Su Casa Southwestern Homes Summer 2024 by sucasaabqsf

inspiration ideas resources

embracing nature innovative architecture in a Santa Fe enclave

preserving memories

a custom home dedicated to a loved one

Elevating every moment.

When you step into your kitchen, what do you aspire to do? Master a new cooking technique? Serve food even your pickiest family member will eat with enthusiasm?

Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliances are meticulously crafted to achieve a higher standard of performance, dependability, and style—so you can raise the bar on every meal you make.

Your future kitchen starts with Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, featured at

Albuquerque | 308 Menaul NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107 | 505-514-0211 Santa Fe | 1608 Pacheco St, Santa Fe, NM 87505 | 505-919-7699

El Paso | 6560 Montana Ave, Suite 1, El Paso, TX 79925 | 915-600-6104 Las Cruces | 760 West Palms, Las Cruces, NM 88007 | 575-639-9936

Peggy and Tim Wheeler

Tim and Karen Brown

Linda

505.450.5211 peggy@peggywheelerteam.com Dee

Becky Perry

505.269.3410 beckyperrysellshomes@gmail.com

Stephanie

505.385.4283 stephwalter@msn.com

505.550.1447 karenbrown.abq@gmail.com

Helen Demott 505.610.8355 homesbyhappyhelen@comcast.net

Linda

505.507.2459 linda@lindamalott.com

myabqrealtor@gmail.com Teri

505.385.1606 teri@terihatcherrealtor.com

Candice

Candice@BanksRealtyNM.com

edmund.ford.abq@gmail.com

505.269.1505 dee@deerealtor.com Carmenza

505.507.9496 carmenzasellsabq@gmail.com

Cramercollc@gmail.com

This Summer, Soak Up THE SUN

Refresh or Elevate Your Home to Enjoy the

Refresh or Elevate Your Home to Enjoy the Best of the Season

Best of the Season

From warm temps to abundant sunshine, summer is worth savoring. Make the most of it by maximizing your home’s spaces both inside and out. If you enjoy hosting friends and family in your backyard, you could look to redesign or update your landscaping, or put in a pool for the family to enjoy all season long.

Indoors, you could update the windows in your kitchen or other living spaces to let the sunshine and fresh summer air in.

If you’re interested in updating your home for summer, contact us today to see how we can help!

Nancy

NMLS# 247518

505.660.9643 narmstrong@bell.bank mortgagesbynancy.com

Santa Fe

Yvette Klinkmann

NMLS# 471722

505.280.0508

505.280.0508 yklinkmann@bell.bank mortgagesbyyvette.com

yklinkmann@bell.bank mortgagesbyyvette.com

Albuquerque & Santa Fe

NMLS# 296002

505.920.8325

teamalvarez@bell.bank lendwithalvarez.com Santa Fe

teamalvarez@bell.bank lendwithalvarez.com

Santa Fe

Albuquerque & Santa Fe Cathy Neuharth

NMLS# 470210

505.401.9012

cneuharth@bell.bank nmlender.com

Albuquerque

Desiree Barton 505-688-3310

Lynn Martinez 505-263-6369

SOUTHWEST

HOMES

50 Preserving Memories

A custom home comes to fruition despite the loss of the family’s patriarch meant to oversee the build.

62 Embracing Nature and Innovation

Boss Builders conquers the challenging design of a contemporary home in Santa Fe.

SPECIAL SECTION

38 Creative Kitchens

Sneak a peek into seven local kitchens that both defy and lean into today’s trends. Local designers and builders are conceiving of creative, functional and dazzling kitchens to stand the test of design time.

Daniel Nadelbach

On the cover: This Boss Builders home in Santa Fe embraces a unique contemporary design to offer panoramic views in a warm, inviting home. Photograph by Daniel Nadelbach.

la Harpe

A FRESH PALETTE OF BANKING AWAITS!

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

IN EVERY ISSUE

Life+Style Southwest

Punch up your yard and home with perky poppies—one of our favorite flowers! Bring the outdoors in with these nature-inspired products. Plus, add an inspired walking path to your yard.

34, 72 Design Studio

Reimagine your home’s interior with some foundational furniture pieces that can drive the whole aesthetic. Take these tips from local pros before embarking on a tranquil backyard water feature project.

76 Vida Buena

Fresh flowers are fabulous additions to your decor. Bring some beautiful blooms into your home today.

80 Su Cocina

Enjoy French-inspired fare at Santa Fe’s 315 Restaurant & Wine Bar. Its romantic atmosphere and ample patio area make it a perfect choice for date nights and other special occasions.

88 ¡ Salud!

Thinking about taking a break from alcohol? There are some wonderful zero-proof wines on the market that will still have you lifting a glass.

90 Just Winging Through

Although common to the area, lazuli buntings are a rare sight. Here’s how to know when you spot one in your yard or favorite birding area.

92 Su Libro

Author Jinny Blom explores our human relationships with outdoor spaces with unexpected illustrations from the art world and history.

Douglas Merriam

Daniel Nadelbach

With all due respect to lumber and nails, the most important building material is cash.

From new construction loans to fixed financing, Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union is the best tool in the toolbox for builders, homebuyers, and remodelers. Because we’re a local credit union, we’re able to provide many advantages large banks can’t, such as:

• Low fees with quick closings

• Local decisions and servicing

Ready to get started?

Visit slfcu.org/HomeLoanOptions to view our rates and learn more.

• Low down payment options

• No private mortgage insurance

Publication

Editor

Creative

Contributors

Paula

Heather

Kate

Michelle

Lexi

Rebecca

Emily

Kastle Waserman

Kristen West

Photography Daniel

Advertising

Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico Board of Directors

President: Ashley Lawrence

First Vice President: JP Rael

Second Vice President: Kevin Vautier

Immediate Past President: Carey Plant

Associate Vice President: Danielle Fleming

Secretary/Treasurer: Rita Powers

Associate-at-Large: Yvette Klinkmann

Production Builders Council Chair: Troy Crutchfield

Sales & Marketing Council Chair: Jolene Montoya

Communications&OutreachCouncilChair: Danielle Fleming

Green Build Council Chair: Adam Walker

Custom Builder Council Chair: Richard Medina

Parade Chair: Jason Balthrop

Builder-at-Large: Mike Gorenflo

Advisory Members: Jenice Eades, Diana Lucero, Wade Messenger

Honorary Member: Dr. Susan Bogus Halter

Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico Staff

Executive Vice President: Lana Smiddle

Events & Education Director: Jill Krogman

Communication & Membership Specialist: Joseph Moreno

Number Nine Media, Inc. 7777 Jefferson NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 344-1783

Please direct editorial queries to editor@sucasamagazine.com

Su Casa’s cover and text are printed by Publication Printers in Denver, Colorado.

PHOTO: JAMES BLACK

Welcome to the Summer Issue of Su Casa

It’s summer, and the heat is on! So, we’ve got some hot outdoor living ideas for you in this issue, including beautiful poppies for your garden, creating a meandering walking path to access your bountiful blooms, and ideas for adding tranquil, soothing sounds to your yard with a water feature.

We’re also bringing the outdoors in with gorgeous products to add to your home. Featuring attractive woods and flora designs, these items will add visual interest and a bit of biophilia to your space.

Our feature homes in this issue center around a connection to the outdoors. An Albuquerque home built by Master Homecrafters has a sentimental story behind it and it embraces its North Albuquerque Acres lot, taking in the views with an ample outdoor recreation area. A Boss Builders home in Sante Fe aims to let light—and unparalleled views—in at every turn with a butterfly roofline and floor-toceiling windows.

This issue also gives you a peek inside seven local kitchens. Some forgo design trends, while others embrace them. But they all—each with its own personality—offer appealing aesthetics, ample workspace and functional storage.

Speaking of kitchens, we love the food from the kitchen at the revered 315 Restaurant & Wine Bar in Santa Fe. Its contemporary fare is best enjoyed on the outdoor patio—especially for a date night or special occasion. Suppose you’re thinking about ditching alcohol. We introduce you to a few zero-proof wines you can serve at your next party or dinner.

To bring it all full circle, we talked with local florists about bringing fresh blooms indoors to freshen up any space with the beauty and aroma of flowers.

Enjoy the heat of New Mexico’s beautiful summer and this issue of Su Casa. And we hope you find inspiration in these pages to create your perfect home—indoors and out.

William P. Lang Publisher

Right: The primary bathroom in this home by Master Homecrafters is a tranquil retreat for the homeowners complete with laundry, a coffee bar and an oversized closet. Read more on page 50.

Daniel Nadelbach

by Paula M. Bodah

petals with mettle

despite a delicate appearance, hardy poppies bring vivid color to your garden

IT’S A RARE INDIVIDUAL who can resist the charms of the poppy. Their tissue-thin petals waft so prettily in the breeze. And their colors—from snowy white and soft pink to showy reds and oranges to dramatic purples—are so vivid that they can’t help but play a starring role in any garden.

Poppies, members of the papaveraceae family, come in as many as 50 varieties,

although most home gardeners stick with a few of the more familiar types. Oriental poppies are a favorite, with their eye-catching shades of red, orange or white with a dark purple center. Icelandic poppies sport candy-like hues of buttercream, bubblegum and pineapple sherbet sprouting from low-growing foliage. For drama, try one of the Opium varieties (legal to grow, as long as you don’t plan to use them to manufacture opium), such as the Black Swan with its frilly burgundy petals or Hungarian Blue with its deep violet-blue flower.

Then there are California and Mexican poppies—sort of a cousin to the actual poppy, belonging to a separate genus in the papaveraceae family— which thrive so well in desert climates that they are sometimes considered wildflowers. “California poppies have a nice desert look and are very drought tolerant,” says Tyler Leslie, co-owner of Rehm’s Nursery and Garden Center in Albuquerque. He favors the Mission Bell variety for its range of colors, from pink to orange to red.

As delicate as they look, poppies are surprisingly hardy and easy to grow as long as gardeners follow a few ground rules. Many varieties are technically perennials, but they don’t always reliably come back year after year, especially in hotter areas like the Desert Southwest. “Most people grow them as springtime annuals,” says Jesse Darling, general manager of Jericho Nursery in Albuquerque. They tend not to love the brutal heat of summer.” He recommends starting poppies from seed rather than buying plants from a nursery. “They send down a taproot that’s not too happy about being transplanted,” he notes.

In the Albuquerque area, March is a fine time to scatter seeds. “Pick a spot that gets a good chunk of sun early in the day, and keep it consistently moist until the seeds germinate,” Darling says. Gardeners in Santa Fe or other points farther north should wait longer. Leslie suggests sowing seeds in early to midMay after the danger of frost has passed.

Darling advises applying a high-phosphorus fertilizer for the classic varieties when blooming begins. California and Mexican poppies, on the other hand, don’t need the extra help. “They thrive on neglect,” Rehm says, “so you can skip the feeding.” Both pros agree that frequent deadheading—removing spent blooms—will keep the flowers coming, no matter the plant.

To show off your poppies, consider adding companion plants known for their foliage rather than their blossoms to play a supporting role. “In a shade bed, adding hostas and coral bells would make a pretty combination,” Leslie says.

When the blooming season has ended, take heart. Poppies are prolific re-seeders, and you may just find them making an appearance again come next spring.

Rehm’s Nursery and Garden Center

Life+Style Southwest by Heather Shoning

natural beauty

bring the outdoors in with these flora-inspired designs

Bring these outdoors-inspired products into your home to add some subtle and not-so-subtle nods to nature throughout your home.

1. Pleasing Plates

These pretty plates not only flaunt flora but they are made of 45 percent recycled bamboo. Lifelike botanicals capture the grace and delicacy of leaves, flowers and fronds. The durable salad plates are a natural for alfresco cocktail hours, dinner parties or brunches.

Botanical Bamboo Melamine Salad Plates, Set of 4, $29, crateandbarrel.com

2. Wild Tile

Transform any wall into a work of art with this unique botanical patterned tile. This exclusive Angela Harris design recreates the look of a hand-painted mural in porcelain. A variety of flora and fauna are depicted with the appearance of brushstrokes and imperfectly defined lines. The artful effect lends a distinctive handmade look to the tiles in this 25-piece collection in a matte finish with small, glossy flourishes.

The Wilder Tikida Decor Mural 8x8” Matte Ceramic Porcelain Tile, $15/sq.ft., tilebar.com

3. Inside or Out

Turn heads with this teak wood and glass coffee table. Known for its durability and water resistance, thanks to natural oils within the wood, teak is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

This unique piece will surely be a conversation starter for your next gathering.

Montana 48” Natural Square Cocktail Table, $2,299, americanhome.com

4. Floating on Florals

Bring a bed of delicate florals and stems to your bedroom with this 100-percent cotton percale duvet. This lush bedding collection gently brightens a room with its earthy tones and watercolor design. It features a hidden button closure with inner ties that keep the insert in place, while shams (sold separately) feature an overlap closure.

Botanical Garden Organic Percale Duvet Cover, $139–189, potterybarn.com

5. Sculptural Sticks

Craft a creative centerpiece or mantelscape with this 100-percent natural grapewood branch. Add air plants, candles, cut flowers—anything you like—or let the branch shine on its own. Because it’s natural, no two pieces are alike, so you can use multiples to create genuinely unique decor.

Dried Grapewood Branch, $59, potterybarn.com

6. Stand-Out Bedside Table

Castlery’s Crescent nightstand features two drawers stacked beneath an open storage shelf. The graceful curved mindi wood top and mappa burl drawer fronts lend a modern touch to your space. The wire brush texture and light lacquer finish match today’s natural wood trend.

Crescent 2-Drawer Nightstand, $699, castlery.com

by Kristen West

pathway to success

creating a beautiful way to navigate the yard and garden

IF YOU’RE LACKING a designated path to your front door, to backyard structures or even meandering around your yard or garden, consider adding one for beauty, function or just for fun. A pretty path can give your yard that finished touch you’ve been longing for. Taking time to plan your walkway— whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a professional landscaper—is essential to ensure a smooth process. Fortunately, this is part of the fun. To start, decide whether your pathway is for business or pleasure. Is its purpose to take you from one place to another, or will it gently meander its way through the garden on a sensory-pleasing

journey? A curved pathway can make the yard or garden feel larger and has a more natural appearance, while a straight path will craft a cleaner, more formal look that tends to lead to things like sheds, pools or entranceways.

Draw out a plan or mark a temporary path outside to see how it looks. Consider things like scale, whether the area is level and if it has enough drainage. Depending on its intended use, the path might need to be wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side or for you to push a wheelbarrow. If the area is sloped, a zig-zagged, wandering or even staired path might be appropriate. If the area is prone to some standing water or heavy runoff, choose more permeable materials to help with drainage like crushed or fine gravel.

Other common materials include concrete, pavers and flagstone. Concrete is one of the less expensive, more durable options that will withstand the summer heat. You can use stamped and colored concrete to imitate natural stones, brick or wood. Pavers are popular for a uniform and smooth appearance and consistency in size. Flagstone can be installed over sand or embedded in concrete and can be a versatile option with natural patterns, shapes and textures. Consider the cost, level of maintenance your walkway will require, plus the safety and comfort of those who will be walking on it.

Outline your path with metal or plastic edgers to keep loose materials such as rocks contained. You can also use brick, stones or larger boulders depending on the space. For a softer look, line the edges with greenery like small plants and flowers.

Draw your eyes along the garden path with a focal point like a bench, a large tree or sculpture. You can add a pergola dressed in climbing plants like honeysuckle or a fragrant wisteria as an entrance feature.

The best garden pathways incorporate both aesthetics and purpose—in other words, make it appealing and functional at the same time. With a little bit of planning, you can upgrade your yard or garden with an inviting pathway that will serve you for years to come.

by Lexi Reich

building blocks of design

beloved design elements set the stage for a captivating interior space

CREATING AN INTERIOR SPACE that not only looks stunning but also feels like home is a delicate balance of artistry and functionality. As such, navigating myriad choices can be overwhelming. So, where does one begin? Professionals agree that by focusing on foundational elements, you can craft a space that reflects individuality and fosters well-being.

For Erica Ortiz Berke of NeuBleu Interior Design, her craft is a fusion of cultural influences and personal style. With a design approach characterized by the skillful use of color and a blend of materials, Ortiz Berke draws inspiration from her travels and how people interact with their living spaces.

“Every project I undertake is as unique as each client I work

with,” Ortiz Berke says. From incorporating cherished artworks to tailoring designs to reflect edgy and livable styles, she strives to curate spaces that seamlessly integrate functionality and personal taste. “For some, it may manifest in a bold blue-and-white striped tile design, while for others, it could be a luxurious chartreuse velvet sofa,” she adds.

When anchoring a room’s design, she advises starting with a color that truly resonates. “While neutral rooms may appear fresh and bright, they might not evoke the same daily excitement as colors that truly resonate with you,” she says. Whether bold or subtle, color sets the tone for the space and can evoke lasting satisfaction.

For Jennie Holt, lead interior designer of Sukhmani Home, interior design transcends aesthetics; it’s about enhancing well-being and creating a sanctuary that nurtures the mind, body and spirit. With a background in fiber arts and a passion for holistic design, Holt’s approach centers on supporting the wellness of those who inhabit the space.

“I always say to start with a sofa or a chair,” Holt suggests, underscoring the importance of selecting pieces that look good and feel good. Holt advocates for timeless furniture that surpasses fads. Quality reigns supreme, with a focus on well-reviewed brands that promise durability.

But a space shouldn’t be limited to its functionality. Holt believes in the power of details to elevate a design: Every element, from the grain of wood to the patina of brass, contributes to the room’s narrative.

It doesn’t stop there. Ortiz Berke champions the humble rug as the cornerstone of a room’s design. With its blend of color and texture, a well-chosen rug anchors the space and adds depth and character. She says to opt for quality over trendiness, ensuring that the rug withstands the test of time while maintaining its allure.

Echoing Holt’s sentiments on quality over trendy, Ortiz Berke stresses the importance of investing in exceptional furniture pieces that align with individual preferences. “It’s common to make hasty decisions during the purchase process and end up regretting them later, so it’s important to avoid this experience by making thoughtful and informed choices,” she says.

Holt employs the “3-to-1 rule” to create spaces that reflect individuality and depth. This idea is that for every three traditional pieces, there should be one interesting piece. “This helps to create a space that is more reflective of who you are,” she says. By pairing traditional pieces with more unique elements, Holt crafts environments that resonate with the multifaceted nature of human beings.

Moreover, she encourages clients to embrace their personal style and choose pieces that bring harmony and peace of mind. “Isolate a small vignette in your home and work out from there,” Holt advises. “Layer and continue to add interesting pieces that are a reflection of your inner self.”

By curating an entire design aesthetic, Ortiz Berke ensures every element har-

Courtesy Sukhmani Home

“Isolate a small vignette in your home and work out from there. Layer and continue to add interesting pieces that are a reflection of your inner self.”

– Jennie Holt

moniously fits together, resulting in a cohesive and visually pleasing space. Both designers share a common thread in their recommendations: authenticity. Whether infusing cultural influences or prioritizing well-being, their advice centers on creating spaces that reflect individuality and resonate with the soul.

“The Southwest is full of culture, interesting people and unique landscapes,” Holt emphasizes. There is peace in the landscape of the Southwest. There can and should be peace of mind in our homes.”

So, as you embark on your design journey, remember the words of these design maestros: start with what speaks to you, and let the rest unfold organically. After all, a welldesigned space is not just about aesthetics—it’s about crafting a sanctuary that nourishes the whole being.

resources

NeuBleu Interior Design

Sukhmani Home sukhmanidesigns.com

Courtesy Sukhmani Home

says …

Think like an Airbnb host to provide a comfortable stay for your houseguests. Outfit your guest rooms with blackout curtains for a good night’s sleep and plenty of toiletries and towels in the bathroom. But it’s the extra touches that will really wow your guests. Top off bathroom amenities with a plush robe or two. Put some reading books on a shelf or stacked on a side table and be sure there’s a bedside lamp. Consider adding a small basket with various phone charges in case your guests forget one. Pick up a small chalkboard to hang on the wall inside the door—perfect for putting your Wi-Fi password and a sweet welcome message for your guests. Freshen the bedding with linen spray and add a small bouquet of fresh flowers (as long as your guest doesn’t have allergies). These little nuances will ensure you’re the hostess with the mostest.

BringWallsYour to Life

by Heather Shoning

creative kitchens

local building pros go to great lengths to turn clients’ ideas and trends into highly functional and beautiful kitchens

Whether ditching today’s trends or leaning into them, local designers and builders are conceiving of creative, functional and dazzling kitchens to stand the test of design time. With top-notch materials, elegant styling and modern mechanics, these seven kitchens promise to wow even the most particular home chef.

evolving aesthetic

As many custom homes go, this design evolved on the fly, and Scott Ashcraft of Las Ventanas Homes went with the flow. Initially, the kitchen—a modern yet warm look—featured sleek wood laminate cabinetry. However, a photo the homeowner saw sparked the idea to add bookending, backlit black cabinets with glass fronts. Ashcraft used the countertop stone as a bold backsplash. The 11-foot island offers ample seating for easy entertaining. Ashcraft says he’s seeing a trend toward double kitchens. “This is becoming very common. We have the show kitchen, and we have the work kitchen,” he says. And this home abides. While the main kitchen features everything you need for cooking, the working kitchen also includes a sink, dishwasher and refrigerator, and it’s where the small appliances are stored and used. “This kitchen is functional for the way this family lives,” Ashcraft says. “The dining room is right there, opening into one great room space. But they can bury everything away in the service kitchen when they have company, so everything in the show kitchen stays tidy and beautiful.”

new focal point

When you walked into this Santa Fe home, the focal point was a closet. It was not exactly appealing, nor was the drab gray stock cabinetry. Douglas Maahs, the owner of DMC, and Gene Gurley, lead designer, agreed the focal point could be more dynamic, and the kitchen could have a softer look that blends seamlessly with the warm wood vigas and the existing Saltillo tile floor. They selected synthetic melamine for the cabinetry. “The surface is textured much like wood,” Maahs says. “Durability is a factor. Price is a major factor today with cabinetry that is driving the market to these unique synthetic materials, and they honestly look better in most cases than actual wood. They wear better, and we’re not cutting down trees.” Additionally, the team opted to eschew upper cabinets in favor of open shelving to lighten the look of the range wall, and they replaced a mullioned window with a larger picture window to bring the outdoors in, creating a more inviting view. After the design duo selected the light wood-grain look cabinetry, they selected the green handmade Moroccan tile for the backsplash. The green cabinetry color for the island and the new wine and coffee bar focal point was a natural choice. The homeowner selected the tile behind the range to add vibrant color and a geometric pattern to the room.

Douglas Maahs

fresh floor plan

Heather Van Luchene, ASID, founder and principal of HVL Interiors, helped a Santa Fe couple realize their kitchen dreams of a bright, airy space befitting the rest of the home. “The home is a charming Territorial style in a historic area,” Van Luchene says. “But the kitchen didn’t connect with the home’s architecture.”

Contemporary maple cabinetry was disjointed, while a misplaced peninsula created an abrupt separation between the kitchen and dining areas. The homeowners were specific about a celery green and coral palette, and Van Luchene sought cabinet style inspiration from a classic early 1900s aesthetic. In an atypical move, the designer opted to shrink the kitchen footprint—although admittedly, the space wasn’t highly functional as part of the kitchen—by adding two small wing walls on the long side of the L-shaped room. This created a mudroom as you enter the home from the back courtyard—a perfect spot for taking off shoes plus an organizational niche. “It eliminates the bowling alley effect that the previous kitchen had,” Van Luchene says.

Jonathan Tercero Narrative Media

Ted Lowe of Lowe-Bo Homes was happy to take a backseat on this kitchen design and let the homeowner channel her fondness for Victorian and English country into one stunning kitchen design. Inspired by England-based deVOL Kitchens—made famous thanks to Magnolia Network’s “For The Love of Kitchens”—whose styles feature names such as The Real Shaker, The Classic English, The Haberdasher’s and more, Sara McIsaac selected everything from the cabinetry to the library lights that flank the range hood. She even did a little DIYing—when she found the perfect brass sheet metal for the range backsplash, she glued it to the wall. “Usually, we do tile, and the grout sometimes requires maintenance,” Lowe says. “But that brass backsplash is about as bombproof as they come.”

The perimeter cabinetry is a soft gray, but McIssac selected a deep blue-green color for the island. All the little details come together to create that true English country kitchen style, from the brass accents, including the drawer pulls, faucets and even outlet covers, to the black sloped range hood to the vintage-style wall sconces.

historical charm

Darrell DeVantier

built for entertaining

This Parklane floor plan in the gated community Inspiration, is designed for people who like to entertain—both young couples with children and empty nesters who are discovering a new lifestyle, says Jolene Montoya, director of marketing for Pulte Group. The chef’s style kitchen features a cooktop with an adjacent oven and microwave wall appliances. The 10foot ceilings allow for extra cabinet height. There’s a corner pantry and oversized kitchen island with a quartz waterfall countertop— perfect for gathering, putting out a spread and cooking a feast. The drop ceiling feature with pendant lights over the island gives the space a designer look. The floor plan is open to the adjoining dining area and outdoor living area beyond that. The matte blue hexagon backsplash tile repeats as an entire wall treatment in the dining area, providing a striking focal point.

Makela

all in one place

Deborah Short, owner and builder at Vineyard Homes, wanted to maximize storage in this speculative home’s kitchen to eliminate the need for an auxiliary pantry. Because it has an oversized island with plenty of workspace, Short opted to sacrifice some perimeter countertop area and instead install counter-to-ceiling cabinetry. The result is maximum storage space and a beautiful furniture-style cabinetry appearance. “The upper cabinets are for things a homeowner needs to access daily—the coffee maker, knife set and more,” Short says. “These are available without much trouble but remain hidden.” The base cabinets feature a combination of roll-out drawers and standard door cabinets with interior shelving plus a pull-out mixer stand. Additionally, the island features easyaccess storage with doors on multiple sides, and there’s a workstation adjacent to the refrigerator wall. The Taj Mahal quartzite countertop repeats as a solid backsplash and shelf for holding a cookbook, oft-used spices and other kitchen items. Short made the range wall special by adding warm candle-look wall sconces and a traditional silhouette range hood.

Mark William Photography

Capturing views of the Sandias was a top priority for this kitchen. The home, by Waszak Design + Build, features wide-plank white oak flooring throughout, and the dark-stained cabinetry provides a soft contrast while highlighting the dark accents in the floor. “The cabinets are an inset design with quartersawn white oak,” David Waszak says. “In the stain, hues of gray or even green show through.” The quartzite countertop for the island brings in hints of green with warm brown tones. Two large windows frame the views, and a skylight drops beautiful natural light over the island. Waszak says he likes to create a large island with L-shaped seating when the floor plan allows for it because it’s more conducive to conversation, and this island provides seating for up to six people. There’s a second prep and cleanup area in the kitchen, plus a third sink with more storage on one side of the adjoining dining area and a bar area on the other side. A hand-forged range hood provides continuity across the open great room space. “We wanted a strong metal presence,” Waszak says. “The range hood in the kitchen connects with the largeformat porcelain tile that resembles steel and encases the fireplace on the opposite end of the great room.”

Fotovan

kitchen with views

resources

evolving aesthetic, page 39

Architect/Builder: Las Ventanas Homes; Appliances: Builders Source Appliance Gallery; Cabinetry: ProSource of Albuquerque; Countertops/Backsplash: United Stoneworks; Flooring: Floorscapes

new focal point, page 40

Eric I. Smith Builder Inc.; Kitchen Design/ Installation: DMC; Appliances: Builders Source Appliance Gallery; Backsplash: Statements in Tile/Lighting/Kitchens/ Flooring; Countertops: Granite Express; Countertop Installation: Infinity Stone: Fixtures/Sink: Dahl Plumbing & HVAC

fresh floor plan, page 41

Builder: R.L. Lockwood Construction; Interior Design: HVL Interiors; Backsplash Tile: Arizona Tile; Cabinetry: Chavez Woodworking Inc.; Sink/Fixtures: Santa Fe by Design

historical charm, page 42

Builder: LOWE-BO Homes; Home Designer: Eric Spurlock; Appliances: Builders Source Appliance Gallery; Backsplash Installation/Cabinetry: Ray’s Flooring; Countertops: Stone Systems; Fixtures/Sink: Doc Savage Supply; Flooring: Benchmark Woodfloors; Lighting: Bright Ideas, Inc.

built for entertaining, page 44

Architect/Builder/Designer: Pulte Homes; Appliances: Whirlpool; Backsplash: Arizona Tile; Cabinetry: Mastercraft; Countertops: Stone Systems; Flooring: Daltile; Fixtures: Moen

all in one place, page 45

Builder: Vineyard Homes; Residential Designer: Tomenstock LLC; Appliances: Builders Source Appliance Gallery; Backsplash/Countertop: Arizona Tile; Countertop Installation: Villanueva Granite & Tile, Inc.; Cabinetry: Mountain High Custom Cabinets; Flooring: Stonewood Flooring LLC

kitchen with views, page 46

Residential Designer/Builder: Waszak Design + Build; Appliances: Builders Source Appliance Gallery; Cabinetry: Oster Wood Products; Countertops/ Backsplash: Arizona Tile; Fixtures/Sink: Winsupply of Albuquerque; Flooring: Stonewood Flooring LLC

1310 Cuesta Abajo Ct. Albuquerque, NM 87113 505-296-4393 www.lightingfordesign.com

Showroom Hours

Monday Thru Friday - 9AM-5PM

Saturday 10AM-2PM

preserving memories

a custom home comes to fruition despite the loss of the family’s patriarch meant to oversee the build

by Kastle Waserman photographs

Daniel Nadelbach

Lisa and Jerry Todd Jr. toured several lots before discovering the perfect spot to perch their new home—one of their biggest requirements was unobstructed mountain views. They found a North Albuquerque Acres location with what Jerry Todd Sr. advised was a dream lot on which they could situate the house to take advantage of the views and have a north-facing backyard to stay cool in the hot New Mexico summers for recreation and entertainment.

Jerry Todd Sr. was a longtime builder and owner of Todd Construction in Albuquerque, and having him oversee the project with his years of experience and knowledge of what the couple wanted, was an ideal situation. But when he died unexpectedly right before construction was to begin, the couple was left without their guiding force.

Fortunately, they had John Schiffer of Master Homecrafters Inc. on hand as the lead building contractor, whom they had known for four years through other projects. Schiffer had planned on partnering with Jerry Sr. but stepped up to take the lead in his absence. Schiffer came to their house with a bowl of cherries picked from the couple’s new neighborhood. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you,” he told them.

“Their dad had enough vision to find them the right lot, which is half the secret to a good home,” Schiffer adds. “And I steered them to what I thought would be the right home

designer for them based on their wishes.” That was Mike Cabber, whom Schiffer trusted to get it right.

The home is 6,000 square feet on almost a full acre. The Todds had a clear vision of what they wanted, including Lisa’s specific interior design requests, which she managed herself.

The build took 18 months, and Schiffer’s team rose to the challenge of incorporating a variety of materials the Todds wanted, including stone veneer on the exterior and various finishes on the interior. The house has four bedrooms, a gym, an office, a media room, three laundry rooms, a large-scale pantry, an attached casita and two outdoor living areas.

There are also seven bathrooms throughout the home, and Lisa wanted a different look for each one, from the paint color to the tiles to the lighting and plumbing fixtures. “Although it was a lot of work, it was super important to me,” she says. “I just loved doing it, and it was a lot of fun!”

The kitchen was designed for the couple’s love of cooking and entertaining. It has two large islands for meal prep and seating, a custom spice drawer and a spacious adjacent pantry room. A five-foot galley sink serves as a workstation with accessories for preparing and serving food. But a feature Lisa particularly

The dining area has sliding doors that open to the outside, creating a connected indoor-outdoor space for dining and entertaining.

loves is her Zip faucet. “I drink a lot of sparkling water, but it also delivers boiling water so you can use it for cooking like blanching vegetables,” she says.

From the kitchen, there is a pass-through window to one of two outdoor spaces, which are designed for enjoyment by family and friends with a large pool, outdoor kitchen and covered dining area. They also fully landscaped the nearly one-acre surrounding lot.

“Their dad had enough vision to find them the right lot, which is half the secret to a good home.”

– John Schiffer

The home’s color palette is neutral, with pops of deep blues and grays. “I wanted to introduce color in the right space, but I didn’t want it all over the house. So, there’s color on different accents and pockets of the home,” Lisa says.

Schiffer was slightly in awe at the number of paint colors they used. “I think we counted about sixteen different colors!” he says. “That’s more than we typically use.”

A lot of color was used on the custom cabinetry throughout

the home, which Schiffer’s team designed. “They wanted certain things that suited their needs like drawers and pull-outs,” he says. “We did custom builds on all the closets, which all came out very nice.”

For the office, she wanted dark and moody, so the walls and built-in cabinets are a deep blue gray. The inviting and sophisticated bar area also features rich, deep blue cabinetry and walls plus gold pendant lights and fixtures, a color combination Lisa fell in love with after seeing it in another home.

The primary bedroom and bath area, which features a coffee bar, steam shower, dry sauna and doorway to a hot tub, were kept neutral to create a spa-like feeling.

In addition to abundant natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows, Lisa also picked out high-end light fixtures. Along with recessed overhead lighting throughout the house, there are a variety of sconces, pendant lights, a glamorous chandelier in the primary bath and wagon-wheelstyle chandelier in the living room.

“They say lighting is like jewelry, and that’s how I thought of it,” she says.

While there are layers of lighting throughout the home and exterior property,

it’s easily orchestrated by smart home controls on clean, one-switch panels, tablets and apps. The apps also control other smart fixtures throughout the house, such as the security systems, TVs, blinds, front gate, sprinklers and pool settings. “You could be sitting on the couch, and if you wanted to turn a light off or turn on music, you can just use your phone or tablet. You don’t have to get up,” Jerry Jr. says.

One notable element in the house is the lack of steps. Designed to age in place, the Todds wanted this to be their forever home and built a casita in the back with universal design to accommodate caregiving in the future, complete with modifications including grab bars, wide doorframes, an open shower and a bath that meets ADA requirements to make it safe for the elderly.

One last touch was Bible verses on the walls throughout the home and a special wall dedicated to Jerry Todd Sr. that reads: This home is dedicated to Jerry Todd Sr. watching down on our build from above. Because someone we love is in heaven, there’s a little bit of heaven in our home.

“Jerry Sr. would have loved seeing the final outcome of our vision and how it came together to become this beautiful home,” Lisa says. “He would have been over the moon at the final product. We know he is with us in spirit as we create new family memories here.”

The outdoor area features the Luxor light system with 7500 programmable lights, a sound system with 15 garden speakers and two buried subwoofers.

resources

Home Builder/Cabinetry

Master Homecrafters

Home Designer

Mike Cabber

Interior Selections

Lisa Todd

Appliances

Builders Source Appliance Gallery builderssource.com

Audio/Visual System/Smart Home

Music Man Entertainment

Bathroom/Kitchen Fixtures

Ferguson Bath Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

Countertops/Backsplash Stone

Arizona Tile

United Stoneworks (Fabrication/Installation)

Fireplaces/Front Door/Sliding Window Walls

Western Building Supply, Inc.

Flooring (Wood)

ProSource of Albuquerque

Interior Doors

Rugby Architectural Building Products

Landscaping

Waterquest Landscaping

Tile

Arizona Tile

Floor & Decor

Windowcoverings

Blind Scapes

To see additional photos of this home, please visit sucasamagazine.com

Homeowners Lisa Todd and Jerry Todd, Jr.

says …

Looking for a quick way to spruce up your outdoor living space?

Colorful cushions! With a wide range of colors and patterns available at your favorite local home store or big box, you can personalize your space to reflect your taste and complement or contrast your indoor decor. Look for high-quality outdoor fabric to ensure your happy colors don’t fade, and so they will withstand the summer heat. For seat cushions, look for high-resiliency foam that will bounce back after every sit. Then, layer color and pattern in various pillow shapes and sizes. Guests will be enticed outdoors by the comfy look and want to sit and stay awhile, thanks to the comfort. The best part about sprucing up with new cushions? With a small investment, you can create a new look each season. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and inviting retreat where you can relax, entertain and enjoy beautiful New Mexico indoor-outdoor living.

embracing nature and innovation

Boss Builders conquers the challenging design of a contemporary home in Santa Fe

by Lexi Reich photographs by Daniel Nadelbach

In the heart of Santa Fe’s budding Tesoro Enclave neighborhood lies a modern marvel that seamlessly merges innovative design with the timeless beauty of nature. The journey of Jon and Katherine Mertz to create their dream home is not just a tale of architectural ambition but a testament to the collaborative spirit that defines the Santa Fe community.

Originating from Dallas, Texas, Jon Mertz was captivated by Santa Fe’s allure—a vibrant blend of art, science and natural splendor. Together with his wife, their quest for the perfect home led them to the scenic Las Campanas area, where they envisioned a sanctuary that honored Santa Fe’s heritage while embracing contemporary aesthetics. As an entrepreneur and professor, Jon Mertz embraces innovation wholeheartedly, a sentiment that resonates deeply in the design of his home.

Their vision began to take shape as they collaborated with local architects, builders and designers. Boss Builders and Archaeo Architects first joined forces to create a design that surpassed expectations. The revelation of “The Spine,” a distinctive feature of the home—a hallway mirroring the natural contours of the land, offering panoramic views—marked a pivotal moment in the Mertzes’ journey.

The home has a material palette consisting of stucco, stained Douglas fir beams, stone veneer, standing seam metal roofs and dark gray, cold rolled steel fascias.

The entry on the southwest-facing side of the home gradually reveals the stunning view through the great room by way of generously sized sliding glass doors and windows. As a focal point to the home’s entrance, the custom light fixture over the dining table sets the tone for a warm welcome.

With an emphasis on functionality and aesthetic appeal, the homeowners envision their Santa Fe abode as a symbol of innovation to inspire future generations.

“Because the design was so unique, it required someone to see what was on paper and be completely for it, even though it was very risky in a way,” says Valerie Montoya, executive officer of Boss Builders. “It was amazing to me how the Mertzes were ‘go with the flow’ homeowners and they trusted the process. The home turned out beautiful, but it also made the process so much sweeter.”

The house sits nestled in a clearing atop a gentle ridge, offering dramatic views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east, the Ortiz and Sandia mountains to the south and the Jemez Mountains to the west. The design team strategically positioned six main structures along the spine, which runs north to south. On the west side of this axis, three structures house the garage, entrance and three ensuite guest bedrooms. On the east side, there’s an expansive great room, den and the primary bedroom suite. By purposefully separating areas of the home, the design integrates the surrounding landscape with the architecture while strategically positioning rooms to maximize the mountain panoramas.

For Jon Mertz, the home embodies more than just architectural finesse; it reflects their values of simplicity, connection and a reverence for nature. The seamless integration of expansive glass panels blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, allowing them to immerse themselves in the mountain vistas while fostering a sense of serenity.

To capture this essence, the project team carefully considered factors such as sun orientation, view angles and topography. The design also features a striking butterfly roof and cantilevered roofs that extend out to define covered portals, offering unparalleled views of the mountains while harmonizing with the landscape.

“In a way, the architecture attempts to quietly recede and frame the views, allowing the landscape to dominate the visual experience,” says Jon Dick, owner of Archaeo Architects.

Challenges such as material availability tested the resilience of the team. However, Montoya emphasizes meticulous planning and a shared vision, ultimately leading to the successful realization of the Mertzes’ home.

“Because the architecture was so different, it was a challenging build, in part to the sheer size of the masses,” Montoya says. “Every home in this subdivision is beautiful, but the Mertzes’ home sits high up from the road, capturing the grand views. Inside, Erica did an amazing job of taking the unique and individual spaces and making them flow so well together.”

Because Erica Ortiz Berke of NeuBleu Interior Design had worked with the Mertzes on their previous home, she was brought into the project early on. Her goal? To add warmth.

“Color and textures and materials were really important since the beautiful architecture of the home could feel quite cold,” Ortiz

Standout features include the elevated finishes— from the bronze hardware to blue countertops and mosaic flooring—in the primary bathroom.

This page: The house is laid out in a linear fashion and divided up in sections, linked by one long, wide hallway that very gradually slopes down from the northwest to the southeast mirroring the natural contours of the site, thereby allowing the house to keep a low profile on the landscape.

Opposite page: The architectural “spine” creates a variety of visually interesting overhangs, inviting the outdoors in throughout the home.

To the northeast, all of the primary rooms (great room, library and primary bedroom) have cantilevered roofs that extend out to define covered portals. As the roof lifts up it draws one’s attention to the mountain view.

Berke says. The Mertzes were willing to take chances and left ample room for creative freedom in the interior design, with results like the colorful wallpaper, layered lighting, intricate marble in the bathrooms and even the bold antique mirrors framing the fireplace.

From the innovative exterior design featuring slanted metal roofs to the cozy interior adorned with built-in bookcases—the first time Mertzes have had more book space than books—Jon Mertz says every aspect of the home resonates with their vision of modern living in Santa Fe.

“The house is positioned as such that the afternoon and evening is shaded in the outside area, so you can easily spend time out there and not worry about the sun,” Jon Mertz shares. “It’s perfect for points of gathering and moments of reflection.”

resources

Architecture Archaeo Architects

Home Builder

Boss Builders bossbuildersnm.com

Interior Design

Neubleu Interior Design

Appliances

Builders Source Appliance Gallery builderssource.com

Audio/Visual System/Smart Home Santa Fe Wire

Beams Builders FirstSource

Countertops

ProSource of Albuquerque

Fireplaces

Mountain West Sales mountainwestsales.net

Flooring

Absolute Flooring and Interiors

Front Door

Exclusive Iron Doors

Metal Fabrication

Adonai Custom Ironwork, Inc.

Landscaping

Radicle Landscape Design

Lopez Cares Landscaping (Installation)

Sliding Patio Doors/Windows

Sunwest Construction Specialties, Inc.

Solar

Positive Energy Solar positiveenergysolar.com

by Michelle Juergen Design

water for the win

the sweet trickle of water or splash of a fish can bring joy and tranquility to your yard

THE CHINESE PHILOSOPHER and Daoist Zhuangzi is quoted as saying, “You will always find an answer in the sound of water.” So, adding a trickling, bubbling, gurgling water feature to your outdoor living space will not only enhance the look and ambience, but it might also help you relax and think more clearly—to find the answers to the questions you ponder.

Whether you have a postage-stamp-size yard or a vast sprawling acreage to work with, installing a pond, fountain or waterfall always begins with a vision.

“Let your imagination run wild,” says Steve Biernacki of Urban Earth Landscaping. “The possibilities are

endless.” As far as placement, remember that your water feature is indeed a feature, so install it somewhere prominent—such as facing your back patio—where you’re able to see and hear it, he suggests.

“Water features are for your active enjoyment of the ecosystem they attract,” says Chris Kaplan, owner of Rocky Mountain Water Gardens. “The sound and motion of naturally flowing water brings your environment to life and soothes your primal soul. The number one mistake homeowners make is to build water features facing passing motorists.”

Scaling is an important consideration, Kaplan notes,

Studio

as an undersized water feature can be, well, underwhelming. A bubbling rock fountain can be perfect for small yards, townhomes, condos and even apartments, he says, while most single-family homes can accommodate a pondless waterfall—a low-maintenance feature that recirculates water stored in an in-ground reservoir.

Your outdoor space may already lend itself well to a water feature, with slopes, contours, plants and trees, says Paul A. Zeir, owner of Healing Waterz, who prefers to work with the existing environment as much as possible.

And not to state the obvious, but: A water feature requires water, so you’ll need to think about how to keep it full while being mindful of efficiency and the seasons. Water in summer will evaporate, while freezing in winter could crack the feature or create a need for de-icing, Biernacki points out. Since conservation is top-of-mind for a desert climate, many landscaping and water feature professionals will recommend a pondless waterfall.

“I strongly believe in responsible and intelligent use of our most precious natural resource: water,” Kaplan says. “I have a pondless waterfall in my backyard, and it is an entire ecosystem.”

That ecosystem is one of the joys of a water feature—even small ones will attract wildlife like birds, bees and butterflies. With any kind of standing water and sunlight, there will be algae growth that affects the pH of the water, so maintaining a healthy biome can be a balancing act. Zeir says that before he signs contracts, he asks clients to tell him that they “love algae,” since it will inevitably be a part of their water feature maintenance.

A fishpond can be a relaxing and beautiful addition to your yard, not to mention a peaceful pastime, feeding and watching your fish frenzy and flow. These require some additional work and precautions, so be sure to consult an expert and do your homework. To manage the well-being of your aquatic creatures, you’ll need to maintain proper pH levels and have quality filtration, skimmer and circulation systems. You’ll also want to be sure to protect your fish from critters such as birds and raccoons.

Zeir says that having water circulating vertically and horizontally is part of what keeps the pond and fish healthy and clean, while Kaplan suggests a cave that’s at least a few feet deep horizontally to allow fish to hide from wildlife. Additionally, you can

galeana

install motion-activated sprinklers that spray predators with water when they get too close to the pond, he says. Whether you have a tiny backyard that fits a bubbling rock, a sloped space that’s perfect for a stream or a big blank slate that offers room for an elaborate koi pond and a bridge, don’t forget to appreciate the benefits of your water feature. Listening to the mesmerizing trickle, you might just find the answers to life’s questions.

resources

Healing Waterz

Rocky Mountain Water Gardens

Urban Earth Landscaping

Vida Buena

by Emily Van Cleve

bountiful blossoms

invite

an

array of summer flowers into your home

FLOWING FIELDS OF COLOR for as far as the eye can see. Undulating aisles of tulips in Lisse, Netherlands. Rolling rows of lavender in Provence, France. Sweeping fields of poppies in Antelope Valley California. Stands of sunflowers in Tuscany, Italy. The world’s leader in flower production, the Netherlands alone produces more than three billion tulips yearly. We love flowers, and floral arrangements date back to 2,500 BCE, when Egyptians regularly decorated with cut flowers and used them for ceremonies and burials as well as for simple table decor.

Floral design is as imaginative as any other creative endeavor, with celebrity floral designers taking to HGTV, Netflix and more, as well as lists of the top wedding floral

designers clogging brides’ inboxes. But you don’t have to be an A-Lister or a bride to enjoy fabulous florals—just cut them from your garden or stop by your favorite petal place for a bouquet.

Summer is the perfect time to bring eye-catching blossoms into the home. The varieties found at local florists come in various hues, including vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. Flowers such as dahlias, marigolds, zinnias, hydrangeas, pincushions, geraniums, cornflowers and cosmos are readily available at floral shops around town. If you’re unsure which blooms you love best, Lynne Maphies, designer at Agave Florist at Nob Hill, suggests experimenting by buying one or two stems of several different varieties. “See what catches

your eye and take the time to find out what you really love,” she says.

Most commercially grown varieties have little or no fragrance, but if allergies are a concern, consult your florist. “Some people are allergic to Oriental lilies, which have a strong smell,” says Andy Ray, who manages Melba’s Flowers in Albuquerque. “If so, Asiatic lilies are a good choice because they’re unscented.”

There are many captivating ways to display flowers in the home, says Kristin Sargent, co-owner of Barton’s Flowers in Santa Fe. Some people like traditional glass vases, while others prefer letting their imaginations guide their choices. “You can think outside the box and put flowers in all kinds of vessels that aren’t ordinarily used for flowers, such as an antique teacup or pitcher,” she says.

Ray has noticed that brass, glass and ceramic compotes—footed bowls with or without handles— have become popular receptacles for arrangements. Displaying a cluster of little containers with single stems on a bookshelf, kitchen island or windowsill can add pizzazz to the space.

Maphies was particularly pleased with a vase of lilacs she carried from room to room this spring. “Why not have flowers in the bedroom,” she says. “When I turn on my bedroom light and see flowers on the nightstand, I feel rejuvenated.”

Trim the stems, make sure the water stays fresh, and keep flowers away from any heat sources, including direct sunlight, to keep your posies perky for the perfect summer decor.

resources

Agave Florist at Nob Hill

Barton’s Flowers

Melba’s Flowers

says …

Change up your morning routine— and get your caffeine fix a bit quicker—by adding a coffee or tea station in your primary bedroom or bathroom. You can create a cozy, inviting nook with comfortable seating and soft lighting to enjoy your favorite brew without leaving the comfort of your bedroom— especially in the morning when you’re still waking up or in the evening when you want to unwind. Carve out a small space on the countertop or a console table to put the coffee maker, electric kettle, cups and any fixings you want to add to your coffee. Consider adding a mini fridge for easy access to creamer or even ice. Enjoying a cuppa joe or calming tea in your bedroom can provide a sense of privacy and solitude, allowing you to start or end your day in a tranquil environment.

by Heather Hunter

French foodie

315 Restaurant & Wine Bar brings across-the-pond delights to Santa Fe diners

MORE THAN 200 YEARS AGO, the Santa Fe Trail was a commercial highway connecting its namesake town with Missouri. Today, this historic street connects locals and tourists to some of the best places in town and leads to the Plaza. This is where the Roundhouse is, the oldest church in the U.S., a few unique hotels, and the revered 315 Restaurant & Wine Bar, serving quality French food for nearly three decades.

Chef and owner Louis Moskow uses local ingredients to guide the menu, which includes modern and

contemporary dishes. The lively bar scene offers something for solo diners, romantic dates and groups. The patio attracts people from near and far because who doesn’t love dining under the stars on a summer night?

Guests are hard-pressed to choose between the seafood and regular menus. With limited seafood options around town, this well-curated selection fuels pescatarians. Think classic mussels, tender fried scallops, jumbo shrimp cocktail and the recent addition of sesame-crusted ahi

Douglas Merriam

Chef Louis Moskow

Moskow serves creative, artfully presented French-inspired dishes.

tuna with a sticky coconut rice cake for something a little heartier. “It is precisely these venerable seafood items that can never come off the menu,” Moskow says.

For dinner, classic French staples include steak frites, 315’s signature French fried chicken, plus the rack of lamb is a seasonal addition. “Duck is always on the menu,” Moskow says. “We buy whole ducks and use all the parts. We have a duck confit empanada, and for our French onion soup, we use duck bones for the stock, which is unique. And we make pâté with the livers.”

Unsurprisingly, this French bistro has a wine list to match the elevated cuisine. An avid oenophile and wine collector for the last three decades, Moskow has built an extensive collection.

He added well-seasoned hospitality guru Julian Martinez as a partner, who has augmented the already excellent guest and wine experiences. “Burgundy and Bordeaux are not the only wines in the world, but they are the best and get better with age. I prefer to buy wine and sit on it,” Moskow says. “As we near our fourth decade in business, we have intentionally created that depth of the collection of wines that are appropriate for the restaurant. Thankfully, Julian is acutely aware and enchanted with less popular but equally fantastic wines, and we are excited to share this with our customers.”

From happy hour to a light summer dinner to a hearty but relaxed threehour French dining experience, 315 exudes hospitality and ensures everyone feels right at home.

Douglas Merriam

secluded retreat

Nestled on nearly 27 acres backing to Santa Fe National Forest land, this magnificent estate offers an unparalleled blend of luxury, privacy and natural beauty. The 7-bedroom, 6+ bathroom home features meticulously crafted architectural details and high-end amenities with private courtyards offering intimate outdoor spaces. The chef’s kitchen is a culinary dream, with ample space for preparing gourmet meals. The home is punctuated with elegant plaster walls, custom wood doors, intricate ironwork and traditional viga ceilings for a pleasing Southwestern aesthetic. Additionally, the property includes 4 barns with 20+ horse stalls. Perched close to Santa Fe, it’s a short drive to restaurants, galleries and museums but far enough away to truly enjoy the privacy of a mountain compound.

1 Caminito Del Angel, Santa Fe

Listing price: $3,600,000, Jessica Beecher, 505-401-9633, selectnm.com

French château

Home designer Eric Spurlock worked with world-traveled homeowners to develop this French-inspired home located in the prestigious Black Farm Estates community. Exquisite details throughout emphasize the luxurious French château style from its high ceilings, marvelous crown mouldings and arches, plus Phylrich faucets, custom 18K gold tiles, Schonbek chandeliers and more. The four-bedroom, five-bathroom home also boasts beautiful stonework, intricate wood floor designs and stately cabinetry and built-ins. The serene outdoor spaces include a reflecting pool watched over by Karl Jensen’s sculpture “Freedom” that can be enjoyed from a covered patio, complete with an outdoor kitchen. The stunning chef’s kitchen includes a gas cooktop, double ovens, a pot filler and uber-functional soft close cabinetry. Perfect for working from home, there’s an office with a separate entrance.

9505 Lyndale Ln. NW, Albuquerque

Listing price: $2,350,000, Catherine Buck, 505-400-3532, bhhsnmproperties.com

Mauricio Figueroa

by Rebecca Toy

non-alcoholic sips

raise a glass full of wine and free of alcohol

WINE DRINKERS REJOICE.

Dealcoholized wines, better known as non-alcoholic (NA) wines, offer the sensory delights of one of the world’s oldest beverages without alcohol’s deleterious effects. Evolving distilling technology helps winemakers ferment full-strength wine and embark on the vacuum distillation process which involves using heat to evaporate the alcohol, while preserving the flavors and aromas. This means top-notch producers still bring the same talent to a range of sans-alcohol options, from sparkling to crisp whites to dry reds.

“Simply put, it’s just wine without the alcohol,” says Geisen’s chief winemaker Duncan Shouler. An added bonus: These wines often have fewer calories than their

intoxicating counterparts.

Some of the biggest fans in this growing movement are the winemakers themselves. In 2019, Geisen began a company well-being challenge that included a month without alcohol. “It sparked a mission: to find non-alcoholic alternatives that truly delivered an authentic wine experience,” Shouler says. Offer up some NA options alongside your other favorite beverages at your next family get-together or picnic.

“People’s drinking habits are changing,” says Amanda Thomson, CEO and founder of Thomas and Scott. “Drinkers who may have previously dismissed non-alcoholic wine will increasingly enjoy a glass or two alongside their favorite alcoholic bottles.”

Courtesy Freixenet

Brands To Try

Thomas & Scott

Mentioned by the New York Times, Wine Enthusiast and USA Today, Noughty is poured in Michelin-star restaurants worldwide. The Sparkling Chardonnay is the brand’s signature pour, but its recently launched Noughty Blanc, a chenin/chardonnay, and Noughty Rouge, a syrah, are gaining ground.

Giesen

America’s number one selling NA wine serves a broad range of varietals and, as the Washington Post says, all are excellent. Wine Enthusiast notes that Giesen nails the often-elusive nuance needed in NA reds, staying fruity, dry and fullbodied with its Premium Red Blend.

Freixenet

Freixenet is a family-owned company started in rural Catalunya, Spain in 1861. Made from indigenous grapes, the Freixenet sparkling white and sparkling rosé offer a fruit-forward, fresh, plucky palate, and were conceived to cater to the health- and wellness-focused consumer.

Leitz

Rave reviews abound for this German producer’s collection, with everyone from Wine Enthusiast to the New York Times weighing in. The Riesling and Sparkling Rose are standout copies of the alcoholic styles.

lazuli bunting

catch a glimpse of this quintessential New Mexican bird

AT FIRST IT DIDN’T QUITE REGISTER. Oh, a Western bluebird, I thought, noting the flash of bright blue and rust rummaging on the ground beneath the feeder. But no! It took me a second to realize the bird sporting this color combo didn’t belong to any of my usual visitors. I was looking at my first-ever lazuli bunting. And what a thrill it was!

The lazuli bunting is a bird common to the Western and Southwestern parts of the country, and I like to think that its fondness for elevation, and its bright turquoise head, makes it the quintessential New Mexican bird. That’s not to say, however, that lazuli buntings are commonly seen. It’s a rare treat when one makes its presence known, but when one does, it seems several do—all over—and

birders around our state begin eagerly sharing their sightings in birding groups and online forums.

Named for the dazzling royal-turquoise blue of its head, back and tail feathers, the lazuli bunting has a russet neck, white chest and a white streak on its wings that’s easily visible even without binoculars. It’s a passerine (perching songbird) that lives in open woodlands and scrubby areas, and will come to feeders, especially if you put out a seed called white proso millet. (Tip: You might need to buy white proso millet online, or at your favorite local bird supply store.)

Male and female lazuli buntings are dimorphous, meaning they look very different from one another. The stunning male lazuli bunting has a pretty, high-pitched

song, and uses it to aggressively defend his territory—which is why, though you may see couples together, you’re unlikely to see flocks of these birds. The female has similar wing markings to the male but is a drab grayish-brown. Unlike her Adonis boyfriend, she’s easy to overlook.

You may be hard-pressed to spot a lazuli bunting in your everyday birding endeavors, but keep eyes peeled for that telltale flash of turquoise and orange. He’ll show up. This beautiful songbird is a true Southwestern treasure. I think it’s why ornithologist David Allen Sibley chose a singing lazuli bunting as the cover bird for his “Sibley Birds West,” a superbly illustrated field guide to the birds of the Central and Western parts of the U.S., and my personal favorite birding book.

by Kate Jonuska

cultural cultivating

exploring human relationships with outdoor spaces over time

“What Makes a Garden: A considered approach to garden design” by Jinny Blom, published by Frances Lincoln, photography by Britt Willoughby Dyer, hardcover $35.

SOME GARDENING BOOKS read like a portfolio of the author’s work, relying upon one visual example after another of their planting philosophy or unique aesthetic. A book like Jinny Blom’s “What Makes a Garden: A considered approach to garden design,” however, is as much an exploration of the U.K. landscape designer’s mind as a tour of gardens she’s designed, offering up a masterclass of context and expertise for thoughtful gardeners everywhere. Peppered with unexpected illustrations from the art world and history, Blom makes the point

that gardens are an act of controlling—or rather, working in tandem with—nature for human purposes. “In making a garden, we are offering to ‘civilize’ a small part of the wilderness, to refine it according to our tastes,” she says. “Our intention is to borrow it, fashion it, care for it in a stylized manner and enjoy it.”

Rather than dwell on current trends or personal style, she traces the many iterations of gardens and planned outdoor spaces that humans have created through time: walled kitchen gardens in ancient Rome, the efficient operations of selfsustaining monasteries, perfumers’ gardens, cutflower gardens and modern community gardens. She quotes artists and thinkers as varied as Shakespeare, Aristotle, Proust, Marx and FDR to paint a picture of humankind’s relationship with outdoor spaces, weaving modern gardeners into this long and storied history.

Alongside the masterclass, “What Makes a Garden” takes a deep dive into four of Blom’s recent projects, offering tons of plant inspiration and helpful advice. Even so, Blom’s depth of thought on the subject of what makes a garden will keep many readers ruminating—hopefully in their own gardens—for years to come.

High Desert traditional

This 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath home, designed and owned by custom home designer Jim Beverly, is an exquisite showcase of meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. It’s located on a cul-de-sac with 1.33 acres backing to the National Forest on a Forest Service lot. As you step inside, you’ll be greeted by solid oak flooring that exudes elegance, complemented by Pella windows creating a warm and inviting ambience throughout the home. Arches, tray ceilings and beautiful fireplaces are just some architectural

defining this home. The

Woods Design Builders is synonymous with traditional Santa Fe–style homes, such as this Las Campanas home, resting atop an elevated lot, completed in 2004 when Sharon Woods was at the company’s helm. Working with Lorn Tryk, Sharon Woods designed a home to capture the expansive sunset views from various portals with flagstone floors and hefty beams. Additionally, the home features seven kiva fireplaces, each designed to suit the space. This one is substantial enough to fit the scale of the outdoor space and the bulk of the beams, and it’s perfectly placed to create a dynamic evening scene. Although the homeowners recently reached out to the company for some minor home renovations, the kiva stands the test of time in both durability and design style.

Woods Design Builders, woodsbuilders.com Lorn Tryk Architects, lorntryk.com vivid views

Adios photograph by Wendy McEahern

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