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Divinely Inspired

A Family Home Emerges from a Circa-1930s Church

WRITTEN BY RONDA SWANEY / PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID DUNCAN LIVINGSTON

Sometime in the 1970s, a Depression-era church in Mill Valley, California was converted to this single-family home. When it came into the hands of the current homeowners, they turned to Holly Hollenbeck, principal designer and CEO of San Francisco Bay Area–based HSH Interiors, for an overdue update.

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storied blooms

AN INTRODUCTION TO HEIRLOOM GARDENING

WRITTEN BY VICTORIA HITTNER

With the rising popularity of movements like homesteading, slow food, and farm-to-table, heirloom seeds are having a moment in the gardening world. And while they might sound fancy, you don’t have to put on any heirs to plant these classic varieties. Heirloom seeds are easier to find and grow than you might think.

“ . . . ask a family member, neighbor, or community co-op garden to save and share some seeds for the next planting season . . . ”

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renovation revelry

LIVING THROUGH A HOME REVAMP

WRITTEN BY KATHRYN O’SHEA-EVANS

There’s a reason home renovations top many folks’ wish lists: studies show they can result in major increased resale value on real estate—and in that way, they often pay for themselves. According to the 2022 Remodeling Impact Report, refinishing hardwood flooring can see a cost recovery of 147 percent, converting a basement to a living space can see 86 percent, and closet renovation 83 percent returns. While they have their perks, home renos can also come with a few headaches—as anyone who has lived through one will attest. We turned to the pros to fill us in on what to expect (and their hard-won tips for success) before breaking ground on your own hallowed ground.

“ . . . when going through a home renovation, add a little more money to your budget because there is always a surprise or a new design idea . . . ”

Expect the Unexpected.

“When going through a home renovation, add a little more money to your budget because there is always a surprise or a new design idea,” says Michelle Murphy, founder and principal designer of the Chapel Hill, North Carolina–based interior design firm Demi Ryan. She recently revamped her family’s home in Durham, North Carolina and found it took twice as long as originally planned. Murphy’s family bought their home for its school district and neighborhood, but knew from the get-go it needed tweaking. Their original three-month remodel plan ended up taking twice as long—mostly because they eventually opted to gut renovate their entire house.

Another tip from Murphy is to get multiple bids from contractors before signing anything. “You do not have to choose the first person you meet with because your friend loved working with them. You need to gel and love working with them because they will become your bestie for the next year.” (Or even longer.)

Seal for Your Safety.

Renovations can stir up all manner of dust and debris that you may not want in your hair—literally. “My first piece of advice for living through a renovation is to break the project up into phases by rooms or areas,” says Nashville, Tennessee designer Elizabeth Burch. Adds Murphy: “Try to section off the area being renovated, so that your family can live comfortably in one area. As sections of the renovations are completed, you can flip to the completed side. It may take longer, but saving your sanity is well worth it!” (Consider protecting spaces with plastic walls, such as ZipWall Dust Barrier Systems, which can be set up in just minutes and are used everywhere from hospitals to schools.)

Burch also says that even if you’re not planning on fully moving out of your home, “be away during the demo phase and let the dust settle before you return. Set boundaries and working hours with the general contractor and subcontractors to maintain some sense of your normal routines.” And don’t forget to store valuable and meaningful items away from the fray, lest they get broken or lost during the shuffle.

Consider a (Temporary) Move.

You know yourself and your family best. If you think you will find a renovation to be a major headache or are concerned about potential toxins and/or noise, it may be worth moving to a long-term hotel suite with kitchen and laundry facilities or even a short-term rental like an Airbnb while your project is completed.

“Living through a renovation project adds a layer of stress,” says Murphy. “Try to plan vacations during your renovation, see if you can work from a different location, and always have a backup plan and exit strategy. It is always best to move out if possible.”

Stephen Vanze of Washington, DC architecture firm BarnesVanze Architects put it even more firmly: “Move out. You will save money, time, and aggravation. Imagine if you were a surgeon and your patient’s spouse stood with you in the operating room. It would take longer and probably not be as successful. Leave and let the pros do what they do.” Bonus: If you make yourself scarce, you’ll get to have an Oprah-worthy reveal when it’s finished and ready for you to see (cue happy tears).

la dolce vita

FLORENCE, ITALY

WRITTEN BY HEIDI SIEFKAS

The capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, Florence (Firenze) is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture, but also the best of today’s culinary creations. If you desire a dose of culture, history, and edible works of art, Florence is an ideal vacation locale—and the dream of many. Although you could do Florence in a weekend, you would only scratch the surface. We suggest a week, spending the majority of the time in the city and a day or two touring the Tuscan countryside for wine tastings and the postcard-worthy cities of San Gimignano and Siena. Get ready to embark on an Italian adventure of food, art, architecture, shopping, and beautiful vistas—all in one spot. Andiamo!

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Home Suite Home

A Bay Area Bedroom Gets a Dreamy Makeover

WRITTEN BY VICTORIA HITTNER / PHOTOGRAPHY BY YONI SAMBO

Most couples spend the day after their wedding on a honeymoon. Sacha and Melissa Leclair spent it redecorating their home.

“After showcasing our space online, friends started asking us for help,” says Sacha Leclair. Pro bono work led to paying clients and eventually, the establishment of Leclair Decor, the couple’s Ottawa-based design firm that serves North America.

“The space was a blank slate,” says Leclair. “The vision was a bright, airy, and most of all, cozy space that our clients could retreat to at the end of a busy day.” The U-shaped architecture of the home offers a natural masterpiece outside each window. Framed by an existing set of French doors, the primary bedroom’s floating sitting area was designed to maximize views. With so much of the home simultaneously visible, the Leclairs were intentional in utilizing complementary design elements and pieces.

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Happy Houseplants

TIPS TO HELP INDOOR FLORA THRIVE

WRITTEN BY VICTORIA HITTNER

Let’s face it: Not everyone has a green thumb. Luckily, you don’t have to be a master gardener to introduce a bit of life inside your home. Keep your succulents and other houseplants happy year-round with these simple reminders and tips.

“ . . . slower growing species like succulents may only need a soil refresh to keep them growing well . . . ”

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