http://www.ourcitysd.com/ourHome en ted.crittenden@cypressmagazines.com Copyright 2010 2010-02-23T20:40:57+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/the_estudillo_house_heritage/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/the_estudillo_house_heritage/#When:20:40:57Z The courtyard of the Estudillo house, located in Old Town San Diego, now serves as a time capsule. It is here that Ranchero style was preserved for later Anglos to copy and paste all over the Southern California landscape. It’s 3:15 p.m. on a quiet Sunday. The tourist season is over, and the locals are watching the Chargers play in the valley. A mustached docent watches me suspiciously out of the corner of his eye. I often sit down and relax in the cool afternoon shadows of the Estudillo house.  Although not encouraged, it is easily some of the most enjoyable lounging in San Diego.    The cool air collects in the u-shaped courtyard of one the earliest luxury California homes. Thick adobe walls and handmade roof tiles keep the interior rooms 10-15 degrees cooler than the surrounding streets. It is easy to see why this home was the grandest and most stately homes in the region when Jose Maria Estudillo, a wealthy landowner with cattle interests, constructed it in 1827. Early Yankee visitors resented the Mexican lifestyle. In account after account, Eastern visitors wrote of the lack of work ethic of the local inhabitants, they were disgusted by their dancing, music and bullfights and especially appalling was the lack of clothing worn by their women. It was until the novel “Ramona,” by Helen Hunt Jackson, that Yankee cultural differences could manifest into appreciation rather than contempt of early Southern California culture. Helen Hunt Jackson had only visited Southern California twice, when she wrote “Ramona” in New York City in 1884. She was trying to do for Native American peoples what Harriet Beecher Stowe did for African American people with “Uncle Toms Cabin.” While failing to give voice to the plight of native peoples, what Jackson did achieve was write a powerful love story about a half white, half Indian woman in a tale of forbidden love. Tame by today’s standards, the novel was such a sensation that many readers took it to be fact. Soon tourist destinations all over Southern California were popping up with supposed ties to Ramona. To some it seemed Southern California finally had a history worth hanging a hat on. The Estudillo home was renamed Ramona’s Marriage Place, conveniently the last stop on the trolley from downtown. There is no evidence that Jackson ever visited the Estudillo home, but that didn’t really matter. The gift shop in the home was selling postcards by the dozen, tourist were flocking in and soaking up the rich ambience. Along with the aging missions, the Estudillo home gave white America a taste of the exotic, a taste many would bring into their own homes. The greatest salesman of Estudillo style was born in 1908 at the high water mark of Ramona fever. His name was Cliff May, a San Diego architect who was the Great-great grandson of Estudillo. May did not become a licensed architect until late in life. From age 18 until age 26, he led his own music ensemble, the Cliff May Band. Music was his passion.  It was not until the depths of the depression that May took a job of building furniture. It was by designing his own furniture that May received his first notice as a designer. He furnished a home with his early California furniture. The home sold immediately based on the furniture. Soon May was designing homes all over Southern California including Los Angeles.  His Ranchero and Ranch style homes are clearly based on Estudillo fundamentals — from the floor plan circling a central patio, to details in windows and breezeways. Touring one of May’s San Diego homes, it is easy to imagine the May as a child, soaking up every nuance of the Estudillo estate. The only detail that isn’t present in May’s work is the pergola, which sits atop the roof so that the family could watch bullfights. The pergola was removed prior to May’s childhood because it did not conform to the Ramona novel, which described the structure as a low humble adobe structure. Walking under the coverings of the courtyard, we get to appreciate how much of a jewel the home is. What was extravagant luxury of 1850’s San Diego became middle class vernacular just 100 years later. The Estudillo home is a touchstone to California history and style. Discovery 2010-02-23T20:40:57+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/do_you_know_the_age_of_your_house/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/do_you_know_the_age_of_your_house/#When:16:51:47Z There are innumerable reasons to want to find out the age of a home. Some homeowners will wonder if the paint probably contains lead. Or you may wonder who lived there, or who the architect was, or if there was one. But, because homes evolve, new roofs, porches or additions are built it can be confusing to find out the history of your house. Real Estate 2009-06-09T16:51:47+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/5_design_tips_for_less_than_250/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/5_design_tips_for_less_than_250/#When:16:38:35Z Betty Hyde, ASID, of Ultimate Design Interiors, offers advice to spruce up a room on a budget. 1. Paint - one of the cheapest ways to give your space a face-lift. Hyde recommends painting an accent wall in your favorite rich tone. Plus, you will save a few gallons by skipping the remaining walls. 2. Recover old throw pillows. Hit your favorite fabric or craft store for a few yards in bright hues or fun patterns. Simple directions can be found there as well. Or, purchase already-completed pillow covers from your local home store, and slide the old guys in. 3. Unmatched furniture? Paint all of the pieces the same color. For chairs, complete the project with matching seat cushions. 4. Search for carpet remnants at flooring stores. Once you’ve found a scrap that matches your tastes, ask for finishing services. Most carpet stores can recommend someone who will add a border. 5. A fresh set of dinner napkins can brighter your table – or, they can be used as valances. Simply hang them over a curtain rod so that they look like layered triangles. A new, decorative curtain rod will complete the look. One final tip: DIY! Hyde notes that simple, inexpensive updates to existing spaces require just a little elbow grease and imagination. However, when you are ready for a complete style overhaul, it might be best to contact the experts. The American Society of Interior Designers San Diego chapter offers a list of local, certified interior at http://www.asidsandiego.org. 2009-06-02T16:38:35+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/color_me_yellow/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/color_me_yellow/#When:19:56:09Z By Shana K. Wilson Give a party. Where are you most likely to find your guests grouped together? Chances are that you said, “The kitchen.” The 2009 color palette reflects the notion of good friends gathering together — the colors are high energy, bright and happy. And as with friends, today’s diversity definitely makes things more interesting. You may want to think of Latin American hues like acid yellow, lime green and a touch of red pepper. Or you could put yourself in mid of India, with curry, ginger and henna —all topped off with accents of strawberry ice. (The cool pink is really hot this year and gives kitchen design a fun, new flavor.) But wherever your mind takes you, this year you’ll want to start your design voyage with yellow, the color of joy. Yellow is making its debut beginning with a sunny, optimistic yellow and ranging through greenish citron to apricot and everything in between. Since appliances tend to either be cool silver, white or black, lately designers are heating up kitchens with warm colors that create high energy. Bright color is showing up on walls, but it is also being used on countertops. (Think burnt orange or chili-pepper red.) Inlaid tiles of hot pink or lime green are being paired beautifully with the darker cabinets that are in style. If you’re thinking all of this infusion of sizzling color might be overwhelming after you’ve been living with a softer, more natural color scheme, before transitioning to the new hot shades consider buying several inexpensive kitchen accessories in those colors (glass vases, kitchen towels, and flower arrangements, etc.) to let you adjust to the vivid punch we are seeing in today’s kitchens. Then if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. (Or, return the accessories!) Trend 2009-05-26T19:56:09+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/designer_tip_shed_light_on_tile/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/designer_tip_shed_light_on_tile/#When:17:24:25Z While no means scientific, these two photos illustrate the dramatic affect that light can have on tile.  Glass, metal and high sheen glazes are designed for bright light, while others such as matte finishes, stone and etched glass seem to work as equally well in flat light.  High relief tile is also helped by kicks of the sunlight, whereas in flat light they seem rather gloomy. Like we do with paint samples, tile should be observed in the light it will finally be set.   Match the angle it will be set, and observe it over the course of the day.  One thing to keep in mind is that once set in grout, glass tiles will loose approximately 30 percent of their reflectivity. For Your Home 2009-05-19T17:24:25+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/need_your_space/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/need_your_space/#When:18:43:07Z By Shana K. Wilson Like to work in your old bathrobe, do you? Perhaps you like to jog between conference calls. More than 20 million people are working from home at least once a week, according to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And many of those folks are scrambling to find enough room in their home to have a designated space in which to work. Whereas a nook in the kitchen used to suffice, a communication center needs to be in a more private space now. The kitchen often has too much traffic, and keeping the desk looking perfectly neat so that a visitor hanging around for the next warm cookie from the oven won’t see your work mess isn’t always possible. Furthermore, people want a quieter and more segregated space in which to work. One solution is to convert a bedroom closet into an office space. Start by removing the clothing rod. Then install shelves and a countertop that flips down as needed. When you close the door you’ve closed your office as well. Space planners say that if you’re considering converting your closet, be sure you have a place for files, a phone line, a lamp, electrical outlets and an adequate power supply. Then, all that is necessary to go to work is to pull up a chair. If home is going to be where your office is, be creative and have fun with your decor. Paint is inexpensive, and wallpaper can create a custom look. You might want to think beyond boxes for storage. Colorful jars and trays can hold supplies. One friend bought a great-looking jewelry box and kept it filled with office supplies. My favorite accessory is my plastic file crate with wheels. It holds letter and legal hanging files, is portable and was inexpensive. It is also fun for giving my cat a ride out of the office and away from my papers. Trend 2009-05-04T18:43:07+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/dont_be_a_drip/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/dont_be_a_drip/#When:15:43:18Z The good news is that San Diego has had some nice rain this year. The bad news is that it isn’t enough to keep us out of a severe water shortage. Clean, potable water is a valuable resource. And with 30 states suffering from water deficit, now is the time start getting serious about conserving water. You can help by doing some very simple things in your home. Start in the bathroom. Install low-flow toilets and showerheads, for example. Refrain from using your toilet as a flushable wastebasket. Did you know, well over a billion gallons of drinking water are wasted in the U.S. each day by wasteful toilets? And, how about keeping a bucket in your shower so that you can catch wasted water to hydrate your plants? Don’t forget to turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. Next, conserve water in the kitchen. Efficient dishwashers save gallons compared to washing by hand. Plus, who really wants to scrub that casserole dish? Water efficient clothes washers will also save gallons. Water from the wash, called gray water, can be used to hydrate landscaping. Simple retrofits on your current washers can pipe the reusable water out to the garden. Not ready to reuse the bath water? Outside, consider native plants that don’t require lots of irrigation. A verdant yard is nice, but so is lots of green left in your wallet. Should you need another reason to get involved, other than helping society and the environment, consider your wallet. In the not-too-distant future, home water bills are going to shock us all into being water good guys. For more ideas, visit Save Water America at http://www.savewateramerica.com/home.swa. You’ll find lots of bright energy and water-saving ideas at this site, built by Kohler. Plus, you can take a quick quiz at the web site to help Habitat for Humanity. Kohler will give Habitat $1 for each quiz that’s completed, up to a grand total of one million dollars. For Your Home 2009-04-27T15:43:18+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/flip_the_switch_on_energy_efficiency/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/flip_the_switch_on_energy_efficiency/#When:14:47:57Z No doubt you’re looking for ways to be more energy efficient these days. It saves money, is better for the environment and makes you a better patriot. Furthermore, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to be a hero these days. Here are a few inexpensive but bright ideas to get you launched. First, even the bravest among us can feel uncomfortable coming home to a dark house. It’s scary since it can cause accidents and be dangerous. But, if you leave lights on all day in anticipation of returning home after dark it wastes money and energy. Save both by keeping lamps turned off during daylight hours. Instead, set easily-installed timers to switch to them on just before you’re due to arrive. These timers can be made to light up your exterior landscaping as well as the interior of your home. Next, when inside your home, motion sensor technology will monitor whether or not a room is occupied. If you should leave the room and forget to turn off the lights, the new passive infrared heat sensors will do the energy-efficient thing and turn your lights off, while simultaneously enabling you to lower your electricity bill. Finally, switch out those hot-running halogens for light emitting diodes, or LEDs. Not only is the average LED lifespan up to 30 times greater than that of a halogen bulb, LEDs also use up to 80 percent less energy, and produce a virtually imperceptible level of heat. Because they run cool and don’t increase ambient temperature in the rooms they’re used in, LEDs are much safer to handle, and can actually reduce your cooling costs. How illuminating. Trend 2009-04-13T14:47:57+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/working_in_tandem/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/working_in_tandem/#When:15:32:28Z Help from a contractor may not be so bad. When we were all feeling financially flush many of us planned sexy home remodeling jobs. Times got tight and a lot of those jobs went on the back burner. Yet, we still long for the home changes, so many of us are thinking about a ‘do it yourself’ project. Don’t. Or at least consider working together with a contractor. Many pro contractors who wouldn’t consider a joint project are rethinking that possibility today. And they are being much more flexible in their cost estimates. It’s easy to underestimate the enormous amount of time it takes to do what you feel is a simple project like a room remodel or the addition of a deck. Either of these projects could take a professional at least one hundred hours of time. How long would it take you? Unless you have been doing building projects on your home by yourself you will need time to come up to speed on your skills. You also will need to invest in many tools. If you decide to go it alone, it is good to know that there are many websites with free information to help you with your projects. And don’t forget the Home Depot motto: “You can do it and we can help.” Personally speaking, I think working in tandem with a contractor is a swell way to go. 2009-03-30T15:32:28+00:00 http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/cabinet_savvy/ http://www.ourcitysd.com/index.php/site/cabinet_savvy/#When:15:54:39Z If you’re planning a kitchen remodel in the near future, undoubtedly you have been doing due diligence to kitchen cabinets in all their various forms. But if you haven’t been nose deep in magazines, cabinet showrooms and interior design shows you may be missing out on some important tips. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel in the near future, undoubtedly you have been doing due diligence to kitchen cabinets in all their various forms. But if you haven’t been nose deep in magazines, cabinet showrooms and interior design shows you may be missing out on some important tips. Your cabinets are probably the most important decision you will make for your remodel. They are also the most expensive cost you will incur. It’s easy to spend a king’s ransom on a kitchen remodel. So please make this choice with all the knowledgeable input you can muster. Before you make any decisions, it’s very beneficial to see kitchens setup showing off both base and wall cabinets. By so doing you’ll see in full scale what a particular door style and finish will look like when you have a kitchen full of the same doors next to one another. It’s a common error to base your decision on just one door sample or a computer simulation you may see at a home center. Like seeing a great dress on a six-foot tall skinny model, the same dress may look ever so different when you get it home and try it on for yourself. If you’re thinking of wood cabinets pay close attention to the type of wood being offered as well as whether or not your doors are made of solid wood. Some doors appear to be solid wood, when in reality they are composite doors covered with a paper-thin veneer made from solid wood. It’s easy to be tricked by these lower-cost impostors. They’re fine if you’re on a tight budget. Just make certain that you know what you’re paying for. Be aware that another great look and way to cut costs is by using glass; you can change the look of your kitchen by adding glass cabinets mixed with your wood cabinets. Look into special glass used by picture-framing businesses that’s called conservancy glass. This glass has a non-glare coating that makes the glass appear For Your Home 2009-03-16T15:54:39+00:00