I’ll never forget rushing to the Park Theater in LaFayette to see “Cinema Paradiso” on its last weekend performance. The Streamline Moderne mainstay of downtown LaFayette was one of my favorite single-screen theaters in the state. Watching it lie vacant for more than a decade while investors fought over its future use—only to have all plans scrapped in the end—has been heartbreaking. And I don’t even live in the city.

Super Bowl season is coming up fast. The final ten teams have emerged, and although the Raiders aren’t going to feature in the playoffs (too soon?), there are still a lot of fantastic games in store for football fans. If you’re of a mind to entertain at home, a custom-designed man cave complete with entertainment center, built-in bar, and all the bells and whistles will be just the place to watch the games unfold.

The new year always comes with new trends—whether in fashion, food, decor, or design, the movers and shakers of our society love to predict what will be popular when the new year hits. The Bay Area is no exception—in fact, some say design trends start in San Francisco and move outward to the rest of the country.

Some key trends tend to bridge the gap between industries. Velvet clothing, for instance, has grown so popular in fall 2016 that it’s now predicted by Zillow Digs to be a prominent feature in interior design this coming year. 2017 is ringing in new trends in color, texture, and general aesthetic that will undoubtedly heavily influence home design. Here are some ideas for how you can infuse your new custom cabinetry design with trending and classic elements to create a look that’s perfect for your home.

There’s nothing like having family home for the holidays to make you really notice all the home improvement projects you never quite got around to this year. Between crazy road work on Tassajara (which is finally ending) and the massive fire scare the area endured this year, it may have been difficult to find the motivation to get larger projects started. However, the holidays are the perfect time to step back and take a look at how your family uses your space, and dream up ways it can be improved.

A lot of the country sees Bay Area residents as tech-savvy nerds. And that’s often true. But we’re also huge sports fans. I can’t go into any client’s house without getting into a conversation about whether the Giants will continue their even-year streak, the Sharks will get into the Finals, the A’s will rebuild, the 49ers will get back to the playoffs, or, of course, whether the Warriors will even lose a game next year.

Once, when I was working in Walnut Creek, a friend explained that there are truly several versions of the city. There is the natural beauty that rings the town, encompassing Mt. Diablo and miles of hiking trails. There is the gorgeous downtown area, with the man-made beauty of stunning shopping centers and unique architecture. And then there are the homes on quiet streets that leave you with a sense of rural tranquility. As you travel about, you might feel like you’re in several different Walnut Creeks. In fact, this is one of the great appeals of the place. You have so many options.