Most Amazing Homes | 56 N La Senda

Andy is joined by Jennifer Farrell, host of Most Amazing Homes, to show off the breathtaking, bluff-top property at 56 N La Senda.

JENNIFER FARRELL: We’re in Laguna Beach, California in a newly constructed modern masterpiece, where you’re not just looking at the ocean you’re in it. Let’s take a look!

JENNIFER FARRELL: So we’re here in Laguna Beach and we are at an ‘in the ocean’ home – tell me about this home.

ANDY STAVROS: So the house sits in the Three Arch Bay private gated community of just under 500 homes of brand new construction. The architect was Mark Singer – very well known here in Laguna Beach. [This home] was his last design unfortunately before he passed, but again just a warm contemporary feel that you’ll see once we get inside. 

JENNIFER FARREL: This is a multi-level home overlooking/overhanging the ocean… How many bedrooms and bathrooms, and how big is this house?

ANDY STAVROS: The house is just over 5,000 square feet with five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, three levels, an elevator that takes you to all levels including the master… It really is one of those turnkey, lock and go homes.

JENNIFER FARRELL: Well I can feel the ocean breeze behind me, I’m dying to see the ocean view. Lead away! 

ANDY STAVROS: All right, let’s go.

JENNIFER FARREL: Wow, we’re not looking at the ocean we’re standing over the ocean. This is unbelievable, it’s a view that I think few people have ever seen. 

ANDY STAVROS: Yeah, it feels like you’re on a boat when you walk in… This is the time in a tour where I just stop talking, because everybody’s gravitated towards the view on the deck. I just allow people to take that all in, because it is breathtaking once you walk into this room.

JENNIFER FARREL: You know you’re right, it is like being on a yacht. Even the railings for the balconies are a horizontal metal, so it actually feels like we’re on an ocean liner. I love all of the contemporary beautiful lines here –  it’s a very clean color palette, very open space, without crazy high ceilings. Because the ceilings are not overwhelmingly high, you still get a feeling of coziness and intimacy in this house.

ANDY STAVROS: Right you do get the coziness. Because of height restrictions and view obstruction, you occasionally have to compromise high ceilings, but you still get a sense of openness to the house with the colors, the design and the finishes throughout. 

JENNIFER FARREL: I happen to love this portico that’s in the middle of the room. It’s such an interesting way to create an indoor veranda space, so you feel like you’re outside in an outdoor covered patio area, and yet you’re right in the middle of the house.

ANDY STAVROS: Right absolutely, and you’ll see a blend of the industrial look with the beams exposed but painted. I’m sure you can tell this house sits on bedrock, so much steel, it’s not going anywhere, and here’s just evidence to prove that it’s a solid house with a solid foundation that was just recently built.

JENNIFER FARREL: Well this home may not be going anywhere, but we are going somewhere – I’m dying to go in that kitchen.

ANDY STAVROS: All right, let’s go.

JENNIFER FARREL: Although I would love to say I’d be doing a lot of dishes here, I may just stand here staring out at the view.

ANDY STAVROS: There is a little bit of a distraction. You might burn your food as you’re cooking here, because you just want to gaze outside. 

JENNIFER FARREL: That is true, although there’s a lot to see in this kitchen itself. These counter tops are actually porcelain slabs, which means they’re as durable as a tile, but have the gorgeous look of marble. I also think that the surrounding caesar stone behind us makes a great counterbalance. The materials here are really nicely laid out.

ANDY STAVROS: Right, you’ll see the beautiful contrast with the wood grade finishes, the vertically opening white cabinetry, all the high-end appliances – gagging out melee, sub-zero refrigerators, etc. It’s a very functional chef’s kitchen.

JENNIFER FARREL: We have glass surrounding us. We have beautiful artistic touches, like that porcelain faux marble slab again and unique lighting which I’ve never seen.

ANDY STAVROS: Yeah, throughout the house the light fixtures are all unique, but complement each other. You can also see some of the same materials from the kitchen used here on the fireplace.

JENNIFER FARREL: Well this one’s definitely unique, because you have this frameless glass wet room that becomes part of the bedroom. It’s a very resort feel here.

ANDY STAVROS: Right, it gives you an open feel and who wouldn’t want to wake up every morning staring up the coast – from Thousand Steps Beach all the way down to Palos Verdes, Catalina Island, etc.

JENNIFER FARREL: The view here could not be more spectacular. I’d love to see the outdoor space.

ANDY STAVROS: You get 270 degree views in this home, with every room positioned differently. 

JENNIFER FARREL: I can’t believe we have a yard here!

ANDY STAVROS: Grass on the bluff front is rare to find! Today you can hear the waves crashing against the rocks. Out here there are multiple entertainment spaces, if you didn’t have enough upstairs; a spa, barbecue area, wet bar, more cooking space, etc. it’s a great level to be on.

ANDY STAVROS: In total the home is 5,041 square feet – five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, elevator, three-car garage, laundry on the ground level… It’s a really fantastic home for somebody that’s looking for a house that’s ready to go with no blood, sweat, or tears. Zero maintenance with a 15 year design and build process, priced just under 20 million.

JENNIFER FARREL: In this area that’s actually a deal.

ANDY STAVROS: We also dropped the price five million dollars, so it’s on discount.

JENNIFER FARREL: This is an amazing home and an unbelievable once in a lifetime property. Thank you so much, Andy.

If are considering buying or selling a home in the Orange County area, connect with us. See how our local, experienced and well-connected team can exceed your expectations. Let’s talk strategy! 

Five Orange Coast Luxury Home Upgrades for 2020

 

Whether you’re looking to buy your dream Orange Coast luxury home, spruce up your Orange Coast luxury home for sale, or just browse what’s happening in Orange Coast luxury real estate, the new year brings some interesting trends in both form and function.

 

Some Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Corona Del Mar luxury homes feature out-of-this-world amenities like a movie theater, full gym and spa, or a vast wine cellar. However, adding a touch of luxury to your home doesn’t necessarily mean multi-million-dollar renovations. By reimagining a room with the latest in fine fixtures and finishes, you can add value and style to your existing residence at a relatively low cost.

 

In this article, we’ll explore some of the latest in luxury home design trends for 2020. Starting with…

 

Steam Showers

tophomedesign | CC BY-SA 2.0

A steam shower is two parts: first, the steam generator which heats water to produce the steam; and second, an enclosed shower stall which traps the steam inside. With the press of a button in your shower stall, the steam generator is activated to quickly heat water to a safe and comfortable temperature. The resulting steam is channeled through your shower system to fill the enclosed stall, resulting in a soothing and luxurious shower experience!

 

Installing a steam shower provides luxurious, high-end features and even health benefits to your Orange Coast home. Steam can clear stuffy nasal passages, soften your skin before a shave, open your pores, increase circulation and lower blood pressure. With adjustable digital controls for timing, temperature, and even music or scents, the modern steam shower is highly customizable. Additionally, steam showers are quite water-efficient and only use about 2 gallons of water for a 20-minute shower.

 

Designer Wallpaper

Through the years, wallpaper has gotten a bad rap. Now it’s back with a stylish vengeance. Gone are the days of tawdry, stuffy designs once smattered over your Grandma’s kitchen walls. There’s a whole new industry of luxurious, fashion-forward wallpaper designs. For relatively little cost, you can redo a room or add a feature wall to spruce up your Orange Coast real estate.

 

With so many designers out there, who should you choose? If you’re interested in designer wallpaper, take some time to explore all the options. You’ll find hundreds and thousands of designs with a quick Google search, with many options easily available from online retailers like Houzz or big box stores like Home Depot.

 

Wine Fridges

Bill Wilson | CC BY 2.0

Nothing says luxury like a great selection of fine wines. Of course, any growing collection will require storage. Some Orange Coast luxury homes feature vast wine stockpiles, from spacious cellars of rich mahogany or chic glass displays with LED lighting. But since adding a full new wine cellar to your home is no small task, the next best thing is a dedicated wine fridge! It’s a luxurious solution to keep your cache of spicy reds and oaky whites in top shape.

 

A refrigerated wine cooler is the perfect way to ensure your wines are stored properly. Both built-in and free-standing units are available, ranging from just over $200 to $10,000 and beyond. A wine fridge is convenient, luxurious, and sure to impress your guests. When the time comes to sell your Orange Coast home, don’t forget to specify whether you will take the unit with you or include it in the sale.

 

Outdoor Kitchens

If you keep an eye on the luxury market, you’ve likely noticed a trend towards “indoor-outdoor” living. Many Orange Coast luxury homes feature large glass panels and sliding doors which serve to seamlessly blend exterior space with the interior. With more and more value placed on functional exterior space, why not make the ultimate upgrade and create an outdoor kitchen?

 

There are not many ways to better enjoy your backyard than cooking and lounging on a beautiful patio. High-end outdoor kitchens often include full installations of cabinetry, cooktop, grill and wet bar. Even if you’re not looking to drop tens of thousands on exterior improvements, installing a built-in grill with counter space can make a big difference towards entertaining friends and family.

 

Smart Features

Most Orange Coast homes these days have at least one or two smart devices. Maybe you wake up to Amazon’s Alexa playing your favorite song, or maybe you ask your Google Assistant to hit the lights when you hop into bed. In recent years, the Internet of Things has grown to include so many more appliances, you can now upgrade your home with a full suite of smart devices.

 

The modern smart home allows for easy control of temperature, lighting, security, entertainment, and more. From door locks to wifi to Spotify playlists, much of your daily life can now be smart-equipped for voice control and automation. Not to mention, you can do it all from thousands of miles away (if you so require). We think that luxury means more than extravagant adornments. It means functional ease and convenience. By that definition, outfitting your home with smart-controlled systems is the ultimate in modern luxury living.

 

Orange Coast Luxury Real Estate

As your trusted Orange Coast real estate experts, it’s our goal to provide guidance, insight, and understanding for anything real estate related. Whether you’re looking to buy a[n area] home, sell a[n area] home, or you’re happy with the Orange Coast home you’re in, we hope these friendly articles offer you some insight into the world of Orange Coast real estate.

 

For more information about the Orange Coast real estate services we offer, reach out to start the no-pressure conversation. We are always happy to lend our expertise to explore your options.