A special thank you

The unlikely beginning to this column is a dinner conversation I had months ago with an interior designer. Repeated ruminations on our talk about a talented team member on her staff has led me to an increased awareness of the large number of mentors and mentees among Valley design professionals.

Many of the architects, interior designers, landscape architects and designers, builders, artisans and retailers you’ve met on our pages are small business owners who are mentoring one or more of their associates. If you know the design principal, chances are you also know or have been introduced to his or her trusted coworker.

From my casual observation of these businesses, I surmise their mentor/mentee partnerships align with one or more of these recognized best practices: They are built on solid, long term and personal relationships, they focus on character rather than competency, and they may culminate when the mentee is ready to open their own shop someday.

While including a long list of examples isn’t possible, a few should be fun to figure out: Lynda and Elise, Mary and Gina, Lainey and Lindsay, Vern and Dale, and Joanna and Stratton.

Whether or not it’s formally organized or simply the way good design is made around here, mentoring is a living and essential part of our community. And we at Phoenix Home & Garden are happy to thank and recognize these leading mentors and mentees in our midst.

Sept. 15

One of Phoenix’s best homegrown success stories, the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation held its second annual Wine Women & Shoes event, which raised more than $200,000 for programs and services focusing on career, education and life skills. Wine tastings, a silent auction and luxury shopping preluded the luncheon, best shoe contests and fashion show. Our table was filled with happy women and one very lucky man.

Sept. 20

The Royal Palms is celebrating its 70th anniversary today. The weather is perfect for an outdoor patio party with a vintage Hollywood vibe. My two idea takeaways from the event: Serve paella in paper cones, and make simple sliders and tacos special with upscale ingredients—Kobe beef and sea bass, respectively.

Sept. 14

Photographer Brandon Sullivan brings his artistry (and acrobatics) to our Master Made in Arizona series. Here he is on top of a building shooting artisans at Arcosanti. See our story here.

November Holiday

As you celebrate Thanksgiving, we wish you the best of happy times. And we thank you for your generous support and interest! For a fabulous holiday dish to add to your family feast, look no further than our recipes from Chef Chrysa Robertson.

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