OFFSHORE WIND PROPOSED ALONG THE CENTRAL COAST

OFFSHORE WIND PROPOSED ALONG THE CENTRAL COAST
Environmental Defense Center, originally published in EDC’s Spring 2021 Newsletter

From its founding, the Environmental Defense Center has been a stalwart leader in statewide efforts to rid our coastline of offshore oil. We have championed laws, policies, and grassroots efforts to ensure that the Santa Barbara Channel and beyond is protected from the devastating impacts of oil spills. We do this work to protect a livable climate and to stand for the health of our communities. To complement this effort, EDC has also worked to support renewable energy to help our communities transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, such as the Lompoc Wind and Cuyama Solar projects. We see this as a vital part of our fight for the protection of threatened plants and animals on and off our shores, and to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy this beautiful place we treasure.

We must both stop fossil fuel extraction along our coast to protect the marine environment and respond to our current climate crisis, as well as support a just transition to renewable energy. So, for the past five years, EDC has led our region’s efforts to develop responsible offshore renewable energy.

The time for developing wind power off our coast has come. To make a difference for our climate and people living on the Central Coast, we must move floating offshore wind projects forward. But, as we do so, we need to protect migrating blue whales, brown pelicans, Pacific leatherback sea turtles, and other marine life. EDC has been a leading nonprofit voice in highlighting the importance of identifying how offshore renewable energy projects may interact with and affect marine life and habitat, and how to avoid or mitigate those potential impacts. Any project developed should be sited in federal waters (preferably 20 or more miles offshore). EDC is working closely with state and federal agencies, nonprofits, and the wind industry itself to advance progress. Wind power projects developed off the Central Coast will require new technology for floating turbines, and we need all these voices around the table to move projects forward responsibly. EDC’s priority is to ensure project proposals are considered using the best available science, are sited in locations with the least impacts on the marine environment and conflict to other ocean users, and that energy is produced in a way that does least harm to impacted species and habitat.

In April, EDC hosted an informational webinar during which its Marine Conservation Program Director, Kristen Hislop, discussed the basic functionality of floating offshore wind turbines, impacts to marine life and other ocean users, and EDC’s ongoing work to ensure projects are sited and designed to minimize impacts.  A recording of the webinar is available on EDC’s Youtube page: https://youtu.be/WhMw_shNEpA.

Selecting the Perfect Art for Your Home

Working with an Artist Representative - Spotlight on EDNA Contemporary

Written by Jordan Chesnut

Coordinating pieces by Daniel Phill

Many homeowners and designers don’t realize that the role of an artist representative is to connect and build relationships between the client, artists, and the artwork itself. Since purchasing a piece of art for a home is a deeply personal process, these connections are essential. “I am not a salesperson,” says Founding Director/Owner of EDNA Contemporary, Sheryl Daane Chesnut, “My goal is to introduce designers and collectors to artwork and artists that I feel will resonate with their personality and design aesthetics. There is never an obligation to purchase anything and I don't charge for time spent; I truly enjoy the process of researching and introducing artwork that both elevates the space and speaks to the designer and homeowners.”

Commissioned artwork by Sarah Winkler

Chesnut recently worked with Allen Construction and designer, Michelle Pelech Interiors on a large remodel project for homeowners that were from Colorado. The location was already replete with stunning, 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean visible through the bank of west-facing windows and double glass doors. “When I heard the homeowners were Colorado, I knew I had to introduce them to artist Sarah Winkler.” Winkler is known for her reconstructions of natural environments through a combination of poetic rendering and geological narrative. Chesnut arranged a visit for the homeowners at the artist’s studio in Colorado. “They had the opportunity to look through all of her preliminary collages, and commission a piece with the perfect dimensions and colors for their home office. Furthermore, the final piece combined regional elements of the Rocky Mountains and the Central Coast, which is very unifying for them.”

Colorful artwork by Gioi Tran brightens up the kitchen

Both pieces by local artist, Sheryl Daane

 There is art for every budget, and artist representatives and galleries provide options. It is a misconception that representatives only promote the artists they carry. “Even when I’m not working, I am working. Of course, I would rather sell the artwork of my own artists, but I have relationships with hundreds of other artists,” says Chesnut. She explains that earlier is better when selecting artwork for a home so the final pieces are ready upon move-in. “I create digital renderings that virtually map-out options for artwork inside a home or business. This allows the client to consider the scale and pairings of art and decor, as well as the subtle factors like lighting and the overall presence of a piece of art. There is always a perfect match.”

Stunning photography artwork by Thea Schrack

Chesnut highlights that a piece of art is more than a visual and the relationship between the artist and client is equally as important. It is not solely artwork that is hanging on the wall, it is also the person who creates it and their story. In many ways, the  home is a fresh slate, but it already tells the stories of place. A sense of belonging is reflected in the abstract landscape paintings of Sarah Winkler, and glassy, ethereal photography of Thea Schrack, among others that are now part of the remodeled oceanfront home.. Embedded in each of these pieces is the deep familiarity and interwovenness that transforms a house into a home.

Sheryl Daane Chesnut is the Owner and Founding Director of EDNA Contemporary Gallery. She earned a BFA in Fine Art from UC Santa Barbara and is a seasoned professional artist and designer. Represented artists and additional installation images can be found at EDNAContemporary.com.

A NEW PARTNERSHIP

We couldn’t do what we do without great partners. We recently broke ground on an iconic project that is a new collaboration with S.E.A.: Studio of Environmental Architecture. The team at S.E.A. shares our values around sustainable building and we’re excited to work with them to bring this client’s vision to life.

The new 6,000 square foot home, a one story, contemporary design surrounding a central courtyard, will consist of three levels that gradually step down the hill. All of the rooms will face south, and be staggered, so each will have an ocean view.

Street View

Birdseye View

Sunset View

About S.E.A.: Studio of Environmental Architecture

S.E.A. is dedicated to the design and construction of sustainable and restorative places. By designing with nature, we create architecture of enduring value for people and the planet. Each project is a unique architectural expression that responds to client needs, site specificities, local climate, and new ideas. The interplay of architecture’s fundamental elements – light and shadow, form and material, proportion and scale- realize spaces that simultaneously feel timeless and contemporary.

The S.E.A. Team

PROJECT TEAM - Click on photo for Bio

David Hertz, FAIA, LEED AP - S.E.A. Principal Design Architect

Ed Millan, AIA - S.E.A. Project Architect

Austin Pollard - S.E.A. Project Manager / Designer

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Allen Construction for this project and hope our initial collaboration will lead to many more down the road. Their expertise, organization, and familiarity with the area has been immensely helpful to us as we move into the construction phase of the project.”

— S.E.A.: Studio for Environmental Architecture

Click here to see more about S.E.A.: Studio of Environmental Architecture

CELEBRATING THE WOMEN OF ALLEN

March is definitely a month to celebrate our Allen women with International Women’s Day on March 8, and Women in Construction Week, March 7-13. At Allen, we are proud that our team is 21% women, which is way above the average in the industry. We have women in key leadership roles in the company with 40% of our management team made of up women. We also have women represented in all areas of the company from production to the executive team. We wanted to take a moment to honor the wonderful women of Allen Construction who contribute so much to the organization, our partners, and our clients.

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Jenny Cushnie - Founder / Board of Directors

38 years in Construction

Hobbies: Listening to NPR, observing the habits of our garden birds, and being an audience for our 9 year old granddaughter's nascent "rock star" singing and dancing performances in her living room!

“As the first woman in Allen, I feel so proud to see how we have flourished in the Company! Over the years, women were always encouraged, especially in the field, but it was Lynn Hurley that made that goal a reality.”

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Lindsay at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro

Lindsay Helmick - CFO

7 years in Construction

Hobbies: Hiking and reading. Big Patriots and Star Wars fan.

“I am proud that in an industry that is predominantly male, Allen Construction has many women leaders in departments across the company from production to accounting to management. We have a diverse and inclusive group of employee owners.”  

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Vicki Godlewski – Accounts Payable

22 years in Construction

Hobbies: Dogs, listening to all types of music, long walks, exploring new locations, visiting art galleries

“Women have always been an integral part of Allen Construction, going back to Day One when Jenny Cushnie (Dennis Allen’s wife) ran the office. She was lovingly referred to as “the big boss” by everyone, including Dennis! I feel blessed to be part of this team.”

Vicki and Snoopy at the beach in Cayucos

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Jennifer at Lake Sabrina

Jennifer Strachan - Project Accountant

18 years in Construction

Hobbies: Stand Up Paddling, skiing, hiking, camping and reading

“Allen is a breath of fresh air for women in construction.  We are all integral and important to the Allen family.”

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Nancy Yu - Business Operations Administrator

3 years in Construction

Hobbies: Hiking, baking and skating

“Allen is a wonderful place to work, and I appreciate all of the opportunities.”

Nancy and her friends in the Eastern Sierras.

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Anwanur Gielow - Director, People and Culture

5 years in Construction

Hobbies: I am a vintage enthusiast who loves old cars, roller skating, cooking, reading (a lot), traveling and spending lots of time with family and friends

“I love working in construction because it is an industry that values hard work and quality craftmanship.”

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Karen Feeney - Business Development

16 years in Construction

Hobbies: Hiking, biking, stand-up paddling, golfing, reading, and enjoying friends & family

“There are so many ways that a woman can be involved in the construction industry these days, and not just in traditional roles. Here at Allen Construction, we have women in Accounting and Finance, including a woman CFO. Our HR Director is a woman, as is our Marketing Director; Business Development Manager, and Office Manager. And we have women out on our project sites, as Project Engineers and Project Managers. And that’s just here at our company.”

Karen with her Women in Construction Award

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Wendy, Daisy, and Liberty at the lake.

Wendy Guerrero - Executive Assistant

4 years in Construction

Hobbies: Water sports, photography, exploring and experiencing new places, food and wine, and spending quality time with family and friends.

“It’s inspiring how quickly and wholehearted our team comes together during a crisis, whether it be in response to a natural disaster or pandemic, to help our community rebuild their dreams.”

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Colleen Davis-Heining - Office Administrator

13 years in Construction

Hobbies: Yoga, hiking, meditating, watching college and NFL football, being with horses and dogs.

“I love working for a company whose values mirror my own - humble, confident, always learning, accountable and relationships first. For me to have a purposeful life, honoring my values at work is very important. I am also proud that we are community driven and are willing to help during difficult times.”

Colleen happened to run into another Allen Gal, Mary Rischar, at Disneyland Paris (pre-COVID.)

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Barb in the office

Barb Merriett - Project Administrator

8 years in Construction

Hobbies: Travel, golf, tennis, walking, reading

“A favorite memory of mine is of Ian [Cronshaw] after the mudslide. Caring so much about the loss and grief people were experiencing, he spent all his time and energy for months helping them dig out of the mud. It wasn’t all about business, it was about compassion for the community. Building with heart.”

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Sharon James - Director of Marketing

2.5 years in Construction

Hobbies: Wine tasting, spending time with family and friends, live music (not lately ☹)

“I feel so fortunate to be working alongside very smart, hard working, and dedicated women at Allen Construction. It’s great to see women represented and making a difference at all levels and departments in the company.” 

Sharon wine tasting with friends in Los Olivos

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Alexx with her family at Disneyland right before COVID changed the world.

Alexx Robathan - Project Engineer

In Construction since high school

Hobbies: Crafting, sewing, woodworking, outdoor activities (hiking, swimming, camping, etc.), sports (basketball & golf mostly), working/customizing my vehicles, running, travel

“In a world that tries to squeeze you into glass slippers, rock the steel toe boots.”

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Dina Meisel - Payroll/Benefits Administrator

26 years in Construction

Hobbies: Travel, snow skiing, camping (in our 5th wheel), hiking, playing sudoku, and being with family and friends

“The changes I have seen over 26 years has been incredible. When I first began, women in construction were few and far between. Joining Allen where 21% of us are women, is empowering. I’ve never worked with so many diverse women who are all striving for the same goal for our clients and our team.”

Dina at Vernal Falls in Yosemite

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Erica and Kora at Hendry’s

Erica Zurawski - Project Accountant Supervisor

6.5 years in Construction

Hobbies: Traveling, woofies, crossword puzzles, all kinds of games

“I am lucky to work with women who possess a diverse range of knowledge and skills – all from whom I learn and find inspiration to be better at my job.”

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Mary Rischar - Project Accountant

15 years in Construction

Hobbies: Traveling and exploring new places, hiking, sailing, reading and hanging out with family - especially the grandkids

“Working at Allen Construction has been the best work experience in my life. The camaraderie, creativity, continuous evolution, and professionalism exceeded my expectations of an ideal workplace.”

Mary with Colleen at Disneyland Paris. “What a lucky coincidence that our vacations overlapped at the same location in Europe (pre-pandemic).”

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Anna Lehr-Unden - Project Manager

5.5 years at Allen

Anna does a great job of juggling her work and her most important job as a Mom of her new baby and young daughter. When those two roles overlap, the boss baby comes to the jobsite!

Anna and Baby Soren on the job site.

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OUR FAVORITE KITCHEN TRENDS

LOOKING FOR SOME INSPIRATION FOR YOUR NEXT KITCHEN REMODEL? WE ARE SHARING SOME OF OUR FAVORITE KITCHEN TRENDS FOR 2021 AND SOME OF OUR GREAT PROJECTS!

Craftsmanship - It’s all in the Details

Terra Cotta Tile

Tile, Tile, Everywhere

Cabinets in Color

Open Shelving

The Fifth Wall - Don’t forget the ceiling!

The Return of the Second Kitchen

Black Countertops

Outdoor Kitchens

Appliances in Color

Two-toned Cabinets

Colorful Accents

Outdoor Kitchens

Two-toned Cabinets

Double Islands

Energy Efficient and Environmentally Friendly

Colorful Islands

Pops of Personality

Click here to see more of our kitchen projects.

MEET THE TEAM: KAREN FEENEY

Meet KAREN FEENEY, a long-time Allen team member who works on Business Development and on our Sustainability Team.

What do you do at Allen Construction? 

I started working at Allen Construction, then Allen Associates, a little over 15 years ago. Over the years, I have managed our marketing – now in Sharon’s very capable hands – and business development efforts. I work on building and maintaining relationships with our past clients and architect partners. I also submit award applications for our projects, write our internal monthly (ESOP) newsletter, and manage our Sustainability efforts. Most recently, I drove the effort to have our Santa Barbara office certified as an “Innovator” Green Business and wrote our Company Sustainability Plan. As a part of that plan, we are developing a list of Preferred Green Building Standards we want to see implemented on all of our projects, as well as working to build All-Electric homes for our clients.

How did you get started in the construction field?

Dennis Allen and I first met when I was a land use planner at Santa Barbara County and helped him process a variance to build his passive solar home in Mission Canyon. Dennis and I reconnected when I worked at the Community Environmental Council, where Dennis had built our passive solar office building on the Mesa. I later hired him to build the Watershed Resource Center at Arroyo Burro Beach, an educational space focusing on reducing creek and ocean pollution. We wanted it to be a green building and worked with Blackbird Architects to design it. Dennis inspired me to have the Center on a green building tour, so we had that connection as well. When I was ready to leave CEC, I came to Dennis and asked him how I could get involved with the green building industry. He offered me a job and I signed up!

Where do you live?  

I live in “No-leta” (between Goleta and Santa Barbara) with my boyfriend, an “old” high school sweetheart. We reconnected, discovered we were both divorced, and the rest is history. I have two grown children from my first marriage: Erin, who is an architect in San Francisco designing affordable housing projects, and Ryan, who lives in San Diego with his wife, Sara. Ryan is in “business intelligence,” helping his company track and analyze information to help make financial decisions. He tells me, “Mom, I am NOT in IT!” Ryan was married last summer. We would have traveled to Australia for the wedding if it wasn’t for COVID. I feel grandchildren in my future!

Karen and her friends having a socially distanced Housewarming Party / Happy Hour.

What do you like to do outside of work?

My love for exercise and being outdoors is what has gotten me through the pandemic. I try to walk about five miles every day. There are great paths in my neighborhood near More Mesa. Or you can find me walking along the Waterfront, around Deveraux Slough, up and over the Riviera, or on Mountain Drive (to name a few of my routes). Sometimes I have to do my walking in the dark, just to get it in these days. I also stand-up paddle every Sunday, ride my bike, and play golf. These are all activities I can do with friends, masks on of course, which allows me to satisfy my need for social interaction.

Karen and her family at the Truckee Train Tunnels

Your proudest achievement:

In addition to being a mom to two beautiful and successful young adults, my biggest professional accomplishment was bringing Earth Day back to Santa Barbara in 1990. (Santa Barbara was the site of the first Earth Day in 1970, after the Oil Spill in 1969.) As a staff member at the Community Environmental Council (CEC). I attended a conference at Asilomar (near Monterey) and heard Dennis Hayes, the founder of the Solar Energy Resource Institute and a former energy advisor to President Carter, make a dire presentation about the state of the environment. He basically said, since it was in such bad shape, there was a good chance it, and humankind, would not survive long past the next millennium in 2000. He encouraged everyone to go back to their hometowns and hold an Earth Day, to raise community awareness and inspire actions in support of the environment. I returned to Santa Barbara and asked my boss, Paul Relis (founder of CEC), if he would let me organize an Earth Day event. He said if I could get the people to help me and the funding to do it, he would support me. The end result was an Earth Day, held at Santa Barbara City College in April 1990 where over 30,000 people came to visit informational booths promoting the environment and listen to a concert with Jackson Brown, Christopher Cross, and Loggins & Messina. Earth Day has continued in Santa Barbara every April since then.

ANOTHER NOTEABLE ACHIEVEMENT: As a result of the support Karen has provided over the years, as a Board member and organizing ArchitecTours, AIA Santa Barbara recently made her an Honorary AIA Member for life.

What was the last book you read?

I have been in the same book group with friends for over 35 years. We read eight to ten books every year. A recent book I enjoyed is “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennet. It’s rated 4.3 (out of a maximum 5 points) on Good Reads, for all you book lovers out there. (FYI - that’s a high rating.) It is the story of twin, mixed race girls, one who passes for white and the other as black, and the lives they live as a result. “The Vanishing Half considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person's decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons (why) people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins.” Our book group had a great discussion after reading it.

Karen on the Fall Colors Bike Tour

We wouldn’t know it to look at you, but…. 

I love to sing, primarily in the shower or when I am driving, with the radio on and when others aren’t listening.

What advice would you give someone starting out in the construction industry?

I would have never thought before I joined Allen Construction, that construction is such an extremely interesting and complex industry. In order to be a builder, not only do you need to know how to use tools and be able to actually construct something, you need to manage budgets, schedules, AND people. You have to be a problem solver every day. In fact, you almost need to be a marriage and family counselor in order to resolve issues that might come up between your clients, between you and your clients, or with trade contractors, and suppliers. And, finally, if you want to be a great builder, you need to be an artisan, in order to build beautiful homes for your clients. I am so amazed when I visit a project we have completed. They are so gorgeous!

MEET THE TEAM: MARCUS HOERBERG

Get to know Marcus Hoerberg who works as a Project Developer for Allen’s Care & Repair Division.

Marcus and his new baby girl, Margo.

What do you do at Allen Construction?  I’ve been working at Allen Construction for almost four years. My current role is Project Developer for the Care & Repair Division. I manage leads, meet with potential clients, estimate projects, host job walks for trade contractors, and transition projects to the production team. Sometimes I work on projects that have plans, other times I help clients turn their ideas into reality by coming up with the necessary steps and scope of work.

What kinds of projects do you work on? Our Care & Repair Division mainly works on projects ranging from very small ones up to larger ones, with $300,000 budgets. And the scope varies. It could be anything from energy upgrades, such as installing heat pumps, to smaller remodels and additions. Kitchens and bathrooms are also common projects that we see.

How did you get started in the construction field? I went to a vocational high school program back home in Stockholm, Sweden when I was 16 years old. Four weeks before I graduated I was offered an apprenticeship with a large commercial builder, where I spent two years as an apprentice and then became a “certified,” fully-paid carpenter at the age of 20.

Where do you live? I live in Goleta with my wife, Destiny, my seven year old son, Miles, and my ten month old daughter, Margo. We love how close we are to the beach at Devereaux Sands, and the Ellwood Mesa!

The Press Room Soccer Team. Marcus is in the top row, second from the right.

 What do you like to do outside of work? Most of my time outside of work is spent with my family. We love to go to the beach, camping, and have movie nights. I also love to watch and play soccer. Having played more or less my entire life, I play local pickup games and in a Sunday league at Elings Park for The Press Room Team. Prior to the pandemic, we would meet up at the pub for a pint or two and catch up on the European leagues and World Cup.

What is your proudest achievement? I can’t pin down one single achievement, but I’m proud of myself for making the big move from Sweden to the US. and trying construction on a different continent. It involved using a different language and switching from commercial to residential. I’m also proud of my personal growth, moving up the ladder from laborer to framing carpenter, then project coordinator, project manager, and now, project developer.

What was the last book you read? The last book I read was green eggs and ham about 15 minutes ago while putting the kids to sleep! Jokes aside, sadly I don’t get enough time to read, but I think the last book was an autobiography of the Swedish soccer hero, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, called “I am Zlatan.”

Marcus with his wife, Destiny, son, Miles, and baby girl, Margo.

We wouldn’t know it to look at you, but… I love music and I play the drums. Drumming is something that I picked back up as an adult, having dabbled a bit in school. Last year, a couple of the guys from my soccer team and I started jamming together on a weekly basis. We play mostly covers, but we also have a couple of original songs. It’s a nice way to clear your mind and it’s so much fun pretending to be a rock star for a couple of hours every week.

What advice would you give someone starting out in the construction industry? Don’t be afraid to try new things. There’s always room to grow in the industry. Whether it is learning to use a new tool, hanging a door, how to read your speed square, reading plans, or using Excel, it will benefit you and open up new doors.

Download Marcus’ Holiday Recipe Here

Color Forecast 2021

It’s so fun to see the color forecasts each year from our paint partners. This year, the trends are about relaxing, comfort, serenity, and nature. Take a look at these color forecasts for some inspiration and ideas for your next project.

Sherwin-Williams announced its 2021 Color of the Year:  Urbane Bronze SW 7048. A warm, sophisticated bronze, the color inspires all of us to find sanctuary in any space. Urbane Bronze is a rich anchor that grounds the mind in calm and stability with its ties to the natural world.

“The home is now the ultimate retreat from the world, and color is an easy and effective way to create a personal haven,” said Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “Urbane Bronze encourages you to create a sanctuary space for mindful reflection and renewal.”

Now more than ever, our homes have become the backdrop to our lives, reminding us that the moments worth cherishing have always been right in front of us. As we're looking to create the ultimate retreat for reflection and renewal, we're turning to a hue whose natural simplicity and nature-inspired energy cultivate a sense of calm from the ground up.

Photo from Benjamin Moore: Aegean Teal

Benjamin Moore has revealed its Color of the Year 2021 as Aegean Teal 2136-40 – an intriguing blue-green that creates natural harmony and invites us to reflect and reset. Rooted in the elegant, handspun textures of the home, the Color Trends 2021 palette comforts as it uplifts.

In an intimate look at the home, Color Trends 2021 begins in the kitchen, exploring how this intersection of craft, nourishment and community breathes color and design inspiration into the rest of the living space. The Color Trends 2021 palette and the Color of the Year reflect this grounded sensibility with warm, sunbaked hues that play to the senses.

“Amid uncertainty, people yearn for stability. The colors we surround ourselves with can have a powerful impact on our emotions and wellbeing,” said Andrea Magno, Benjamin Moore Director of Color Marketing & Development. “Aegean Teal 2136-40 and the corresponding Color Trends 2021 palette express a welcoming, lived-in quality that celebrates the connections and real moments that take place within the home.”

For 2021, BEHR chose a color palette of 21 unique hues divided into six color themes, but they can all work together. “A new, ‘elevated’ articulation of ‘comfort’ goes beyond traditional beige, gray and green hues, and embraces color in a way that can redefine and enhance any type of space inside or outside the home.”

Photo from BEHR

CASUAL COMFORT - These light warm neutrals and whites create an inviting feeling in entryways, kitchens and open living spaces.

CALM ZONE - Soothing blues and greens create a restorative escape offering ease and solace.

SUBTLE FOCUS - Light hues feel sophisticated and inviting, creating and atmosphere that is effortlessly serene.

QUIET HAVEN - Deep hues have a reassuringly sublime and dependable nature, delivering the effect of a peaceful oasis in your home.

 OPTIMISTIC VIEW - A pop of bright color lifts the mood in any space, making it great for kitchens, playrooms and anywhere you want to feel energized.

 OUTDOOR ESCAPE - Curbside appeal has never been easier with exterior house colors and eye-catching accents for front doors, shutters and furniture pieces for outdoor living.

Photo from Valspar: Garden Flower

Valspar 2021 Colors of the Year

Industry leading paint and coatings brand, Valspar, announced its 2021 Colors of the Year with 12 livable shades that evoke calm, serenity and simplicity. With this palette, Valspar seeks to empower consumers to take control of their environments and create spaces that will expand their worlds, calm their minds and enrich their lives. ″Our homes have become offices, entertainment centers, and classrooms, which means the colors, sights, and sounds in our rooms have an even bigger impact on our daily lives,″ said Valspar color marketing manager Sue Kim in a press release. As more stress and time at home in 2020 coincided with a surge in DIY projects and an increased interest in meditation, this year's selection aims to ″turn home improvement into self-improvement."

Photo from Valspar: Granite Dust

Valspar has curated these 12 Colors of the Year to include a range of shades that provide flexibility and can be incorporated into existing design elements of the home. The list of Valspar 2021 colors features neutrals, including Gallery Grey, Granite Dust, Maple Leaf, Soft Candlelight, and Unforgettable.

Organic colors, such as Arizona Dust, Cherry Taupe, and Dusty Lavender, and cooler colors like Academy Gray, Blissful Blue, Garden Flower, and Lucy Blue.

Photo from PPG

PPG 2021 Paint Color Palette Of The Year

In an era where normal is no longer and mental and physical well-being have become more important than ever, consumers are craving simple comforts and a slowed-down lifestyle. Emulating both the optimism felt in nature and soothing nostalgia, the PPG 2021 Palette of the Year “Be Well” consisting of hues Transcend, Big Cypress and Misty Aqua. “With the world sheltering in place for the better half of the year, we have begun to crave human connection and embrace simple activities, including walking, hiking, baking and gardening,” said Dee Schlotter, PPG senior color marketing manager, architectural and industrial coatings. “This organic and hopeful palette represents what we have been longing for after decades of overstimulation and overconsumption – simplicity and restfulness.”

MEET THE ESTATES TEAM

What defines an Estates-level project is the size, scale, and location of the property as well as the level of finishes contained within. The projects are often complex and long-term undertakings. Our team of five, with over 100 years of combined construction experience, strives to bring together a dream team of subcontractors and specialty trades to provide a service and product as unique as each client.

MEET THE ALLEN ESTATES TEAM

LEFT:

A teaching moment with Production Manager Steve Potter, and his son, Charlie.

BELOW:

Project Manager David Connaughton and his wife, Jennifer Scholl, are recent empty nesters. Since dropping their daughter, Connie, off at college, they have been spending more time gardening in the yard to make the best of the quarantine.

RIGHT:

Superintendent David Gezzer and his girlfriend, Jammy, enjoying Las Vegas before COVID.

ABOVE: Superintendent Duncan Brown and his wife, Dorbe, enjoying some R&R.

BELOW: Project Engineer, Derek Leeds with his girlfriend, Melissa, in Heidelberg, Germany last December. Check out the 800-year-old castle in the background.

Click here to See some of the great projects this team works on.

MEET THE TEAM: STEVE POTTER

STEVE POTTER, Production Manager - Estates, and his team work on our largest projects that span anywhere from 1-3 years and have very intricate plans. Get to know Steve with our Q&A.

What do you do at Allen Construction? 

My role as the Production Manager of the Estates Division is to provide the best experience possible for the client and their architectural team. We pay attention to the smallest details – from the inception of a project all the way through to the final cleaning. I have acted in a similar capacity for the last ten years in Santa Barbara, the last two with Allen Construction.

What kind of projects do you work on?

What defines an Estates-level project is the size, scale, and location of the property, as well as the level of finishes contained within. The projects are often complex and long-term undertakings. They require a team that is patient, knowledgeable and comprehends all of the details these projects encompass. Our team of five, with over 100 years of combined construction experience, strives to bring together a dream team of subcontractors and specialty trades to provide a service and product as unique as each client

How did you get started in the construction field?

My interest in the field started as a young kid admiring construction projects each summer on the UC Irvine college campus. I was fascinated with the day-to-day progress of these seemingly humongous buildings, growing over the course of a summer, when I would tag along with my father who was a Physics professor on campus. In middle school, I spent countless after-school hours working on wood shop projects with my shop teacher, Mr. Carser. Then in my 20’s, I worked my way through all the disciplines of the residential construction industry—from sweeping floors to finish carpentry—before opening and running my own company in Portland, Oregon. Ultimately, my family and I were drawn back to Santa Barbara and we’ve been here since 2010.

Where do you live?

Our family consists of my beautiful wife, Kim, and our two sons, Charlie (13) and Evan (9). We live on the western edge of Goleta with our two crazy cats, Manny and Grey Grey. 

Steve and his sons, Charlie and Evan, enjoying a summer outing in the Eastern Sierras.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Pre-Covid, most weekends you’d find me on some sort of ball field with my boys—most likely soccer and baseball—or in the mountains on my mountain bike or snowboard. With the pandemic, our focus has shifted from the playing fields to the ocean; surfing and paddle boarding have become our outlet for exercise and family time.

What is your proudest achievement?

I wake up each day so proud of the boys Kim and I are raising and the communities (in both my personal and professional life) I’ve become a part of over the last 10 years in Santa Barbara.

What was the last book you read?

My son’s math textbook.

We wouldn’t know it to look at you, but… 

I have a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from UCSB; the Tibetan Buddhism class I took my sophomore year really opened my eyes to the world.  

What advice would you give someone starting out in the construction industry?

Pay attention to the details. Respect the skills of those around you. Try to do something better each time you do it.

MEET THE CUSTOM TEAM

ALLEN’S CUSTOM DIVISION IN SANTA BARBARA IS ONE OF SIX DIVISIONS IN THE COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZE IN GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS OR TYPES OF PROJECTS.

DANIEL MAULT, Production Manager - Custom Division, and his team, work on large renovations and new home builds starting with bare land or disaster rebuilds from the ground up. Get to know Daniel and his team with photos showing what they are up to when they aren’t at work.

LEFT:

Production Manager Daniel Mault and his wife, Lindsey, and sons, Kian, Cade, and Kai, vacationing in Mammoth Lakes.

RIGHT:

Project Manager Anna Lehr Unden adjusting to working from home with her two assistants, baby boy, Soren and daughter, Freya, who requested the pretty dress!

BELOW:

Superintendent Richard Doyle and his wife, Maureen, with their son, Ian, enjoying the beach.

LEFT:

Superintendent Richard McLaughlin, on a “work holiday” making and installing wood trim in an all-concrete home in Niksic, Montenegro for a family friend.

BELOW:

Snow time fun! Superintendent Jody Kurlas enjoying family time with his wife, Kate, and daughter, Brooke.

ABOVE:

Superintendent Chris Trama on his first day with Allen.

LEFT:

Words to live by? Project Manager Nelson Bruce shows off his creative side.

BELOW:

Just another day on the jobsite for Superintendent John Grear.

MEET THE REMODEL TEAM

DID YOU KNOW THAT ALLEN HAS A DIVISION IN SANTA BARBARA THAT SPECIALIZES IN REMODELS?

MATT CALIGIURE, Production Manager, and his team do everything from additions to full house remodels. Meet Matt and his team with photos of them doing what they do when they aren’t at work!

LEFT:

Production Manager Matt Caligiure, with his wife, Bethany, and son, Pete.

RIGHT:

Foreman Alain Iniguez and his wife, Rocio, with their son, Alain Jr., on a hike up East Camino Cielo.

ABOVE:

Project Manager Preston Taylor and his wife, Kailynn, celebrated their second wedding anniversary in Paris last July. This was taken on the second hottest day on record in Paris - 107 degrees!

LEFT:

When Foreman Joe Beazley isn’t at work, he’s usually building his own projects or at the gym! Here he is at a spartan race.

BELOW:

Foreman Ian Ritchie, his wife, Jasmine, their two kids, Jaiden and Strummer, and pups, Argo and Asia, take advantage of the quarantine with an impromptu family photo shoot.

RIGHT:

Foreman Sam Reitz doing what he does best on the job site!

P.S. - Sam recently won first place in the first Allen Construction talent show. He plays a mean guitar and he even makes them!

MEET THE CARE & REPAIR TEAM

Did you know that Allen has a Care & Repair division in Santa Barbara?

Allen Care & Repair handles small renovations and home maintenance needs, including:

▪ Home offices

▪ General maintenance

▪ Kitchen renovations

▪ Bathroom renovations

▪ Outdoor decks and trellises

▪ Weatherization improvements

▪ Upgrades for universal access

We also manage electrical, plumbing, masonry, HVAC, and carpentry home repair projects. Across the board, Allen has a well-earned reputation for professionalism, reliability, excellent communication, outstanding workmanship, meticulous cleanup, and timely performance.

MEET OUR CARE & REPAIR TEAM

Production Manager Johnathan Anselmo with his wife, Yeni, and daughter, Ava, on one of their many outdoor outings.

RIGHT:

Project Developer Marcus Hoerberg, his wife, Destiny, son, Miles, and new baby, Margo, recently took a photo for the “Front Porch Project.”

RIGHT:

Mike Davis, Project Manager, on the trails to happy destiny.

LEFT:

Victor DeNike with his wife, Natalie, and daughter, Drew, on his son Drake’s first day of school.

LEFT:

Juan Reynoso hard at work on the job site.

MEET THE LA TEAM

ALLEN‘S LOS ANGELES DIVISION GETS TO WORK ON SOME SPECTACULAR PROJECTS WITH AN AWESOME TEAM

Get to know our team below with some photos of them doing what they do outside of work and a few Q&A’s.

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Project Manager Kirk Henry, fishing the Owens River near Mammoth Lakes.

KIRK HENRY - PROJECT MANAGER

What is the most rewarding aspect of the project you are working on? Meeting and getting to know new sub-contractors has been the most rewarding part of the job.

What are you most excited about in the coming months? I’m looking forward to implementing the 551-page design book for our LA projects.

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Turnkey Project Manager Nick Barlow, and his girlfriend, Angie, wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley. One of their favorite weekend things to do!

  NICK BARLOW - TURNKEY PROJECT MANAGER

What is the most unique featrure of the project you are currently working on? The most unique feature of my current build is, without a doubt, the lack of square corners! There is only one 90 degree corner on the exterior of the building, with the majority having curved (radiused) edges on both the walls and roofline.

What do you like about working in the LA region? For me the best thing about working in the LA region is the opportunity. There are so many amazing and iconic homes from Malibu to Hollywood and getting the chance to be involved in creating more is a unique opportunity. From the panoramic view sites in the hills, to my current project in the Rustic Canyon neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, the region is more diverse than many know. With the forest-like feel of my current build site, it feels like an escape from the bustling city that is so close by.

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Superintendent Michael Duff and his wife, Alice, braving the heat in Death Valley where it was 126 “deathgrees!”

MICHAEL DUFF - SUPERINTENDENT

What is the most unique feature of the project you are currently working on? There are several “water features,” both inside and outside the home, including Koi Ponds, a fish tank in the kitchen, and a water wall that makes music. They are going to make this home very unique. and interesting. 

What will be the most fun thing for you to watch being constructed or installed on your current project? In a few weeks, we will be using a crane to set a 300” skylight made from seamless glass that had to be crafted overseas. It’s going to be very cool to see that expansive piece of glass being installed.

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Superintendent Garrett Whitlock, his fiancé, Hayley, and dog, Kane, on a back packing trip in the eastern Sierras.

GARRETT WHITLOCK - SUPERINTENDENT

What is or was the most fun thing for you to watch being constructed or installed on your current project?  I enjoyed watching the structural steel getting installed. As this is a remodel, there was a lot of unique conditions that needed to be thoroughly planned for and coordinated. As much time and effort the project team put into planning, having all the new beams and columns go in without complications was great to see.

What are you most excited about in the next 6 months? I am most excited about moving on to the next phase of the project which involves installing new exterior doors and windows, and completing the interior through finish drywall. The current MEP rough-in phase has been long and challenging for many different reasons. I am looking forward to crossing off that milestone and going on to the next.  

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Project Developer Amanie Ataiwi, site seeing with her brother, Chaddie, sister, Tamara, and adorable niece, Innaya.

AMANIE ATAIWI - PROJECT DEVELOPER

What do you like about working in the LA region? LA is such a cosmopolitan region and it’s reflected In its architecture. The various construction styles always keep it interesting and you learn something new from each project. This region is known for breaking boundaries in design while setting high standards in regards to the environment. It’s an ever-evolving city with a great history and even more great things to come.

What are you most excited about in the next 6 months? With all that’s been going on in the past few months, I’m excited to see the post-pandemic impact on the design industry. Throughout history, epidemics have had an influential change in architecture and urban planning. After spending so much time at home, and now that working remotely will become a permanent part of our culture, I believe we will see a change in the approach for designing spaces and a new era will be born.

MEET THE TEAM: DANIEL MAULT

MEET DANIEL MAULT, PRODUCTION MANAGER FOR ALLEN’S CUSTOM DIVISION

What do you do at Allen Construction?  I have been an Allen employee for just about eight years.  I have worn a few different hats during my time here at Allen, from Site Superintendent to Project Manager.  Currently I am the Production Manager for the Custom Division.  

What kinds of projects do you work on?  In the Custom Division, we primarily focus on new, ground up, single family homes and large renovations in the Santa Barbara and Ventura regions.  The Team is comprised of immensely talented individuals with unique and diverse backgrounds who work tirelessly with clients and design consultants to bring project visions and goals to reality. 

How did you get started in the construction field?  I started on the East Coast about 17 years ago and worked for a start-up construction/development company.  I worked there for two years as a Jr. Project Manager learning the ins and outs of the construction industry. During that time I completed a large multi-family project and two single family, semi-custom homes.  It was a great opportunity to not only learn construction and construction management, but also see what it takes to start a business from the ground floor. 

Where do you live?  My wife and I have called Santa Barbara our home for over 20 years.  We are blessed with three wonderful boys, 13, 10 and 8 years old.  We have a very sweet golden retriever named Saba, who has been a part of our family for 15 years.  We are very active in the community with youth sports, volunteering, and love beach days with the Family!   

Daniel and his wife, Lindsey, and sons, Kian, Cade, and Kai, vacationing in Mammoth Lakes.

How has your daily routine changed since having to work from home?  During the work week/school week there is a Zoom call happening in every room in our home at every hour of the day, lol.  Actually, life has slowed down and we have really enjoyed spending this time together.  Hoping the kids look back on this time as a challenge but also with fond memories.

Your proudest achievement   My wife, Lindsey, and our Family.   

What was the last book you read?  “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah.  It is an autobiography that details Trevor Noah’s (host of the Daily Show) life growing up in South Africa during the apartheid era.  It is a light and comical book that chronicles a very heavy topic.

We wouldn’t know it to look at you, but…  I was born and raised on a small Island in the Caribbean Sea, St. Croix, which is a part of the United States Virgin Islands. 

What advice would you give someone starting out in the construction industry?  No matter your role, listen intently, cultivate disciplined processes, and have fun.          

MEET THE TEAM: ERIC JOHNSON

MEET THE GUY WHO OVERSEES ALLEN’S PRODUCTION TEAMS WHILE WORKING HANDS-ON WITH OUR PRE-CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT, ERIC JOHNSON, VP OF CONSTRUCTION.

What do you do at Allen Construction? 

I started at Allen in March of 2012, when the company was Allen Associates. It’s been fun to watch the company change and grow, just as my position has along the way. I was hired as a project manager and have worked as a pre-construction project manager, a division manager for Santa Barbara, and now, in my current position, as Vice President of Construction.

What kind of projects do you work on?

I work with our sales and production teams from San Luis Obispo to West Los Angeles. I specifically enjoy meeting new clients and helping to find a way to make their vision a reality. An early shared vision with lots of communication around expectations helps make the production side of the project move easier and more efficiently. 

How did you get started in the construction field?

Arvid Dahlstrom sponsored my grandfather’s family when they immigrated from Sweden. He owned a small concrete business that employed several Swedish immigrants. So, it became a family affair. As a teenager, I went to work with my Dad, who was a general contractor. I worked for him as a general laborer, carpenter, and Jr. Superintendent. It was during these early years that I was first introduced to the construction scene in West LA. We worked for several well-known clients including Cher, the Hilton family, and Jerry Seinfeld. I am super happy to have landed at Allen Construction. It is, in my experience, the best construction company there is. 

Eric in Hawaii with his wife, Trisha, and twin daughters, Kenya and Anika.

Where do you live?

I moved to Oak View three years ago and I love it. The population is under 5,000 and the sun shines almost every day. I live on a one-acre ranch with my wife Trisha, our twin daughters, Kenya and Anika, three very large tortoises, several chickens, two turkeys, a cockatiel, and our main man, Gridley the dog.  

How has your daily routine changed since having to work from home?

We lost two goats and a magnificent ram to a mountain lion early in the stay at home order. It was a trying time for the family, especially Trisha, as she cares incredibly deeply for our animals and the animal kingdom in general. Otherwise, I find periods of intense focus working at home. I also find times I want to pull my hair out. I do miss interacting with teammates and hearing about their goings on. Construction is a “boots on the ground” industry and homes don’t get built without people power. I am immensely grateful to all of the teams that run our jobsites all day, every day, during the pandemic.

What is your proudest achievement?

By far, my family. It is no small task to maintain a home life that is a refuge from it all. When my home life is good, I can handle anything life throws at me. Thank you to Trisha, the girls, and all the others that make up the extended Johnson clan.

What was the last book you read?

The Overstory by Richard Powers. It is a story of activism and of trees. It tells of the effort to save old growth forests and about the tree you had in your back yard as a kid. I really enjoyed the way the author wove several different adventures into one.

We wouldn’t know it to look at you, but…

I love long distance ocean swimming. This spring and summer have been really good because of the warmer water and flat surf. The lifeguards in Ventura spotted a great white on July 9th, so that added a bit of energy to the outing. For my birthday this month, I’ve asked my family for an ukulele. I’m excited to get started practicing for the Allen Construction talent show…

What advice would you give someone starting out in the construction industry?

Do not be afraid to ask for help. There is a moniker in construction that you can only get better with time, which is true to a point. However, you can reduce that time by advancing your understanding of the industry by talking and listening to others. Let those that have been around teach you about the mistakes they’ve made and how they’ve resolved them.   

PRIORITIZING CITIES FOR PEOPLE

Coronavirus Reinforces Notion That Places Without Cars Are More Pleasant

On average, Americans clock 13,000 miles driving their cars every year, mostly commuting to work. Annually, the average auto commuter spends more than a week on top of what would be an uncongested commute. In Los Angeles, the figure is three weeks spent idling in traffic. For every week, the time American commuters spend stuck in traffic collectively tallies to 2.5 million years.

To minimize social contact and maximize daily exercise, many cities across the planet have experimented with cyclists and pedestrians taking over streets during the pandemic.

The coronavirus and sheltering in place have reinforced the notion that places without cars are more pleasant. Even before the virus, many cities, especially in Europe, were adopting policies to reduce car traffic, while prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists. The main policy approaches to decrease auto traffic, singly and in combination, have been:

• Make streets multimodal: designing roads to be shared, where all modes intermingle, often without sidewalks. Such streets slow vehicle traffic and require everyone to watch out for others.

• Implement limited-traffic zones (LTZ) and/or congestion pricing: LTZ specify when and what types of vehicles may enter a designated zone. For example, cars may be restricted to night hours, delivery trucks to before 10 a.m., and taxis only when serving the disabled. Congestion pricing is another way to thin vehicular loads. London has reduced its air pollution and emissions by a third through zone pricing. San Francisco recently banned cars on Market St. It is now the exclusive domain of buses, streetcars, bikes, and pedestrians. Even Uber and Lyft must use side roads.

• Eliminate street parking: Limiting parking reduces car trips, especially when accompanied by increased public transit. Copenhagen has removed 2-3 percent of its street parking each year for more than a decade. This freed up public space for other uses. U.S. zoning codes often require parking, thus increasing congestion.

• Boost transit options: Limiting car traffic only works in tandem with a healthy transit system. Smaller cities struggle to develop robust transit.

To minimize social contact and maximize daily exercise, many cities across the planet have experimented with cyclists and pedestrians taking over streets during the pandemic. Paris, as well as more than 100 other cities in France, has been leading these initiatives. The mayor of Paris created over 400 miles of cycleways for essential workers during the lockdown; some are express routes for e-bikes. These efforts have merely accelerated the mayor’s plan to remove 72 percent of on-street car parking and create bike lanes.

Many American cities are starting to adopt some of these traffic-reducing strategies but more timidly than the European trailblazers.

Bicycles came to the rescue during the 1973 oil embargo. They are offering new ways to organize our streets during this pandemic. If given priority, they could help mitigate another global crisis: climate change.

Dennis Allen is chair of Allen Construction, an employee-owned company committed to building and operating sustainably. He also serves as chair of the Dean’s Council at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at UCSB and as a boardmember of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

MEET THE TEAM - MATT CALIGIURE

MATT CALIGIURE, Production Manager of Allen’s Remodel Division, and his team do everything from additions to full house remodels. Get to know Matt with our Q&A.

What do you do at Allen Construction? 

I’ve been an Allen employee-owner for nearly a decade, wearing several ‘hats’ along the way from dabbling in carpentry/labor tasks, estimating and managing projects, to serving as Trustee for our ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan).  Currently, I’m the manager of our Remodel division, facilitating our in-house crews, and trying to manage a project here and there in order to maximize my efficiency!

What kinds of projects do you work on?

Our team performs a wide array of projects that fall into the $200k-$1m cost category.  We’ve got a special group of project leaders from top to bottom, full of sharp PM’s and amazing foreman.  I’m really pleased with the team we’ve got and enthusiastic about our direction. I believe that projects in this category embody the heart and soul of Allen Construction.

How did you get started in the construction field?

My father and grandfather are both carpenters back home in Connecticut.  Growing up, over and over I heard the refrain, ”work with your head, not with your back”, and “‘you don’t wanna do what we do.”  Over time, I dabbled with some wood projects and slowly drifted toward the trades.  When we moved to SB, I had the opportunity to start running projects, and it’s been a developing career for me here at Allen ever since.      

Matt and his son, Pete.

Where do you live?

After spending seven blissful years living in a little loft in Summerland, my wife, Bethany, and I moved to downtown SB when our son, Peter, came along.  We’ve also got Poppy dog, who has become a stalwart of the Allen Construction offices and jobsites for the last seven years.  What a life!   

A typical day in the life looks like…

Ask me this question on any particular day and the answer is going to be different!  It has been both a challenging and rewarding time – certainly worth reflecting on the implications. 

Your proudest achievement

Hmmm…..Achievements come and go every so often, but I think the decision to partner up with Bethany and cultivate a life together as a family has definitely been the most rewarding facet of my life.       

Matt with his wife, Bethany, and son, Pete.

What was the last book you read?

The Unbearable Lightness of Being - a novel by Milan Kundera.  A heavy read during the onset of a pandemic, but some of the philosophical undertones are actually very relevant at the moment and also quite freeing. 

We wouldn’t know it to look at you, but…

I fancy myself an amateur naturalist…

What advice would you give someone starting out in the construction industry?

Regardless of your position – work hard, be humble, and look for opportunities to help others around you.  If you want a different path and are up for the challenge, there is room in this industry to create one for yourself. 

SUSTAINABLE FLOORING

Flooring expert Ryan Reed of Coast Supply Co. Shares Three Favorite Green Flooring Options

Ryan Reed, President, Coast Supply Co.

Eucalyptus is sustainably harvested and is a visually gorgeous material. We carry it in several colors, each with a long, straight grain that almost looks like clear fir. It is sustainably harvested and has a sleek modern feel to it. It is a 100% renewable crop, is harder than oak flooring, and can be naturally oil finished. Another benefit is that eucalyptus takes a stain better than maple does, so when clients want a clear grain, it lends itself to be at the mercy of our flooring craftsman's hand.

After laying flooring for more than 15 years in Santa Barbara, I've had the opportunity to see, touch, and feel a variety of green floors. Why am I recommending these three?

Just like Allen Construction, we take seriously the integrity that should come with recommending green products. We provide our clients with accurate information, and sometimes that requires extra effort to peel back the layers and reveal just how "green" a product really is. That being said, my three favorite (although lesser-known) options for green alternatives are eucalyptus, cork, and linoleum.

Eucalyptus flooring

My second choice for environmentally friendly flooring is cork flooring. Some clients think cork would not be durable because it's soft, but the opposite is true. Did you know cork flooring lines the halls of the Smithsonian Museums? It has proven the test of time with millions of people walking on it every year. Not only that, no trees are cut down to harvest cork. Cork is an outer bark, a living layer they remove from cork trees (usually from forests in Portugal) that regrows every 5-10 years. It is antimicrobial, environmentally friendly, incredibly durable, beautiful, and one of our best insulators for heat, cold, and sound. Cork, in my opinion, is one of the best, yet most overlooked flooring options on the market.

Sustainable harvesting of cork.

And lastly, we come to linoleum. What we use today is not your grandma's linoleum. Instead, it is the linoleum your great-grandmother had in her home 100 years ago. The rise of modernity over the last 100 years brought patterns, and with patterns came other synthetic ingredients like plastics to create what we now call vinyl, not linoleum.

Ingredients in linoleum.

True linoleum, in my opinion, is as organic as they come. Made from linseed oil mixed with wood resin, and laid on a jute backing, this is an all-natural product. I love the smell of it, and it wears like iron if properly installed. The installation of linoleum is a little tricky. Because it is so thick and heavy, it comes in smaller 6'7" rolls, compared to the standard 12 to 15-foot rolls that most carpet comes in.

Our favorite linoleum manufacturer is Forbo. They have been around for 100 years (even longer than Coast!). They create an amazing product, and their color palette is incredible. In the last several years, they've developed more options by bringing linoleum tiles to market so you can click together or glue down tiles of linoleum to create patterns.

After reading my recommendations, are you surprised bamboo didn't make the list? Remember that if you search the internet for information on a product, you can always find favorable and compelling articles because the manufacturer writes them. In contrast to this "greenwashing", we are a supplier unbiasedly looking for the best product for your needs. After 75 years in business, we’re even more committed to offering our clients a balance of the most environmentally friendly options without sacrificing durability or aesthetics.

Coast Supply Co.

coastsupplyco.com

805-684-6565