Wine and Design...and all for a great cause!

Helwig Pavilion and Winery Building

Some of you know by now that one of my favorite things....after great design....is good food and great wine! Throw in some great music and I am in heaven. I have recently had the great pleasure of visiting the growing Amador Wine Country a few times over the last couple of months, and it has been bustling with activity. There are new wineries popping up and wonderful events luring me back again and again. You may remember this blog post.

The latest "must attend" event is coming up soon....September 17th.... so mark your calendars for Triumph Uncorked Fundraiser! The new Helwig Winery, designed by dynamic husband and wife team, Paul Almond and Pam Whitehead of Sage Architecture is the fabulous location for a very special evening of delicious wine, gourmet picnics and smooth jazz. The event benefits the Triumph Fitness Program for Cancer Survivors and the Livestrong Foundation. My friend Pam Whitehead is not only one of the most talented architects in the region, but she is herself an 11 year cancer survivor...AND...the director of the Triumph Uncorked fundraising event in partnership with Spokes of Hope, an organization that supports cancer-related programs.

Helwig Winery Amphitheater with Picnic Pavilion and Winery Building Above

I thought you might enjoy a little peek at the Helwig Winery with its breathtaking amphitheater views of the Amador Wine Country...... isn't she a beauty?

Just a hop, skip from my front door.....aren't I just the lucky one? See the lady in the crocheted sweater? that could be you...sipping wine....snacking on goodies and listening to .....

Views from the Amphitheater

.......Utopian Dreams.....

Utopian Dreams 

Will I see you there?.  I'll be the one staring off into the distance at the Helwig Three sisters, wine glass in hand......

The Three Sisters at Helwig Winery

For all of the information about the event, and tickets (must be purchased by September 14th BTW! Ticket sales close by noon)....... hop on over HERE. 

A Mystery at the Getty

 During Spring Break, my family and I decided to head to Southern California. We braved the LA traffic to spend a day at the Getty Center. Tim and I spent one of our very first dates at the MoMA in LA about 23 years ago, and it was time for a little reprisal of sorts.

The day was beautiful, and we were happy for a break from the Laguna Beach fog. I was very interested in the controversial gardens designed by artist Robert Irwin. We had never seen the museum and we went to every single gallery to take in the Van Gogh, Degas, Titian, Monet, as well as the current exhibits which included a fantastic display of Chinese Photography. 

 By now, everyone is familiar with the breathtaking architecture of the Center by Richard Meier, but seeing it in person is another thing altogether. The combination of structure and landscape was stunning. As much as I admired and appreciated all the glorious art inside, the exterior spaces were just spectacular.

There was a little mystery we had great fun with along the way. We came upon what appeared to be an umbrella that was left behind by a careless visitor to the museum (see above). We had stopped for a coffee at a stand in the courtyard, and found it hanging from a tree. Best to leave it there so when the visitor remembered it, they would find it again. We continued on our way.

 But it seemed that this forlorn umbrella had picked us as its new family. We found it hanging from a railing as we overlooked the city. How did it get here?

 We moved on to see the gardens that were part of the design by Richard Meier's team...

 We felt like we were in a village clinging to the side of a mountain....

 ....as we made our way down to the Central Garden, the area designed by Robert Irwin. We traversed the cobbled stream bed......

 ....and wound our way down to the story book bougainvillea arbors....

....which overlooked the pool with a maze of azaleas which seemingly floated on top...

 ....and on around the pool we strolled, taking in the garden sights and the beautiful day...

 ...when we came across our little friend. It seems that it had seen the Red Balloon and was playing the same game...

 Well....we played along. New friends are not to be taken for granted.

We saw each other again....

 ...but it was getting late. We walked back to the tram to go back to our car....

 Our friend decided to wave goodbye as we boarded the tram and left.....

I hope you have a chance to visit the Getty Center the next time you are in Southern California. Plan to make a day of it....there is so much to see, ...... and shade is provided for free whenever you need it.

A Stitch In Time...

One of the Bedrooms at the new lofts by Stitch Development in Sacramento

 Last Saturday was the second Saturday of the month, which, in Sacramento, means midtown transforms itself into a carnival of events and Art Gallery openings. In short, it is a street party which encompasses about 100 city blocks.

Cool furnishings provided by Fringe, and lots of art throughout. Check out the artist list HERE

Living Room in Stitch Loft. Portraits by Carmen Salazar

This time, Tim and I made a point of visiting the Open House of a new loft development put together by Stitch Development. Heading up Stitch is Jeremy Drucker, whose idea to put loft projects on unused lots along Sacramento's many midtown alleys has struck a chord with many local buyers. Jeremy's mantra has been:

"If an alley is a tear in the urban fabric, we are stitching it back together again with these projects" 

Bedroom at Stitch Lofts

Cool stuff from Fringe brought in for the Spring Opening

 Jeremy enlisted architect Ron Vrilakas, a "go to" architect in midtown Sacramento known for his strong participation in historical preservation and for his ability to weave inspiring and appropriate infill projects into existing urban neighborhoods. Ron dug in and has come up with yet another great project.

One of the bathrooms at Stitch Lofts

This particular location serves as a "model" for the many other loft locations on the books slated to begin construction as they sell. There were three models decked out with accents loaned by Fringe especially for the occasion. You may remember my blog post about Fringe HERE. I have to say...Fringe has more fun stuff than you could shake a Stitch  stick at. 

The units sported clean modern kitchens and bathrooms with Caesarstone or Granite counters and lots of glass tile...there were dark concrete floors and lots of light..... all said and done very livable spaces. There were many options for buyers as well and the prices are right. Make sure to hop on over to Stitch HERE for all of the details and for lots more pictures!

Jeremy Drucker of Stitch Development. 

The Spring Opening Party was a hit with lots to see.....(the lofts, art, Tatoo Artists).....and hear.... (Live Music by the Midnight Moonshiners and the Pinestreet Ramblers)....and eat.....(Vegan sweets by  Sugar Plum, BBQ by Downtown's Kitchen, and Mama Kim's Gourmet Food Truck).... we had the tri-tip tacos....they were OMG Good!!!

Stitch Lofts and the Pinestreet Ramblers

Mama Kim's Gourmet Food Truck was on hand at the Stitch Lofts in the refurbished alley right across from Old Soul Coffee House

In the loft garages was a very cool fashion boutique put together by the gals of MobShop. MobShop is a sort of Fashion Rave started by Lauren Bingham of SF and Romy Itzigsohn of LA. These fashionista gypsies specialize in vintage finds as well as the latest styles all at very affordable price points. They search for temporary digs all over California....but only the coolest spots will do. It was so much fun perusing the treasures before I had to catch up with an impatient crew who had already departed for the next Sacramento hot spot......sigh....I could have stayed much longer.

MobShop Window Display at Stitch Lofts

More MobShop

But it was time to go...... good times all around...

Visual Acoustics

The film was presented at the Sacramento Crocker Art Museum

Last week, I had the great pleasure of viewing Visual Acoustics, a film which commemorates the life and works of the world's greatest architectural photographer, Julius Schulman. The event took place at the new Crocker Art Museum, just another treat in the whole evening, and was organized by AIA Central Valley and SacMod.

 Here is a sampling of what you can expect from the film:

 Perhaps the best part of evening (other than the brilliant film itself)  was that the director of the award winning documentary, Eric Bricker,  was in attendance to introduce the film and answer questions.  Very hard to believe this was his first film. Very hard.

Director of Visual Acoustics, Eric Bricker, signing DVD's of the film for all of us fans

For those of you who may not have had a chance to see the film, I highly encourage you not to wait any longer! Not only is it full of the amazing architectural images shot by Julius Schulman, you will find the story of his life fascinating. Mr. Schulman had an exuberant zest for life and a very fetching sense of humor. Perhaps it was this humor that accelerated his connection to so many creative people, all of whom loved and respected him so much. Even if Modern architecture is not your "thing", you will be captivated by this film, and by the larger than life persona of Julius Schulman.

The construction of the film was also so very well done. Mr. Bricker utilized fantastic animation as a  segue between parts of the film in such a creative way...loved it.

For all of the information about upcoming screenings and everything else about the film, you can find it all on the Visual Acoustics website HERE.

If you would like to have a timeless publication of the amazing life of Julius Schulman, you may want to check out Taschen's 2007 publication: Julius Schulman, Modernism Rediscovered, 3 Vol.


And for more about the event at the Crocker hosted by AIA Central Valley and SacMod, check out SacMod's blog post HERE! (You may even find an urge to join SacMod!)

New Book: Peter Pennoyer Architects

Come right in!....to the new book by Vendome Press, Peter Pennoyer Architects. Hidden door in the House on Penobscot Bay, photo by Jonathan Wallen

When asked recently if I would like a copy of the new book Peter Pennoyer Architects to review, I responded in less than a second, "YOU BET!". I am a huge proponent of traditional architecture that responds to local historical vernaculars. Perhaps that is why I find myself living in a home built in 1911. When I learned that Peter Pennoyer and his architectural team which includes co-author Ann Walker had put together a book, I was thrilled. Before the book came, I was anticipating holding this beautiful volume curled up on the sofa with a fire in the fireplace, a cup of chai tea close at hand. The cover of the book sets the scene with a view of Drumlin Hall which sits atop miniature rolling hills (known as "drumlins" formed by glacial deposits!)surrounded by beautiful Fall Color and located in Duchess County in the Hudson Valley.


Book Cover, Drumlin Hall, photo by Jonathan Wallen



When the book arrived, it was everything I had hoped. Before you even get to the title page, there are stunning two page full bleed photographs of graceful interiors, awe inspiring stairwells and shingle style country homes gracing the pages. Next, a forward by Robert Stern, one of my personal architectural heroes. Robert Stern talks about how Peter Pennoyer was a student of his at Columbia University, as well as an intern and designer in Stern's fledgling office later on. You can clearly see Stern's influence in Pennoyer's work.

House on Penobscot Bay, photo by Jonathan Wallen



Peter Pennoyer has been a leader in advocating for the relevance of classical architecture in today's world. He is the chairman of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America, and has  developed his devotion to tradition over a lengthy and notable career.



Just one of the many staircases to be found in this book. The Penobscot Bay House. Photo by Jonathan Wallen

This book features twenty projects ranging from New York Apartments to Townhouses, to Country Homes across the country. You will see a grand Park Avenue apartment, San Francisco and Lenox Hill Townhouses, and homes on the beach, on Penobscot Bay, in the Adirondacks in the Saint Lucia Mountain Range and the Hudson Bay area. You will also find the beautiful architectural renderings of the homes done in a style reminiscent of historical American folk art, as well as architectural plans of the homes. 

Adirondack Camp, photo by Jonathan Wallen

Beaux Arts Town House Staircase, Photo by Jonathen Wallen

The wonderful thing about this book is not only the breadth of work, but the collaborative efforts between architects and designers such as Alexandra Stoddard, Katie Ridder, Victoria Hagan, Carleton Varney of Dorothy Draper and Co., Eric Cohler, Paul Wiseman and Thomas Jayne (just to name a few!). There are as many, if not more, beautiful interiors as there are architectural masterpieces to be seen.

There is also a venerable cast of architects working on the projects: Gregory Gillmartin, the Director of Design at Peter Pennoyer Architects, is just one of many. There are renovations of homes originally designed by C.H.P Gilbert, York and Sawyer and more.

Fifth Avenue Triplex View, Photo by Scott Francis

I have only just started to delve into this book (I am still in the midst of the Townhouses section), and it is the companion on my nightstand, but I can tell you the introduction by Robert Stern and the writing style of Anne Walker makes for great reading. The book is in sections titled: Apartments, Townhouses and Country Houses. I must admit, I have been grazing through all of the sections...but am trying to stay focused. It is difficult what with all of the gorgeous photos blazing off every page! 

Park Avenue Apartment, Photo by Chrisopher Mason

Keep in mind, these are but a few of the images awaiting. There are over 200 pages to look forward to. There is also a very handy summary of projects and credits at the back of the book.

So without further ado, I leave you to this feast for the eyes.

San Francisco House, Photo by Scott Francis

East River Apartment, Photo by Scott Francis

Upper East Side Town House Kitchen, Photo by Eric Piasecki

Park Avenue Apartment Kitchen, Photo by Christopher Mason 

East Side Duplex Kitchen, photo by Scott Francis

You can  hop on over to see another review of Peter Pennoyer Architects by Stefan Hurray of Architectdesign Blog HERE. (BTW....Stefan was just named one of Fox News top ten design blogs....Congrats Stefan!!)

Truly a wonderful addition to any library, design or otherwise, I highly recommend Peter Pennoyer Architects. I am off to the fire lit couch to keep reading now....

(Many thanks to Vendome Press for the copy of this book!)