Table of contents for Hearth and Home in Sunset

There’s a totemic reverence for vintage trucks around our offices, a kind of aura that draws us to their simplicity, patina, timelessness. When we put them on the cover, or on social, you seem to agree: more like this, please, we hear. Hey, we aim to please. Their 1968 Ford pickup isn’t the reason Kenya and Taib are front and center for this much-needed Hearth and Home issue, however. They’re emblematic of the new Sunset—a design couple who, yes, run with the Instagram crowd importing like-able Moroccan rugs and who’ve designed their Palm Springs house just so. But key here is that they’re self-made. No silver spoons. No head starts. And when you talk to the couple, a certain timelessness emerges. They’re moving the past forward. Endlessly renewing, regenerating, re-integrating…

When we teamed up with the good people at White Bark Workwear to produce our first official Sunset garden apron we wanted it to be as sustainable and organic as the food we grow. Here’s what went into this ultimate holiday gift for gardeners, available now at shop.sunset.com for just $125. 1. 100 percent organic hemp is super strong, naturally antimicrobial, and produced from regenerative crops.2. Roomy but slim profile utility pockets are gusseted to expand and provide extra space for tools, twine, and garden clippings and other types of yard debris.3. 17 oz. weight fabric is breathable and 30 percent stronger than standard denim.4. Modular utility loops are ready to take on carabiners, glove clips, and other accessories.5. Double needle stitching and reinforced facing ensure that this apron will…

California Strumming FENDER AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL I I STRATOCASTER Made in Corona, California, Fender’s latest American Professional II Stratocaster is updated to be better sounding and more playable than ever, perfect for budding pandemic pickers and pros alike. Plus, the iconic design is an objet d’art worthy of front and center position in your living room. $1,499; FENDER.COM 1. Lounge Leader WOMEN'S LA SIRENA KIMONO Flush with smart features including a cushy terry interior, a champagne pocket, a zip-up dry zone for phones, and a sunglasses loop, this breezy lounger is the ultimate spa-at-home coverall. $148, CALIFORNIACOWBOY.COM 2. Vegan Mitts GORDINI CACHE MIT TEN A brand-new synthetic leather called “CLUTCH” forms the business end of these mittens, while PrimaLoft insulation keeps your digits cozy in the city or on the slopes.…

Potatoes au Gratin with leeks and horseradish “A great alternative to boring mashed potatoes. Perfect with Christmas dinner where the trend has shifted away from turkey to larger beef roasts.” See recipe at sunset.com Mitsuko’s Crabmeat Korroke (Croquette) We use ketchup and mustard to flavor the mashed potato, fold in cooked sweet crab, and lastly add raw white onions for texture. We eat it with tonkatsu sauce, pickled ginger, and a cabbage slaw. 1 lb Yukon Gold potatoes (about 4 medium-sized)¼ cup whole milk1 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)½ tsp ground black pepper (or to taste)2 tsp ketchup½ tsp Dijon-style mustard½ small white onion, sliced very thinly8 oz canned real lump crabmeat1 cup all-purpose flour1 egg1 Tbsp water1.5 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)2 cups canola oil (or other vegetable oil)Cabbage…

A creative compound in Sonoma is the ultimate live-work space for a design-minded family—and the perfect place to hunker down for the holidays Midway between Santa Rosa and Bodega Bay, there’s a swath of forest dotted with fir trees, vintage birdhouses, plantings of medicinal herbs, and other enchanted woodsy things. In the midst of this wonderfully styled wild sits a low-slung house sited just so, with a floor-to-ceiling glazing to frame the manicured lawn and forest beyond, an elegant little pool, and an ever-evolving collection of books, art, furniture, textiles, and, most of all, life. Welcome to the home of Becky Kelso and Dave Kovner, two designers who call this cozy corner of Sonoma County home, along with their daughter, Cleo, and adorable pit bull, Otis. Eternally creative—and iterative—Dave and…

There’s a reason Hollywood stars chose Palm Springs as their go-to getaway: The air was clear, the mountains stunning, and the striking desert compounds offered unparalleled privacy. Today, top-flight restorations sit alongside exciting new developments, making Palm Springs one of the top destinations for SoCal residents fleeing the city—for the weekend or forever. Here are some of our fave spots, with expert picks from local insider Kenya Knight. SHOP 1. Desert Chic Taib and Kenya, our cover stars, run their eclectic and stylish boutique Soukie Modern in downtown Palm Springs. From rugs that really pull the room together to locally sourced antiques, there’s something for everyone’s digs. soukiemodern.com 2.Vintage Vibes If you want to go all-in on mod desert fashion, look no further than iconic contemporary resort wear genius Trina…

Thomas Keller is arguably the most important chef in America, though the humble culinary genius would likely say otherwise. In the middle of a pandemic with restaurants closing left and right, he dropped a gift just when we needed it: The French Laundry, Per Se cookbook, a gorgeous compendium of recipes and stories about how the two sister restaurants operate at the highest level. Here he shares the long view on how we got to this moment in restaurants and food. First things first: what’s your go-to fast-food burger on the road? In-N-Out. When I moved to California in 1992 a wine aficionado in Los Angeles took me to my first In-N-Out in his big Range Rover and said it would be the best hamburger I’d ever had. He brought…

Sustainable Seating NOHO MOVE CHAIR If you’re sold on a seated workstation, consider a chair that doesn’t look like it belongs on the space shuttle. This design-centric solution from B-Corp certified company Noho comes with swappable fabric covers and is made from a proprietary construction technology that allows it to bend organically with your body. Bonus: It’s made from recycled fishing nets and end-of-life carpets. As for the coverings, we’re partial to the “sunset” orange. $375, NOHO.CO…

1. Get Together SUNSET VINTAGE PUZZLES Your favorite vintage Sunset covers, some assembly required. Whether you’re looking for an easy solve or a barn burner, our puzzles make the perfect gift this holiday season. $17.95 TO $19.95 AND UP, SHOP.SUNSET.COM 2. Go Green LET TUCE GROW WITH HALO RING LIGHTS We're big fans of this vertical hydroponic growing solution, and the new add-on lighting system adds months to our harvest window. $348 AND UP, LETTUCEGROW.COM 3. Big Audio Dynamite SONOS ARC HOME THEATER SPEAKER Home theater took on a renewed importance in 2020, as shut-in cinema became the norm. This industry-leading system kicks out big jams, customized for any room. $799, SONOS.COM 4. Get Toasty BALMUDA "THE TOASTER" The handsome Japanese-made toaster alternates pulses of radiant heat with puffs of…

The West is home to the highest mountains in the United States, and we don’t need to tell our readers who live (and bake) thousands of feet above sea level that cakes can fall flat and cookies can burn and pastries dry out if you don’t adjust your recipes and techniques. That’s where the brilliant Mountain Baking cookbook comes in handy. Written by Mimi Council and Kimmy Fasani, the co-owners of Dessert’D Organic Bake Shop in Mammoth Lakes, California, it’s the perfect companion for folks who live in the mountains or are just heading up over 8,000 feet for the holidays and want to do some baking in their vacation rental or home. When at high elevation, check your baked goods at the low end of the time to make…

As L.A. nearly imperceptibly tipped from summer to fall, chef Evan Funke gave the city an early holiday gift: a pop-up restaurant residency in Hollywood inspired by the pizzerias and osterias of Rome. Over the years, Funke has risen to fame as a master of Italian cuisine, most notably with his restaurant Felix in Venice, a transcendent temple to handmade pasta. His new spot in Hollywood, in a romantic little open-air passageway—a mini piazza if you will—is just what Angelenos needed some eight months into a grueling chapter in this city’s history. The restaurant is charmingly, hopefully, called Fingers Crossed. Here he serves his version of Roman food: simple pastas and pizzas and the occasional roast. For our holiday issue he returned to the dish that first drew him acclaim…

MONTANA The Ranch at Rock Creek A sprawling Westworld for well-heeled cowboy wannabes, this rustic showstopper features top-flight fishing and shooting programs and a honkytonk complete with saddles for barstools and a two-lane bowling alley. Pricey, but one-of-a-kind. theranchatrockcreek.com MONTANA Armory Hotel One of our favorite towns in the West, Bozeman is the portal to loads of outdoor recreation in Montana. The Bridger Bowl ski area, Chico and Mammoth Hot Springs, and Yellowstone National Park are all within day-trip distance. And back at the hotel, you’ll find Kimptonstyle interiors wrapped in a historic armory shell. armoryhotelbozeman.com UTAH Washington School House This 12-room hotel dates back to 1889, an era it tries hard to preserve thanks to barnwood floors and its sturdy limestone exterior. If the on-piste aprés scene is too…

1. Work Out, Then Hide Out MONTI KIDS ACTIVITY GYM AND TENT A smart solution from the Montessori set, this activity gym keeps babies engaged and energetic—and then converts into a tent when they’re in full toddler mode. $100 AND UP, MONTIKIDS.COM 2. Carve it Up LANDER SKATEBOARD Made in Los Angeles from reinforced nylon and recycled materials, this ultralight, indestructible skateboard is modeled after the old-school decks of the 1980s. It’s a great way to get started gleaming the cube. $139, LANDER.LA 3. Drive in Dirt VEER WAGON What do you get when you cross a mountain bike with a wagon? It might look something like this tow-and-stow solution perfect for a pair of tots. Thanks to built-in car seat mounts and adjustable add-ons like a cup-holder, it’s the…

NANCY SILVERTON BREAD KNIFE With extra wide serration and a grippy handle, this stunner of a bread knife from Made In Cookware was designed with input from L.A. legend Nancy Silverton. The limited edition version boasts an ivory micarta handle and custom brass rivets. $99–$169, MADEINCOOKWARE.COM SHUN BLONDE KITCHEN KNIVES Shun’s new Japanese-made blonde knife set addresses two common issues: the tightly edited collection’s slimline knife block takes up minimal counter space while the tough but elegant pakkawood handles complement today’s lighter hued kitchen interiors. $350, WILLIAMSSONOMA.COM BENCHMADE TABLE KNIVES Knives tend to follow certain traditions of craftsmanship: There are the precise German blades, exquisite Japanese knives, and so on. This showpiece set, which comes in a magnetic wooden storage case, offers a uniquely American entry. The set includes four…

While big family gatherings aren’t in the cards for you this year, don’t let that stop you from making a celebratory, party-worthy cocktail. Even it’s just you and close family and friends (socially distanced, of course, possibly wearing redand-green-checked face masks tricked out with Rudolph-style noses), few things uplift spirits more than, well, spirits—mixed with seasonal ingredients in a cocktail that looks and tastes like the holidays. These three drinks from Very Merry Cocktails, written by Jessica Strand and photographed by Ren Fuller (who shot much of our recent camping issue), fill the bill perfectly. Since you’ll likely be making these for a smaller group than you might otherwise, be sure to buy the best ingredients possible. Splurge, if you can, on top-shelf bottles, using high-quality crisp, dry sparkling wine,…

1 Delmas 2018 SYRAH The “Rocks District” of Northern Oregon is the only wine growing region in the country with boundaries defined by a single soil type and land structure. Born from rocky soil, the wines often boast 90-point scores or higher. This standout Syrah delivers complexity and minerality—exotic, perfumed, peppery. $75 delmaswines.com 2 Cliff Lede High Fidelity 2017 RED WINE Located in the Stag’s Leap district of Napa, this forward-thinking winery often borrows from rock music to name its wines. This bottling features Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate’s Twin Peaks vineyard and Cabernet Franc from the vineyards of wine luminary David Abreu. $90 ledefamilywines.com 3 Adelsheim Vineyards 2014 BLANC DE BLANCS This pioneering Oregon producer makes a handful of sparkling wines including this chiseled, brioche-forward bottling that…