Small homes go on auction block

Lolita Harper

C’mon mahn. Come inside, prop up your feet and don’t worry, be happy

in the Tommy Bahama Caribbean Hideaway, on display Saturday at

Fashion Island for the Project Playhouse annual benefit.

Cares melt away as you climb up the small steps leading into the

elaborate playhouse. The “irie” palm fronds and delicate scallops on

the roof of the pastel home transport your imagination to where the

ocean is crystal blue, the breeze is cool and the nights are hot.

The dainty yellow house was not only designed to ease the cares of

its owner, it was made to help those in Orange County with no place

to rest the feet.

The playhouse was one of nine elaborate bungalows, designed for

those 4 feet and smaller. Each small home was auctioned -- going for

$1,800 to $40,000 -- to benefit Home Aid Orange County, an

organization that builds and renovates temporary residences for

homeless men, women and children.

HomeAid was formed by building industry leaders in Orange County

in 1989 and has since completed 34 shelter projects. Those served by

HomeAid include women in crisis pregnancies, victims of domestic

violence, the mentally challenged, adults living with HIV and AIDS,

homeless youths and those who simply find themselves on the street

because of a lost job or catastrophic illness, organization

spokeswoman Delene Garbo said.

The homes are “one of a kind,” officials said, as they are

designed and built by some of the most touted architects and builders

in the industry. Some of the pint-size homes included such amenities

as electricity, telephone and cable hookups, open-beam ceilings, a

big screen television, an ice cream bar, copper roofing and

room-to-room intercoms.

Amanda Formes of Huntington Beach and her two boys eyed the

structures, with the oohs and ahs like the other shoppers. Formes

said she could only imagine what it would be like to grow up with one

of those play houses in the backyard. The kids who would receive them

were very lucky, she said, and their parents are very generous.

“It’s nice that they are doing this to help people,” she said.

A party and auction was underway at Fashion Island Saturday

evening, as area homeowners bid big money to add a little piece of

playhouse heaven to their own castle and help a good cause while they

were at it.

Totals were not available at press time. Last year’s event raised

$367,000.

The Tommy Bahama house was built by Rancho Mission Viejo with

Grant Construction and was designed by architect William Hezmalhach.

* LOLITA HARPER writes columns Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and

covers culture and the arts. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or

by e-mail at lolita.harper@ latimes.com.