SanLuisObispo.com: Living

Comfort and sophistication

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:15 PDT

When John and Denise Ledesma moved to the area from Pasadena three years ago, they fell in love with their Los Osos home that had views of the bay from their kitchen window.

But the 1980s-era house was also overdue for an update. “There was old carpet, old vinyl floors, the kitchen cabinets were a dated oak,” said Denise. “It felt really tired.”

The couple wasn’t concerned. Denise is an interior designer with a knack for turning lackluster places into stylish spaces. However, this project would put her to the test; just five months after the move, the couple learned they were expecting their first child. They

Garden: Built of blood, sweat and tears

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:17 PDT

For Sheila Harmon, gardening is a basic element of living. This is the result of growing up in England, where gardening is a popular pastime, and where her father set a fine example with the family garden.

Harmon left England in the 1950s to marry James Harmon in Kentucky. The couple eventually settled in Orcutt, where James worked at Vandenberg Air Force Base as a project manager. Now widowed, Harmon and her daughter, Colleen, have shared their Arroyo Grande home since 2003.

Harmon has blended her English sensibilities with American experi-

Design notebook: Rustic furnishings are winsome & whimsical

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:15 PDT

The next time you chuck an armful of branches into your fire pit, pause and consider that Atascadero woodworker Andy Needles might use that firewood as the beginning of a work of art or table or chair.

Ten years ago, Needles, who was a woodworking hobbyist at the time, lamented that local woods such as madrone, eucalyptus, manzanita and California sycamore were being tossed into the chipper, used as firewood, or worse — disposed of as garbage. Recognizing the potential in these under-appreciated species, he resolved to turn them into striking pieces of freeform furniture. The result is his business, Dover Canyon Rustic Furniture.

Needles only uses wood from within San Luis Obispo County, reclaiming his materials from trees that have been removed or fallen, or branches that have been pruned. For example, numerous walnut slabs have found their way into his shop as walnut orchards in the North County have given way to vineyards.

Master Gardener: Landscaping to prevent fire damage

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:18 PDT

Q: I live next to open land and would appreciate some suggestions for firescaping.

—Patti Kohlen, San Luis Obispo

A: By complying with California law requiring a minimum of 100 feet of defensible space around our houses, we may save ourselves from disaster.

Linda Lewis Griffith: When children grow up to disappoint

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:02 PDT

Sometimes we are incredibly proud of our grown children. We beam with pride from the sidelines as we watch them flourish in their lives. At other times, though, we can’t believe what we see them doing. We cringe as they get fired from their jobs, abuse drugs, date losers and founder in their schooling and careers.

We may have been able to see the train wreck coming. Impulsive youngsters who struggled in school or found trouble wherever it was hiding often continue these patterns into adulthood. Other disorders, such as alcoholism, tend to be genetic and may afflict kids long after they’ve left home.

But even former honors students can be disappointing. Those overachieving youngsters who breezed through the first 18 years without a hint of trouble might grow into adults who appear incapable of successfully managing their lives.

Pet Tales: Kids' book inspired by pug love

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:04 PDT

Destry Ramey, local author of “The Adventures of Hunter and Ramona Pug Series,” sent me this story about the pugs that inspired her.

“Four little pugs named Hunter, Ramona, Kippy and Egress never left my side as I struggled in Seattle with cancer for the third time. Brother and sister, Hunter and Ramona were diagnosed with a similar cancer four weeks prior to my return to my home in Pismo. I was able to reciprocate the love, support and ‘healing energy’ to Hunter and Ramona, and all three of us are now doing well.

“I am sure I am not the only person who has received the tremendous rewards of a loving animal. It has been well documented that animals have the intuitive nature and means to identify situations far beyond our ability or capabilities. They demonstrate unconditional love and loyalty and are not judgmental, even when one is bald from chemotherapy. I am truly blessed to have Hunter, Ramona, Kippy and Egress, who are my son’s pugs (my grandpugs) in my life. Although they now live in San Diego, we are together on a regular basis, and they continue to be my inspiration with their wonderful personalities and comical antics.”

Photos From the Vault: 1965 fashion - Using your imagination to see the color

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:27 PDT

The best thing about fashion coverage in the black and white era: They had to tell you what color the clothes were. Gloves and hats were a big part of the formal outfit then.

Check out the ad for the Salon of Beauty, right:

“RELAX COMPLETELY … bring your knitting ... we’ll supply the coffee. Some of us may knit along with you, while you ‘dry.’ ”

Twisted pottery

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:38 PDT

Since he retired from Allan Hancock College as a ceramics instructor after 23 years, Bill Shinn hasn’t let his clay go to pot.

“I’m busier that ever,” said the Santa Maria resident. “I give a lot of workshops now.”

Nor has the world-famous ceramist let success go to his head in the 20 years since he retired. Shinn is planning a trip to Nicaragua to teach how to make functional pottery.

Home Magazine: An explosion of floral color in Arroyo Grande garden

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:24 PDT

Tom and Beverly Mascari loved the newly built Arroyo Grande hillside home they purchased in 2000. However, they wanted to change the original “low maintenance” landscaping, so they contacted a professional landscaper as soon as they were unpacked. Tom no longer recalls the name of that landscaper, but he won’t forget the man’s semi-retired assistant. Owen J. Portwood, now officially retired, still tends the Mascari garden.

Tom and Owen, both early-octogenarians, garden together almost daily, and collaborate on every decision. Tom relies on Owen’s landscaping expertise and admires his sensibility for color combinations. Owen, who doesn’t have a garden of his own, derives great satisfaction in helping to plan and maintain the Mascaris’ garden, and then watching it grow. He might be compared to an artist who paints a mural on someone else’s wall, and then returns frequently to admire it and “touch it up.”

A large portion of the lot is a sunny slope that had been planted with a nondescript ground cover. One of their first projects was to replace the ground cover with an assortment of colorful drought-tolerant plants, including euryops, agapanthus, bougainvillea, leptospermum, melaleuca, and nandina.

Master Gardener: Ridding your yard of annoying moles

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:22 PDT

Q: How do I get rid of moles in my yard?

A: As annoying as the disfigurement of the landscape is, the mole is not as devastating to gardens as the gopher and vole who devour greenery. Worms and insects are the mole’s favorite dining fare. He generally does not eat plant material; however, he can occasionally nibble on some roots and bulbs. The most common damage he does to plants is to disturb their root systems and make them lose contact with their food and water sources. Plants can dry out rather quickly after a mole raid.

Although the mole will have a network of tunnels deeper underground, he does his feeding just under the surface. Sometimes it is possible to watch the soil rise as he bulldozes along. A stealthy, swift shovel can often expose him and finish him off. Mole traps are also available for the determined in garden shops and farm supply stores. They come with directions on how and where to set the trap.

Home Magazine: Nipomo home is graceful and elegant, yet not at all predictable

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:25 PDT

Ordinary is a word that doesn’t exist in Diane Schumacher’s vocabulary. The Nipomo resident has always gravitated toward design that is graceful and elegant, yet not at all predictable.

So in 1999 when she and husband, Bob, purchased a new home in near Blacklake Golf Course, she knew its interior would not conform to its Mediterranean architecture — or any other style, for that matter. “I hate staying with one style or another,” she said. “To me it’s rigid, it’s cold.”

Because the 2,650-square-foot home was semicustom, the Schumachers made a few modifications to better suite their lifestyle. They had a fireplace installed in the master bedroom. They omitted a wall that would have separated the living room from the dining room, yet added a drapery-cloaked, arched doorway between the bedrooms and foyer. The result: public spaces are open and welcoming while private spaces are snug and secluded.

Design Notebook: Fulfilling the needs of coastal gardeners

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:23 PDT

Hope Merkle grew up among the succulents and shrubbery at Los Osos Valley Nursery, which has been owned by her parents, Lee and Tish Linsley, since 1977. Watering and weeding were her favorite after-school activities. Her favorite story book? The Sunset Western Garden Book.

“By the time I was nine, I was answering questions for customers,” she said.

Today, Merkle is nursery manager, and she has lost none of her zeal for plants. It shows in the nursery’s eclectic offerings. You’ll find the usual trees, shrubs and bedding plants. But there are also more than 500 varieties of succulents, unusual bromeliads, tillandsia (air plants), epiphyllum (orchid cacti), and rare plants such as tithonia diversifolia, a huge variety of perennial sunflower.

Linda Lewis Griffith: Don't give in to nagging kids

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:48 PDT

ll children nag their parents. A 4-year-old may plead with her mother to buy

Froot Loops while her 10- year-old brother

begs his stepdad for a cell phone. Although Mom and Dad find this behavior annoying, advertising agencies are betting big money that it works.

Keeping the light burning

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:09 PDT

While lighthouses conjure romantic notions of life by the sea, the early keepers of Point Piedras Blancas dealt with isolation, long work days and lots of brutal wind.

In fact, the winds were so intense, one light keeper tied a rope from the tower to his house to make it easier to walk without getting blown away.

“It can get downright inhospitable out there,” said John Bogacki of Bakersfield.

Unexpected summer delights

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:09 PDT

Pismo Beach artist Nancy Joy applied watercolor to aluminum foil instead of parchment or canvas to create ‘Stranded.’ At right, Sweet Springs Nature Preserve in Los Osos is the locale for Roseanne Seitz’s painting titled ‘Back Bay Cypress.’

Adisplay of watercolor works has splashed over to a new venue. The Central Coast Watercolor Society is holding an exhibit at Steynberg Gallery this month.

“This is the first one of our efforts to have a show outside of the realm of the Art Center,” said Linda Hendler, the group’s secretary.

When natives ruled the Diablo Canyon coast

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:09 PDT

Major construction at Diablo Canyon was about a year away. Before it began a crew of archaeologists worked to document the site.

Financed by PG&E, 15 to 18 people worked at various sites in the construction zone.

Roberta “Bobbie” Greenwood, research archaeologist for the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History talked to the media about the project.

Arts Calendar

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:09 PDT

TODAY

Art in the Park. 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. Vendors selling artworks, jewelry and handmade crafts. Proceeds benefit the Art Student Scholarship Fund. Morro Bay City Park, Morro Bay Boulevard and Harbor Street, Morro Bay. 772-2504.

Art in the Park at Dinosaur Caves.

American Pride

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:09 PDT

On the Fourth of July, many homes are suddenly bedecked in stars and stripes. For some people, however, Americana is a year-round way to add verve and vibrancy to their living spaces.

Paso Robles resident Vicki Gouin has always been drawn

to vintage Americana, picking up things like old flags, vintage hand-carved Uncle Sams, and patriotic quilts at flea markets and antique stores. “Those older pieces of Americana are just one-of-a-kind,” she said.

A makeover for a Morro Bay backyard

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:09 PDT

Buoyed from the enthusiasm that came from solving a 30-year-old problem with surface runoff around their hillside home in Morro Bay, Justine and David Thomas envisioned additional improvements to their property.

With the help of landscape designer Patricia Cullinan, who directed a team of contractors, the Thomases’ yard began to take on a new look.

The water problem was solved by adding a tall retaining wall along the uphill property line. Mason Jim Schemmer rendered the Air Vol block wall less imposing by including planters edged in high-fired brick. The wall was so attractive that David had Schemmer reface the front retaining walls to match.

Spencer’s Furniture returns to fill a niche

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:09 PDT

When Spencer’s Furniture reopened on June 5, it was as if three years hadn’t passed since the owners closed their doors.

“Our old customers were coming in to say hi and tell us they’re glad we’re back,” said owner Gay Spencer.

She and her husband, who goes simply by Spencer, had decided to close their San Luis Obispo furniture store in 2005 after a 15-year run because of family issues. During the hiatus, Gay operated a vacation rental in Edna Valley and enjoyed seeing her kids through their final years of high school. She was also active in Rotary which, unexpectedly, kept her involved in the design field.