July 2015

After 60+ years in a property that has been dubbed a “laboratory for Western living”, Sunset Magazine is moving from its Cliff May designed headquarters in Menlo Park to Oakland’s bustling Jack London Square.

Originally a travel magazine, Sunset has, over the years, spread its wings to become a lifestyle media showcase that embraces just about every aspect of living in the West from architectural design, landscaping and home gardening, to recipes, travel, and trend-setting eateries.

Sunset’s move to Oakland is just part of its relocation process. In months to come, Sunset will establish its main test garden and an outdoor kitchen in Sonoma where they will host events, classes, and maybe even some wine tasting – after all, Sonoma is in wine

Summertime brings thoughts of outdoor parties; and as an Eichler owner who has hosted a few parties myself, I think that Eichlers were designed with partying in mind. That casual, easy flow between inside and out is what summer get-togethers are all about. Preparations can be as simple or elaborate is you want – ranging from putting out chips and dip and throwing a few beers and soft drinks into a cooler to a catered affair with fancy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

Start with invitations. In addition to letting your friends know when and where, invites help to set the tone and let your guests know what to expect. Although there is nothing wrong with traditional printed invitations, I’ve become a fan of evites, which spread the word electronically.

If you are looking to inject a little Mid-Century glamour into your Eichler or Mid-Century Modern home, your options are expanding. Mid-Century style has become popular – and as its popularity grows, so do your options for furnishing and décor.

Some Mid-Century Modern homeowners strive to recreate the retro Mid-Century look of the Rat Pack era; meaning simple lines, bold colors, and geometric shapes. Other MCM aficionados go for a sleek contemporary modern look, which can be eclectic and incorporates Mid-Century concepts into what is currently popular.

One way to develop your style is to do a little daydreaming online or visit shops that offer up-to-the-minute items. A nice site for wishful thinking is dwell.com. Dwell is dedicated to modern design

Many Eichler homeowners take the Mid-Century vibe of their neighborhood for granted, but as time takes its toll on homes – and it inevitably does – renovation, remodels, and complete teardown/rebuilds are affecting many Eichler communities. I guess the best example of that is in Palo Alto, where there has been a good deal of controversy recently, with Eichler residents squaring off with neighbors who want to build 2-story homes that will loom over the single-story, glass-walled Eichlers. Last week the Palo Alto City Council agreed to officially remove the fee for petitioning for neighborhood single-story-overlay zoning.  This should help make the process easier for Eichler homeowners seeking to ban 2-story homes from their neighborhoods. Even with the

It is always a treat to visit Heath Ceramics. On the off chance you haven’t heard about them, Heath Ceramics is an historic tableware and architectural tile company that had its beginnings in Sausalito, CA in 1948. It has since added a new tile factory and showroom in San Francisco and a showroom in Los Angeles. Always valuing thoughtful design and quality over quantity, Heath Ceramics is a treasure trove for anyone looking for unique, classically modern design.

Now would be a great time to pay one of the showrooms a visit. If you are going to be in the LA area this month, Japanese potter Akio Nukaga will be returning to Heath Los Angeles with a bevy of new pieces along with a few of his signature designs. Along with Akio’s work, sculptural

One of the truly great things about living in an Eichler neighborhood is the sense of community we find in so many of them. Easter egg hunts and pancake breakfasts, holiday tree lighting and cookie decorating parties, community BBQs and luaus, neighborhood-wide garage sales, wine-tasting celebrations, and outdoor music events happen year round in Eichler communities, creating fun and memories for residents young and old.

One such celebration is the 4th of July blowout hosted by Palo Alto’s Greenmeadow Eichler neighborhood. This year the public is invited and rumor has it that the mayor will be there as well. The day kicks off with a kids’ triathlon and continues with 1K and 5K footraces. Events will also include a parade, field events, and