HOME IMPROVEMENT
Guide
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Inside:
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Welcome to the Home Improvement Guide
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iving in South Orange County offers a distinct lifestyle where sweeping ocean views, rich historical architecture and sun-drenched coastal weather shape the way we style and care for our living spaces. Whether you are perched on the ocean bluffs of Dana Point, nestled among the historic rolling hills of San Juan Capistrano or enjoying the relaxed surf culture of San Clemente, your home should reflect both personal comfort and regional charm. This home improvement guide is designed to serve as a comprehensive local resource, offering practical advice, inspiration and expert insight tailored specifically to residents across our tri-city community. Inside this guide, you will discover approachable ways to transform your surroundings without requiring a full structural overhaul. Learn how targeted kitchen refreshes— such as shifting cabinetry toward breezy coastal hues, layering ambient lighting and adding open floating shelves—can breathe new life into the true heart of your home. We also dive into essential property care, covering how to safely navigate recovery after wildfire incidents with professional guidance and how to elevate your interior aesthetic using drought-tolerant flora or hyper-realistic silk botanicals. Beyond step-by-step DIY projects and home safety, this collection celebrates the thriving design ecosystem right in our backyard. We spotlight premier interior designers shaping coastal luxury, standout local boutiques offering everything from vintage maritime antiques to Spanish Revival furnishings and beloved neighborhood florists who add the perfect finishing touches with fresh seasonal blooms. Whether you are planning a complete residential transformation or simply looking to update a single room, this guide equips you with the tools, local contacts and design concepts needed to create a safe, beautiful and functional sanctuary.
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Nearly 4 Decades of Family-Owned Excellence at Top Quality Roofing By Alicia Venter
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lite roofing takes more than just skilled craftsmanship — though Mike Vogelgesang, with nearly 40 years of experience, has plenty. It also requires relationship-building with the community one’s company serves. As CEO of Top Quality Roofing Inc., Vogelgesang ensures his team does just that. It helps that it is a family-run business, with his son, Shane, serving as the project operations manager and working on rooftops across Orange County. His wife, Dawn, behind the scenes as the chief admin officer. Together, they do everything it takes to protect local homes and serve the South Orange County community. Founded in 1989, Top Quality Roofing Inc. is based in San Clemente, California. The company has built its long-standing reputation for nearly four decades by focusing on quality craftsmanship, honest pricing and high-standard customer service. Operating as a fully licensed, insured contractor, it has maintained deep local roots in Southern California, serving individual homeowners, commercial property owners and homeowner associations across the region. “Fixing roofs is an art,” Mike said. “It’s like fixing a computer. Not anybody can do it. You have to have experience. When it comes to fixing roofs, hands down I can detect where the leaks are coming from better than almost anyone.” Its service offerings encompass both residential and commercial roofing, ranging from full new roof installations and re-roofing overhauls to targeted leak diagnostics and minor structural repairs. The crew utilizes modern roofing materials and technology to customize each job according to specific property needs, budget parameters and HOA architectural guidelines. In addition to work within San Clemente, Top Quality Roofing extends its free project estimates and repair services to surrounding Orange County communities, including Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach. Mike entered the roofing trade in 1976 manufacturing tiles in Hawaii. He established Top Quality Roofing in 1989 in Rancho Santa Margarita before moving the business to San Clemente in 2000. Growth was driven almost entirely by word-of-mouth referrals across South Orange County. By utilizing the latest technology and premium materials — from energy-efficient Cool Roof products to advanced fire-resistant innovations — Top Quality Roofing Inc. works to ensure local homes are protected. In response to local wildfire hazards and insurance demands, the company retrofits attic vents by replacing standard quarter-inch openings with 1/16-inch fire-retardant screens designed to block airborne embers from entering attics. The main danger during a wildfire isn’t always direct flame, but airborne embers entering larger attic ventilation vents. Once inside, embers ignite the home’s attic insulation. Plumbing and HVAC exhaust vents do not pose this same threat. “The embers get inside the attic, and they ignite the insulation inside. If you put in a product that doesn’t allow that ember to go inside the house, then you’re avoiding that issue,” Mike said. Beyond preventing attic ignition, these fireproof materials and barrier vents buy homeowners crucial time and slow down fire progression if a wildfire enters the neighborhood. Top Quality Roofing Inc. specializes in Title 24-compliant, solar-reflective asphalt shingles embedded with copper granules, such as Solaris products, to reflect heat, reduce attic temperatures and lower energy usage. “I try to sell [solar-reflective shingles] as much as I can, and most practical people will agree with me,” Mike said.
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Top Quality Roofing Inc. services San Clemente and surrounding Orange County communities, including Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach. Its office is at 630 S. El Camino Real, Suite B. Learn more at 949-292-7729 or by visiting topqualityroofs.com.
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What Homeowners Should Know Before Returning to a Wildfire-Damaged Home By Heavyn Cooke
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can penetrate vent screening and accumulate indoors. Instead of depending on traditional ventilation methods, Nehme advises homeowners to reach out to a restoration specialist who can deploy air filtration systems as needed. Homeowners should also be cautious about reaching out for ordinary household cleaners. Nehme said typical scrubbing can push contamination further into materials instead of removing it. Burned rubber and plastics can also leave oily residues that require a different cleaning approach. The professional restoration process is considerably more specialized. To prevent soot and ash from being redistributed onto surfaces, Nehme explained that his teams first isolate the workspace and institute air filtration before employing HEPA vacuums. Following this, they utilize dedicated cleaning agents alongside multi-bucket wet cleaning techniques. If homeowners identify soot or smoke residue, Nehme advises reaching out to a certified professional prior to starting major cleanup efforts. He suggests having the home evaluated by an inspector credentialed in fire cleaning by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Additionally, insurance considerations make it wise to pause before starting any cleanup. Homeowners are advised to document all damage with photographs and verify their coverage details prior to commencing restoration. Nehme said his company often submits an estimate before work starts to help prevent confusion later. “It’s really easy to run into problems if you just start doing the work before you’ve spoken to anybody, gotten any okay from anybody,” he said. Additionally, he advises homeowners to clarify payment arrangements with their in-
ven after evacuation orders are lifted and the flames have been extinguished, lingering hazards can remain inside homes affected by wildfires. For Southern California homeowners returning to their properties affected by wildfire, restoration professionals say some of the first instincts, such as opening windows, using household cleaners or beginning cleanup immediately, can create additional problems. According to Tarek Nehme, a restoration specialist with ServiceMaster Restore, homeowners must verify that a property is structurally safe and habitable prior to entry. He advises wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves and a respirator, if the residence sustained direct damage. Even structures that seem undamaged may harbor hazardous materials following a wildfire. According to Nehme, ash poses health risks, and toxic heavy metals can be disturbed depending on the materials consumed by nearby fires. Nehme mentioned that attempting DIY wildfire residue cleaning is among the most frequent mistakes made by homeowners. He noted that scrubbing surfaces can push ash and soot deeper into materials, and improper laundering can ruin garments. While opening doors and windows might seem like a natural method to clear out lingering smoke and increase airflow, it can actually backfire. If the surrounding neighborhood was impacted by the wildfire, venting the house can draw outdoor ash and soot right back inside. “It sounds like it’s the right thing to do, but homeowners need to pay attention to their outdoor surroundings,” Nehme said. Wildfire particles can readily travel throughout a house, even with minimal air movement. Because soot and ash particles are exceptionally fine, light winds can easily distribute them across a property. Attics face particular risk, as these minute contaminants
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WILDFIRE from page 4 surance provider specifically to determine if the insurer will pay the restoration firm directly or if out-of-pocket payment will be required. The cost of professional wildfire cleanup can vary significantly. Nehme said his company has not seen a wildfire cleanup job under $20,000, with costs depending on factors including the home’s size, the amount of personal property that needs to be cleaned or moved, the home’s construction and attic size. Nehme also urged homeowners to carefully vet restoration companies before allowing anyone to begin work. He said some companies may clean visible areas while overlooking hidden contamination, such as ash accumulated in an attic that can continue moving into the living space. “Just making sure that the people that they bring into their home, they’re qualified, it’s one of the most important things,” Nehme said. For homeowners returning to a wildfire-affected property, Nehme’s advice is to prioritize safety, document the damage and understand the insurance process before beginning cleanup. The objective extends beyond simply restoring a home’s appearance. It is about properly tackling wildfire residue while preventing further damage. Experts advise homeowners to have certified specialists evaluate ash and residue before attempting cleanup, as improper scrubbing can push toxic contaminants deeper into home surfaces. Photo: Courtesy of Tarek Nehme
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Kitchen Tune Up: Updating the Heart of the Home By Alicia Venter
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he kitchen often serves as the center of the home — as the place where friends gather around for a glass of wine and gossip, post-beach snacks are built and memories are made. But after years of heavy use without any changes, even the best kitchens can start to feel tired. When that happens, it is time for a change. However, Orange County homeowners do not need a massive budget to transform their homes. Instead, they can focus on high-impact upgrades at low costs that will transform the space into a modern sanctuary — including updating cabinetry, improving lighting and organization.
There are more affordable, less strenuous ways to update cabinetry as well. If painting proves too ambitious, homeowners can update the hardware instead — swap the knobs or pulls for matte black bars or brushed brass handles. This requires a fraction of the time as painting and just a screwdriver as a tool. Capturing the California Light Lighting dictates how a kitchen feels as the bright afternoon sun fades into a coastal evening. Most older kitchens rely on generic overhead lighting. You can easily fix this by layering your light sources. Swapping a standard ceiling fixture for an airy statement pendant, like a glass lantern or woven rattan, adds a focal point without blocking your canyon or ocean views. Under-cabinet LEDs are also game-changers. Battery-powered or plug-in LED strips eliminate shadows on the counters and provide a warm ambient glow. Adding dimmer switches allows the space to transition from a bright morning workspace to a soft, inviting area for evening entertaining. Finally, replacing the faucet with a modern, high-arc design in champagne bronze or matte black adds immense functionality and acts as a stylish centerpiece for the wet zone.
The Coastal Cabinetry Shift The coastal aesthetic in home decor features a light, airy design inspired by the beauty of the outdoors — and thanks to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, South Orange County is the perfect place to explore that kind of look. Since cabinets take up the most visual real estate in the kitchen, sprucing them up with a modern, coastal look can breathe new life into the room. Shifting to crisp whites, soft sages, ocean blues or subtle grays can instantly cool and brighten the kitchen. A homeowner can paint their kitchen cabinets themselves, but it is important to know a few tricks before heading to a hardware store, like the local favorite Denault’s Ace Hardware, for supplies. First, remove the doors, drawers and hinges of the cabinets by using a drill or screwdriver. Instead of trying to have a perfect memory, label every door or frame using painter’s tape or similar marking tool so reassembly is accurate. Next, clean all the residue off the cabinets and sand the surfaces lightly with sandpaper. This roughens the topcoat so the primer can apply correctly. Choose a stain-blocking primer made for cabinets, and let the primer fully dry before painting the topcoat. For cabinets, homeowners should pick a durable paint with a satin or semi-gloss finish.
Open, Breezy Organization Sometimes a kitchen needs a new philosophy of space rather than new materials. Replacing a few heavy upper cabinet doors with floating white oak shelves makes a kitchen feel dramatically larger and more airy. This open concept lets you display your favorite artisanal ceramics or glassware. Inside the remaining cabinets, installing pull-out wire baskets or lazy Susans optimizes every square inch, reducing the daily friction that often triggers renovation fatigue. By focusing on these targeted upgrades, homeowners can achieve a kitchen that feels brand new, highly personalized and perfectly suited to the South OC lifestyle.
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Shopping Local: Tri-City Home Décor Destinations By Picket Fence Media
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ana Point is where polished harbor living meets relaxed beach luxury, driven by its ocean-bluff estates and marina views. Look no further than along The Wharf in Dana Point Harbor. The Vintage Yacht Club is a charming boutique that blends the city’s maritime heritage and curated antique hunting. A staple in Dana Point since 1978, the Vintage Yacht Club curates genuine nautical history, including restored vintage brass compasses, ship wheels, portholes, historical sextants and antique harbor instruments. It features a blend of vintage maritime oil paintings, framed historic charts of the Southern California coastline, model ships and handcrafted wooden accents. Beyond large home statement pieces, Vintage Yacht Club stocks smaller ocean-inspired lifestyle items like brass keychains and coastal gifts. It is a go-to resource for local boat owners and interior designers looking to ground Dana Point’s polished harbor aesthetic with authentic maritime heritage. The interior and architectural style of San Juan Capistrano is defined by
a fusion of Spanish Revival and Modern Equestrian. Inspired heavily by the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, the region’s ranching heritage and the surrounding coastal hills, the aesthetic design feels warm and welcoming. Because Spanish Revival and Modern Equestrian styles rely heavily on a historic look, an upscale consignment store like Revel Resale, located on Plaza Drive, is ideal for finding distressed leather armchairs, vintage wrought-iron light fixtures and carved timber statement pieces that prevent a home from feeling overly showroom-staged. The consignment shop features high-end pre-owned furniture, vintage lighting and eclectic décor for sale. San Clemente is the “Spanish Village by the Sea.” This creates a fusion of classic Spanish Revival architecture and relaxed oceanfront surf culture, where tile roofs feature red terracotta, warm archways are found across town and the vibe is unpretentious. The décor palette often focuses on warm earth tones, sea-glass blues and whitewashed woods. Found on N. El Camino Real, Tuvalu is an upscale coastal home furnishings store that can help fulfill this aesthetic. It offers living room setups, natural woven textures
and refined beach-house accessories. Earlier this year, Picket Fence Media released the Best of Dana Point, Best of San Juan Capistrano and Best of San Clemente. The communities voted on the best of South OC, from eateries to events. Below are the winners and reader recommended honorees in the category “Best Home Decor and Furnishings.” DANA POINT Winner: HOM Dana Point 24452 Del Prado Avenue 949-276-6999 homdanapoint.com Reader Recommended: Vintage Yacht Club 34667 Golden Lantern vintageyachtclub.com Reader Recommended: Ivory & Olive Decor 24847 Del Prado Avenue 949-503-1155 ivoryolivedecor.com SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO Winner: Lavish Home Decor 31103 Rancho Viejo Road
949-429-8881 lavishhomedecor.com Reader Recommended: Surrounding Elements 33051 Calle Aviador 949-276-2376 surroundingelements.com Reader Recommended: Revel Resale 31896 Plaza Drive 949-388-9070 revelresale.com SAN CLEMENTE Winner: Tuvalu 222 N. El Camino Real 949-542-8242 tuvaluhome.com Reader Recommended: SC Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle De Los Molinos 949-492-5589 southcoastfurniture.com Reader Recommended: Melrose in the OC Lifestyle 144 Avenida Del Mar 949-366-0561 melroseintheoc.com
Local Knowledge: “5 Exterior Upgrades Worth Your Money” By Sublime Setup
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he strongest home designs quietly influence behavior. When architecture naturally draws people outdoors it has accomplished something far greater than just a beautiful yard. Let’s consider your own personal retreat, your outdoor space and the way you currently use it. I’m sure being outdoors and spending time in this fabulous weather is one of the reasons you moved to South Orange County. But can you tell the difference between a well-planned exterior design and something without much consideration when you start to host and spend time outside? Let’s look at these ways to transform your outdoor space *5 things worth your money on your yard remodel* 1. Privacy hedge for a resort type escape. When you first buy a new home, you may feel very exposed because of the neighbor’s 2nd story windows or the elevated lots on both sides of your property line. One of the best ways to have your yard to feel lush, enclosed with its own space and surrounded by greenery is tall hedges. You eliminate nosey neighbors and create a serene backdrop in one step. 2. Comfortable furniture to lounge and enjoy. If you are someone who dreams of entertaining al fresco or reimaging underutilized outdoor spaces where you can have lasting moments with friends and family, then your mission will mostly likely include updating your furniture. Your yard remodel really isn’t even finished unless you have the right furniture to dine, sunbath, work, relax and entertain. 3. Shade created by mature trees and patio covers. Partial dabbled light to full coverage sun protection patio structures and mature trees are designed to provide a moment of ease and beautiful architecture. And while we may want to sunbath in the mostly year around sunshine, we find it equally important to have spaces to rest in the cool and sheltering effect that a large tree or shade structure can provide.
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Firepits, fireplaces and electric heaters for year around comfort. You can extend your time outdoors thru the Fall, Winter and Spring with some intentional extra heat. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference with how often you’ll be outside Lighting fixtures to set the style during the day and to see at night. Lighting is as important for outside as it is for inside. Layered lighting, the right fixtures, placement and angles are all considerations when planning your next yard remodel.
Allison Driscoll, is a licensed landscape designer and contractor specializing in helping medium to large residential and small commercial outdoor spaces transform into a Photos: https://www.vanessalentine.com/ personal retreat. We create landscape and home design to craft custom environments where your best moments unfold. Contact Allison at (949)573-7090 or sublimesetuphousing@gmail.com to learn more
Sublime Setup Allison Driscoll (949) 573-7090| Sublimesetup.com @allisonexteriors
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Using Plants — Real and Artificial — to Spruce Up a Home By Alicia Venter
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aring for plants in Southern California can be difficult thanks to dry heat, water restrictions, heavy clay soil that requires amending with organic matter and intense heat waves. However, there are various ways people can try and grow living plants despite these challenges, such as choosing native plants, applying mulch or watering plants in the early morning. Plus, there is a simple alternative for the busy Orange County resident wanting to spruce up their home with plants: pick artificial options. Regardless of whether a homeowner chooses living foliage or faux stems, bringing greenery into the home delivers significant aesthetic and mental health benefits. Impact of Plants Incorporating plants into interior design can transform how a room looks, feels and functions. The greenery softens hard lines, breaking up sharp angles and harsh lines. Positioning plants near bright windows creates dappled sunlight patterns, softening harsh direct exposure and adding organic movement to a room. Live plants also improve atmospheric and environmental design, as dense foliage and stems help absorb high-frequency sounds. They also release moisture, regulating indoor humidity levels to keep wood furnishings from drying out and improving overall air comfort. A 2015 study by the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that active interaction with indoor plants can reduce stress, both physiological and psychological, compared with mental work. This is accomplished, it said, through the suppression of sympathetic nervous system activity and diastolic blood pressure and promotion of comfortable and natural feelings.
The African Lily, or Lily of the Nile, is a drought tolerant plant. Photo: File photo
Choosing an Artificial Alternative There are artificial plants that offer very similar benefits to live plants for those who might not have the time to keep the latter healthy. High-quality artificial plants offer the visual softness, scale and color of living greenery without requiring watering, lighting or pruning maintenance. “We have a different lifestyle out in Southern California,” Pacific Silk Plants owner Laura Crain said. “We have so many things going in our lives. We are busy. We don’t have time to take care of plants. And plants are not meant to live indoors. They are meant to live outside. Operating in San Juan Capistrano since 1987, Pacific Silk Plants specializes in ultra-realistic artificial botanicals, faux trees, custom silk floral arrangements and permanent interior plant design. It houses a large showroom that is open to both retail customers and industry trade. Its offerings are extensive, featuring hyper-realistic silk flowers like orchids and peonies, large faux trees, succulents and seasonal décor. Pacific Silk Plants is a primary source for Southern California interior designers, home stagers, furniture stores and property owners seeking high-end styling without all the upkeep. “We deal with a lot of interior designers, some design stores and we have clientele that keeps coming back to us year after year,” Crain said. Additional benefits to utilizing artificial plants in home design include the elimination of exposure to plant pollen and soil molds, making them completely safe for pets and sensitive family members and the elimination of ongoing spending on soil mixes, fertilizers, pots or replacement plants, requiring only occasional dusting or wipe-downs to stay clean. The fine hairs on the flowers of the kangaroo paw, a popular drought-tolerant plant, can cause skin irritation. Photo: File photo
Choosing Drought-Tolerant Plants For those living in Orange County who want live plants instead of artificial offerings, choosing water-wise options that thrive in coastal fog and dry summer heat can be crucial. However, there are dangers in selecting drought-tolerant plants, as some can be toxic or harmful, the UC Master Gardeners of Orange County’s website said. An example is Fire Sticks, which require little to no water and have reddish green foliage. However, the plants exude a toxic, milky white sap. Popular drought-tolerant flowering shrubs and perennials include the Cleveland sage, the California lilac and the kangaroo paw. The fine hairs on the flowers of the kangaroo paw can cause skin and moderate eye irritation. Succulents that are often found in Orange County homes include strands of agave, cactus, cholla, and the stonecrop. The latter is toxic if the leaves are ingested, and the sap may be irritating to the skin. For an addition of color, the African Lily, or the Lily of the Nile, has dramatic spherical flower heads and dense, ribbon-like foliage. The plant features large clusters composed of dozens of trumpet-shaped flowers in the shades of deep blue, violet, pure white or periwinkle.
The UC Master Gardeners of Orange County host various events to teach people more about THIS. Upcoming events include various sessions on caring for cool-season vegetables, including one at the Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veteran’s Way, Mission Viejo, on Sept. 3 from 1 to 2 p.m. Learn more at ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-orange-county. Succulents are popular options for homeowners wanting plants with low effort maintenance. Photo: File photo
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BUSINESSES & HOAS
IS YOUR TURF FUNCTIONAL? NEW CALIFORNIA RULES RESTRICT WA W ATERING AT WATERING DECORAT A IVE GRASS IN HOA AT DECORATIVE COMMON AREAS AND COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPES.
Local Florists in the Tri-Cities San Clemente • Kimberly’s Flower Shop: A long-standing family-owned shop on El Camino Real known for lush, traditional arrangements, seasonal bouquets, and custom home flower styling. Voted the Best Place to Buy Flowers in the Best of San Juan Capistrano • Beach City Florist: Located on S. El Camino Real, offering organic, coastal-inspired floral designs, custom arrangements and house plants suited for beach home decor. • The Velvet Garden: A boutique design studio specializing in artistic, high-end floral styling, focal piece centerpieces, and residential design accents. • Flowers & Friends: A neighborhood staple on North El Camino Real offering everyday fresh-cut stems, vibrant mixed bouquets, and classic custom floral gifts. • Flower Company of San Clemente: A coastal design studio on Camino De Los Mares specializing in artful, seasonal arrangements, custom event florals, and tailored blooms for home decor. San Juan Capistrano • Swallows & Sage: A boutique florist right on Camino Capistrano that focuses on wild, loose, garden-style arrangements and custom floral art for homes and events. • La Mission Flowers & Gifts: Situated in downtown SJC, offering classic floral arrangements, custom orchids and indoor blooming plants. • Mother Earth Florist: A neighborhood florist known for fresh daily cut flowers, vibrant mixed bouquets, and long-lasting table ar-
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rangements. Pick Me! Floral Boutique: A vibrant shop in the River Street Marketplace offering fresh grab-and-go bouquets, custom residential arrangements, potted houseplants, and floral subscriptions. Voted the Best Place to Buy Flowers in the Best of San Juan Capistrano. The White Dahlia: A family-owned studio in San Juan Capistrano focusing on earthy, eclectic floral design, custom orchid displays and home decor accents.
New California rules limit watering decorative grass in HOA common areas and commercial landscapes, with potable (drinking) water. This only applies to grass that is not used for recreation, gathering, or community activities. Examples include: HOA entryways and monument signs Street medians Parking lot islands Decorative grass with no active use
Dana Point • Wildflower Floral & Gifts: Located in the Capistrano Beach/Dana Point neighborhood, offering eclectic garden-style arrangements, unique potted plants, and home gift items. • Alyssa’s Flowers: Operating right on Pacific Coast Highway, specializing in tropical blooms, custom coastal arrangements, and premium orchids tailored for beachside interiors. • Joyce’s Florist: Serves Dana Point with bespoke coastal arrangements, handwritten custom notes, and curated luxury blooms for home display. • Browne’s Florist & Flower Delivery: A family-owned shop on Pacific Coast Highway offering classic fresh-cut arrangements, custom floral gifts, and residential delivery across Dana Point. Voted the Best Place to Buy Flowers in the Best of Dana Point. • Kissed by Tulips: A local floral studio serving Dana Point specializing in luxury tulip arrangements, custom color-palette designs, and sameday home deliveries.
This does not apply to single-family home lawns or areas using Recycled Water.
Now is the time to plan. Replace unused grass with water-wise landscaping that saves water and supports long-term compliance.
Learn more: SCWD.org/NFT
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Interior Designers in the Tri-Cities
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levate your coastal space with top-tier local expertise. See some of the premier interior designers shaping homes across San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point below. SAN CLEMENTE Terri Brien Interiors / Terri Brien: Offering a warm and tailored approach to coastal living, Terri Brien focuses on full-scale residential overhauls, custom architectural detailing, and curated home furnishings. 1911 S. El Camino Real, Suite B; 949-2458923; terribrieninteriors.com Susan Thiel Design / Susan Thiel: Operating with both design expertise and general contracting capabilities, Susan Thiel handles whole-home luxury renovations, custom spatial planning, and high-end furniture sourcing. 1401 N. El Camino Real, Suite 103; 949-2269664; susanthieldesign.com Luxe Studio Design: This studio specializes in complete residential turnkeys, crafting custom millwork and built-in features that seamlessly blend coastal bohemian and traditional design elements. 927 Calle Negocio, Suite F; 949-503-2352; shopluxestudiodesign.com Design Focus / Beverly Stadler: Guided by NCIDQ-certified principal Beverly Stadler, Design Focus incorporates wellness-centered spatial concepts, biophilic elements, and structural planning into luxury West Coast estates. 944 Calle Amanecer, Suite D; 949-366-3328; designfocus.net Cindy Horner Designs / Cindy Horner: Cindy Horner coordinates ground-up builds and comprehensive residential transformations, overseeing full contractor execution alongside custom cabinetry and interior architectural details. 430 N. El Camino Real, Suite B; 949-836-9363; cindyhornerdesigns.com JC Renovators: JC Renovators emphasizes sustainable practices and eco-conscious material selection to deliver space-optimizing home remodels and complete structural redesigns. 101 S. El Camino Real, Suite 100; 949-3257365; jcrenovators.com Claire Cheely Interior Design / Claire Cheely: Claire Cheely approaches residential styling with a focus on distinct, personalized interiors, executing custom built-in cabinetry and tailored room refreshes. 555 N. El Camino Real, Suite A; 949-350-4644; houzz.com/pro/clairecheely SC Design Center: Functioning as a full kitchen and bath design hub, SC Design Center connects homeowners with custom cabinetry lines, premium tile concepts, and hard-surface flooring solutions.
By Picket Fence Media
814 S. El Camino Real; 949-234-6988; scdesignctr.com Tuvalu Design Services: Beyond its flagship coastal showroom, Tuvalu provides comprehensive in-house home styling packages, room layout planning, and curated furnishings tailored for seaside living. 222 N El Camino Real; 949-542-8242; tuvaluhome.com RSM Design: Operating on a global scale, RSM Design bridges architecture and interior environments through environmental graphic design, wayfinding sySuitems, and branded placemaking. 160 Avenida Cabrillo; 949-492-9479; rsmdesign.com SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO Wesley Design / Susan Wesley: Bringing over two decades of practice, Susan Wesley crafts refined modern interiors grounded in rigorous spatial research and clean architectural lines for both residential and commercial spaces. wesleydesigninc.com Lavish Home Decor / Debi Barish: Debi Barish directs this studio with a focus on comprehensive home refreshes, tailored window treatments, professional property staging, and corporate interior updates. 31103 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite D1; 949-4298881; lavishhomedecor.com Obvious Flair Interior Design / Shan Luvisa: With 33 years of experience as an ASID member, Shan Luvisa transforms residential and commercial layouts through detailed space planning, custom architectural trim work, and color consulting. 31262 Calle Bolero; 949-291-0412; obviousflair.com Ocean Lane Interiors: This boutique practice delivers full-scope renovation guidance, taking clients from initial conceptual layouts through custom millwork selection and final white-glove furniture installation. 31877 Del Obispo Street, Suite 101; 949-4243375; oceanlaneinteriors.com Jennifer Moore Interior Design / Jennifer Moore: Jenny Moore takes an approachable path to residential redesigns, mixing distinct design eras, bold accents, and custom cabinetry tailored around lived-in daily routines. 949-939-6224; jennifermooreinteriordesign. com Lisa E O’Connor Interior Design / Lisa E. O’Connor: This designer specializes in custom, colorful, and approachable residential interiors, space planning and tailored budget-conscious design solutions. 31941 Via Montura; 323-842-8408; houzz. com/pro/lisaeoconnor Rita Howe Design / Rita Howe: Led by ASID,
NCIDQ, and CCIDC certified designer Rita Howe, the boutique specializes in custom interior furnishings, luxury space planning, and full residential interior design. 31232 Paseo Miraloma; 949-939-7554; houzz. com/pro/ritahowedesign DANA POINT CPD Studio / Courtney Peña: Courtney Peña pairs high-touch project management with architectural sensitivity to deliver custom residential transformations and boutique hospitality interiors across coastal Orange County. 34179 Golden Lantern, Suite 304; 949-5414600; cpd-studio.com Ivory & Olive / Ivory & Olive Home Decor: Operating out of Dana Point’s Lantern District, this retail and interior design studio balances rich textures, organic finishes, and tailored room styling for seaside homes. 24847 Del Prado Avenue; 949-503-1155; ivoryolivedecor.com M2 Design / Carrie Maniaci: Carrie Maniaci shapes luxury ground-up estates and comprehensive home renovations through structural discipline, custom millwork, and refined material composition. 32262 Azores Road; 949-558-7500; them2group.com HŌM Dana Point / Danielle Desimone: Designed around a walk-through residence concept in the Lantern District, this studio and boutique
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offers complete home staging, space refreshes, and curated coastal accents. 24452 Del Prado Avenue, Suite A; 949-2766999; homdanapoint.com Millie Coastal Accents: Focusing on casual seaside living, this boutique studio blends full-service room staging and custom interior decorating with curated coastal home decor. 32880 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 36; 949429-1144; milliecoastalaccents.com Rosskopf Design Studio / Lori Rosskopf: Lori Rosskopf directs custom bathroom overhauls, kitchen remodels, and universal design updates with a focus on functional ergonomics and architectural flow. 33272 Ocean Ridge; 949-322-1050; rosskopfdesignstudio.com OC Design & Organization: Blending functional spatial optimization with tailored aesthetic styling, this local firm provides full residential interior design, color consulting, and custom storage solutions. 34118 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 5; 949409-1262; ocdorganizer.com Andrew Joseph Designs / Andrew Joseph: Andrew Joseph executes upscale custom residential design, architectural space planning and tailored furniture packages in the heart of Dana Point’s Lantern District. 24582 Del Prado Avenue; 949-248-1820; andrewjosephdesigns.com
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San Juan Capistrano Print Ad 10x11.15 PRINT-READY.pdf
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FIRE READINESS & Water SYSTEM REHABILITATION
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San Juan Capistrano’s water system has served the community for generations, with portions dating back to the 1920s.
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Santa Margarita Water District will begin modernizing water infrastructure to strengthen fire protection and system reliability.
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