Designed by Doug Leach and built in 2009, the home spans 3,801 square feet and sits on an oddly shaped corner lot that measures a cozy 9,710 square feet (143 wide x 65 deep). The homeowners, who incidentally bought the original home in 1972 for $47,500, decided to replace their 1954, 2,185 square foot single-level ranch home with this Spanish-inspired two story home. Overall, I like it. I prefer the new home to the older one.
As you can see from above, the original home was modest and was typical of the California Ranch style home that characterized the 1950s and part of the early 1960s. A home that was understated, and in keeping with its natural surroundings. Less. Not more. Sleek. Modest. That was the California Ranch home. While I have an obvious bias towards the Spanish style, I do admire the ranch style home for being distinctly Californian. But I digress, back to the home.
Notice that the new home (on right) occupies roughly the same footprint as the old home (on left). Garage is still in the same location, as is the front entrance. The homeowners opted to have a wider, more impressive face to the home, rather than orient the house to face the shorter side as most non-corner homes do. Kudos. The only unfortunate loss in orienting the house as they have is the lack of a back yard or garden area.
PVE is strict on having a maximum of 65% of the lot covered with non-natural/hard surfaces (the home, driveway, patios, tennis courts, etc), so that every home in PVE has at least 35% of the lot unimproved/naturally improved (e.g. grass). With a corner lot, given the front and side setback requirements, most of that 35% is in the front yards, leaving only a small strip of grass at the rear of the home (technically the side setback). But given the homeowners bought the home in the 1970s, I'm guessing they don't have small children in the home wanting to play in the back yard (but I suppose maybe when the grandkids come, could be a problem!).
What I like about the home: its white! As all Spanish homes should be (not taupe or beige)! It has good presence and sits well on the lot. Very nice roof lines. Shutters that are actually large enough to cover the windows. Modest landscaping. Simple.
What could be improved? Well, for starters, there's a lot going on here. The facade is almost too busy. Too many things to focus on. There are 11 windows - ELEVEN - on the front facade. And they're all LARGE. I get that the home faces west and maybe has ocean views from the second level. But really, no home needs that much light! The second floor window/balcony should have two panes, not three. In fact, all of the second floor windows should be smaller.
Outside of that, I really do like this home. It doesn't wreak of McMansion. Has a nice touch of authenticity to it. Just a little bit excessive, but certainly good bones. All of the things I mentioned can be fixed by the next owner. Overall, I'd rate it a solid B (no, I'm not going to start rating each of the homes I review!)
By the way, I love the side facade (above). It feels right. Notice the small windows on the second level, off to the right. Yes!
Good job Doug! Just remember, less is more! Less is more!
KEY STATS
Location: Lunada Bay, PVE
Style: Spanish
Year built: 2009
Architect: Doug Leach
Square footage: 3,801
Lot size: 9,710 (143 x 65)
Style: Spanish
Year built: 2009
Architect: Doug Leach
Square footage: 3,801
Lot size: 9,710 (143 x 65)
1 comment:
Seems nice enough, like something you'd find at Crystal Cove in Newport. The landscaping leaves me underwhelmed...peoeple always take from the planting budget and in the end it shows and effects resale more than the heavily depreciating 65" TV they chose instead.
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