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1 November/December 2010 THM East Bay
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ideas and resources for your home
BayArea.com
Custom Furniture Solar Lease
Green Style
2 November/December 2010 THM East Bay
East Bay THM November/December 2010 3
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10
6 The Power of Solar
Affordable, stylish, high-efficiency solar energy
systems for the home.
By Lisa Winer
CCIDC
8 Design Tips
Easy Green improvements for your bathroom.
By Lisa Sten, CID, CGBP
10 Green Home Ideas
Eco-friendly options for saving energy and money. 
By Deborah Burstyn
14 Green Lumber
Saving the planet, one piece of wood at a time.
By Gabrielle Saveri
NKBA
16 Your Green Vision
Green opportunities for your kitchen and bath.
By Leslie Lamarre, CKD, CGBP
BIG
18 The Market Advantage of 
the Green Home
Studies find that Green homes sell better than
conventional homes.
By Annette Hartsfield
G R E E N S T Y L E
148
N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 O 1 O
[ C O N T E N T S ]
TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com4 November/December 2010 THM East Bay
6
TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com
ideas and resources for your home
BayArea.com
Search the Bay
Area’s ultimate
resource guide 
for more articles 
of interest, links 
to more resources,
Web sites, and
professionals 
who can help 
you with all your
home projects.
ON THE COVER
Hinkley Lighting, Thistledown chandelier
in Victorian Bronze finish. 
Photo courtesy Hinkley Lighting 
(hinkleylighting.com)
Find more great ideas and resources for your home on
TodaysHomeBayArea.com
Post your company information @ TodaysHomeBayArea.com!
Call 925.389.3481 or e-mail Jeff@THmag.com for more information.
East Bay THM November/December 2010 5
Multi-Function Comes Home
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New eco-options for flooring keep your home green
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20
20 Unique Style
Custom furniture does not have to be expensive.
By Patricia Hayse Haller
CLCA
22 Rock Your World
Selecting rock and stone for your landscape design.
By Joan Waters
22
HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT INVESTING IN A SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEM
for your home? It might be time to do so. The San Francisco Bay Area is an
excellent place to take advantage of such technology, given the high electricity
rates we pay and the great solar exposure we get throughout the year. Sky Power
Solar now offer a lease of SunPower solar panels, the highest quality available.
“SunPower panels are unique,” says Bob Winn, owner of Sky Power Solar. They
are the world’s most efficient solar panels by 30 to 50 percent, with an innovative
panel design that leaves more surface area available to absorb sunlight. The more
power you use, the more money you save. 
SunPower solar panels are also elegantly styled in all black, and with Sky Power’s
attention to detail in their design and installation, they only add to your home’s
appeal. The panels will blend in with your home,
not stand out from it.
A great affordable solar energy option is a 
15-year solar lease. The lease requires no down
payment, and is guaranteed to perform as Sky
Power says it will, or the company will pay you 
the difference.
Sky Power focuses only on the East Bay 
area so they can be highly responsive to their
customers’ needs, including doing regular
performance monitoring. Look no further than
locally owned, Diamond Certified Sky Power 
Solar for your solar needs.
For a free evaluation and financial analysis call Sky 
Power Solar at (925) 380-1362 or visit their website,
www.SkyPowerSolar.com. THM
TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com6 November/December 2010 THM East Bay
[ I N C R E D I B L E G R E E N ]
Affordable, stylish,
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East Bay THM November/December 2010 7
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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©2010 All editorial (headline, subhead, story, captions) published in Today’s Home is copyrighted and remains the sole
property of Today’s Home. All rights reserved. Reproduction or reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.
Volume 10, Issue 6 • November/December 2010
PUBLISHER/EDITOR
Jeff Curry
ART DIRECTOR
Jeff Clinton
WEBMASTER
Christina Carey
ACCOUNTING
Diane Nasadiuk
Deborah Burstyn
Annette Hartsfield 
Gabrielle Saveri
Joan Waters
Patricia Hayse Haller
Leslie Lamarre, CKD, CGBP 
Lisa Sten, CID, CGBP
Lisa Winer
FEATURE WRITERS
The Bay Area’s best resource for your lifestyle at home.
 
Search for Today’s Home
IN JANUARY 2010, CALIFORNIA OFFICIALSadoptedthe country’s first mandatory statewide
green building code. The regulations, called
Calgreen, will help the state meet its goal of
trimming greenhouse gas emissions by 33 percent
by 2020. Starting January 1st, 2011 every new
building in the state will have to reduce water
usage by 20 percent. Residential remodeling and
new home construction will of course be affected.
To continue as a national leader in green building,
California’s designers will rely on new plumbing
products that help conserve water along with other green design tips which
will prepare and educate our growing population to increase sustainability
through design. 
Current national standards for showerhead flow-rates is 2.5 gallons per
minute (gpm); in 2011, you’ll need to comply with a less than or equal to
2.0 gpm flow rate. Select an option from the new generation of cost-effective
and highly efficient showerheads. Hansgrohe uses an air-injection technology
that provides the feel of a higher flow rate showerhead. Delta’s product 
with H2OKinetic Technology manages water droplet size and velocity, spray
coverage and thermal dynamics—they say that the large droplet size provides
more water coverage, creating a saturating sensation. Bricor uses a vacuum
flow booster valve that aerates and compacts the
water under pressure, and Kohler also offers several
efficient shower heads with multiple spray options
styled to coordinate with their existing product lines.
Don’t worry—the lower flow rates when combined with the new technologies
shouldn’t dampen your showering experience—you’ll still be able to get the
shampoo out of your hair! 
TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com8 November/December 2010 THM East Bay
[ C C I D C ]
BY LISA STEN, CID, CGBP
ideas and resources for your home
BayArea.com
for more on 
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Design
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TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com East Bay THM November/December 2010 9
When buying a new toilet, your designer can help to identify the best
performers—which toilet will remove waste best with a single flush? Different
technologies, such as “siphonic action” (pulls the waste from the bowl) or
“wash-down” are to be considered. Some manufacturers will offer “gravity
assist” technologies and several manufacturers offer dual-flush options to
further cut down your water usage. 
Touchless faucets that you’ve seen in public restrooms for many years
(and like the one shown here) are also water savers and many residential
styles are now available for your sink. Additionally, include an occupancy-
sensing light switch—after a pre-set amount of time, if no motion is detected
in the bathroom, the light will turn itself off. 
When thoughtfully considered into your project, green design contributes
at the local level in sustainability while supporting our state’s green goals. 
Lisa Sten, CID, CGBP is a Senior Designer with the Design+Build firm Harrell Remodeling 
in Mountain View. For more information or to attend one of our monthly workshops, visit
www.harrell-remodeling.com. For a list of Certified Interior Designers in your area or 
to view the CID Pages (a visual directory of CID’s), visit www.ccidc.org/cidpages. THM
FROM A SOLAR PANEL ARRAY ON THE ROOF TO FSC (Forest
Stewardship Council-certified) wood and recycled quartz stone
inside, every surface material in a home can be chosen to
enhance the experience of living with natural green elements. But
often the biggest eco-friendly steps you can take to green your home
involve changes in things that are below the surface and not
obvious to the eye.
The average home emits twice as 
much CO2 as the average car. By choosing
energy-saving appliances for home remodel
and repair projects you can make your
home healthier and happier. As a bonus,
besides helping to save the environment,
you’ll save energy and money. Your home
will also appraise at a value and may
qualify for tax credits.
Here’s how to make your home greener
and your wallet greener by making your
home more energy efficient:
APPLIANCES
Be an energy star! Every product that uses
electricity has two costs: the one on the
price tag and the one on the utility bill.
The cost to run an appliance may be many
times greater than the cost to purchase 
it. When shopping for new household
TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com10 November/December 2010 THM East Bay
[ I N C R E D I B L E G R E E N ] 
Green Home Ideas
BY DEBORAH BURSTYN
Eco-friendly options for saving energy and money. 
ideas and resources for your home
BayArea.com
for more on 
green home ideas
Meile W 4802 super high-capacity
washing machine.
Murray Feiss Energy Star®
Tavaris Collection in ebony.
Shade: Earthtone Linen.
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appliances, look for those with the Energy Star® designation. They meet
strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of
Energy and may be eligible for hefty government rebates. 
For example, over the life of a new Energy Star®-qualified washer, you'll
save enough money in operating costs to pay for a matching dryer. With your
water savings, you could fill three backyard swimming pools. 
Although dryers, ovens and ranges do not currently qualify for the Energy
Star® label, you can purchase dryers, ovens and ranges that are more energy-
efficient than similar models.
LIGHTING
There are many bright ideas for energy efficient lighting. Compact fluorescent
bulbs use 75 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs and last 10
times longer, off-setting their higher cost.
Solar-powered lights are available for every
kind of outdoor lighting: string lights,
accent and path lights, outdoor chandeliers
and even solar-powered planters that
function as lights after dark. A rising star
for indoors is LED—light-emitting diode.
These tiny lights emit more light than any
other type of bulb for a lot less energy. 
And they are cool to the touch. LED lights
provide direct task-specific light and are
ideal to use as under cabinet lights, night
lights, security lights, desk lights, ceiling
can and recessed lights. >>
TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com
[ I N C R E D I B L E G R E E N ] 
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C A L I F O R N I A ’ S C A S H F O R
A P P L I A N C E S P R O G R A M
Last April, the California Energy Commission received $35.2
million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) funds for California's portion of the State Energy
Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP). Until the
money runs out, the Energy Commission will provide
rebates to California consumers who purchase eligible 
home appliances and recycle their old ones. There’s $9.58
million left. 
Get cash and save energy on:
Refrigerators – $200
Clothes Washers – $100
Room Air Conditioner – up to $50
Dishwashers – $100
Freezers – $50
East Bay THM November/December 2010 11
Hinkley Lighting’s NEXUS
LED 15v high-performance
landscape lighting system.
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Collection in black. Glass: White Opal Etch. 
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TANKLESS WATER HEATER
Go tankless. Instead of paying to constantly heat
water that’s just hanging around waiting to be
used, tankless water heaters work on demand.
Turn on a tap and water pumps through a heating
element todeliver hot water only when you need
it. Typically, tankless water heaters provide hot
water at a rate of 2–5 gallons (7.6–15.2 liters)
per minute. They also have a lifespan almost double that of
conventional water heaters. Tankless water heaters are a great
choice for hot tubs, pool showers, outdoor kitchens and guest
cottages. In addition to California’s appliance rebate, tankless
heaters currently qualify for a federal government tax credit
equal to 30% of the full purchase and installation price up 
to a maximum of $1500.
FURNACE
If your furnace has an old-
fashioned pilot light that you
can see constantly burning, 
or if it is more than 25 years
old, more than one-quarter of
the fuel you purchase probably
gets wasted and is never used
to heat your home. Time to
upgrade. Furnaces are rated by
their Annual Fuel Utilization
Efficiency (AFUE), which must 
be posted on the furnace’s yellow
Energy Guide label. Modern
condensing furnaces are the most
energy efficient heating systems
available. An easy way to choose
among the most efficient furnaces
is to look for Energy Star® label.
Energy Star® furnaces must have
an AFUE rating of 90 percent or
greater, saving save you between
20 and 25 percent of your current
heating costs. 
INSULATION
“Sealing the envelope” is a key way to save energy in a home while
making it more comfortable. Insulation keeps your home warm in the
winter and cool in the summer. There are several common types of
insulation—fiberglass (in both batt and blown forms), cellulose, rigid
foam board, and spray foam. There’s even a company that makes
insulation from recycled blue jeans. Reflective insulation also called
a radiant barrier is a new option that can help save energy by using
reflective foil to block summer heat from entering the home. 
When correctly installed with air sealing, each type of insulation
can deliver comfort and lower energy bills during the hottest and
coldest times of the year. For more comprehensive information,
check the Department of Energy’s online Insulation Guide. THM
TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com12 November/December 2010 THM East Bay
[ I N C R E D I B L E G R E E N ] 
Maytag M1200 Plus Series 95.1 AFUE 2-Stage gas furnaces with variable speed offers
the SmartStart® state-of-the-art control board, stainless steel doors, quiet comfort year
round, better temperature control, and incredible energy savings on your gas utilities. Ph
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Noritz NR98 Series residential
tankless water heater with
up to 9.8 GPM @ 35 degree
temperature rise.
Rheem RTE 7 Series electric
tankless continuous hot
water on demand heater.
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TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com East Bay THM November/December 2010 13
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14 November/December 2010 THM East Bay TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com
[ I N C R E D I B L E G R E E N ] 
IN A WORLD OF EXTREME ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL UPSand downs, Jackel Enterprises, Inc.—a specialty lumber yard located
in Watsonville—caters to “green” and non-green builders nationwide
and stands out as a beacon of light in the efforts to help maintain the
earth’s balance.
Founded in 1991, Jackel Enterprises sells woods that are “meant
to be seen”—high-grade softwoods from California and the northwest,
and exotic hardwoods from all over the world. The company provides
custom millwork to discerning craftsmen, builders and homeowners
throughout the country, and has been doing so for almost two decades.
“We deal with end users, but primarily, we deal with the fabricator,”
says company president Steve Jackel. “We want the reader to find
interest in our materials, and refer us to their designer or contractor.”
Although many of Jackel’s clients don’t necessarily build “green,”
the company prides itself on working with urban, suburban and rural
salvage woods. “We find trees out in the woods,” says Jackel. The
company is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and has
also been acknowledged by the SmartWood Program of the Rainforest
Alliance as a chain-of-custody company, making it one of the most
environmentally-friendly lumber companies in California. 
Additionally, Jackel Enterprises has recently developed its own
green certification program and created its own logo to show consumers
which Jackel products are recycled and sustainably produced. “I’ve
been doing urban, suburban and rural salvage since 1973,” says
Jackel. “It was all about walking softly on the earth, which is my
thing—leaving a soft carbon imprint so that there’s something left 
or future generations.”
As part of its green efforts, Jackel Enterprises emphasizes its
unique Box Beams—three-sided faux timber beams milled primarily
using Douglas fir or other wood species. The beams are usually used 
to clad an ugly steel member or to visually enhance a room’s particular
style. “Box Beams are made mainly out of FSC-certified materials,”
explains Jackel. “They’re economical, you’re using less wood mass to
achieve an effect that would be akin to using more mass. And they’re
especially great for a Spanish or Mediterranean style home where 
the work simulates antique timbers.” 
GREEN LUMBER
Saving the planet, one piece
of wood at a time.
BY GABRIELLE SAVERI
TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com East Bay THM November/December 2010 15
Jackel Enterprises first got into the Box Beam business over 
five years ago when Jackel was doing solid timberwork using recycled
wood for various projects. A client came in one day with a problem
covering up a steel beam and asked what could be done. Jackel’s
mill shop brainstormed and came up with the Box Beam. Then
another client came in asking for the same thing, but with a faux
hand-hewn finish on it. “We retrofitted his whole house, and soon
discovered there was a market for this,” says Jackel.
Jackel takes his woods very seriously. He began his woodworking
career making musical instruments but realized his strengths lay in
the buying and selling and working with woods. “I am a merchant
with leanings towards alchemy,” he says. “The fact is, I love wood. I
love the incredible uniqueness of each stick, the inescapable variation
of grains, colors, textures and odor. When I view a completed work, 
I am always amazed, taken by the beauty of the piece and by the
pride of the craftsman.”
As a craftsman, Jackel believes that it is his duty to create a
beautiful product, and to do so in a way that does not harm the planet.
“That’s what ‘green’ means,” he says. “The alchemist is concerned
with transformations. He takes raw materials and transforms them to 
a higher state. That’s what we do when we go into someone’s home.
We’re always involved in increasing the intrinsic value of what we’re
working on. When we say added value, we mean it.”
For more information, contact Jackel Enterprises, Inc. at1-800-711-9663 or visit
www.jackelenterprises.com. THM
 
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TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com16 November/December 2010 THM East Bay
BY LESLIE LAMARRE, CKD, CGBP
GREEN
OPPORTUNITIES
FOR YOUR KITCHEN
AND BATH.
IN BOTH REMODELS AND NEW CONSTRUCTION these days,an increasing number of our clients are looking for ways to be
more environmentally responsible. Unlike the scenario just five
years ago when we had to search far and wide for good green
products, the great news is that there are now many new
materials and technologies available so opportunities abound. 
These opportunities exist throughout
the home from the foundation (where
flyash can be substituted for Portland
cement in the concrete mix) to the roof
(where the installation of photovoltaic
panels can reduce, and even eliminate,
your electric bills). But the focus of this
article is the kitchen and the bath. These
two rooms are not only the most likely 
to be remodeled by homeowners and the
ones on which homeowners will spend 
the most money per square foot, they also
represent phenomenal opportunities for
achieving sustainability goals, energy
conservation, water savings, resource
reduction and improved indoor air quality. 
Let’s start in the kitchen. Most homes’
primary energy consumption occurs in the
kitchen, where food is refrigerated, frozen,
cooked, and kept warm. In fact, refrigeration
alone is the US household’s biggest energy
consumer surpassed only by pool pumps
and spa heaters. Many refrigerators today
are Energy-Star rated, which means
they are at least 20% more energy-
efficient than the minimum federal
standard. So simply using that telltale
yellow and black label as a guide to
your purchase can point you in the
right direction. 
For both water and energy
savings, look no further than
your dishwasher—especially if
yours is an older model. While
those purchased before 1994
guzzle about 8 gallons per
cycle, Energy-Star dishwashers
consume 5.8 gallons or less.
Many of today’s dishwashers
use far less, with makers like
Bosch and Thermador offering
models that swig just 1.56
gallons per cycle. Advanced
features such as soil sensors,
filtration systems that remove
food from the water during
washing, and more accurate
water jets help achieve such
impressive savings. 
Locally made tile with recycled content, recycled
glass tile accents, and quartz countertops lend 
an eco-friendly flavor to this bathroom. (Designed 
by Leslie Lamarre, CKD, CGBP, TRG Architects)
Your GreenVision
[ N K B A ]
National Kitchen & Bath Association
TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com East Bay THM November/December 2010 17
Aside from energy- and water-
saving opportunities, your kitchen
offers you a chance to make composting
and recycling more convenient. Pull-
out recycling bins and even compost
containers can often be built into the
cabinet under the sink. Companies
like Häfele and Rev-A-Shelf offer a
variety of base cabinet options. My
personal favorites are Knape & Vogt’s
rotating, 3-bin recycling center, which
makes great use of a corner space,
and Rev-A-Shelf’s drop-in countertop
compost system. 
In the bathroom, the biggest single
green opportunity is water savings. In
fact, toilets are the largest daily user
of water in US homes accounting for
27% of indoor water use. However,
this is changing. Federal standards
established in 1992 require all US
plumbing manufacturers to meet or
beat 1.6 gallons per flush. Today,
manufacturers are trouncing this goal
by 20% while maintaining and in
some cases enhancing performance.
Some rely on pressure-assist or power-
assist technologies while others take the dual-flush approach, using a gallon or
less for liquid waste and 1.3 to 1.6 gallons for solid waste.
Similarly, showerhead and faucet manufacturers have greatly reduced flow
rates while maintaining efficacy. Thanks largely to the Environmental Protection
Agency’s WaterSense program, faucets are available today that reduce waterflow
by 30% and showerheads use less than 2 gallons per minute (compared with the
old standard of 2.5 gpm) without sacrificing performance or quality. Modeled
after the EPA’s Energy-Star program, WaterSense provides a recognizable label
to guide consumers. Just look for the blue and green raindrop. 
In terms of energy conservation in the bathroom, the simplest and least
expensive action you can take is to insulate your hot water pipes. If you want 
to take it a step further, consider a tankless hot water heater. Unlike
traditional water heaters which store water and keep it hot until
needed, tankless water heaters heat water on demand. Just as
attractive is their space-saving feature: these wall-mounted boxes
free up valuable floor space. 
A number of other green opportunities exist for both kitchen and
bath from energy-efficient lighting (in the form of recessed compact
fluorescent cans or better yet, recessed LEDs) to cabinets made 
with fast-growing or reclaimed wood. Countertops can be made with
quartz or recycled glass and tile can be made from recycled material.
Perhaps the most largely overlooked advantage of “greening” your
home is the health factor: improved indoor air quality. A true eco-
friendly design deploys materials that don’t off-gas volatile organic
compounds, such as formaldehyde. 
Commonly contained in glues, paints, and lacquers, VOCs are
emitted as gases not just during application but long after installation
in your home. Among other ailments, they can cause eye, nose, and
throat irritation, liver damage and cancer. Keep your eyes open for
VOCs because they are everywhere in construction and keep this 
list handy: make certain that the plywood in your cabinet boxes is
formaldehyde-free; choose a low- to no-VOC finish; avoid oil-based
paints; choose a paint company that makes zero-VOC latex; select
PVC-free wall-coverings. 
Whatever your material preferences may be, an important factor
to keep in mind is where the product is made. The rule of thumb in
green design is 500 miles. If you can source materials for your kitchen
or bath within 500 miles from your home, you’re doing well. If you can
get closer, that’s even better. And as you peruse the now-abundant
options available for your green project, keep in mind that you are
not limited in terms of style. Whether your tastes are traditional,
contemporary, or transitional, there are plenty of green features to
choose from. Green is simply the common—but invisible—denominator.
It’s up to you and your designer to select the unique set of components
that bring your green vision to life. 
Leslie Lamarre, CKD, CGBP is a Principal at TRG Architects in Burlingame and a member
of NKBA. The NKBA is your best source for design ideas, expert remodeling tips,and
advice. To find a design professional near you please contact www.nocankba.org. THM
[ I N C R E D I B L E G R E E N ] 
The many green features in this lively kitchen designed by TRG
Architects include cork flooring, Forest Stewardship Council-
certified bamboo cabinetry, a low-flow sink faucet, drop-in
countertop compost bin, induction cooktop, and LED lighting. 
Ph
ot
os
: B
er
na
rd
 A
nd
ré
 P
ho
to
gr
ap
hy
A swimming pool is a place to be with family and
friends, play with your children, get in shape, or
simply relax. Your own pool provides fun, pleasure,
and escape. Lifetime Pools can work with you to
create a total backyard environment—for residential
outdoor living at its best!
California Shower Door is the finest name in shower
enclosures providing quality design, construction 
and installation of finished, framed and frameless
enclosures for your bathroom.
California Shower Door 
800-675-6225 • www.CalShowerdoor.comLifetime Pools
408-738-1576 • www.LifetimePools.com
We Build Backyard Fun Create a Shower For Life
LIFETIME POOLS INC.LIFETIME POOLS INC.
ideas and resources for your home
BayArea.com
for more on 
kitchens & baths
TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com18 November/December 2010 THM East Bay
this past June, compiled home sales data between
May 2009 and April 2010, finding that new homes
with a green certification (like Energy Star or LEED
for Homes) sold for 18% more, while existing
homes with a certification sold for 23% more.
“As energy efficiency and healthier homes gain
more attention, builders and homeowners increasingly
place value on home certification,” said Sean
Penrith, executive director of Earth Advantage
Institute who commissioned the study. “It is very
encouraging to see the market share of certified
homes continue to rise over the past three years
despite the difficulties in residential markets.”
A similar study conducted in the Seattle,
Washington area found that not only do houses
with a green certification demand a higher price
point, they also retain their value better. Homes
with a Built Green certification (the region’s local
third-party rating system) didn’t depreciate over
the course of the study, while non-certified homes
lost value during the same time period. 
Regional Multiple Listing Services (MLS), which
are used by real estate brokers to list and search
properties according to specific search criteria, are
just beginning to include green certifications and
other green or energy efficiency features as search
criteria, which is why there is still relatively little
data on green home sales. But in geographic areas
where green MLS statistics are being compiled,
they show a positive trend for green home sales.
The National Association of Realtors’ website
states, for example, that in Atlanta during 2009,
certified green homes sold 3.6% closer to list
price and were on the market 31 days less than
conventional new construction (108 vs. 139 days).
So if you’re thinking of ways to bump up the
asking price for your home, you may want to forego
that bathroom remodel or new kitchen countertops
and install some energy efficiency upgrades instead.
To learn more about California’s leading rating system for
existing homes, GreenPoint Rated, and to locate a GreenPoint
Rater, please visit www.builditgreen.org/greenpoint-rated/.
For more information about green building in general, please
visit www.builditgreen.org. Annette Hartsfield is Project
Manager and Grant Writer for Build It Green, a Bay Area non-
profit organization promoting healthy, energy and resource
efficient homes in California. THM
BY ANNETTE HARTSFIELD
The Market Advantage of the Green Home
Studies find that Green homes sell
better than conventional homes.
IF YOU ADD RESOURCE SAVING FEATURES TOyour home, you will save money on your utility
bills. This is a no-brainer. Add insulation, invest
in energy efficient appliances, install water efficient
fixtures, and your monthly water and electricity costs
will go down. Eventually the savings will offset the
cost of the initial remodel expense. But did you
know that these same upgrades can also increase
your property value? And possibly even make it
easier to sell your house? In today’s housing market,
that is no small thing.
Research from the Appraisal Institute, which
provides residential and commercial real estate
appraisal education nationwide, has shown that
home values increase $10 to $25 for every dollar
in reduced annual utility bills. So even if you think
you’re not going to stay in your home long enough
to recoup the cost of energy upgrades or even a
third-party green certification, the resale benefits
alone may be worth the effort and expense. 
A study from Portland, Oregon recently found
that homes—both new and existing—with a third-
party green certification sold for a higher price than
their non-certified counterparts. The study, released
[ B U I L D I T G R E E N ]
ideas and resources for your home
BayArea.com
for more on 
green
TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com East Bay THM November/December 2010 19
Call for a free in-home consultation!
(800) 953-0053 or
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TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com20 November/December 2010 THM East Bay
Custom furniture does 
not have to be expensive.
color stains and more. Azzulina has a dedicated fabric room
with over 1000 samples of fabrics ranging from couture textiles
to extremely durable chenilles. They also stock a large selection
of genuine leathers imported from Italy, Argentina and Brazil.
Clients can also take advantage of a free in-home design
consultation, collaborating one-on-one with Susan to make full
use of her design creativity, flair for style, and deep knowledge
of the custom business. “This is an amazing value,” says Saul.
“You don’t get this kind of creativity at any of the national
furniture chains”.
Once the design is finalized, the furniture is crafted in Los
Angeles by our master craftsmen in under two weeks. Susan
feels blessed to work with absolutely the best and very proud
to be supporting California manufacturing.
CUSTOM FURNITURE, MADE IN CALIFORNIA, THAT COST LESS
than mass-produced imports? Absolutely, says Susan
Saul owner of Azzulina, who recently moved her popular
furniture business from a 300-square-foot shop in the Danville
Livery to a 30,000 square-foot warehouse in Livermore.
Our business concept today is different from that of our
Danville location, “says Susan, gesturing at the expansive
display of sofas, sectionals, dining tables, home entertainment
centers and more, all arranged in eye-catching and perfectly
accessorized vignette’s. Due to the economic conditions, people
are in search of value! By moving Azzulina to a large warehouse
in Livermore, it enabled us to become extremely competitive.
We are now able to offer custom furniture at warehouse prices.”
The furniture on display—all personally designed by Susan
Saul—ranges from traditional to transitional to contemporary
in design. They offer amazing variety of wood finishes, metal
detailing, leathers and fabrics. Their huge floor model inventory
makes Azzulina one of the largest custom furniture showrooms
in the East Bay.
“Everything we do is fully custom-made for your unique
space,” says Susan Saul. “When visiting the showroom, customers
shop first for style, and I can help them get exactly what they
want,” she says. “They can even tear a photo out of a magazine
and we can create it for them.” 
But there’s more to quality furniture than style, so she invites
clients to sit in sofas on the showroom floor to experience depth,
firmness of seat cushions to arm height, seat height and even
back pitch. Customers have the opportunity to select leg styles,
BY PATRICIA HAYSE HALLER
Unique Style
TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com EastBay THM November/December 2010 21
APPLIANCES
Direct Appliance 
925-560-0500
www.directappliancedublin.com
ARTIFICAL TURF
PolyGrass
866-5O2-188O
www.polygrass.com
AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT
Mechanical Air Service
800-913-4822
www.mechanicalairservice.com
CABINETS & CLOSETS
Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets
925-362-8838
www.valetcustom.com
CLEANING SERVICE
Spring Fresh Cleaning
800-750-7175
www.springfreshcleaninginc.com
CUSTOM FRAMING
Acanthus
925-866-1144
www.acanthusonline.com
GARAGE STORAGE
Premier Garage
866-497-2880
www.premiergarage.com
GARDEN ORNAMENTS
Giannini Garden Ornaments
650-873-4493
www.gianninigarden.comm
HOME THEATER
Hi-Def Audio Video
408-294-6632
KITCHEN DESIGN CENTER
Ric’s Kitchen & Bath
510-733-5543
www.Rics-kitchen-bath.com
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Masterpiece Gardens & Design
925-937-2253
www.masterpiecegarden.com
LUMBER & MILLWORK
Jackel Enterprises
800-711-WOOD (9663)
www.jackelenterprises.com
OUTDOOR FURNITURE & BBQ
Complete Backyards
408-748-8100
www.completebackyards.com
RESOURCE GUIDE
To list YOUR business, call 925-389-3481
PAINT CENTER
Professional Paint Center
925-933-3315
PAINTING CONTRACTOR
Rhino Shield
888-868-7575
www.rhinoshieldca.com
PAVING STONES
Black Diamond Landscape & Designs
800-942-1955
www.blackdiamondlandscape.com
PaverPro
888-804-9180
www.PaverPro.com
REDWOOD FENCING
Borg Redwood Fences
925-426-9620
www.borgfence.com
REMODELING CONSTRUCTION
Sunshine Construction, Inc.
925-472-8760
www.sunshine-construction-inc.com
SHOWER DOORS & ENCLOSURES
California Shower Door Corp.
800-675-6225
www.calshowerdoor.com
SOLAR
Sky Power Systems
925-380-1362
www.SkyPowerSolar.com
SWIMMING POOLS
Lifetime Pools
650-494-7070
www.lifetimepools.com
TILE AND STONE
Western Tile Design Center
925-671-0145
www.westerntiledesign.com
WALLBEDS
Wallbeds ”n” More
925-570-5663
www.wallbedsnmore.com
WINDOW TINTING
Solar Control Glass Tinting Co.
800-999-3828
www.solarcontrolcompany.com
ideas and resources for your home
BayArea.com
for more
resources
But all that custom design, creative energy and personal
service has to be expensive, right? WRONG. Susan says she is
constantly comparing her prices to those of national furniture
chains and department stores and Azzulina is always more
competitive and often cheaper.
For example, a three piece sectional is priced by Azzulina at
$2,700 while national chains offer non-custom frames at $3,500
to $4,500. Azzulina has the most competitive pricing for sofas
and love seats in the Bay Area, at starting prices of $600 to
$900 for 100% custom and delivered in under two weeks.
Since moving to Livermore, Susan Saul has seen her business
grow to include clients from almost every city in the Bay Area.
“Everyone has a limited budget, and we are now by far the Bay
Area’s price leader for custom furniture made in California. It is
fantastic to see our customers supporting our family-owned
local business dedicated to supporting California manufacturing.
Visit Azzulina’s new warehouse showroom at 6752 Preston
Avenue in Livermore, just off I-580 at South Vasco Road. For
directions, visit www.azzulina.com or call (925) 820-5900. THM
22 November/December 2010 THM East Bay
AS MORE AND MORE OF TODAY’S PROPERTY OWNERS
discover the significant value a thoughtfully designed
landscape adds to a home, they’re turning to two time-
tested building materials—natural rock and stone. They know
there’s no landscape material that beats the look, longevity and
durability of hand-hewn rock. And they’re finding more choices
than ever before in the types of stone and rock available.
What kinds of features are savvy homeowners seeking 
out? According to the landscape professionals at the California
Landscape Contractors Association, at the top of the list are
outdoor structures and
surfaces for sidewalks,
pathways, retaining
walls, splash pads 
that surround fountains, poolside copings, terraces, stairways,
seating areas, privacy walls and planters. But that’s just
scratching the surface. Stone and rock have always been 
the construction companions of all kinds of other hardscape
elements: timbers, stamped and colored concrete, terra-cotta 
and ceramic tile, brick and mortar and even ornamental iron.
Despite the fact that stone and rockwork can be pricey, many
clients are looking for high-quality features. People are getting
more sophisticated about knowing what they want and definitely
see the value in it. Even though traditionally used stones such 
as Arizona sandstone and Connecticut bluestone are still in high
demand, today there are dozens of rock varieties to choose from. 
CLCA advises homeowners to take a look at a number of
projects before they settle on the contractor they want to hire 
to install rock or stone. There can be a huge difference in the
quality of the work and craftsmanship from
mason to mason. Some masons do mostly
brick and concrete, and others are experts 
at using natural stone. When they’re working
with natural stone, it can be quite difficult to
get the stones to fit together just right so the joinings are as small as possible. 
People who want natural stone know there’s nothing like it and they
definitely know the difference.
The California Landscape Contractors Association is a non-profit trade organization of 
licensed landscape and landscape-related contractors. For more
landscaping information, ideas and tips, visit www.CLCA.org. THM
BY JOAN WATERS
[ C L C A ] 
ideas and resources for your home
BayArea.com
for more on 
outdoors
Selecting rock and stone for your landscape design.
 
Rock Your World
TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com East Bay THM November/December 2010 23
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