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.
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