EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE
The San Diego Union-Tribune 11/19/2016
Copy Reduced to 89% from original to fit letter page
Coastal THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
SAN DIEGO HOMES
EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE LIVELY PATTERNS, CONTRASTS COMBINE FOR GLAMOROUS DESIGN
NOVEMBER 2016
Copyright © 2016 The San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC • Privacy Policy • CopyrightNovember Policy • 29, 2016 11/19/2016 11:11 pm / Powered by TECNAVIA
The San Diego Union-Tribune 11/19/2016
Copy Reduced to 90% from original to fit letter page
EBONY AND IVORY POPS OF COLOR, TEXTURE PUNCTUATE BLACK-AND-WHITE DESIGN BY ALLISON KELTNER
S
ometimes, you can break the rules in design and get the perfect result. When Alicia Mendoza asked designer Kathy Ann Abell for a glamorous new design without touching the leopard-print carpet in her living room, Abell saw a chance to have some fun. Mendoza has lived in her fourbedroom, 3.5-bathroom Sunset Cliffs home since 1990, raising two daughters there with her husband, Jose. After he passed away and her daughters started raising their own families, Mendoza’s priorities shifted, and she was ready for a complete makeover of the 3,000-square-foot space. Abell instantly loved Mendoza’s spirit and curated collections from her world travels. “She’s the only person I’ve ever
SEE SUNSET CLIFFS • 10
LUANN O’NEIL VISUAL IMPACT PRODUCTIONS
Instead of clashing, leopard and zebra patterns and gold foil complement each other because they’re balanced by neutrals. They also show off owner Alicia Mendoza’s vibrant personality.
COASTAL SAN DIEGO HOMES ‘CATIO’ CREATION
Designer fabricates space for felines to convene.
STAFF
PAGE 14
EDITORIAL
BLEND OF NEW, OLD
Contributing Editor
Remodel incorporates original pieces of 1926 home.
PAGE 18
QUEEN ANNE STYLE
Victorians still rule in Bankers Hill.
PAGE 22
WATER-WISE SHOWCASE
Landscape makeover removes thirsty lawns from Atoll House property.
PAGE 25
PACK AND STACK
Expert provides tips on becoming space-efficient.
PAGE 29
Martina Schimitschek Alma Cesena
ADVERTISING
Brandon Crittenden
Product Manager
(619) 293-1504
Photo Editor
Sophy Chaffee Lillian Cox Allison Keltner Marcia Manna Rose Wojnar Beth Wood
Contributing Writers Rose Wojnar
Contributing Copy Editor Nelvin C. Cepeda Hayne Palmour IV
Photographers
CLASSES AND TOURS
ON THE COVER
Photography by LuAnn O’Neil • Visual Impact Productions
A month of resources and events for the homeowner.
PAGE 30
The San Diego Union-Tribune, P.O. Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191 © 2016
6
Coastal San Diego Homes • November 2016
THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
Copyright © 2016 The San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC • Privacy Policy • CopyrightNovember Policy • 29, 2016 11/19/2016 11:12 pm / Powered by TECNAVIA
The San Diego Union-Tribune 11/19/2016
Copy Reduced to 90% from original to fit letter page
LUANN O’NEIL VISUAL IMPACT PRODUCTIONS PHOTOS
A black-and-white color scheme is used throughout the home to tie the different rooms together. Gold, brass and chrome provide unique accents to the 3,000-square-foot, Sunset Cliffs house.
Sunset Cliffs CONTINUED FROM 6 met that can collect stuff with a lot of class,” Abell said. Mendoza’s pieces include painted fans, delicate perfume bottles, glassware and artwork. Abell’s goals for the redesign were to give Mendoza space to host and entertain while also showing off her tokens and many interests. They agreed on a chic black-and-white color scheme allowing Abell to mix in all sorts of colors, textures and unique elements. In the living room, with the leopard-print carpet Mendoza insisted on keeping, Abell upholstered two baroque chairs in a zebra print and added furry black ottomans for extra seating. She put up a large triptych of gold leaf prints above the cream-colored sofa. It may sound chaotic, but it’s a comfortable, casual room with just a touch of effortless elegance
10
– which describes Mendoza perfectly. “Before, the room was boring,” Mendoza said, admitting that it was only used around Christmas. Now, she and her guests frequently relax and chat there for hours. Abell also replaced an old wood display cabinet with a modern black one with lighting to display travel souvenirs and other pieces that have special meaning for Mendoza, such as her husband’s first-edition books. For the family room, Mendoza wanted an open room that encompassed the sitting area as well as the kitchen and dining room and flowed from the front courtyard all the way to the backyard. Abell installed glass accordion doors that open to the courtyard. The black-and-white theme with unpredictable elements continued: gold, chrome, marble and different prints all come together in an unexpected way. “A lot of contrast in the design
Interior designer Kathy Ann Abell transformed a nondescript fireplace in the family room into a focal point by adding gray herringbone tile and a black mantle. It now draws attention without being too imposing.
SEE SUNSET CLIFFS • 12
Coastal San Diego Homes • November 2016
THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
Copyright © 2016 The San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC • Privacy Policy • CopyrightNovember Policy • 29, 2016 11/19/2016 11:12 pm / Powered by TECNAVIA
The San Diego Union-Tribune 11/19/2016
Copy Reduced to 90% from original to fit letter page
LUANN O’NEIL VISUAL IMPACT PRODUCTIONS PHOTOS
The living room, kitchen and dining area are one open space that flows from the front courtyard to the backyard. It was challenging to hang artwork on the curved wall, so Abell painted horizontal lines for visual interest.
Sunset Cliffs CONTINUED FROM 10 makes it a lot of fun,” Abell said. She also prioritized comfort in the family room, knowing that Mendoza wanted a welcoming, relaxing space. Two cushioned swivel chairs give options for guests to socialize or watch TV. The fireplace in this room was unremarkable – little more than a hole in the wall over a platform. Abell transformed it into a statement piece with a gray herringbone tile pattern and dramatic black mantle, giving Mendoza another opportunity to display some of her favorite pieces. Abell even found some funky accessories of her own to add. The kitchen had been redesigned with a more open layout shortly before Mendoza started working with Abell. A curved wall leading to the dining area made it difficult to add artwork, so Abell painted horizontal black-and-
12
The front courtyard, with furniture in eclectic black-andwhite prints, feels like a peaceful garden retreat. white stripes on it, providing a sense of movement and visual interest. She installed modern white cabinets and a chrome display case for Mendoza’s glassware – some inherited and some collected from different countries – along one dining room wall. For a final touch, Abell added a zebra-
print rug under the dining table. French doors lead from the kitchen and dining area to the backyard, which Mendoza uses at least as much as her interior rooms. Abell added an upholstered sofa and chairs to the patio just off the kitchen, turning it into a cozy sitting area. The fabrics,
Coastal San Diego Homes • November 2016
again, are black and white with a mix of prints and patterns. A large dining table sits under a trellis for dinner parties, and two lounge chairs were placed near the pool for sunbathing. Bougainvillea and two tile paintings from Mexico add color. In Mendoza’s master bedroom upstairs, Abell went for a more feminine feel. Soft gold-andwhite tones, embossed linen wallpaper and a dresser refinished with a natural wood stain create a distinct space. An iron maker in Mexico made a headboard designed in a flower pattern that represents Mexico, where Mendoza is originally from. After first meeting with Abell in the fall of 2014, Mendoza saw her new space completed in April 2015. “I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was and how it felt it was me,” she said. “Everybody that comes says, ‘This is completely you!’ ” Allison Keltner is a San Diego freelance writer.
THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
Copyright © 2016 The San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC • Privacy Policy • CopyrightNovember Policy • 29, 2016 11/19/2016 11:13 pm / Powered by TECNAVIA
Copy Reduced to 89% from original to fit letter page
Coastal THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
SAN DIEGO HOMES
EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE LIVELY PATTERNS, CONTRASTS COMBINE FOR GLAMOROUS DESIGN
NOVEMBER 2016
Copyright © 2016 The San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC • Privacy Policy • CopyrightNovember Policy • 29, 2016 11/19/2016 11:11 pm / Powered by TECNAVIA
The San Diego Union-Tribune 11/19/2016
Copy Reduced to 90% from original to fit letter page
EBONY AND IVORY POPS OF COLOR, TEXTURE PUNCTUATE BLACK-AND-WHITE DESIGN BY ALLISON KELTNER
S
ometimes, you can break the rules in design and get the perfect result. When Alicia Mendoza asked designer Kathy Ann Abell for a glamorous new design without touching the leopard-print carpet in her living room, Abell saw a chance to have some fun. Mendoza has lived in her fourbedroom, 3.5-bathroom Sunset Cliffs home since 1990, raising two daughters there with her husband, Jose. After he passed away and her daughters started raising their own families, Mendoza’s priorities shifted, and she was ready for a complete makeover of the 3,000-square-foot space. Abell instantly loved Mendoza’s spirit and curated collections from her world travels. “She’s the only person I’ve ever
SEE SUNSET CLIFFS • 10
LUANN O’NEIL VISUAL IMPACT PRODUCTIONS
Instead of clashing, leopard and zebra patterns and gold foil complement each other because they’re balanced by neutrals. They also show off owner Alicia Mendoza’s vibrant personality.
COASTAL SAN DIEGO HOMES ‘CATIO’ CREATION
Designer fabricates space for felines to convene.
STAFF
PAGE 14
EDITORIAL
BLEND OF NEW, OLD
Contributing Editor
Remodel incorporates original pieces of 1926 home.
PAGE 18
QUEEN ANNE STYLE
Victorians still rule in Bankers Hill.
PAGE 22
WATER-WISE SHOWCASE
Landscape makeover removes thirsty lawns from Atoll House property.
PAGE 25
PACK AND STACK
Expert provides tips on becoming space-efficient.
PAGE 29
Martina Schimitschek Alma Cesena
ADVERTISING
Brandon Crittenden
Product Manager
(619) 293-1504
Photo Editor
Sophy Chaffee Lillian Cox Allison Keltner Marcia Manna Rose Wojnar Beth Wood
Contributing Writers Rose Wojnar
Contributing Copy Editor Nelvin C. Cepeda Hayne Palmour IV
Photographers
CLASSES AND TOURS
ON THE COVER
Photography by LuAnn O’Neil • Visual Impact Productions
A month of resources and events for the homeowner.
PAGE 30
The San Diego Union-Tribune, P.O. Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191 © 2016
6
Coastal San Diego Homes • November 2016
THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
Copyright © 2016 The San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC • Privacy Policy • CopyrightNovember Policy • 29, 2016 11/19/2016 11:12 pm / Powered by TECNAVIA
The San Diego Union-Tribune 11/19/2016
Copy Reduced to 90% from original to fit letter page
LUANN O’NEIL VISUAL IMPACT PRODUCTIONS PHOTOS
A black-and-white color scheme is used throughout the home to tie the different rooms together. Gold, brass and chrome provide unique accents to the 3,000-square-foot, Sunset Cliffs house.
Sunset Cliffs CONTINUED FROM 6 met that can collect stuff with a lot of class,” Abell said. Mendoza’s pieces include painted fans, delicate perfume bottles, glassware and artwork. Abell’s goals for the redesign were to give Mendoza space to host and entertain while also showing off her tokens and many interests. They agreed on a chic black-and-white color scheme allowing Abell to mix in all sorts of colors, textures and unique elements. In the living room, with the leopard-print carpet Mendoza insisted on keeping, Abell upholstered two baroque chairs in a zebra print and added furry black ottomans for extra seating. She put up a large triptych of gold leaf prints above the cream-colored sofa. It may sound chaotic, but it’s a comfortable, casual room with just a touch of effortless elegance
10
– which describes Mendoza perfectly. “Before, the room was boring,” Mendoza said, admitting that it was only used around Christmas. Now, she and her guests frequently relax and chat there for hours. Abell also replaced an old wood display cabinet with a modern black one with lighting to display travel souvenirs and other pieces that have special meaning for Mendoza, such as her husband’s first-edition books. For the family room, Mendoza wanted an open room that encompassed the sitting area as well as the kitchen and dining room and flowed from the front courtyard all the way to the backyard. Abell installed glass accordion doors that open to the courtyard. The black-and-white theme with unpredictable elements continued: gold, chrome, marble and different prints all come together in an unexpected way. “A lot of contrast in the design
Interior designer Kathy Ann Abell transformed a nondescript fireplace in the family room into a focal point by adding gray herringbone tile and a black mantle. It now draws attention without being too imposing.
SEE SUNSET CLIFFS • 12
Coastal San Diego Homes • November 2016
THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
Copyright © 2016 The San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC • Privacy Policy • CopyrightNovember Policy • 29, 2016 11/19/2016 11:12 pm / Powered by TECNAVIA
The San Diego Union-Tribune 11/19/2016
Copy Reduced to 90% from original to fit letter page
LUANN O’NEIL VISUAL IMPACT PRODUCTIONS PHOTOS
The living room, kitchen and dining area are one open space that flows from the front courtyard to the backyard. It was challenging to hang artwork on the curved wall, so Abell painted horizontal lines for visual interest.
Sunset Cliffs CONTINUED FROM 10 makes it a lot of fun,” Abell said. She also prioritized comfort in the family room, knowing that Mendoza wanted a welcoming, relaxing space. Two cushioned swivel chairs give options for guests to socialize or watch TV. The fireplace in this room was unremarkable – little more than a hole in the wall over a platform. Abell transformed it into a statement piece with a gray herringbone tile pattern and dramatic black mantle, giving Mendoza another opportunity to display some of her favorite pieces. Abell even found some funky accessories of her own to add. The kitchen had been redesigned with a more open layout shortly before Mendoza started working with Abell. A curved wall leading to the dining area made it difficult to add artwork, so Abell painted horizontal black-and-
12
The front courtyard, with furniture in eclectic black-andwhite prints, feels like a peaceful garden retreat. white stripes on it, providing a sense of movement and visual interest. She installed modern white cabinets and a chrome display case for Mendoza’s glassware – some inherited and some collected from different countries – along one dining room wall. For a final touch, Abell added a zebra-
print rug under the dining table. French doors lead from the kitchen and dining area to the backyard, which Mendoza uses at least as much as her interior rooms. Abell added an upholstered sofa and chairs to the patio just off the kitchen, turning it into a cozy sitting area. The fabrics,
Coastal San Diego Homes • November 2016
again, are black and white with a mix of prints and patterns. A large dining table sits under a trellis for dinner parties, and two lounge chairs were placed near the pool for sunbathing. Bougainvillea and two tile paintings from Mexico add color. In Mendoza’s master bedroom upstairs, Abell went for a more feminine feel. Soft gold-andwhite tones, embossed linen wallpaper and a dresser refinished with a natural wood stain create a distinct space. An iron maker in Mexico made a headboard designed in a flower pattern that represents Mexico, where Mendoza is originally from. After first meeting with Abell in the fall of 2014, Mendoza saw her new space completed in April 2015. “I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was and how it felt it was me,” she said. “Everybody that comes says, ‘This is completely you!’ ” Allison Keltner is a San Diego freelance writer.
THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
Copyright © 2016 The San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC • Privacy Policy • CopyrightNovember Policy • 29, 2016 11/19/2016 11:13 pm / Powered by TECNAVIA
