An enchanting afternoon visiting beautiful Laguna homes

The popular Village Laguna Charm House Tour will be held on Sunday,

May 18 in Laguna Beach. Each year the tour has been attended by more

than 700, and sometimes up to 1,000 residents and visitors from all

over, who spend an enchanting afternoon visiting Laguna’s most

beautiful and interesting homes.

This year’s Charm House Tour is the 31st annual, and will feature

five of Laguna Beach’s most special homes ranging from Laguna

charmers to modern masterpieces. Tickets are $30 each pre-sale, and

$35 the day of the event, only if tickets are still available.

Tickets can be obtained by writing: P.O. Box 1309, Laguna Beach

92652, or by calling (949) 472-7522.

Specially chartered Laguna Beach city trams will leave

continuously from the Act V parking lot on Laguna Canyon Road

starting at noon; the last tram departs at 3:30 p.m. and homes are

closed for viewing at 5:30 p.m. Trams take participants to each home,

but walking and stair climbing are required, so comfortable shoes are

a must. Civic leaders will be among the home and tram guides. The

tour can be completed at one’s own pace, normally taking two to three

hours.

Here’s a sneak preview of the five houses:

Casa del Jardin, where you’ll enter a 1941 Monterey-style home

through its iron gate, along a meandering brick garden pathway and

beneath a bougainvillea-covered arbor. In 1916 the area was known as

the McKnight’s Addition of “Laguna Cliffs” but was not built upon

until much later by Fred and Lillie Van Loenen. In 1991, the owners extensively renovated the home and opened the entire house onto the

gardens. A 60-foot coral tree, a wandering path with steps, a dry

stream under a small bridge and the scent of lavender and rosemary

create a feeling of seclusion and tranquility in this Mediterranean

garden. The quintessential Laguna retreat from busy village life.

Laguna Charm, originally a modest blue 1950s stucco home with a

juniper-covered sloping front yard but rebuilt into a contemporary

home -- intimate and elegant with a multitude of decorating

inspirations to enjoy. The private garden with its tall column

fountain and “garden table” (literally) is a delight. Much of the

artwork is from Peter Blake Gallery; Mark Beck’s large oil, “The

Apartments” and “Tuscan Cypress” are the most recent acquisitions.

Wide plank floors and the kitchen island countertop are walnut. Small

ribbed windows in the kitchen and dining room provide light and

privacy. Don’t miss the hand-made wallpaper in the master suite.

Formerly overgrown, the back area has been transformed into a

sophisticated lap pool and Jacuzzi.

Arabella Laguna is the recent restoration of two 1920 Craftsman

cottages and seven guest cottages. Enveloped in lush greenery and

shaded by tall elms, Arabella Laguna’s English country gardens are in

full bloom with roses and lavender. Strolling through this secluded

urban oasis, you step back in time. Vacationers to Laguna Beach can

rent these guest suites; all are decorated in vintage bungalow decor

and have kitchens. Guests with children find the open spaces quite

relaxing for their family. The garden focus is the ornately carved

classic cherub fountain, which appeared in the movie, “Hello, Dolly.”

Heisler Crest, which several years ago was the most stunning

contemporary home on the Charm House Tour, is revisited this year

with new decor and art work. Views of the expansive ocean, coastline

and Heisler Park are breathtaking. The owners have incorporated a

coastal Mediterranean theme in the colors, fabrics and art. Paintings

by local artists Allyn Stevens and Tom Swimm are of scenes in Italy,

Bellagio, Tuscany, Venice and Cortina. Built in 1991 by local

architect, Chris Abel, the home has five split levels. Although most

rooms enjoy special vistas, the breakfast nook is quite unique.

The White House, a 1915 cottage that was designated a Historical

Residence by the city of Laguna Beach, was the first home in the

area: a type of early “model home” built of shiplap redwood and

intended to interest others in the builder’s style. Cypress Street

has many old homes that create a vintage ambience in the

neighborhood. A wide porch with columns welcomes visitors. The

British owner has furnished her home as a formal English townhome

with custom cherry wood furniture and deep rich fabrics. There is an

enchanting formal English garden outside the back sun porch.

Village Laguna is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting

community values and supporting leaders that preserve and protect the

unique village character of Laguna Beach. The group participates in

Laguna Beach planning and environmental decision making, and is

actively involved in civic activities, supporting numerous causes

ranging from assisting survivors of the Laguna wildfire and

mudslides, preserving Laguna’s unique downtown and cultural

resources, protecting the natural environment, including saving

Laguna Canyon, awarding an annual scholarship to a Laguna Beach High

School graduating senior, donating to Laguna Beach charities, and

supporting local city and school board candidates.