Bay Island

Smack dab in the middle of Newport Beach's harbor sits Bay Island. This small island is the most exclusive ex-sandbar in all of Orange County. Cars are not allowed on the island as it is only accessible by a narrow footbridge. The island is basically a co-op because all the owners collectively own and maintain the community gardens, tennis court, and the private parking parking structure located on the peninsula. This Polynesian style masterpiece sits on enviable corner lot that commands a view of the entire harbor.

Past that sail boat are the towers of Newport Center and Fashion Island. Saddleback Mountain presides over the entire county; its two peaks just have a sense of home for me.

I think this house is VERY interesting. I don't know if I could live in such a theme house; the Polynesian influence is carried out splendidly but that is its Achilles heel. There is a very limited number of people who would be willing to spend around $30 million for a house like this, but I would gladly spend a week or two in this house!

You're in a Shady Neighborhood

Like the rest of Irvine, the guard gated community of Shady Canyon maintains a set of strict design guidelines. However, Shady Canyon allows owners the ability to build their own custom home in an architecturally consistent setting that is meant to allow for some freedom. The owner is allowed to choose from 5 distinct styles: 2 European farmhouse styles: Provence and Tuscany; and 3 Spanish Colonial Styles: Adobe Ranch, Andalusian Farmhouse, and Santa Barbara.

The home we will tour today has never been on the market and is a stunning example of George Washington Smith's Santa Barbara style.

Set down a long cobblestone driveway (concrete is not allowed), this house is brilliantly screened from the street by olive trees. I've always had a soft spot for houses set down long driveways! There is just something special about having to trek to your house after you leave the street that strikes me as, well, WEALTHY.

I love how the entrance is off center and allows for an informal setting for such a large, dignified home.

The darkness of the wood ceiling is tempered by the plethora of French doors.

The kitchen fits all of my needs; it is light, bright, and it's architecturally interesting! My favorite part of the composition is that the beams were carried throughout the house.

Each home in the community must conform to its lot. That goes against modern design techniques that demand the lot be moulded to fit the house. And I am more than pleased to hear these reversions are taking pace!

The pool is MAGNIFICENT. I mean how could you not swoon over an infinity edge pool that dead ends into Saddleback Mountain?

This luxury comes at a price. The last LOT in the community sold in September of 2009 for $1.9 million. This home would easily demand a price tag of $10+ million. Its location is INCOMPARABLE! The bones are great but the interiors could use a little tweaking here and there (new furniture and a more aged interior) and as always I'd love to be able to roam freely behind the gates of this community as well!