FireplaceThe most raved-about photo on Carol’s Instagram is of the fireplace, a stunner for its built-in look and a far cry from its original form. When they moved in, it was a “hideous” orange brick. Carol sponge-painted it as a temporary solution to tone down the color, then hired contractors to correct it to her liking. An art piece by Joelle Somero stands atop the mantle alongside some pottery by Lee. Neighboring the fireplace is a head-scratching nook–“We’ve spent so much time trying to figure out what to do with this over the years,” Lee says–that they fashioned into a charcoal accent wall and shelving starring found items in Carol’s natural color palette. “It doesn’t happen overnight,” Carol says of the decor. “Accessories need to be accumulated over time.”

Jenny Siegwart

On paper, Carol Estes has a lot in common with millennials. She likes to skateboard, loves to travel, and spends a good portion of her day on Instagram. Oh, and she has upward of 70,000 followers.

She’s grown her network for her interior design business to that five-digit number in just three years. Yet her style doesn’t skew toward the flashy, fast-retail preferences of younger generations. In fact, it’s taken decades to rehab her home into the timeless aesthetic you see here—harnessing the power of patience to accessorize it from top to bottom.

“It takes me a while to make decisions on my home because I know I want to live with it,” Carol says. “I’ll wait for the right thing to get an authentic look, versus a model-home look.”

Playing the long game for the ideal outcome is sort of second nature to her. She waited almost her whole life to pursue her passion in interior design. It’s one she’s been dreaming of since she was 19, when she first backpacked through Europe.

Living RoomThe striped area rug in the living room is one of Carol’s proudest finds. She searched three years for it, until she found it at the Maison&Objet interior design show in Paris. The sofa, on the other hand, was an easier find at RH, and the commissioned artwork above it is from Colette Cosentino. The coffee table–topped with miscellaneous design books–is from West Elm, the leather chairs from Four Hands. Take a step back, and the room is a shining example of Carol’s earthy color palette of whites, browns, and blacks.

Jenny Siegwart

EntrywayThese skateboards aren’t just for decoration. The bottommost is Lee’s, the middle one Carol’s, and the top an antique. The decor is a testament to Carol’s eye for antiquing. As her husband explains: “Carol has that ability to just look at something that I would say, ‘Oh gosh, that’s just awful,’ and she’ll know exactly how it’ll beautify an area and fit in with everything.” The console table is from Juxtaposition Home in Costa Mesa, the artwork by Colette Cosentino, the Japanese stool from David Alan Collection in Solana Beach, and the African bowl from the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

Jenny Siegwart

The architecture, the slow-paced lifestyle, the simplicity, “I was drawn to it all from that point on,” she says. But, “I had to be practical.” She returned to San Diego State University and earned an accounting degree, became a director of finance, and raised her kids in Rancho Bernardo. All the while, she and her husband Lee, a CPA, frequently traveled back to Europe to get their fix. Lee even quit golfing to reallocate time and expenses toward it.

The couple really tapped into their creative sides once they retired. Lee makes pottery and loves to bake. Carol paints, and that’s what took her to social media years ago—to sell her artwork. Then she started posting pictures of her house, and her second act began.

But run her name through a search engine and you won’t find any websites. In true influencer fashion, she operates her entire business through Instagram, checking her DMs even before her email or her voicemail. “I figure, why make a website? Instagram gives me business. I’m a simplifier.”

KitchenWhen Carol and Lee moved in two decades ago, the galley kitchen was stuck in the ’70s. They modernized the design using upcycled materials. The open shelving is reclaimed wood from the restoration of the Cabrillo Bridge. The ceiling beams are originally from a barn in Oregon, sourced from Reclaimed Wood San Diego. For architectural interest, they created built-ins for the oven hood and refrigerator. The cutting boards are collected from France, the white pottery from Astier de Villatte in Paris. Off the kitchen is a laundry room, reconfigured into a butler’s pantry that houses an espresso station and all of Lee’s baking supplies.

Jenny Siegwart

San Diego Home / Rancho Bernardo Dining Room

Jenny Siegwart

The Creative RoomCarol says the biggest challenge of their house has been “maximizing the potential of a small home.” For this reason, she’s reimagined their rooms several times over. For instance, this room off the kitchen once served as a family room, complete with a sofa and TV. Today, a wooden table from RH anchors the space–for entertaining, when possible–but mainly for the couple’s artistic endeavors. A drapery table on the far wall, sourced from Found Rental Co. in Fullerton, houses some of Lee’s ceramics and other secondhand items. Above it hangs artwork from Parisian flea markets. The largest is by Joelle Somero, but the bottom left painting is by Carol herself.

Jenny Siegwart

And that’s just how the retirees live their life at home now—simply, slowly, and to their European tastes. On any given day, French music plays softly overhead, the smell of freshly baked pastries wafts from the kitchen, their creative room is strewn with arts and crafts, or carefully collected mementos are styled with purpose.

To Carol and Lee Estes, this is minimalism at its best. To Carol, it’s “living out my dream, finally.”

The Zen RoomThis room toward the front of the house has the best lighting, which is why it once served as Carol’s art studio. Now, it doubles as a guest room and “Zen room,” furnished with a daybed and a Room & Board leather chair that’s wedged between two gallery walls. One wall consists of artwork bought from Parisian flea markets, L’Atelier in Mission Hills, and a painting by Carol. The other gleams with a collection of gold mirrors from Vignettes in Ocean Beach and other local antique shops.

Jenny Siegwart

Primary BedroomThe primary bedroom’s minimalist furnishings give the space the same airy and earthy feel you’ll find throughout the house. But perhaps the most eye-catching point of interest in the room is the couple’s dog, C’est Bon.

Jenny Siegwart

The post An Interior Designer’s Minimalist Home in Rancho Bernardo appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

But it’s good to be home. Now I’m re-energized and ready to dive into San Diego’s food and restaurant culture anew. Let’s catch up on some news, with perspective:

1. SAN DIEGO WILL GET A JAMES BEARD AWARD THIS YEAR

For the third time, Addison chef William Bradley has been nominated as a semifinalist for the James Beard Awards. No San Diego chef has ever won a Beard. That’s largely because San Francisco, Vegas and L.A. are lumped into the same region (the West), so San Diego has been like the expansion team in a league with the Red Sox and Yankees of food. Still, it’s a bit of a crime that one of San Diego’s long-established talents (Bernard Guillas, Trey Foshee, Jason Knibb, Patrick Ponsaty, Jeff Jackson, Carl Schroeder, Bradley, or one of the younger chefs) have not pulled home a single award. I won’t say anything derogatory about the James Beard Foundation or its voting contingent. It’s a good organization raising awareness about Americans who make good food. But San Diego is no longer an “up and coming” food scene. It’s up. World-class cuisine has been here for a long while; now there’s more of it. I predict this is the year Bradley wins the first JBA for San Diego. Bradley has been handpicked by Thomas Keller as one of the best chefs in the United States. I’ve been lucky to eat in a few of the country’s best restaurants, and Bradley’s work at Addison is every bit as phenomenal. The focus on our region (thanks, in part, to Baja’s ascent) is at an all-time high. The timing feels right. Bradley takes home the Beard Award. It’ll be announced on March 24. Feel free to gloat if I’m wrong.

Speaking of Bradley, he’s joining a good tradition of having guest chefs come and cook in his kitchen. With Bradley’s pedigree, the talent for his “Collections” series is unsurprisingly elite: including Josiah Citrin (Melisse, Lemon Moon Café), Justin Cogley (ex-Charlie Trotter, current Aubergine in Carmel), Barbara Lynch (No. 9 Park, and the only female Relaix & Chateaux Grand Chef in North America), and Patrick O’Connell (the legendary Inn at Little Washington). For tickets, go to addisondelmar.com.

2. PHIL’S BBQ TAKES OVER ELEPHANT BAR

Phil’s BBQ has finalized a new location in Rancho Bernardo. They’ll take over the former Elephant Bar space, just east of 1-15.

3. HARNEY DOWNTOWN?

Rumor has it one of the principals of Harney Sushi is working on a concept in Downtown, near or associated with the Keating Hotel space that’s really struggled to keep a decent restaurant concept in there. Harney’s a rock solid operation, so if it or a spinoff from one of its owners does surface it stands a chance of beating those odds.

4.  LADEKI’S TINKERING AGAIN.

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill has launched a new fast-casual concept in Vegas called Table 89—a counter-service soup-sandwich-pasta joint. Owner Sami Ladeki is known for being a savvy restaurateur. He had dipped his toes into the fast-casual waters before with an express version of Sammy’s. This is how the restaurant world is trending now. Fast-casual joints with counter service (meaning you order there, and the restaurant doesn’t need to hire servers). If the concept works, insiders think he’ll bring it to San Diego.

5. BANKERS HILL GETS IN THE DAY PARTY GAME

Banker’s Hill Bar & Restaurant—the casual offshoot of Market in Del Mar—will launch Sunday brunch starting March 29. Expect dishes like French toast (made fancy with Meyer lemon curd), chicken schnitzel with béarnaise, a Black Angus hash, house-cured gravlax, and cocktails from Christian Siglin. Example: Milk Punch Out, with bourbon, blackstrap rum, vanilla, milk, cinnamon and a purple orchid. Sounds like a horchata with a prison record.

6. GO SHAVE YOUR HEAD

It’s nearly St. Patrick’s Day. That means the annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation is hosting its nationwide Shave-A-Thon to fund research for children’s cancer research. The Commons in Downtown has become the epicenter of the event. Go shave your head on March 7 for a good cause.

William Bradley of Addison Del Mar.

The post San Diego Will Get Beard Award appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Rancho Bernardo Inn

Rancho Bernardo Inn

Where you’re staying:

The 287-room Rancho Bernardo Inn is having a moment. It celebrated its 50th anniversary just last year and made Travel + Leisure’s list of World’s Best Hotels 2014. Not to mention, the newly reborn restaurant Avant (formerly El Bizcocho) is getting rave reviews, even from its longtime regulars.

What you’re doing:

On property, the Inn has 18 holes of golf, three swimming pools, and a full-service spa and wellness center. For hikers, Lake Hodges is a seven-minute drive north of the hotel. The Highland Valley Trail is an easy 4-mile loop and the North Shore is a 14.8-miler, also great for biking. Beer and wine lovers visiting the area can take a different kind of trail—ask the hotel about special packages for tastings at local craft breweries and wineries. For your main dining event, try Avant. Our critic Troy Johnson called the kitchen’s efforts “near flawless,” with “enough excellent [menu] options… to live up to the quite phenomenal new destination that is Avant.” Sold! Rooms start at $199. 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive

The post Staycation: Rancho Bernardo appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Rancho Bernardo Inn

Rancho Bernardo Inn

Where you’re staying:

The 287-room Rancho Bernardo Inn is having a moment. It celebrated its 50th anniversary just last year and made Travel + Leisure’s list of World’s Best Hotels 2014. Not to mention, the newly reborn restaurant Avant (formerly El Bizcocho) is getting rave reviews, even from its longtime regulars.

What you’re doing:

On property, the Inn has 18 holes of golf, three swimming pools, and a full-service spa and wellness center. For hikers, Lake Hodges is a seven-minute drive north of the hotel. The Highland Valley Trail is an easy 4-mile loop and the North Shore is a 14.8-miler, also great for biking. Beer and wine lovers visiting the area can take a different kind of trail—ask the hotel about special packages for tastings at local craft breweries and wineries. For your main dining event, try Avant. Our critic Troy Johnson called the kitchen’s efforts “near flawless,” with “enough excellent [menu] options… to live up to the quite phenomenal new destination that is Avant.” Sold! Rooms start at $199. 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive

The post Staycation: Rancho Bernardo appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

I REEK OF SAN MARZANOS: Working on SD Mag’s pizza-issue in November. The roof of my mouth is ripped and raw like breadknife sushi. I sweat oregano. At one reportedly decent place in north county, the most notable thing was a man who’d been drunk since 1997 offering advice on caring for German Shepherds. At another I found a decent pizza with a horsefly problem. As the pie-man explained: “They come to Del Mar when the horses arrive for racing season. The track closed yesterday. That means no more manure. The flies are homeless. So they’ll bother us for about a week.” Thanks for the frank explanation. Without spoiling the surprise, I had one pie today that reminded me a very, very good chef is doing pizza in Norht County. Blue Ribbon Pizzeria’s classic—fennel sausage, moz, crimini mushrooms—is one hell of a pie, leopard-spotted for your splendor. For those center-city sectarians who never venture north of La Jolla, chef-owner Wade Hageman just opened up Blue Ribbon Rustic Kitchen in Hillcrest.

SORIANO MILKS IT: Great local designer Michael Soriano (The Pearl, Vin de Syrah, Queenstown Public) has signed on to design the first retail location for The Cravory, San Diego’s custom-cookie stalwarts. The 1,000 square-foot space will have milk on tap and is aiming for an October open. 3960 W. Point Loma Blvd. (Midway Towne Center).

THE BIG IDEA: Urge Craft Alley

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