Norman Applebaum-designed home hits the market in Escondido

Louetta R. Clark 1 week ago

A modernist design by Norman Applebaum, the famed San Diego architect who died earlier this year, has come on the market in Escondido for $2.2 million.

Called Villa Tyto Alba for the generations of barn owls that once roamed the area, the striking residence replaced another of Applebaum’s designs, Wings, which was destroyed in 2007 by the Witch Creek fire. Both homes were designed for the family of Richard Matheron, the former U.S. ambassador to several African countries.

Set on a 2.6-acre hilltop with views of San Pasqual Valley, the single-story house is visually striking with its clean lines, soaring beams and ceilings rising from 8 to 18 feet. Bands of clerestory windows let in natural light and frame panoramic views of San Pasqual Valley.

The house has two wings, a chef’s kitchen, four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The primary bedroom opens to an office/exercise room, while a library

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29 Back to School Crafts for Kids to Combat First Day Butterflies

Louetta R. Clark 1 week ago

Come September, most parents are more than ready to load their kids onto the school bus. And for little people, going back to school often comes with a lot of excitement…and some jitters. Especially this year, when virtual learning might become the new norm and “going to school” may well mean logging on in the living room.

After three carefree months, the transition back to the structure and separation of school-life can feel daunting. Fortunately, you can help calm nerves and ease the transition back to academia with a little art therapy. Check out this roundup of back to school crafts for kids so your little learner can hit the ground running.

We’re all for using unique methods to get kids more interested in their studies, and turning tools into pretty pieces they’re proud of is a great place to start. Pick out some colorful craft vinyl in a hue

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Tour Wes Gordon and Paul Arnhold’s West Chelsea Apartment

Louetta R. Clark 2 weeks ago

Before I reach the door to Wes Gordon and Paul Arnhold’s West Chelsea apartment, the couple’s dog, Bird, bounds down the hall to greet me. It is just a few days since Gordon, the lauded young creative director at Carolina Herrera, presented his latest runway collection. And hours later, 
he and Arnhold, a real estate developer and celebrated glassblower, will zip off to Puerto Rico for a well-deserved getaway—Bird in tow. COVID-19 is still but a faint concern. Inside their entry hall, a symphony of serene and joyous colors draws the eye in. Straight ahead, the High Line’s allée of trees reveals itself through floor-to-ceiling casement windows—a lush green canopy under which the couple sip coffee on their terrace in the mornings. An elegant blush hue coats the walls and ceiling, casting a flattering glow all around. And who could miss the vermilion-lacquered front door—the same vibrant shade that

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7 Major Mistakes People Make When Choosing An RV

Louetta R. Clark 2 weeks ago

If the coronavirus has you going stir-crazy, there’s a good chance you’ve thought about renting or buying an RV and taking a road trip. After all, an RV allows you to travel without exposing yourself to germy airports and hotels.

You wouldn’t be the only person to come up with that idea. In May, peer-to-peer rental service RVshare saw a 650% spike in bookings since the beginning of April. 

But if you’re a first-time RV driver, there can be a steep learning curve to overcome. Before you hit the open road, make sure you don’t make one of these major first-timer mistakes.

1. Believing bigger is better

Considering that you’ll be spending a good amount of time in your RV, you want to be comfortable. Choosing something too small will make traveling feel claustrophobic. But that doesn’t mean you should buy the biggest RV you can.

“The mistake I

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