Jan 28, 2022
Tyler and Jessica Wichmann love midcentury design and have become preservationists of the design era. They restored and remodeled a 2,100-square-foot home, a gem built in 1976 in the Wildflower subdivision of Carmichael. The home features three bedrooms and two baths.
Wildflower has 43 homes designed by architect Carter Sparks and built by the Streng Brothers. “It’s really special that a few of the original owners are still here,” Tyler says. “One couple has been here since 1975 and they customized their design. He was a plumber for Streng Brothers, so they got to make it really special.”
“This is the atrium model of this subdivision featuring a flat roof. We were instantly attracted to it as my wife and I are big plant people, and we’ve collected many cacti, succulents and houseplants over the years,” he says.
Jan 28, 2022
Peek outside if you dare. Behold landscape plants on the critical list, already deceased or unanimous picks for the All-Ugly Team. Craters may mark spaces that plants once occupied. Yes, you need plants, but not just any plants.
While scouring local nurseries this spring, please consider the perennials and annuals recommended in this column. All perform well in Sacramento gardens. My current favorites:
Dec 28, 2021
Eric and Tara Benning spent years searching for the perfect midcentury modern home to buy and renovate. They targeted Arden-Arcade, where midcentury moderns abound. But they were not alone.
When they found the beauty of their dreams, they learned there were at least nine potential buyers chasing the same property.
Dec 28, 2021
No weed survives to spread seeds another day in my garden. Tomatoes, peppers, squash and cucumbers overpopulate kitchen counters and fill refrigerator bins in summer. I wander the yard daily, hand pruners ready, to deadhead and shape annuals and perennials. This must stop in 2022.
Not one to declare New Year resolutions, reassessing garden duties recently struck me as a necessity. Following a year of distracted gardening because of home remodeling projects, COVID chaos and minor health challenges, it became obvious I needed to reconsider how I garden.
Nov 28, 2021
Tony and Teressa Estigoy live with their daughter Emery in an adorable D Street remodel. It took serendipity to turn the tiny home into a showplace.
“We really wanted that open-the-door wow factor,” Tony says. “This is a 1,000-square-foot home. How do you make it look bigger without having to blow out walls? You open it up as much as you can.”
Nov 28, 2021
Crazy weather and alarming environmental catastrophes suggest Sacramento gardeners may want to rethink old school strategies and practices. What worked a few years ago does not necessarily guarantee success today.
Gardeners and plants have been forced to deal with smoke and ash from wildfires, unusually hot stretches of summer heat, milder winters and strict water conservation because of persistent drought. Not yet apocalyptical threats, but reason to tweak things in your favor.
