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Coastal Craftsman Virtual Tour

It has all the makings of a traditional Craftsman: a welcoming porch, bloom-covered arbors, shingle siding. But our Orange County Idea House adds a modern twist. In place of conventional Arts and Crafts details, the home has a bright, contemporary look and spaces designed for indoor-outdoor living.

Located near San Juan Capistrano in the new village of Covenant Hills in Ladera Ranch, the house takes full advantage of its view and garden setting. Inspiration came from Pasadena’s famous 1908 Gamble House, by architects Greene and Greene. “I admire the Greenes’ use of finished joinery, so I adapted it for the Idea House,” says builder David Mulvaney. The rich paneling and moldings are pure Craftsman. But gone is the characteristic dark stain, replaced by soft white paint.

Thomas J. Story

“Craftsman is all about the details,” says interior designer Annie Speck. So are her innovations. The kitchen exemplifies her practical, inventive approach, as in the standard-size cabinets arranged to create a custom look. “Take them all the way to the ceiling to add storage and reduce clutter,” she says.

Instead of typical autumn tones, Speck and Mulvaney bathed the walls in colors of the sea. Stone, brushed-nickel, and tumbled-glass accents replace traditional ceramic and bronze. Neutral fabrics cover streamlined furnishings, and natural light pours in from decks and through sun-catching sheer drapes. A porch off the great room extends the living space out to a courtyard with a dipping pool and deluxe alfresco kitchen. Nearby, built-in seating surrounds a fireplace and bar. Explore and you’ll find a small vegetable garden, outdoor shower, play area, and woodland retreat.

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Thomas J. Story
At the rear, the house opens to terraces, decks, and the pool.

The girl’s bedroom upstairs opens to another indoor-outdoor jewel: a secret sleeping porch, itself a blend of contemporary styling and Craftsman shingles and beams. In the master suite, another pop-out deck catches the breezes and views of surrounding Rancho Mission Viejo.

In the yard, landscape architect James Bazinet also adapted Craftsman aspects, carefully selecting boulders to use as accents and mixing native oaks, sycamores, and manzanitas with drought-tolerant floral companions.

Tour this Idea House
The Orange County Idea House is open 9–6 Fri–Sun through Oct 16, 2005; $10, ages 5 and under free. Call 800/786-7375 for directions and more information.