Winter Newsletter 2023 Home & Garden

There are so many reasons to love Dabito’s debut Old Brand New: It is bright, cheerful, and creative, and it’s filled with budget-friendly and achievable interior design. Color has served as a constant comfort in Dabito’s life, and it’s evident in his use of vibrant paint, furnishings, and textiles. Inspired by the Swedish modernism of IKEA and the bohemian spirit of Santa Cruz (he’s a UCSC alum!), he believes we can all tap into our creative selves to make our homes feel special, evoke memories, and bring joy. “To decorate your space with your story and what makes you you is to celebrate your life.” 

—S.B.

Twenty years ago, when I bought my home, I grabbed Pam Peirce’s original Golden Gate Gardening and started reading up on the plants I wanted to grow. Since then, thanks to her easy-to-follow advice, my little—not diligently cared for and not particularly sunny—garden has produced hundreds of pounds of food. The new 30th anniversary edition is stuffed with even more hard-won information, all filtered through 30 more years of Bay Area gardening experience. It might be the only gardening book you’ll ever need. 

—Rico

Of Queer Eye fame, Bobby Berk has written a book that is a gorgeous blend of design inspiration and practical advice. With his trademark heartwarming approach, Berk talks about his evolution as a designer and gives invaluable tips about how to turn a house into a home. His seamless fusion of aesthetics and functionality empowers readers to create their own personalized havens. This book is terrific for those seeking to transform their living spaces with personality and style. 

—Lindsay

Rejoice, renters of the world! Whether you are new to Stardust or have watched her videos for years in awe, you may now reference her tutorials and sage advice with ease. She has such a caring philosophy toward learning new skills, which makes Safe and Sound a great gift for someone new to living on their own or maybe just someone who needs a little guidance on home repair. If you appreciated Nick Offerman’s kind, practical how-tos, you’ll love the Trans Handy Ma’am’s guide to caring for your space.

—Jax

There is something so special about a garden that comes alive at night—a garden filled with light-colored plants that reflect the moonlight or flowers that release their scent after sundown. Moon Garden captures that quiet magic. From plant selection (including evening primrose, night-blooming jasmine, moonflower, and night phlox) to design and care, Osofsky offers guidance and inspiration that any gardener can use, no matter whether they have a large backyard, a small terrace (like the featured Santa Cruz garden), or even just indoor space. An enchanting book! 

—S.B. 

Step into the fabulous world of the ultimate California Casual design queen, Amber Lewis. In her new book, Call It Home, she shows us her secret to creating stunning rooms and designs—it’s all in the details! From fabric choice to hardware, flooring, and more, Lewis pulls back the curtain and lets you into her process. If you are looking for interior design inspiration that ticks all the boxes, look no further. 

—Kristina

The deVOL Kitchen is a dream book about the heart of the home. Based in an old mill in the English countryside, deVOL designs everything related to kitchens, including cabinets, tiles, hardware, furniture, lighting, ceramics, and linens. Their timeless designs—in palettes of gorgeous green, cream, tan, and black—often incorporate brass, wood, stone, heirlooms, paintings, and antiques. If you appreciate artisanal craftsmanship and love character and atmosphere in home design, this is your book! 

—S.B. 

For anyone seeking a yard redesign, this book is a valuable resource. It covers style concepts, materials, and plants, with guidance on drawing accurate plans and taking measurements for irregular plots. The step-by-step advice, from sketch to execution, makes it an essential reference book. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to transform their outdoor space. 

—Kristina