<\/p>\n
Ji | The Atelier<\/p>\n
Courtesy of Ji | The Atelier<\/p>\n
EDITORS’ PICKSBest Textile Artisan<\/p>\n
\u21a3 Ji | The Atelier \/ Berkeley<\/p>\n
Jigisha Darbha\u2019s gem of a shop carries her own textile goods, such as block-printed table linens and towels, along with housewares by artisans \u201cwhose aesthetic and values are aligned,\u201d she says. Vintage finds, from Moroccan pottery to wooden furniture, are also part of the mix.<\/p>\n
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, \u201cthe entire process came alive in front of us,\u201d she recalls.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want people to immerse themselves in the space, which is shaped by craft and the stories of the makers, and leave feeling inspired.\u201d\u2014Jigisha Darbha, Ji | The Atelier<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cCrafted pieces and heirloom objects live together in a home-like setting\u2014something that\u2019s more experiential,\u201d she says of the vignettes at Ji | The Atelier. \u201cI want people to immerse themselves in the space, which is shaped by craft and the stories of the makers, and leave feeling inspired.\u201d jitheatelier.com<\/a><\/p>\n The Ruth Bancroft Garden and Nursery<\/p>\n Kathryn Cooper<\/p>\n Best Inspiration for a Home Refresh<\/p>\n \u21a3 Designing the Lush Dry Garden \/ Storied Homes \/ This Must Be the Place<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Custom Fireplace Patio and BBQ<\/p>\n Nathan Kirkman<\/p>\n Best Resource to Create an Outdoor Oasis<\/p>\n \u21a3 Custom Fireplace Patio and BBQ \/ Pleasanton<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n Expert Pick<\/p>\n \u21a3 Builders Booksource \/ Berkeley (buildersbooksource.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want to understand how great design actually gets made, go here. It\u2019s not just books. It\u2019s where ideas, materials, and real work come together. You\u2019ll always find architects, builders, and people deep into a project wandering the aisles looking for ideas or answers.\u201d\u2014Mike Wilson, executive director, AIA East BayREADERS’ PICKSContractor<\/p>\n \u21a3 Douglah Designs \/ Lafayette<\/p>\n douglahdesigns.com<\/a><\/p>\n Douglah Designs<\/p>\n Steven Magner<\/p>\n Flooring \/ Carpet<\/p>\n \u21a3 Abode \/ Lafayette<\/p>\n abode-flooring.com<\/a><\/p>\n Furniture Store<\/p>\n \u21a3 Cole\u2019s Interiors Design Center \/ Walnut Creek<\/p>\n colesinteriors.com<\/a><\/p>\n Garden Center<\/p>\n \u21a3 Orchard Nursery \/ Lafayette\u00a0<\/p>\n orchardnursery.com<\/a><\/p>\n Home Decor (Tie)<\/p>\n \u21a3 Cole\u2019s Interiors Design Center \/ Walnut Creek<\/p>\n colesinteriors.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014<\/p>\n \u21a3 Misto Lino \/ Danville and Lafayette<\/p>\n mistolino.com<\/a><\/p>\n Home Lighting<\/p>\n \u21a3 Luxe Home by Douglah Designs \/ Lafayette\u00a0<\/p>\n douglahdesigns.com<\/a><\/p>\n Courtesy of Jeffrey Neve Interior Design<\/p>\n Interior Design Studio<\/p>\n \u21a3 Jeffrey Neve Interior Design \/ Walnut Creek\u00a0<\/p>\n jeffreyneve.com<\/a><\/p>\n Jeffrey Neve brings knowledge of both design and construction to his work, with an approach \u201ccentered 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,\u201d 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. \u201cMy 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,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Kitchen and Bath\u00a0Remodel<\/p>\n \u21a3 Douglah Designs \/ Lafayette\u00a0<\/p>\n douglahdesigns.com<\/a><\/p>\n Kitchen and Bath Store<\/p>\n \u21a3 Luxe Home by Douglah Designs \/ Lafayette<\/p>\n douglahdesigns.com<\/a><\/p>\n Landscape Design<\/p>\n \u21a3 Montgomery Robbins Landscape Architects \/ Alamo\u00a0<\/p>\n montgomeryrobbins.com<\/a><\/p>\n Outdoor Furniture Store<\/p>\n \u21a3 Terra \/ multiple locations<\/p>\n terraoutdoor.com<\/a><\/p>\n Terra<\/p>\n Sang An<\/p>\n Roofing<\/p>\n \u21a3 A 1 Home Roofing Company \/ Orinda<\/p>\n havealeak.com<\/a><\/p>\n Solar (Tie)\u00a0<\/p>\n \u21a3 Got Watts? \/ Concord<\/p>\n gotwatts.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014<\/p>\n \u21a3 Solar Technologies \/ San Ramon<\/p>\n solartechnologies.com<\/a><\/p>\n Stone \/ Tile<\/p>\n \u21a3 Luxe Home by Douglah Designs \/ Lafayette<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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