Blue Door Magazine | Issue 14 by Blue Door Magazine

ISSUE 14 | 2021

HOME HAVEN Finding the fun in furnishings, a new age of health and wellness, and how a whole-house “Tuscan-ectomy” can lighten and brighten a dated design.

OCEAN ALLURE Free divers lead the way toward a pristine Emerald Bay, OC’s coastal Cousteau paddles to save the sea, and all the latest luxury listings along the incredible Orange County coast. A R C H I T E C T U R E • D E S I G N • A R T • L I F E S T Y L E • R E A L E S TAT E

SOLD 4639 GORHAM DRIVE Corona del Mar | $17,995,000

Represented Buyer and Seller 98% of List Price

valiaOC.com

DRE# 01911636

3108 OCEAN BLVD C

3108OCEAN.COM $11,495,000 Sited on a large lot of Ocean Boulevard, this beachside estate casts unobstructed, panoramic, white-water, ocean, harbor, Catalina, peninsula, Palos Verdes and city views throughout. Adorned with extensive use of marble, soaring ceilings, timeless wood flooring and walls of glass.

RECIPIENT OF A “MOST SALES” DESIGNATION ON

CASEYLESHER.COM 949.702.7211 | caseylesher@gmail.com CalRE# 01795953

The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. 23977816

245 FISCHER AVE, SUITE A1 COSTA MESA, CA. 92626 T: 714.540.3700 F: 714.540.3701

245 Fischer Ave, Suite A1 Costa Mesa, CA. 92626 T: 714.540.3700 F: 714.540.3701

CONTENTS

MAGA ZINE

Live on Stage

Segerstrom Center for the Arts celebrates the return of live events with performances by American Ballet Theatre.

24 Fostering Success

at Samueli Academy

Two SoCal interior designers earn high marks for the Santa Ana school’s new student dorm.

contents

Branded by Beauty

South Coast Plaza, Montage/Pendry, and City of Hope go above and beyond in augmenting OC’s aesthetic environment.

A Season of Bliss

28 36

Why to These Rocks celebrates 50 years of poetry penned in California’s High Sierra.

38 Heal the Bay

Orange County cousins dive deep to clear Emerald Bay of the metal remains from a bygone era.

44 Saving the Sea

An epic environmental quest inspired by the whales, dolphins, and other sea life finding sanctuary along the OC coast.

54 Riding the Wave

A photo-filled reflection on what it means to be a female surfer.

The printing of this magazine is automated. Each issue is wrapped in a polybag by machine, untouched by human hands. The magazines are boxed and set on pallets wrapped again in plastic. Once delivered to coastal Orange County, Blue Door team members wearing gloves and masks distribute the magazines directly to your door.

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DREAM. DESIGN. BUILD. Luxury Homebuilder // Newport Beach, CA // www.spinndev.com // 949.544.5800 // info@spinndev.com

CONTENTS

MAGA ZINE

60 Cocktail Collage

A look at colorful intoxicants from top OC mixologists.

64 Real Estate Gallery

Exclusive OC real estate listings from Blue Door Magazine members.

82 Design Matters

Tips, trends, and aesthetic advice from design insiders and interior experts.

94 Second Act

Interior designer Hillary Moers transforms a heavy Tuscan home into a bright, art-filled adventure in modern beach living.

102 Aging in Grace

102

contents

Beauty and fitness regimens that had been de rigueur are discarded, as new ones take their place. Welcome to 2021’s new world of wellness.

120 Beyond Bespoke

A hyper-curated estate built by Corbin Reeves Construction takes custom home creation to the next level.

134 Island Life

120

Designer Sue Capelli casts a captivating take on contemporary from a single, sea-front perch on Linda Isle.

144 Color Co-Op

Costa Mesa-based Ulloo42 brings a mad mix of high art and wild whimsy to custom furniture and interior design.

152 PIRCH’s Secret Spice Chef Kimberly Ayayla gives PIRCH customers a taste of home cooking possibilities.

158 Q&A with Carol Lee Blue Door Magazine discusses Newport Market Insights with Carol Lee of Compass.

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134

144

THE BOARD

the board / staff / contributors

BLUE DOOR MAGAZINE IS A CO-OP BUSINESS OWNED BY OUR MEMBERS

TOP: Steven Short, Timothy Tamura, Casey Lesher MIDDLE: Mike Close, Michael Reeves, Michael Johnson, Jason Bradshaw BOTTOM: Carol Lee, Justin Williams

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Beachitos Pre-Fab Duplex Winner of the 2020 Amerian Institute of Architects OC People’s Choice Award. Architect: Anders Lasater Architects Photographer: Chad Mellon

We’re ready to build you an award-winning home.

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA WWW.JKRAMERCORP.COM 949 793 1970

LICENSE #617087

CONTRIBUTORS

FOUNDING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kedric Francis

kedric@bluedoormagazine.com

Brett Hillyard Creative Director/ Photographer

the board / staff / contributors

Brett Hillyard (aka “Hilly”) is a Southern California native with a Fine Arts degree from USC. Hilly is a freelance documentary and advertising photographer known for capturing black and white candid photographs. He shoots and processes his own film and finds a genuine richness in the analog process. Hilly resides in Laguna Beach, where the ocean plays a big role in his life, both as a surfer and an open-water swimmer. If you would like to learn more, please visit HillyCollective.com.

Alexandria Abramian Writer/Senior Editor

Alexandria Abramian is a writer and magazine editor covering home design, architecture, and real estate. She has written for OC Register, Los Angeles Times, Elle Décor online, Veranda, Sunset, The Financial Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and was a columnist for House Beautiful. Alex also provides strategic PR coaching for interior designers, real estate developers, and real estate agents.

ART DIRECTOR Randi Karabin

randi@bluedoormagazine.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Brett Hillyard

brett@bluedoormagazine.com

SENIOR EDITOR Alexandria Abramian COPY EDITOR Carrie Lightner PUBLISHER Maria Barnes

949.436.1590 maria@bluedoormagazine.com

CFO Jan Super

208.721.7926 jan@bluedoormagazine.com

FOUNDER Justin Williams Jenna Condas

Annette Reeves

Jenna Condas received a B.A. in Art History and an M.A. in History with an emphasis in Visual Studies from UCI. She is working on a monograph about Abby Aldrich Rockefeller and the founding of the MOMA. She co-chairs the Visionaries Art Series at OCMA. Her website, HERstoriesrock. com, is devoted to incredible women who continue to create and promote contemporary art. Condas is a long-time philanthropist, the mother of 20-year-old twin girls, and is married to attorney John Condas.

Annette Reeves of PIRCH has 30 years of experience in the construction industry, including everything from windows and doors to plumbing, appliances, and outdoor. Her knowledge spans all elements of the design and build process, giving her the edge it takes to assist and coordinate every type of project. Reeves is dedicated to the needs of the client and the design community, and is excited to extend that connection as a contributor to Blue Door Magazine.

Writer

208.720.2142 justin@bluedoormagazine.com

Designer

Blue Door Magazine is published by Aspect Media LLC

Copyright © 2021 Aspect Media LLC. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed by the authors and contributors to Blue Door Magazine are not necessarily those of the editor and publisher. PRINTED BY PUBLICATION PRINTERS

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ON THE COVER Photos by Brett Hillyard

2001 Kewamee Drive, Corona del Mar $7,495,000

With over 4,000 of livable square feet, the house is constructed by the acclaimed Nicholson Companies. It is a four-bedroom + office, single level residence exuding endless sophistication, superior finishes and fixtures, and deluxe amenities. The interiors are characterized by a fabulous chef’s kitchen, soaring ceilings, white oak flooring, walls of glass, highlighted by reclaimed wood and a marble fireplace. The vast living room creates indoor-outdoor living with a whole wall of disappearing glass doors leading to the custom backyard hardscapes by Southwinds — together with swimming pool, spa, an incredible 40-foot water wall, fire pit and an entertainment area with surround sound throughout. Presented for sale by Casey Lesher Coldwell Banker Realty State License #01795953 Cell Phone: 949.702.7211 BlueDoorMagazine.com

PUBLISHER’S NOTE from Maria Barnes

I so love being part of the creative process. Nothing makes me happier and I get to work with crazy creatives like Steve Jones of better shelter and shoot with Hilly and socialize with peeps like Raili Clasen of RailiCA Design and Tania Cassil, founder of HUIT. Lucky me that I am also launching a line with Annette Gonzalez and get to collaborate with Dana Marron of Good Together Collective. I am constantly amazed by all of the fabulous talent here in the OC.

publisher’s note

It was with sheer delight that I was able to shoot at the studios of Ulloo 42. I felt as if I had just walked into a couture version of Alice in Wonderland. The lovely Lise Abraham and artist Suzanne Currie collaborate to create this multi-disciplinary design studio. The breadth of work within the walls is quite mind-blowing. Whether you have an appreciation for textiles, art- inspired wallpaper, one-of-a-kind furniture, linens, or jewelry, you can’t help but take it all in with a giant smile and a giggle here or there. The lovely ladies allowed Brett to shoot this photo of me Wes Anderson-style on their backlot using their fabulous chair and tassled lamp. Take a look at their new and improved website, ulloo42.com. How magical is it to feel as if the world is opening up a bit? I had the pleasure of being included at a Design Alliance Meeting in April hosted at the home of Anne Michaelsen of Anne Michaelsen Design. We recently featured her home and outdoor kitchen in Issue 13 of the magazine. The food was pure magic and Annette Reeves from PIRCH and Agam Pinkerton of Alfresco Grills showcased all of the elements of her outdoor kitchen. I had the pleasure of being surrounded by some of Orange County’s best interior designers. I also got to meet one of Anne’s children, Abby Michaelsen, who has started Statement Home. Take a look at statementhome.com. She came up with a brilliant idea to create a tray company that has inserts that you can sub in and out by occasion. Lastly, I would like to give a shout-out to the lovely Roxy McKnight, wed on May15. The McKnight family is such an inspiration in this community. Happy spring to all. If you have any ideas for us, send them on over and if you have an interest in advertising or just want to meet for coffee, don’t hesitate to reach out. Cheers to you, Maria Barnes, Publisher, 949.436.1590 maria@bluedoormagazine.com 18

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PHOTO BY BRETT HILLYARD

EDITOR’S NOTE editor’s note

from Kedric Francis

I’ll admit to being a tad envious of those who came out of quarantine as improved versions of their pre-pandemic selves. They learned a new language, read 100 books, sculpted a fit physique, or mastered making sourdough in March 2020, moving on to more advanced culinary skills that they happily shared on Instagram. As for me, well I worked, rather than worked out, and did my best to help my wife while our four kids were at home and her mother was with us. My go-to fitness and wellness regimen pre-pandemic was hot yoga. But sweating and gasping in a small, crowded, humid room was the last place anyone wanted to be this past year. Plus, my preferred studio closed. Permanently, I think. So, I returned to trail running in the mountains, a favored pursuit in younger years before aching knees reduced my ultra-marathon running skills, such as they were. Finally, I discovered Peloton, which was a saving-grace birthday gift from my wife. I never took myself for a spin cyclist, but there I am, fighting my way up the leader board. In this issue, you’ll see stories about people who handled the challenges of the past 15 months with more ambition and far superior results, from friends practicing yoga together outdoors in Shady Canyon, to cousins helping clean the sea of lead debris left behind by decades of fishing along the coast of Laguna Beach. The photo here was taken at the outdoor yoga location. It’s one of my favorite Shady Canyon houses, owned by wonderful people. One thing that’s clear from the photo is that I’m going to need some new suits. The casual Friday look works fine when one is working from home, appearing only on GoToMeeting or Zoom, and dining and drinking in. But now, thankfully and finally, we are back. Restaurants are open, people are smiling, and we’re taking our kids to Disneyland (California Adventure, to be precise) as soon as this note is done. 20

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As regular readers know, my daughter Rosey and I love going to see live ballet. So, we were thrilled when Tim Dunn, the longtime Director of Public Relations at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, let me know about the first live performance at the Center in a year: a performance by American Ballet Theatre. Since Rosey is now a student at ABT William J. Gillespie School, she was more than thrilled to be back watching world-class dancers on stage. It was wonderful to walk up to the entrance, see Tim for our press tickets, and walk into Segerstrom Hall after a too-long absence. What wasn’t so wonderful was the realization that it would be the final time we’d receive our tickets from Tim, who is taking his much-deserved retirement after 21 years at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. It’s not cool for hard-core journalists, particularly newspaper-types, to admit they have great relationships with public relations professionals. Luckily, I’m not cool like that, and I’m in magazines. Tim has been an amazing partner in helping the media cover the best of art and culture in Orange County. I’m not sure how we’ll get on without his warmth and wit, and deep institutional knowledge about the arts. I asked Tim if he had any stories he wished we’d covered from his years of service to the arts. He demurred, not wanting attention on himself. I insisted, and he wrote me a wonderful and inspiring email that concluded thusly: “I enjoy reminiscing about the incredible artists and creators I was lucky to meet and work with, even if fleetingly. Those who taught me the most or were most inspiring were those whose lives were committed to working for the arts rather than in the arts. I have such admiration for the donors and members of our support groups who have that passion. We all owe them a debt of gratitude.” Thank you, Tim, for all you have given to the arts, and for being a good friend and confidant while doing your job as well as it has ever been done. kedric@bluedoormagazine.com PHOTO BY BRETT HILLYARD

contemporary home design www.geoffsumichdesign.com geoff sumich design 31511-a camino capistrano, san juan capistrano, ca 92675 949.412.8461

LIVE ON STAGE Segerstrom Center for the Arts celebrated the return of live events with performances by American Ballet Theatre.

Performances before a live audience returned to Segerstrom Center for the Arts for the first time in more than a year, as 18 American Ballet Theatre dancers presented a program of contemporary and classical ballet at Segerstrom Hall.

For five weeks this spring, dancers and artistic staff of American Ballet Theatre took residence under quarantine in Costa Mesa to rehearse “Uniting in Movement,” a program that includes world-premiere contemporary choreography and classical dance. It was performed before a live audience in April. The program included Darrell Grand Moultrie’s Indestructible Light and Lauren Lovette’s La Follia Variations. “These dancers give me hope for the future of dance, and this piece of choreography is a celebration of that hope,” says Lovette. “I’m always excited about finding ways to use great music and the dancers’ bodies to bring inspiration to people,” Moultrie says. ‘No matter what’s happening around us, we must always remember that there’s a light within that can never be shut off.” The program also honored ABT’s classical heritage with Grand Pas Classique and Swan Lake’s Act II pas de deux.

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ARTS

Segerstrom Center for the Arts had not offered live performances on its stages since March 2020, when ABT presented the world premiere of Love and Rage, choreographed by ABT Artist-in-Residence and MacArthur Genius Alexei Ratmansky. Dance critic Victoria Looseleaf hailed that full-length ballet as “ballet at its most sumptuous,” concluding that “this love-conquers-all story makes the world seem a brighter and more jubilant place.” The world was decidedly less bright in the year since that review, but now that pandemic clouds have lifted locally, it’s fitting that ABT was the first company to return to the Costa Mesa stage.

Above left: A scene from Indestructible Light’. Above: Jose Sebastian and Chloe Misseldine in Lauren Lovette’s ‘La Follia Variations.’ Photos by Todd Rosenberg Photography.

“We are especially proud of how “Uniting in Movement” so beautifully confirms the resilience and indomitable spirit of the arts and artists,” says Casey Reitz, president of Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The Center’s International Dance Series is made possible by the Audrey Steele Burnand Endowed Fund for International Dance and The Segerstrom Foundation Endowment for Great Performances. scfta.org | abt.org

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FOSTERING SUCCESS BY DESIGN AT SAMUELI ACADEMY Two SoCal interior designers earn high marks for the Santa Ana school’s new student dorm. By Carrie Freitas

If you build it, they will come—and they will thrive. This is true of the Samueli Academy, an award-winning 7th–12th grade charter school for local students, including foster care teens served by Orangewood Foundation in Santa Ana. Almost 20 years ago, the Academy was the idea of Susan Samueli and Sandi Jackson, two local philanthropists and Orangewood Foundation board members. Now, their vision has come to fruition, with the recent completion of a new dormitory where foster youth students at the Samueli Academy will live during the school week, providing them with the support and stability they need to succeed.

“Sandi and I are both mothers and grandmothers. We know that it’s so important for children to do well in high school and to go on to college,” says Samueli. “We felt that Orange County needed an academy with a dormitory that would give students the kind of care, attention, and education they need to succeed in life.” The dormitory is part of Orangewood Foundation’s new Youth Connected Program, which provides a world-class education at Samueli Academy as well as stable living arrangements for highschool-age foster youth in an on-campus dorm in a “family-style” setting. It also offers parents the opportunity to live and connect with the teens on weekends, holidays, and any time in between.

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PHOTO BY JIM DOYLE

DESIGN Students on the Samueli Academy campus in Santa Ana.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SAMUELI ACADEMY

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And, just as the Samueli Academy campus features state-of-the-art facilities, programs, and curriculum to best serve its students, the new dorm showcases innovative, intentional design to create a collaborative, inviting, and warm setting to ensure that its foster youth residents feel at home so they can excel in school as well as in building relationships and life skills. Two leading local interior designers—Tania Cassill of Laguna Beachbased Huit Design Group and Anna-Marie Claassen of Anthology Interiors in Newport Beach—joined forces with the Samueli Academy to give back, design-style, on the dorm project. These acclaimed designers and their teams generously donated their time, expertise, and decor items to create the welcoming and nurturing spaces that the foster youth living in the Samueli Academy dorm starting this fall will need to succeed.

Top: The Samueli dorm’s Great Room was created with an inclusive open floor plan and large tables that comfortably seat up to 14 people—the youth, staff, and guests. Above: Cassill used a black high-top table and fun chairs to create an inviting and fun corner aesthetic. 26

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“When we met with Tania, Anna-Marie, and their teams, we asked them for durable, youth-friendly spaces that would invite everyone to gather and build a sense of community—not just for the teens who live there, but for their friends and families to enjoy as well,” says Jami DeChaney Sheridan, director of the school’s Youth Connected Program. “They did an amazing job designing each space to be inclusive so that, no matter where you are in the room, you are not separated from others. Whether working in the homework space or cooking in the kitchen, the layout allows everyone in the space to take part in conversations happening around them. The bright colors, functional furniture, and fun décor make the space feel modern yet fun—similar to what teens would pick out themselves.” PHOTOS BY JIM DOYLE

DESIGN Anna-Marie Claassen and her Anthology Interiors team designed the West Suite great room in the new dormitory.

Tania Cassill and the Huit Design Group designed the East Suite main living area of the new Samueli Academy dormitory.

says Claassen. “It is a little bit modern, with the white leather swivel counter stools (so important for breakfast before school) and the fun pattern on the rug, and then a little bit bohemian with the fringe hanging from the mirror and the soft artwork.”

Above: LoveSac sectionals were used so they could be rearranged in different ways and adapt to any situation.

Tania Cassill and the Huit Design Group team focused on the dorm’s main living area and quiet room for small meetings. They created a cohesive and inviting vibe with products they repurposed from previous projects in addition to a few purchased pieces. Their goal was to make the space very comfortable and home-like, perfect for spending time together while also allowing for personal time. “Just knowing that what my team and I were creating was going to be a part of the students’ success, preparing them to age out of foster care in a positive way, was incredibly rewarding,” says Cassill. Claassen and her Anthology Interiors team took the dorm great room’s clean and modern neutral base and amplified its functionality and feeling of home, adding a bit of fun factor with a study area, ottoman coffee table, rug, pillows, artwork, and accessories. “I chose the blues for their universal appeal and the graphic patterns plus punches of yellow to make it feel youthful,” TOP LEFT PHOTO BY TANIA CASSILL; TOP RIGHT PHOTO BY ANNA-MARIE CLAASSEN

Claassen partnered with local furniture showroom Designers Resource Collection, who generously donated counter stools, a large rug, and a large piece of artwork, and then she personally donated the rest of the pieces to finish out the room. “I hope the teens living in the space can feel a real sense of community and a comfort of home while they are there,” says Claassen. “The furniture is meant to be used, lounged on, and interacted with. I hope they get a good sense of responsibility and independence as the space will be theirs to use and take care of; I hope they have pride in it. And, I hope that their Samueli Academy experience will be all the better for having a warm and welcoming place to live.” Huit Laguna @huitlaguna 949.715.5617 | huitlaguna.com Anthology Interiors @anthologyinteriors 949.375.1751 | anthologyinteriors.com Samueli Academy 1901 N. Fairview Street Santa Ana 714.619.0245 | samueliacademy.org BlueDoorMagazine.com

BRANDED BY BEAUTY

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ART AND DESIGN

South Coast Plaza, Montage/Pendry, and City of Hope go above and beyond in augmenting OC’s aesthetic environment with creative collaborations. As an aesthetically-minded enterprise, we recognize when local brands and businesses excel in efforts to beautify public and publicly accessible spaces in Orange County and greater Southern California. Game recognizes game, as they say.

Innovative design is baked into the DNA of select OC organizations, with the most obvious example being South Coast Plaza. There are major projects in play at and adjacent to South Coast Plaza, including an iconic new OCMA rising at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and we will surely be amazed with what the future holds for the former Sears, South Coast Plaza Village, and the surrounding land. Pre-pandemic, the center’s day-to-day amplifications of our aesthetic environment might have been taken for granted by some. Now, every visit to South Coast Plaza feels like a gift. A few recent design details: For its annual Spring Garden Show held this April, South Coast Plaza commissioned Fiesta Parade Floats to create a larger-than-life exhibit crafted from flowers and plants. Think of a Rose Parade float, deconstructed as an up-close-and-personal display. BlueDoorMagazine.com

The Spring Garden Show also showcased four outdoor living spaces and gardens from South Coast Plaza home stores, offering inspiration for everyone’s ongoing garden and yard improvement projects. In May, South Coast Plaza’s Jewel Court was transformed into a Parisian dreamscape. To celebrate the newest timepieces of the signature Pont des Amoureux collection, Van Cleef & Arpels collaborated with South Coast Plaza for an immersive installation that became instantly Instagrammable.

Above and left: Van Cleef & Arpels immersive installation at South Coast Plaza celebrating the Pont des Amoureux collection. Right: “Hope Lives in OC” was a partnership among City of Hope, Orange County Health Care Agency, and local organizations and businesses. All of the artists have been affected by cancer, making the City of Hope-led effort particularly meaningful to them.

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ART AND DESIGN

City of Hope is relatively new to Orange County, but its goals are ambitious—building a $1 billion comprehensive cancer campus next to the Orange County Great Park. Its “Hope Lives in OC” project this spring commissioned some 70 artists to create chalk art county-wide in an effort to “offer inspiration for a community emerging from an unprecedented year of hardship and loss.” The street art expressing themes of hope appeared at Disneyland Resort, Anaheim Convention Center and Soka University vaccine super POD sites, City of Hope locations, John Wayne Airport, Anaheim Packing District, Marina Park in Newport Beach, Orange County Great Park, and other iconic places in Orange County. “City of Hope was founded on hope and we want to share this powerful sentiment with our community,” says Annette M. Walker, president, City of Hope Orange County. cityofhope.org/orange-county BlueDoorMagazine.com

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ART AND DESIGN

Above: Florist-to-the-stars Eric Buterbaugh at Pendry West Hollywood, located at Sunset Boulevard and Olive where the House of Blues used to be. The new Pendry WeHo features 149 luxury guestrooms, a rooftop pool and bar, a live entertainment venue, a screening room, bowling alley, Spa Pendry, and two dining concepts from Wolfgang Puck, Ospero and Merois. Still to come: Pendry Residences West Hollywood, 40 luxury homes in an architecturally stunning building by renowned designer Martin Brudnizki and EYRC Architects.

When Montage Laguna Beach debuted in 2003, it instantly improved the aesthetic of its stretch of coastal Orange County, thanks to new view corridors of the ocean, a public park, public walkway, and easy access to public beaches. Not to mention a world-class resort. Now, Pendry Hotels & Resorts, a new luxury hospitality brand from Montage International, is adding to the acclaim by embracing art, music, and design. To celebrate the April opening of Pendry West Hollywood, celebrity florist Eric Buterbaugh created seven larger-than-life floral art installations at iconic locations along Sunset Boulevard. With several more Pendry Hotels debuting in the next 12-24 months, one can only wonder when it will be Orange County’s turn for one of the new hotels. pendry.com BlueDoorMagazine.com

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ART AND DESIGN

“When I think of West Hollywood, I think of glamour, beauty, and style, which are the same adjectives that I associate with flowers.” —Eric Buterbaugh

Eric Buterbaugh and several of the floral displays he created on Sunset Boulevard to celebrate the new Pendry Hotel. The portfolio of Pendry Hotels & Resorts includes Pendry San Diego, Sagamore Pendry Baltimore, and Pendry West Hollywood. Opening in 2021-2022 are Pendry Manhattan West, Pendry Park City, Pendry Chicago, Pendry La Quinta, Pendry Natirar, and Pendry Washington D.C.

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A SEASON OF BLISS

Why to These Rocks celebrates 50 years of poetry penned in California’s High Sierra

For 50 years, there’s been a world-class writing conference held near Lake Tahoe each summer. Called the Community of Writers, it draws novelists, playwrights, and poets to the Olympic Valley to spend a week writing, reading, and critiquing each other’s new work. The students range from eager English majors on summer break to retirees, f rom seasoned writers looking to refine their craft, to second career-seeking professionals searching for a more creative life.

The teachers and workshop leaders for the writing workshops tend to be professors and published authors, some Pulitzer Prize winners. Over the years they have included novelists Amy Tan, Michael Chabon, Janet Fitch, Richard Ford, Alice Sebold, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The poetry workshops have been led by Maya Angelou and Philip Levine, among others. The poets in the program are being celebrated in a new anthology published by Heyday Books: Why to These Rocks: 50 Years of Poetry from the Community of Writers. The title comes from a poem by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Galway Kinnell, who directed the Poetry Program for 17 years: “Then why to these rocks / Do I keep coming back why.”

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BOOKS

Time Out by Cornelius Eady

Why to These Rocks was edited by OC’s Lisa Alvarez (pictured above), a professor in the English Department at Irvine Valley College. She co-directs the annual Community of Writers summer conference and lives in Modjeska Canyon. “The poems tell a California story and the story of the American West and American poetry,” Alvarez says. “Contributors include some of the country’s most acclaimed poets, along with those just starting out, each with something to say about where and how we live together.” All the poems in the anthology were composed at the Community of Writers, the format of which tasks the poets with composing a new poem each day. “It’s a species of bliss,” writes Robert Hass in his foreword to the anthology. “Summer morning in the mountains, scintillant summer air, the vanilla and incense scent of the forest drifting through an open window or door into the living room of a ski cabin, and a group of a dozen or so poets sitting in a circle about to share drafts of poems they’ve written the day, or the night, before or—often enough in my case—earlier that morning.”

We didn’t grow up to be team players: The wordy ones, the shy ones, the smart-ass ones, The ones who burned alone, or in small groups, Who had this tic, or far-away look, or dreamed While wide-awake, too fat, too thin; too dark Or poor, or aware of our bodies; too restless Or lazy or uncoordinated; in a word, doomed. So here we are on a baseball field, in sunny July, In Tahoe City, CA, in the middle of a week of writing, Back at Squaw Valley, our poems sleep, For a day; our memories, and longings and angers, Our struggle with how to put it down, get it right, Our nagging with the truth set gently aside. Tell me a grander beauty than a game; the heat, The dust, the slow rolling of hours, our bodies Learning the swing, or remembering the last time Our muscles spoke in that combination. Teamed up, Anxious as raw recruits, Who counts the swings? How many outs? Who knows the score? Who tracks the innings? And we swing, we poets, and we miss, and we drop. O perfect summer day, when no one loses.

Hass, the current director of the poetry program who served as Poet Laureate of the United States in the mid-’90s and later won the Pulitzer Prize, suggests that one can read the anthology straight through. Or “dip in and skip around, finding a title or a first line that arrests you, finding your way, as one does listening to songs, into the surprising intimacy of someone else’s voice speaking to you out of their life, or a life they’ve imagined, or into someone else’s play with the pleasures of sound or thought, or someone else’s wonder, anger, impudence, tenderness, hurt, or joy.” The anthology includes a poem in defense of cheerleading, several that explore social justice (the poets are for it), and a few about poets playing softball (badly) in the High Sierra sun. Many are about the mountains, not surprisingly, given the picturesque setting of the workshop. Mostly, the poems are about beauty, love, and language. Or perhaps the beauty of loving language. Or the language of beautiful love, even.

Why to These Rocks Edited by Lisa Alvarez (Heyday Books; 304 pages; $28) BlueDoorMagazine.com

Cousins Nick Johnson, 23, and Colin Johnson, 28, have dedicated their time to clearing the waters of Emerald Bay, collecting nearly half a ton of lost lead fishing lures and weights left behind over the decades from before the Laguna Beach coast was designated as a marine sanctuary.

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OC OCEAN

By Kedric Francis Photos by Brett Hillyard

HEAL THE BAY

Orange County cousins dive deep to clear Emerald Bay of the metal remains from a bygone era. Emerald Bay is the jewel of the California coast, and one of the most picturesque places in the world in which to live. Residents of the immaculately-kept private enclave might be surprised, then, that their neighbors Nick and Colin Johnson have collected some 900 pounds of debris that has littered the iconic locale for decades.

If you have “Emerald Bay” in your address, you can be forgiven for not having noticed: the mess was beneath the surface of the bay. Still more lies off shore: lead weights, spark plugs (they served as inexpensive weights), and fishing line that are the remnants of an era when the Laguna Beach coast drew fishermen and women, casting their lines into the sea from the beach, historic piers, and rocky points. That era ended in 2012, when Emerald Bay and the Laguna Beach coast became part of the largest “no-take” marine protected area in Southern California, encompassing some 14 square miles of coastal habitat from Corona del Mar State Beach to Dana Point.

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It’s a pretty crazy amount of lead, just from one point,” Colin says of the southern point of Emerald Bay, where the cousins focus their efforts. They find the most lead on the seabed beneath rocky overhangs there, areas where fishing lines got snagged and lures and weights lost through the years. They think there may be even more metal in the waters around the north point of the cove, but the cliff debris in the water on that side of the bay makes it difficult to see and recover it. How much lead remains in Emerald Bay? “Literally tons,” Nick says. “Now, multiply that by the entire coast.

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OCEAN ISSUE OC OCEAN

“Growing up, it almost wasn’t worth snorkeling in Emerald Bay,” Colin recalls, at least as far as abundant sea life was concerned. “You’d maybe see some Garibaldi,” the bright orange damselfish that is the California state marine fish.

Colin and Nick Johnson with lead fishing weights, lures, and spark plugs they recover from the waters of Emerald Bay.

During the pandemic, Colin started swimming and snorkeling two to three times a day in Emerald Bay while preparing to pursue a PhD in Chemistry. Colin’s father used to tell stories about how rich the waters were back in his day. Now, Colin saw for himself that the diversity had returned. “I’ve seen green sea turtles, butterfly and bat rays, white sea bass, yellow tail, and barracuda,” he says, just a few of the dozens of marine species he’s seen in recent months. “I’ve come to appreciate the biodiversity I see out there now.” But his daily swimming and free diving revealed something else in the emerald waters of the bay: lead, and lots of it. He started picking up the weights, stashing them in his pockets. “Once I saw it, I couldn’t just swim by it,” Colin says. “It’s coming with me.” He told his cousin, Nick, who also grew up living in Emerald Bay, what he was doing. “We just need to go get it all,” Nick said. With a background in free diving (and a degree in finance from Claremont McKenna College), Nick “MacGyvered” a system of buoys and dive bags, using neutral buoyancy to significantly increase the lead the diving duo collected. BlueDoorMagazine.com

“I love projects,” he says. “This was a great way to spend COVID-19 quarantine, having fun and getting a workout with my cousin, while having a positive impact on the environment.” Soon, the cousins were coming out of the water with dive bags full... Of what? Their beach-strolling neighbors wondered. “They thought we were poaching,” Nick says.

Nick Johnson holding one piece of lead out of the 900 pounds-plus he and his cousin Colin have removed from the Emerald Bay seabed. The cousins know that, while fishing has been banned within the marine protected area since 2012, the lead weights still in the ocean are slowly degrading. The metals will continue to “bioaccumulate and damage the marine environment,” Colin says.

It is very easy for people to think ‘someone else will pick that up,’ but when everyone thinks that, no one actually does it,” Colin Johnson says, not only of the lead he and Nick collect, but of the plastic, Styrofoam, and other debris we all see on beaches. “If we all adjust our mindsets to take just a little bit more responsibility and action, we can not only have a big impact, but most importantly, a persistent impact.

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Now, the young men hope to collaborate with an artist to up-cycle the 900 pounds of lead lures, sinkers, and spark plugs they’ve cleared from the seabed into a piece of public art, a symbol of the ongoing need to protect the marine environment. “Hopefully a person or two will be inspired too see that picking up one piece of trash or one lead weight does matter and does have a tangible positive impact. Who knows, someone might see you doing it, and start picking up a piece or two themselves,” he says. “So we can have healthy, thriving ecosystems to share with the next generation.” “It is very cool to see how nature can bounce back,” Colin says of the vibrant life they see in the waters of Emerald Bay. “But it desperately needs to be given the opportunity to do so.” linkedin.com/in/n-johnson/ linkedin.com/in/colin-johnson-115553122/

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OC OCEAN

An epic environmental quest inspired by the whales, dolphins, and other sea life finding sanctuary along the OC coast

SAVING THE SEA

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OC OCEAN

Laguna Beach local Rich German loves the ocean. He gets in the water as often as he can, enjoys photographing the sea and the life he finds there, and is passionate about protecting it. None of this makes him unique among those of us who live in coastal Orange County.

But most of us are mere dilettantes in our devotion to the ocean compared to German, who embodies his belief that “one person can make a difference.” For German, the difference he is making started with his stunning photos of ocean life along the Orange County coast and has evolved into a series of initiatives designed to inspire others to “have a profoundly positive impact on our planet.” German started paddleboarding in 2010 as a hobby— he was in it for the exercise, he explains, embarking on a daily excursion from Fisherman’s or Shaw’s Cove in North Laguna. Now, after an estimated 9,000 hours on the water since 2010, and having covered an estimated 25,000 miles, German is a full-time ocean advocate. “The ocean is my church, temple, and sanctuary,” he says. A turning point came in January 2015, when a video he took of an encounter with a pod of orca whales went viral. German was paddleboarding a few miles off Emerald Bay when he noticed boats gathered—always a good sign of a whale sighting. German joined them and spent the next two hours interacting with the mammals, also known as killer whales, recording his close encounter. The global attention to the adventure drew the attention of the media, environmentalists, and leaders of ocean-protection organizations, and inspired German to dedicate his life to saving the sea. BlueDoorMagazine.com

Fast-forward a few years, and German’s ocean-preserving efforts are centered on Project O, a nonprofit he founded with the mission “to restore, protect, and sustain the ocean and the sacred life within it.” He also published Blue Laguna, a gorgeous 128-page glossy coffee table book of his photos of whales, dolphins, and other marine wildlife he’s paddled with along the OC coast. All the proceeds from the book go to Project O. Project O’s leading initiative is Blue City, an effort to certify cities along the California coast that demonstrate a commitment to healthy waterways and oceans. Participating cities gain access to resources from governmental agencies and top environmental nonprofits (including Oceana and the Ocean Institute) to up their ocean protection efforts. Upon certification, participating cities become part of the Blue City Network, a coalition of communities that collaborate in their ongoing quest to become champions of the environment. Blue City Network members,

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including Santa Monica, Imperial Beach, and Manhattan Beach, can leverage the certification status to elevate the health and wellness of residents and their civic stretch of coastline, promote civic pride, and attract travelers who want to visit environmentally friendly cities. German’s podcast/video series, “Our Epic Ocean,” is equally ambitious, as he interviews a who’s-who of people dedicated to saving the seas. Conversations archived on the site include Céline Cousteau, filmmaker and environmental activist; Surfrider Foundation CEO Chad Nelsen; Dianna Cohen, artist and co-founder/CEO of Plastic Pollution Coalition; and filmmaker/adventurer Alison Teal, the “female Indiana Jones” who travels the world with a signature pink surfboard made of repurposed plastic. And the upcoming podcast schedule includes Andy Sharpless, Oceana CEO, and Paul Watson, founder and CEO of Sea Shepherd. Another inspiring initiative created by German and the Project O team is The Epic Ocean Challenge, described by German as a “simple yet powerful way for people to become a solution to the problems facing our ocean and planet.” The free, seven-day virtual challenge educates and motivates

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participants to make small adjustments to their daily lives that will lessen the impact on the environment. Each day begins with a short video, focusing on that day’s theme and what small actions participants can make to create ongoing change. These simple steps, such as shutting off the tap while brushing your teeth, using a bamboo toothbrush, not eating meat for only 24 hours, or choosing a non-toxic household cleaning product, can help reduce each person’s carbon and plastic footprint on the Earth and its waterways.

OC OCEAN

“My goal for this Challenge is to have one million people take it,” he says, “creating new, empowering habits that, together, will have a profoundly positive impact on our planet.” “It’s not too late,” he says of saving the oceans. “But we no longer have the luxury of time. We need to take action, and we need to do it together. We need to be epic.” project-o.org ourepicocean.com bluecitynetwork.org

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RIDING THE WAVE She Surf—The Rise of Female Surfing is a photo-filled reflection on what it means to be a female surfer and how it feels to be moved to action by the beauty of the ocean.

From its Polynesian origins to the beaches of almost every surfable coastline around the world, the art of surfing has become a truly global phenomenon, with millions of surfers living to the rhythm of the tides. While surfing has too often been told through a male perspective, women

Belinda Baggs | Photo by Jarrah Lynch

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OC OCEAN

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Right: Bethany Hamilton, whose resilience inspires millions to transcend surfing. | Photo by Lieber Films

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Above: Ryoko Sezutsu is a kind and gracious surfer renowned for her ability to build community. | Photo by Sasha Golyanova Right: Passing on the legacy of the Hawaiian waterwoman, in Rell Sunn’s restored canoe. | Photo by Benjamin Ono

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Bethany Hamilton Reclaiming her story: thriving as one of the most well-rounded and technically proficient surfers on the planet

OC OCEAN

Most professional athletes are defined by the best days of their lives—the times when all the training and determination paid off and they clinched a world title. For Bethany Hamilton, though, just the opposite has been true. While the fame of her shark bite and survival story allowed her to transcend surf culture and inspire millions with both book and movie deals, it has also meant being publicly and endlessly defined by the worst day of her life. But that day hardly sums up Bethany, considering that she’s gone on to be one of the most wellrounded and progressive female surfers, ever. Bethany was always a natural. From a young age, her smooth and powerful surfing stood out. Born and raised on the small island of Kauai, Bethany regularly competed in the boys division of local surf contests, and regularly won. Even more impressive than her skill, Bethany’s early surf and swim coaches recall her uncanny drive and dedication to exceeding athletic expectations. By all accounts, she was a world champion in the making. At 14, after losing her left arm to a shark, Bethany was back in the water within a month. She shocked the surfers in her cohort—including Hawaiians Carissa Moore and Coco Ho— by showing up to compete in the NSSA Nationals just two years after the incident. She won the 18 and under division, a proving ground for up-and-coming professionals. Bethany’s remarkable story has tended to outshine her exceptional surfing talent, a narrative she is now actively reclaiming. Her most recent film, a documentary called Unstoppable, chronicles a raw and personal account of her rise to fame, the challenges of balancing career and motherhood, and an unwavering commitment to evolving her surfing. “I’ve learned that from awful times beauty can come,” she

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have long been nurturing their own water stories and claiming their rightful place in the world of this sport. In more than 25 exclusive interviews, She Surf profiles the females who are engaged in expanding the art of surfing today. Through evocative imagery and insightful text written by professional surfer Lauren L. Hill, the book travels from the iconic waves of Hawai`i to lesser-known surf destinations such as Taghazout, Morocco, and Tofino, Canada.

Above: Liz Clark | Photo by Tahui Tufaimea

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Seven-time world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore | Photo Laurent Masurel

Learn about the forgotten stories of a surfing princess, pioneering wave riders from the 1960s, and the contemporary movers and shakers shaping the scene. She Surf hails the women, past and present, who define the sport and art of surfing. She Surf THE RISE OF FEMALE SURFING Editors: gestalten & Lauren L. Hill

she surf

Ishita Malaviya One in a billion: sowing surf culture with India’s first recognized female surfer

The Rise of Female Surfing

Above: Surf hero Cher Pendarvis drops in on her high-speed surf mat. | Photo by Sarah Lee

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“I have always been drawn to the ocean,” Ishita Malaviya says, her dark eyes scanning the horizon. “I don’t know why, but I always wanted to surf. Ever since I caught my first wave, I knew I was going to be surfing for the rest of my life. Suddenly, everything made sense.” In 2007, longing for a “more peaceful place,” Ishita uprooted herself from her bustling hometown Mumbai to study journalism at university in the state of Karnataka in India’s southwest. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would start surfing there!” Between classes, she happened upon an American ex-pat who taught her and her boyfriend Tushar how to surf. The pair quickly pawned belongings to get a secondhand board, which they took turns on that first year. Ishita’s long, lanky frame folds in giggling enthusiasm as she recalls her first waves. Her bright smile and effervescence overflow. She is the personification of the perpetually stoked surfer girl. However, her playful nature makes it tempting to overlook the social, religious, and cultural boundaries she has danced to make a life and livelihood as a surfer in India. Just a few years after catching her first wave, the surf industry snatched her up, with eyes fixed on an emerging action sports market in India. Roxy sent her to Europe on her first modeling gig. Ishita was expected to pose in swimwear, despite the fact that she had never before worn a bikini in public. She was being used as the face of a campaign to sell a lifestyle that she hadn’t fully experienced for herself, yet. The bikini is still considered too overtly sexual for more religious or conservative Indians. Many hold mythic fears about the ocean, but those women who dare are expected to swim fully covered. Ishita now wears bikinis all the time, but always

DESIGN OC VISION OCEAN

Above: Surfing became a source of therapy and drive after Dani Burt’s accident, when she had the tenacity to learn to surf after losing her leg. | Photo Mike Bresnen Left: Ashita Malaviya has pushed social, religious, and cultural boundaries to make a life and livelihood as a surfer in India. | Photo by Meg Haywood Sullivan

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Black Tie Affair at Selanne Steak Tavern, Laguna Beach

The Perfect G&T at Hendrix, Laguna Niguel

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False King at The Hall Global Eatery, South Coast Plaza

El Sol at Comedor, the new tapas restaurant at La Casa del Camino hotel, Laguna Beach

LIBATIONS High Tide at Driftwood Kitchen, Laguna Beach

Sprig of Sunshine at Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar, Old Towne Orange

COCKTAIL COLLAGE Outdoors or inside. At the beach or in the barrio. Up in the penthouse or down in the basement. At this point, we don’t give a damn; we just want to drink with our friends. So, cheers. Here’s a look at colorful intoxicants from top OC mixologists to inspire your next outing.

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Sandia Fresca from Costa Contemporary Kitchen, Costa Mesa

Victor Moreno, beverage director at Knife Pleat, The Penthouse, South Coast Plaza Photo by Anne Watson

20/21 Vision, Blinking Owl, Santa Ana Photo by Ron De Angelis

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Fairy’s Revenge at Fable & Spirit, Newport Beach Photo by Anne Watson

LIBATIONS

Meant To Be at Selanne Steak Tavern, Laguna Beach

Spring has sprung, and summer will soon be here. So who’d like to join us for booze, wine, or beer?

Ponche at Costa Contemporary Kitchen, Costa Mesa

Velvet Alley at Selanne Steak Tavern, Laguna Beach

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1357 Cerritos Drive Laguna Beach

Offered at $2,595,000

Effortlessly chic style welcomes you from the moment

many raised garden beds and fruit trees, or serve a meal

you lay eyes on this recently updated coastal home.

at the storybook outdoor dining space. In addition to

Ocean and hillside views embrace you as you enter the

the main house, a fully renovated ADU, complete with a

open concept living space, with vaulted ceilings adorned

sitting area, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom, sits below

with skylights, polished concrete floors, a built in library

the property - the perfect addition for extended family,

and surround sound. Flow through the sliding Fleetwood

grown children, or rental income. All of this, found in

doors onto the large view deck, completing this perfect

the desirable lower Temple Hills neighborhood, just a

spot for indoor/outdoor entertaining. The renovated

short distance to town, award-winning schools, and the

kitchen sits back, unobtrusive, yet shines with European

beautiful world-famous beaches of Laguna!

style and newer appliances. Downstairs, you’ll find the brand new, private primary bedroom retreat with its spa-like bathroom, dual closet spaces, and secluded patio, in addition to two secondary bedrooms each with their own rear patio access. Once outside in the private back yard, hone your gardening skills with the

Mike Johnson 949.207.3735

mikejohnsongroup@compass.com

Mike Johnson

Paulo Prietto

Kristine Flynn

DRE 01429647

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Inge Bunn

Sylvia Ames

Lilly Tabrizi

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Nick Hooper

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959 La Mirada | Panoramic Ocean Views

Laguna Beach | Offered at $2,975,000 Laguna Beach | New Price $1,985,000

30661 Marilyn | Vintage Ranch Home

354 North Coast Highway | Prime Mixed-Use Property

Laguna Beach | Offered at $2,398,000

Laguna Beach | Offered at $6,595,000

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A Great Journey Starts With A Great Guide ® 7 years helping clients acquire spectacular properties throughout Coastal Southern California.

I look to the future because that’s where I’m going to spend the rest of my life. George Burns Hanz Radlein Realtor® 949.245.4470 hanz@radlein.com hanzradlein.com DRE 01954778

© 2021 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for your listing.

PANORAMIC OCEAN VIEWS

920 Kings Road, Newport Beach

5 Bed, 7.5 Bath 6835 Sqft. Panoramic Ocean, Harbor and Channel Views

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775 Summit Drive | Laguna Beach Street to Street Lot With Peekaboo Ocean Views Offered at $2,995,000

1428 Regatta Road | Laguna Beach Buildable Lot Offered at $650,000

1592 Riverside Place | Eastside Costa Mesa New Construction Offered at $2,575,000

1179 Katella Street l Laguna Beach Panoramic Ocean Views New Price $3,995,000

LEO G OLDS CHWARTZ COLLECTION R E A L E S T A T E E L E VA T E D A N D S E R V I C E B E Y O N D T H E D E A L L E O G O L D S C H WA R T Z . C O M

L AG UNA B E AC H

C O RO N A D E L M A R

160 Saint Ann’s

712 Malabar

$17,500,000 | Representing Seller

$5,895,000 | Representing Seller

LEO G O L D S C H WA R T Z 714.719.0670 leo.gold@compass.com DRE 01704591

Representing a portfolio of Southern California’s most detailed estates, Leo Goldschwartz has been recognized as one of top sales leaders in 2021 nationwide.

DA NA P O I N T

N E W P O RT B E A C H

33 Strand Beach

530 Kings

$21,550,000 | Represented Buyer

$5,895,000 | Represented Seller

Ask us how you can help us in supporting these charities and or your favorite charity

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Compass is a licensed real estate broker (01991628) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit properties already listed.

1016 EMERALD BAY LAGUNA BEACH 3 BEDROOMS 3 BATHROOMS 3,163 SQUARE FEET

MAURA SHORT 949.233.7949 MAURA@COMPASS.COM DRE 01883774

CELEBRATING 360+ SUCCESSFUL SALES AND COUNTING

C E L E B R AT I N G 4 5 0 + S U C C E S S F U L S A L E S A N D C O U N T I N G

CELEBRATING 360+ SUCCESSFUL SALES AND COUNTING

AFTER

BEFORE

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After gallery at BradshawResidentialGroup.com/Remodel B E F O R E : B I G CA N YO N | N E W P O R T B E AC H Even in the most challenging and uncertain of times, we continue to meet and exceed our clients needs. With the use of safe practices, creative and virtual marketing, and our extensive network, we have successfully opened/closed 10 escrow sides during Covid-19. Once again, we J U S T S O L D, M U LT I P L E O F F E R S | 30 T I M O R S E A invite youJASON to put the proven results of the Bradshaw Residential Group to work for you. C. JASON BRADSHAW Bradshaw Residential Group BRADSHAW

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Let us add VALUE with no up front costs, interest, or fees. Put the proven results ofAlthough our concierge design and construction services to e property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. ely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2020 Coldwell Banker. All Rights work for you, allowing us to sell your property for more money! ell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which (20456581) DARREN DARREN SMITH

he principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act

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JASON C. JASON BRADSHAW Bradshaw Residential Group BRADSHAW BradshawResidentialGroup.com/Remodel 949.433.3001 CalRE# 01304396

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Laur COLD W E LL B ANKE R RE ALT Y

4630 DORCHESTER ROAD | NEW LISTING Corona del Mar | Offered at $4,395,000

119 VIA MENTONE Lido Isle | $4,395,000

105 VIA WAZIERS Lido Isle | $3,595,000

713 POINSETTIA AVENUE Corona del Mar | $2,199,000

JON FLAGG

201 VIA CORDOVA Lido Isle | Offered at $4,495,000 It’s all about location and this home, including four bedrooms and six baths in 3,986 square feet, offers an opportunity to own on one of the prettiest corner lots on picturesque Lido Isle. Bordered by two stradas and kitty-corner from one of Lidos famed parks and tennis courts, this residence boasts multiple balconies, original plantation shutters and oak fl ooring throughout. The layout includes a formal living room with fi replace, a formal dining room, a spacious family room with access to the lovely front patio, and a center kitchen with stainless appliances. A guest suite with fi replace, patio entrance, walk-in closet and full bath as well as a laundry room, powder room and three-car garage complete the fi rst fl oor. A sunny spiral staircase off of the two-story entranceway leads to a sizeable primary bedroom with its own private balcony overlooking Barcelona park and tennis court, as well as a sitting area, large bath and walk-in closet. Down the hall, an open-plan office suite is perfect for working from home and is host to a Juliet balcony above the center strada, custom built-ins and an en suite bath. Two additional en suite bedrooms with private balconies grace the second fl oor. Whether you enjoy dining under a canopy of trees on your front patio, sitting dockside, walking the Lido boardwalk or taking a short stroll to the renowned shops and restaurants of Lido Village, this island home presents a multitude of occasions for idyllic living on scenic Lido Isle.

jonf lagg.com

112 VIA DIJON Lido Isle | Offered at $4,795,000 Chic, new, fabulous - Lido Isle at its fi nest. Newly rebuilt and refreshingly unique, every level of this residence is certain to please. Designed by renowned Urban Arena, positioned on a large, 40’-wide parcel, close to the entry and offering 5 bedrooms and 5 baths in 2700sf of transformative living space with a seamless blend of modern flair coupled with beach house charm. The residence easily fl ows and is adorned with hardwood fl oors, designer fi nishes, two courtyards and a picturesque, generous rooftop view deck that will be the focal point for many gatherings. The open-plan living room, dining area and kitchen open onto a sun-bathed courtyard providing the perfect backdrop for entertaining. The Chefs kitchen is anchored by a center granite island and replete with stainless appliances including a built-in wine fridge. The living room, topped with a cathedral-style beamed ceiling and bordered by a wall of glass sliders to the central courtyard, is an inviting space made especially cozy by the original stone fi replace. A separate family room opens onto the strada and center courtyard while a sunny bedroom/office offers a welcome retreat. Three additional bedrooms afford privacy on distinct levels, including a lavish master bedroom with seating area, walk-in closets and a beautifully appointed bath. Views from the coast to Saddleback Mountain can be savored from the spacious rooftop deck, featuring turf and teak decking. Step down into the covered verandah, providing a cozy outdoor space.

JON FLAGG

949 698 1910 jﬂagg@villarealestate.com jonﬂagg.com JonFlaggRealEstateServices @JonFlaggHomes DRE No. 01316048

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HIGH

CORKETT

319 GRAND CANAL | NEW LISTING Newport Beach | Offered at $4,495,000 | 319GrandCanal.com This ultra-soft Contemporary Balboa Island 3 bedroom bay front home was designed by renowned architect, Fred M. Briggs. Who has brought his trademark style to this home blending a limited amount of simple functional materials, contrasting limestone, teak, concrete, steel and walls of glass with a Michael Bondi metal staircase, Wrightian principals and the simplicity, fine detail and scale of Japanese design. One enters this home through pivoting glass doors into its living room shrouded in floor to ceiling curved glass walls, viewing the well designed Siematic kitchen, to enjoying the master suite with its Shoji screen doors, embankment wall of teak built-ins and round glass enclosed shower, to its expanded roof top deck with built-in serving area, refrigerator, icemaker, drawers, fire table and jacuzzi. Step out from the living area to waterfront patio and the special feel of this unique property. Enjoy your private dock and the proximation to all the fun of Balboa Island.

highcorkett.com

715 BAYSIDE DRIVE | HUGE PRICE REDUCTION Newport Beach | Offered at $6,950,000 | 715BaysideDrive.com This ultra-luxurious Contemporary-style Promontory Bay bayfront home, with 68 of waterfrontage, can accommodate a fleet of yachts including a 65 boat and two side ties. Sleek, inviting and stylish, the house is entered through stainless steel doors, a stainless gate and stainless garage doors all surrounded by stunning Mahogany siding. The first-level interiors set the mood for easy beach living and modernistic entertaining with walls of glass opening to the bayside patio, high ceilings, a sunken living room with a fireplace, a Snaidero European kitchen with professional grade stainless steel appliances, a chic bar, media room, powder bath, main floor bedroom suite and an attached two-car garage. The upstairs of the home is highlighted by the extraordinary waterfront master suite with its alluring bath with his and her areas, free standing jetted tub, steam shower and designer selected stone; in addition, the second level features two elegant bedrooms with en-suite baths. Newport Harbor is a yachtsmans playground with swimming, sailing, paddleboarding, and access to fine dining, bars, and nightlife from your watercraft. Promontory Bay provides sheltered deep water dockage and easy access to shopping, freeways, and Newports iconic Fashion Island.

STEVE HIGH

949 874 4724 shigh@villarealestate.com @high_corkett DRE No. 00936421

EVAN CORKETT

949 285 1055 ecorkett@villarealestate.com @high_corkett DRE No. 00468496

S u n Va l l ey I d a h o P a ra d i s e 105 THUNDER ROAD | $4,695,000 | MLS#20-327221 Recreational mountain paradise in the classic Sun Valley tradition. This 7,800 sqft home features 5 bedrooms, 6.5

bathrooms, a large chef’s kitchen, home office, large vaulted living room and nearly 1,500 sqft of garage space to store your toys. Featured on 3.05 Acres, the property’s tranquil setting along the East Fork of the Bigwood River makes for a relaxing outdoor hangout after a quick fish for trout.

2 additional lots on either side of this property available for purchase for a total of 11 acres.

Murphy Blake Group . Engel & Völkers Sun Valley 291 First Avenue North . Ketchum . Idaho 83340 Mike Murphy: (208) 720.3323 Jessica Blake: (208)720.7566 murphyblakegroup@evrealestate.com

Reid Sanborn . Engel & Völkers Sun Valley 291 First Avenue North . Ketchum . Idaho 83340 (208) 720.8244 reid.sanborn@evrealestate.com

©2020 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

Private Ketchum Idaho Estate 120 BEAR LANE | $6,690,000 | MLS#20-327108 No expense was spared in the construction of this Janet Jarvis designed Estate Home with the finest in construction by Frank Bashita. This home constructed entirely of stone & features 3+ bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, a heated outdoor pool, incredible wine cellar, heated paver driveway and 2+ car garage. Very privately situated on Bear Lane in Ketchum with only 4 homes in subdivision.

• • •

3 Bedrooms 5.5 Bathrooms 2+ Car Garage

• 5,330 Square Feet • Pool • Privately Situated

• •

Fireplace Wet Bar Wine Cellar

Learn more at sunvalley.evrealestate.com

Murphy Blake Group . Engel & Völkers Sun Valley 291 First Avenue North . Ketchum . Idaho 83340 Mike Murphy: (208) 720.3323 Jessica Blake: (208)720.7566 murphyblakegroup@evrealestate.com ©2020 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

Design Matters Blue Door Magazine asks design insiders and clients what trends, brands, and looks they’re loving right now.

The Bath as Art ®

MTI’s Boutique Collection tubs are striking vessels that enable water’s power to sustain, heal, and renew. As sculptured forms, each tub is a handmade work of art that will transform the bathroom into a showcase of the extraordinary. Boutique Collection tubs are available in white or biscuit with a soft matte or hand-polished deep gloss finish. Their seamless elegance speaks to the master craftsmanship and care that goes into each unique piece. MTI baths saturate the senses by creating an immersive and rejuvenating experience where water meets the luxurious smooth touch of SculptureStone® for a blissfully relaxing soak or the light, full-body massage of an air bath. These exceptional products are designed to fit into the world’s finest spas, hotels, and custombuilt homes. Boutique Collection tubs, as well as sinks and counter-sinks, are individually manufactured and handcrafted using MTI’s proprietary SculptureStone, a mixture of natural ground minerals and high-performance resins that is 70% organic. The result is molded stone that is solid throughout with a durable, non-porous finish.

Elena with Cradle

As an employee-owned company, MTI has gained national recognition for its innovation, awardwinning designs, and outstanding customer care. MTI products are offered through an exclusive network of luxury bath and plumbing showrooms throughout the country. For more information visit mtibaths.com.

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DESIGN MATTERS

Clockwise from top left: Akana; Halo; Elise; Incline 3 Counter-Sink

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Poolside Pizza

Moya Living has designed and manufactured a deluxe pizza party on wheels.

MOYA LIVING MOBILE PIZZA CART Whether you are entertaining or having a family gathering poolside, the Moya Living mobile pizza cart is a indispensable must-have for the pizza connoisseur. Moya’s trademark stainless-steel design, with a fine-textured glimmer from its baked-on powder coat color, is the perfect addition to your outdoor cooking collection. A seamlessly crafted two-door steel cabinet offers a durable flip-up 316 marine-grade countertop for pizza prep on one side and a solid steel handle on the other side to roll the cart anywhere on fourcornered solid caster rollers with foot brakes. Within the cabinet are two durable sliding drawers for a fuel container and storage for all your pizza utensils. There is also a shelf for your pizza peel, providing the ultimate in gourmet pizza cuisine al fresco. Moya Living designs and makes the highest quality outdoor kitchen cabinetry at the company’s Orange County headquarters.

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moyaliving.com 714.545.1838 17430 Mt. Cliffwood Circle Fountain Valley

DESIGN MATTERS

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“Unity is strength, but when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” Bassman Blaine Home has been delivering wonderful design projects for decades via teamwork and collaboration. Meet four members of their lead design team who explain what they love about their work.

“It is a privilege to be part of the dynamic team at Bassman Blaine Home — the company’s values not only speak to my professional beliefs, but also align with my core values of teamwork, integrity, excellence, and respect.” — Kela Celoaliaj, Head of Business Development

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DESIGN MATTERS

“I love to help clients turn their homes into something beautiful and it warms my heart and makes me happy to see them excited at how their homes look. I love to make people happy, which makes my job a true blessing.” — Cheryl Moore, Senior Designer

For Bassman Blaine Home interior design inquiries, please email hello@bassmanblainehome.com. bassmanblainehome.com | 949.210.3441

PHOTOS BY KIM UTLEY

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“I love working at Bassman Blaine because everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to turning our concepts into a tangible vision for each of our clients. We are challenged to bring quality and value to each project we undertake, not to mention the smiles and gratitude we see from our clients. This is how we know we have done a spectacular job and allows us to begin our next project with confidence.” — Christina Woodring, Senior Designer

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DESIGN MATTERS

“There is SO much to love about design but the cherry on top will always be when a client sees their design come to life. There is no greater feeling than a client loving a space that you created specifically for them.” — Christa Lipinski, Senior Designer

If you are from the design industry and would like to join this market leading team please email hello@ bassmanblainehome.com bassmanblainehome.com 949.200.7504

PHOTO BY KIM UTLEY

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“I am thrilled and honored to be a part of the Bassman Blaine Home team and such a wonderful company and great group of people who share the same core values. I love creating beautiful and carefully crafted spaces that promote happiness and well-being in a world that can sometimes be quite chaotic. I believe as designers we have the privilege to orchestrate how all the elements of a space come together to affect people’s lives in a positive manner.“ — Joselyn Rendon, Senior Designer

If you are from the design industry and would like to join this marketleading team, please email hello@ bassmanblainehome.com. bassmanblainehome.com 949.200.7504

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PHOTO BY KIM UTLEY

Participating Restaurants/Chefs Honorary Chef – Jessica Roy, Café Jardin at Sherman Gardens Balboa Bay Club – Jacob Davis Bluegold – Jorge Valines Butterflight Food Service - Alan Ramirez CafeEighteen48 – Charly Hougeban, Scott Renney & Dominique Shelton Café Jardin – Jessica Roy & Pascal Olhats Cannery Seafood of the Pacific & Louie’s by the Bay – Victor Soto & Daniele Cambria Craft House – Blake Mellgren Descanso – Fonzy De Zuniga Filomena’s Italian Kitchen & Market – Linda Johnsen Glasspar – Rob Wilson King’s Hawaiian Corporate Chef – Bert Agor Montage Laguna Beach – David Serus & Ben Martinek Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa – Andy Arndt Nirvana Grille – Lindsay-Smith Rosales Nobu Newport Beach – Andy Huynh & Tetsuya Isogami OLEA – Markus Hagan Outer Reef, Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa – John Tesar Pacific Club – David Martin Pelican Hill Resort – Erik Sandven Prego Mediterranean – Ugo Allesina Splashes, Surf & Sand Resort, JC Resorts Corporate Chef – Ron Fougeray Tangata Restaurant – Patina Group The Mayor’s Table at Lido House – Riley Huddleston The Ranch Laguna Beach – Kyle St. John Thyme Well Spent Catering– Brandon Hall True Food Kitchen – Noe Moreno Watertable, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach – Manfred Lassahn Whitestone Restaurant – Anthony Celeste XClusive Taquera Moderna – Eddie Velasco & Manny Perez

A savory experience not to be missed, this culinary event features the area’s top chefs preparing amazing full course dinners tableside.

August 29, 2021 at the Bowers Museum 2002 North Main Street Santa Ana, CA 92706 4:30 p.m. • Outdoor Event Title Sponsors: Mary Murfey & Patti Grundhofer

Cocktail Reception Hosts Baja Shellfish - Jose Augustro Juarez Catered Courses – Rick Boxeth Crown Point JCB Wines Laguna Premiere Events - Donald Lockhart Melissa’s Variety Produce Miss Mini Donuts Moongoat Coffee Roasters Nestle Waters Notorious Pink Rose Oceans & Earth – Adam Navidi OC Local Honey – Christine Ferrian Pacific Pearl Catering – Michael Campbell Seahorse Blue Lantern Inn – Antonio Roa Sugared & Iced – Samantha Meyer Taste by Chris Tzorin– Chris Tzorin Three Pug Bakery Dessert Shop– Heather McLeod

Table for Ten is Proud to Support: www.wish.org/ocie

Reserve your table today at tableforten.org

Thank you to our chefs & sponsors

Design Matters News

Nichole Cooper, President of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) Southern California Chapter, welcomes industry partner Moya Living. NICHOLE COOPER ON MOYA LIVING: "I was first introduced to Moya Living through the NKBA SoCal. As president of the chapter, I make sure to work with industry partners like Moya Living first. It's easy to boast about Moya Living: a local, woman-owned company specializing in luxury steel cabinetry. Being an industry veteran, I can confidently say Moya Living cabinetry is second to none. " ABOUT THE NKBA: The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) Southern California brings together the best in the home building and remodeling sector. The NKBA SoCal serves as a resource for fiercely talented designers, builders, manufacturers, and those adjacent to the industry. By hosting live and virtual events for all of its members, the NKBA SoCal connects industry leaders, educates on the latest trends and business advice, and advances the industry forward.

nkba.org | 800-the-nkba

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PHOTO BY KIM UTLEY

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SECOND ACT

Interior designer Hillary Moers transforms a heavy Tuscan home into a bright, art-filled adventure in modern beach living By Alexandria Abramian

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Photos by Darlene Halaby

DESIGN VISION

Interior designer Hillary Moers completed what she calls a “full Tuscanectomy” on the home where the living room now includes a fresh mix of white walls, light beams, and elements that include sofas from Bright and a John Pomp Studios coffee table purchased through Thomas Lavin. Wall mural painting by Rufino Tamayo.

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The home had all the classic hallmarks of an early 21st-century Tuscan in Newport Beach: dark beams, heavily stained walnut floors, dark wood cabinetry, and no shortage of highly ornamental details. And while expansive ocean views lay beyond most of the rooms, wide-framed wood windows and heavy window treatments admitted only occasional peeks of the Pacific.

“The entire home felt like a wine cellar,” says Hillary Moers. “Everything was dark brown and heavy and was so specific to the Tuscan concept. I like the idea of having an influence from an era or place, but not living within a genre that is so specific. There were baptismal sinks made of stone in many of the rooms.” So the interior designer embarked on what she now half-jokingly refers to as a “Tuscanectomy”—a process by which the best architectural elements were salvaged, while the home was lightened, opened, and connected to modern-day beach living. Without throwing the baby out with the baptismal bathwater.

Clockwise from above: An Ikea rug in the dining room makes a quiet case against too-much-Tuscan while a nearby painting by Vladimir Cora makes a moody introduction to the space. Moers enclosed the loggia to extend indoor living space. A painting by Thrush Holmes entitled “No More Days” hangs above the fireplace.

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“It was built in 2010 and is a well-crafted house,” says Moers. “It’s got space, it has large walls for an art collection, and it has an amazing pool area. I knew there was a way this could become a stunning home without massive construction.”

DESIGN VISION

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Right: The breakfast nook boasts a table from CB2 with chairs from HD Buttercup. Clockwise from far right: The SieMatic kitchen system creates a high-functioning, minimalist space with designs by HMI, including the breakfast nook bench.

Moers embarked on a highly strategic overhaul. The walnut floors stayed in place. After months of sanding, stripping, and receiving just the right combination of taupe, gray, brown and white washing, which Moers says “took months to get right,” they now achieve the breezy ease of white oak. Ditto the limestone fireplaces, which went through extensive reconstructive surgery. “I had them lowered, leveled, and made more linear,” she says. And while the heavy beams came out of most rooms, including the hallways and powder rooms, Moers opted to only remove every other ceiling beam from the living and dining areas, then stripped, sanded, and bleached them to achieve what she calls a “sophisticated, smooth, and creamy palette.” Quite the contrast to how she describes the first time she saw the heavily striped ceilings, as “a fudge-striped cookie.” When it came to other aspects of the home, however, the Tuscanectomy was more invasive. The kitchen was entirely gutted, replaced with a minimalist, mostly white culinary hub where canary yellow neon script on the hood captures Moers’ overall approach to design: highly approachable modern traditional with a lively nod to humor. “I’m not a very serious person,” she says.

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DESIGN VISION

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In the master suite, Moers mixed Jenni Kayne bedding with a highoctane painting by Vladamir Cora. Custom wood bed surround by HMI. Nightstand lamp by Tom Dixon.

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DESIGN VISION

Hillary Moers

Moers punctuated multiple areas of the 5,300-squarefoot, three-bedroom with skylights, replaced all woodframed windows and glass doors with custom-made, steel-framed upgrades, and gave the sprawling ocean views the center-stage framing they deserved. “The key to making these homes feel more modern without screaming Star Wars is to give them an industrial edge. That’s what these steel-framed windows and doors do: They bring in just the right amount of industrial contrast to move Tuscan homes into the 20th century.” Moers also transformed an outdoor loggia into an indoor space by taking the steel-framed window concept to the arches, a decision that resulted in no small feat of fabrication. “The first time I walked in that space, it was screaming to be a room, so I hired an artisan to make those windows. It took a year.” The designer took a similarly hyper-focused approach in furnishing the home. Using a mix of custom-made pieces of her own design, antiques, as well as items sourced from the Thomas Lavin showroom, she cast a new take on coastal sophistication: One where statement-making art and clean-lined furnishings mingle on a soothing canvas that Moers likens to ice cream. “I wanted this to feel like

The enclosed loggia features arched windows that open up to catch sea breezes and five-star ocean views.

a Fosters Freeze: The cone is made up of the light and sandy elements and the ice cream is the walls. Every now and then it’s dipped in tiny bits of chocolate. Tuscan in small doses can be a beautiful thing,” says Moers. “The key is knowing when to stop.” Hillary Moers Interior Design hmiinteriordesigns.com 949.715.1580 BlueDoorMagazine.com

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OC yogi, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Analisa Albert teaches outdoor yoga classes at a friend’s Shady Canyon home.

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AGING IN GRACE A transformative time challenged us to explore new methods of maintaining our health, wellness, and emotional equilibrium. Beauty and fitness regimens that had been de rigueur were discarded, and new ones took their place. Welcome to 2021’s new world of wellness.

Photos by Brett Hillyard

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TREE POSES BENEATH THE LEAVES

How an outdoor yoga class soothes minds and spirits

By Jenna Condas Yoginis gather together, socially distanced of course, gazing up at a bright blue sky, the view only interrupted by the occasional falling leaf from swaying sycamore trees overhead. They engage in an inspirational outdoor practice, led by yoga instructor, Analisa Albert, at a stunning Irvine home that can best be described as Zen meets Minimalism meets California cool. The class is set in a space surrounded by lush vegetation, flora, trees, and cactus. It is further enhanced by the calm of trickling water from a pool fountain and birds sweetly serenade the practitioners as they connect to nature through their poses and meditation.

Originally hailing from Panama, Analisa Albert has led this enchanting private outdoor yoga class since May 2020. Seeing a real need during the pandemic for people to reconnect, both with each other and nature, she reached out to a core group of women who enjoy yoga practice, and now she leads outdoor classes twice a week. The classes are comprised of Hybrid Flow, Sculpt, Yin, Restorative Yoga, and Meditation. Savasana (corpse pose) at the conclusion of each class is accompanied by the traditional “singing bowl,” Tibetan or Himalayan in origin, a sound bath intended to bring calm and relaxation. While yoginis are still in Savasana, each receives a brief yet soothing lower leg and foot massage as essential oils (grapefruit, orange, lemon, or lavender) waft through the crisp morning air, helping to rejuvenate both minds and spirits. Analisa guides her yoginis through the practice to clear the mind, open the heart, and strengthen the body. “We are all grateful and blessed that through the practice of yoga, we have not only deepened our friendships, but by coming together we were able to stay positive, optimistic, and empathetic during these challenging times.” Analisa Albert is certified in 700 hours of yoga training including Yin and Restorative and has an additional 300 hours of Advanced Yoga Training. Since 2016, she’s guided over 400 yoga classes both in the U.S. and Mexico.

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WELLNESS

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WELLNESS

By Jenna Condas Portraits at California Scenario by Brett Hillyard

OC’S SILVER STAR Celebrity hairstylist Jack Martin helps a glamorous pack of silver foxes age in grace

Before reading any further . . . stop. Take a moment and log onto your Instagram or Facebook account and f ind Jack Martin (@jackmartincolorist) of Jack Martin Salon in Tustin. The f irst thing that may catch your eye could be his 600k plus followers, but start scrolling and prepare for a real treat . . . prepare to be absolutely wowed by headshots of women, many tired of coloring their gray roots every few weeks, who have undergone gorgeous color transformations by Martin. This master of color technique helps women transition f rom their usual dyed hair color to hair rich with luminous shades of silvers, grays, and steely blacks. And there is an additional perk: their new silver locks only require touch-ups by Martin two or three times a year. How’s that for lowmaintenance?

Martin’s silver transformations are so stunning that their debuts are made on some of the world’s biggest stages. Remember Jane Fonda confidently striding out at the 2019 Oscars to present the Best Picture Award in front of a television audience of nearly 30 million people, proudly rocking her oh-so-cool silver hair and tremendously chic cut? And Sharon Osborne receiving an extended standing ovation as she proudly unveiled her newly silvered hair on The Talk after 18 years of dyeing her hair red—every single week? Martin’s latest celebrity client, Andie MacDowell, sweetly admitted that she “stalked” Martin on Instagram for months before reaching out to have her famous curls beautifully transformed for a recent movie role. BlueDoorMagazine.com

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Jack Martin is a stylist to the stars, all from his unassuming Tustin salon.

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WELLNESS

Well before COVID-19 hit, Martin started garnering worldwide praise for his silver transformations. By early 2019, he was fully booked for the year, with appointments with local Orange County clients as well as a national and international clientele. He was receiving major accolades for his work from beauty influencers, bloggers, and fellow hairstylists from around the globe, as well as glowing praise from top magazines including Vanity Fair, British Vogue, and Allure, just to name a few. Martin had developed a huge social media presence, so when the global pandemic arrived in 2020, potential clients already familiar with his tremendous talent were eager to book appointments—just as soon as his salon reopened per state guidelines. Women envisioned silver transformations for themselves and were confident that in Martin’s expert hands, their hair would never look brighter, more lustrous, and easy to maintain. By enthusiastically embracing the change and joining what is quickly becoming a beauty revolution, thanks in large part to Martin’s artistry, these silver foxes are propelling a sea change regarding gray hair and outdated perceptions of aging. It’s also a movement that has grown exponentially during the pandemic: many women are now taking a serious look at the tedious maintenance required to cover up those pesky gray roots. The transformation process at Jack Martin Salon can take up to ten hours depending on the length and condition of the client’s hair but the gorgeous results are indeed transformative. Martin begins by using a color extractor to remove any remaining artificial color. Next, leaving the gray roots intact, Martin bleaches the remainder of the client’s hair to prepare it for the new silver color. And then a crucial step in the process: he bases the new color on the client’s natural growth pattern of gray hair. He asks clients to arrive at the salon with three to four inches of gray roots grown out, so he can observe their natural hair color, and he then recreates that pattern for the full head of hair. So, if a client has a salt and pepper pattern near the front hairline and the back is darker, he matches that pattern exactly, and clients leave Martin’s

Nowadays, gray hair is not related to age in the same way it used to be. I know a lot of people—I’m one of them—who started graying in their twenties. I like the idea of allowing people to be more accepting of the changes in their life. —Jack Martin in British Vogue

salon with an elevated, elegant version of their natural hue. They also leave with a super chic, on trend, layered haircut, better to highlight their new silver strands. Martin, born in Syria, trained at the prestigious Jean Louis David school in Paris, and has been licensed for almost 30 years. He travelled to Orange County to visit his brother in 1992, fell hard for it, and never left. It was love at first sight—the friendly people, great weather, the overall low-key vibe. Martin’s first stylist job in Orange County was at Fantastic Sam’s (readers may be surprised at this modest beginning but he looks back very fondly at his time there). He quickly moved on and up to several high-end salons before opening Jack Martin Salon in Tustin. Often asked if he will ever relocate his business from the O.C. to Beverly Hills or other L.A. environs due to his own swiftly rising star, Martin’s answer is a confident “No.” His silver transformations are so coveted that clients (and yes, even celebrities) travel to his Tustin salon and he would not have it any other way. Orange County is special for Jack Martin . . . it’s home. Martin is a huge talent, and also incredibly fair, humble, and generous (he is widely known for sharing his silver transformation process on social media to encourage other stylists). These traits, along with his artistry, enhance his reputation as a star in his own right and one whose future certainly seems to be—much like his transformations—shiny, sterling, and very bright. Jack Martin Salon 13762 Newport Avenue, Suite E Tustin jackmartinsalon.com 714.760.4657

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RAISING THE ROOF A Newport Beach gym finds square footage—and renewed social purpose—from an expansive outdoor perch By Alexandria Abramian

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WELLNESS

Opening an indoor gym in November 2019 may not qualify as epic business timing. But Zac Walker, Anthony Puterman, and Connor Burris, founders of CAZ Training Club in Newport Beach, soon discovered a silver lining to lockdown.

“We started getting some steam in early 2020, closed in March and reopened in June. By July, when indoor gyms were closed again, we moved everything upstairs, which is where we’ve been ever since,” says Walker. And by “upstairs,” Walker is referring to a 4,800-squarefoot rooftop space on the three-story building. Equipment includes everything from the original indoor space— machines, barbells, medicine balls, and mats. Some sections are in shade, others in the sunlight—all of it is open to ocean breezes. Today the plein-air circuit training studio balances COVID-19 requirements with fitness services. Yet something else happened with the rooftop, says Walker. “When we were inside, it was a dark room with loud music—great for working out but tough socially. Now this is a bright space, music is not as loud, and that has created an environment much friendlier to socializing. Now it’s like a social club. The rooftop has allowed us to do so much more, and part of that is just being more of ourselves.” Cue the weekend DJs, special events, and general air of fitness-focused fraternizing. “We weren’t sure if people would actually do a 6am workout when it was 41 degrees outside,” says Walker. “But they did!” So will a post-COVID-19 world mark a return to the downstairs area? Walker isn’t so certain. “Nobody knows what the future of group fitness is going to look like,” he says. “It used to be cool to cram as many people as you could into a room because it builds energy. That may not be something we go back to.” Regardless of what shape CAZ takes post COVID-19, Walker says the focus on preserving its heightened sense of social connection is here to stay: “We want to make sure that we’re providing a social outlet for people. We’re communal beings. We thrive off of that community.” CAZ Training Club 100 West Coast Highway, #103 Newport Beach 949.287.6309 caztrainingclub.com BlueDoorMagazine.com

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Nobody knows what the future of group fitness is going to look like. We want to make sure that we’re providing a social outlet for people. We’re communal beings. We thrive off of that community. —Zac Walker, CAZ Training Club, Newport Beach

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THE YEAR OF SAYING YES By Jenna Condas Photos by Dominic Petruzzi

Emerald Bay’s Karen Pierce boldly took a deep (and brave) dive into Sports Illustrated ’s famed swimsuit competition 2020 was a year filled with the word “no” to living life the way we were accustomed to and the many activities we took for granted. Now, we have found a way back to “yes” by pursuing previously unexplored interests, often challenging ourselves in surprising ways.

Laguna Beach’s beautiful Karen Pierce turned a year of “no” right on its gloomy head. She said yes to admitting her real age (65) for the first time in a long time. She accepted the restrictions of pandemic life but refused to let those limitations dampen her aspirations, one of which was taking part in Sports Illustrated ’s annual swimsuit competition. It was a way to memorialize her 65th birthday (a pretty daunting endeavor—most competitors are professional models in their 20s and 30s). Karen had just 30 days to get into bikini form and had recently started working with fitness trainer Ryah Arthur after a ten-year hiatus from exercising. Together they ramped up her fitness game so Karen could be camera-ready in a month. She started surfing and also enrolled at Pilates Plus in Newport Beach, which Karen found to be 114

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one of the most challenging forms of exercise she’d ever done. She found muscles in her core and obliques that she didn’t know she had. Already a healthy eater, carbs and alcohol were off-limits. Karen also started taking bio-identical topical hormones, The Wiley Protocol, and can’t ever remember feeling better. Sports Illustrated selected Karen’s submission video—filmed on the beach at Emerald Bay—to post on their Instagram page and captioned “Mic drop! @karenavpierce showing us that @ si_swimsearch has no age limit on beauty!” It has over 16,000 views and it’s clear from the hundreds of comments on Karen’s account that her journey has been empowering and inspirational for women, particularly in youth-centric Southern California. The outpouring of support has been extraordinary as they acknowledge the courage it took for Karen to upend outdated norms about aging. Now, more than ever, women supporting other women, lifting them up and encouraging their dreams and goals, may be one of the greatest gifts to take away from Karen Pierce’s age-defying journey.

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HEALTHY AT HOME TREE HOUSE 2.0

PANDEMIC-PROOF PANTRY Interior designer Kim Gordon rewrites the script of a typical pantry with this two-story, farm-to-table experience. Located within a newly completed 8,700-square-foot, ocean-view property, the sprawling pantry offers enough storage for months of dry storage, while a spiral staircase connects to its openair, glass-floored second level. There, raised beds and hanging gardens ensure a year-round supply of vegetables, fruits, and herbs, while a built-in BBQ and pizza oven turn that harvest into an instant garden of culinary delights.

Bringing the outdoors in has a proven track record for increasing feelings of wellness and reducing stress, and it’s a concept that reaches new heights in this ocean-facing contemporary. Here, Laney LA architecture + design studio nurtured nature within the home as well as without. Standing 16 feet tall within the limestone-walled, light-flooded foyer, an Australian Brachychiton makes a striking indoor statement. The double-height atrium area gives the tree ample space to soar, with its leaves already peeking through to the second-floor, oceanview living room. “While ocean views are to be expected, we want our homes to provide the surprising moments captured by an inward-facing view of nature,” says founder/ architect Anthony Laney, whose firm is currently completing a custom, terraced courtyard residence along the Newport Beach waterfront. Laney.LA @LaneyLAinc

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TOP RIGHT PHOTO BY LAUREN PRESSEY PHOTOGRAPHY

WELLNESS

COUNTER INTELLIGENCE Want to bring wellness design into the kitchen? It goes beyond stocking up on leafy greens and organic groceries, says Orange County interior designer Nicole Michael. “Color, light, and design are key to creating a kitchen that will increase feelings of calm and minimize stress hormones,” says Michael, who routinely injects shots of blue and positions kitchens to capture bright morning light. “Blue is a known appetite suppressant while red does the opposite,” she says. “When a kitchen is flooded with morning light, it helps support our body’s Circadian rhythm, which will in turn lead to more restful sleep. If that’s not an option, we work with clients to design lighting systems that can mimic the sun’s daily arc.” And Michael is a firm believer of the counter/calorie connection. “Clutter is a primary culprit when it comes to stress,” she says. “Creating a sleek, stunning kitchen is not just a matter of aesthetics. When you create dedicated storage that is highly personalized to how you live, you’re literally helping support your own ability to stay regulated and eat mindfully throughout the day.” nicolemichaeldesigns.com @nicolemichaeldesigns BlueDoorMagazine.com

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SAVING FACE When trying to get the straight scoop on how the pandemic and postpandemic has affected plastic surgery procedures in Orange County, we went to esteemed facial plastic surgeon Dr. Rami Batniji. His Newport Beach-based practice has never been as busy as it has during the pandemic, and now post-pandemic. Double-board-certified in both head and neck surgery and facial plastic surgery, Dr. Batniji is highly attuned to the most current developments in his field both here and abroad, and he shares his take on trends continuing into 2021. • Zoom. Maybe the most interesting revelation: Working from home via Zoom resulted in people seeing themselves more than ever before on camera and noticing appearances they wished to improve upon. • Downtime. Facial rejuvenation requires downtime. Because of pandemic social distancing, working from home, far less hectic social schedules, and mask wearing, people had more downtime for the recovery process that the two most requested surgeries require (facelifts/necklifts and rhinoplasties). • School’s Out. Because of remote learning or time off from school, there was an increase in rhinoplasties for students.

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• Multiples. Patients are requesting multiple procedures performed simultaneously to minimize office and surgery visits, as well as having the added benefit of overlapping recovery time. • Nonsurgicals. There has been a big uptick in full facial rejuvenation using nonsurgical techniques. Rather than receiving a small dose of facial filler or Botox, patients want to limit time spent out of their own safe spaces and now opt for multiple units of Botox and multiple syringes of filler–treating the entire face rather than just one area while in Batniji’s office. • Medical Aestheticians. Due to many salon and spa closures during lockdown, Batniji saw a switch to medical aestheticians in physician’s offices for laser resurfacing, microneedling with PRP, and facials. Patients feel very safe at a medical practice like Batniji’s that has implemented strict COVID-19 prevention protocols and procedures. • The “Eyes” Have It. Batniji notes that blepharopolsty (eyelid surgery) has been very popular, since our eyes have been the focus as we wear face coverings and masks. Batniji Facial Plastic Surgery 361 Hospital Road, Suite 329 Newport Beach 949.650.8882 drbatniji.com

WELLNESS

GROWING CONCERN While the indoor plant market has exploded into a $2 billion annual industry, interior designer Sarah Barnard is sowing another source of greenery: Her recently opened online store Kale Tree Shop offers a curated selection of flora and fauna-inspired home items including wallcoverings, furniture, and lighting.The through line? All items are created under the highest environmental standards, and many of them are designed by Barnard herself, a recognized LEED- and WELLaccredited designer. Highlights include the Abutilon Wallpaper featuring hand-drawn blossoms and leaves as well as the Butterfly Dreams Bed. Hand-carved from sustainable, no-VOC hardwoods, the bed dramatically depicts California pollinators and their host plants for a nature-inspired retreat. kaletreeshop.com

GRIT TOGETHER

RACKET REVIVAL The fastest growing recreational sport around is an odd mix of tennis, racquetball, and ping pong, with an even odder name: pickleball. You’ve likely played it, or seen games on every tennis court in town. Whether you’re a true believer (players are nearly evangelical in their enthusiasm) or not, the sport is here to stay. So why shouldn’t p-ballers look good on the court? Enter former Roxy colleagues and pals, Maria Barnes and Annette Gonzalez, who are launching an apparel line called Seersucker Relish: “We believe that the humble days on the court dressed in tennis whites will soon be over; that neon has feelings too, and that seersucker will soon once again rule the world. We also believe that color deserves love and that beige is not a real color, and that leisure time is good for the soul and laughter adds years to your life. Relish the moments.” seersuckerrelish.com

Now that we’re all vaxxed, waxed, and relaxed (mostly), concerns about getting upclose-and-sweaty at indoor fitness classes seem like old news. Especially when the cool kids at GritCycle Fitness spin studios are pedaling for a purpose. New owners Jon and Gail Gray hosted in-person cycling fundraisers for the Autism Community in Action (TACA) recently at Grit’s three studios (Costa Mesa, Long Beach, and Monarch Beach), raising more than $30,000 to support TACA’s mission of building awareness and acceptance for all families and individuals living with autism. tacnow.org | gritcycle.com

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BEYOND BESPOKE

By Alexandria Abramian

A hyper-curated estate takes custom home creation to the next level

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DESIGN VISION

This sprawling hillside compound offers jetliner views for days.

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When it comes to building custom homes, Michael Reeves is not short on experience. The Newport Beach-based builder, founder, and president of Corbin Reeves Construction had been constructing homes in coastal Southern California communities for more than 30 years when he started work on this Southern California compound with jetliner views. Despite the many notches on his builder’s belt, however, the project turned out to deliver more than its fair share of firsts.

“Everything in the home was completely custom or brought in from Europe. It was an international menu of subcontractors for sure,” says Reeves. Coordinating home creation across the globe isn’t exactly a recipe for tight deadlines. That helps explain why building the hilltop house involved a five-year odyssey in feats of engineering, hyper focus on massive architectural statements, magnificient design moments, and uber exotic finishes. Even something as normally mundane as the doorbell took on a life force of its own. “I remember sitting in the meeting with the designers who spent two and a half days designing the doorbell. Or the ‘entry callbox’ as it’s known,” says Reeves. “It’s going to be inside the wall. But the wall is stone. So now we need a custom solution for a call box that is going to run 14 feet up the side of a travertine wall. Drawings were done. We knew what we had to build. But how we were going to build it? That was a different story.” BlueDoorMagazine.com

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It ended up being just one of many such stories that developed as the project progressed from construction site to the striking, sculptural structure that stands today: a home that nearly negates indoor/outdoor differentiation through architectural and engineering solutions that almost demand the suspension of disbelief. In the main living area, three sides of the room are all glass, on top of which a 35-foot cantelievered steel roof appears to rest. Feel like opening up the room to catch the summer breeze and ease on into the 90-foot-long swimming pool? Simple: With a push of the button the glass walls descend into the floor. “That was a true feat of engineering,” says the builder.

Two high-gloss black lacquer front doors lead to the living room and then down leather-lined stairs. In the kitchen, a walnut island and lots of right angles are accompanied by swirling wood stools.

But that was only one of the many challenges along the way of designing (the architect is OC’s Horst Noppenberger) and building the home. Its creation required extensive coordination between different countries, primarily England and France, where many elements were fabricated. To ensure that dimensions were not lost in translation—and to accommodate the fact that the home was distressingly short on right angles—a full-scale replica of the home’s floorplan was built, then cut into puzzle pieces and shipped across the globe where it was reassembled to ensure that millwork and other elements were built perfectly to dimensions. “This is part of the reason it took five years to build,” says Reeves. Even smaller appearing “details” required massive amounts of planning and engineering. Take the custom tub carved from a single block of stone, which was shaped to the client’s specific physical dimensions. Due to its weight, it had to be craned into the space before the roof was built.

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In the master suite, elements include Cippolino stone flooring and a cashmere upholstered wall that backs the bed. The master bath features a custom-built vanity covered in shagreen and a Bianco Lasso marble tub fabricated by Carnevale & Lohr, Inc.

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A Roman travertine tub rests in the guest suite bathroom, where European white oak is used for cabinetry. Shagreen paneled doors line the marble-floored hallway.

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Reeves is quick to credit his collaborators, namely acclaimed interior designer Tony Chi of Tony Chi Studio in New York City, as well as lead project manager William Paley. “Tony was the driving force of this project where it was truly about taking everything to the next level,” says Reeves of the project, which was completed in 2017. Today, the home maintains its ultra-exotic ethos. Wander through its spaces and you’ll encounter far-from-typical elements such as expansive master suite closets lined in Tiffany blue leather, a kitchen island built in England out of crotch walnut, and more than 1,000 trees planted throughout the property. “This is an exceptional home and I honestly don’t know if you could build it today,” says Reeves. “Certainly not with COVID-19 and delays and shipping challenges. Of all of the homes we’ve worked on, it’s the closest thing to being a piece of art.” BlueDoorMagazine.com

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Inset bronze hand-carved door pulls line the hallway.

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The guest suite features cashmere fabric upholstered walls and a leather headboard on the bed.

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Corbin Reeves Construction 245-A1 Fischer Avenue Costa Mesa 714.540.3700 corbinreevesconstruction.com Above: Michael Reeves and Gregory Hawkins.

RIGHT PHOTO BY BRETT HILLYARD

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ISLAND LIFE By Alexandria Abramian

Designer Sue Capelli casts a captivating take on contemporary from a single, sea-front perch on Linda Isle

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Designer Sue Capelli favors a rich mix of texture, shape, and style. A large- scale Stark rug provides a rich base for dual custom-designed sofas and coffee tables made from Macassar wood.

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Above: In the master suite, Capelli designed a cocoon-like bed upholstered in textiles from Sahco. The rug is from Stark. Opposite: The master bath goes big on luxuries, including a fireplace and front-row yacht views.

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In the world of exceptional Newport Beach real estate, Linda Isle stands out from other communities for its ultra-exclusivity. The horseshoe shape of land is an actual island, only connected to Newport via a bridge where a guard gate keeps the island highly private. With just over 100 homes, all are waterfront, and all come with docks, often slips large enough to accommodate residential-sized yachts. Homes rarely sell for below eight figures and can fetch as much as $7,000 a square foot for this extremely rarefied slice of island life.

When Sue Capelli of Passione Interior Design was tapped to design a bayfront home that would capitalize on jaw-dropping views, she focused on casting a softer take on contemporary interiors. Capelli worked with a canvas of limestone, quartzite, and wood created by architect David Olson and builders David Chase and Tony Valentine. This was the elevated, luxurious backdrop against which she built a rich landscape of shape and texture. The resulting style offers just enough drama while keeping the focus on the views. Today the 5,500-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bathroom home makes a case for modern oceanfront elegance. Ocean views flood in from every turn, including the master bathroom, where a soaking tub boasts a front-row seat as yachts glide by. Upping the experience even more are details like the fact that the bathroom comes with a generously proportioned stone-surround fireplace. BlueDoorMagazine.com

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The open plan kitchen combines a rich mix of materials, including limestone floors and quartzite countertops. Capelli custom-designed all the seating.

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Clockwise from above: The guest suite goes big on bold patterns and rich materials, including a dramatic wallcovering from Phillip Jeffries that plays off an equally dramatic rug by Stark. Bigmoment details include custom lighting, shagreen nightstands, stack stone walls, and geometric tile by Ann Sacks used in the guest bathroom.

And while Capelli relied mostly on earth tones for both finishes and furnishings, she also injected moments of glamour throughout. In one upstairs bedroom suite, she gathered a collection of black and white patterns in textiles, wallcoverings, and tile to create a subtle nod to her own take on maximalism. In other areas of the home, Capelli calibrated the glamour in other ways: In the kitchen, for example, she selected a rich palette of ebony and high-gloss lacquers. Throughout, Capelli custom-designed and made the furniture, much of it lower in profile so as not to block views—a less-is-more decision to let a singular waterfront location whisper its elegance throughout.

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Clockwise from above: Stack stone surrounds an expansive wine room, while Capelli brought drama throughout the home, including a statement-making grand piano and a customdesigned dining table surrounded by chairs upholstered in textiles by Rubelli.

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Sue Capelli Passione Inc. 9550 Research Drive Irvine 949.336.7800 ext. 200 passioneinc.com

Tony Valentine Construction 2435 East Coast Highway, Suite 2 Corona Del Mar 949.723.6449 tonyvalentineconstruction.com

David R. Olson Architects 470 Wald Irvine 949.450.0093 olsonarchitect.com

David Chase Construction 718 De La Vina Street Santa Barbara 805.451.1461 davidchaseconstruction.com

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COLOR CO-OP

Costa Mesa-based Ulloo 42 brings a mad mix of high art and wild whimsy to custom furniture and interior design.

By James Reed Photos by Darlene Halaby

Visiting Ulloo 42’s art and design studio and showroom in Costa Mesa is something of a psychedelic experience, especially for those of us who spent 2020 staring at beige walls in rooms designed in a minimalist monochromatic style. What once was elegant, modern, and lovely now just seems boring. Do we really want to stare at that sofa for the next year as well? Ulloo 42 offers a solution to boring furniture, and an antidote to the somnolent interior design style common in some coastal Orange County homes.

Co-founded by artist-maker Suzanne Currie and lifelong design enthusiast Lise Abraham, both of whom are British-born, the Ulloo 42 aesthetic is vibrant and playful—a celebration of collage, color, and an irreverent avoidance of the rules of refined design. Ulloo 42 is a multi-disciplinary design studio that offers full interior design services to the trade and directly to clients. They also create cool and colorful functional objets d’art from found and vintage furniture and lighting that is transformed into one-of-akind collectible pieces. The studio also offers custom fabrics and wall coverings using patterns from Suzanne Currie’s original collage artworks created from fragments of magazine pages and paint. 144

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In fact, everything starts from her art. “Suzanne’s an extreme creative,” says Lise Abraham. “She makes everything, and I’m the financial partner. I do a lot of traveling and research,” she says. The dynamic between the two is unique. Suzanne is the maker, Lise has insight and ideas about how to merge the art and business. Their process is collaborative, with ideas and insights flying when the duo are together. What’s in the Ulloo 42 showrooms is the result of that process. A chance meeting between the two 20 years ago in Newport Beach led to a conversation about their mutual fascination with art and design, and a shared love of travel and storytelling. Lise asked Suzanne to design furniture and interiors for her homes in Orange County, in London, and in Holland. When they become business partners and founded Ulloo 42 in 2018, they decided, “Let’s not do classical good taste.” 146

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And what’s with that name, Ulloo 42? Suzanne grew up in Africa, and in brainstorming a name discovered that Ulo is a word for “home” in an African dialect. They added an extra “l” and “o” because it’s cooler-looking, and put 42 on the end. As fans of the book series The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy know, 42 is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. “It resonates with us,” Lise says. When it comes to the furniture, everything is found. A vintage (to put it kindly) sofa, chair, table, or lamp is discovered at a consignment shop, flea market, estate sale, or in a grandmother’s attic by a client. Suzanne has the eye to see the potential in what many would consider ugly, old furniture. Often the proportions of each piece are a bit off, a bit unusual. “We may say, ‘That’s so ugly,’” Lise says. “But she sees the lines and the form that she can recreate.”

DESIGN VISION

The Ulloo 42 philosophy: “Be bold, have fun—an interior, as well as the objects in it—should be a source of joy for its owners, every day. The need to create joy in our homes has become more important than ever in recent times…and we see color, pattern, and humour as the best way to do this.”

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“Art is intrinsic to a happy life; it it has the power to stimulate, to instill calm, to provoke joy, to stimulate curiosity, and to transform the mundane into the remarkable.” “Color is a life force—and when you think of what nature does with her palette, it is literally so. Color brings energy and joy—especially vibrant, saturated colors.”

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That’s because provenance is there in, for example, a kitschy lowslung sofa covered in a fake Baroque brocade. Found pieces are stripped down to the bare bones and rebuilt from the inside, then given the artistic treatment. Then, original collage art created by Suzanne is put on fabric and upholstered onto the piece. The process involves discovering a pattern or intriguing element in a work of her original art, capturing it digitally, and converting it to an image with a repeat. That image can be printed on most any material, from paper, cloth, and wood to glass, concrete, or aluminum. Once a piece of furniture is rebuilt and reupholstered, it is often embellished by hand with crochet or other finishes. The work is all by hand, as Suzanne works with local artisans, helping “perpetuate the craft of upholsterers, carpenters, fabric printers, and others,” Lise explains. “This is a true collaboration of artists.” Sometimes, the collaboration is also with a client bringing in an old piece they want up-cycled. Or part of a piece, like with a client saying, “I really love these table legs; what can I do with them?” He ended up with a large dining table, a magnificent piece with a glowing, ruby-red lacquer top. It was given the name Total Ellipse of the Heart. Yes, a name. Each piece, because it’s a one-off, gets one: Pink Goddess, Born to be Wild, or Lost in Place. Because that’s at the heart of the Ulloo 42 ethos: Why shouldn’t your furniture have personality? Why just sit in a corner and look drab, or white, or beige?

“Playing safe is anathema. The rules of conventional good taste are the enemy of creativity.” BlueDoorMagazine.com

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“A sense of humor is an essential element in design. Whether an object or a home, a dash of kitsch or camp can elevate everything.”

“The potential is limitless,” Lise says. “We are creating a piece of furniture with love and skill, as one creates a work of art.”

Opposite: “We give people permission to like something that isn’t endorsed by the majority.” Lise Abraham and Suzanne Currie at the Newport Beach home Suzanne designed for Lise. 150

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“That’s where we’re different,” she says. “We’re starting from the art, something we love. We are true to our vision, and true to what we love. If somebody else loves it, that’s great.” Ulloo 42 1835 Whittier Avenue, D8 Costa Mesa 949.244.6410 ulloo42.com

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No appliance is too big and no plate too small for PIRCH Chef Kimberly Ayala to cook up amazing dishes and provide PIRCH customers with a hands-on opportunity to test appliances for their dream kitchens.

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By Annette Reeves

PIRCH’S SECRET SPICE

Chef Kimberly Ayayla demonstrates her culinary skills on every social media platform (and appliance) imaginable, giving PIRCH customers a taste of home cooking possibilities.

There’s nothing better than the smell of freshly cooked bacon wafting through the room, awakening your gastronomic senses, inviting your stomach to crave an exciting taste, and begging you to find the source of that incredible smell. Or imagine warm baked cookies, pulled straight from the oven, bringing back memories of grandma and the famous secret recipe she served you with a cold glass of milk. Those smells, those tastes, those wonderful memories are all part of the experience that PIRCH, soon with seven stores in Southern California, brings to the table. And at the heart of that cooking experience is a small woman with large glasses, bright red hair, and a cheerful smile who can teach you anything and everything about cooking on the world’s best appliances. Meet Kimberly Ayala, head chef at PIRCH.

Ayala, who recalls that she loved baking ever since she was a small girl, says that she sat in the kitchen with her mom every day, watching her bake and cook and learning all her best kept secrets. Born in Los Angeles, Kimberly has an older brother (who is coincidentally a chef in New York), two sisters, and enjoys amazing memories of growing up with them in the Inland Empire. A close-knit family, they used the dining room table as the heart of their home to bond as a family over their mom’s home-cooked meals. Those memories are exactly

what inspired Ayala to become a chef. Following high school, Kimberly chose to focus on baking and pastry at the Art Institute of San Bernardino. Her studies and success in the field landed her jobs at Disneyland, The Ritz-Carlton, and then, through a friend who admired her strong dedication to the cooking field, to the PIRCH store in Dallas. Kimberly, who clearly embraces all aspects of cooking, says that she had no idea that this new career would lead her to not only love cooking but to also become deeply enamoured with the appliance industry. While in Dallas, she had the benefit of working with more seasoned chefs who taught her the ropes and introduced her to the wide array of appliances available to PIRCH customers. “The first appliance I was introduced to was the steam oven,” Ayala says. “I was so intrigued by its versatility that I challenged myself to learn everything I could about the steam oven.” Ayala says that this experience sparked her to open her mind to the savory side of cooking and she began creating and honing her cooking skills. “PIRCH gave me the opportunity to learn more about all kinds of foods, not just baking and pastries. I had the greatest opportunity and resources to cook on any type of appliance and create every dish I could dream up.” BlueDoorMagazine.com

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The outdoor kitchen has become the heart of the home where family and friends can gather around the Woodstone Bistro Oven to create delicious memories.

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PIRCH Chef Kimberly Ayala

Kimberly’s strong family ties pulled her back to California and she was welcomed to the PIRCH Glendale showroom as head chef. Prior to COVID-19, the world of culinary experience at PIRCH was far different, and as she recalls, “A typical day at PIRCH would be cooking food that I would place out in the showroom for clients to taste and spark their interest in a live appliance I was using. Our customers love when there are amazing smells throughout the showroom and it’s a perfect opportunity for them to ask questions about the appliances I cook on every day.” That’s precisely what Kimberly says she loves about PIRCH: The ability for clients to be curious and tame that curiosity with a live demo or a weekend cooking class or even an in-home demonstration on a post-appliance purchase. “If they see somebody cooking or they smell delicious food, it’s a safe and inviting way for them to ask questions and learn about any appliance before they purchase it,” she says. One thing Kimberly misses greatly and cannot wait to see return is the weekend cooking classes that PIRCH hosted. “It was so fun to be a part of everyone cooking together—friends, family, siblings making an entire meal and then enjoying it as a group,” says Kimberly. People loved the ability to truly be “hands-on,” to touch, feel, test, and taste as well as work on an appliance they had questions about and were BlueDoorMagazine.com

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The live Woodstone pizza ovens at PIRCH Southern California showrooms allow customers to cook hands on while learning all of Kimberly’s tips and tricks.

considering for their own home. She explains that her ability to enlighten someone on an appliance they are undecided about is one of the favorite parts of her job. “They may not want or know they need that appliance and it’s my job to help them understand how this will make their life easier when they are cooking for their family,” she adds. Kimberly says that this allows her to get to know their lifestyles, how they cook, what their daily schedules are, and then provide proper direction on what appliances would be best suited. She explains, “I’m recommending something that they are going to use all the time. I also want to make sure they are informed and that when we are finished, they are confident with their decisions. Sometimes clients are building their forever home or investing a lot of money into a project, and I want them to be most comfortable with that investment.” Will Dillard, Chief Operating Officer at PIRCH, agrees that the ability for Kimberly to enlighten customers on the tips and tricks of appliances is the key ingredient for PIRCH’s success. “Having full-time chefs at our stores has always brought an added layer of customer service and uniqueness to PIRCH. Our salespeople are the most knowledgeable people in the industry in terms of specifications, features, and design. But our chefs bring a relatable feel to the appliance, a hands-on approach that our clients can relate to, attach their daily lifestyles to, and become comfortable with in their decision to add it to their home.” The beauty of that chef/sales team approach is what gives the homeowner the entire solution for their project. While the salespeople may describe the best BTU range in the industry, the quickest freezing-point freezer money can buy, or the steam oven that will change your life, PIRCH chefs can talk the “everyday” talk. Dillard explains, “You’re going to get everything you need to make an informed decision from our sales team BUT the one thing you don’t get anywhere is the talent of our chef who cooks on this every single day.” When COVID-19 hit, the model of live cooking and in-store demos ceased immediately. Overnight, the steam ovens were turned off, the Woodstone Bistro flames were snuffed out, and the stores experienced a quiet and tasteless scenery. But that did not stop the marketing and management team from rolling up their sleeves and using the resources they had available. Kimberly found herself not in front of 20 hungry customers but instead, on screen to 2,000 hungry customers anxious to hear what she had to teach them about every appliance she used. 156

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DESIGN VISION

An indoor Woodstone Hearth Oven is the perfect addition to a kitchen. Kimberly shows clients how to utilize their Woodstone to prepare full meals and even holiday menus during her live demonstrations.

PIRCH launched a major marketing effort to cook on and virtually demonstrate every appliance available. Barbecues, pizza ovens, steam ovens, ranges, and cooktops became the focus of Kimberly’s everyday life. She dreamed up recipes and showed homebound clients what these appliances could do for them, and it was an immediate hit. Instagram and Facebook users grew, the company’s YouTube portfolio increased immensely, and Kimberly’s love for her job soared. “In a way, it’s kind of like I’m doing a demo, I’m still cooking and educating, but the best part is that people can go back and look at it over and over. I love being a resource to our customers,” says Kimberly. While she had some serious butterflies in her stomach at first, she says it’s become almost second nature to her once they announce, “Lights, Camera, Action!” She adds, “Now that I do it more often, it gets easier and easier. I’ve become calmer and I love the spontaneity of talking to the camera and sharing my secrets about a particular appliance.” Asked about the future, Kimberly says she’s taking one day at a time and enjoying watching as the COVID-19 numbers decrease and the stores are allowed to become focused once again on cooking and teaching. The timing is incredible as the new Cedros store is putting the finishing touches on its recent launch and the Mission Viejo store is hammering away at its future opening. The vision Steve

Smith, CEO, and the management team have for those stores is creative and out of the box, with more appliances available for live cooking demonstrations and an enhanced focus on barbecue and outdoor equipment. What most excites Kimberly is the barbecues and the live induction cooktops. “Not all barbecues are created equal,” she says. “I enjoy showing people everything I can do on a barbecue and how different grills can give you such different results. We have more and more customers asking about induction cooktops because it’s the latest and greatest right now. We’ve never had one of these live, so this will be such a vital part of educating our customers on induction!” As PIRCH grows, Kimberly’s passion for her career and her opportunity grows. She enjoys the fact that she is offering her customers what her mother gave her—the joy of cooking, the ability to embrace the best of family and friends through the culinary experience, and the knowledge that having close friends is the secret spice of life. PIRCH Costa Mesa SoCo 3303 Hyland Avenue, Suite D Costa Mesa 949.429.0800 pirch.com BlueDoorMagazine.com

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CAROL LEE

Blue Door Magazine discusses Newport Market Insights with Carol Lee of Compass, the second in a series of Q&As

Carol Lee, Principal Agent carol.lee@compass.com 949.395.3994 DRE 01402855

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BLUE DOOR MAGAZINE: WE KNOW THAT THE OC COASTAL REAL ESTATE MARKET IS HOT. DOES THAT MEAN THAT ALL HOMES WILL SELL QUICKLY OR FOR A HIGH PRICE? CAROL LEE: That’s a great question. We sometimes see homes that aren’t selling quickly and wonder why. There are three main reasons: •It’s a unique home, either with a style, floorplan, or yard that works for a smaller audience. •It’s a home that has outdated colors, counters, floors, appliances, lighting, etc. •The list price is out of sync with market value (what buyers are willing to pay). BDM: SO WHAT ARE YOUR SOLUTIONS TO SELLING A HOME WITH THESE CHALLENGES, AND HOW DO YOU HELP SELLERS THROUGH THE PROCESS OF MAKING IMPROVEMENTS? CL: My team knows what buyers want from working equally with buyers and sellers. This enables us to confidently advise sellers about the most impactful changes to consider. We connect them with the right resources to get a ‘mini-makeover’ done quickly and cost-

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effectively. Our goal is to do as little as possible to the home to gain maximum effect. BDM: WHAT ARE THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE CHANGES THAT YOU SEE MOST OFTEN? CL: Paint has to be #1. Flooring and counters are tied for #2/3. Staging is a must for most homes after the foundation has been set with 1-3. BDM: HOW DO MOST CLIENTS PAY FOR THESE IMPROVEMENTS? CL: Compass has a program called Concierge where the investment for improvements is paid by Compass, and the seller repays it through close of escrow. This program allows homeowners to reap the benefits of minor/cosmetic improvements with no upfront payments required. Small changes can make a big difference. Photos here are of a recent project at a beach condo that sold quickly and set a record in the neighborhood. An updated home will sell much more quickly, too. Contact Carol at 949.395.2994 or email carol.lee@compass.com to discuss these ideas further. SPONSORED CONTENT

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7 Sho review | C oming So on Extraordinary Pelican Point Estate

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. DRE 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal without notice. DRE’s Mike Johnson l DRE 01429647; Nick Hooper l DRE 01962012l; Inge Bunn l DRE 00641176; Andrew Graff l DRE 02024856; Paulo Prietto l DRE 01878796; Sylvia Ames l DRE 02021418; Kristine Flynn l DRE 02063127; Lilly Tabrizi | DRE 02107169.

L I G H T C R E A T E S shadow. S H A D O W re veals light . The Kintsu Bath Collection TM

in the new Brilliance® Black Onyx finish showcases the diametrical interplay of darkness and light. E X PLO RE T H E F ULL C OLLECTIO N AT B R I Z O.C O M

Blue Door Magazine | Issue 14

Articles inside

PIRCH’s Secret Spice

Color Co-Op

Island Life

Beyond Bespoke

Second Act