Where to Celebrate Black History Month in Sonoma County

By Lonnie Hayes
Dorian Bartley plays the upright bass while she sings vintage classics during the Vintage Jazz and Blues Concert at the Petaluma Museum. Bartley will perform Friday with her vintage jazz and blues group The doRiaN Mode as part of the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum’s Black History Month celebration.

Black History Month starts Wednesday and continues throughout February. Across Sonoma County, community organizations, public libraries, musicians, artists and others will host performances, discussions, celebrations and more to highlight Black history and culture, including the impact of Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday was celebrated Jan. 15.

From jazz and drumming performances to a discussion with Black artists at the Museum of Sonoma County, there are many ways to get involved and celebrate Black History Month.

Feb. 2 and Feb. 10

Sonoma County Library will host an enrichment program, “Hip Hop for Change: Theory of Hip Hop Evolution, Music and Culture.” The program is geared to teens (grades 7 to 12) and includes live and interactive presentations around both historic and modern examples of hip-hop’s principles. Learn about the connection between peace, love, unity and hip-hop. More information at bit.ly/3Y13Nyv.

The premiere of this event will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Rincon Valley Regional Library, 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa, 707-537-0162.

An additional presentation will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Sebastopol Regional Library, 7140 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, 707-823-7691.

Feb. 3

As part of its Black History Month celebration, the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum will host a concert by local vintage jazz and blues group The doRiaN Mode. Bob Johns plays piano/trumpet, with David Scott on saxophone and flute, Tony Blake on drums and Dorian Bartley on bass and vocals.

According to the museum’s website, Bartley formed the group in 2013 to explore the roots of jazz. Born in Detroit to an African American father and white mother, she “grew up in a family that valued music as an expression of art, identity and politics. She loves jazz and its balance between creative freedom and structure, the fun of swing and phrasing.”

7 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $35 for downstairs and $40 for balcony seating. 20 Fourth St., Petaluma. More information and tickets at bit.ly/3Gy7uEU.

Feb. 4, 11 and 18

Sonoma County Library will celebrate Black History Month at a handful of libraries with an African Music and Arts Village. This event is family-friendly and interactive and will highlight the cultural traditions of South Africa. Baba Shibambo will share indigenous music and generational stories.

The premiere of this event will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 4, Feb. 4, at the Rincon Valley Regional Library, 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa, 707-537-0162. More information is at bit.ly/3Dhu3wr. Additional events are:

  • 11 a.m. to noon Feb. 11 at the Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Piper St., Healdsburg, 707-433-3772.
  • 11 a.m. to noon Feb. 18 at the Northwest Santa Rosa Library, 150 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa, 707-546-2265.
  • 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 W. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-996-5217.
Feb. 7

Join in memorializing King and his legacy with Sonoma State University’s HUB Cultural Center walk to the memorial at the SSU Lakes. The walk honors King’s commitment to nonviolent social justice and his work for legal equality for Black Americans. It is recommended to meet with the HUB staff outside of SSU’s Student Center at noon for the walk to the Lakes or meet at the Lakes shortly after. For more information, email austindi@sonoma.edu. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park.

Feb. 12

From 2 to 3 p.m., join in a discussion and screening of the recording “How to Have Difficult Discussions About Race” at the Cloverdale Regional Library, 401 N. Cloverdale Blvd., 707-894-5271. This screening is suitable for ages 12 and up and is aimed at helping people gain confidence in discussing race while promoting equity and inclusion. More information at bit.ly/3JibU5L.

An additional screening of the recording will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 W. Napa St., Sonoma, 707-996-5217. More information at bit.ly/3XWfW84.

Feb. 18 and 25

Sonoma County Library is hosting Afro-Peruvian dance performances at several libraries throughout the month:

  • 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Rohnert Park Cotati Regional Library, 6250 Lynne Conde Way, Rohnert Park, 707-584-9121. More information at bit.ly/3HEnJlA.
  • 11 a.m. to noon Feb. 25 (with a focus on a drumming workshop) at the Northwest Santa Rosa Library, 150 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa. More information at 707-546-2265 and bit.ly/3XJJ96i.
  • 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 25 (with a focus on a drumming workshop) at the Central Santa Rosa Library, 211 E. St., Santa Rosa. More information at 707-308-3020 and bit.ly/3Hee2sy.
Feb. 18

“Black to the Future,” an event featuring musicians of color and community speakers on two stages, will take place from 5:30 to 11:40 p.m. at HopMonk in Sebastopol. A free outdoor show from 5:30 to 8 p.m. will feature artists Aduio Angel, Simone Mosely and Crumb Dread, followed by a ticketed show from 9 to 11:40 p.m. with artists Kayatta, Erica Amrbin and D. square. Proceeds will go toward the Black Student Union at the Santa Rosa Junior College. Purchase tickets for the second show at wl.seetickets.us/HopMonkSebastopol. 230 Petaluma Ave, Sebastopol, 707-829-7300.

Feb. 18

A community town hall at SSU, “Amplifying Black Voices in Sonoma County,” aims to create a welcoming space for discussion between Black students, staff and faculty, as well as Black community members in Sonoma County. The event at Stevenson Hall 1400 on SSU’s campus will provide room for listening, learning and sharing experiences. Following the event, attendees can enjoy refreshments and appetizers. For more information, email austindi@sonoma.edu. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park.

Feb. 19

The Museum of Sonoma County and Petaluma Blacks for Community Development will host a discussion with contemporary Black artists about their work, especially the theme of resistance in their art. Sonoma County metal artist Denise Ward will moderate the talk with artists Unity Lewis, Michael Granville, TheArthur Wright and BAMR The Artist. Tickets: $10, or $5 for museum members. For more information, go to bit.ly/3kbT7P2.

Feb. 25

Healdsburg Jazz will celebrate Black History Month with a concert featuring Terrie Odabi’s Blues of Resistance at the Raven Theater, starting at 6:30 p.m. The event will entail a presentation led by Healdsburg Jazz’s Artistic Director Marcus Shelby, titled “Soul of the Movement: Meditations on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” followed by a concert with vocalist Odabi accompanied by her band. General admission is $30 and student admission is $15. Purchase tickets at bit.ly/3DcDqh2. 115 N. St., Healdsburg, 707-433-6335.

Feb. 28

Sonoma County Library will host a virtual discussion with acclaimed author Sadeqa Johnson about her latest novel, “The House of Eve,” from 1 to 2 p.m. The coming-of-age story touches on themes of race, motherhood and sacrifice. To register for the online talk, visit libraryc.org/sonomalibrary/24211/register.

Feb. 28

The first Black Joy Fest at SSU aims to “promote unity on campus, celebrate the journey and progression of Black history, as well as engage in cross-cultural exchange.”

Visit the celebration from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Seawolf Plaza on the SSU campus. For more information, email gomezs@sonoma.edu or go to bit.ly/3CCm6BV. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park.

Throughout the month

At any time, explore literature by Black authors or literature centering around race and culture. The Sonoma County Library has curated a list of novels, audiobooks and more at sonomalibrary.org/blogs/news/black-history-month-2023.

Exciting New Hotel Offerings in Sonoma County

By Dana Rebmann
A vintage fireplace with a view at Jenner’s Timber Cove Resort. (Timber Cove Resort)

Sonoma County hotels continue to roll out new experiences and offerings. From winemaker dinners to hot tubs in the redwoods to weeklong tours, here’s what you need to know about the local hotel scene right now. Click through the above gallery for a peek at the properties.

A new dining experience

Winter brings fewer crowds and new experiences along the Sonoma Coast.

Timber Cove Resort’s restaurant, Coast Kitchen, is launching a series of monthly winemaker dinners. Each four-course dinner menu will be paired with featured local wines. Upcoming winemaker dinners include RAEN Winery in February, and Small Vines Winery in March. Tickets are $150 per person and reservations can be made by calling 707-847-3231.

Weekend guests at the resort have another incentive to slow down and enjoy winter sunsets along the coast. The weekly Cheers to the Sunset experience takes place every Saturday and includes a complimentary champagne toast for all guests.

21780 Highway 1 Jenner, 707-847-3231, timbercoveresort.com

Two Airstreams at AutoCamp in Guerneville now feature outdoor, wood-fired hot tubs. (AutoCamp Russian River)

A new way to relax in the redwoods

Glamping in Guerneville just got a little more glamourous. Two of the sleek Airstreams at AutoCamp now feature outdoor, wood-fired hot tubs big enough for two to three people. Redwood Suites also boast a queen size bed, a sofa that converts into a full size bed, full bathroom, well-stocked kitchen and a patio with fire pit. Rates start at $329.

4120 Old Cazadero Road, Guerneville, 888-405-7553, autocamp.com

New excursions

Through the end of March, guests at Montage Healdsburg can go fungi foraging with a Sonoma County mycologist — better known as an expert mushroom-hunter. The two-hour Mushroom Foray experience (offered in partnership with Adventure IO) includes a guided forage and hike, a foraging pocketbook, a bottle of wine, mushroom-themed snacks and a gift bag. $699 for two people.

100 Montage Way, Healdsburg, 707-979-9000, montagehotels.com

Guests at Montage Healdsburg can learn how to safely forage for mushrooms in Sonoma County. (Courtesy of Fabian Wiktor)

A new kind of tour

The Astro in Santa Rosa is launching weeklong tours of Sonoma County. Astro Adventures will introduce participants to local wine, beer, spirits, food and more. The inaugural adventure, set for mid-February, focuses on wine; a spirits tour follows at the end of the month, and two beer tours are on tap for late-March and early April. The $1599 per person tour charge (taxes included) covers lodging at the midcentury motor lodge, several meals at Astro’s sister restaurant, The Spinster Sisters, tasting fees, transportation and some goodies to bring home. Tours are being kept small, ranging from 10 to 20 people.

323 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, 707-200-4655, theastro.com

9 Best Winter Spa Experiences in Sonoma County

By Dana Rebmann
The Vi La Vita spa at Vintners Resort in Santa Rosa. (Vintners Resort)

Northern California may be sunnier than many places in winter, but that doesn’t mean we don’t get our fair share of rain, gray skies and gloomy weather. While we can’t do anything about the dampness and the cold, we can take steps to pamper ourselves a little extra this time of year. From a cozy cedar enzyme bath to a relaxing vegan body wrap, a trip to the spa can make you feel all warm inside, regardless of the weather outside. Click through the above gallery for some of our favorite winter spa experiences in Sonoma County.

Everything You Need to Know About Santa Rosa’s New Airport Restaurant

By Heather Irwin
Initial renderings of proposed remodels at Flying Ace Kitchen + Taproom restaurant at the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport. (Images provided by SSP America)

Since the recent closure of Sky Lounge restaurant at the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, there’s been plenty of buzz about the new tenants, SSP America, and their plans.

The 15-year-old Sky Lounge, owned locally by Jim Goff, changed hands in early January after a competitive bidding process awarded the contract to SSP.

The new restaurant will be called Flying Ace Kitchen + Taproom, a nod to Schulz’s “World War I Flying Ace” Snoopy (who frequently fought the Red Baron from his doghouse in the “Peanuts” cartoons), according to SSP representatives.

The global company develops and operates airport restaurants, including 1300 Fillmore and Union Street Gastropub at San Francisco International Airport and Oakland Draft House at Oakland International Airport.

“We want to create a taste of place and make sure passengers coming in know they’re in the middle of Wine Country,” said Kyle Phillips, Vice President, Concepts & Development at SSP America.

Plans include a major remodel and bringing in a high-profile Bay Area chef to create a new menu. Construction will happen in stages to keep the airport’s only full-service restaurant — currently operating under the name Tap & Pour, also from SSP — open for limited breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Renderings of the new restaurant show an open indoor/outdoor space nearly double the current size. Adjustable glass panels will allow outdoor bar seating, and a revamped patio will have tables and lounge seating around a fire pit.

Phillips added that most of the Sky Lounge staff were offered jobs at the new restaurant.

Chef David Lawrence will create the new menu for the restaurant, focused on local products and dishes. A resident of Sonoma, Lawrence has an extensive culinary background and owned 1300 Fillmore and Black Bark BBQ in San Francisco (both are now closed). In his native London, he worked with the French chefs Albert and Michel Roux at their U.K. restaurants, including Michelin-starred Le Gavroche and the Waterside Inn.

Lawrence’s menu won’t fully debut until the restaurant officially opens (possibly late 2023), but Lawrence has a few dishes he’s planning for the casual pub.

“Fish and chips, done fresh to order,” he said. He also plans to include the signature fried chicken sandwich from his restaurant in San Francisco, adding that sushi — a staple of Sky Lounge — will make an appearance.

“We want to keep people happy and incorporate things that are Sonoma. There’s an ocean right here next to us, and Sonoma is the garden of California because everything grows here,” Lawrence said.

Santa Rosa Ranks Among Top Cities for Cheese Lovers. Here’s Where to Get Some of the Best

By Heather Irwin
JOHN BURGESS / THE PRESS DEMOCRATCheeseboard for a picnic includes, from left, Bay blue from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., St. George from Joe Matos Cheese Factory and Figaro, wrapped in a fig leaf, from Andante Dairy, prepared by Chef Duskie Estes.

Santa Rosa is officially a cheese lover’s paradise. We knew this already, of course, but in case there was any doubt before, we now have a survey from a rather unlikely source to back it up.

A questionably scientific but undoubtedly delicious curd-to-curd survey of 200 U.S. cities by lawn care services company Lawn Starter (yes, you read that right) ranks Santa Rosa a respectable eighth in the country when it comes to cheese access, quality, affordability and community interest.

The judging rubric, according to Lawn Starter, includes the number of cheese factories and plants (Santa Rosa ranks second) in the area, total points for past U.S. Championship Cheese Contest Awards, average per-pound price of cheese and the number of cheese-related events and festivals.

Related: 8 Favorite Cheeses from Sonoma County

The kudos come as no surprise to anyone who’s put together a gourmet cheeseboard in Sonoma County. The North Bay wrote the book (or at least the Cheese Trail Map) on delicious, artisanal cheesemakers along the North Coast, including Sonoma’s Vella Cheese, Sebastopol’s Joe Matos Cheese Factory, along with nearby Bohemian Creamery, Spring Hill Jersey Cheese, Petaluma Creamery, Valley Ford Cheese Co., Bellwether Farms and Wm. Cofield Cheesemakers.

Laura Chenel practically invented goat cheese (not really, but she popularized it with chefs in the 1980s) here in Sonoma County. Cowgirl Creamery, now in Petaluma, brought small-batch sustainable cheeses to the forefront in the late 1990s and continues to produce exceptional cheese.

The list goes on and on, especially when we include our nearby friends in Marin (Marin French Cheese, Point Reyes Farmstead), and our neighbors to the north (Pennyroyal Farm, Cypress Grove).

No matter how you slice it, Sonoma County (and Santa Rosa) have some Edam good cheese, and that’s the whey we like it.

Don’t miss: The annual California Cheese Festival will take place March 24-26 at the Sonoma County Event Center and Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. The event includes a cheese crawl and an artisan cheese tasting and marketplace. For more information and tickets, visit artisancheesefestival.com.

Click through the above gallery for a few favorite cheese from Sonoma County. 

This Modern Hillside Estate in Calistoga Comes with a Lap Pool and Hiking Trail

By Karen Kizer

Fans of modern architecture have something to swoon over in a recently listed Calistoga estate overlooking Knights Valley. The property’s 3,100-square-foot main home is located at 2,200 feet above sea level and features three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, sleek design features and modern amenities throughout.

An 800-square-foot guest house echoes the aesthetic of the main residence and a recently constructed 2.5-mile of hiking trail allows the homeowner to experience the property to its fullest. The estate is listed for $3,995,000. 

Photo by Steven Magner.
Photo by Steven Magner
Photo by Steven Magner.

Steel-framed floor-to-ceiling windows take full advantage of dramatic views from every room. The interior palette veers from “modern white” and goes into deep but peaceful hues: honey-stained wood paneling and paint in shades of greens and grays that blend with the woodsy surroundings.

An open plan layout offers the kind of spacious feel many homebuyers are now craving. A black-bottomed lap pool with a simple concrete surround blends with the surrounding landscape like a naturally occurring pond — if ponds were perfectly rectangle-shaped.

Photo by Steven Magner.
Photo by Steven Magner.

The home is constructed of concrete with spots of Cor-Ten steel siding, which develops a ruddy patina. This gives the building Wabi Sabi design characteristics, wherein transience is embraced and weathered imperfections are prized as authentic and, therefore, beautiful.

Click through the above gallery for a peek at the property.

For more information, contact Bob Pennypacker, Sotheby’s International Realty, 707-799-6032, bobpennypacker.com, sothebysrealty.com, or Eric Ziedrich, 707-495-0118, ericziedrich.com  

A Sleek ADU in Sonoma Fulfills Multigenerational Living Dream

By Karen Kizer

Landscape designer Danielle Dávila recently added a new cedar-clad accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, to the Sonoma home she shares with her husband Salvador Dávila and their two young daughters. The ADU is notable for its beauty and functionality. But to Dávilla, it offers more than just a stylish compact living space. It has allowed her Michigan-based father to move in with the family three to four months out of the year to “winter” in Sonoma. 

Dávila says the multigenerational setup has been healing because she didn’t grow up with her father. Her children love the arrangement, too. Her six-year-old “gets up at 6:30 to go wake grandpa up,” she says.  

The Dávilas’ home sits on a 6000-square-foot lot in a neighborhood just a mile from the Sonoma Plaza. The family now comes together for dinners on the patio between the ADU and the main house. 

The ADU, a partially prefabricated structure, was made by Colorado-based tiny home purveyor Studio Shed. It was flat-shipped in a kit, placed on a prebuilt foundation, and finished on the inside by local carpenters — the Dávilas hired Sonoma-based contractor Carlos Castros. (Studio Shed also offers a DIY option.)

From “conception through construction,” the addition of the ADU took roughly seven months, says Davila. Studio Shed provided assistance throughout the process, from securing the permits to finding contractors to do the finishing work.

Now, Dávila’s father is “living very well in 252 square feet of space,” she says, and adds that it’s surprising how spacious the ADU is. Before her father came to visit, the Davilas hosted a sleepover with four children. With a full bed and a five-foot-long couch, there was plenty of room.  

The ADU’s cedar siding was an important design feature to Dávila and her husband, who also is a landscape architect. They loved its natural color, which inspired more landscaping to integrate the two homes. The Davilas added large concrete “steppers,” with planting in between, and a fountain. They capped off the outdoor dining area with a simple string of lights above. Dávila says the new additions have made them spend more time in their backyard, which she describes as a “jewelry box landscape.”

The ADU’s kitchen is a favorite spot for Davila’s father, who loves the cook. It is outfitted with a dishwasher, an in-mount sink and a compact range and the couple recently installed a backsplash to match the quartz countertops.

Click through the above gallery for a look inside the ADU.

studio-shed.com

Like Seafood? Forthcoming Santa Rosa Restaurant Has It in the Bag

By Heather Irwin
At Bag O’ Crab. (Bag O’ Crab)

Bag ‘o Crab seafood restaurant will soon open a new location in Santa Rosa at the former Steele and Hops location on Mendocino Avenue.

The Fremont-based restaurant chain specializes in seafood boils featuring lobster, crab (Dungeness, King, Snow), crawfish, shrimp, mussels and clams steamed up with a selection of Cajun and Asian seasonings.

 

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Seafood boils are awesomely messy affairs for a crowd as steaming plastic bags filled with seafood, potatoes and corn arrive at the table. To fully enjoy the experience, you’ll need plenty of napkins, bibs and a penchant for eating with your hands.

There’s no word yet on when Bag ‘o Crab will officially open in Santa Rosa, but a sign at the site announces its arrival. The restaurant concept is similar to Simmer Claw Bar, which opened in Rohnert Park in 2020.

Not a seafood lover? The restaurant also serves hot wings, beef short ribs and a chicken po’boy.

The Santa Rosa restaurant will join ten other California locations from Vacaville to Rancho Cucamonga, as well as locations in Oregon, Texas and Washington.

1901 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, bagocrabusa.com.

Healdsburg Couple Transforms 100-Year-Old Cottage Into a Modern Home

By Abigail Peterson
The quality of light from the windows really makes this Healdsburg home its owners say. (Eileen Roche)

From the sunny side of their Healdsburg street, Katrina Schjerbeck and Danny Brennan’s vintage two-bedroom Healdsburg cottage looks freshly updated, with tall windows and a new roof and siding.

But getting to this end result took more than 10 years, as the family completed a series of projects over time. The cottage has grown into an expression of the family’s values. It’s sustainable, handcrafted and modest and no larger or fancier than it needs to be.

Schjerbeck, a jewelry designer and co-owner of Gallery Lulo in Healdsburg, and Brennan, a computer engineer who recently started a line of hot sauce, live in the home with their two sons, Lukas, 13, and Kristian, 9, plus an eager-to-please young pup, Charlie.

The couple met decades ago in Rome through a circle of expat friends. Schjerbeck, whose father was a member of the Danish diplomatic corps, grew up mainly in Africa. Brennan grew up in rural Louisiana. From Europe, the couple moved to New Orleans, where they renovated an older home together.

In 2007, after living in New Orleans through Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, they were open to making a move. On a whim, Schjerbeck visited Healdsburg while in the Bay Area for a jewelry show.

“She came back to New Orleans and said she thought we should move there. And I swear, there was a bottle of wine on the table, and it said Healdsburg on it. And I was just, like, well, that’s fine,” Brennan said, laughing.

Homeowner Katrina Schjerbeck sets the dining table with dog Charlie. The chandelier above the table is a handblown glass design from SkLO Studio. (Eileen Roche)
Katrina Schjerbeck and Danny Brennan filled their home with objects that express their values, from books and ceramics to art. (Eileen Roche)
Katrina Schjerbeck and Danny Brennan filled their home with objects that express their values, from books and ceramics to art. (Eileen Roche)

The perfect cottage

They rented in town for three years before finding their cottage, which is within walking distance of the plaza and Schjerbeck’s gallery.

“It just looked like it was real — these tall, beautiful windows and vintage wood everywhere,” Brennan said. “It reminded me of a 115-year-old house in New Orleans.”

Schjerbeck and Brennan said the circa-1915 cottage was a classic case of good bones and possibility, but conditions inside were rough. The floors were slanted. There was no heat. The foundation was pretty much nonexistent (“it was just sitting on mud,” Brennan said), and at the back of the house, a tacked-on utility room gave the overall layout an off-kilter feel.

They brought out the hammers and saws on Day One, determined to save money and do much of the work themselves, as they had in New Orleans. They hired contractors to do the heavy lifting with the foundation, but they tackled trim, tile and other finish work.

They removed layers of old paint to reveal beautiful original Douglas fir subfloors. “After the war, I think there was just a surplus of army green paint,” Brennan mused. “You’re thinking, that’s gotta be someone throwing it down in the ’50s just because it was free.”

Those first five years were a bit of a whirlwind, with two young children, Brennan’s full-time job, Schjerbeck’s gallery and major renovation projects taking up their free time.

“I remember we were constantly scraping down popcorn ceilings, and we didn’t have a dishwasher for years,” Schjerbeck said. “The house was up on stilts while we did the foundation. You look back and are like, wow, how did you do that?”

“It was less stressful when you had a glass of wine at night,” Brennan joked.

Quality of window light

They’re finally at a stopping point, Schjerbeck and Brennan said, after recently completing a long-awaited new kitchen and adding a new family room and wall of windows looking out to the back garden.

For Schjerbeck, the quality of light from the windows, both vintage original ones and the contemporary window wall in back, make the home. She and Brennan described the look as pared-down and cozy, true to Schjerbeck’s Danish roots.

“We always have music on and little candles in the winter. The kids love those things. And I love freshness. I love cleanness,” Schjerbeck said. She and Brennan have filled the home with ceramics, art and books, especially handmade objects with detailed craftsmanship. They’re not overly precious items, but things the family uses every day.

Katrina Schjerbeck and Danny Brennan did much of the work themselves on their 1915 Healdsburg cottage. (Eileen Roche)
Katrina Schjerbeck and Danny Brennan did much of the work themselves on their 1915 Healdsburg cottage. (Eileen Roche)
Katrina Schjerbeck and Danny Brennan want their sons to remember and appreciate all that went into the renovation of their family home in Healdsburg. (Eileen Roche)
Katrina Schjerbeck and Danny Brennan want their sons to remember and appreciate all that went into the renovation of their family home in Healdsburg. (Eileen Roche)

The most popular place in the home is the kitchen island, used for cooking together, art projects and homework. Schjerbeck loves to bake with the kids, and every Friday is homemade pizza night.

“We’re big into farmers markets, and I’d say 75% of our life on the weekends revolves around food — shopping, prepping, eating,” Brennan said.

Brennan and Schjerbeck said they hope they’ve cemented a love of older homes in their two sons.

“I think it’s going to feel normal to them,” Brennan said. “Like, this is what a building that was built in the 1600s or the 1900s feels like — solidity of the wood, the quality of the light.”

Katrina Schjerbeck and Danny Brennan filled their two-bedroom Healdsburg cottage with art and handmade objects with detailed craftsmanship. (Eileen Roche)
Katrina Schjerbeck and Danny Brennan enjoy a simple aesthetic in their Healdsburg home that includes lots of plants. (Eileen Roche)

Lukas and Kirstian remember the stages of the renovation, and the family often talks about the work they’ve lived through and the projects they still want to complete. The couple want the boys to understand their lives are enriched by the time and effort they’ve invested in the home, and the transformation evolved over time, slowly and sustainably.

“It’s like everything in our lives. We’ve had to do it little by little,” Schjerbeck said. “You grow that way — and you know the foundation’s really strong.”

Gallery Lulo, which Katrina Schjerbeck co-owns with Karen Gilbert of glass art company SkLO Studio, focuses on modern craft and design. The partners carry the work of 40 jewelry makers and fine artists, including many from the Healdsburg area. 303 Center St., Healdsburg. 707-433-7533, gallerylulo.com

Last year, Danny Brennan launched Healdsburg Ferments, offering fermented cayenne pepper hot sauce. healdsburgferments.com

Around Town

Homeowners Katrina Schjerbeck and Danny Brennan say their weekends fall into a relaxed cadence of food shopping and farmers markets. A few of their Healdsburg favorites:

THE PARISH CAFÉ

Schjerbeck’s go-to’s are the fried green tomatoes and eggs Benedict. And the whole family loves that you can sit outside and bring your dog. 60 Mill St., Healdsburg. 707-431-8474, theparishcafe.com

LEVIN AND CO.

They say they can easily spend an hour or two browsing the books and art and listening to jazz on the stereo at this family-owned spot on the plaza, not far from Schjerbeck’s gallery. 306 Center St., Healdsburg. 707-433-1118, levinbooks.com

FIDEAUX

Treats for Charlie at this downtown pet shop with funny toys and beautiful leashes and bandanas. 43 North St., Healdsburg. 707-433-9935, fideaux.net

PRESTON FARM AND WINERY

After a morning in town, it’s a short, scenic drive out to Preston, where the family likes to bring picnics and sit out under the olive trees, and the parents can enjoy a glass of wine. “We love the informality of the place,” says Schjerbeck. 9282 W. Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg. 707-433-3372, prestonfarmandwinery.com