Great houses galore in home tour

Circle May 1 on your calendar and set the day aside for the Harbor

High Home and Garden Tour.

This year’s edition has the best of everything. There are

traditional homes, an historical home, a modern home, a home built in

the early California style, an Eastside charmer and a garden that

will make your heart sing. My job for the committee is to write the

home descriptions for the brochure -- what a great assignment -- I

get to peek at all the offerings before everyone else. And I’m so

impressed with this year’s list, I’m just going to rave for a while

until I inspire you to go to Butera and buy a ticket.

Remember, this is not only a great day it’s a fund-raiser that

supports academic enrichment at the high school. Win-win.

Last week I prepped you for he Modern house on the tour. This

Bayshores beauty is simply cool. Polished concrete floors, stainless

steel railings, sleek cherry wood cabinetry and a kick-in-the-pants

art collection makes this house candy-for-the-eyes.

There are two other Bayshores homes on the tour. One is across the

street from the beach and has spectacular views of the harbor and

pavilion in almost every room. This house has just the right amount

of pomp and circumstance blended with down-to-earth beach living.

It is a testament to the adage that “great architecture lasts

forever.” Though the owners have put their own personal touches in

the home, the “bones” have been left untouched. The house maximizes

the “forever” view from almost every room. Whether you are in the

living room, breakfast room, upstairs family room, or master bedroom,

the view of the beach, harbor and historical pavilion is

breathtaking.

The third home sits on the largest interior lot in Bayshores. And

they do a lot with the lot. The house is traditional with a taste of

British Colonial. The artwork is a varied mix of contemporary

canvases, acrylic sculpture and painting and photography produced by

the daughters in the family.

The home in Newport Heights is grand: in scale, design and family

warmth. Though the house was completed only a year ago, it looks like

it’s been there forever.

This house has, what I consider to be, the most perfect master

bathroom I have ever seen. I think more people would stay married if

they had a bathroom like this. Just the right amount of togetherness

and separate spaces make this room(s) faultless.

Dover Shores hosts the featured garden on the tour. This yard, on

a large street-to-street lot, is a party waiting to happen. The

backyard has something for everyone. With a regulation size

shuffleboard court, cozy fire pit, outdoor kitchen and elegant

garden, this outdoor Shangri-La is always ready for an intimate

gathering or family celebration.

The home in Eastside Costa Mesa is the perfect blend of the

indoor/outdoor lifestyle. European friends and visitors have

nicknamed the residence “Tusca-Mesa”: little bit of Europe that lives

within the Costa Mesa boundaries. The owners walk to the markets, use

seasonal herbs from the garden and enjoy the rose covered pergola all

year long.

The Lido home, just a short walk from the Clubhouse where lunch

will be served, is only three years old, but the house looks like a

peek at Montecito in 1924. Through timeless materials and meticulous

planning, the owners have created a home that personifies design

integrity.

So you can’t to buy a ticket, right?

Head over to Butera in Westcliff Court, Harbor High School or call

the home tour hotline at (949) 262-2672. Tickets are $45 and include

a bay view lunch at the Lido Isle Clubhouse with food from Plum’s.

This year’s generous event sponsors are Coldwell Banker and Coast

Newport Properties. Chairman Sandi Hill has done an amazing job

collecting the best of everything. Thanks Sandi.

Thank you also goes to the homeowners, sponsors, and the bevy of

fabulous volunteers that make this event possible -- all for the

cause, all for the kids and all for the community.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Sundays.