The Finite Edge

We are now going to venture behind the gates of Shady Canyon once again and take a look at a very interesting pool. But, first we must take a look at the exquisite house.

The native centered landscapes in Shady Canyon are one of my favorite aspects of the community. They not only conserves water but also provides a very naturalistic beauty.

The entrance courtyard would be my outdoor reception room! The shutters, strings of lights, and mellow tiled floor is sheer perfection.

Intricate tile floors make another appearance in the kitchen and definitely liven up the space. I do enjoy the sturdy masonry walls and the curved ceiling but the cabinets and the counter tops seem to be the exact same color and give the space a very monotone appearance. It's just a tad beige.

And here is the pool you have been waiting for! Instead of doing the traditional infinity edge that melds with the view, these homeowners decided they wanted to view the infinite edge. Another thing that makes this pool exceptional is its raised nature. The pool now feels like a studier piece of the back yard instead of being just another blue pit.

This home was recently withdrawn from the market and I can see why the owners would NEVER want to leave. This home tempers its Provincial elegance with casual modern interiors and the whole effect is superb.

The Gold Coast

Located in the aptly named Gold Parking Zone in the Laguna Beach's exclusive Emerald Bay community is this $32,995,000 masterpiece. This home is one of only 15 homes that are located directly on the sand and have direct access to the private community beach.

The street facade is very quaint and hides the fact that this house is terraced down to the sea. That fact is one of my favorite parts of this house, there is no real pretension, the house exudes a quiet luxury.

The kitchen is very open and airy. I don't know how practical it is to not have any upper cabinets but I'm sure there must be a china closet or something. In a house with this price tag anything is possible.

Just look at the materials!!! They are beyond perfection! GLASS DOOR KNOBS.

This house leaves me pretty speechless, so you guys are in luck because this is a brochure! This 5,800 square foot house is not massive but by no means are the owners slumming it. 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms are spread out on the homes many levels and the only thing I can say is that I hope there is an elevator somewhere in this home. If I moved in tomorrow I wouldn't change one single thing, this home is PERFECT just the way it is already.

Light and Bright

Located in the Dover Shores neighborhood in Newport Beach, this house was made for indoor/outdoor living. The owners made sure to incorporate the yard into the overall scheme and the results are superb.

The entrance to this house is very unique. Two trees flank the front door, which is a very cool and mellow shade of blue. I rather like its laid back effect. Normally I'm drawn to more saturated hues like deep green, dark red, white, or even a good black door.

Though I have never lived in a house with a skylight, this picture makes me want one! Not only does it add light to the space it also adds architectural interest.

This kitchen has my FAVORITE refrigerator in the world. The Sub-Zero PRO 48 refrigerator is sheer perfection. The glass door would make it necessary for your fridge to always be tidy, but beauty has a price.

This is one of the most original fireplaces I have ever seen! I love the uniqueness that these shards of colored glass lend the fireplace. They enable you to always have something nice to look at when there isn't a roaring fire.

This pocket sized backyard has everything you could ever need for a pool party!The pool is not enormous but it does provide plenty of space while not overwhelming the backyard. I'm sure I would spend most of my days out in that cabana. My favorite part about this house is that the calm and collected color palate inside was continued outside and that creates a very cohesive lifestyle.

The Artsy Crowd

Located in North Tustin, this sprawling ranch house embodies that modern beatnik feeling. This house makes me feel like I should be drinking black coffee, playing the bongos, and snapping instead of clapping. There is a unique flow to this home - from any point in the great room you can peer into different areas of the house through strategically places nooks and crannies.

This is the passage way that leads to the master suite. Instead of tearing down the towering pine trees on the property, the owners worked around them in order to create a truly unique space.

These concrete counters are superb! I love how they are eco-friendly and how they provide a visual anchor in such a lively space.

I could just imagine myself utilizing this room to its fullest potential - watching television, reading a book, AND using my laptop all at the same time!

The master bedroom has walls of glass and a beautifully paneled ceiling.

From the exterior, you can see that the master addition was modeled after a Japanese teahouse.

This is an AWESOME house! Outdoor rooms radiate off the back of the house and call you to live outside all year long. Each of the interior and exterior colors seem bold, however, they flow very cohesively and heighten the artsy experience. Over all, even though this house isn't even my exact style, I would move in tomorrow. I love it just as it is.

In Close Proximity

Located in the constantly renovated Harbor View Homes (ironically, not a single house in the community has a view) community in Newport Beach, this home projects an urban farmhouse feeling and I quite enjoy it. The Harbor View Homes tract was originally full of tract homes on about 8,000 square foot lots, however, due to their family friendly location (an elementary school is in the middle of the development), many of the original homes have been either completely renovated or torn down and replaced by new 4,000+ square foot homes.

Be still my heart! I still cannot get over disappearing doors.

This kitchen is a winner! I love how the island is darker and anchors the lofty kitchen. I'm not sure how practical it is to have the refrigerators so far away from the prep space, but I do admire how they are separated by a coffee maker and the microwave, effectively breaking up what could have been a wall of stainless steel.

This has to be one of my top laundry rooms of all time. My favorite part of the composition is how the washer and dryer are actually built-in to the room. Also, I think the use of the black countertop was very daring and it creates a very sophisticated room.

The enormous loggia beckons you to live outside! It is centrally located in the back yard so anyone can easily enjoy the fireplace and the petit pool.

This home, located on a larger 10,775 square foot corner lot, recently sold for $3,950,000. While not gracefully placed on its lot (its neighbor is 5 feet on the other side of the fence), this home is graciously appointed. I am drawn to the many textures that cohesively blanket its white walls, but the fact that these walls are so close to a plethora other walls in the community is a major draw back to me. However, what lies in these walls is truly a special place.