” master bath with a cavernous “couples” shower that also opens to a private master garden patio. The rotunda entry opens into a

74

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

large family room with a corner fireplace that adjoins a spacious open country kitchen and an L-shaped veranda. This flexible floor plan offers either 3 or 4 bedrooms.

Robin McMorries (505) 934-5812 rmcmorries@stillbrooke.com stillbrooke.com

Pulte Homes

9047 Fenton Lake Road NW

Entry 1 Color Rendering

WESTSIDE

Mirehaven

3

4 bedrooms 3.5 baths 2,639 sq. ft. $258,990 (base price) $347,669 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, take I-40 west to Unser Blvd, turning north (right). Left onto Tierra Pintada, right on Mirehaven Pkwy, then left onto Redondo Peak Drive NW.

Nestled in the Petroglyph National Monument in the new Mirehaven master planned community, our most popular floor plan offers an open and inviting gathering room and kitchen with a large

teardrop island and café. Features include a private den, a large owner’s retreat, a guest suite with full bath, a large covered patio with outdoor fireplaces, and stunning views of the Sandias.

Wade Messenger (505) 341-8578 wade.messenger@pulte.com pulte.com/nm

Tour the Parklane at Mirehaven to discover your new neighborhood.

Mirehaven, Albuquerque’s newest master planned community is surrounded by the Petroglyph National Monument with beautiful views of the Sandia Mountains.

Mirehaven offers a large community park featuring: play structures, picnic tables, outdoor musical instruments, soccer field, & basketball court.

The Parklane Features: • Open gathering room and kitchen • Private Den • Large Owner’s Retreat • Guest Suite • Outdoor covered patio and fireplace Continuing a policy of constant research and improvement, Pulte Homes reserves the right to change price, plan, specifications or availability without notice or obligation. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be an actual representation of a specific community, neighborhood or any completed improvements being offered. See sales consultant for details. ©2015 PulteGroup. All rights reserved 08/2015 PGI Realty brokerage for Pulte Homes: 505-761-9606 7601 Jefferson NE Suite 320, Albuquerque NM 87109 SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

75

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Koinonia Architects & Builders 4308 Willow View Lane NW

WESTSIDE

Oxbow North

4

4 bedrooms 4 baths 3,129 sq. ft. $875,000

From the Big I, take I-40 west to the Coors exit, turning right (north).

Proceed 2 miles to Namaste Road and turn right. Right onto Summer Hill Lane. After entering the first gate of Oxbow North turn left onto Deer Meadow, then turn right onto Willow View.

Sited on the Rio Grande River bluff, this Andalusian custom home draws you in with its entry courtyard, bell tower, and water feature. The rich palette of warm stucco, Variance interior plaster,

76

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

wrought iron, mission tile, and rough-sawn heavy timber corbels are skillfully combined to create a reflection of Southwestern European countryside charm.

Paul R. McDonald (505) 249-8634 koinonia@comcast.net koinonialuxurycustomhome builders.com

Tiara Homes

4627 Cayetana Place NW

Entry 1 Color Rendering

WESTSIDE

Andalucia

5

3 bedrooms 2.5 baths 2,155 sq. ft. $359,900

From the Big I, take I-40 west to the Coors exit, turning right (north).

Right on Sevilla, right on Mi Cordelia, right on Rafael Cruz, right on Monte Frio, left on Edwardo, then left on Cayetana Place.

Come see this beautifully designed open floor plan perfect for entertaining. There are features galore, including walk-in closets in all bedrooms, a large pantry, a kitchen island, and a snack bar,

a tandem 3-car garage, a separate master suite with a soak tub and a large shower, professional landscaping, stone accents, numerous skylights, plus much more.

Rich Gantner (505) 804-7424 richgantner@lobo.net tiarahomes.com

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

77

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Scott Patrick Homes 4900 Valle Romantico NW

WESTSIDE

El Bosque at Andalucia

6

4 bedrooms 2.5 baths 3,010 sq. ft. $639,900

From the Big I, take I-40 west to Coors Blvd northbound (Exit 155).

Turn right onto Coors and continue 1.5 miles, then turn right onto Sevilla into Andalucia. Continue to Tres Gracias, turn left, and proceed into the gated community of El Bosque.

A relaxed North Valley feel awaits you in this open-concept, custom home floor plan featuring a large window of walls in the great room that highlight the surrounding Bosque and mountain

views. Gracious architectural features include wood flooring, a game room, and a granite and stainless steel kitchen that opens to the main living areas.

Eva Sellers cell (505) 463-4461 or (505) 828-9900 sales1@scottpatrickhomes.com scottpatrickhomes.com

Looking for a great

Mortgage Loan?

Purchase ~ Refinance Construction Financing

Helping families finance their dream homes since 1983 Scott Cummings LoansOnHomes.com (505) 884-8600 Office NMLS#199680

78

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Kuhn’s Construction 5804 Mesa Vista Trail NW

WESTSIDE

Mesa Ridge Estates

7

3 bedrooms 3 baths 1,980 sq. ft. $365,000 (base price) $385,000 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, travel north on I-25 to the Montgomery/Montano exit.

Proceed west on Montano, crossing Coors, and then continuing three blocks to the gated Mesa Ridge Estates on the south side of Montano. First house to the east of the gated entrance.

ered patios, a European open living concept with ample floor-to-ceiling glass, and massive sliding glass doors that open to private patios with a signature water feature.

KUHN’K S CONSTRUCTION C

Dan Kuhn (505) 238-0431 danielraykuhn@gmail.com ericspurlock.com

Bryan's Photography

Photography by Cletus Kuhn

This 1,900-square-foot, European-style contemporary home designed by Eric Spurlock boasts tall ceilings and comprises 3 bedrooms, including a segregated master suite, 3 bathrooms, 4 cov-

Dan Kuhn, Builder

Katherine Lynn - Kitchen & Bath Design & Sales 505-270-3677 | juniperridgedesigns.com

505-268-1575 | danielraykuhn@gmail.com

505-275.6783 • espurlock@ericspurlock.com SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

79

D.R. Horton

8908 Sunhorn Place NW

Entry 1 Color Rendering

SOUTHEAST HEIGHTS

8

Valle Prado at The Trails

3 bedrooms 2 baths 2,304 sq. ft. $279,990 (base price) $398,430 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, take I-40 west to Exit 154 (Unser), turning right (north) on Unser. Proceed to Rainbow and turn left, right onto Universe, and left onto Woodmont. At the dead end, turn right onto Sunhorn Place.

Whether it’s the gracious owner’s suite privately located in the back of the home or the oversized great room and kitchen ideal for family gatherings, the Grayson is well appointed for

the luxury home buyer, family, or empty-nester.

This home, at 2,304 square feet, lives large!

Paul Rodriguez (505) 410-8171 prrodriguez@drhorton.com drhorton.com/nm

It’s the special details that make it yours with a beautiful custom storage solution built just for you and the way you live. Call us today or visit us online to be inspired and arrange for your free in-home design consultation.

©2015 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Franchises independently owned and operated. Lic# 61344

NM157_SuCasa_8x4.8_0815.indd 80 S U C A S A A U T U M N 20151

ALBUQUERQUE 4801 Alameda Blvd. NE 505.858.1100 CaliforniaClosets.com 7/22/15 9:49 AM

Twilight Homes 8827 Valle Prada Lane NW

WESTSIDE

9

Valle Vista

4 bedrooms 2.5 baths 2,735 sq. ft. $324,990 (base price) $375,990 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, take I-25 north to the Paseo Del Norte exit. Proceed west to Rainbow Blvd. Turn left on Rainbow. Turn right on Woodmont. Take first left onto Valle Prada Lane. Model home is immediately on the right.

Who doesn’t love a gated community within walking distance of award-winning schools?

Enjoy a private, luxurious master suite on the first floor with 3 bedrooms and a flexible loft

upstairs. Curl up in the reading nook tucked away off the staircase. It will bring a smile to your face.

Jose Andreu (505) 450-2861 jandreu@twilighthomesnm.com twilighthomesnm.com

You’re family is unique, your life is unique, you should be able to build a new home to match.

YOU CAN MAKE CHANGES.

At Twilight, we say yest to changes.

If you want to move a wall, add a wall, or a window, or a door, or an entire room - we are going to say “yes”. Just try that with another home builder!

Come see for yourself why we are the most exciting builder in town.

twilighthomesnm.com

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

81

Altair Homes

Entry 1 Color Rendering

6204 Wild Onion Avenue NW Chamisa Ridge

Westside

10

3 bedrooms 2 baths 3,000 sq. ft. $500,000 (base price) $692,000 (base price + upgrades) From the Big I, take I-25 north to Paseo Del Norte. Proceed west on Paseo Del Norte to Unser. Make a right on Unser, heading north to Paradise Blvd. Turn left (west) on Paradise to Coneflower Drive, then turn left on Coneflower and proceed to Wild Onion.

Altair’s 38 years of building experience and knowledge will ensure your home is built to the highest energy efficiency and integrity regardless of budget. Altair integrates state-of-the-art mate-

rial, the latest in green building techniques, and beautiful designs to accommodate your personal needs whether you are building or remodeling.

Terri Yoakum (505) 797-1112 or (505) 459-5782 myaltair@msn.com altairhomes.com

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Mesa Verde Homes 9361 Riverfronte Road NW

WESTSIDE

11

4 bedrooms 3 baths 3,126 sq. ft. $956,500

From the Big I, go north on I-25 to Paseo Del Norte and turn left (west).

Proceed to Coors and turn right. Right at the stoplight at Irving, then right onto Riverfronte Road.

This green-built Spanish/Mediterranean–style home is located on a beautiful Bosque lot near the river. Some of the features include custom cabinets and doors, a large kitchen

82

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

with a walk-in pantry, a study, a formal dining room, large covered portales for comfortable outdoor living, and much more.

Marie “Betty” Blea (505) 991-1405 womanbuilder2@gmail.com mesaverdehomes.net

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Twilight Estate Homes 2411 15th Street SE

Vista Montebella

Rio rancho

12

4 bedrooms 2.5 baths 3,002 sq. ft. $419,900 (base price) $499,900 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, take I-25 north, exit at Paseo Del Norte, and continue west to Unser. Take Unser north to Wellspring Drive (across from Presbyterian Hospital). Turn left on Wellspring. Take the first left on 21st Avenue and continue to the stop sign. At the stop sign, go left onto 15th Street. The model is on the right.

This designer’s dream home on a half-acre lot showcases spectacular views. It’s unforgettable, with commercial-grade appliances, custom lighting, stone floors, and iron doors. The home has

spacious double living areas, an outdoor entertaining area, a large media room, a study, 3-plus bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a 3-car garage.

YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE YOUR NEW NEIGHBORHOOD

Wade Wingfield (505) 550-8818 wwingfield@twilighthomesnm.com twilighthomesnm.com

Twilight Homes is building in nine communities throughout the greater metro area. We carefully choose the neighborhoods we build in, assuring that you will have access to great shopping, quality schools, entertainment, healthcare and in many cases great views.

What’s the point of having a fabulous house if it’s not in a great place?

Come see for yourself why we are the most exciting builder in town.

twilighthomesnm.com

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

83

Entry 1 Color Rendering

RayLee Homes: A New Generation 1815 Castle Peak Loop NE

The Peaks at Mariposa

RIO RANCHO

13

3 bedrooms 2.5 baths 2,644 sq. ft. $305,990 (base price) $376,100 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, take I-25 north to Exit 242 and head west (left) onto Hwy 550 for approximately 6 miles.

Left onto Northwest Loop Road, left onto Unser for about 3 miles, right onto Mariposa Parkway, left onto Blue Grama, left onto Pikes Peak Loop, then left onto Castle Peak Loop.

Traditional meets contemporary in this spacious and bright RayLee Home. Features include the most desired interior finishes and amenities, with multicolored cabinets, floating shelves, a built-in

bar, and plenty of windows to capture the stunning New Mexico landscape. The master suite is full luxury with his-and-hers closets, a freestanding modern tub, and an oversized spa shower.

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Rachel Matthew Homes 1811 Castle Peak Loop NE

Tammy Grady-Thornton (505) 917-1677 tthornton@rayleehomes.com rayleehomes.com

Mariposa

RIO RANCHO

14

4 bedrooms 4 baths 2,590 sq. ft. $328,700 (base price) $359,900 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, take I-25 north to Exit 242, heading west (left) onto Hwy 550. Left onto Unser Blvd, right onto Mariposa Pkwy. Turn left on Redondo Sierra Vista, left on Blue Grama, left on Pikes Peak Loop, and left onto Castle Peak Loop.

This model home features many options available in The Peaks at Mariposa, such as a casita with a separate entrance, an open floor plan, and a 3-car garage. Visit our Coyote model home

84

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

today and see how you can achieve all of life’s modern conveniences while capturing the beauty of Mother Nature.

Krystin Apodaca (505) 792-4663 krystin@rachelmatthew.com rachelmatthewhomes.com

ECOterra

1916 Ridge Court

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Mariposa–Ridgeline Estates

RIO RANCHO

15

3 bedrooms 3 baths 2,470 sq. ft. $710,000

From the Big I, travel north on I-25 to Exit 242 (Bernalillo/Placitas). Head west on NM 550 to Northwest Loop Road and turn left. Right onto Mariposa Parkway, left onto Redondo Sierra Vista, then left onto Blue Grama to Ridge Court on the right.

ECOterra presents a beautiful Pueblo-Southwestern design, an artisan’s custom dream home exuding color, style, and function at every corner. We delivered on our clients’ vision with breathtaking

views from the outdoor living space and the rooftop deck. This home is expected to achieve BGNM Gold energy level certification for exceptional energy and water conservation features.

Michael Cecchini (505) 918-8476 mike@ecoterrallc.com ecoterrallc.com

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

85

Sivage Homes 2304 Desert View Road NE

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Desert View

RIO RANCHO

16

3 bedrooms 2.5 baths 2,618 sq. ft. $415,000

From the Big I, take I-25 north to Exit 242 (Bernalillo). Turn left onto Hwy 550 and proceed west 7 miles. Turn left onto Northwest Loop Road and then left onto Unser. Travel 2 miles to Mariposa Parkway and turn right. Left onto Redondo Sierra Vista, left onto Blue Grama, then right onto Desert View Road.

Craftsmanship and attention to detail are evident throughout this special home by awardwinning Sivage Homes. The open kitchen and living spaces are perfect for entertaining friends

or relaxing with family. The luxurious master bath provides a quiet retreat. Cherry cabinets, granite counters, and beautiful tile treatments reflect unmistakable quality.

Adrian Calderon (505) 998-1813 acalderon@sivage.com sivage.com

Find Your Desert View at Mariposa lot s 1 / 2 ac r e a n d u p

w w w. s i v a g e . c o m Photo credit: Kate Russell Photography

86

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Space

Twilight Homes 2801 Redondo Santa Fe

Mariposa

Entry 1 Color Rendering

RIO RANCHO

17

4 bedrooms 3.5 baths 2,312 sq. ft. $273,990 (base price) $365,000 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, take I-25 north to Bernalillo. Take Exit 242, turn lefto onto 550, and go about 7 miles. Left on NW Loop Road (becomes Unser), proceed about 3 miles. Right on Mariposa Pkwy.

Left on Redondo Sierra Vista. Right on Santa Fe Vista. Left on Redondo Santa Fe. Model is immediately on the left.

Chic, modern, and sophisticated, this home has it all. Need flex space—maybe a home office or casita? Done. Three-car garage on your musthave list? Check. How about amazing views? All

day long. State-of-the-art tiled walls, incredible lighting, and decorated to the nines. You won’t want to miss this one.

Ann Daniel (505) 349-3723 adaniel@twilighthomesnm.com twilighthomesnm.com

Your new Twilight Home is built to green building standards which will reduce energy usage considerably.

YOU’RE ENERGY BILLS ARE GOING DOWN

Not only will this help to lower those energy bills, but it also means a more comfortable home and a smaller environmental impact when constructing your new home.

Come see for yourself why we are the most exciting builder in town.

twilighthomesnm.com

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

87

D.R. Horton 2667 Manzano Loop

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Vista Manzano at Mariposa

RIO RANCHO

18

3 bedrooms 2.5 baths 2,150 sq. ft. $244,990 (base price) $324,997 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, take I-25 north to Exit 242, turning left onto Hwy 550. Turn left onto E Hwy 44, then left onto Northwest Loop and left onto Unser.

Turn right onto Mariposa Parkway, left onto Redondo Sierra Vista, and finally left onto Vista Manzano Loop.

The Buxton offers 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a 3-car tandem at over 2,100 square feet. Featuring an oversized kitchen that faces the living room, you’ll never be too far from your loved ones.

Abrazo Homes

2612 La Luz Circle

Mariposa

This home is light and bright, bringing outdoor living indoors and providing plenty of space to grow into.

Paul Rodriguez (505) 410-8171 prrodriguez@drhorton.com drhorton.com/nm

Entry 1 Color Rendering

RIO RANCHO

19

3 bedrooms 2.5 baths 2,287 sq. ft. $252,000 (base price) $312,000 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, take I-25 north to Hwy 550 in Bernalillo. Turn left (west) on Hwy 550 and continue to Northwest Loop Road/Unser. Turn left on Northwest Loop and continue for 2.7 miles to Mariposa Parkway. Right on Mariposa Parkway, left on Redondo Sierra Vista.

Left onto Vista Sandia and follow La Luz Circle to the right.

This elegant home is designed around the serenity and majesty of Mariposa. It features an airy and open floor plan that captures panoramic views while offering bright indoor and outdoor

88

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

living spaces. The community boasts indoor and outdoor pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, walking trails, and 3,000-plus acres of open space.

This is New Mexico at its finest.

Larry Stapp (505) 453-6049 larry@abrazohomes.com abrazohomes.com

Twilight Homes 7129 Napoleon Road NE

Entry 1 Color Rendering

RIO RANCHO

Lomas Encantadas

20

4 bedrooms 2.5 baths 2,608 sq. ft. $249,990 (base price) $299,990 (base price + all upgrades) Take I-25 north to Bernalillo. Exit 242, turn left on 550. Turn left on 528.

Right on Enchanted Hills Blvd. Left on Lincoln. Right on Nativitas. Left on Franklin. First right on Napoleon.

House is on right, after Lexington.

Love drama? This home is for you. Twentyfour-foot ceilings in the foyer are topped with clerestory windows and a tower. Enjoy phenomenal views of the Sandias in this four-

bedroom home with huge family gathering places upstairs and downstairs. A 25-foot-long covered patio completes this perfect family home.

Pauline Hansen (505) 917-1387 phansen@twilighthomesnm.com twilighthomesnm.com

You are going to love your new home, with it’s new kitchen, new bathrooms, brand-new carpet, new windows and more.

YOU HAVE A 2-YEAR WARRANTY

Best of all, you know there won’t be a single leak, or stain, or crack, or unexpected draft. If, for any reason there is, you know that it will be fixed, fast, after just one easy phone call.

Come see for yourself why we are the most exciting builder in town.

twilighthomesnm.com

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

89

Lowe-Bo Homes 3306 Icarian Court

Vista Entrada

Entry 1 Color Rendering

RIO RANCHO

21

4 bedrooms 3 baths 2,856 sq. ft. $446,000

From the Big I, take I-25 north to Exit 242. Turn left (west) on 550, then left on NM 528. Right on Idalia Road, right on Chayote Road, right on Icarian Road, then left on Icarian Court.

Another beautiful Southwest contemporary exterior in Rio Rancho by Lowe-Bo Homes, with expansive views of the Sandias that cannot be missed. The interior showcases a billiard room

with beautiful wood flooring, stain-grade wood doors, and an open feel. The kitchen and bathrooms feature quartz countertops and wonderful tile work and accents.

Ted Lowe (505) 991-2555 tedlowe@outlook.com lowe-bohomes.com

Value and Quality through generations of experience.

Call Ted Lowe at 505-991-2555 www.lowe-bohomes.com 505-345-4331 acbrokers.net 90

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

505-281-0512 benchmarkwoodfloors.com

505-843-6758 chavezroofing.com

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Casa Verde Builders 6528 Icarian Road NE

Vista Entrada

RIO RANCHO

22

3 bedrooms 3 baths 2,175 sq. ft. $349,700

From the Big I, take I-25 north to the Bernalillo/Placitas exit. Go west (left) on Hwy 550 to the 528 (Pat D’Arco Hwy) intersection, turning south (left).

Right onto Idalia, right onto Chayote, and then right on Icarian.

All of these options at one low price! This home’s custom construction boasts energy efficiency to Build Green NM Gold certification with blown-in insulation, vinyl Low-E thermal double pane windows, and an

energy-efficient furnace. Features include 18-inch tile, granite counters, a travertine backsplash, alder cabinetry, 10–16–foot ceilings, a 3-car finished/insulated garage, and a spa-like master retreat.

Shawn Stalls (575) 202-0577 Bill Alcorn (505) 401-5235 casaverdenm.com

Hard water?

No matter how you look at it, hard water wreaks havoc in our homes. Culligan® Water Softeners remove damaging minerals from hard water, leaving you with spotless dishes, softer skin and hair, and more efficient plumbing. To get yours, call Southwest Water Conditioning at 505-299-9581 or visit southwesth2o.com.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

91

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Homes by Joe Boyden 1112 Avenida Los Suenos

Bosque Del Rio Grande

Bernalillo

23

4 bedrooms 3 baths 3,266 sq. ft. $500,120 (base price) $599,900 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, travel north on I-25 to Exit 242 and proceed west on Hwy 550. Turn south (left) on Sheriff’s Posse Road. Make a left through the gate onto Avenida Los Suenos.

Sumptuous Southwest elegance with luxurious finishes and amenities on a rare, Bosque-adjacent lot, offering amazing forever views of the Bosque and the Sandia Mountains. Beautiful native cottonwoods have

92

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

been preserved. Craftsmanship abounds: travertine tile, Variance plaster, stacked stone accents, natural wood vigas, herringboned rough-cut cedar ceiling, hand-oiled alder interior doors, and much more!

Melinda K. Bowen (505) 259-6022 melinda@joeboydenhomes.com homesbyjoeboyden.com

Entry 1 Color Rendering

J.G. MadueĂąa Homes 156 Camino Barranca

La Mesa

PLACITAS

24

3 bedrooms 2.5 baths 2,823 sq. ft. $698,500

From the Big I, take I-25 north to Exit 242 (Placitas). Proceed right (east) on Hwy 165 about 2 miles, then turn left (north) on Tierra Madre Road, which turns into Camino Barranca. Proceed about 2.2 miles to 156 Camino Barranca on right.

Designed in collaboration with the owners to reflect their lifestyle, this Pueblo-style home features a gourmet kitchen, a custom fireplace, and two large outdoor living spaces with views all around. Finely crafted details include

the herringbone brick floor design, inlaid tiles, and traditional Southwest woodwork. This home, which is pending Build Green NM certification, blends gracious living with modern building science and many green elements.

Jim MadueĂąa (505) 250-2236 maduenanm@aol.com jgmaduenahomes.com

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

93

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Panorama Homes 9507 Peak Vista Avenue

NORTHEAST HEIGHTS

North Tramway Estates

25

3 bedrooms 2 baths 2,953 sq. ft. $698,000

From the Big I, travel north on I-25 to the Paseo Del Norte exit, turning right (east). Follow Paseo Del Norte to Tramway Blvd and turn left (north).

Proceed .9 mile and turn left onto Tramway Lane. In about 100 yards, turn right onto Sandia Vista Drive NE. Home is straight ahead.

Built on the west side of Tramway Blvd, across from The County Line restaurant and the Outpost Ice Arena, in the newest Far Northeast Heights neighborhood of North Tramway

Estates, this home magnifies the stunning view of the touchable Sandia Mountains. Build Green New Mexico–certified, it is filled with Panorama Homes’ unique and classic detailing. A must-see!

John Lowe (505) 688-6834 jlowe14@comcast.net panoramahomes.com

Get Fired Up!

Fireplaces from Traditional to Modern styling. Gas . Wood . Pellet

SUPPLYING HIGH QUALITY BUILDING PRODUCTS SINCE 1989.

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM:

94

2718 University . Alb, NM 87107 . 505.888.4464 . MountainWestSales.net

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Entry 1 Color Rendering

New Haven Homes 11705 Carmel Avenue NE

NORTHEAST HEIGHTS

North Albuquerque Acres

26

4 bedrooms 3 baths 3,714 sq. ft. $967,000

From the Big I, travel north on I-25 to the Paseo Del Norte exit, turning right. Head east on Paseo Del Norte toward the Sandia foothills about 4.3 miles to Lowell Drive NE. Turn left onto Lowell Drive NE. Proceed north to the second street and turn left onto Carmel Avenue.

Designed to enjoy the best of New Mexico’s mild year-round weather, this Southwest contemporary custom home provides for casual yet luxurious living and entertaining. Enjoy spectacular

views of the Sandia and Jemez Mountains from a covered view deck situated over the walk-out lower level patio. Loaded with custom features, it’s a New Haven Home you won’t want to miss!

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

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

95

Entry 1 27 Color Stillbrooke Rendering Homes Entry #28

Las Ventanas Homes 6200 Ghost Flower Trail NE

NORTHEAST HEIGHTS

The Legends at High Desert

3 bedrooms 2 baths 1,630 sq. ft. $469,900 (base price) $478,500 (base price + all upgrades)

From the Big I, travel east on I-40 to Tramway and head north on Tramway. Turn east (right) on Academy.

Go through the stop sign at Cortaderia. The next right is The Legends subdivision; enter onto Ghost Flower Trail and proceed to #6200.

Efficient design of this smaller home allows for ease of living without sacrificing luxury, quality, or attention to detail. Just a few lots remain in this beautiful gated community, where you’ll

96

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

enjoy Sandia views, a real copper garage door, quartz countertops, beautiful wood floors, open kitchen/living area design, and windows that soar to the kitchen’s 12-foot ceiling.

Missy Ashcraft (505) 362-6823 missyashcraft@comcast.net lasventanasnm.com

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Stillbrooke Homes 8204 Grape Arbor Court NE

NORTHEAST HEIGHTS

Vineyard Court Estates

28

4 or 5 bedrooms 4 baths 3,161 sq. ft. $649,950 (base price) $697,275 (base price + all upgrades)

From the Big I, take I-25 north to Paseo Del Norte, turning east (right) onto Paseo Del Norte. Left onto Holbrook, left onto Holly Avenue, then right onto Grape Arbor Court.

The entry tower opens into a lush garden courtyard leading to a covered entry porch and the semi-attached casita. The curved window walls in the dining room and kitchen nook add both

charm and light. The expansive covered rear patio is accessible from the massive open family room that adjoins the gourmet kitchen complete with GE Monogram appliances.

Mike Davis (505) 514-8143 mdavis22@comcast.net stillbrooke.com

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

97

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Lee Michael Homes 7910 Rancho Roberto NW

VALLEY

29

1 bedroom 1 bath 1,000 sq. ft. $230,000

From the Big I, travel north on I-25 to the Osuna exit, heading left (west).

Proceed on Osuna to 4th Street and turn right. Go past Ranchitos and just past Groff Lumber. Turn right on Sarah Lane to the first turn-in road. Go south on Rancho Roberto into a cul-de-sac; home is on the west side.

Set among the cottonwoods, this casita has all you need to live, dream, work, play, and garden. Designed as a mini-home to complement its parent home, it shouts “pizzazz” with black-

ened beams, pine ceilings, a gourmet kitchen with exotic granite and white ice appliances, a steam shower, a hydroponic greenhouse/sunroom, and a man cave garage.

Alexa Knight (505) 681-9447 knight.alexa@gmail.com leemichaelhomes.com

Building for today’s lifestyle.

Winning Awards for Over 20 Years High Performance Green Homes Remodels, Additions & Restorations No Cost Custom Designs Mike & Alexa Knight

505.299.1500 . LeeMichaelHomes.com

9898

SU S UC C AA SA S AA A UU TU TU MM NN2015 2015

Local Design/ Build Team

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Boulevard Homes Design + Build 1912 Rio Grande Blvd NW

VALLEY

30

3 bedrooms 2.5 baths 2,445 sq. ft. $487,000

From the Big I, travel west on I-40 to the Rio Grande exit. Turn right (north) onto Rio Grande. Two streets past Indian School there is a small cul-desac on the right side of Rio Grande; the home is in the cul-de-sac.

Sleek modern lines and luxurious classic materials combine for an elegant twist on contemporary design in this inviting custom home from award-winning Boulevard Homes that will appeal

to both modernists and non-modernists alike.

Highlights include a home theater and a luxurious master retreat with a spa-like bath and a boutique custom dressing room.

Amber Kennington (505) 507-0451 info@abqmodern.com abqmodern.com

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

99

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Paschich Design Group 1509 Rosemont Avenue NW

Downtown / Sawmill Area

VALLEY

31

3 bedrooms 2.5 baths 2,143 sq. ft. $370,000

From the Big I, proceed west on I-40 to the Rio Grande exit, turning south (left) onto Rio Grande. Make a left on Mountain and proceed to 15th Street.

Turn north (left) and proceed to Rosemont Avenue.

This progressive architectural design demonstrates a sophisticated synthesis of contemporary design elements and modern geometries, forms, and spaces.

The home is an example of modern living that feels

100

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

quite comfortable among the regional styles of New Mexico. The concrete floors, the steel beam work, the suspended staircase, and the avant-garde kitchen provide an urban contrast for our historic setting.

Wristen Paschich (505) 250-1887 wristen@swcp.com paschichdesigngroup.com

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Mesa Verde Homes 1419 Coal Avenue SW

Albuquerque Country Club Area

VALLEY

32

4 bedrooms 4 baths 2,309 sq. ft. $390,211 (base price) $420,211 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, go west on I-40 to the 12th Street exit. Turn left (south) on 12th Street and go 1.3 miles to Central. Turn right on Central, then left on 14th Street. Proceed .5 mile to 14th and Coal.

This townhome is located in the Albuquerque Country Club area and is built to the Build Green New Mexico Gold level. Some of the features in this contemporary-style home

include a separate living area/apartment, an office, and a roof deck for comfortable outdoor living. Come visit us and see all of our floor plans.

Entry 1 Color Rendering

Waszak Custom Homes 824 San Juan Place NW

Marie “Betty” Blea (505) 991-1405 womanbuilder2@gmail.com mesaverdehomes.net

LOS RANCHOS DE ALBUQUERQUE

Guadalupe Estates

33

5 bedrooms 5.5 baths 5,600 sq. ft.

From the Big I, take I-40 west to the Rio Grande exit and turn right on Rio Grande. When you get to the 4-way stop sign at Rio Grande and Chavez Road, turn right. Turn right onto Guadalupe Trail, right on Mullen Road, then right on San Juan Place and enter into the gated subdivision.

Tucked away in the Village of Los Ranchos is a warm contemporary home built on a lush acre of irrigated land. Sustainable energy features include photovoltaics, insulated concrete form construction, and

high-efficiency insulation and home systems. Also special are the home’s automation, hand-plastered walls, custom cabinets and doors, high-end tile, pool, sunroom, Humidifall system, and 6-car garage.

David Waszak (505) 250-7888 waszakhomes@gmail.com waszakhomes.com

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

101

D.R. Horton

Entry 1 Color Rendering

SOUTHEAST HEIGHTS

12008 Monachos Road SE

Volterra Villas

34

3 bedrooms 2.5 baths 2,038 sq. ft. $240,990 (base price) $265,990 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, take I-40 east to Exit 116 (Juan Tabo). Turn right (south) on Juan Tabo NE, continuing onto Juan Tabo SE, and then turn left onto Monachos.

This new and exciting line in townhomes from D.R. Horton is a must-see. Architectural function and fashion are optimized for you and your growing family. At just about 2,100 square

feet, this 3-bed, 2.5-bath, 2-car-garage home is contemporarily designed for modern living.

Entry 1 Color Rendering

RayLee Homes: A New Generation 1663 Domino Drive SE

Paul Rodriguez (505) 410-8171 prrodriguez@drhorton.com drhorton.com/nm

Volterra Village

SOUTHEAST HEIGHTS

35

3 bedrooms 3 baths 1,868 sq. ft. $218,990 (base price) $248,947 (base price + all upgrades) From the Big I, take I-40 east to Juan Tabo south. Follow Juan Tabo over Central and the Volterra Bridge, then follow signs to RayLee Homes.

East side living in contemporary style is only part of what this home has to offer. Designed with an open concept, this home features sleek finishes like quartz countertops, a sub-

102

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

way tile backsplash, and private courtyards. Its urban style and convenient location make it the perfect place to call home.

Tammy Grady-Thornton (505) 917-1677 tthornton@rayleehomes.com rayleehomes.com

Infinity Homes 18 Mustang Mesa Trail

Entry 1 Color Rendering

EAST MOUNTAINS

Nature Pointe

36

3 bedrooms 3.5 baths 3,007 sq. ft. $680,000

From the Big I, travel east on I-40 to the Exit 178 (Zuzax). Turn right and continue east (left) on Hwy 66 for 2 miles. Turn right onto Five Hills Road, right on Sedillo Road, then left on Avenida Allegre to the entrance of Nature Pointe. Follow Nature Point Drive to Mustang Mesa Trail.

This beautiful, custom ranch-style home is located in Nature Pointe, one of the East Mountains’ gated communities just 22 minutes from

AZ TILE August 2015

the Big I. It features custom ceilings highlighted by exposed beam trusses, an open floor plan, courtyard entry, an RV garage, and much more.

Su Casa Ad

Carl Sanchez (505) 459-0621 gknkidz@gmail.com infinityhomes.com

8”wide x 4.8125” height

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

103

www.abqremodelingshow.com

From the front door to the backyard, and beyond, you’ll find it all

Hundreds of booths full of the top home professionals! Advice, ideas, and services, to help you make your home more valuable and more beautiful.....Live Better!

Special pricing for Home builders! www.nmremodelingshows.com

Interested in exhibiting? Call today! 505-269-6985

Transform your home and community!

By shopping, donating and volunteering at Habitat ReStore, you become part of a movement dedicated to ensuring everyone has a decent place to live.

Habitat ReStore’s ever-changing merchandise and one-of-a-kind finds give you the opportunity to be creative.

Visit Habitat ReStore!

habitat.org/restore

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

105

unexpected

finds

exquisite design and detailing are the hallmarks of a North Valley home, but its owners also delight in the things they didn’t plan for

106

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

by Amy Gross photographs by Kate Russell

B

uilding a home from scratch comes with a host of potential challenges— unexpected design hiccups, working with contractors and suppliers, and endless decisions about materials and fixtures.

When building a home long-distance, the project becomes even more complicated. These smart homeowners assembled a dynamic and trustworthy team of design and building professionals who understood their needs and vision completely—the vision of a visually stunning yet livable family home with ample space for relaxing and entertaining. the dream team Brian and Robin were living in Ohio when they embarked on the design and build of their fourbedroom home in Albuquerque’s North Valley, in a neighborhood they chose, Brian quips, because of the “number of jungle gyms we spied per lot.” Designing a home for and around their two young sons—now ages 8 and 5—was certainly a major goal, but there were plenty of grownup considerations as well.

“We wanted a house built around a pool, a house that was just as easy to live in outdoors as indoors,” says Robin. The couple was also keenly interested in incorporating green and energyefficient elements into their home, which is LEED Gold–certified and almost net-zero thanks to a solar array on the garage.

After interviewing a host of architects, they discovered that Stace McGee of EDI shared their vision. “Stace understood the language we were using,” Brian explains. “He loves the outdoors himself and has young children.”

Engleman Construction, a builder of environmentally responsible homes in New Mexico and Texas, brought McGee’s plans to fruition, and Jim Philippon of Construction Advisory in Durango, Colorado, was Brian and Robin’s independent construction supervisor and “eyes on the ground,” facilitating operations while they were some 1,500 miles away.

Rounding up the team, Santa Fe–based interior designer David Naylor of David Naylor Interiors added the finishing touches, incorporating rich, textural fabrics into their home and furnishing it with an intriguing blend of modern pieces and antiques.

A dramatic, steel-beamed entry leads from a metal gate to the front door. The enclosed courtyard is the owners’ favorite place for morning coffee, featuring a modern koi pond running the length of the walkway. Opposite: The liberal use of glass, steel, and rustic stone give the home a mountain feel, but xeric landscaping places it firmly in the high desert.

A slab of walnut that floats above the kitchen island is an interesting sculptural contrast to the angular cabinetry, while creative lighting, such as this custom steam beam fixture, is a recurring theme throughout the house.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

107

Eschewing dining tables with leaves (which he says “open up at Thanksgiving and then stay open all year”), interior designer David Naylor decided to go big from the start, turning a 12-foot slab of teak into a custom table in his shop. Captain’s chairs and an ikat-covered bench keep it fun.

In a house filled with modern finishes, stone, and concrete, an antique French side table somehow looks perfectly at home. So does springer spaniel Porter, the official front door greeter.

108

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

a surprise around every corner The home’s contemporary mountain design relies heavily on glass and metal, but stone, wood, and other earthy materials speak a distinctly Southwestern vernacular. A peaceful, private courtyard in the front of the house—a favorite coffee spot in the morning—leads to the entryway, where a room called “the studio” houses art supplies for times when any family member might be inspired to create. “This room was an unexpected find for me,” says a delighted Robin, who admits they had no idea initially how to purpose the space.

In the foyer, just off that studio, an ornate, 18th-century French table has somehow found its ideal resting place among stone walls and stained concrete floors. “It’s the play of opposites coexisting,” says David Naylor. “It makes you think, ‘Oh, these people are up to something!’”

No kidding. Just around the corner from that French piece, an open-concept kitchen/dining/living room area is a delight for the senses, an intermingling of textures, materials, and color. “The surfaces were hard, so we brought in soft goods to balance the architecture— the bride for the groom,” Naylor explains.

More unexpected finds and assorted eye candy include the 12-foot dining table made of a single slab of teak (with a fun array of mismatched chairs); an office off the kitchen that’s half wine room; Marc Sowers Bespoke Woodwork’s kitchen cabinetry, so beautiful and functional that Brian and Robin quickly found other places in the home for

Sowers to add more cabinets; a cozy reading room that opens through the ceiling to the second floor; and on the living room fireplace wall and the in the hallway, magnificent, 19th-century teak columns with bone and jet inlay from Agra, India.

“That one was a tough answer for them to grasp,” Naylor says of the columns, “but when I drew it, they saw the answer.”

And that, he notes, was what made Brian and Robin so fun and fulfilling to work with: “These types of things only happen to clients who are open to listening and are willing to take risks.”

peaceful, easy entertaining Brian and Robin’s lot, which was nothing but dirt and a few trees in the back when they bought it, did offer the advantage of backing up to walking trails and the Rio Grande. Being Midwesterners, they envisioned a green, lush yard, and indeed, sitting outside under the covered—and always shaded—back patio, the family now has a lovely view of cottonwood trees and grassy, landscaped areas that extend to the rear fence. Walkers and joggers are always moving along the trail.

The kid-friendly backyard includes a treehouse built by Robin’s father and Brian, a zip line, and the obligatory swing set and sandbox. Adults enjoy the fireplace; the pool house with its TV, outdoor kitchen, and outdoor shower; the hot tub; and the comfortable outdoor seating areas on three sides of the pool

“The surfaces were hard, so we brought in soft goods to balance the architecture— the bride for the groom.”

—David Naylor

Though small in square footage, the reading room soars to the second floor through the open ceiling, with another fantastic light fixture anchoring the space and drawing the eye upward.

Below: The family room embraces color, as in the rose-hued sectional and the mod geometric rug.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

109

“I had a running narrative in my head about Brian and Robin, that they were world travelers who loved staying in high-end resorts,� says Naylor, who suggested the antique Indian columns for the sumputous living room. At once visually stunning and completely livable, the space combines vibrant blue hues and unusual, touchable textiles. Naylor took the initiative in ordering the Berman Rosetti chairs (foreground) in cowhide for his clients, who love the look.

110

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Facing floor-to-ceiling windows opening to the pool area, the master bedroom is filled with natural light.

The elegant platform bed, end tables, and metallic pendant lights suggest a contemporized midcentury feel.

His-and-hers floating vanities in the master bath are anchored with tall cabinetry and feature plenty of storage space. Eye-grabbing mirrors keep the space from feeling too angular, as do the organic sinks and freestanding tub.

that keep kids easily in sight.

Not surprisingly, a lot of entertaining goes on here, and the homeowners are delighted that friends and their families are gravitating toward their home. According to Brian, he’ll often come home from work to find an impromptu party going on and 30 people in his house.

And he loves that.

“We spent a lot of time and effort trying to figure out how we could easily have a bunch of people over to watch a football or soccer game, or just have cocktails around the pool—a place where it didn’t always have to be ‘just kids’ or ‘just adults,’” says Robin. “Sometimes we do that, but we wanted a place where we could also mix generations, where everyone would feel comfortable.”

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

111

resources Interior Design David Naylor Interiors davidnaylorinteriors.com Architect J. Stace McGee, EDI Builder Engleman Construction Cabinetry Marc Sowers Bespoke Woodwork marcsowers.com Construction Advisor James Philippon, Construction Advisory Landscaping Coleman & Associates Pool Aquatic Pools

With two young children in the home, Brian and Robin needed furniture coverings that were kid-friendly but elegant. “Today’s performance fabrics are really beautiful, durable, and long-lasting,” says Naylor, who used them both indoors and outdoors.

The pool house includes a full outdoor kitchen with a TV (perfect for game nights), a fireplace, an outdoor shower, and comfortable seating. Thyme growing between the flagstones adds an organic feel to the contemporary spaces.

112

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

505.379.3035 • rmcincnm@gmail.com www.rmcincnm.com

CONSTRUCTION INC.

RENAISSANCE MAN New Construction and Remodel.

Fine Cabinetry, Millworks and Metal Fabrication.

Your Complete General Contracting Services.

Before

Photography by Fred Roybal

Before

Landscape Solutions Inc. is a division of Richard Paul Enterprises Licensed/Bonded/Insured GB98/MS6 lincense number 353829

*Winter pricing applies with winter installations.

landscapesolutionsnm.com

505-892-2338 SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

113

“We wanted a house built around a pool, a house that was just as easy to live in outdoors as indoors,” says Robin.

There’s more to this backyard than just its pool. The kids love their treehouse and monkey bridge, the zip line, and the swing set; adults enjoy the comfortable seating areas and shaded hammock.

STATEMENTS SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

115

Tim March

Own a st�nning custom New Mexico dream home today

continued from page 62

5301 High Canyon Trl NE • Albuquerque, NM 87111

Adrian Wills

10th ANNUAL GILDAN NEW MEXICO BOWL December 19, 12 NOON University Stadium at UNM $30–$40 The 10th annual Gildan New Mexico Bowl is the second game of the college football bowl season, one of 42 teams’ head-to-head encounters for a spot on top. gildannewmexicobowl.com

This exquisite craftsman inspired custom build in The Canyons at High Desert provides unobstructed views of the Sandia Mountains. The interior features a large kitchen, formal dining, dedicated laundry room, butler's pantry, 3 fireplaces, 2 water features, heated pool & hot tub, fire pit, garden area with storage room, impressive landscape, oversized garage and two large storage rooms, as well as large bedrooms with bathrooms. It's design, details, and finishes are unlike any home in town.

For more information please go to: http://bit.ly/HighDesertCraftsman Sarah Black Associate Broker Re/Max Select (505) 401-0705 sarahblack@remax.net abqhomesbysarah.com

Spence Lewallen MLO 779940 Residential Lending Team Leader (505) 217-2650 Spencelewallen.com Bankingunusual.com

M c INTYRE DECOR Start With The Finish

The Finest Authentic Venetian Plaster

Call for consultation: 505 -231-7121

McIntyreDecor.com A Division of Mary McIntyre LLC 116

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

CANYON ROAD FAROLITO WALK December 24, dusk to about 9 PM Canyon Rd, Santa Fe Free The Canyon Road Farolito Walk is a traditional stroll through Santa Fe’s acclaimed gallery destination. Decorated along the way with holiday lights, farolitos, and luminarias, this event is sure to spark the imagination and lighten the heart. farolitowalk.com NEW YEAR’S EVE CONCERT December 31, 2 PM and 5 PM The Lensic Performing Arts Center 211 W San Francisco, Santa Fe $20 for 2 PM dress rehearsal, $27–$100 for 5 PM performance Ring in the new year a little early with a performance of Schumann’s Piano Concerto by brilliant young pianist Joyce Yang, followed by Performance Santa Fe’s stirring interpretation of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 (Eroica). performancesantafe.org

Own Premier Northern New Mexico Fly Fishing Property

100 Things to Do in Albuquerque Before You Die, by Ashley M. Biggers, Reedy Press, paperback, $16

I

f the only time you go to Albuquerque is to fly out of the Sunport, it might be time to read Ashley M. Biggers’s new book. The native Albuquerquean, who writes for several local publications, had to significantly cull her nearly 250 bucket list items to please her publisher for 100 Things to Do in Albuquerque Before You Die. “I often hear people say there’s nothing to do in the Duke City,” Biggers says. “I disagree—I hardly have time to do all the things I want to! I hope this guide inspires residents and visitors alike.”

The easy-to-read paperback hits all the top destinations and activities (the Tram, Old Town, Balloon Fiesta), but also sights several lesser-known treats (Heidi’s Farm, Dia de los Muertos and the Marigold Parade, the Turquoise Museum). “My favorite element of the city is the diversity of the activities available here,” Biggers says. “You can hike in the morning and watch a traditional Native American dance in the afternoon.

You can eat at a field-to-fork restaurant then attend a world class music performance at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.”

Readers might fill a few hours or a few days following the author’s suggested thematic itineraries such as “Bottoms Up,” which references the best beer, wine, and margarita establishments, or “History Buffs,” which cruises old Route 66 and digs into the past at Petroglyph National Monument. Other appendices organize fun outings by seasons and neighborhoods.—Cristina Olds

Premier Northern New Mexico Fly Fishing Property for sale: 3/4 mile Private Water on Upper Pecos River. Reclaimed Log Home in Secure Gated community, Full-time caretaker, 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, Fully Refurbished - Like New Condition. Adjacent Homesite Lot available as well. 40 minutes to Santa Fe, NM.

For more information about this beautiful log home please go to:

http://bit.ly/PecosRusticRetreat

blinds • shutters • custom draperies & bedding • shades and more...

FREE IN HOME CONSULTATIONS

Financing Available 505-892-3281

Showroom Hours: M-S 10am - 5pm and Sun 11am - 3pm 3771 Southern Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

117

continued from page 26

o

rk. . a m all erence m S diff Big

Integrity

Santa Fe Metal Design Bronze-framed Mirror A hand-applied, mottled bronze finish takes a simple copper frame from plain to posh. At four feet square and with a wide band, it makes a dramatic wall statement and is just one example of the creative work turned out by painter and metal sculptor Diego Velázquez, who also does custom pieces. $1,500, Santa Fe Metal Design, santafemetal.com

Our Code of Ethics makes all the difference.

Make sure your broker is a REALTOR®.

Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® To learn more about REALTORS®, go to gaar.com REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics.

Ask your real estate broker if they’re a REALTOR®.

The Lot Price Ranges: Low $80,000’s to $150,000’s 2 and 3 Acre Lots • Underground Utilities Protective Covenants • County Maintained Paved Roads Immediate Access to I-40 • 15 Minutes from ABQ Uptown C.J. Mead, Developer, (505) 269-3020 Take exit 181 Sedillo Hill. Turn east on Old Route 66/HWY 333 and make an immediate turn north to Sedillo Road on the north side of I-40.

118

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

John Foster • (505) 440-8473 JohnFoster@MyHomeABQ.com Office: 505-828-1000

Sherwin-Williams HGTV Wallpaper The Sherwin-Williams HGTV Home Collection offers striking new wallpapers coordinated with specific paint colors, making decorating a snap. The Color Pizzazz grouping focuses on vibrant, bright hues and prints, and high-contrast neutrals. Cover an accent wall entirely or use an oversized swatch as a standalone piece of wall art.

From $30–$40 per roll, Sherwin-Williams, sherwin-williams.com

beautiful brush strokes sculptural Calligraphy lighting melds function with flawless form

Courtesy of Corbett Lighting

C

by Donna Schillinger

alligraphy is a centuries-old, sculptural art form, as elegant as it is functional. Reminiscent of the curvilinear lines left behind by a careful brush stroke, the new Calligraphy collection by Corbett Lighting evokes swirling cursive script flowing across a piece of parchment paper.

Calligraphy was developed by Corbett Lighting as an encore to the company’s Spellbound, a modern, decorative LED fixture in a spiral shape. “We wanted to take that same idea of movement and update it,” says President Steve Nadell. “In Calligraphy, we created a soft, striking shape and added some contrast by finishing its form in hand-applied silver leaf with polished stainless steel accents.”

Two LEDs illuminate the fixture from the top and bottom and create subtle shadows on the walls—almost like artwork that’s been thoughtfully placed. A superlative selection for Southwestern modern or contemporary décor, Calligraphy is ideal in an entry, dining area, or study.

“It’s one of those lyric, organic shapes that can go in a home filled with natural stone, or a contemporary home,” says Judith Reeder, owner of Santa Fe’s Allbright & Lockwood, a Calligraphy retailer.

Nadell agrees: “I see Calligraphy fitting in a variety of applications, including a warm, earthy, contemporary aesthetic. The tone of the silver leaf also makes the fixture neutral, and it can look warm or cool depending on the color palette in the space.”

“We believe in a design-first approach: We sketch what we set out to create, and we find the best way to construct it,” says Steve Nadell of Calligraphy’s two-light pendant (above) and sconce (left).

Low Rates, Low Closing Costs, Great Service Find out How SLFCu’S Home LoAnS CouLd work For you.

Visit www.slfcu.org/HomeLoans or call 505.293.0500 Not a member? Ask us how you can join!

Home Loans | Jumbo Loans | Construction Loans | Home Equity CreditLines SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

119

Vida Buena

by Donna Schillinger

hot springs eternal

soak, stay, and recharge at one of the Southwest’s ancient mineral springs

F

or more than 3,000 years, Native Americans have sought health and healing in nature’s mineral waters. Try it once, and you’ll understand why.

Onsite lodging makes these Southwest-area springs an ideal weekend recharge any time of the year.

the hot eye

Sacred to eight Northern Pueblo tribal communities, waters at the family-friendly Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa (ojospa.com) in Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, offer four mineral soaks: iron, soda, arsenic, and opening in 2016, a lithia pool.

“This area will be enhanced with ramadas, hammocks, and expanded seating, which we believe will be an exciting addition to our loyal Ojo guests,” says Marketing Director Wendi Gelfound.

Lodging ranges from camping to the Cliffside suites with kiva fireplaces, private outdoor soaking tubs, and private back patios facing the spectacular cliffs and Pueblo ruins that border the springs. Cliffside, Plaza, and Pueblo suite guests enjoy extended soaking hours in the new circular Kiva pool. The Artesian Restaurant offers farm-to-table freshness.

Midweek day-use specials include Soak and Stretch: yoga plus springs access ($27); and the clothing-optional Private Pool and Springs Special, which includes entry for two to the springs, mud pool, steam room, and sauna, as well as two daytime hours in a private pool ($90). Ojo offers a senior and military discount, as well as free entry to the springs for New Mexico residents on their birthday.

rustic relaxation

Riverbend Hot Springs

Long considered sacred by the Apache and Mimbres tribes, the mineral-rich water of Riverbend Hot Springs (riverbendhotsprings.com) is just a short walk from shops and dining in historic downtown Truth or Consequences, in Southern New Mexico. Soak by the hour or as part of an overnight retreat at this serene environment geared toward couples and families with children 12 and older.

Riverbend Hot Springs’ Expect an intimate connection Riverside Rock Pools run between 100–104 degrees, with nature, says General Manager making them perfect for Jake Foerstner. “Since we are the longer soaks. only all-outdoor springs on the Rio Grande, guests can marvel at not only the breathtaking vistas of the Caballo Mountains, but also a plethora of migratory birds and other wildlife.”

Purchase a one-hour pass ($10, free for overnight guests) to visit five public pools of different temperatures.

Lounge on the shaded patio, relax in the barrel sauna, or take a cool dip in the clear Rio Grande. Private pools, walled on three sides but open to the riverside mountain view, are clothing optional with their own cooling misters, decks, and seating. Fiftyminute sessions are a reasonable $10 for overnight guests and $15 more for day visitors.

where your

Projects Courtesy of The Springs Resort & Spa

take flight

The Sunset Social Pool is one of The Springs’ larger soaking tubs. Up to 20 guests can watch the sun go down while relaxing in waters that average between 98–105 degrees.

adventure plus

For more variety in a hot springs getaway, The Springs Resort & Spa (pagosashotsprings .com) in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, offers river rafting, hot air ballooning, train rides, and tours of ruins—all of which can be packaged with lodging and soaking in the waters of the world’s deepest geothermal spring, Great Pagosa Hot Springs.

“All adventures, romantic or ecotourism, usually end with a relaxing soak in one of our 23 independent mineral tubs, especially as all of our hotel guests receive exclusive 24-hour-a-day soaking privileges,” says proprietor Nerissa Whittington. “We are nestled along the banks of the San Juan River and face a wonderful hiking spot, Reservoir Hill.”

Four levels of passes (adult $26–$53, child $14–$29) include the 18 family-friendly pools with canteen. Platinum amenities include robes, towels, lockers, reentry, and the adult-only Relaxation Terrace—five pools that overlook the river, with a waterfall, a Roman shower, and a jetted tub. All lodging, from doubles to suites that sleep six, include Platinum privileges; a new building, the EcoLuxe Hotel, is one of only 22 LEED-certified hotels in the nation.

su casa nueva

S P E C I A L A D VER T I S I N G S E C T I O N

13705 Ricegrass Pl NE Albuquerque, NM

Barbara Wyne Gail McDaniels

RE/MAX Elite 505-798-1000 luxuryhomesofalbuquerque.com 505-239-7964 Barbara 505-553-3688 Gail

Old World elegance with modern comfort in the Mountain Highlands of High Desert. Exquisite 2006 Rutledge 6000+sf home. The expansive living room has sweeping views of the Sandia Mountains. Gourmet kitchen. Sunset views from the dining room. Luxurious Master.

Elevator. Gunite pool. Multiple porches and patios surround the home. Oversized 4-car garage. Call today for your exclusive showing.

MLS # 838370

Inspiring product selection Exceptional service Low wholesale prices

Private Showroom Serving Trade Professional Members ProSource of Albuquerque 2400 Midtown NE Albuquerque, NM 87107 505-761-4076 www.prosourcewholesale.com/albuquerque

JOIN! NOW

CARPET | HARDWOOD | TILE CABINETS | COUNTERTOPS & MORE

Su Libro

a colorful past earlier eras inspire two new books on design and architecture

I

f the current administration is indeed able to restore U.S. diplomatic relations with Cuba, as it hopes, “the land that time forgot” may well soon become “the land the world rediscovered.” And should that plan come to full fruition, author Michael Connors’s stunning coffee table book Havana Modern: 20th-Century Architecture and Interiors is well timed to serve tourists finally able to visit Cuba as an introduction to the buildings and architecture of that island nation.

The author notes that in the capital of Havana, there are “examples of every Western architectural style that exists from the past 500 years.” And yet, the largest part of the city was built between 1902 and 1959, the year of the revolution. Art deco and Beaux-Arts architectural styles, with Cuban elements, were popular. Between WWII and the mid-1960s, architecture in Havana was influenced heavily by modernist heavy-hitters such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, and other architects favoring rectilinear cubism.

Havana Modern, through gorgeous color photography by Néstor Martí, brings us face to face with those buildings, theaters, hotels, homes, churches, and schools. Some structures, like the art deco Bacardi building (former headquarters of the Bacardi Rum empire) are well preserved and have even been renovated. Others, such as

122

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

continued on page 126

Néstor Martí

Havana Modern: 20th-Century Architecture and Interiors, by Michael Connors, Rizzoli New York, hardcover, $65

the former Garatti’s School of Ballet and Roberto Gottardi’s School of Dramatic Arts— dramatic examples of Cuban expressionist architecture—lie in ruins.

It is interesting—perhaps fitting—that just as the United States is poised to reestablish relations with Cuba, whose development was essentially put on hold in 1959, a renewed passion for midcentury modern everything is currently sweeping the world. Finding and restoring authentic homes, buildings, furniture, and art from the 1940s through the late 1960s has become an international obsession; Americans happily travel to Europe, Denmark, and Australia to find original examples of the era.

Havana is about to become the next big destination for modern architecture and design, and Havana Modern is like a sensuous, colorful travel brochure—a glimpse into Cuba’s architecturally rich history and its time capsule of modernism. Heretofore visited by only a few, someday—perhaps very soon—its beauty and its forgotten architecture will be enjoyed and appreciated by many.—Amy Gross

on the market

by Emily Van Cleve

historic Galisteo compound seeks . . .

a new owner to write its next colorful chapter

T

he Village of Galisteo, which has a long and fascinating history that goes back hundreds of years, was a small military outpost in the late 18th century. One of the few old structures that not only remains standing but is used as a residence is located at 12 La Vega in the heart of the village. This charming compound, which sits on almost an acre, comprises a main house, a guesthouse, and a studio. The main house has double adobe walls; built in the early 1800s, it has since been lovingly restored and updated. The current owner, Sherry Kerstetter, added the guesthouse to the property in 2006, bringing the compound’s bedroom and bathroom total to four each.

Many families, including the Ortiz y Pino family, have lived there through the years. At one time the home housed La Mancha Restaurant.

“I can feel the history of the old house,” says Kerstetter. “It’s phenomenal. It feels tranquil.”

Kerstetter purchased the property in 2005 from Linda Durham, who lived in the main house while operating Linda Durham Contemporary Art out of an old dilapidated greenhouse converted into a state-of-the-art, 2,900-square-foot gallery space.

James Black of Santa Fe Properties

Left: The main house, as it’s called, is a study in classic New Mexico style with vigas, colorful tile, and distressed kitchen cabinets.

At one time, it housed La Mancha Restaurant. The chic, updated studio and gallery (below) features an ultramodern kitchen with Euro stylings and lighting.

“It was a radical and risky location for an art gallery, and that’s part of what excited me,” says Durham. “I have so many pictures of the openings and the amazing exhibitions we did there. Some of my clients would fly to Albuquerque and drive up the back roads and stay at the Galisteo Inn. The town was full of amazing people—great intellectuals, renowned artists, and artisans.”

Galisteo’s vibrant artistic community was an important draw for Kerstetter, who is an avid supporter of the area’s artists and friends with many of them. The annual Galisteo Studio Tour, which will be held this year October 17 and 18, is testament to the colorful, creative nature of this historic village and its residents. Durham says she misses her life in Galisteo to this day.

“I experienced a profound sadness when I moved away,” she explains. “I missed the villagers, the community activities, and the quiet, authentic beauty. When I left, I lost a connection that is not possible to regain.”

Listing price: $1.499 million Contact: The Bodelson Spier Team, 505-660-4442, 505-690-6826, bodelson.spier@sfprops.com, santafehomesnm.com Light and bright, Linda Durham’s former studio and gallery (left) is now comfortable living space, a distinctly modern contrast to the traditional main house (below) with its stone tile, cork floors, wood doors and lintels, and Southwest accents.

Between the main house, the studio, and the guesthouse, the compound comprises four bedrooms, four baths, and plenty of dedicated space, such as a media room (left) in the studio.

on onthe themarket market

Style Has Arrived in ABQ exquisitedesignbym.com

details,

details

Balconies, English ivy, elegant stonework, and iron details in the magnificent front door set the stage for a grand entry to this lovely four-bedroom, four-bath home in North Albuquerque Acres. Inviting from the outside and comfortable within, the home’s Mediterranean styling includes sumptuous accents such as granite countertops, alder wood cabinetry, cabinet-grade casework, plaster finishes, a graceful, curved wrought iron staircase, and intricate mosaic tile. Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply spending quality time with family, two living rooms and a chef ’s kitchen with extra seating around the oversized island will keep the conversation going, while the spa-like master bath is a perfect, private, end-of-day retreat. Sited on a large lot, this two-story home is in the shadow of the Sandias and includes a three-car garage.

List price: $829,000 Contact: Tim Lopez, Keller Williams Realty, 505-249-8282, 8305fresno.weebly.com

(505)433-3971 3700 Osuna Rd. NE Ste 513 Albuquerque, NM 87109

Of New Mexico Inc.

continued from page 122

The New Bohemians: Cool and Collected Homes,

by Justina Blakeney, Abrams Books, hardcover, $24

A

The longest running home show inAlbuquerque

Book your Location Today!

1-800-333-2122 abqhomeandgardenshow.com

CLASSIC WORLD

Oriental Rugs & Kilims ALBUQUERQUE

5901 Wyoming NE

•

505.822.5000

CORRALES

4685 Corrales Road

•

505.898.9548

www.ClassicWorldRugs.com Exceptional Handmade/Hand Knotted Rugs made by the World’s Finest Craftsmen.

126

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

love of interior design and style started at an early age for Los Angeles–based blogger and designer Justina Blakeney.

“My parents weren’t precious about their stuff,” she says. “We were allowed to make design decisions.” Thanks to this artistic freedom, Blakeney was immediately immersed in a world of color and creativity, which paved the way to her successful career of designing and styling homes with an eclectic, bohemian vibe.

It all started when she began designing and sewing her own curtains and painting vibrant murals on the walls of her childhood bedroom. “My room was a forever-unfinished canvas, consistently evolving and being layered upon, and always an accurate reflection of me at any specific state of life,” Blakeney writes.

Growing up with the ability to constantly change her own environment cultivated a knack for styling homes with lots of personality.

After a seven-year stay in Italy, Blakeney returned to the United States and launched her award-winning design blog, JustinaBlakeney.com. While offering design tips and easy-to-follow DIY projects, Blakeney always reminds her followers that creativity should be fun and rewarding but never over-the-top expensive.

Blakeney’s first home design book, The New Bohemians: Cool and Collected Homes, explores 20 different homes across the country that have adopted bohemian style and décor to create a free-spirited ambience. The book is split into six distinct sections (Modern, Earthy, Folksy, Nomadic, Romantic, and Maximal) that detail each bohemian theme and give instructions on how to emulate each with fabrics, colors, and textures.

Looking for your inner wild child? The New Bohemians inspires homeowners to find their free-spirited sides through pages of helpful ideas, tips, and plenty of home décor eye candy.—Danielle Urbina

Autumn 2015 Advertisers Albuquerque Home & Garden Show..........................126 Albuquerque Home & Remodeling Show................104 Albuquerque Sound & Vac..............................................130 Architectural Surfaces, Inc................................................123 Arizona Tile............................................................................103 Budget Blinds.........................................................................117 Build Green New Mexico................................................122 California Closets..................................................................80 Classic World Rugs.............................................................126 Consolidated Solar Technologies....................................45 Culligan SW Water Conditioning................................91 Custom Builders Council..................................................115 David C. Peterson Construction....................................131 David Naylor Interiors..........................................................16 Designer Warehouse...........................................................127 Diamond Tail Ranch.............................................................9 Diego Handcrafted Homes...............................................43 ECOterra Development & Construction...................85 Equus, Inc..................................................................................48 Erin Williams Homes..............................................................3 Ethan Allen Home Furnishings.......................................63 Exquisite Design by Melanie...........................................125 Fairway Independent Mortgage........................................78 Ferguson Bath, Lighting & Kitchen Gallery..............49 Fidelity National Title.........................................................125 First National Santa Fe........................................................93 Fix My Roof Inc........................................................................2 Frank Frost Photography.....................................................29 General Electric.........................................................................7 Golden Eagle Design........................................................4–5 Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors.........118 Habitat for Humanity.........................................................105 Hermanson Construction, Inc..........................................12 HOAMCO...........................................................................124 Homes by Joe Boyden..........................................................92 Ideal Mirror & Glass, Inc.................................................130 In Bloom Florist....................................................................130 JCH / Joseph Custom Homes..........................36, 63, 105 Jubilee at Los Lunas................................................................17 Kate Southard Real Estate...............................................129 Keller Williams Realty..........................................................37 Kirtland Federal Credit Union.........................................46 Koinonia Architects & Builders......................................76 Kuhn’s Construction............................................................79 Landscape Solutions............................................................113 Las Ventanas Homes...........................................................96 Lee Michael Homes.............................................................98 Lee-Sure Pools, Inc...............................................................61 LifeWater, LLC.......................................................................61 Lowe-Bo Homes...................................................................90 Main Bank................................................................................10 Maloy Mobile Storage...........................................................97 Marc Sowers Bespoke Woodwork..............................120 Marvin Design Gallery.........................................................21 McClendon Decorative Arts.............................................131 McIntyre Décor.....................................................................116 Mesa Verde Homes with Marie.......inside front cover Mountain West Sales............................................................94 Murray Drilling Company.................................................131 New Haven Homes...............................................................95 New Mexico Bank & Trust.................................................64 New Mexico Select.................................................................65 Osuna Nursery......................................................................129 Paa-Ko Communities...........................................................13 Palo Duro Homes Inc.........................................................40 Panorama Homes.................................................back cover Parex USA / El Rey Stucco..................................................35 Paschich Design Group....................................................100 Pella Windows & Doors........................................................1 Piñon Window and Door, Inc.......................................126 Poulin Design & Remodeling...........................................27 ProSource Wholesale Flooring........................................121 ProBuild...........................................................................25

MENTION THIS AD FOR 10% OFF LISTED PRICE

The hardware store for ALL your Kitchen and Bath organization accessories...

3111 Amherst Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107 Mon - Fri, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM

505-881-4325 • tjhardware.com

continued on page 128 SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

127

continued from page 127

Autumn 2015 Advertisers

NEW !

Su Casa magazine Online Resource comprehensive guide Guide Aforfree, consumers who want to tap into design, architecture, and building communities.

SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

DOLLARS SCHOOLS

SANTA FE

128

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Pulte Homes............................................................................75 Remax Elite / Gail McDaniels........................................121 Remax / Sarah Black............................................................116 Renaissance Man Construction.....................................113 Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival..............................99 Rocky Mountain Stone........................................................51 Rutherford Design & Construction............................114 Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union.................119 ShowHouse Santa Fe........................................................128 Sierra Pacific Windows........................................................15 Sivage Homes.........................................................................86 Statements In Tile/Lighting/Kitchens/Flooring........115 Stonewood Flooring.............................................................41 Sun Mountain Construction............................................23 TC Building & Realty Inc..................................................47 Tesuque Stucco Company.................................................39 The Lamp Shop.........................................................gatefold The Woodlands....................................................................118 Tiara Homes............................................................................77 Tierra Concepts......................................................................31 TJ Hardware.........................................................................127 Tres Lagunas Cabin.............................................................117 Twilight Homes...............................................81, 83, 87, 89 U.S. Eagle....................................................inside back cover United Business Bank.........................................................50 Warrick Custom Homes.................................................129 Western Building Supply....................................................33 Wholesale Timber & Viga..............................................128 Wood Moulding Specialties.............................................131 Woods Design Builders.....................................................19 Xfinity/Comcast............................................................11

Northern New Mexico

inspiration ideas resources 30

Tour exico New Min the

Mexico n New

homes ring 2015 sp

Norther

parade

®

Northern

in

s n idea spiratio

resour

ces

grid off tuhnneing solar st

s ful bath beauti

inspirati

New Me xico

living

clean + green in

ABQ

s

®

ABQ in north

to life come Rancho

midcen mad for tury mo dern

Rio winner Parade

cac tuasrdening g

on ideas resource

VOL .

NG 2 SPRI 21 NO.

2015

love bu ilt in M

masterf ul West remode side l

SUC ASA

E.CO MAG AZIN

redis

Histori covering c Route 66

VOL. 21 NO. 1 WINT ER

Subscribe today at

2015

SUCA SAM

SuCasaMagazine.com or call (818) 286-3162

AGA ZINE

.COM

Call me today and let’s find your new dream home!

(505) 264-9586 kate.southard@gmail.com www.katesouthard.com

6703 Academy Rd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 271-8200 SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

129

Your Home Source MIRROR AND GLASS

Ideal Mirror & Glass, Inc.

Ideal Mirror & Glass has installed elegant mirrors and shower doors for over 30 years.

Our gallery is one of the largest shower enclosure showrooms in the state. For your upcoming remodel or new build, come by and let us provide you with your next mirror and shower enclosure.

9930 Mcknight NE Albuquerque, NM 87112 505-294-0699 or 888-223-1847 IdealMirrorandGlass.com

TECH SERVICES

Albuquerque Sound & Vac

WAT E R E X P E RT S

When Quality Counts, Count on Us!

Providing a one stop shop for all of your well water needs!

Specializing in innovative solutions, alternative options, the highest quality products and ultra-reliable service.

When you need the best possible results from your well, call us, we will find a way to supply clean, healthy water to your home or business.

18471 US 84/285 Espanola, NM 87532 505-920-9220

FLOWERS AND GIFTS

In Bloom Florist

For over 25 years Albuquerque Sound & Vac has been your low voltage contractor for Central Vacuum Systems, DIRECTV, Home Theater Solutions, Intercom Systems, Network and Structured Wiring and Security & Surveillance Systems. We offer many of the premier brands including Beam, Yamaha, SpeakerCraft and many others. Our professional experienced team is ready to work with you on your home or business.

We are locally owned and operated, and give each client our personal attention. Whether you are looking for a single flower for a special someone, planning your wedding, or large event; we are customer-focused on your needs, your budget and every detail to make your floral experience exceptional.

Let us bring In Bloom, to you at www.inbloomnm.com!

5701 Carmel Ave NE, Suite A Albuquerque, NM 87113 505-883-6136 AlbuquerqueSoundandVac.com

7007 Jefferson St NE, Suite E Albuquerque, NM 87109 505-828-0100 800-333-2399 InBloomNM.com

130

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Your Home Source C u stom M o u lding & M illwor k

G reen H ome B u ilder

Wood Moulding Specialties, Inc.

David C Peterson Construction Company

Serving New Mexico’s contractors and homeowners for over 34 years.

Residential & Commercial. Choose from hundreds of patterns in stock or let us create a custom design for you.

OFFERING SU CASA READERS ADDITIONAL SAVINGS 8009 Edith NE Albuquerque, NM 87113 505-897-2997 WMSNM.com

WAT E R W E L L S

Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM, award-winning custom home builder specializing in traditional New Mexico style homes since 1980. Now building with E-Crete. Please visit my website for more information.

Phone: 505-239-3729 or Text: 505-239-3729 DavidCPeterson.com adobero@comcast.net wall treatments

Murray Drilling Company

McClendon Decorative Arts

Robert Reck

URRAY M

MPANY CO

WD 672

LING RIL D

QUALITY COUNTS

Water Wells • Pumps • Service • Inspections Quality is in the workmanship, materials & service.

Servicing Albuquerque, Algodones, Bernalillo, Budaghers, Corrales, Placitas & Rio Rancho Since 1977 Lic # WD-672 & ES10-384924 505-867-9500 MurrayDrilling.com

We are a full service Decorative Painting, European Plastering & Historic Restoration Company with over 30 years experience.

Each design is personalized in order to provide you with authentic imagery reflective of your taste and vision. Our artisans create one of a kind finishes and interior enhancements that will truly transform your home or business.

John McClendon 505-217-4025 McclendonDecorativeArts.com SUCASAMAGAZINE.COM

131

Adios

When you’ve got lots of kids and grandkids visiting, as do the owners of this home in Santa Fe, you can’t have enough sleeping space. “We’ve been doing a ‘nanny’s nook’ for as long as I can remember,” says Rob Woods of Woods Design Builders, who notes how versatile that little space, which can be designed around almost any size mattress, often ends up being. “It’s a nice reading area, a place to hang out and play—or make forts out of. Kids love them.” Other Woods signatures in this warm guest bedroom include a sculptural kiva fireplace and delicious, diamondplaster walls coated with a beeswax finish. They, and other lovely touches, helped the home win well-deserved awards in its category for Best Design, Best Craftsmanship, and Best Master Suite in this past summer’s Haciendas—A Parade of Homes.

Woods Design Builders, woodsbuilders.com 132

S U C A S A A U T U M N 2015

Wendy McEahern

sweet guest suite

U.S. Eagle, We’ll be there with you at the closing.

Dream Whether you are buying, refinancing, or building, we can help turn your dreams into reality.

Prequalify

Build

Finance

Calculate a comfortable payment that stays within the maximum that guidelines allow.

Start your new home project with a construction loan that can be refinanced to a conventional loan when you move in.

Same-day approval, low rates and fees, local underwriting and funding, and a no-cost application.

Call 342-8957 useaglefcu.org Where Everyone Belongs

Don’t Our P Miss ara Entry! de

Photography ABQ Home Pics

CUSTOM HOME BUILDER

AWARD-WINNING CUSTOM HOMES EVERY PRICE RANGE, EVERY STYLE!

No Cost, No Obligation Design Build Green New Mexico Certified Affordable Luxury. Cost-Saving Engineering.

Healthy Indoor Environments. Quiet Comfort.

Model Home at 9700 Sand Verbena Trail NE (Paseo del Norte & Holbrook) | 505.688.6834

Certified Green Professional

Introducing…

North Tramway Estates A new custom home community offering stunning mountain and city views.

Located on the west side of Tramway Blvd. and Tramway Ln.

www.PanoramaHomes.com