An Alameda interior decorator, Sarah Coombs, talks to real estate agents about updating houses.

A melting pot of farmers share agriculture practices at a community garden, New Roots, at Laney College.

An Alameda interior decorator, Sarah Coombs, talks to real estate agents about updating houses.

A melting pot of farmers share agriculture practices at a community garden, New Roots, at Laney College.

In East Oakland’s Jingletown, a new twist on senior housing is in the works. The neighborhood known for its artists’ lofts will soon be home to Phoenix Commons, a “cooperative lifestyle community” for older adults. The four-story complex of 41 units will be the East Bay’s first senior cohousing development, according to project CEO Chris Zimmerman. Look for it on 29th Street overlooking the waterfront, just off Alameda’s Park Street bridge. Move-in date: early 2015.

Our don't-miss list of what's hot and exciting this season in the East Bay.

Alessandro Latini spent more than a decade designing furniture that wound up at places like Crate & Barrel, Macy’s, Pottery Barn, and other mass-market stores. Now, the designs he creates for SOBU, a company he owns and runs with his wife, Laleh, veer far away from those mall favorites.

Built by an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1960s, this Piedmont home was made for parties. In fact, the living room’s barreled ceilings were specifically designed to enhance the acoustics of the first owners’ grand organ concerts.

Built by an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1960s, this Piedmont home was made for parties. In fact, the living room’s barreled ceilings were specifically designed to enhance the acoustics of the first owners’ grand organ concerts.

In 1895, a family purchased a brand- new Queen Anne Victorian at 2029 Central Ave. in Alameda for the royal sum of $4,380, a majestic multistoried house outfitted with a turret, archway and bay windows.