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Besides being the place where Cayetano Juarez died (while sitting at the bar in 1883), the Depot is known for its malfatti. Virginia, a nati

Final touches to a bathroom update. It was a 1959 San Francisco flat where most bathrooms of that era and in that city, are itty bitty.

(Originally published in the Napa Valley Register) Today’s column comes to you by way of permission from three recent clients. Clients who, before undertakin...

There’s a Stephen Sondheim song titled, “A funny thing happened on the way to the forum.” That’s how I felt on my way out the door after mee

Colors aside, when I pulled up to the front of the building, I was immediately struck by one significant feature — its portico. It led to th

What color does your mind’s eye see when you think of “taupe”? A version of beige? Khaki? Gray? Pink? You’d all be correct. But what is tau

No doubt, the kitchen is the heart of the home and the place where a lifetime of memories are made. I have a special story to tell that make

When clients, Jeff and Cathy, asked me to help them remodel their kitchen, I did what I always do. I asked them to write a list of their goa

Envisioning my clients’ goal came easily. Listening to the operatic passion of “La Boheme” while I sketched set the mood and inspired me fur

Do you have a catch-all room? Part home office, part guest bedroom, and part storage for this and that? My client, Jane, had such a room. Ti

I could see the fear in my client’s eyes. Display after display begged him to make a decision. Phil wanted to be on the golf course, next to

Long time clients, Russ and Stephanie, love green. Not the eco-friendly kind per se, but the color - from sage to khaki and all shades of ol

Martini-drinking, tuxedo-wearing, Dean Martin Rat Pack movies come to mind when I think of bachelor pads. But my client's home, filled with

I hear this phrase all the time, “bringing the outdoors in”. Today, I’m bringing the indoors … out. Design is about space, scale, balance, f

In the realm of home improvement, two trends remain strong: Homeowners are focused on their kitchens and bathrooms. And, they are increasing

styles and haven’t decided on anything yet. I want to use color in a big way. I saw on your website that you sometimes used it fearlessly. How do you choose ...

I recently ran into an old client who said, “I’ve been thinking about you every day!” I didn’t know what was coming next. Referring to this

My friend, Meryll, and I circled the displays at the Napa Valley Orchid Society a dozen times. Each lap delivered a new discovery. Intricate

Ask Napa resident, Holly Quate, what her favorite design style is and she’ll answer, “Art Deco or Mid-century Modern or maybe Craftsman.” As

As we went down her written list of questions, we came to the subject of wall color. I suggested one that may not seem very creative. White.