Set against the rolling hills of Rancho Mission Viejo, this home is a modern interpretation of the classic bungalows unique to the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century. This project gave our editorial and design team a great opportunity to demonstrate how to blend modern amenities and design with craftsman-style details. The end result is a home perfectly attune to contemporary Western living, while capturing a sense of the past.

The color palette and many of the design ideas were inspired by this area’s sunny, Mediterranean landscape, white sand beaches, and cerulean waters. The backyard, with its fully equipped outdoor kitchen, stone terraces, and wade-in pool, typifies outdoor living at its finest! We looked to the beauty and diversity of California’s native plants, such as the coast live oak, manzanita, and red coral bell, to create a garden that complements the flora and fauna of this uniquely Western setting.

I would like to thank the incredible team involved in this project. A special thank you to San Juan Capistrano builder, David Mulvaney of Mulvaney & Co., who designed and built the home; designer and architect Eric Trabert of Eric Trabert & Associates; the interior designer, Annie Speck of Annie Speck Interior Designs; and landscape architect James Bazinet of Urban Arena, LLC.

Thank you to the Rancho Mission Viejo team, including Paul Johnson, Don Stahlin, Kristen Maher, and Meribeth Gunn for providing Sunset Magazine the opportunity to build an Idea House in the beautiful Ladera Ranch community. And to the County of Orange, thank you for all your support in shepherding this project to completion.

It would have been impossible to put this home together without the participation of our sponsors (see list at left and on the back of this guide), and we appreciate the support of all the great products they brought to this project. Also, many thanks to our contributors, whose craftsmanship and products add a depth and richness that is invaluable in creating an Idea House.

Thanks for touring Sunset’s 2005 Orange County Idea House. We hope it provides you with inspiration for your home and garden! Don’t forget to look for the feature article in the October 2005 issue of Sunset Magazine.

Shannon Thompson
Home Programs Director
Sunset Magazine

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