A few photos from our recent home shoot in Mission Hills.
By Gloria Tebelman
For April’s home story, we had the privilege of photographing artist Concetta Antico’s home in Mission Hills. Kimberly Cunningham (Senior Editor), Becca Teal Batista (photographer), Jenny Siegwart (photographer) and myself (Associate Art Director) spent half a day with Concetta and her family at their home, which boasts Craftsman details, a gazebo, antique finds, and other design treasures. Here, a few behind-the-scenes photos from our shoot:
Concetta Antico’s home
Jenny grabs the first shot of the day. The light was working in our favor for this charming outdoor vignette.
Concetta Antico’s home
Concetta’s cats were the most eager models of the day.
Concetta Antico’s home
Even the water was artful. We loved these pretty milk glasses!
Concetta Antico’s home
Becca perfects the styling of the dining table. The final photo of this room is my favorite from the story!
Concetta Antico’s home
We all gushed over this rug. There may or may not have been a few Instagrams.
Concetta Antico’s home
Becca shows Concetta how she’ll be posing for her “lifestyle” shot.
Concetta Antico’s home
Good light is a photo shoot’s best friend, and this one had lots of it! Doesn’t this look like the perfect place to sit on a spring day in San Diego?
Earthly Delights
Want to see Concetta’s artwork in person? Her next show, Earthly Delights, opens Saturday, April 26 in Mission Hills. For more details, check out Concetta’s gallery.
Location: Downtown looking north at Petco Park from the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge
Camera: Nikon D600, shot at focal length 14 with a 14mm wide-angle lens
Evgeny Yorobe, a healthcare IT professional and fine art/wedding photographer from Tierrasanta, was drawn to the movement, lines, and lights of this downtown scene. “I knew I wanted the bridge and Petco Park in a photograph, and all the movement and activity around the bridge made me decide on a nighttime long-exposure shot,” says Yorobe, a devoted Padres fan. The time of the day mandated a tripod, but he realized that a wall blocked the composition. In a pinch, Yorobe shortened the length of one tripod leg to lean it and the camera to the very edge. The result was a view of the city’s after-hours buzz—traffic, twinkling lamps, and light trails from the planes, trains, and automobiles.
Looking north at Petco Park from the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge
Location: Downtown looking north at Petco Park from the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge
Camera: Nikon D600, shot at focal length 14 with a 14mm wide-angle lens
Evgeny Yorobe, a healthcare IT professional and fine art/wedding photographer from Tierrasanta, was drawn to the movement, lines, and lights of this downtown scene. “I knew I wanted the bridge and Petco Park in a photograph, and all the movement and activity around the bridge made me decide on a nighttime long-exposure shot,” says Yorobe, a devoted Padres fan. The time of the day mandated a tripod, but he realized that a wall blocked the composition. In a pinch, Yorobe shortened the length of one tripod leg to lean it and the camera to the very edge. The result was a view of the city’s after-hours buzz—traffic, twinkling lamps, and light trails from the planes, trains, and automobiles.
Looking north at Petco Park from the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge
Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.
All-access pass to good living.
As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.
Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.
The harmony of mind, body and community.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”
Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.
Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.
While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.
“Location, location, location”
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.
“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.
With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.
The best of all worlds.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.
To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.
Local photographer Michael Jaffe chose a unique perspective for his shot. “Most photographs of the Bridge emphasize the span’s entire length, which requires the photograph to be taken from a considerable distance,” he says. Jaffe found a good spot at the golf course and watched for the subtle changes in the light before and after the sunset. He took nine shots and selected the best one.
By Kimberly Cunningham | Photography by Found Creative Studio
stone wall covered in ivy
Earth Tones
The living room is the first space you see upon entering the McQueen house in Point Loma. Elegant and inviting, it’s a study in transitional style, the blending of modern and traditional décor. “We built the room around these chairs that we loved,” homeowner Natalie McQueen says of her two camel-colored wingback chairs, which are family heirlooms. “I liked the traditional aspects but wanted to add modern elements.” She enlisted Timothy Ruiz and Lauren Manas of Pacific Interiors. They stuck with earth tones to complement the chairs, added marble to the fireplace, and, because the room gets so much light, chose a richer color for the walls, Valley Forge Tan by Benjamin Moore. The J. Redmond sofa and armchairs with Kravet fabric were custom-made to fit the space. Tall plants accentuate the room’s dramatic ceilings. Other modern accents include a coffee table from Williams-Sonoma Home and area rug by Calvin Klein.
Historical Roots
At the perimeter of this outdoor entertaining space lies a storybook stone wall. Covered with fig ivy, the wall was once part of the historic Rosecroft mansion’s begonia gardens. In the 1960s the gardens were closed and replaced by houses, but the wall remains as a historical landmark. Above: Homeowners Tim and Natalie McQueen watch daughter Bridget (8) and son Mitch (4) play. (Furniture by Restoration Hardware, accessories by Pottery Barn, area rug from Scout at Quarters D in Liberty Station)
Flipping Out
Its owners sought to preserve the original character of the house, which was built in 1989. “I wanted the outside to look as traditional as possible,” Natalie McQueen says. Her design team repainted the exterior and added flower boxes and Belgard pavers to the front yard. And yes, that’s eight-year-old Bridget doing a perfect back handspring on the grass. Stick it! (Landscaping by Pedro Ortega; floral arrangements by Erik Schumann)
Heart of the Home
The McQueens worked with contractor Robert McCarron to completely gut the original kitchen. They kept most of the existing layout, while extending the island and building an overhang with opposing pot racks. Stainless steel appliances give the space an industrial feel. Lava stone countertops and beveled subway tile create a crisp black-and-white aesthetic. For extra warmth and interest, designer Timothy Ruiz suggested adding a section of walnut cabinetry. Although the darker wood is built in, it’s meant to look like a hutch, or stand-alone piece of furniture. “I think it’s one of the best kitchens I’ve ever done,” Ruiz says of the space’s function and style. In the foreground, a whimsical chalkboard wall serves as a place to write messages and notes.
Clean and Simple
In keeping with the transitional style, designer Timothy Ruiz mixed ultra-modern chrome and white leather dining chairs by Bontempi with a classic dining table (another inherited antique). “When you pare everything down, and keep it real clean and simple, that’s how you keep your traditional pieces looking more modern,” Ruiz says. (Photographic painting by local artist Monica Hoover, purchased at Mixture in Little Italy; large seashell centerpiece from Z Gallerie)
Boyish Charm
When four-year-old Mitch outgrew his nursery, his mom and her designers turned his bedroom into a nautical-themed play zone. One essential? Custom built-ins to maximize toy storage. They chose moss-green paint because it was “a little different than the traditional boy colors.” Starfish pulls from San Diego Hardware add a fun seaside touch. The shelves are lined with beloved bedtime books and gifts from friends, like the spotted ukulele. Another gift—an old fishing rod—stands in the corner. “He loves to fish and loves boats,” mom Natalie explains. (Bedding from Serena & Lily, bed and dresser by Stanley Furniture Co.’s Young America)
European Influence
The lone bit of pattern, courtesy of paisley wallpaper and a European area rug, is in the master bedroom sitting area. Here, traditional elements like wicker chairs blend with modern throw pillows from Mixture and an abstract painting. The antique European chest is another family heirloom. “We lived in London when we were young, and my parents brought a lot of stuff back,” Natalie says. “They’ve slowly passed it down to me.” (Chair cushions covered in Robert Allen fabric, wallpaper from Sterling Interiors/Design)
NewBridge School is San Diego’s only school dedicated to the education of students with dyslexia and related learning profiles. For 30 years we have successfully served students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, receptive/expressive language disorders, ADHD, executive functioning and memory deficits. Students transition successfully into academically rigorous high schools and colleges across the country. Why NewBridge? Training, training, training (plus intensive individualization, and comprehensive program design). All teachers are trained and retrained biennially in Orton-Gillingham, the only approach proven to remediate dyslexia based on Science of Reading research, and complete a year-long training program. Every aspect of our program is designed around our students’ learning styles and needs. Every class is taught by a highly-trained expert, and our Speech/Language and Occupational Therapy teams embed throughout the day. Our multisensory, multi-tiered math program has been developed in conjunction with sister schools and experts across the country. Don’t wait—early intervention is magic!
