Enchanted Homes Small Homes Issue 2017 by The Taos News

ENCHANTED HOMES VOL. CXVII

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PROTECT YOUR HOME AND DISCOVER WHY SO MANY NEW MEXICANS TRUST THEIR HOMES TO WANDA LUCERO

Welcome from the Taos County Chamber of Commerce

¡bienvenidos!

The Taos community provides opportunities for all types of housing – large and small! This issue focusing on options for small housing suits many in Taos who have elected to downsize their living environment and upsize their life. Living large in small spaces allows us to live well, supported by our high desert mesa with our needs abundantly met. This year, the Taos County Chamber of Commerce is hosting our fall event – “Sabor, A Taste of Taos” – on Oct. 8, a Sunday afternoon. Join us on historic Taos Plaza for tastes from our local restaurants, wineries and breweries. The Taos County Chamber of Commerce invites you into the Enchanted Circle through the pages of this magazine and around the 87-mile loop that encompasses our communities of Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest, Angel Fire, Taos, Taos Pueblo and Taos Ski Valley to see beautiful views of the mountains in the beautiful colors of autumn. The members of the Taos County Chamber of Commerce include our local shops, banks, service providers, hotels, bed-and-breakfast establishments, restaurants, galleries and museums, as well as medical and legal professionals, town and county employees and individuals who all work together to “Keep Taos Local.” The chamber supports these efforts with our “Keep Taos Local, put your money where your heart is!” campaign that encompasses and expands on the national efforts to be mindful of your small, independent businesses. Please visit our stores, galleries, restaurants and museums to ensure this unique community is here for generations to come!

Wanda Lucero 211 Kit Carson Road 575-737-5433 wandalucero.com

The Taos County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to creating a community of possibilities and opportunities for those new to Taos and lifelong Taoseños. Our slogan of “Taos County Chamber of Commerce Makes Business Better” is guiding our efforts to include all businesses and individuals in an enhanced life in Taos County. Please feel free to contact us for more information. Please visit our website at taoschamber.com for member events and current information. Welcome and enjoy our wonderful Taos County!

Executive Director ENCHANTEDHOMESELLER.COM Taos County Chamber of Commerce

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@shotsfromabove

TAOS INSPIRED designbuildtaos.com

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THE TAOS NEWS

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Taos Ski Valley Realty is now

Keith Dowell Qualifying Broker

D UN

IC R P

N CO

H EC

C RA

99855 - 13 Buena Vista $685.000

Gorgeous two-story 3,400 sq ft home with four bedrooms and three bathrooms in desirable Upper Las Colonias location. The 1,300 sq ft great room offers incredible mountain views and access to walled garden area as well as an open-plan kitchen, dining area, and two living areas - one with a kiva fireplace – which makes it perfect for socializing with friends or a cozy night in with the family.

E NG

99857 - 143 Tune Drive $649,000

One-of-a-kind property - a must see! This meticulously designed 3,200 sq ft home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms was built by a husband and wife architectural team in 2007 offers sweeping mountain views, 3,000 sq ft of xeriscaped outdoor living area and combines the best of passive solar and lowcost, efficient technology without sacrificing modern conveniences.

We are pleased to announce that Taos Ski Valley Realty is now Engel & Völkers Taos Real Estate. In addition to our Taos Ski Valley of ce, we recently opened a brand new shop at 105 Paseo del Pueblo Norte - just off Taos Plaza. Founded in 1977, Engel & Völkers is a European-based real estate company that has shops in over 780 locations in 33 countries around the world and employs over 8,000 agents. The rm has been expanding rapidly in North America over the last 10 years initially focusing in second-home markets in beach and ski resorts, and more recently in larger markets such as Atlanta, Austin, Boston, New York City, and San Francisco, to name a few. To date, shops in US ski destinations can be found in Aspen, Bozeman, Eden, Lake Tahoe, Okemo-Woodstock, Park City, Sun Valley, Truckee and Vail. And now in Taos! Please stop by and see us. We would love to see how we can help you achieve your real estate goals.

Engel & Völkers Taos Real Estate 105 Paseo del Pueblo Norte · Taos· NM 87571 · USA· Phone +1-575-776-0600 • Text TAOS to 21000 www.taos.evusa.com © 2017 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Engel & Völkers and its independent franchisees are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act. Each property shop is independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently veri ed. If your property is currently represented by a real estate broker, this is not an attempt to solicit your listing.

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Taos Ski Valley Realty is now

Keith Dowell Qualifying Broker

LUXURIOUS CONDO’s at the ST. MORITZ!

SNAKEDANCE CONDOMINIUMS

WORLD CLASS LOCATION just 2 minutes from the slopes; maybe even closer. Quality Construction, Beautiful Architecture, Scenic views, AND LOW HOA DUES make this project very attractive. All Units feature Granite Counters, Kitchen Aid Stainless Appliances, Patio’s & Balconies, & Gas Fireplaces. Take advantage of locker room on ground floor and your own ski closet! These condo’s are the best value in Taos Ski Valley! MLS# 99428 .......Unit 101 ...........$384,000 ..................1BR MLS# 99431 .......Unit 302 ...........$482,000...................1BR MLS# 99431 .......Unit 302 ...........$482,000 ..................2BR MLS# 99429 .......Unit 402 ...........$438,900...................1BR

LOTS IN TAOS SKI VALLEY

MLS # 95878..................SOLD.............. .90 acres SOLD MLS # 95643..................$279,000.............. 1.14 acres MLS # 92140..................$159,000................ 1.8 acres MLS # 99557..................$279,000................. .46 acre

Elegant ski-in/ski-out condominiums, steps from the slopes. Granite countertops, stone tile floors, travertine tiles in bath, gas log fireplaces. First class amenities include ski-valet, hot tub/ sauna, locker/exercise and massage room, restaurant, bar and package/convenience/deli store. On site management company with a proven record and aggressive promotion make these condos convenient and a great investment.

MLS# 99472...Unit 309....$399,000....2BR/2BA MLS# 99471...Unit 406....$525,000....3BR/3BA MLS# 89854...Unit 402....$525,000....3BR/3BA MLS# 99481...Unit 305....$339,000....1BR/1BA

SKI IN, SKI OUT CONDOMINIUM

Excellent ski in, ski out condominium in the heart of Taos Ski Valley, priced to sell. Top floor unit with no one above! Conveniently located unit; close to the Hot Tub, Laundry & Office, but not too close. Top floor has vaulted ceilings with attractive wood beams. Warm living room with fireplace makes for a great place to relax after a day on the slopes. User friendly kitchen with bar. Easy access to all TSV amenities and children’s school. Outstanding views, reasonable HOA dues, and good rental history. On-site management of nightly/ weekly/monthly rentals. Unit comes almost completely furnished!!

MLS # 99357.......Unit 7.........$269,000.........2BR/2BA

SNOW BEAR CONDOMINIUMS

Upscale SKI IN - SKI OUT Condominium in TAOS SKI VALLEY. Featuring a Modern but Rustic Decor stimulated with OUTSTANDING VIEWS. This unit features a living/bedroom combination and an additional separate bedroom. LOW HOA DUES that includes a hot tub, parking and shuttle. Established Rental Program already in place. Check out prices of other ski in-ski out condo’s and see our VALUE!

MLS # 99289.......Unit C2.......$169,000.........2BR/2BA MLS # 99495.......Unit C3.......$169,000.........2BR/2BA

EDELWEISS LODGE AND SPA TAOS SKI VALLEY’S PREMIER SKI-IN/SKI-OUT CONDOMINIUMS Only one luxurious 2BR Unit is available. Turnkey with great rental history and on-site management. Property amenities: spa, exercise room, hot tub, dry sauna, boot lockers with dryers, owner storage, underground parking, game room, and café, bar, and restaurant. Solid HOA with healthy capital reserve.

MLS# 93775...Unit 409.......$595,000.........2BR/2BA MLS# 98955...Unit 409... $1,050,000.........3BR/3BA MLS 99285 ... Unit 214...... $420,000........ 1BR/1BA

LAKE FORK CONDOMINIUMS

ELEGANT HOME IN TAOS

Upscale SKI IN SKI OUT Condo! Great Views of the RIVER & SLOPES. River sound is magical. Great floor plan, Affordable dues, Brand NEW Roof, Jacuzzi Bath Tub, Wood Stove, Steam Shower, COVERED PARKING! Good rental history. MLS # 97126 ....... Unit 9....... $479,000......... 2BR & 2BA MLS # 99427 ....... Unit 5....... $529,000......... 2BR & 2BA

Upscale Remodeled home that is literally, JUST LIKE BRAND NEW! Comes with a FULL 1 Year Warranty!! Taos Mountain Builders, has replaced EVERYTHING in an EXTENSIVE Remodel! All plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fixtures, roof, windows, etc., are NEW! Featuring; Granite Counter Tops, Stainless , Whirlpool, Appliances, Custom Carpentry & Much Much More!

MLS # 97900 ................ SOLD................... 3BR / 2BA

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Andee can open doors for you!

www.cblotataos.com UC

575-770-2060

FEATURED LISTINGS

TRES PIEDRAS LAND RED

ANDREA FROST

STAKEOUT AREA

CHARMING CONDO

MLS: 99677 10.5 acres $29,900

MLS: 99929 3 acres $79,000

MLS: 99827 $230,000 2Bed/2Bath

HAS A WELL!

VIEWS! VIEWS! VIEWS!

CONVENIENT LOCATION!

GUADALUPITA FARM

STAKEOUT BEAUTY

BLUEBERRY HILL PARCEL

MLS: 100493 $329,000

MLS: 100632 333 acres $799,000 RIVER FRONTAGE!

MLS: 96572 2.90 acres $89,000 GREAT VALUE!

TRUE TAOS STYLE!

andee@taosnet.com

LOTA REALTY, INC.

JUDY BUCK 575-758-8673 judy@cblotataos.com MOVE RIGHT IN CLOSE TO SOUTHSIDE SPA –

Brand new and extremely well built and designed condo with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, spacious full kitchen with granite countertops, stainless appliances and custom hickory cabinets. The floors are hickory throughout with lovely southwest touches, large fireplace in the living room, stacked washer & dryer plus large walled patio. The views of the Truchas Peaks and the mountains to the north are outstanding. Additional locked storage in the carport with on-demand radiant heating system for maximum energy efficiency. All the bells and whistles---it’s a perfect gem! CALL JUDY BUCK $275,000 MLS #100169

WALK TO THE PLAZA!

Perfect seclusion in your upscale condo currently divided into two units but could be all one. This vacation rental is doing extremely well, managed by the owners with rental numbers available to interested buyers. All three bedrooms are nicely separated with 2 masters and some great views from the upstairs bedrooms. The patio has an inviting hot tub and a private setting giving the owner or renter a lovely outdoor space to relax. All new kitchen appliances, negotiable furnishings. This is a great vacation rental or owner occupied home within easy walking distance to the Plaza and close to restaurants and shops! CALL JUDY BUCK $349,900 MLS #100423 View All Taos MLS Listings at www.cblotataos.com 16

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Corner of Paseo del Pueblo Norte & Civic Plaza Drive 800-829-8673

JAN RADER, CRS, GRI 575-770-2012 jan@janrader.com

LOTA REALTY, INC.

JanRader.com

QUESTA

EL RITO/LATIR NEW LIST ING

ING LIST NEW

LIVE TINY, DREAM BIG! Three wooded acres near Carson National

Forest with amazing views. Trailer onsite with power, cistern, solar pump, septic system. Live here while you make plans for the adjacent building pad.

LIVE THE DREAM! Stunning solar oriented home on 10+ acres of privacy. Two master suites, open floor plan, chef’s kitchen, panoramic views, beautiful finishes throughout. This is a must-see! MLS 100419 $390,000 CALL JAN!

MLS 100557 $80,000 CALL JAN!

SIPAPU

TRES RITOS/SIPAPU RED UCE D

RIVERSIDE RETREAT! Big, beautiful 2 BR 2.5 BA home with 300 feet of river frontage. Only a mile from Sipapu Ski Area on large lot bordering national forest. It is immaculate with too many special features to list. Call for details and a showing. MLS 99759 $389,000 CALL JAN!

BRING THE FAMILY! Bright, spacious home in desirable Tres Ritos, near Sipapu Ski Area. 3 BR/2 BA, open floorplan, cook’s kitchen, only steps from fishing, hiking, skiing, sledding. Ideal for entertaining, good year round access. Many special features. MLS 100325 $274,000 CALL JAN!

TOWN OF TAOS

TRES RITOS/SIPAPU

ARTIST’S HOME! Sweet artist’s home on oversized lot west of Taos Plaza. Walk everywhere from this lovingly maintained 3BR/1BA home with lots of studio space. Ideal for full time or vacation living. Come take a look! MLS 99575 $280,000 CALL JAN!

ESCAPE TO HIGHER GROUND! Spacious 2BR/2BATH cabin near Sipapu Ski Area. Offered fully furnished and equipped (includes snowmobiles); enjoy peace, privacy, hiking, fishing, skiing, snowmobiling. Wonderful gathering place for the extended family. MLS 99412 $289,000 CALL JAN!

View All Taos MLS Listings at www.janrader.com Corner of Paseo del Pueblo Norte & Civic Plaza Drive 800-829-8673 ENCHANTEDHOMESELLER.COM

ENCHANTED HOMES VOL. CXVII

Kristine Wood

arts. Born in the Midwest, she got a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from the Milwaukee Institute of Art Design. Around 2001, she heard about Taos, packed up her car and drove westward. Initially, waitressing paid the bills. A two-year bartending gig followed, but a love of art kept tugging at her. The Taos Center for the Arts needed a visual arts coordinator to arrange exhibits in the center’s lobby, and Wood got the job: “It was my first job in business and in something that was related to my art background.” Her six years at the TCA familiarized Wood with the Taos business community and solidified her understanding of this quirky, roughedged town. From there, she moved into her first sales job at The Taos News. Some of her clients were real estate agencies, and she got a feel for what that business was all about. “I sold to Marny and Joel [Schantz] before they became Berkshire Hathaway,” she said. “Whenever I came into their office, I could feel the action. And, Marny became a good friend.” After The Taos News came a stint selling beauty products for Vapour Organic Beauty. At both stops, Wood found that she had a propensity for selling. She married Chris Wood, now advertising manager at The Taos News, and they had two children. Being a full-time mom has been her job for the last five years. As the kids get older and more on their own, she started thinking about getting back into the workforce.

Associate Broker in Taos

by Andy Dennison photo by Katharine Egli Since the early boom days of the ‘70s, Taos always had its fair share of agents for real estate. Each one had their first day on the job, their first listing and their first closing – and most will be able to recount those milestones at a moment’s notice.

REALTOR PROFILE

Many of those Realtors have been around the Taos scene since then – now for some 40 years. As their generation moves into the golden years, there’s talk of “slowing down,” “passing the torch” or even full-on retirement. As such, opportunities for new blood have opened up all over the Taos real estate landscape. One such newcomer to the business is Kristine Wood, now an associate broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Taos Real Estate. “There has been movement in my life, and the time was right for something different and new,” said Wood during an interview in her office on Paseo del Pueblo Norte. “I’ve done sales quite a bit of my life, and my kids are getting older. It was time to get back to work. “Besides, they wanted me here!” she said with a laugh. Like many before her, Wood was drawn to Taos by its culture of fine 18

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Taos Real Estate came calling, and Wood decided to get her real estate license. Ninety hours of schooling, both online and live, took two months: “It was difficult, long and intense studying. Hadn’t done that for a while, but I had to learn what I had to know.” This summer, Kristine Wood earned her license and started work at the agency as a buyers’ broker. Her previous contacts in sales around Taos have helped her start to build a clientele of people who are looking to buy, and her millennial-ism prompted broker Joel Schantz to put her in charge of the agency’s social media. Nationwide, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices provides extensive support for its people, including advertising placement, templates for documentation, up-to-date databases, educational videos, tools for marketing. Along with all of that, Wood brought an understanding of her fellow 30- and 40-somethings. “The new generation of buyers are moving out of their parents’ homes and have the money to buy,” Wood said. “Like many, they want it done quickly and they are very adept with the internet. By the time they get to us, they already have an idea of what they want and what’s available out there.” She has her first listing – a plot of land on Hot Springs Road – and, like those hundreds who came before her, she will remember that for a long time. She’s adopted a personal slogan – “I get it done” – and settled into a midlife career. “I feel very engaged,” said Wood about her new job. “I’m happy to be able to learn a new career for a new era in my life. It’s great to get back on my feet after a period of family life. “And, because of those changes in my life, I relate well to the clients who come in the door and are ready to make a change in their own lives,” she said. Kristine Wood, Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Taos Real Estate 314-A Paseo del Pueblo Norte | 575 758 1924 berkshirehathawayhs.com/Taos-Real-Estate-NM303

Peter A. Lora

225 Kit Carson Road

575-758-3275 peter@theloraco.com

www.realestatetaos.com

4-BR/4.5-BA NEAR PLAZA - Completely remodeled 2,900 sq. ft. home w/ 2 separate wings, each with kitchen and ample living spaces. On 0.4-acre private lot in classic old Taos neighborhood. Gardens, trees, covered porch, deck w/ hot tub. In-floor radiant heat, evaporative cooling. Fine home and/or a successful rental property. $725,000 MLS #100548 http://view.paradym.com/4069668

3BR/3BA CLOSE TO TOWN – Less than a mile from Taos Plaza, this remodeled 1,967 sq. ft. home features cozy living room with vigas, coved plaster ceiling & fireplace. Saltillo tile & hardwood floors. Air conditioning. Private back yard w/ deck & hot tub, trees, gardens. Walking distance to historic district, this home offers classic in-town living! $439,000 MLS #100635 http://view.paradym.com/4078434

CLOSE TO PLAZA - Delightful 2-bedroom/1.5-bath condo walking distance to shops, galleries, restaurants, museums, etc. Lots of outdoor living space, off-street parking. There are just two free-standing units in this association, and the monthly HOA fee is zero. Large yard. Fully furnished and ready to enjoy and/or rent! $235,000 MLS # 99812 http://view.paradym.com/4006654

See All Taos MLS Listings At

Read our current Taos Real Estate Market Report with sales, price and inventory data, and prior year comparisons on our website.

CHARMING CONDO - Sweet 1-BR/1-BA just a few blocks north of the Plaza. Walk to everything in heart of Taos. Common area hot tub, laundry. Reasonable monthly HOA fee. Completely renovated and nicely furnished. $149,000 MLS #100161 http://view.paradym.com/4032644

INCOME PROPERTY – Excellent 3-unit property about 5 miles south of Taos center. All three units are 1BR/1BA, 640 sq. ft. with washer/dryer, deck with wonderful views. Well-maintained. Stable occupancy. Attractive return on investment. $250,000 MLS # 98471 http://view.paradym.com/3835972

4 ACRES WITH WATER RIGHTS - Fine lot with quality surroundings, underground utilities, sensible restrictions. Privacy, peace and quiet, beautiful views of sunsets & mountains. Shared well. Surface water rights for irrigating the land for agriculture, horses. In desirable Des Montes area, near charming village of Arroyo Seco, just 15 minutes from Taos, 25 minutes from Taos Ski Valley. $275,000 MLS #100317 http://view.view.paradym.com/4046416

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EE N C H A N N TT EE DD H HO OM M EE SS VVOOLL. . CCXXVI II II

Jaysen Clark

of Tradesmen Builders

by Andy Dennison photo by Katharine Egli When did you get into construction? I’m from Seattle and, in the early 1990s, I worked as a laborer, roofer and flooring installer. Then I started framing full time and found that I was fascinated with the diverse skill set that it took to build a house. All the facets informed each other: You pull out a tape measure for all parts of construction. How did you get to Taos? I had friends here. I came to visit in 1998 and stayed. I started out some construction, but teaching was how I made a living – first at the San Cristobal Ranch Academy, then at Roots & Wings Charter School and Questa High School. But construction had always been part of my life, and the universe kept nudging me back to construction. Did you go out on your own right away? No. I worked with other contractors in town, like Wayne Rutherford, Joe Sieves and Natural Builders. I got a taste of what it was like to build in the high desert. Then the downturn of 2001 hit, and I went back to teaching. About five years ago, I took the plunge and became a general contractor. I wanted more autonomy and I wanted to control how things were done. How did that go for you? Pretty well. I started out with side projects on weekends, but soon found all my weekends full with work – meaning no life outside of work. When I got to the point where I had so much construction work that it was cutting into my other work and life, I took the leap of faith. I figured that if it didn’t work out, it would have been at the very least a learning experience. But it worked out.

9 QUESTIONS

What was your first job as a general contractor? I built an off-the-grid cabin in El Rito. It was a solar stand-alone with water catchment, the whole off-the-grid deal. It was apropos that such a job would be my first.

Why is that? I’ve always had a passion for nature. I have what you might call an “underground” degree in ecological philosophy. As a contractor, I can keep a sustainable focus on what I build, in line with ecological principles. I had the freedom to do things in the way I felt in keeping with my own quality standards and philosophy. I take an artistic approach to what I do, especially with finish work, like cabinetry and custom carpentry. ENCHANTED HOMES VOL. CXVII

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What type of jobs do you prefer? The size or type of job doesn’t make much difference to me. What I like is to serve the people I work for, people who have authentic needs for housing. I like to give homeowners options up front so I can build something they want and also affordable. For instance, I take pride in a remodel that makes life more livable for them. This is service-oriented work, and I enjoy seeing the appreciation people have for the job you do. Don’t get me wrong; I still want to earn a living wage, but I want to make things affordable for people. How’s the Taos market these days? I’ve seen a real change in the five to six years that I’ve been a contractor. People these days are looking for efficiency and value. And, there’s a shift toward ecological sensitivity among homeowners, which fits my philosophy. People are still coming here to retire out of the city, and the area has enough infrastructure to support more growth and migration. What’s the future look like for Tradesmen Builders? It’s pretty fluid right now, but I’ve got work well into next year. As long as there’s a demand from new retirees, we’ll be fine. I can see that they want affordable value, more open space, but significant downsizing yet. Luckily, however, the culture of Northern New Mexico hasn’t been so quick to shake hands with “McMansions.” The rugged lifestyle and the 200-year-old adobes seem to keep them away. Jaysen Clark | Tradesmen Builders tradesmenbuild.com | 575 758 2458

NM CID License #380382 Bonded, & Insured

TRADESMEN Builders

“Making Your Dream Home A Reality”

New Construction

Jaysen Clark, Owner

Remodeling & Additions

Improvements & Repairs

(575)758-2458

www.tradesmenbuild.com

Founded here and focused here– we understand Taos. We make loans on land, mortgages, new construction, earthships, renovation, alternative energy, commercial property, our community’s businesses, and more...

Let’s Dream Together! BEST BANK

EQUAL HOUSING

LENDER

758-6700

www.centinelbank.com EQUAL HOUSING

LENDER

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SpiriTaos:

In harmony with Mother Nature BY CINDY BROWN

The entry courtyard soothes the senses with a trickling channel

of water surrounded by blooming flowers in a myriad of colors. The flowing water comes from captured rainwater. There is a sense of harmony and peace here. The courtyard leads to gardens, greenhouses and a small, extremely energy-efficient and beautiful home. 28

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This is “SpiriTaos” – the home of Dan Jones in El Prado. The home was designed according to a vision that Jones had for sustainable living. When asked how he named the house SpiriTaos, he says the idea just came to him while hiking high in the mountains. He likes that when you say it quickly, it sounds like “spirit house.” “Life in Taos is all about spirit,” he says.

Photo by Katharine Egli

Photo by Joaquin Karcher

OUTDOOR SPACES Every part of the home and garden is connected to nature. From the entry courtyard, a path leads to an expansive garden in the back of the home that features hollyhocks and other flowers along with vegetables. The acre and a half of land is covered in sustainable beauty.

In the garden, a raised antique palette creates a special place for weddings celebrated by Jones through his business, Embracing Ceremony. The spot is framed by views of Taos Mountain; appropriately, an annual blue-and-white flower called â&#x20AC;&#x153;love in the mistâ&#x20AC;? grows nearby. The purple Rocky Mountain bee plant climbs high over a wall and hollyhocks bloom near the tiny ENCHANTEDHOMESELLER.COM

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hummingbird bath. A centerpiece of the garden is a raised outdoor bathtub with views to the mountains. “For eight months, I use hot water from the solar panels on the house, but in the winter, I build a fire under the tub,” says Jones.

the inside out. There were no preconceived ideas for how it would look from the outside. We did pay attention to the views, the location, the prevailing winds and patterns of the sunlight. Those factors always played in the back of my mind.”

The path around the home leads to an outside porch and an extensive greenhouse that features tomatoes, eggplants and peppers that have been growing since April in the protected space. The plants grow all year, warmed by the radiant floors. “It is important that the heat be in the soil; the roots benefit from the warmth,” says Jones.

There is no wasted space in the house; every square foot was reviewed for efficiency. In addition to cutting out hallways, an effort was made to overlay spaces so that one area could serve more than one purpose. The ceilings are tall and the oversized windows make the house feel expansive. “This approach creates a house that feels much bigger than it really is,” says Karcher.

An attached cold frame holds cantaloupes and cucumbers that are ready to harvest. Outside, raspberry and currant bushes, along with an orchard of fruit trees, grow. A trial garden nearby allows him to try out new plants and see which ones thrive in low water conditions.

After studying highly energy-efficient design in Germany, Karcher brought his knowledge to Taos, where he refined it to address the climate and available construction materials. He says, “With these approaches, it is possible to slash heating and cooling needs by 90 percent. We don’t have to rely only on the Earthship design. We can live sustainably using regular materials in regular houses. We need to build on the environmental legacy of Taos.”

Jones is a professional landscape designer. The driving force behind his whole approach to design is to emulate Mother Nature. “She is my inspiration,” he says. Working in harmony with nature influences his use of wood and rock and the positioning of all elements in the garden. He tries to choose plant materials that thrive with little additional water in our dry climate and looks for long-blooming flowers that will be successful here, using perennial plants that return year after year. Jones offers his expertise to help others design their landscape in a sustainable way through his business, Beyond Wild Flowers. At his home and with his clients, he tries to buy plants locally.

DESIGNING WITH NATURE The house was completed in 2012 and Jones began the landscaping that fall. In five years, the garden has flourished. Jones is a vegetarian and grows most of his own food in the garden. He uses blue corn to make his own masa for cornbread and other dishes. This is the only house that Jones has ever built and he hopes to live out his days here. He was born and raised on a fifth-generation farm in Connecticut and spent six years at Michigan State studying landscape horticulture. He lived in Denver, Colorado, for 30 years, where he managed a garden center and ran his own nature and garden gift shop. He came to Taos to help rebuild the garden of a casita. “I was here less than a month before I fell in love with Taos and bought land,” he says. The vision for his home was influenced by the small casita he lived in while rebuilding its garden. It was small, measuring only 650 square feet, and that inspired Jones to think about a small footprint for his house. He found designer Joaquin Karcher through a network of friends. Karcher suggested Ben van Willigen of BVW Builders as the contractor. The two had worked together in the past and remained friends. And after the SpiriTaos house construction, Jones also considers them both good friends. Karcher of Zero E Design says that Jones wanted to live close to nature. Karcher recognized that Jones was a gifted landscape designer and worked to incorporate Jones’ environmental knowledge and sensitivity into the project. He wanted a small, functional home with a zero carbon footprint. “This is the type of design I do,” says Karcher. He adds, “The house was designed around the floorplan – from 30

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SPIRITAOS HOUSE Inside the 980-square-foot home, the attention to energy efficiency and beauty is evident. The mud-plastered green walls are thick and 2 feet deep. The house is super insulated and heated by passive and active solar. The backup is the wood stove used for heating water that circulates in the radiant floor. The house is so airtight that he has to open a window to light the stove. “I didn’t need to light the stove last winter until the second week of January and it never got below 70 degrees in the house, just relying on the solar energy,” says Jones.

Pho

The living room is the heart of the house. In addition to a comfortable couch and chair, this is where books line the walls near Jones’ spectacular desk. It is built from a curved piece of salvaged glass and sheltered by a large piece of selenite crystal – the mother of crystals – a gift from a friend. An aspen tree that had fallen adorns the wall, along with pieces of alpine spruce bark and old barn wood, giving the room the texture of outdoors. The living room opens to an elegant kitchen with a center raised bar area; all of the surfaces are made of dark granite. The sink, cutting board and induction cook top are aligned for maximum efficiency. Facing east, the windows frame Taos Mountain and El Salto. The metal dining chairs are adorned with cut-out leaf patterns, which cast their shadows on the floor. “With the big windows, I am very aware of the patterns of the moon and what the sun does. I love the sense of connection with the cycles of the day and the seasons. I can watch the aspens turn in the fall and observe the garden as it fades. Part of me wants to clean it up. But I just leave it to feed the birds with the seeds. The fallen plants help hold the snow, which makes interesting shapes, shadows and patterns on the fallen stalks. Again, here I attempt to emulate Mother Nature and let it be. By March, I’m ready to get out and clean it up and begin again.”

Pho

For more information on creative landscape design by Jones at Beyond Wild Flowers or inspired wedding celebrations, call 720 849 5967 or visit beyondwildflowers.com or embracingceremony.com. Contact Karcher of Zero E Design at 575 758 9741 or visit zeroEdesign.com

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Pho

Photo by Carol Morgan-Eagle

Photo by Joaquin Karcher

Photo by Katharine Egli

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Smaller and super comfortable homes Designer Joaquin Karcher shares his perspectives on small, ultra-efficient homes BY YVONNE PESQUERA

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Joaquin Karcher is the owner of Zero E Design (zeroedesign.com). He specializes in the design of “net zero energy” homes. The total amount of energy used is roughly equivalent to the amount of renewable energy created on-site. Thus, the energy used and the energy created “zero” each other out.

Photo by Joerg Staeger

In addition to his innovative approach to home design and build, Karcher has been noticing nationwide trends and experience in his own local business: “The market is shifting and more and more people are looking for smaller, but super comfortable and [highly] efficient homes.” Small homes are defined as those smaller than 1,000 square feet. Karcher has three recent experiences – ranging from 600 square feet to 950 square feet – and he has observed a few trends.

ENTER THE MILLENNIALS Karcher says, “Millennials are becoming homebuyers now and they have specific requirements. [This age demographic of people] grew up in the crash of 2008; they have basically been growing up in the worst economic recession this country has seen. They are very conscientious about spending and debt. They are looking for affordability and cost. They are looking for shorter mortgages and lower upfront costs. They are interested in lower overhead in utility cost and low maintenance. They want to be flexible; they don’t want to be tied down. They want to be able to pick up and leave at any time. They are conscious about their health and buy organic food. They are interested in healthy materials and a healthy living environment. They are environmentally conscious and interested in buying homes that don’t need fossil fuels in order to operate.”

EXIT THE BOOMERS The other segment influencing the trend toward small homes is the baby boomers. As retirees, they are different from millennials – yet similar in that “they, too, want lower monthly bills, low overhead, maintenance free and security and peace of mind from volatile energy costs because they are on fixed income. They don’t want to be exposed to a volatile energy market and be subject to spiking. They want to have a predictable expense for their lifestyle. Low maintenance is important because they don’t want to take care of so much property. They are interested in smaller, efficient, lower-cost and easy-to-maintain homes – with preferably no utility cost at all. That’s where the ultra efficiency comes in.”

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Photos by Joaquin Karcher

WORKING WITH CLIENTS Karcher works with his clients to understand their needs, their values and their lifestyles. “The millennials are very outdoorsy,” for example, he says. “They just want a place where they can just drop their stuff; not a huge house with a three-car garage and a huge mortgage. They want a smaller footprint, simple living and a small, high-functioning home that is environmentally friendly. That segment is growing exponentially.” Working with his clients, they develop a vision together. Karcher explains that that’s where design comes in; a good design develops a vision that reflects a client’s lifestyle and their requirements. “When that vision is being accomplished by design, then we go into the specifics of that design – for example, efficiency; no wasted spaces,” Karcher says. “And most of the time, we multiuse space; this is an important tactic. We eliminate the living room and replace it with a sitting nook or alcove. Or, it’s definitely not a formal living room anymore. The kitchen is small and efficient, and it is a very ‘communicative’ kitchen with an open floor plan. Everyone likes to talk to the cook and hang out in the kitchen. The kitchen is the most important room in the house.”

EXPERIENCED IN TAOS

Photo by Joerg Staeger

Taos is a magical combination of alpine mountains, high mesa desert and the roaring rapids of the Río Grande. So Enchanted Homes asked Karcher what are some special considerations to designing and building in Taos.

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“The views are super important,” Karcher says. “The house always takes the views into consideration. People want to see the weather moving in and out, the whole spectacle – particularly in the rainy season with the lightning and clouds. We highlight all of that with a big window. We can actually do this with the zero energy approach. We don’t need the large south-facing windows anymore. We are no longer dependent on passive solar heat because our concept is ‘zero energy.’ We build homes like a thermos today. That is our primary intention: to eliminate heat loss through the building envelope. In the past, they didn’t pay attention to that; it was about windows. Today, south-facing windows are more of an aesthetic choice rather than a driver for energy efficiency.”

ZERO ENERGY APPROACH “Think about it,” Karcher says, “why do we have to heat our homes?” It’s because we have assigned ourselves to the assumption that homes lose heat. Our approach is, if you don’t have heat loss, you have nothing to replace. Our ultra-efficient homes only use 10 percent of what a conventional home would require. We’re dropping the heating energy demand by 90 percent.” Learn more about Karcher’s approach to smaller, comfortable and ultra-efficient homes at: Zero E Design | zeroedesign.com | 575 758 9741

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LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE LAND AND HOMES? CALL BOB FOR DETAILS! 575.770.1726 PRICE REDUCED TO

PRICE REDUCED TO

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AMAZING! SIX UNIT LIVING SPACE FOR A MULTIPLE RENTAL INCOME OPPORTUNITY. COMES WITH SIX SEPARATE STUDIOS/STORAGE SPACES IN A SEPARATE BUILDING. GET CREATIVE! ZONED HCPD (COMMERCIAL). HOW ABOUT INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPACES, OFFICES, STUDIOS, GALLERY SPACES, OR LIKE MINDED COMMUNITY OF SOULS? AIR BNB? AFFORDABLE EMPLOYEE HOUSING? MLS 98172/98569 PRICED RIGHT AT $549,000 $539,000

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CERRO

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ANGEL FIRE

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GET TO KNOW THE ENCHANTED CIRCLE

The Enchanted Circle encompasses Taos, Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River and Questa. Known for its magnificent scenery and outdoor activities, the Enchanted Circle makes an outstanding day trip. Drive time is approximately 3 1/2 hours, but make plans for frequent stops along the way. It’s worth the extra time to discover the hidden treasures of Northern New Mexico.

TOWN OF TAOS Taos Plaza rests at the heart of the historic district, surrounded by shops, galleries and restaurants within easy walking distance, in the midst of quiet residential areas. It has a relatively flat landscape filled with cottonwood trees. Average home sale price: $254,896

BLUEBERRY HILL An area of sagebrush mesas, which is a popular area for houses. Average home sale price: $288,125

UPPER LAS COLONIAS A varied area of sagebrush and juniper, with easy access to the town of Taos and affordable home options. Average home sale price: $337,265

ARROYO HONDO, HONDO MESA A village of old adobes and other dwellings along the Río Hondo, with a rolling high desert mesa stretching toward the Río Grande Gorge. Includes popular fishing spots, as well as the historic John Dunn Bridge. Average home sale price: $240,481

ARROYO SECO, EL SALTO, DES MONTES Arroyo Seco is a picturesque village of galleries, shops and cafes, surrounded by the beautiful landscape and gorgeous views of the mountains. El Salto and Des Montes have rolling terrain with orchards and ranches. Arroyo Seco average home sale price: $375,181 El Salto average home sale price: $415,600 Des Montes average home sale price: $399,358

TAOS SKI VALLEY, VALDEZ Taos Ski Valley is world renowned with both national and international clientele. Most of the businesses are open year-round for outdoor enthusiasts of every season. Valdez sits at the foot of the canyon accessing Taos Ski Valley, providing high-altitude living amidst woodlands and valleys along the Río Hondo. TSV average home sale price: $410,666 TSV average condo sale price: $315,620 Valdez average home sale price: $236,633

TAOS CANYON, CAÑÓN This area is replete with hiking trails and campgrounds. Picturesque views of the mountainsides and the Río Fernando combine to form a lush, green landscape. Taos Canyon average home sale price: $167,777 Cañón average home sale price: $287,200

TAOS COUNTRY CLUB, STAKEOUT AREA A relatively new area of development with broad expanses of land affording unbroken mountain views, as well as the piñon-and-juniper covered “Outlaw Hill,” where Old West outlaws hid out from the law. Average home sale price: $342,444

RANCHOS DE TAOS, TALPA, LLANO QUEMADO Home of the most photographed church in the country (San Francisco de Asís), Ranchos de Taos is accented with quaint adobe structures, galleries and shops. High terrain and ridges afford views of the Río Grande Gorge and mountains. Average home sale price: $199,684

WEIMER FOOTHILLS An upscale neighborhood of rolling hills, it is close to schools, Holy Cross Hospital and the Taos Youth and Family Center. Building restrictions keep mountain and foothill views relatively unbroken. Average home sale price: $354,163

EL PRADO, RANCHITOS, CÓRDOVAS El Prado is comprised of meadows and ranch lands with small shops, cafes and other businesses along the highway. Ranchitos and Los Córdovas are similar but more residential. All have excellent views of Taos Mountain. El Prado average home sale price: $256,666 Ranchitos average home sale price: $350,400 Los Córdovas average home sale price: $245,452

VALLE ESCONDIDO Nestled in the mountains only 20 minutes east of Taos, Valle Escondido offers spectacular views, USGA golf, stocked fishing lakes, swimming pool and playground and community social life at the historic log clubhouse, all enjoyed by full-and part-time homeowners, with community water and household trash removal included. Valle Escondido is surrounded by the Carson National Forest, offering year-round recreation: hiking, hunting, camping, mountain biking, ATV trails and winter sports. A wide variety of homes can be found in Valle Escondido with an approximate starting price of $200,000.

ANGEL FIRE Cradled in the beautiful Moreno Valley, Angel Fire is a favorite destination for skiers in the winter and golfers, hikers and music lovers in the summer. Average home sale price: $381,170

RED RIVER This historic ski town invites visitors to explore its Wild West history along with its many shops and restaurants. Surrounded by the Carson National Forest, the village rests in a valley, with the Red River running through it. Average home sale price: $310,350

QUESTA An agricultural town at the mouth of the Red River, with a compact downtown of shops and restaurants and a variety of rural housing tucked between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Río Grande Gorge. Average home sale price: $176,375

Joel Schantz, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Taos Real Estate (www.BHHSTaosRealEstate.com), provided the information. DISCLAIMER: Statistics are based on MLS information for the period Jan. 1, 2014 through Dec. 31, 2014. Neither the REALTORS Association of New Mexico nor Taos County Association of REALTORS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data is maintained by Taos County Association of REALTORS and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.

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Keith Dowell Qualifying Broker

Your Taos Ski Valley Specialist!

ST. MORITZ CONDOMINIUMS LUXURIOUS NEW CONDOS IN TAOS SKI VALLEY!

Beautiful architecture featuring scenic balconies with OUTSTANDING VIEWS. GREAT LOCATION! Only two minutes from the slopes, shops, restaurants, and other establishments while at the same time TUCKED AWAY from the hustle and bustle. Quality construction with granite counter tops, beautiful stone-work, custom cabinets, and gas fireplaces. Low HOA dues make this new project very attractive. MLS# 99428 .......Unit 101 .........$384,000 ............1Br MLS# 99430 .......Unit 102 .........$384,000 ...........*1Br MLS# 91266 .......Unit 201 .........$529,000 ...........*2Br ! LD.........$499,000 MLS# 91267........Unit ............2Br SO202 ! D.........$482,000 L MLS# 99431 .......Unit 302 ............2Br O S MLS# 99429 .......Unit 402 .........$438,900 ............1Br

Engel & Völkers Taos Real Estate 105 Paseowww.tsvrealty.com del Pueblo Norte · Taos, NM 87571 · USA Phone +1-575-776-0600 · Text TAOS to 21000 Keith Dowell, Qualifying Broker www.taos.evusa.com

(575) 776.0600

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Taos Storytelling Festival Sponsored by SOMOS, every year it brings tales to life with regional and/or nationally known oral storytellers. www.somostaos.org

education for almost 100 years. It also hosts year-round workshops and lectures. 240 Morada Lane (575) 751-9686 www.mabeldodgeluhan.com

Taos Winter Wine Festival Held every January, includes educational seminars, wine tastings, wine dinners hosted by vintners paired with Taos chefs. www.taoswinterwinefest.com

Río Grande Gorge Bridge West on US 64, at 650 feet above the Rio Grande, it is the fifth highest bridge in the United States.

PechaKucha Informal and fun gatherings where creative people get together and share their ideas, works, thoughts, holiday snaps in the 20x20 format — 20 images each for 20 seconds. www.pechakucha.org The Paseo A festival dedicated to bringing the art of installation, performance and projection to the streets of Taos and creating a new platform for the public display of art. www. paseotaos.org

CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS SOMOS The Society of the Muse of the Southwest is a nonprofit supporting literary arts by offering live readings, workshops, conferences, and festivals. 233 Paseo del Pueblo Sur (575) 758-0081 www.somostaos.org Taos Center for the Arts Creates and presents high-quality, professional art experiences for the community of Taos; operates and maintains the Taos Community Auditorium, the Encore Gallery and the Stables Gallery. 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos (575) 758-2052 www.tcataos.org

UNIVERSITIES SMU-in-Taos Fort Burgwin, 6580 Hwy. 518, Ranchos de Taos (575) 758-8322 www.smu.edu UNM-Taos Klauer Campus, 1157 County Road 110, Ranchos de Taos (575) 737-6200 www.taos.unm.edu

HISTORICAL PLACES Taos Pueblo A mile north of the city of Taos, it's the largest surviving multistoried Pueblo structure in the United States and the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. (575) 758-1028 www.taospueblo.com

San Francisco de Asís Church Celebrating its 200th anniversary, it is a National Historic Landmark and one of the most photographed and painted buildings in the country. 60 St. Francis Plaza, Ranchos de Taos (575) 758-2754 www.san-francisco-de-asis.org

MUSEUMS Blumenschein Home & Museum 222 Ledoux St. (575) 758-0505 www.taoshistoricmuseums.org Harwood Museum of Art 238 Ledoux St. (575) 758-9826 www.harwoodmuseum.org Gov. Bent House Museum 117 Bent St. (575) 758-2376 laplaza.org/art/museums_bent.php3 Kit Carson Home & Museum 113 Kit Carson Rd. (575) 758-4945 www.kitcarsonmuseum.org La Hacienda de los Martinez 708 Hacienda Way (575) 758-1000 www.taoshistoricmuseums.org Millicent Rogers Museum 1504 Millicent Rogers Rd., El Prado (575) 758-2462 www.millicentrogers.org Taos Art Museum at Fechin House 227 Paseo del Pueblo Norte (575) 758-2690 www.taosartmuseum.org The Couse-Sharp Historic Site 146 Kit Carson Rd. (575) 751-0369 www.couse-sharp.org

GALLERIES 203 Fine Art 1335 Gusdorf Rd., Suite 1 (575) 751-1262 www.203fineart.com

D.H. Lawrence Ranch Located in San Cristobal, approximately 20 miles north of Taos, it has been entrusted to the University of New Mexico for the purpose of creating a public memorial to British author D.H. Lawrence. (575) 776-2245 www. dhlawrenceranch.unm. edu

Angie Coleman Fine Arts 140 E. Kit Carson Rd. (575) 779-4658 www.angiecolemanfinearts. com

Historic Taos Plaza Located in the heart of Taos, Don Fernando de Taos Plaza was settled by the Spanish colonists 400 years ago.

DAFA David Anthony Fine Arts 132 Kit Carson Rd. (575) 758-7113 www.davidanthonyfineart.com

Mabel Dodge Luhan House Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1991, it has been a center of Taos arts and

Envision Gallery 1405 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte, El Prado (575) 751-1344 www.envisiongallery.net

Bryans Gallery 121 Kit Carson Rd. (575) 758-9407 www.bryansgallery.com

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Greg Moon Art 109A Kit Carson Rd. (575) 770-4463 www.gregmoonart.com Inger Jirby Gallery 207 Ledoux St. (575) 758-7333 www.jirby.com; www.ingerjirby.com Kimosabe 108 Teresina Lane (575) 758-8826 www.kimosabetaos.com Larry Bell Studio 233 Ranchitos St. (575) 758-3062 www.larrybell.com Michael McCormick Gallery 106 Paseo del Pueblo Norte (575) 758-1372 www.mccormickgallery.com Mission Gallery 138 Kit Carson Rd. (575) 758-2861 MoMo 133 Bent St. (505) 690-7871 www.monotaos.com Oralé Gallery Art for the Revolution 114 Kit Carson Rd. (575) 770-9247 www.oralegallery.com Parsons Gallery of the West 122D Kit Carson Rd. (575) 737-9200 www.parsonsart.com R B Ravens Gallery (by appointment) 4146 Hwy. 68, Ranchos de Taos (575) 758-7322 www.rbravens.com R C Gorman Navajo Gallery 104 South Plaza (575) 758-3250 www.rcgormangallery.com Robert L. Parsons Fine Art 131 Bent St. (800) 613-5091; (575) 751-0159 www.parsonsart.com Sage Fine Art Gallery 115C East Plaza (575) 758.-9396 www.sagefineart.com Stephen Kilborn 136A Paseo del Pueblo Norte (575) 758-5760 www.kilbornpottery.com The Ranch at Taos 119A Kit Carson Rd. (325) 647-5736 www.theranchattaos.com Linda Rauch Gallery 246 LeDoux St. (512) 417-0116 www.lindarauchartist.com Ed Sandoval Gallery 102B Paseo del Pueblo Norte (575) 770-6360 www.edsandovalgallery.com Frank Seckler Gallery 107 North Plaza (575) 758-7402 www,franksecklergallery.com Total Arts Gallery 122-A Kit Carson Rd. (575) 758-4667 www.totalartsgallery.com Untitled Fine Art Gallery 133 Kit Carson Rd. (575) 758-3969 www.untitledfineartgallery.com Wilder Nightingale Fine Art 119 Kit Carson Rd. (575) 758-3255 www.wnightingale.com

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getting started BY ANDY DENNISON

ELECTRICITY

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (575-758-2258) is the only power company in Taos. The office is located at 118 Cruz Alta St. Many Taoseños also get their power either partially or fully from the sun. Check the phone book under “Solar” for providers of renewable energy equipment and supplies. If you settle west of the Rio Grande Gorge, you will be off the grid and have torely on solar, wind and often batteries to stay connected.

GAS & PROPANE

New Mexico Gas is the sole provider of natural gas in the Taos area (888-664-2726). Their office is located at 1110 Gusdorf Road. Natural gas is not available in all areas, and you will have to pay to have your house hooked up if it is near but not already connected to a gas line. Propane is another gas option, and there are a half-dozen propane providers and dealers that can be located in the phone book under “Gas-Propane.”

TELEPHONE

CenturyLink (877-255-5179) is the main provider for telephone service in the area. All major cell phone providers offer coverage in the Taos vicinity. Verizon (800-256-4646) and T Mobile (800-201-3979) currently offer local number prefixes that will not cost long distance charges when your number is called from a land line locally. Some cell phones will also not work in the Eagle Nest and Angel Fire areas. Check with your service provider to make sure you have the right phone to work in these areas. Look under “Cellular & Wireless Phones & Service” for businesses that sell phones.

WATER If you have a well, you get your water from the ground. And if you live in an Earthship, you get your water from the sky. If you don’t fall into one of these two categories, you will want to call the Town of Taos Water Department at (575-751-2047).

TRASH, RECYCLING, AND DONATIONS

Waste Management (575-751-0708) handles on-street trash removal. Taos also has a recycling center located at 201 Bertha Lane. They take paper, cardboard, glass, old computers, aluminum and tin. Left-over building supplies and fixtures can go to Habitat for Humanity (575-776-2165) just past the old blinking

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Just moving to Taos or relocating to another home within Taos? Here’s a handy checklist of the basics to make sure you are all hooked up the first day in your new home.

light, on the left-hand side, on the road to Questa. The Community Against Violence store (575-751-4824), 1103 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, will also take your donations of reusable clothes and household goods.

NEWSPAPER Your local weekly newspaper, The Taos News, is a great source for news, entertainment, classifieds, church services and more. For more information on how to subscribe call (575) 758-2241 or visit taosnews.com.

INTERNET & CABLE CenturyLink (575-244-1111) provides DSL internet. Kit Carson Telecom offers DSL internet (575-758-4838), as well as satellite internet where no other option is available. TaosNet (575-758-7598) is another local ISP and can also provide you with DSL service, or wireless antenna internet where DSL is not available. For other options, look under “Internet Access Providers.”

MAIL No matter where you are, there is a Post Office nearby. The main Taos post office is located just north of Taos Plaza at 318 Paseo del Pueblo Norte (575-758-2081). Other Post Offices are in Ranchos de Taos, El Prado, Arroyo Hondo, Arroyo Seco, San Crystobal, Questa, Cerro, Taos Ski Valley, Tres Piedras and Carson.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION New residents are required to apply for a New Mexico driver’s license within 90 days of establishing residency. Make sure to bring proof of residency and proof of insurance when applying for a new license and registration, and check the website for updated information at http://nmshtd. state.nm.us/. The MVD office is located at 1038 Salazar Road on the south side of town at (575758-4226).

VOTING You can register to vote at the County Clerk’s Office at 105 Albright (across from Centinel Bank.) You must register at least 28 days before the first election in which you vote.

224 Cruz Alta suite H Taos, NM 87571 (575) 737-0509

630 Paseo del Pueblo Sur Suite 140 Taos, NM 87571

Natelson Law Firm P. O. Box 2286 Taos, NM 87571 575-758-4844 natelsonstephen@qwest.net

Sun Loan Company 710 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur Taos, NM 87571 (575) 751-3338 sunloan.com

AABA, LLC Taos, NM 87571 AABASolutions.com

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Protege Excavation, Inc. Taos, NM 87571 (575) 770-6278 protegeexcavation@yahoo.com

Mean Clean Solutions 18 Garcia Rd Costilla, NM 87524 505-423-9089 meancleansolutions.llc@gmail.com

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HEADER TEXT

Dwelling Creative 162 Camino Ovejero El Prado, NM 87529 (505) 603-7698 dwellingcreative.com

DANCE

Fernandez Flamenco #2 St. Francis Plaza RTD Taos, NM 87571 (605) 237-6672

Dwelling Creative 162 Camino Ovejero El Prado, NM 87529 (505) 603-7698 dwellingcreative.com

Delta Dental of New Mexico 2500 Louisiana Blvd NE Suite 600 Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505) 855-7125 deltadentalnm.com

Association of Commerce and Industry New Mexico 2201 Buena Vista Dr. SE, Ste. 410 Albuquerque, NM 87106 (505) 842-0644 nmaci.org Taos Networking Lunch 78 Sugar Lane Taos, NM 87571 727-804-8010

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575-776-7903

Fernandez Flamenco #2 St. Francis Plaza RTD Taos, NM 87571 (605) 237-6672

ELECTRONICS

Code 3 Service 115 Alexander Street Taos, NM 87571 1-575-737-8884

The Body Shop 108 Kit Carson Rd. Taos, NM 87571 (605) 237-6672

Sol Food Market 591 Arroyo Hondo Seco. Rd Arroyo Seco, NM 87514 (575) 776-5765 solfoodnm.com

Family Practice Associates of Taos 630 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur Taos, NM 87571 (575) 758-3005

Biscochitos de Taos Taos, NM 87571 (575) 776-8940 Atlas Thermal Coating Taos, NM 505-501-0623

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Hotel Luna Mystica 25 ABC Mesa Rd El Prado, NM 87529 (505) 977-2424 hotellunamystica.com

Little Pueblo Inn, LLC 227 Kit Carson Rd. Taos, NM 87571 1-801-718-5998

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Unicorn School Supply and Stationary 311 Paseo del Pueblo Sur Taos, NM 87571 (575) 758-4106 unicornss@msn.com

Taos Tack & Pet Supply 710 Paseo del Pueblo Sur Suite #20 Taos, NM 87571 (575) 737-9798 taostackandpetsupply.com

Big Brother's Big Sister's Mountain Region Taos / Colfax Counties Taos, NM 87571 (575) 770-5751 Â· (575) 779-0003 karen.kyote@bbbsmountainregion.org

Gecko Landscaping, Inc. 1232 Cisneros Rd. East Taos, NM 87571 (575) 770-1177 jimmy@geckolandscapinginc.com Insurance Group Inc.

1103 Paseo del Pueblo Norte El Prado, NM 87529 575-758-8106 reynoldsinsurance.com/

Taos Tack & Pet Supply 710 Paseo del Pueblo Sur Suite #20 Taos, NM 87571 (575) 737-9798 taostackandpetsupply.com

1021 B Salazar Road Taos, NM 87571 575-751-3215 realeyestaos.com

The PASEO Project

621 Callejon Road Taos, New Mexico 87571 (575) 613-0601 paseoproject.org

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Moon Desert Security Taos, NM 87571 575-770-7600 719-850-2228

Sam's Club

4201 Rodeo Rd Santa Fe, NM 87507 (505) 471-8825 samsclub.com/sams/homepage.jsp

KNCE 93.5 Radio

PO Box 1094 Taos, NM 87571 575-737-TEAM (8326) truetaosradio.com

Ghost Ranch

280 Private Drive 1708 Abiquiu, NM 87510 (505) 685-4333 x106 ghostranch.org

Taos Mountain Lodging & Retreat Center 15 El Salto Road Arroyo Seco , NM 87514 (575) 776-8940 taosmtnlodging.com

Los Rios River Runners 4003 Highway 68 Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557 575-776-8854 losriosriverrunners.com

Sol Food Market 591 Arroyo Hondo Seco. Rd Arroyo Seco, NM 87514 (575) 776-5765 solfoodnm.com

Unicorn School Supply and Stationary 311 Paseo del Pueblo Sur Taos, NM 87571 (575) 758-4106 unicornss@msn.com

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Taos Ski Valley, NM 87525

Unicorn School Supply and Stationary 311 Paseo del Pueblo Sur Taos, NM 87571 (575) 758-4106 unicornss@msn.com

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mosaic of color and texture floods the senses as you enter Alhambra de Taos. Rugs, antique tables, cabinets and mirrors in rich reds and golds fill the store, which is located just south of Taos Plaza. The store is named for the Moorish Alhambra castle in Granada, Spain. The name means the “place of the red earth” in Arabic, referring to the sun-dried bricks of its outer walls. Robert Vander visited the castle during his extensive travels. He says, “The castle is a place of sublime simplicity in its total harmony of design. When I saw it, I thought that if I ever started a business, I would call it Alhambra because I hold that harmony in high esteem and recognize it as something valuable.”

EXOTIC AND ECLECTIC Vander travels the world seeking exotic, eclectic pieces for Alhambra. In this way, he provides a service, sharing some of the joy and pleasure that he experiences in his travels. He says, “Not everyone can go to a bazaar in Samarkand in Uzbekistan, so I buy these things and bring them here.” There is a trend toward smaller furniture in the market now, notes Vander. He recently returned from a trip to China and he saw the trend there. He says, “Things change, almost imperceptibly; but the change can be rapid. You have to be aware of it.”

Alhambra de Taos:

He points out that a trend can begin when something like smaller furniture is featured in an architectural magazine. It can create a demand. “At Alhambra, we do think small and are very conscious of the choices we make,” he says.

BY CINDY BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATHARINE EGLI

Unity of design

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“Personally, I like to keep it simple in a subdued or Zen-like way,” says Vander, although he also purchases more ornate pieces from India and China. He says Tibetan designs can be quite wild: painted in a fantastic array of colorful images that often reflect religious beliefs. Vander seeks to find unique pieces that are affordable. He is noticing in his travels to Asia that people are becoming more aware of the value of their vintage pieces. “In the past, they didn’t have a use for their grandmother’s chest and now they are seeing the value, holding on to it, fixing it up. As a result, some pieces are becoming more expensive and rare.” In his last trip to China, Vander only had a few days to visit some of his regular vendors in the Beijing area. He often prefers to go to smaller towns, as he was able to do during his visit several months ago. Wherever he visits, he tries to think about what his customers in Taos and Santa Fe might enjoy. He also has a strong national customer base made up of visitors who come from across the U.S. – all the way from Florida to Washington state. They make a purchase from Alhambra when they are in Taos. Vander says, “They are usually happy with the piece they bought from us and return when they visit again.” Much of the furniture in the showroom comes from Asia. When asked how these pieces fit Southwest décor, Vander points out that there is a certain unity of design that allows pieces from different parts of the world to work together. “The Zia symbol that we find in New Mexico can also be seen on a piece of furniture made in Mongolia. Designs that are universal can be integrated well together,” he says.

HISTORY OF ALHAMBRA Taos has been home since 1969. Originally from the Netherlands, Vander had traveled in Asia and Europe before coming here. He loves living in Taos and also getting to travel. “It is not a bad situation,” he muses. The store was begun by his wife on Bent Street as Afghan Caravan. Vander was a contractor and cabinetmaker. When his wife was killed in a car accident, Vander took over the business and raised his two young children. “She left me with two beautiful children and they needed more time than I had as a builder,” he says.

He moved the store near to its current location on Paseo del Pueblo Sur – next to the Cantu Hardware and Furniture store and then eventually into the hardware store space 20 years ago. He has had stores in Albuquerque and Denver, Colorado, as well as other locations in Taos, but now focuses his attention on this store, which is just perfect for him. Vander says, “I couldn’t have built this business without the help of some very dedicated employees, some of whom are no longer with us. Many capable people have helped us grow the business. Some of them stayed with us for the duration and now there is a new generation of people in the store helping, too.”

SEARCH FOR ART DECO When asked about a favorite adventure, Vander recounts visiting China about 12 years ago. He was in search of an art deco-design rug that had been made in limited production in Kashgar in far western China in the 1920s. The factory was destroyed in the 1930s and only a few rugs remained. Vander went from house to house searching for the brightly colored rugs with fanciful designs of stylized flower pots and tables with ornate legs. He would see them hung on the wall behind the benches used for both sitting and sleeping. “I drank hundreds of cups of tea, ate loafs of bread, along with goat and sheep dishes,” he remembers. He did find some of the pieces he was seeking. Some of the carpets were in bad shape, but he purchased about 20 rugs and was able to breathe new life into them with the help of a master carpet restorer in Beijing.

CRAFT OF THE WORK Looking back, Vander says, “It’s been a delight, an interesting ride.” He says that he has never considered Alhambra work or a job. He comes to the store happy with what he is doing. And the associated travel has offered him much freedom. “Retirement is always over the horizon,” he says with a smile. Like the work he did building cabinets, he sees his work collecting beautiful treasures as a craft – one that he continues to enjoy. Visit Alhambra de Taos at 124 Paseo del Pueblo Sur. Contact the store at 575 758 4161 or alhambra505@hotmail.com.

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Here in Taos, we have traditionally had small houses, but mostly as auxiliary structures to a main house. I’m not sure of the history and how they came to be so important here, but my guess is they began somewhat organically – just as how houses grew in size back in the day. Simply, necessity is the mother of invention and caused expanded housing, many times with bedrooms leading to and through other bedrooms, which would never be accepted today. And at some point, the house got as big as it could and another structure was just the best way to deal with greater need. At least that’s how I think it came to pass. But there were also teepees that our Native American brothers and sisters lived in. And they were just one room, with no way to expand them. All family members slept in the same space as they cooked and hung out – that is, if they hung out. (I’m not really sure of that.) Anyway, those spaces were also portable, which casitas could not match. I don’t think Native Americans had anything like guesthouses or casitas, although maybe they had extra poles and skins and brought them out when company came. Back in New Jersey, where I used to live – with an emphasis on used to – most homes were three or four bedrooms. Zoning didn’t allow for – and, frankly, I knew no one who pined for – additional structures on their land. There, all was done within one home or structure. If you needed more bedrooms, you made do or moved. To me, casitas or small homes can be cool. We had one that had been a large carport, but was built with vigas and corbels and it was so spiffy we turned it into a place to live. It was about 450 square feet, but had a full living room, bedroom, a small kitchenette and a bathroom. While small, it was an efficient use of space and we lived in it quite happily for a month while we were having some work done in the main house.

Tiny living:

a necessity for some by Harvey Blaustein

MARKETSHARE

Small homes are becoming a rage in many parts of our country – some of it out of economic necessity, some of it due to life choices.

I just heard Aug. 15 that Portland, Oregon, is the fastest-gentrifying city in the country. And one of the steps people there are taking to try to keep folks in their neighborhoods as rent prices soar is to allow what we here in Taos call casitas. There, they have some fancy name for them, like auxiliary housing units or some such. Creating small places to live in people’s backyards has become the rage and the city is creating zoning to encourage more of those small houses. Small houses mean small rents and help keep folks from being displaced. ENCHANTED HOMES VOL. CXVII

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I have seen some really sweet casitas. One of my favorites of all time is on the former John Young Hunter estate. That one was small, with no kitchen, but it was a page out of a Ralph Lauren catalog and really spiffy funky – if you can imagine that. I will always remember that cabin, as one day, another broker was showing the property and signals somehow got crossed. She and her client walked in on a couple doing what comes naturally. A first and only for me. And for those folks. On a separate note, there is a casita on the west side of Blueberry Hill Road that goes with the large house with the turret or gable-like roof. I saw that one on the Realtors’ tour more than seven years ago, but it sticks in my head because it is the only one I’ve been in where I thought the casita was nicer than the main house. Look in any newspaper or magazine these days that feature homes and you’re bound to find an article on small homes. I have seen some incredible creativity and functionality, but I know I couldn’t live in 200 square feet, no matter how nice. I prefer having more than one place to sit at home and more than one place where I can be on my computer. I can do small, but small is relative. We have downsized without getting small. One space we live in is 1,750 square feet and the other about 1,350. Those work for us now – not too much, but just enough. I know I could go smaller, but for now, I prefer what I have. And isn’t that all of our goals? Harvey Blaustein is a retired attorney and local real estate broker.

603 Camino da la Placita Taos, NM 87571 575-737-5678 hblau4@gmail.com www.taospremierproperties.com

FOR THE ENTERTAINER IN YOU…

SMASHING HOUSE, OFF THE 3RD GREEN… We proudly

In the highly desirable Weimer area we proudly offer a home with splendid views for those that love to entertain and enjoy living large. The great room has ceilings 18 feet high, the dining room is cozy with a fireplace at eye level, and there are 3 bedrooms, two of them masters, - one a suite for expansive space. With plenty of outdoor spaces, this is a home to be enjoyed. $599,000 MLS# 99670

offer this 3 bedroom, 3 full bath home that speaks of casual elegance, with a huge 2 tier patio with hot tub overlooking the 3rd green at the Taos Country Club. The great room has 16 foot ceilings, the circular master shower will tickle your fancy & the wall of windows will tickle your eyes. And the landscaping is awesome. $599,000 MLS #99795

PREMIUM R-4 SITE NEAR THE PLAZA… The most

important phrase in our residential real estate market is “in walking distance to the plaza” because that is what most folks want when they look for a home here. For those that want to meet this need, we proudly offer a 4.25 acre site, the largest undeveloped R-4 location close to the plaza in town, between Salazar and Santistevan Roads, with frontage on Ranchitos, and access off Santistevan. Owner/broker $399,000 MLS #99029

GREAT TURN KEY RESTAURANT OPPORTUNITY…

Folks around here love to eat at the restaurant located at 316 Paseo del Pueblo Sur. The couple who created the place are well known locally, want to move on despite having created a place that has a well worn path to the front door. We proudly offer the location, lease, fully equipped kitchen and pantries, furniture and furnishings. And all can be had for less than the cost of the equipment. $129,000 MLS # 100248

“I AM A STRATEGIC THINKER, PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS, AND GET THINGS DONE.” HARVEY BLAUSTEIN, QUALIFYING BROKER

AN IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL CORNER…

If you do business with locals and are looking for the perfect location, we proudly offer the very prominent corner of Salazar and Ranchitos Roads. This is one of the most desirable commercial locations in town, which most residents drive by daily. It consists of .64 acres and is zoned CBD with more land possible. Owner/Broker $329,000 MLS #99026 ENCHANTEDHOMESELLER.COM

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