Lolita Harper Gone are the chipped pink...

Lolita Harper

Gone are the chipped pink paint and broken window panes.

Gone are dumpsters full of old bottles, tattered clothes,

shattered chairs and broken toys.

Gone are the abandoned cars and junk that littered the property.

The only things that remain of the once-dilapidated parcel on the

corner of Orange Avenue and Camellia Lane, which Costa Mesans have

long referred to as the Old Pink House, are the frame, cherrywood

panels and chimney of the historic house and an 80-year-old pepper

tree in the backyard. Everything else, from the walls to bathroom

fixtures, was renovated by local businessman Chad Ware, who took a

thorn in the city’s side and cultivated a budding landmark.

“I took the frame and just started over,” Ware said of his

year-long project to turn a former neighborhood eyesore into a

masterpiece.

Cream paint, with tan trim, replaced the former pastel exterior

and classic copper rain gutters run where rampant weeds once held

court. A well-manicured front lawn and attractive wooden fence took

the place of the rickety chain-link barrier that once hid a virtual

junk yard. The 1923 Craftsman-style home now stands proudly on the

corner, finally able to boast its true value.

Ware not only has a beautiful home but has garnered the admiration

and gratitude of neighbors and city officials.

Mayor Linda Dixon said she was so pleased that Ware took the

initiative to restore a piece of Costa Mesa history. The Old Pink

House is one of a handful of Craftsman-style homes left in the city.

The restoration of historical structures becomes even more meaningful

as the city gets older, Dixon said.

“I’ve been watching his progress the whole time and I think he’s

been doing a wonderful job,” the mayor said.

All that is left are some tiny details and fine-tuning, Ware said.

Neighbors of the quaint Eastside neighborhood said they can’t wait

to see the finished work of art. Camellia Lane residents said they

are pleased at the work Ware has done so far.

Next-door neighbor Frank Hampton summed his feelings up in one

word.

“Hallelujah!” he said.

Hampton has lived on Camellia Lane since 1985 and called the Old

Pink House frightening. He said he hated living next to it because it

was a total health, safety and fire hazard.

“Words can’t describe it,” Hampton said. “It was a bomb just

waiting to go off.”

Hampton said he kept waiting for the city to condemn it or tear it

down. City officials said they received various complaints about the

unkempt property but could not take action because the trash was

fenced-off and not visible from the “public view.”

When revised codes went into effect in 2000, the Old Pink House

was close to being declared a public nuisance. Before that could

happen, the 95-year-old owner, Edith Randall Smith, died and the lot

went up for sale.

Elaine Davis, who grew up in the house and was ultimately charged

with selling it, had said she wanted to find a buyer who would

restore the Craftsman-style home that housed a large piece of her

childhood and heart. Many were willing to purchase excessively large

corner lot -- a prime piece of real estate -- but few were willing to

invest the time and money to keep the house. Most buyers wanted to

raze the house and start from scratch.

Enter Ware.

The youthful businessman, who owns the car dealership Pacific

Sales and Leasing on Harbor Boulevard, said he simply “likes old

houses” and was intrigued by the artistry of the historic home.

Without any formal training or research, Ware said he modeled the new

home from its original structure, adding modern amenities along the

way.

“I just winged it,” he said. “Basically I put it back to the way

it was when it was originally built.”

Before he could start the improvements, he had to get rid of

decades worth of trash and debris that littered the house from floor

to ceiling. Randall Smith and her son, who lived on the property with

her, had let the house get into such a state of disrepair, the duo

had to sleep in a trailer in the backyard because the house was unfit

to live in.

Sandi Benson, the city’s chief code enforcement officer, said the

house was in a deplorable condition, caused by years of neglect. When

code enforcement entered the decrepit structure they found five sick,

mangy dogs living among, literally tons of trash and their own feces.

Overgrown weeds and indescribable amounts of junk hid the true

beauty of the classic home. General contractor Igal Israel, who was

hired to do the seismic retrofitting for the house, said there are

only a couple dozen homes like this left in Costa Mesa.

“They just don’t build them like this anymore,” Israel said.

Builders did not have the use of power tools and were forced to

handcraft each piece of wood. Many draftsman also made their own

nails, he said. The house was built from cherrywood, which was its

saving grace because its strength protected it from termite damage,

experts said.

“To watch the transformation and be able to save the house is a

wonderful asset to the community,” said Benson, who has kept tabs on

the project since its inception. “What Chad has come in and done is a

real gain for everyone.”

Forty dumpsters and hundreds of thousands of dollars later, Ware

can finally see the tangible results of his labor of love.

“I never had any idea it would take so long and I would spend so

much money,” Ware said. “It just got so involved and it was so

expensive to do it right. It was out of control.”

The perfectionist chose to restore the 1920s charm of the old

house, while adding many 2002 luxuries. The lavish kitchen touts

traditional cherrywood cabinets and luxurious marble counters and

flooring. A large oil painting, depicting a setting of centuries

past, further adds to the classic mood. Just inches away, a very

large and modern stainless steel refrigerator adds a contemporary

touch to the richly designed kitchen.

The upstairs bathroom exhibits the same dichotomy. Outfitted in

earth-toned tiles, placed perfectly in detailed designs, the room

stays true to its history -- even down to the hand-painted French

doorknobs -- but boasts a hidden 21st century luxury.

“That’s a Jacuzzi bath tub,” Ware said.

And so goes the rest of the house. The walls carry rich cherrywood

and hand-carved moldings conceal modern day luxuries such as central

air conditioning and heat and brand new plumbing and electrical

wiring. The bedrooms have a timelessly classic look, decorated in

luxurious colors and plush fabrics, yet flaunt a splash of present

style, with a leopard-throw pillow.

Ware mixes his affinity for a traditional look with bachelor style

to create a distinctive atmosphere.

He also brings fresh blood to the community and his neighbors say

they are thrilled to have him there.

Viola and Tony Forillo, who have lived across the street from the

house since 1942, said Ware introduced himself to the neighborhood

shortly after he bought the property. The Forillos welcomed their new

neighbor with open arms.

“He’s a really likable person,” Tony Forillo said. “A real sharp

guy.”

The Forillos also couldn’t ignore the fact that their property

values are sure to rise now that the neighborhood blemish has been

transformed. The elderly couple said they bought their house for

$10,9995 and were pleased when they heard that the home next door

just sold for $469,000.

“I think we should all chip in and give Chad $10,000 for all he’s

done,” Viola Forillo said with a smile.

* LOLITA HARPER covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at lolita.harper@latimes.com.