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hawaii home REMODELING: The Way We Live

hawaii home REMODELING: The Way We Live

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The Art of Recycling

On a recent visit to Arizona, I had the pleasure of visiting the new home and studio of fabulously talented metal artist, Rick Hartner and his lovely wife, Rosie. Two years ago, the Hartners moved from Vista, CA to the awe inspiring desert landscape of Kirkland, AZ. Their house is set against the dramatic backdrop of Granite Mountain.

Rick quickly became established in the local art community. He completed a public art commission for the City of Prescott, custom winery gates, garden statuary and more. His art is even more spectacular because he uses exclusively recycled metal to fabricate his work. It's amazing how Rick is able to transform discarded "junk" into fantastic creations such as quirky whimsical birds, giant abstract garden panels and custom furniture. If you are interested in commissioning a project, please contact Rick at 928.445.3206 or visit sittingduckstudio.com.

Hot Off the Press

Our contemporary remodel is featured in this month’s issue of San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles. Entitled “Seascape, Remodeled Home the Canvas for Ocean Theme,” the story highlights the artistic touches used throughout the home. Custom designed pillows for the living room led to the creation of my organic cotton EcoArt Pillow line. Part of an art door mural series, the gifted Julie Ann Stricklin painted the Jellyfish Door shown below.


And simultaneously on stands now is an article about our sea themed garden in Better Homes and Gardens Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living Summer 2009. Whereas our home can be described as modern and serene, the garden showcases my colorful ceramic sculpture and is definitely more playful and whimsical.

Pillow Digs

Mabuno Gallery
Solana Beach, CA
Four friends recently opened the new hip Mabuno Gallery on North Cedros which is a rising star on the San Diego art scene. These mega talented artists create sleek modern furniture out of recycled metals and reclaimed wood. This is an amazing example of revamping, reusing and recycling to fabricate beautiful functional pieces. Our Buddha EcoArt Pillows are the perfect accent to a Mabuno installation at a private Rancho Santa Fe residence.

The Road Less Traveled
Santa Ana, CA
Recently featured in the Los Angeles Times, owner Delilah Snell’s warm welcoming green home store showcases all things eco-friendly: art, accessories, home decor, furniture and more. Check out Delilah’s new line of scrumptious organic preserves in an array of tantalizing flavors such as Earl Grey, Strawberry Chipoltle and Kumquat. See our Zen EcoArt Pillows brightening up a comfy couch upholstered in vogue hemp fabric.

Gabriella Cross
Saulsalito, CA
Situated dockside in the picturesque coastal town of Saulsalito, Gabriella’s charming designer showroom is overflowing with unexpected treasures including art, accessories, lighting, furniture and textiles. The showroom is open to the trade by appointment only: 415.459.0179.

Sea Turtle Sensation

By guest blogger Frances Kinney, Education Coordinator,

Pro Peninsula

On one Ocean Connectors program field outing to the Marine Turtle Research Program study site, the experience was even more memorable than usual. That day, researchers captured a 308 lb green sea turtle that had never been captured by scientists before. Our low-income students stood wide-eyed and grateful as the scientists studied the magnificent creature. One of the lead scientists whispered to me that the students could actually choose a name for the turtle since it had never been captured or named before. I informed the students of this rare opportunity to choose a one-of-a-kind name for this creature that might travel thousands of miles and live to be 100 years old someday. After a quick, informal voting period, the students decided on the name “Bobby”. Yet they still looked skeptical.

“How will other scientists even know that’s his name?” they questioned.

At Pro Peninsula, we welcome the opportunity to explain that sea turtle conservationists share their data with other scientists all over the world. This willingness to collaborate internationally, along with highly advanced tracking technology, allows scientists to plot the long migrations of individual sea turtles. Now the students were truly stunned. Seeing this giant sea turtle in their own “backyard” was impressive, but choosing his name was absolutely astounding. We explained that Eastern Pacific green sea turtles migrate along the coast of Mexico; Bobby could very well swim from the San Diego Bay right down along the coast of the Baja California peninsula, maybe even coming in close to our Mexican Ocean Connectors students. The students’ interest in this animal piqued; the goal of invoking them with the desire to protect endangered wildlife was complete. They had established a personal connection with sea turtles—they contributed firsthand to an international conservation project. In fact, that day they each became Ocean Connectors themselves.

Through Ocean Connectors and other initiatives, Pro Peninsula works to build strong communities for the long term conservation of the Baja California Peninsula.