Happy Father's Day 2016

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there and just like on Mother’s Day I send a special prayer to all of you who no longer have your Father. I have several friends this year also spending this day without their Father on Father’s Day for the first time….I cannot even imagine life without the one person on earth who is probably my best friend and mentor. I love you Dad and all you have done for me and our family. I know it wasn’t easy but you have two sons who have done pretty well!

My Dad is 81 years old and for those of you who have met or known “Donald” as we call him – he is the real “Donald” by the way – he is one of the nicest guys out there always with a smile on his face and ready for a good time! I love just hanging out with him and watching a Bronco game or the US Open…. You know, guy stuff!

Donald was born in Durango, Colorado in 1935 to the parents of Bernie and Rose Candelaria. He is the second oldest of six children – two boys and four girls – all still alive. Grampa Bernie worked for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad and was the machinist for the steam locomotives that still run from Durango to Silverton today. My father went to Durango High School, same school I graduated from, and then onto the US Army where he proudly served our country following World War II.

While serving in Germany he met my Mom, Karin, who was born in East Germany and fled the oncoming Russians and ended up as a refugee in Mannheim, Germany. There must have been some spark there as my father stayed in touch after her returned to the States through hand written letters that my mom would have to translate to German. My Mom took an Au Pair position in Calgary, Canada all the while the two kept exchanging their letters.

Well Dad must have been persistent and convincing and coaxed my Mom to take a Greyhound bus from Calgary, Canada down to Durango, Colorado. Ok this was in 1959 so you can imagine how the roads and stops were along the way back then and imagine my 19 year old Mom from Germany on a bus traveling through Idaho, Utah and finally to SW Colorado – in the middle of nowhere in the summer of 59!

My Grandmother and father’s sisters met her at the bus station when she arrived and my mom shared space with my Dad’s sisters while she visited. As it turned out , one of my father’s sisters was getting married during the stay and again with my Dad’s persuasion he popped the question and convinced my Mom to make it a double wedding. The rest is history – you wouldn’t be reading this blog right now had he not convinced her!

The two moved to Denver and I showed up a year later in October of 1960! My father got a job with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in Denver and of course became a big Denver Bronco fan and an original season ticket holder. We lived in Denver for 14 years whereupon my grandfather in Durango was retiring so my father decided to move the troops back to his hometown and take over my grandfather’s position as the head machinist on the steam trains and so we all loaded the trucks and moved to Durango!

We all loved living there and we all return often. I graduated from Durango High School in 1978 and went on the the University of Colorado for a year and then transferred to Arizona State University in 1979 and have been here ever since. I have so many friends still from there that I am very close with – many that live here in Phoenix and Scottsdale. The Denver and Rio Grande sold the Durango train to a private company and so to maintain his retirement, my father and Mom moved back to Denver in 1980 where they lived and retired until 2014 whereupon they moved here to Arizona to be closer to me and two of Dad’s sisters who live in Tucson and my Mom from Germany has a sister that lives in Mesa. I love the twist and turns life brings our way!

Anyway, it is so wonderful to have this time with my father! We have had some great times together including in 2001 going to Game 1 of the Diamondback-Yankee World Series together and celebrating his 80th birthday in style with a day at the Spa!

So that’s the story. Dad didn’t teach me or mentor me to be an artist or architect….no my Dad is just like the Dad in the TV series “The Wonder Years” – in fact that was virtually my family and life growing up in the 60’s and 70’s. My dad could fix anything –I’m the opposite…. I’m useless with any kind of power tool with the exception of an electric eraser or a cell phone. But what Dad did instill in me was hard work and that perseverance that I spoke about earlier in the blog. You see my Dad, despite never being rich or wealthy, just kept going! Dad, hopefully, you now see that you are rich and wealthy! You have two sons who love the hell out of you and we would be nowhere close to where we are without your inspiration, example and love.

I wish you and all the Dad’s out there a super Father’s Day!

Candelaria Design Tour Italy June 2016 - Day 8 - Cooking in Umbria

Trip 13 keeps us on our toes and Day 8 kept the tricksophobia streak in tact!

Well Day 8, Wednesday, is a day to chill and rest up and relax at the Farmhouses. At least some of my travelers did that. Isabel and I had a busy day ahead. We started with a little coffee and a light breakfast at the house while we watched the fog burn off after sleeping until 9am.

From there a group of us made it down the hill, and through the valley to the town of Umbertide and the local farmer’s market which I always love. I love the sounds, the people and of course the food.

The one thing I really noticed this year was the increase in the Muslim presence – something I never saw 16 years ago when I first came and a marketed increase from just last year. Perhaps twenty percent of the people at the market were Muslim. So things are definitely changing with the events of the world and its changing the makeup and culture of even the small towns and villages here in Italy. Even the restaurants around the town now have Kabab and Halal restaurants obviously catering to the new inhabitants.

But many of the same faces and vendors were in the same spots they have been for the 16 years I have been coming. So I grabbed my favorite porchetta sandwich and a cappuccino and life is good!

From there we made our way past Citta di Costello to the Lacole’ showroom. The Lacole’ http://www.lacolecasaitaliana.com showroom and Porte del Passato http://www.portedelpassato.com are two of my favorite stops. Both businesses are owned and operated by the Belli family whom I have known and done business with for over 16 years. We currently have several projects in the works! Of course they welcomed us in style with a plate of crostinis, fresh fruit, and blood orange juice.

Lacole’ is a spectacular showroom and outdoor yard featuring thousands of antiques, collectibles, and salvaged building materials, from wells, fountains, fireplaces, stone arches, tiles, pavers, furniture, well…..it’s pretty much endless. The showroom and yard are huge and you can easily spend hours here.

Isabel is working with Gabriele Belli on a line of doors from Italy and millwork that she will be carrying at her store Earth and Images. Gabriele is also making a beautiful custom set of doors for a home for one of our clients in Desert Mountain who went on last year’s trip. We are very excited with how our relationship has grown over the years with the Belli family. We had time for a conference call with our client to review details and then it was back to the houses to start our cooking class with Elizabeth Wholey.

The start of the cooking class marks the halfway point of the trip. It’s been a crazy first half and when we got to the house we got word that one of our travelers had twisted her back and it had locked up and she was now unable to move and was bedridden. Seriously….. they got some meds in her and iced her down and so we were down a traveler again.

Well the rest of us carried on and went up to the big Farmhouse to start some cooking. This year we had a surprise as I had my office Fed-ex our newest creation, the Candelaria Collection Pasta Machine and it was going to get its first testing where else but in Italy, on our trip, by true Italian chefs! So we would be making some pasta today!

Add some prosciutto wrapped asparagus, fried pepper bruschettas, grilled pork shoulder, local sausages, and then raviolis with the Candelaria Collection Pasta machine! Elizabeth and her staff guide us through the various dishes and of course the best part is enjoying all the smells and flavors not to mention the camaraderie that occurs when all cooking in these homes. We made a big fire, opened some wine and prosecco, and enjoyed the lovely sunset along with the sounds of laughter and music.

Despite being down one traveler everyone got the aprons on and got into the act. I loved watching the new pasta machine in action and the Italian cooks loved it and gave us the thumbs up – not to mention the ravioli was fantastic!

We all sat down to eat, went around the table and spoke about how and why we came on this trip, and then gradually made our way to dessert, which we also made, and then retired to the porch for a cigar and solved the world’s problems….where what is said and solved in Umbria….. stays in Umbria!

Candelaria Design Tour Italy June 2016 - Day 7 - Wine Tour with Pino

Every trip has it’s twists and challenges and trip 13 definitely is having its share! Today is Winesday – actually Tuesday but today we go on our wine tour with Pino Teresi. Pino has been my wine guide since 2000. He is amazing and a good friend.

Today we had to start early and meet Pino and the bus driver in Mercatale at 9am so it was an early rise. It is definitely nice to have the bus on wine day. Last thing with trip 13 I need is fourteen travelers out driving around Tuscany after wine tastings all day!

So we made it into Mercatale and grabbed some coffee and a pastry at the little restaurant by the park where we left the cars and met our bus and Pino!

Because we are in the middle of nowhere in Italy it is about a two hour drive to the Banfi Winery near Montalcino. It’s a beautiful ride through gorgeous countryside including the farms of the Chianina cows which provide my favorite steaks!

The Banfi winery, which is American owned, is spectacular http://castellobanfi.com/en/  . Every year Pino introduces us to another winery and this year lived up to our expectations. The grounds and architecture were impeccable and the winery, cellar and most importantly, the wines were exquisite.

We enjoyed a private tour of the cellar which is very high tech and state of the art and then went up to the private dining room for a fabulous tasting lunch. Each course was paired with a different wine starting of course with a sparkling wine.

The dining room was not large and we shared lunch with people from across the world….and that’s where the fun began! Trip 13 remember…. Well one of my travelers was sitting next to a table where the their phone kept buzzing and dinging. My traveler politely asked them to silence their phone about the same time we were all raising a toast to the moment. Well that set this person off the deep end and he started going into a tirade’ “You idiot Americans – so noisy, rude, loud….you idiot Americans go home to your noisy and rude country….Idiot Americans – you are so loud….” Repeating this mantra about eight times….. talk about rude and noisy! Geez!!! It was all we could do to keep our composure and it definitely caught the winery staff off guard. Fortunately, everyone just stayed calm and let this guy run out of steam without any of us confirming his accusations. In the end, he definitely came across as the idiot…especially given the fact he was at and supporting an American winery!

Nothing like a little excitement…. That’s for sure. Nothing like that has ever happened on my 16 years of coming here…. In fact quite the opposite. The Italians are always so friendly….Turns out he was from Brazil. All’s I can say is Brazil your Olympics are just a few months away….good luck!

Well we went on and enjoyed our lunch and wine paring and then made our way back to the bus for the drive to Montepulciano for another stop and visit. The drive from Montalcino to Montepulciano is one of my favorites with the cypress lined hills and beautiful rolling hills of Tuscany.

Once to Montepulciano we hiked up the roadway, through the portal of the fortressed walls and into this absolutely picturesque Italian hill town. Our first stop was the coppersmith shop where I have purchased my fabulous osso bucco pans. Nice little chat there with Pino and the artisan and then it was off to the Cantina del Redi cellar http://www.dericci.it. From the high tech cellar of Banfi we go old school here at the Redi cellar. It is the real deal and one of the most beautiful cellars buried under the streets of Montepulciano. Nothing like the smell of these cellars.

After the darkness and dankness of the cellar you pop out to this amazing view of the countryside and a beautiful walk down the streets of Montepulciano where time has stood still for centuries.

Slowly we make our way back to the bus, visit another church, and then take the long drive home to Mercatale where we finish the day with a seven course meal at Mimmi’s http://www.tuscanydimimmi.it. It is a big meal after a long day…. And when I say seven course that is what it is! Start with crostinis and bruschetta, then onto three different pasta dishes, and finally roasted meats, vegetables, and finally dessert. Our day of indulgence is completed.

Its then a short walk through Mercatale – take in a little local bocce ball and its back to the farmhouses…..now you don’t want to leave a window open as of course a friendly bat may want to join you for the evening! After all this is Trip 13!

Ciao!

Candelaria Design Tour Italy June 2016 - Day 6 - Assisi

So we made it through our first day in the country, hospital and all! I had all 14 travelers again! We had been going at a pretty good clip and with the excitement and drama of yesterday it was a good opportunity to let my travelers sleep in!

Isabel made a delicious frittata and we enjoyed our coffee and of course the rising fog from the Niccone Valley below.

Isabel and Roberta in 2012 at Cama

I had two travelers that wanted to go to Deruta to do some ceramic shopping and the rest of us made our way to Assis for the day. Our good friend in Deruta, Roberta Niccacci of the Cama family, whose factory we used to tour many years ago was kind enough to connect my travelers with her family who closed the factory a few years ago but still had a few pieces available.

On the road to Assisi driving through Perugia.

About the time we arrived in Assisi my two travelers from Deruta also arrived so I had my entire group together. When we arrive at any town my first step is to point out the rendezvous point for later in the day when we leave. Then I try to keep the blinders on everyone as we make our way through town to the main cathedral of Saint Francis. Get a group photo and then everyone is on their own adventure here in Assisi for the day.

Assisi has a calmness and quiet to it that is hard to explain. It is really a beautiful hill town with very picturesque views to the valley and farmland below. The pink stone is everywhere and that color seems to add to the subconscious calmness.

I brought my family here over the Holidays on a foggy day which was absolutely beautiful and spiritual…not that Assisi needs any help with that! It is quite different to see it both in the winter and summer.

Candelaria's in Assisi during the Christmas Holiday 2015/16

Isabel and I made our way back through town and found a nice spot for lunch and the others did the same. I had the Guinea Hen with grapes in a red wine sauce, and Isabel had the roasted chicken breast with chicory from the owner’s garden – delicious.

We then did a little exploring some of the side streets, popped into some churches to say prayers while enjoying the architecture, did a little shopping and made our way to the rendezvous piazza! Set up my computer, hook into the wifi and get a little work done along with some water and a cappuccino. As I am working I see familiar faces from my trips of now 16 years here…. The same men and women sitting on the same benches likely having the same conversations…..that’s what I love about Italy – it is somewhat of a living time capsule.

Slowly my travelers arrived and we hiked up the hill to the cars and then off to the lake view restaurant in a driving afternoon thunderstorm for a light dinner and home for the evening. 

Candelaria Design Tour Italy June 2016 - Day 5 - First day in Umbria

Sunday is our first full day in the country and there is no better way to start than with a lovely brunch and personal tour at the spectacular Villa di Piazzano near Cortona. Start the morning on the porch with a delicious cup of Italian coffee watching the fog slowly lift off the Umbrian hills.

We gathered the troops for out 11 am reservation at the Villa. A drive down the dirt road, through the Nicconne Valley and then up and over the hills and down to the next valley over. You turn onto an Italian cypress line road that mesmerizes your way into and through the walls into the Villa.

We are always warmly greeted by the staff and then the owner, Alessandra, who welcomes us to our brunch. With the threat of rains we dined inside this year which is still a real delight. First of course we spend a little time on the terrace where we were offered a glass of prosecco and the beauty and splendor of the grounds. We also celebrated the anniversary of John and Diane Whittaker!!! 

The brunch is always fabulous and the setting is so beautiful. Yet, as in life, your situation can change in an instant. This year one of our travelers apparently was not feeling tip top and went outside to get some fresh air and suddenly passed out and came unconscious. We all rushed out to assist, including other guests and the villa staff. Our traveler regained consciousness and the staff brought blankets, pillows, water and cold towels to comfort our guest. Shortly thereafter the ambulance arrived but fortunately all vital signs were positive. Of course to be safe they took our traveler to the nearby hospital accompanied by one of the staff members of the hotel who graciously offered to go to translate. Fortunately later in the day our traveler was given a clean bill of health…..but what a shock it was to be in one state of mind one second and complete other a second later. Again, just like life….in other words treasure every moment and be satisfied with what this life gives us.

We are happy to say our traveler is doing fine and as I am typing this we are all on our way this morning to Assisi!

With the stress and excitement of that incident we returned to our brunch and quietly said our prayers for our traveler. With brunch completed we were given a nice tour of the villa by Alessandra and then it was off to Cortona for the afternoon.

Cortona is likely the most well known hilltown in Italy with the making of the book and then movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. Not much sun this trip! I just always love the energy and vibe of this place not to mention I have many fond memories of this place with family and friends over the last 16 years. It’s always the first hill town I take my travelers to and so it definitely sets the tone for the week in Tuscany and Umbrian. I love it here…..

Shopping for truffles

I get my travelers set with our restaurant spot which is new spot for my repeat travelers as I stumbled upon it last year and then we came here for one of our best dinners during our family Christmas Holiday trip – NessunDorma http://www.ristorantenessundorma.com.

With everyone set it was off to do a little shopping, photography and then blogging in a wonderful people watching spot. After 16 trips here I think I have pictures of every arch, door and geranium…. Not to mention the fact I recognize my people that I love to photograph – which happen to be the same over the years. I have captured them all growing old.

My travelers shopped as with virtually every time we come there is a street fair of local vendors and this time was not different. Throw in a Renaissance parade for a little added color and my travelers were in for a real spectacle.

Then the rain came just in time for us to go to dinner and what a treat. Isabel and I started with the truffeled quail eggs and moved to the wild venison with juniper berries and a herb polenta. Throw in a couple bottles of Rosso di Montalcino and our dinner in the cellar was set. Fabulous! I highly recommend this restaurant on your stop to Cortona.

Truffled quail eggs 

Venison with herbed polenta

My chefs at the the Nessun Dorma

By the time we finished dinner and left the cellar the rain had stopped and the sun was shining! Pick up some gelatos and make our way back down the hill to our cars and our drive home.

On a final note I want to personally thank the owners of the Villa di Piazzano who personally escorted my traveler to the hospital and stayed the entire course of their stay to help in translation and support. I cannot express my appreciation for this act of unselfish kindness. The Wimpole family are stellar people and friends who always, quite obviously, treat us and I’m sure every guest at their Villa, like family. You are all cherished!

Candelaria Design Tour Italy June 2016 - Day 4 - Off to Umbria!

Ok so now is when the trip always gets a little exciting / stressful! Day 4 – of course my lucky number right, and this is our 13th Candelaria Design Tour Italy….right??? Ok – get ready!

We started the day, Saturday, with breakfast at the hotel and then another morning walk, this time to the San Lorenzo Market! As I have said many times, I love this place and wish we had even half of this in Phoenix. Wow! It also makes me want to rent a flat here and come to the market every morning to stock up and then cook for everyone….. Too many ideas and too little time.

The market is great and I enjoyed watching and listening to the people and enjoying the sights, sounds and smells. It’s the best.

We did a little shopping from the street vendors which is always fun. One thing I did notice, even since just being here over the Holidays, is the absence of the counterfit vendors – they seemed to finally gotten rid of them which is great. They were always so annoying and for someone who produces original work, the thought of these imposters selling their fake bags and goods just disgusts me. So I was glad to see them gone!  With our shopping done it was back to the hotel to pack up and get ready to check out of the hotel, load up our transports back to the airport to pick up our rental cars. Sounds easy right?

Well the check out went perfect and then we got to the vans and loaded the luggage….all good! Off to the airport where the transport drivers (two vans) were to drop us off at the rental car lot….not the airport departure curb. Well convincing the drivers of this request was a challenge especially when they were trying to drop us off at the departure curb. With a little coaxing we were able to get them to the rental car lot where of course it started to rain!

We unloaded all the luggage on the deck and the drivers went inside to get the paperwork filled out and get the keys to the cars. Meanwhile the rest of our travelers pitched the umbrellas and waited with their bags doing their best to stay dry. With keys in hands we loaded our luggage respectively and got our cars – all 6 cars – in order for our departure to Umbria. One of my rules is to just stay in your parking spot until I call upon you to get your car in line but one of my drivers thought they saw us leave so off the went….. luckly not too far out of the lot before they panicked and called me wondering where we went? I told them to stop and I would find them, got the other cars to them and got everyone in order again. I introduced everyone to Google Maps, gave them pins to our first stop which with 11 women and only 3 men was the Prada Outlet about an hour south of Florence.

Getting to the Prada Outlet, called Space, all went fine! They have built a new bridge and faster route to it and so it was a slam dunk. We shopped for about an hour and then it was off to the market near the Umbrian Farmhouses. Again no issues – everyone followed right along and we made it to the market in Mercatale where we stocked up on our provisions for the week!

From there it was to the houses up the dusty (this year with all the rain not so dusty) dirt road to our destination and home for the week. Ok – these are farmhouses! They are rustic – there is no room service, they are in the middle of nowhere with no TV limited cell phone service and wifi that cuts in and out. But that’s the point – its an escape to the rustic countryside and an experience and environment few people ever see when they come to Italy – but to me this is real Italy. Fresh air, quiet, down time…..we all need it. Is it luxury 5 star accommodations and service. No – it’s a Farmhouse and you embrace it! We share rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, living spaces, the porch…. Ahhh the porch – where what is said or happens in Umbria stays in Umbria….and so will be the case here and on this trip and every trip!

We gradually settled in and got everyone situated….some year’s that is easy some year’s it proves a bit more challenging. But as with everything in life perseverance, patience, and the right attitude can overcome any challenges!

Mark with Elizabeth Wholey

Soon Elizabeth Wholey and her partner of some 16 years Paola came to the house and started preparing our farmhouse welcome dinner which is always fantastic. Meat and veggie homemade lasagna, peppers stuffed with local sausage, veggies with a beet and garbanzo bean dip, and of course their fantastic dessert – panna cotta with fruiti di bossco - we were home in Umbria and it was time to relax!

Candelaria Design Tour Italy June 2016 - Day 3 - Firenze

Today is our first and only full day in Firenze. There is no way you can see or appreciate this Renaissance masterpiece in one day. But the idea is to get a macro feel and view and come back again and explore in more detail. With just two weeks in Italy there is not enough time to get into the micro as you would never grasp enough of what this fabulous country has to offer.

So to start the day in the spirit of the macro view I love to get up early and do my morning walk. So much of how you experience any town or city filled with tourists is with every space filled with tourists. But to get up early with not a soul in sight and have the ability to experience the architecture on your own, in quiet solitude is truly an experience I don’t think many people every make the effort to embrace. It’s the best and fortunately I had a nice group of my travelers who made it. We met in the hotel lobby at 6:30 am and we were off. I love it.

I took my travelers on a little different route from previous walks and in an hour an half we had made a good dent in our exercise goals for the day and it was only 8am.

Grab a nice breakfast at the Hotel Brunellschi http://www.hotelbrunelleschi.it and then it was off to climb the Duomo campanelli with Isabel. 414 steps straight up but worth it for the view and exercise. I love the view from up here as you truly get a macro perspective. It is really amazing how much is packed into a few square miles here. Yet it is endless and every time I come – this is probably my 15th time here – I never quite see it the same and I discover something new each time. Hence why I keep returning.

Isabel and I then grabbed a quick lunch and then it was back to the hotel for a power nap to get ready for the second half of the day.

This year Isabel and I did a photo shoot with a photographer and stylist. So while Isabel got ready I went and did a little shopping and exploring. With Isabel set and ready we went to the Café Florian http://www.caffeflorian.com/en/florence for our shoot. This little restaurant and bar is so artsy and cool. Definitely make it a point to check it out. From there we shot some photos at the bridge on the Arno with the Pointe Vecchio in the background all while in a driving rainstorm with broken sunlight streaming through. I’m excited to see these pics! As we made it back to the hotel we stopped at the Michaelangelo Palazzo Strozz http://www.palazzostrozzi.org/?lang=en for some final shots. What a fun way to spend an afternoon and it will be so nice to have some professional photos of the two of us in one of our favorite places on earth!

Then it was time for dinner. My group all descended at the hotel bar for a quick cocktail and then we were off for dinner on the street at the Buca San Giovanni located right in front of the Duomo. It was a bit rainy and chilly so we had cocktails – aperol spritzsaccompanied by roses from one of the vendors – on the street and then went down into the cellar for a fabulous dinner. Great food and top notch service. The bisteca florentina is fabulous.

MC with Sandy Benash

From dinner it was off for a little gelato and then a few of us made it to the Westin Grand Hotel for after dinner drinks. What a wonderful full day in Florence. Tomorrow we head to our farmhouse compound in Umbria!!!!

Candelaria Design Tour Italy - Day 2 - Dinner at Villa San Michele

Our June 2016 Candelaria Design Tour Italy Travelers at the Villa San Michele

When you travel for nearly 30 hours between getting ready, getting to the airport, flying, and then arriving and checking in…..you are in somewhat of a dream state. I guess they call that jet lag!

Sandra Wilken, Sandra Miller & Linda Kerley at the Hotel Brunelleschi

14 travelers from all different parts of the country, on five different flights and we all made it! Not one lost piece of luggage. Amazing.  Well we checked in and all got settled one by one at the beautiful Hotel Brunellschi located in the heart of Firenze http://www.hotelbrunelleschi.it We have been staying here since 2004 and it is one of my favorites. The staff if outstanding and very friendly and have been the same crew throughout the years. It makes it feel like you are staying with good friends or family and they treat you accordingly.  

We all got settled, some of us arrived around noon and some as late as 5:30pm so some of us had time to do a little exploring and/or get a quick power nap in, while the late arrivals barely had time to drop off their suitcase, take a quick shower and meet us in the hotel lounge for cocktails before we made our way to the spectacular Villa San Michele in the hills above Firenze for our welcome dinner. http://www.belmond.com/villa-san-michele-florence/ This 5 star hotel, originally designed by none other than Michealangelo is truly off the charts spectacular. I cannot imagine it getting any better than this and it is the perfect place to start our 14 day journey.

John and Diane Whittaker

Sandra Wilken and Linda Kerley

Of course everyone is in this jet lag state of being and all of a sudden you are enjoying a Bellini on the terrace overlooking Firenze with the sun setting in the distance and the music of the pianist in the background…..well like I said dreamlike for sure.

Diane Whittaker and Sandra Wilken

We start with cocktails each year, and with the rain showers we had cocktails in the conservatory which was absolutely lovely. From there we were escorted to the Loggia where we were greeted by my waiter and good friend, Antonello, has been my waiter for nearly 15 years. We set the menu ahead along with the wine pairings so my jet lagged travelers did not have to make a single decision this evening – just relax and soak in the experience. The stories and friendships were beginning……

Fabulous evening and a wonderful start to our journey!

Candelaria Design Tour Italy June 2016 - Day 1 - Arrival in Firenze

We are officially off and on our way to Italy as we begin our 13th Candelaria Design Tour Italy! I’m currently typing over the English Channel as we are beginning our descent into Brussels, Belgium. Yes, the very airport that was bombed just a few months ago. Our flight is full with people from all over the world off starting vacations, visiting friends and family, and/or conducting business. The world and life keeps moving despite those who choose to put their time and efforts towards fear and destruction.

I love this trip especially when I get to introduce some newbies to the experience of travel. I have a couple first timers to Europe and Italy which is the best. Watching their eyes and expressions as we arrive in Firenze and come upon the Duomo for the first time.

We have a wonderful group for our June trip. I have travelers from Baltimore on the East Coast to Santa Monica and Long Beach on the West Coast, clients and wonderful friends from Coeur d’Alene, a traveler from Minneapolis and of course a crew from Scottsdale. I have three repeat travelers and so 14 travelers in total. Some of my repeat travelers are enjoying their fifth and third trips!

Diane and John Whittaker joining us from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Martha and Philip Weiner joining us from Baltimore

So what adventures will we be embarking upon on this trip. Eleven women and three men….. geez, story of my life…. I guess that’s not a bad problem to have. What I love most though, is my time here with Isabel, especially with this year’s trip finishing at Lake Como and the spectacular five star, Villa d’Este – the spot where we said our vows three years ago. Isabel is my driver and I’m the navigator. So get ready for some fun and of course beauty as Italy is just spectacular.

Follow our journey right here on my blog as I will do my best to post every day. You can virtually, take a virtual tour. We will be posting a lot of pictures and videos here, on You Tube, Facebook and Instagram so you can enjoy. I am very excited to start another trip with this group. I’m sensing some good times ahead for sure.

Here is our basic itinerary so join us on our adventure:

June 1st Departure from Phoenix

June 2nd Arrival in Firenze with dinner at the picturesque Villa Ste Michele

June 3rd A day in Firenze with dinner in front of the Duomo

June 4th Drive to Umbria with a stop at the Prada Outlet then our welcome dinner at the Farmhouse.

June 5th Sunday Brunch at Villa Piazzano then off to the antique fair in Arezzo followed by dinner and the evening in Cortona.

June 6th Assisi

June 7th Wine tour of the Banfi Winery near Montalcino Tuscany followed by a seven course farm meal at Mimmi’s.

June 8th Farmer’s market in Umbertide followed by antiquing at Lacole then our cooking class at the farmhouse.

June 9th San Gimignano and Siena

June 10th our free day in Umbria and farewell dinner in the farmhouse

June 11th – Drive to Lake Como

June 12th – June 13th Lake Como

June 14th – time to come home......

Welcome to Firenze

Also – check out our Episode 3 of SKETCH – The Artist’s Villa - being released today on The Design Network at www.thedesignnetwork.com  

The Artist's Villa - Episode 3 of SKETCH

 Ok Here we go! 

Memorial Day Weekend and here comes Italy!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!  It’s nice to have the three days – especially right before our 13th Candelaria Design Tour Italy and the busy week we just had.

First, given it is Memorial Day Weekend I want to personally thank those who have given literally “everything” including their lives for our freedom and way of life here in America! There is no measure of the gratitude or understanding we can give those and their surviving families who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

Ok – we have been busy and getting busier that is for sure! Last Sunday, Isabel and I cooked our paella dinner along with Isabel’s special New Mexico Red Chile Butternut Squash Chicken Enchiladas at the Gage Residence we just completed in Arcadia Silverleaf. I wrote in our blog last weekend of why this client and project is so special and Sunday night’s evening only further confirmed that! With Editors Michael Hiatt from Scottsdale Modern Luxury Magazine and Adrienne Honing from LUXE Magazine in attendance in addition to stylist and fashionista extraordinaire, Oscar De LaSalas, Isabel and I had to be on our A game! Let’s just throw in the SKETCH production crew from Wedgie Creative who filmed the entire evening…..No pressure! Great help from our sous chefs and Project Managers Damon Wake and Kim Schroeder, the dinner was a wonderful success and such a fun evening!!

Project Manager Damon Wake and Isabel serve the Enchiladas

The Gage Gang dining al fresco on the front terrace!

Project Manager Kim Schroeder and Isabel

MC in the Kitchen with he Wedgie Creative film crew. 

Project Architect Meredith Thomson on her way to Beverly Hills for the day!

Then add a quick trip to Beverly Hills on Monday to view a project with a client, we moved through the week to Thursday where our second episode of SKETCH was released – Chateau du Scottsdale https://www.thedesignnetwork.com/episodes/sketch-chateau-de-scottsdale/ . Watch for episode three coming this Thursday, June 2nd as we feature the Artist's Villa! Thanks to Jason Harris and his team at The Design Network for all the love on their network. Check out our blog from earlier this year which gives even more detail behind the story of this fabulous home. http://www.candelariadesign.com/blog-content/2016/1/17/candelaria-design-french-masterpiece-sold

SKETCH - Episode 3 June 2nd - The Artist's Villa

Isabel fixing Aperol Spritzs with Grandpa Don Candelaria

This weekend Isabel and I are spending time with family and working away before we depart on our 13th Candelaria Design Tour Italy this coming Wednesday morning!!! We have a wonderful group of 14 travelers joining us with travelers from coast to coast – Philadelphia to Santa Monica, with travelers from Minneapolis, Spokane, Long Beach and of course Scottsdale and Paradise Valley! We have five repeat travelers and a couple first time to Europe travelers which I love. What a great way to break into traveling than our trip!!!

Ponte Vecchio - Firenze

This year we will travel from all of our starting cities and we will all descend on Firenze arriving Thursday June 2nd. We will spend two fabulous days and evenings in Florence whereupon next Saturday June 4th we will grab our cars and form our convoy to our farmhouse compound in Umbria where our host, Elizabeth Wholey, will be waiting for us with a welcome Umbrian farmer’s dinner.

La Pietra - our farmhouse compound in Umbria

Our Umbrian farmhouse will be our home for a week where we will go on day trips to Arezzo for the antique fair, Cortona, Assisi, Sienna, San Gimignano, not to mention the Banfi Winery http://castellobanfi.com/en/ with a private tour and lunch at the winery by our personal guide Pino Terisi. Throw in a cooking class from Elizabeth and our time in the country should be fabulous.

Grilling in Umbria

After our week in the countryside we will pack up the convoy and make our way across Italy to the foot of the Alps and the Villa d’Este  http://www.villadeste.com on the picturesque Lake Como. How can you finish a trip any better than this?  Of course this is the spot where Isabel and I had our surprise wedding for our travelers on our 10th Anniversary Tour the day after singer/songwriter John Legend had his wedding to model Chrissy Teigen in the very spot Isabel and I tied the knot the next day! http://www.candelariadesign.com/blog-content/2013/09/candelaria-design-tour-italy-day-13.html?rq=Wedding So it’s very special place for us.

Wedding day on Lake Como - September 16, 2013

Follow our journey right here on our Candelaria Design Blog as I will do my best to post a blog each day and of course we will add plenty on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Basically, you can go on a two week virtual trip through Italy with us!

Now if you really want to go for it, I suggest you join us on our September 2017 Candelaria Design Tour Italy as we will follow the same itinerary only with a finish in Venice!!!! Half of the spots for this trip are already filled so don’t wait long as I always seem to fill it up once our current trip starts! We have an amazing trip planned and how can you beat Venice in mid September.

Our first Candelaria Design Tour Spain trip set for June 2017 is already filled and SOLD OUT. So follow along on that trip as I will be co-hosting the trip with famed local chef, Eddie Matney, of Eddie’s House http://eddieshouseaz.com. This should be a fantastic tour starting in Barcelona, a week in the Rioja region of Spain, and then finishing in style in San Sebastian with Eddie cooking his way through Spain and me doing my best to keep up!

Photo by April Bennett - Souls Image Photography

Have a great weekend and week everyone and we will see you in Italy! Ciao.

Celebration of a Candelaria Design - Earth and Images Collaboration

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend and enjoying the fantastic weather! Thanks for all the views of our premiere Episode 1 of Season 2 of SKETCH this week on www.thedesignnetwork.com/series/sketch/  and thanks to all of you who came to our SKETCH Premiere Happy Hour! This Thursday on May 26th the Design Network will release Episode 2 Chateau de Scottsdale which will feature our French Chateau design in Arcadia and the story of its creation and execution.

So today we will be busy, blogging this morning, then drawing, then it’s off to the market as Isabel and I along with Damon Wake from our office and Kim Schroeder from Isabel’s studio will be assisting us as we make paella for 20 as we christen a beautiful Transitional Style collaboration of Candelaria Design and Earth and Images. We are so excited about this evening and this project because of the special clients and family that this is the home for – Matt and Jennifer Gage!

The design of this home started with Matt and Jennifer coming in to see me and discuss their project. Their lot was pie shaped, a wedge, but was the first lot and home you would see as you came into Arcadia Silverleaf. They wanted a family home and so we placed the master wing on one side of the wedge and the children’s rooms, Kitchen, and family spaces on the other side of the wedge with a courtyard between that then transitions to the pool once you pass a portal and then after the cabana you finish with a small playyard – all on axis through the center of the wedge!

The design basically allowed us to create a village wrapped around the center courtyard all on axis with the Entry. The Entry brings you in and takes your right back out into the courtyard. The stair tower takes you up and crosses the axis to the Office and Exercise Room on the second level.

Inspired by this initial design, Isabel working with Jennifer, took the Spanish Colonial exterior and brought in a modern, Transitional style interior that gives the home a crisp freshness combined with sophistication. I love it and it totally captures the vibe and feel of the client and their family. It is a family home for sure but yet allows Matt and Jennifer to entertain in style. What fun Isabel and I had working together on this home including a drywall picnic we shared when the two of us took a Saturday and laid out all of the wall paneling.

Of course the design of this home is just part of this story…. Our friendship that has come from this project is the real story. Matt and Jennifer are amazing people and inspire Isabel and I every day! Last year we were blessed to work with Jennifer on her personal project and charity, Gigi’s Playhouse http://www.candelariadesign.com/blog-content/2014/12/gigis-playhouse-coming-to-scottsdale-in.html?rq=gigi.

While during the course of the same year Matt and Jennifer joined us on our Candelaria Design Tour Italy where our friendship just furthered. We have so much fun with these two and of course as always, life is busy and there is never enough time between family and work to spend as much time with these two as we would like to.

Tonight however, Isabel and I will have a chance to say thank you for the this wonderful project, but more importantly for the creation of our new friendship, as we prepare paella for their friends and family along with the editors of LUXE Magazine and Scottsdale Modern Luxury Magazine who will be joining us for the evening! Follow the evening on Instagram and Facebook. We will have the SKETCH film crew on board as this entire story will be featured in Season 3!  I LOVE designing homes and living well!

Season 2 of Sketch Premieres May 19th

This Thursday, May 19th, we will premiere Episode 1 of Season 2 of our show SKETCH on The Design Network www.thedesignnetwork.com/series/sketch/ ! To kick it off we invite you all to a happy hour celebration at our offices starting at 5pm. Please RSVP to Stacey at Stacey@candelariadesign.com if you will be stopping by!

www.thedesignnetwork.com/series/sketch/

We are excited to share our second season with all of you and to be a part of the amazing lineup on The Design Network. Our Season 1 was a big success and with the production team of Ken “Spanky” Moskowitz and his talented team at www.wedgiecreative.com I think you are going to see how he has taken our show to a higher level.

So what is SKETCH about and why are we doing it? First and foremost, video is such a wonderful medium to share our work. The typical method of capturing a project in a half dozen photos that appear on your website or in a magazine never quite capture all the details, the story, or the team that shares and collaborates in the creation of these homes. I wanted a way to do this to really celebrate these homes and the memories that they capture. As I say over and over, “it’s not just about getting a set of plans.” We are creating your home and the place you experience life virtually every day and night of your life. It is such an honor and responsibility to help create a home that truly embodies a clients’ dreams, wishes, and aspirations for living life as fully as possible. Our show SKETCH will hopefully demonstrate our commitment to that experience.

So in Season 2 we have eight episodes! Our first episode premiering on May 19th will feature a beautiful home currently on the cover ofSouthwest Style Magazine.  I originally designed the Texas Hill Country inspired home in 2006 which was constructed by Schultz Development Group www.schultzdevelopment.org and landscaped by http://www.berghoffdesign.com. Well one of my clients who we just completed a remodel-renovation in LaJolla, CA purchased the home and the Candelaria-Schultz team gave it a make over. Along with a dinner celebration where I was co-chef at http://marcellinoristorante.com  where we raised $5k for www.firstfoodbank.org to Chef Marcellino cooking right in the finished home this episode will show you a wonderful makeover of one of my original homes with one of my favorite clients and and the fun we had along the way.

Episode 2 debuting on May 26th will feature probably one of my all-time marquis homes, the French Chateau on Exeter in Arcadia. Built in 2005 by http://nanceconstruction.com and landscaped impeccably by http://www.berghoffdesign.com you will be mesmerized by the footage, including drone footage by Wedgie Creative and the story behind the creation of this home.

Episode 3 debuting on June 2nd, will feature a spectacular hillside European inspired villa we designed in http://desertmountain.com . This home was designed to celebrate the views spanning from 4 peaks and the fountain in Fountain Hills to the Cardinal Stadium in the west. At the same time we were minimizing walls for the views, we needed walls for the beautiful artwork by the client who is an accomplished artist! This home was just completed by http://www.manshipbuilders.com and furnished by Paula Den Boer of http://ashleypdesign.com.

Episode 4 debuting on June 9th, while I’m in Italy on our 13th Candelaria Design Tour Italy, will feature a 20,000+ sf Italian Farmhouse estate we completed a couple of years ago in http://silverleaf.com . Inspired from my journeys to Italy this home has a beautiful elegance masterfully choreographed by Interior Designer David Michael Miller http://davidmichaelmiller.com, landscaped by http://www.berghoffdesign.com, and constructed by http://www.salcito.com .

Episode 5 then moves north for the summer for a three part episode featuring three homes over a span of 12 years I designed in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho! Our first home will debut on June 16th and is in fact the first Candelaria Design Project ever. Started in September 1999 this true log home built by http://edwardssmith.com is a special home with a special story for me. Anyone who spends time in Coeur d’Alene knows the magic of the Stancraft Boats  http://stancraftboats.com and we will feature a ride on one of these floating pieces of art on the water along with a tour of the factory by owner Robb Bloem including John Elway’s boat!

Episode 6 debuting on June 23rd will feature another European inspired home but this time in the mountains overlooking Lake Coeur d’Alene in the beautiful development of https://www.blackrockidaho.com. This home will tell the story of yet another unique relationship with my clients who actually will be on our June 2016 Candelaria Design Tour Italy trip and will just be returning in time to view this episode.

Episode 7 debuting on June 30th will be the last home in our three piece series of the Candelaria Design homes of Coeur d’Alene. This home is mountain elegance at its finest. On the shores of Hayden Lake this home built by http://www.rosenbergerhomes.com with custom lighting design bymy good friend Walter Spitz at http://cdltg.com takes living on the lake to a whole new level. We finish this episode with dinner at http://www.angelosristorante.net/home.htm where I bring all three Coeur d’Alene clients over a span of 12 years together for a fabulous celebration and dinner!

Finally, Episode 8 will debut on July 7th. This episode will recap Season 2 and give you a peek at Season 3!  From blasting away on Camelback Mountain, to making pizzas in a 10,000 sf villa in the middle of a farm field in Yuma,  to going subterranean with the new 35,000 square foot Colten Cowell Crime Fighting Cave https://coltencowellfoundation.org we will tease you with some of the spectacular homes and stories that will delight you in Season 3.

Ok – so how is that for Season 2?!?! Catch up on Season 1 right here at https://www.thedesignnetwork.com/series/sketch/ . Season 3 is in production along with a series we will film this fall of our 14th Candelaria Design Tour Italy as the crew of Wedgie Creative will follow and film the entire tour from Florence, through Umbria and Tuscany, finishing on Positano and Capri and the Amalfi Coast. Follow our 13th Candelaria Design Tour Italy as we depart on June 1st. More to come on that trip next week! Have a great week everyone and let me know what you think of SKETCH!

Happy Mother's Day from Arcadia

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there and a special prayer to all of you who no longer have your mother. I have several friends this year spending this day without their mother on Mother’s Day for the first time….I cannot even imagine life without the one person on earth who loves you unconditionally. I love you Mom – it was her love of homes and architecture that compelled her to drag me around model homes when I was a kid and I’m sure had a great influence on me becoming an architect. She always loved my drawings and my Lego models and today I’m still drawings away and the Lego models are actual homes that people live, cook and celebrate life in.

And with that I segue to a fun blog for Mother’s Day written by one of my associates who is an amazing architect, Meredith Thomson. She has been with me now for several years and is most definitely a rising star in our firm. Exceptionally talented, a true artist, and a delightful and articulate, Meredith embodies our philosophy and values here at Candelaria Design. Her blog is about a home designed by the team of Candelaria Design and Berghoff Design and being built by Vista General all orchestrated by the talents of Meredith Thomson. I hope you enjoy this story – and Happy Mother’s Day!

Candelaria Design Architect, Meredith Thomson at her Modern Farmhouse creation in Arcadia.

My family moved to the Arcadia area in 1982 when I was 2 years old.  I grew up climbing the citrus trees, riding my bike through the ranch house lined streets and visiting the snack shop at Kaibab during t-ball games.  I loved it. It was the perfect environment for a child to grow up in.  

Since then there has been a lot of change.  I can still remember as an 8 year old threatening to chain myself to the orange trees they eventually removed from the last standing orchard to make way for a new development. How could they do this to my playground!  When I moved away in 1998 I continued to watch the change from afar; seeing something new in the neighborhood with every visit back.  Most people when they return home as adults comment on how small everything is compared to what they remember but I had the opposite reaction- everything was bigger. Especially the homes!  But what had not changed was the sense of community. As some families moved away, new ones moved in. New kids were riding their bikes in the streets, community parades were still being organized over the holidays, family barbeques were being had. It was still the much loved neighborhood I remembered as child- just with a facelift.

What I gained from my time working New York and San Francisco as an architect was a respect for proportion, symmetry, flow, attention to detail, use of light in space and a love for traditional precedents that can incorporate a modern vision.  When I moved back to Arizona I was so excited to apply this practice to a place I still feel deeply connected to and love. I was so excited to join the Candelaria team because I know they applied the same goals and values to their projects .

When I was asked to help design a new house at 56th and Exeter I was thrilled. The property has a special place in my heart since I grew up only a few blocks away. I used to steal tangerines from the trees in the yard and the lit up star raised on the property's flagpole always marked the beginning of the holiday season. To add to it,  I would be working with Vista General and Berghoff Design Group. Not only are they both a dream team to work with but they share the same respect for design as we do. The attention to detail, thoughtfulness when laying out the plan, and overall teamwork that went into this house is something I am proud to be a part of. Plus the design is very cool and something fresh for Arcadia!  We were inspired by what Im calling "modern farmhouse". Details are refined and traditional in nature, but with a nod to modern.  Each room gets a lot of natural light. The "U" shape plan creates an intimate backyard for the residents.  And the massing was situated in such a way as to buffer the property from the traffic on 56th street.  We even plan to keep as many original orange trees as possible. Something the 8 year old in me appreciates.  The home is nearly complete and I know it will be a timeless and gorgeous home. A home I would have loved to have grown up in.

It took me some time to accept the change happening in Arcadia and I’ve grown to recognize change isn't always bad. And as sad as I am to see some of the old ranch homes go, I’m happy to be part of a team that responds to change with well thought out, beautiful design.  I’m happy to help support and be involved in a community that I will always lovingly and nostalgically call my home.

By the way Happy Mother’s Day Mom and thank you!!!

Meredith Thomson, Architect

Candelaria Design

Spring 2016 Highpoint Market

Highpoint Market

Isabel and I try to make it to the Market in Highpoint, North Carolina at least once a year. But it had been a couple years and so we were eager to go and catch up on the latest trends. We also brought my partner, Evelyn Jung, who has been working with The Design Network for several years to get our show, SKETCH, off the ground. 

Evelyn Jung, MC and Isabel

We were also excited to be going to celebrate the kick-off to the new Spring Season of The Design Network and the launch of their new app on the new Apple TV. I encourage you to pick up an Apple TV box at the Apple Store and get connected. In addition to the fantastic content on The Design Network, there are so many other apps, networks, games, etc. that all allow you the user to interact and interface. The Design Network is no exception!

Evelyn, Is and MC

So, I would venture to say I am probably the only architect at the market every year….or so it seems. I have been to three markets now and I have yet to meet a fellow architect. So why do I go? Well of course, my wife Isabel is a designer and has her own store, Earth and Images, and she goes to restock, and select and shop for items for her clients and customers. I like to go for several reasons.

First, I love the South…. If you read my blog from a little over a month ago we were in Atlanta, and last year New Orleans. I love the Southern hospitality but most of all the Southern Cuisine and North Carolina has some amazing barbecue – my favorite being the the Midwood Smokehouse in Charlotte.

Combo Platter at Midwood Smokehouse

Second, I like seeing the trends in furnishing and where the colors, texture, scale, but most importantly, the style is going! I loved what I saw this year. Definitely a lot more of a sophisticated style starting to emerge. The rustic, industrial look seems to be losing a bit of its novelty and newness – although still very prevalent. I love understanding what is coming in terms of furniture and accessories as it give me a real clue as how to craft the spaces around these items.

Jean-Louis Deniot at Baker

Third, and probably most importantly, I love the time with my Isabel. We have fond memories of coming to Highpoint and our time and friends we have now made here – especially those from The Design Network, namely Jason and Jenny Harris and their entire team who now are simply family to Isabel and I.

It’s a real honor to be a part of The Design Network and we are so excited to kick of our second season of SKETCH with our premiere on May 19th!  We have eight episodes coming from homes in Arcadia and Scottsdale to three beautiful mountain homes in Coeur d’Alene including my first Candelaria Design project ever! I hope you download the Apple TV app or watch us on the website.

So back to the Market. Isabel and I put together this fun video of our trip this year and some of the celebrity designers we ran into including Alexa Hampton, Brooke Gomez, Mary McDonald, Thom Filicia, and Peter Sinnott. 

Isabel, Alexa, and MC at Hickory Chair

Brooke Gomes and MC at Hickory Chair

New York Designer and TDN Star Thom Filicia at the TDN Season Kickoff Party

Isabel, Mary McDonald and MC at Chaddock

Peter Sinnott and Sarah Kennedy Dolce at Chaddock

Isabel, Satya Tiwari President at Surya, and MC

As I mentioned earlier, we spotted 6 hot trends and here they are:

Hightop Table and stools at Four Hands

1.   Community Hightop Tables: Definitely an item we are noticing in many of our homes. From more industrial style to now more refined and sophisticated styles, the community table seems to be taking hold in our homes. Originally the hightop community tables were big in restaurants and bars but I think so many of us love them that we have now started incorporating them in our homes. I see these pieces occupy that no man land between the Kitchen Island and the Family Room or outside on the patio to help link that inside outside connection especially with all of the indoor / outdoor bars we are now doing.

2.   Architectural Graphics: We noticed the use of architectural graphics and drawings on a number of products from whole wall panels and backdrops to pillow and chairs.

3.   Portable Bars: I like this trend. Take that bar with you wherever you go!

Portable bar at Four Hands

4. Indoor Ventless Alcohol Fireplaces and Firepits: These are very cool - now you can have the fire and not worry about the chimney! Check out this line from Brown Jordon Fires. 

5.   Sophistication is Back: We noticed definitely a lot more sophistication in all of the showrooms. I think the milleniums are growing up.

Baker Showroom 

Eloquence Showroom

6.   Color: I tended to notice a lot more blue and creams. The orange from a couple years ago seems to have already faded.

My favorite showroom on the trip was Eloquence. Wow – what a cool place for sure. French sourced and inspired this showroom definitely caught my attention. Clean, elegant and definitely sophisticated but with a sense of casualness and country to the line.

Overall a really fun trip – fabulous showrooms, food, cocktails parties, dancing, and always new friendships. I look forward to returning – maybe this Fall!

Congrats to Our Client, Charles Keller!

Ok - I don't write every blog. Today's blog is written by one of our talented Team Director/ Project Manger's, Tim Mathewson! 

Regular readers of this blog will know that we are very fortunate to work with amazing clients on some incredible projects.  One of those unique projects is our design for the new headquarters for the Colten Cowell Foundation, founded by Charles Keller.  The campus will be located at an un-disclosed location in Gotham City (central Phoenix), but more on that later!  

Having been successful in his career, Charles Keller wanted to find a way to give back to the community.  Knowing that he cannot cure diseases or develop the latest vaccines, Charles decided to focus on what he knew he could do, make people smile.  The mission of the Colten Cowell Foundation is to bring joy to a child or family in distress and Charles brings tremendous energy and enthusiasm into this work.  The Colten Cowell Foundation works with local and national charities who nominate a deserving child and their family to have a night filled with fun and adventure.  This may not free them of the battle they face fighting their ailment, but it gives the child and their family a few hours of fun and a memory that will last forever.  As a way to show the children that giving back can be fun, at the conclusion of the evening the honored child presents over-sized Publisher’s Clearing House-style checks to the nominating charity and another charity of the families choosing so that they can focus on their mission instead of fundraising.

Charles got started on this mission back in 2009.  He and his two young boys all shared a love of the 1966 Batman television shows soo much that he decided to purchase a replica Batmobile.  Wanting to share this prized possession with others, Charles reached out to local charities with an idea.  Knowing that having just one child with a chronic disease can have an emotional and financial effect on the entire family, Charles would show up in the Batmobile with Santa Claus for pictures and rides around the block.  This would be a total surprise to the children and provided a few hours of fun, plus a memory that would last forever. 

It was at one of these events that Charles’ life would be changed forever.  Charles had found out that a 3 year old little boy named Colten Cowell had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Time being of the essence, Charles and Santa paid a visit to Colten and his family to try to give them a happy memory.  Charles decided to give Colten’s dad Earl the keys to the Batmobile so that father and son could share in this special memory.  When they came around the corner, Colten had a huge smile on his face and gave the sign for more.  Even though he was very sick, after several laps, Colten was grinning from ear to ear and Earl was in tears of joy.  Charles realized from this experience that this was the work he had been destined to do and he named the foundation in Colten’s memory. Charles continued with this work and was satisfied that he was making a positive difference in these families lives.  At another one of these events, Charles met a little boy who refused to go for a ride in the Batmobile unless it was going back to the Batcave.  This event put us all on the trajectory that we now find ourselves. 

Based on that child’s wish and Charles’ desire to expand the Superhero experience, Charles set forth to construct a replica Batcave based on the 1966 television series using the means and methods at his disposal.  With a crack team of tinkerers and craftspeople, Charles did just that in a 5,000 square foot rented warehouse building in central Phoenix.  This has been the home of the Colten Cowell Foundation ever since.  As of this post, 210 families have been celebrated at what is now called “The Colten Cowell Crime-Fighting Cave.”  439 grants have been awarded to various charities, totaling $716,000.  The impact of families and the community at large has been enormous.

These accomplishments alone would be considered a job well-done in and of themselves, but Charles is determined to do more.  Two years ago, Charles came to visit Mark Candelaria, who had done the remodel plans for his personal residence, and asked Candelaria Design to head the team in designing a new permanent home for the foundation on a 5 acre parcel of land in Phoenix across the street from Esteban Park.  Of course, we jumped at the opportunity as Charles is the type of client we especially love to work with.  His two guiding principles for the design were to create a world-class facility that can help more people than the current building.  No idea is too far out of the box for Charles if it will improve the experience of the honored guest.  This is music to our ears.  In addition to administrative offices for the day-to-day operation of the foundation, the building will house the new and improved “Colten Cowell Crime-Fighting Cave”.  Many of the features of the cave are Top-Secret, but keep your eye out for the Batmobile, BatCycle, or Batcopter.  The designs are almost complete and the ground-breaking on this 32,000 square foot cave will be in the summer of 2016.  Check back for future blog posts detailing the designs and updates on the project.

To top this all off, this week Mark and I had the honor of attending the 11th Annual Golden Rule Awards Banquet put on by the Arizona Interfaith Movement where Charles Keller was presented with their 2016 Humanitarian Award.  I know first-hand the good work that he and his team do for the community and I am very proud to know him and be able to work on this amazing project.  It was a wonderful event showcasing the good that can come from when people from every faith and background come together in peace to make this world a better place.

We are so excited to be a part of this project and endeavor! And stay tuned for opportunities on how the Design and Construction community and anyone else interested can contribute to this legacy project!