KAREN WIGHT -- No Place Like Home

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Every other week, No Place Like Home will take

readers on a tour of a local residence.

Simple, bold and distinguished are the adjectives Kim Woods uses to

describe this custom home in Irvine Terrace. Woods, owner of Kim Woods

Interior Design in Newport Beach, worked with the homeowners for almost

two years to achieve the perfect balance of comfort and style for this

stunning family abode.

Influenced by the wife’s sabbatical in Florence, where she studied art

history, the homeowners (who asked not to be named) sought a blend of

French and Italian styles to create a home with a warm and informal feel.

The design team included architect John McNeeley. The contractor was

Doug Root of Premiere Woodwork. Pre-construction and construction filled

almost two calendar years. The attention to detail and special features

in this home is extraordinary.

The house has custom walnut floors, arched windows and doorways, and

stacking French doors that allow a free-flow from interior to exterior.

Woods and the homeowners chose a bold color palette that includes deep

red, spruce green and cobalt blue, in addition to the soothing cream

tones of the limestone used throughout the house.

The rusted iron hardware is from J. Nicolas French Imported Hardware

in Corona del Mar, the tiles are from Walker Zanger in Costa Mesa and the

fixtures are from Eurobath in the Stonemill Design Center, Costa Mesa.

S&K; Painters completed the home’s finishing touches, which includes a

variety of faux finishes and glazes.

Woods has a special affinity for light fixtures. The house is filled

with one-of-a-kind sconces, chandeliers and lamps, in addition to the

overhead lighting. Both charming and sophisticated in style and

placement, the lighting adds a special nuance to the home.

One of the first purchases for the house was a pair of iron and

crystal sconces from Nobili Antiques on Newport’s 31st Street. The sconces helped set the design tone for the entire place.

The kitchen is a striking blend of new conveniences and old style.

Viking appliances and a sub-zero refrigerator-freezer are combined with

honed limestone counters, Quimper-influenced tiles and brushed nickel

hardware.

An ample desk/work station off the kitchen overlooking the backyard

allows the homeowners to keep an eye on their three children while taking

care of business.

One of the homeowners’ favorite features are the sliding pocket French

doors, which allow the great room to open up to a backyard that includes

a pool, spa, built-in barbecue and firepit. The cozy and comfortable

green study ranks a close second.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column, which was

contributed to by MICHELE MILLER this week, runs Sundays.

CAPTIONS

See photo file ‘Red Powder Room’:

The deep red walls of the powder room are a beautiful background for

an antique chandelier. The special lighting found throughout the home is

one of designer Kim Woods’ favorite touches.

See photo file ‘Master Bath’:

The cobalt-blue tiles in the master bathroom are from Walker Zanger.

The master retreat includes a steam shower, a separate tub area and

his-and-hers vanities.