MOOD LIGHTING Proper illumination can impact daily emotions, atmosphere of the home BY RACHAEL WILFORD
Creating different lighting in various rooms in a home can change a person’s mood, stimulate energy and even increase productivity. Lighting has a tremendous impact on how someone feels and what they do on an everyday basis in their home. According to interior designer Gigi Harris, creator of Kaizen Interiors in San Clemente, lighting is an essential part of a design space. “You can have a really well-designed space but without the proper lighting, it really won’t do your space any justice,” Harris said. “Different types of lighting will add to the warmth of a space and can create a more inviting and relaxing environment.” To achieve this environment, Harris suggests layering lighting in the home with dimmers and art lighting to create a more sophisticated feel. Ambient lighting like table lamps and pendant lights will add subtle emphasis on certain areas. Use strategic accent lighting to accentuate specific artifacts or artwork in the home in order to draw attention to these treasures. Window tinting and UV protection Windows are also an important area of consideration when it comes to lighting. Harris recommends window tinting to protect furniture from UV light and suggests automated window treatments that can automatically raise and lower shades depending on the time of day. Shades can be set to rise with the sun in the morning to illuminate the home and can also be set to lower at dusk to help create a tranquil, evening mood. To eliminate unwanted early morning rays from creeping in, blackout shades can be installed so sleep will not be disturbed. Bulb selection for each room Another way to help facilitate certain moods throughout the home is through
the strategic use of lighting within different rooms. Each room within the home has a different purpose and mood and should be lit accordingly. To Rob Edman, who has been in the LED lighting consulting field for eight years and is currently a consultant for Energetic Lighting, having proper lighting in each room is essential to creating a satisfying home environment. “Lighting can affect how somebody feels in a certain room,” Edman said. “Certain rooms require different color temperatures of light based on what the need for that room is.” Edman suggests a warm, amber light bulb for living rooms because it can set a relaxing, comfortable mood. For the kitchen, he suggests a more natural light which will stimulate energy for cooking and will also help illuminate the food that is being prepared. Offices and school classrooms also require natural lighting because it will instigate more productivity. To create an overall ambient atmosphere in bedrooms, Edman recommends warm bulbs in the overhead lights and brighter bulbs in the lamps next to the beds which will assist in reading. The dining room, which Edman calls the “mood-setting room,” calls for warmer bulbs to emulate more of a romantic and intimate candlelight setting. A mood can quickly sour if bathroom light bulbs are too high in color temperature because those types of bulbs will highlight imperfections. In order to see mirror reflections in just the right light, Edman recommends a 3000-kelvin light bulb to brighten the room just enough to see important features and details at a bare minimum. Moods within the home can be created by experimenting with various techniques in light manipulation in order to create the desired ambience of comfortability and contentment at home. For more information on lighting design, visit www.kaizeninteriors.com and for details on proper bulb selection, wattage and tinting, visit www.energeticlighting.com. •
WELCOME
This year’s Inside/Outside features a plethora of interior and exterior design concepts based on modern trends, varying financial budgets and issues that many local homeowners and business owners face. In this special section, readers will find features with creative ideas, practical tips and planning protocols from designers, consignment store owners, realtors, gardening experts, renewable energy innovators and local homeowners in South Orange County. Whether its renovations, modest upgrades, buying or selling, Inside/Outside will provide valuable tips to help you move forward with your next project.
Faux Pas to Avoid for Firsttime Home Buyers or Sellers A Q&A WITH CONRAD REALTORS BY DANNY RITZ
Jeremy, Steve and Bill Conrad of Conrad Realtors in San Clemente are third generation realtors who have serviced the greater South Orange County region since 1963. Still operating successfully under the guiding values that their grandfather George Conrad instilled in the family business over 50 years ago, Conrad Realtors can offer sound advice on selling and buying to firsttime homeowners alike. Picket Fence Media spoke with Conrad Realtors to shed some light on common faux pas of the modern home purchasing experience. Picket Fence Media: What is the most prominent misconception you encounter with first-time home buyers? Conrad Realtors: They (buyers) are typically very nervous, considering this is probably their first large purchase and financial commitment. They have a lot of questions, which we are happy to answer. As first-time buyers, they tend to have many friends, family members and colleagues giving them advice that tends to lead to more anxiety hearing all these different and possibly conflicting opinions. It’s best to consult with an expert. What are some of the most common snags first-time home buyers should anticipate to try and avoid? First-time buyers need to account for
closing costs, moving costs and maintenance costs of home ownership. They also need to be sure to have the long-term goals in mind. Typically, in 5-10 years, they will be in a good equity position, not necessarily in one to two years. What might you call the most common “miss” of home buyers in the modern home purchasing process? Most buyers underestimate the process of qualifying for the loan by not doing as much due diligence as they should before making the offer on a home and entering escrow. At the same time, sellers need to make sure their buyer is fully committed to buying the home and are qualified. What do you see homeowners looking to sell or interested buyers highly focused on that you might call unnecessary or excessive? It comes back to nerves and being too hesitant about the process of selling or buying a home. If the buyer or seller is working with a true, full-time real estate sales professional who is experienced, the trust that individual can offer the buyer or seller can go a long way in helping with the stress and anxiety of making such a large decision. If you are interested in contacting Jeremy, Steve and Bill Conrad of Conrad Realtors you can visit conradrealestate.com or call their office in San Clemente at 949.492.9400. •
istockphoto.com/shippee
The Wo-Man Cave IN-HOME AND BACKYARD HIDEAWAYS PROVIDE ESCAPE FROM THE DAILY GRIND BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS CAMACHO
It’s the year of the shed. Sports memorabilia, pool tables, flat screens and bars have long been staples of the pigskin retreats and poker hideaways dubbed man caves—a concept born out of the assumption that women control the home. But a charming backyard trend has ladies staking claim on a haven of their own. The man cave’s counter christened “she shed” is sweeping across social media, home improvement stores and cable networks as part of the larger, small-space movement to create a pressure-free zone and low-maintenance escape. It’s safe to say: Tiny houses, treehouses and sheds are everywhere. Pinterest boards and Houzz design albums are filled with inspirational images of whimsical garden art studios and modern yoga retreats. The Today Show and Country Living have how-to-build-a-she-shed guides and top she-shed lists, while FYI has He Shed She Shed, a battle of the sexes showdown series centered on outdoor living space projects. Lowe’s Home Improvement even offers step-by-step instructions—from shed foundation and French door installations to paint and design tips—on how to turn a regular storage shed into a stylish space. These online tutorials can also be tailored to build a business “shedquarters” or “pub-shed” for a backyard brew. Whether its breathing new life into an under-utilized outdoor structure, starting from scratch or repurposing a room, shed or no shed, here are a few ideas that will
bring personality and function to a fun little hideaway. Crafty Cottage: An ideal start to an art studio. Create an enchanting space to invigorate artistic work. Install French doors for natural light, window boxes for color and to connect with nature. Yoga Oasis: Create a Zen-inspired space for yoga practice, reflection and meditation. Start with a neutral base and incorporate clean, simple furniture and earth-toned fabrics. Keep artwork minimal and consider installing a water feature—a small, serene fountain or privacy pond to protect the sanctuary. Backyard Bar: Inside create a refuge, outside design a space primed for a party. Add a pergola onto the shed to expand the entertaining space. String market lights, stock the bar and bring in comfortable seating to create a warm, inviting environment guests will love. Office Space: Enjoy a traffic-free morning commute to a backyard office. Utilize natural lighting by installing windows and skylights to create a bright space where creativity and productivity will flourish. Here, embrace bright pops of color to keep the space fresh and hanging shelves or bookcases to organize. Literary Lodge: Give literary favorites a dreamy home. Add a couch, rug, pillows and blankets alongside shelving housing beloved stories to create a comfortable reading nook. Now that a few ideas have been noted, it’s time to start planning. First, find a purpose. Then, figure out individual style. Be it romantic or modern, rustic or quirky, make the space personal. •
A FULL MAKEOVER San Clemente Residents Turn Ranch Home Into Multi-Structure Home Base
BY RACHEL WILFORD
When 20-year residents John and Jenny Dewey bought a 1950’s ranch-style home near Lasuens Beach in San Clemente, they knew they wanted to make renovations. At the time, their home was a long, single-story structure that stretched across two lots. When the house was built, homeowners were allowed to build across a double lot without being forced to merge them into one. Later on once the Dewey’s acquired the property, they went to the city to discuss splitting the lot, of which the city allowed them to move forward with their renovations as planned. Now, the city does not allow for such construction. Today, all remnants of the 1950’s ranch-
style home are gone due to a full makeover project. In its place are two structures: the Dewey’s main house and their guest home, spliced by a grass yard and a basketball court. Transforming the guest home The guest house was built as the smallest possible structure the Dewey’s were allowed to build so that they could maximize their backyard space. The yard backs up against a canyon, which is comprised of layers of terraces. Plum, lime, lemon and avocado trees grow on different levels of the terraces leading down the canyon. “Part of the reason we decided to buy this house was because of the two lots, but the other reason was because of all of this land
that we have in the back,” Jenny said. “You can’t get terraces like this anymore. Most people just have land that slants down into the canyon.” The Dewey’s originally planned to use the guest house as a place where family and friends could stay but instead, they acquired permanent residents. The top floor is the residents’ living area and the bottom is used as the family’s gym. The guest house structure was required to have a garage which the Dewey’s didn’t need, so they decided to transform that space into their exercise area. Jenny, who is a personal trainer through her business Orange Door Fitness, is an exercise advocate and loves having the extra work out space at home.
Enlisting experts in renovation Because John is a concrete contractor for Urban Concrete Inc., he was able to enlist the expertise of professionals in the business when he and Jenny decided they were going to take on the project. The Dewey’s had also conducted renovations to their previous home, so they had a clear idea of what they wanted and what the process was going to look like. From start to finish, the complete renewal only took 10 months. “Know your finishes ahead of time,” Jenny said. “Pick out your tiles, your lights, your backsplashes, everything, before they’re ready to be installed. That way, when that part of the process is ready to start, you are prepared. You can tell them exactly what you want and those components can be installed immediately.” The inside of the Dewey’s house is ornamented with light, especially in the main living area that connects to the kitchen. From the wood floors to the tile-accented stairs to the kitchen’s center white, marble island, the house embodies a distinctly fresh elegance. Jenny chose most of the interior designs and decorations herself while John focused on the structure. Her proudest accomplishment is the mud room, which most Southern California homes don’t have. The mud room has a door on the outside for returning beach goers to shower off before entering the hallway. The mud room hallway also incorporates cupboards and cubbies where John, Jenny and their two children can store different daily items. The upstairs master bed and bath is located in the back corner of the house with a view of the backyard. When designing the master bathroom, Jenny decided to position the sinks and vanity area overlooking the backyard, but kept the mirror small in size and in the center of the vanity so two windows could be positioned on either side, creating a subtle view of the expanse behind the house. Knowing family habits before designing The Dewey’s paid attention to a lot of details when they designed their home, particularly their habits. For example, Jenny knew they only ate at the kitchen island in their previous home and the dining table was rarely used. When they renovated this home, she created a separate dining area that would only be used for special occasions and designed her island for everyday use. “There are a lot of little decisions that you don’t realize you’re going to have to make,” Jenny said. “Really know how you live and know what you like to do in your house before you start designing.” From their experience, the Dewey’s recommend studying examples of newly renovated homes of modest and high-end calibers before tackling any major renovation project. “Go to high-end model homes throughout Orange County,” John said. “Walk through them with a tape measure and figure out those details early. That is a good way to gather ideas of what you want to do.” •
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GARDEN TO TABLE
CREATING AN HERB GARDEN FOR SMALL SPACES BY MARIANNE TAYLOR
With more residents living in smaller dwellings and deceased backyards, many are forced to stretch out creativity and resort to a balcony or patio to create a green living space. Container gardening is the perfect antidote for creating gardens in small spaces, especially, a culinary herb garden connecting the garden to the resident and fresh herbs right at their fingertips. The flavor of freshly picked home grown herbs in soups, stews, sauces, casseroles, pastas, salads and many other dishes cannot be matched. A culinary herb garden can not only be a functional garden, but a beautiful one as well. Some herbs, such as lemongrass, sage and thyme, have leaves with interesting textures, scents and shapes. Herbs also provide habitats for beneficial pollinators. Whether it be buying or building a wooden raised bed, recycling a pallet, using pots or vertical wall hanging, anyone can be successful with gardening in small spaces with the right container for the right space by following these steps. Location. Finding the right location is key. Herbs like it hot and need a sunny location. They will need at least six hours of sun a day. It’s best for an herb garden to be close to the kitchen and not out of sight and out of mind. An herb garden needs to be supervised or it will not succeed. Containers. Herbs grow successfully in containers and can be designed to accommodate any setting. They can be arranged into attractive groupings and moved around on canisters as needed. Plant Depot of San Juan Capistrano has large selections and a variety of containers, from redwood wooden boxes to clay pots to corrugated metal, they have everything one will need to fit small budgets and spaces. Soil. According to Meerae Park, team member of Plant Depot, it’s all about good soil. He suggests Gary’s Top Pot soil for herb and vegetable gardens. Most herbs need a welldrained, fertile soil to grow their best. Herbs like an organic soil, so he suggests filling the container with Gary’s Top Pot six inches below the rim of the container and then adding an organic top layer for micro nutrients. Then, plant the herbs
and finish with a finer wood mulch. The finer wood mulch decomposes easier and breaks down into more organic matter for the plants. Water. Herb gardens don’t need as much water as a flower or vegetable garden. Be sure to water at least twice a week. However, setting watering reminders on calendars can be helpful so as not to stress out the plans and have them dry out completely. Design and color. According to Wyatt Murphy, manager of Shore Gardens Nursery in San Clemente, it’s important to add flowering edibles to herb gardens too. Herbs not only provide flowers for the kitchen garden, but they aid bee habitat and pollinating insects in patio or balcony gardens. • Create a theme of color or scent using edible flowers, Murphy said. Pansies, violas, calendula, marigolds and geraniums are some of the edible flowers that can be grown to compliment the leaves and flowers of herbs. • Mix up the types of culinary herbs growing with an eye for design. Use a strawberry pot and layer the herbs, Murphy said. There are three types of culinary herbs: herbaceous, evergreen and annual. Herbaceous herbs—such as oregano, chives, tarragon and mint—die back to the ground each year but return in spring. Evergreen herbs, such as rosemary and sage, stay alive and green through winter where they are hard. Annuals—such as basil, cilantro and dill—die off in fall and will need to be replanted. Theme gardens. Plan a culinary herb garden knowing the types of herbs that will be growing. Try creating a theme garden. Dana Point Nursery can get you started with ideas for a theme garden based on your dining preferences. If Italian food is a household cooking favorite, planting plenty of basil, oregano, parsley, thyme and rosemary is a must. If Asian foods hold favoritism instead, make room for Thai basil, lemongrass and hot peppers. If interested in cooking Mexican cuisine, cultivate cilantro, chili peppers and epazote. With these simple steps, a small green living space can be transformed into a thriving culinary kitchen in no time with daily benefits, regardless of space or budget limitations. •
Cost of Project: Discussing cost is probably the highest priority for every renovator. Costs will fluctuate depending on renovation location and the materials being used. Coastal and hillside communities need a foundation to fit soil recommendations from a geologist, which can get pricey depending on the required engineering needed to prevent hillside movement. Interior of Project: The interior costs of a renova-
tion project costs less if you stay simple with all of the finishes. Keep the cost to a minimum with essentials, such as: • Purchasing the least expensive windows, doors and plumbing fixtures • Use a fiberglass tub instead of tile or travertine in the bathroom • Use formica instead of granite, quartz or tile countertops • Use less outlets and use the minimum required light fixtures inside and outside So what’s the final cost? About $180-300 per square foot in South Orange County. I don’t recommend going the cheapest route possible because of the real estate values.
Experience is Key: Expertise is incredibly impor-
tant when choosing a contractor for your project. Having a complete team at your fingertips in one phone call can save a great deal of time when obtaining permits, which results in thousands of dollars in savings. Having the necessary professionals and subcontractors on hand is a plus too.
Local Builders Serving South Orange County for 30 years.
For your current or future project, give us call, we can plan your budget. Local Builders since 1989. Lic. #589688. Contact David Faylor at local2Buildit@gmail.com or at 949.510.5679. Custom home and hillside foundation specialist, challenging concrete structures, major kitchens and restaurants.
Bringing Travels Home Local residents decorate with artifacts, plants from around the world TEXT AND PHOTOS BY RACHEL WILFORD
To Liz Jonas, San Clemente resident, entrepreneur and mother of four, traveling is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Jonas has traveled to 44 countries so far and she has no plans to stop seeing the world, ever. “I tell my kids that they have to visit one new place every year,” Jonas said. “It doesn’t even have to be out of the country, it can be in the United States. As long as they are going and exploring.” But Liz doesn’t just travel for personal fulfillment. She has since expanded her initial goals to utilize traveling for business initiatives as well as interior design. She often brings back jewelry, shells, shoes, pillows, artwork, saddlebags and more. She has stories to tell, and the décor from her travels adorns her home to reflect those stories. “When we travel, we never do any research beforehand,” said Jonas. “We always stay in small, authentic, local hotels. I want to feel like I’m living there, not like I’m a tourist. The more exotic and off the grid, the better.” Liz’s adventuring started when she moved to Paris after graduating from college and she met her husband Jeff while living there. After they married, the couple has been traveling the world together and fueling each of their businesses from their travels too. Jeff’s business GBI Tile & Stone has taken him all around the world in search of stone, tile and marble to supply to customers. Liz would accompany him on his trips and started collecting stones at local markets wherever she went, in addition to the other artifacts she would collect for decorating her home. She eventually started making jewelry at her son’s baseball games as a hobby, but when people started requesting jewelry from her, she decided to create her business Jonas & Muse. Liz collects stones, crosses, boar tusks, beads and more from places like Nepal, China and Ethiopia and then creates handmade, authentic jewelry from them. Her jewelry is sold in local stores, such as Sunny Days and Tuvalu. For additional design concepts similar to Liz’s treasures from Nepal or Thailand, visit Bamboo and Beyond in San Clemente at 713 N El Camino Real or on Facebook at www.facebook. com/bambooandbeyond.
from the island of Madagascar. In its natural habitat, the palm can grow to almost 85 feet tall and in cultivation it can reach 40 feet. In addition to the plant life, the Serklews have also built a vacation-style pool in their backyard. The pool features a sunken bar, hot tub, slide, baby beach and waterfalls that complete the tropical Hawaiian landscape theme. For those interested in getting started with palms and cycads like Cary, visit Seaside Growers Nursery in San Juan Capistrano at 33773 Camino Capistrano or at www.seasidegrowers. com.
Calming Design
Asian Influence in Dana Point
A piece from Liz Jonas’ travels.
A Taste of the Tropics in San Juan Capistrano For years, Cary Serklew has worked tirelessly to cultivate his San Juan Capistrano backyard into a tropical paradise. Where some might find interest in interior design, Serklew finds his passion to be outdoor landscaping with plants. As a member of the International Palm Society, Serklew has many contacts who are able to assist him in importing palms from all over the world, including New Caledonia, Australia, Mexico, China, Lord Howe Island and New Zealand. Serklew’s lush botanical garden is also comprised of many complimentary plants such as bromeliads, tillandsias, philoden-
drons, cycads and ferns. Serklew and his wife Karrie have not yet been to any of the places where their plants originate, but they would like to someday. “When we went to Hawaii in 2000, all Cary did was go shopping for plants,” Karrie said. “He ordered plants while we were there and had them shipped home and he also brought back seeds.” As an avid surfer, Cary has always been enthralled with the tropics. Before he and Karrie got married, he would go to Hawaii every year to surf. “I wanted to move to Hawaii but Karrie didn’t want to go,” Cary said. “So I just started moving all of these plants and built my little Hawaii right here instead.” Cary’s favorite plant in his yard is the bismarckia nobilis, a palm that originates
Cary Serklew’s tropical paradise.
Charis Burrett’s Asian-inspired entryway.
Walking through the front gate of Charis Burrett’s Dana Point home feels like an immediate transportation to Asia. Hanging next to the front entrance is a massive, serene Buddha face, welcoming visitors into the Chinoiserie-style sanctuary. Buddha’s are a common theme throughout Burrett’s home. They are scattered throughout the front dining area and lead all the way outside to the pool, which is guarded by a towering, cross-legged sculpture. Burrett, who is a model for Playboy magazine, moved to California at age 17 and began collecting antiques for her apartment. She started collaborating various styles in her living space which helped her learn how to manage different elements of design. Now, Burrett has her own company called The Mershon through which she consults others in the areas of interior design, fashion, restaurant design and vacation planning. Burrett has explored many countries in Asia and Europe as well as New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Mexico and the Bahamas where she lived for a period of time. She especially loves traveling to places that are artistic and unique and she models her home after those traits. “I want my home to be my retreat,” Burrett said. “I want to feel like I’m on vacation all the time, so I designed my home to be like the permanent vacation that I would like to be on.” The vacation destination that Burrett modeled her home after is Thailand, which is her favorite place that she has been to and the place that she hopes to move to. She also incorporates many family heirlooms in her home as well as French styles and pieces, and this fusion of Asian and French styles creates the popular European design of Chinoiserie throughout Burrett’s home. Burrett said that Dana Point interior design store Bella Bazaar has helped her find many of the pieces that can be found in her home. Even though her taste is very specific, Bella Bazaar has always been able to help her find exactly what she needs for her eclectic home. “I think the reason why people like coming to my home is because this house has an energy about it,” Burrett said. “It’s indescribable, you just have to see it and experience it.” For ideas similar to Charis’ Chinoiseriestyle, home, visit Bella Bazaar in Dana Point at 34467 Street of the Golden Lantern or at www. bellabazaar.com. •
SMART HOME SAVINGS Transforming structures with renewable technology BY DANNY RITZ
A sense of pride washed over Bret Pursuit, North Beach San Clemente resident and senior product developer for Sullivan Solar Power, as he spoke about his native South Orange County city as an innovative community in terms of solar energy conversion and environmentally friendly residential contributions. “We’re blessed with sunshine and progressive policy,” Pursuit said. Pursuit, who has been operating on his personal residential install of 12 panels since 2010, emphasized that there is no better time than the present for homeowners to take advantage of new smart technologies and eco-friendly advancements. Powering his own, as well as four to five other homes in his immediate proximity, Pursuit was quick to reference his own experience as an example of a smart upgrade to a number of South County residents and businesses. State wide, renewables—including solar, wind and hydro—are now responsible for close to 30 percent of available energy. Sullivan Solar alone has placed more than 1,100 installations and deployed over 32,000 solar panels in the tri-city area. These installations have been responsible for an estimated $5 million dollars in annual energy savings and the elimination of more than 29 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions entering the atmosphere each year. Currently, San Diego Gas & Electric users throughout South Orange County are charged a premium for their electricity during “peak” usage hours from 11-6 p.m. These times, which put maximum strain on the electrical grid, also happen to be the most productive times for solar power generation. “What you can see here, is the arrow going backwards,” Pursuit said as he showed measurements on his “smart reader,” the now standard-issue digital electrical meter installed in most structures in the region. “I’m actually producing power, and selling it back to the grid.” Pursuit, like the rest of the state, is
producing an overage of energy during peak solar contribution hours. Here, Pursuit makes a point of recognizing the next step in solar’s contribution to the power grid, the development of higher quality battery devices to store this energy. This offers a variety of benefits to residents, including additional personal savings to the user as well as reduced strain on the current electrical grid infrastructure. Seconding Pursuit’s positive solar technology experience was Kagan Industries, who contacted Sullivan Solar Power in 2016 for the addition of its solar-powered installation. Currently, the structure is the fifth largest solar powered installation in San Clemente. Previously facing $50-$60,000 in energy costs per year, Simone Kagan, facility manager of Kagan Industries, said that their solar conversion had an instant impact. “We were first wave users in our personal homes,” Kagan said. “After applying it to our rooftop at our business, we are seeing immediate savings and can foresee our system paying itself off in four or five years.” In the past, return on investment has been a controversial issue for solar conversion. “Solar installations are at a higher quality and lower price than ever before,” Pursuit said. “There is an abundance of quality products on the market, most coming with 20-25-year warranties assuring return on investment.” Sullivan Solar Power offers a solar education series held in community centers throughout South County in an effort to educate interested citizens. Led by Selene Lawrence, head of Community Development at Sullivan, these meetings often surround product alignment and proper financial planning to ensure a positive first solar experience. For more information on the next upcoming solar education event, visit www. sullivansolarpower.com. For information regarding residential rooftop solar energy system permits in San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point, visit city websites. •
Refurbishing on a Budget DECORATING WITH CONSIGNMENT AND ONE-OF-A-KIND ITEMS BY ERIN MCFAUL
Homeowners seem to be straying away from antique home décor and looking for unique, high-quality items to furnish their living spaces. Local second-hand shops offer an affordable alternative to retail chains and provide their own creative ideas to customers. Ziad and Helen Mahshi, owners of 2nd Hand Treasures in Capistrano Beach, offer a wide selection of furniture including items from big-name companies such as Pier 1 Imports, Thomasville and Crate and Barrel. With their discounted prices, Ziad said customers can furnish an apartment for under $1,000. When the Mahshi’s purchase furniture from a home, they donate half of the items to local Marines and their families and load the other half into a truck to be delivered to the store each Friday. With seven years of customer satisfaction, Ziad said buyers begin tagging items before they even unload the truck. Modern trends in consignment Ziad said that while buying antique furniture was the trend 10 years ago, their values are drastically fading. A wardrobe from 19th century France worth around $10,000 in the early 2000s now sells for around $1,300 dollars. Customers normally only purchase antiques for the quality design, later adding a fresh coat of paint to modernize the furniture, he said. The colors that most customers are looking for tend to be light aqua blue and gray, Ziad said. The trend deviates from traditional home designs that fixated on white walls and dark furniture as a contrast. “You have to use the fresh colors, the beachy colors, the lighter colors—no more dark,” Ziad said.
Furnishing small spaces Owners of Revel Resale, Kathleen Dabney and Sam Gaylord, use their San Juan Capistrano store to offer highquality furniture at affordable prices. Through consignment, items found in the store are listed at least 50 percent below retail price, Dabney said. For buyers looking to furnish a small space, Dabney suggests that a larger piece can enhance a tiny space better than cluttering the room with several smaller items. Home owners can then design upwards, utilizing wall space with draping and lighting techniques. “Add to the walls and then light it up,” Dabney said. “You can enhance the little dark spaces and make those the focal points instead of focusing on the size of the space.” Dabney and Gaylord’s store showcases several ideas to tastefully decorate wall space on a low budget. An overhead projector played “The Thin Man,” displaying the 1934 film in an empty frame hanging on the wall—entertainment without the loss of floor space. The couple also demonstrated how to contrast heavier furniture by layering artwork over fabric to create a softer feel in the room. Using unique home décor options To stray away from cookie-cutter designs, Dabney and Gaylord also offer suggestions for alternative uses to everyday furniture. Customers can decorate their dining room table by using a chandelier as a centerpiece, Dabney said. The placement of the chandelier makes the table the focal point while still lighting up the room. Among the items that sell the quickest is their everchanging collection of unique home décor. When custom-
ers come to Revel they can purchase items not available at big box retailers, Dabney said. From life-size French dolls to Incan statues, the store sells items from around the world. “Our items are international whereas so many places you go it’s all imported from the same place and here it’s the whole world,” Dabney said. “There’s so many people moving here—It’s a boom town.” With the desire for creativity, second-hand shops are the place to go for one of a kind items and fresh ideas. DIY: refurbishing tips for at-home projects Homeowners looking to refurbish their furniture can turn to local and online resources to make the process easy and affordable. Ziad Mahshi from 2nd Hand Treasures offers free lessons by appointment to customers who purchase one of his items. Mahshi said most customers come to him for help transforming their furniture to a shabby chic look. He helps them find the right paint and demonstrates how to scrub and hit the furniture until it has an older look. Home Depot makes redecorating easy with a series of classes offered by associates. The Home Depot in Mission Viejo offers classes throughout the summer that include building a crate end table and installing a tile backsplash. HomeGoods online offers a wide selection of blog posts written by interior designers too. The posts, which range from building an outdoor fire pit to redecorating the bathroom on a budget, offer time-saving tips and supply recommendations. With stores located in Ladera Ranch, Aliso Viejo and Lake Forest, customers can bring the ideas they saw online to life. •
BY ANDREA PAPAGIANIS-CAMACHO
Calming Design
FIVE WAYS TO CREATE RELAXING SPACES WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
Your home should be a place of refuge and relaxation. Often, though, a sink of dirty dishes, the never-ending laundry, ever mounting clutter and projects that keep being put off push us away from our haven. It’s time to take back the house. We talked to local design experts in decorating, lighting and landscaping to get their takes on how to create a calming space for relaxation, meditation and simpler living. Whether you want to create a designated Zen space for meditating or want to integrate comforting elements into your entire home, these expert tips will help you find balance and create harmony at home. Just a few simple changes can leave you in a more positive state of mind. 1. Clean up and clear out. Clutter is a Zen design no, no. Take it from designer Laura LeFever, with Reflections Interiors and Design in San Juan Capistrano, “Get rid of all clutter!” Zen design is restful and uncluttered. Its simplicity and emptiness can be dramatic and calming, she said. Ridding your home, car or office of clutter will not only help create a more relaxed atmosphere but also leave you more attentive, calm and productive. Also, try removing electronics from a given space in your home. Televisions and hand-held sources of distractions like tablets and smartphones are disruptors. Power down and relax in a technology-free space. 2. Use natural and soft light. Softening a room can be as simple as dimming the lights, said Alex Miranda, showroom manager at Lighting Innovation in San Clemente. Install a dimmer and bring lighting down when you aren’t in need of much brightness. Changing out fluorescent light bulbs with warmer incandescent or softer LED bulbs also helps, he said. For a more dramatic change, Miranda suggests using several lighting options in one space. Take the dining room. A combination of recessed lights, a central chandelier and buffet lamps can set a warm, inviting mood. And when possible, open the blinds and naturally illuminate interior spaces. 3. Bring the outdoors in. Houseplants can play an important role in interior design by infusing life into a room, creating a calming atmosphere and adding visual depth— they also purify the air. In search of a hearty, low light loving plant, Andrea Kemp, a nursery professional at Plant Depot in San Juan Capistrano recommended, the pothos plant. It’s easy to maintain and thrives in a wide range of environments. Try growing in bright or low light and dry soil or water-filled vases. The upright, succulent-like Sansevieria plant, available-everywhere Chinese evergreen and cleansing Dracaena family trees are other indoor garden options. 4. Embrace a neutral palette. Colors have the ability to calm, and even heal. Think of a clean, neutral color room as your blank canvas or as a fresh start. Choose a paint hue that feels good to you—maybe a tranquil blue, serene gray, warm beige or hopeful cream. Keep textiles neutral too. When adding accents to the space, choose natural, authentic and fabrics in neutral tones of the earth. Layering textures in a room will create warmth and interest, she said. A little boldness is alright, too. “A pop of red is okay, but keep the patterns simple and understated,” LeFever said. 5. Keep decorations simple. When it comes to decorating your de-cluttered, fresh space, LeFever said to, “Use accessories sparingly. Remember, simplicity is the essence of beauty.” Choose accessories in a natural material like wood, glass and metal, then add in geodes and agates—colorful natural stones that have been used for centuries to create a sense of harmony. Furniture should be kept simple with clean, straight lines and low seating. For windows, keep treatments natural and airy. To add a calming effect, integrate water elements into your design. Fountains and bubbling water as well as paintings of waterfalls and waterscapes can be soothing. •
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IN THE PIPELINE
BY DANNY RITZ
Water quality is often judged on a scale considering only it’s consumption and exposure safety. While health and safety is certainly of the utmost priority, what is in Solutions for pin-hole the water can have dramatic out-of-body impacts. pipe leaking from A current issue facing many tri-city homes today is the plague of pin-hole plumbing experts pipe leaking, causing massive amounts of damage to South Orange County homes. San Clemente, Laguna Niguel and Ladera Ranch communities have had the most substantial impact. For decades, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has added what are called “chloramines” to municipal water as a “disinfectant”. These disinfectants, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, are responsible for killing any live bacteria in the water that has grown while in transit to homes from local municipal distributors such as South Coast Water District, which supplies water to much of South Orange County. Although, all water serviced by local municipalities regularly meets and exceeds current state and federal safety regulations and there is very little or no conclusive scientific evidence to support that these disinfectants have any direct adverse health effects. However, a conclusive negative consequence of these additives is the creation of devastating pin-hole leaking caused by the corrosive reaction of the chloramine and copper piping widely used by developers in the region.
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Brandon Taliaferro of A-Z Plumbing in San Clemente, a multi-generational plumber and son of Bill Metzger who is the owner and operator of Bill Metzger Plumbing in San Clemente, said the overwhelming presence of pin-hole leaks is causing havoc in the tri-city area and a large part of their home projects. “We see new cases every day,” Taliaferro said. “I’m answering more and more of these calls as ‘newer homes’ are exceeding their 10-year developer warranties and require my services when leaks arise.” Fortunately, Taliaferro said that viable preventative options do exist. These include epoxy pipe-linings that coat the interior of existing pipes as well as an alternative plastic “Pex” pipe material that is resistant to corrosion. Difficult to forecast, Taliaferro encouraged being attentive within the community and suggests preemptive professional inspection if neighbors are encountering pin-hole leaking. “I think we could all agree, it’s better to catch a small leak than return home after a long weekend to see your home floating down the street,” Taliaferro said. Taliaferro also said the best preventative action a homeowner can take is to install a residential water filter. Chris Edmondson,
owner of Chicks Plumbing in Capistrano Beach, said his preferred product for water filtering is the Halo Water System, which filters out contaminates and synthetic additives before entering a residence. “The municipalities are solely focused on water safety” Edmondson said. “We have extraordinarily hard water, and like any mainstream water distribution system, we are likely to encounter contaminates such as medical and natural wastes in addition to the disinfectant additives.” Edmondson and Taliaferro both independently support the proactive approach of in-home filtration. “Sure, damage could already be done, but if you are a home or business owner, you can help reduce future damage and increase your peace of mind with installations such as these,” Edmondson said. With starting costs hovering around $3,000, a residential water filtration system could seem like a daunting investment, but rebuilding costs can easily surpass that tenfold if left without maintenance. Find out more about pin-hole leaking or about A-Z Plumbing services at www. atozleakdetection.com or Chicks Plumbing at www.chicks-plumbing.com. •