April 2006 Newsletter

Design Among the Vines

A two-day design event in the California Wine Country

with Linda Applewhite on June 24 and 25, 2006

At present, 40 guests from seven states are coming to Sonoma in June to join Linda on her private tour of this Wine Country estate, which was featured in California Home & Design magazine (May 2003). Guests will also meet the home's owners, Marilyn and Bob Smith, who dreamed of living in an ancient villa like the ones they saw in the Italian countryside on their many visits there. In designing the project, which took two years to complete, Linda used recycled beams, bricks and architectural elements, artisan faux finishes on the walls and cabinetry, aged wide-plank floors and custom-made light fixtures to replicate the old-world feel of those timeless Italian country homes. The Smiths, who are avid gardeners, not only grow roses on the 25-acre property, they also produce cabernet sauvignon and olive oil from the grapes and trees that proliferate throughout the property.

For more information about the estate tour and the seminar, click here.

On the patio of the Smiths' Sonoma hilltop estate, the outdoor cooking

and dining area is just steps from their kitchen, and accommodates

their large extended family. The cooking area includes a bread oven,

gas burners and French sink, and the chunky concrete table

with metal leg base provides plenty of seating.

Field Trip and Seminar

Both events are three-quarters full, so don't hesitate to send in your registration and payment if you are planning to attend one or both days. We have had a few inquiries about logistics and other details, which we thought we would answer here in case others have the same questions:

Q. I would love to attend, but I'd have to come alone. Will anybody else be coming alone?

A. Most of our guests come on their own, so you will have plenty of company. There is lots of opportunity to meet other guests and socialize - you won't be alone for long.

Q. Is the hotel room included in the registration fee?

A. No, you will need to make your own arrangements for lodging if you need it. See below for some suggestions in addition to the Alta Mira Hotel where the seminar will be held.

Q. Will we be able to ask Linda questions on the tour of the home on Saturday - for instance, where she got something, or what color she used?

A. Much of that information will be included in detail in Sunday's presentation, but yes, you will be free to ask whatever you like - within the limits of our schedule, of course. We have a lot of ground to cover!

Q. I live in the area and would like to use my own car on Saturday. Can I meet you up in Sonoma?

A. Sorry - for liability reasons, everyone must be picked up and dropped off together at the Alta Mira on Saturday.

Q. Will this home be in Linda's book when it comes out, and when is it coming out?

A. Yes, there are many beautiful photos and descriptions of the villa in Linda's new book, including detailed explanations of the methods and techniques used. Linda has finished writing the book and sent it off to the publisher, Gibbs-Smith. It is due out next Spring.

Update on Accommodations

Our block of rooms at the Alta Mira Hotel has been filled, however, there is still a possibility of getting a reservation there. The hotel is holding rooms for another event, and if they don't fill those by April 10, they will release the rooms to people on their waiting list. So, if you want to stay at the Alta Mira and couldn't get in, call back and make sure your name is on their waiting list, and check back with them after the 10th.

Here are a few more options for lodging within a 20-minute drive of the Alta Mira:

The Inn Above Tide http://www.innabovetide.com/

Hotel Sausalito www.hotelsausalito.com

Casa Madrona www.casamadrona.com

Acqua, Waters Edge and Mill Valley Inn www.marinhotels.com

Holiday Inn Express http://www.millvalleyca.hiexpress.com/

Tiburon Lodge http://www.thelodgeattiburon.com/