Ji | The Atelier
Courtesy of Ji | The Atelier
EDITORS’ PICKSBest Textile Artisan
↣ Ji | The Atelier / Berkeley
Jigisha Darbha’s gem of a shop carries her own textile goods, such as block-printed table linens and towels, along with housewares by artisans “whose aesthetic and values are aligned,” she says. Vintage finds, from Moroccan pottery to wooden furniture, are also part of the mix.
In 2017, Darbha was transitioning from academia to the corporate world when a visit to her parents in India sparked a pivot to textiles. As the family explored weaving co-ops in villages where fabrics and products are made, “the entire process came alive in front of us,” she recalls.
“I want people to immerse themselves in the space, which is shaped by craft and the stories of the makers, and leave feeling inspired.”—Jigisha Darbha, Ji | The Atelier
Darbha subsequently established relationships with the weavers, purveying their fabrics as well as customizing designs. While she has learned to dye, print, and sew, Darbha continues to work with many of her original weaving partners. After moving to the Bay Area eight years ago, she began selling her goods online and at craft fairs. In 2023, she opened a brick-and-mortar store in Oakland and, this spring, relocated the shop to Berkeley.
“Crafted pieces and heirloom objects live together in a home-like setting—something that’s more experiential,” she says of the vignettes at Ji | The Atelier. “I want people to immerse themselves in the space, which is shaped by craft and the stories of the makers, and leave feeling inspired.” jitheatelier.com
The Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery
Kathryn Cooper
Best Inspiration for a Home Refresh
↣ Designing the Lush Dry Garden / Storied Homes / This Must Be the Place
For those desiring a home refresh, inside or out, these recent, locally connected books are worthy of consideration. The 20 gardens featured in Designing the Lush Dry Garden: Create a Climate-Resilient, Low-Water Paradise are based on principles from Walnut Creek’s renowned Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery, whose namesake was a pioneer of dry gardening. Storied Homes: Designs from Banner Day Interiors by Clara Jung and This Must Be the Place: Homes with Atmosphere by Chloe Redmond Warner are inaugural books from two Berkeley-based interior designers. The former highlights 13 Banner Day projects, and the latter chronicles a dozen Redmond Aldrich Design transformations.
Custom Fireplace Patio and BBQ
Nathan Kirkman
Best Resource to Create an Outdoor Oasis
↣ Custom Fireplace Patio and BBQ / Pleasanton
As its name suggests, this family-owned business, founded in 1972, specializes in outdoor living products. In late 2025, its retail showroom relocated from Dublin to Pleasanton, where an array of patio furniture, fireplaces and firepits, hot tubs, swim spas, kitchen appliances and cabinets, pergolas, and more occupies 10,000 square feet. While in-house installation has long been part of the store’s offerings, a design team is now on hand to assist with al fresco kitchens and louvered pergola systems too. Consider this a one-stop shop for turning a boring backyard into an inviting oasis. customfpbbq.com
Expert Pick
↣ Builders Booksource / Berkeley (buildersbooksource.com)
“If you want to understand how great design actually gets made, go here. It’s not just books. It’s where ideas, materials, and real work come together. You’ll always find architects, builders, and people deep into a project wandering the aisles looking for ideas or answers.”—Mike Wilson, executive director, AIA East BayREADERS’ PICKSContractor
↣ Douglah Designs / Lafayette
Douglah Designs
Steven Magner
Flooring / Carpet
↣ Abode / Lafayette
Furniture Store
↣ Cole’s Interiors Design Center / Walnut Creek
Garden Center
↣ Orchard Nursery / Lafayette
Home Decor (Tie)
↣ Cole’s Interiors Design Center / Walnut Creek
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↣ Misto Lino / Danville and Lafayette
Home Lighting
↣ Luxe Home by Douglah Designs / Lafayette
Courtesy of Jeffrey Neve Interior Design
Interior Design Studio
↣ Jeffrey Neve Interior Design / Walnut Creek
Jeffrey Neve brings knowledge of both design and construction to his work, with an approach “centered around creating homes that feel collected, personal, and timeless, rather than overly trend driven. I love layering strong architectural details with vintage and modern pieces to create spaces that feel elevated but still warm and livable,” says Neve. His work was featured in the San Francisco Decorator Showcase this spring, where he envisioned a Jack-and-Jill bathroom and a classic bedroom designed for two occupants. “My room, Double Standard, gave me the opportunity to explore a different direction than my typical client work by leaning more traditional and layered, with a sense of whimsy woven throughout the space,” he says.
Kitchen and Bath Remodel
↣ Douglah Designs / Lafayette
Kitchen and Bath Store
↣ Luxe Home by Douglah Designs / Lafayette
Landscape Design
↣ Montgomery Robbins Landscape Architects / Alamo
Outdoor Furniture Store
↣ Terra / multiple locations
Terra
Sang An
Roofing
↣ A 1 Home Roofing Company / Orinda
Solar (Tie)
↣ Got Watts? / Concord
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↣ Solar Technologies / San Ramon
Stone / Tile
↣ Luxe Home by Douglah Designs / Lafayette
Window Treatments
↣ Luxe Home by Douglah Designs / Lafayette