Beach Homes: Sophisticated Snoop 2014
Story by Rebecca Foster
Photos by Liz Chalmer
The 41st Annual Sophisticated Snoop home tour, presented by the American Martyrs Parent Association opens the doors on one of the most modern and widely honored homes in the South Bay, as well as several newly completed, traditionally designed homes, plus a walk street update on the traditional beach cottage. Over the past four decades, tour director Debbie Walmer has made Sophisticated Snoop one of the most highly regarded home tours in Southern California.
THE ORLAND HOME
751 27th Street
Manhattan Beach
Newly built, this home is in the tradition of California Coastal design.
This newly built home is the epitome of chic California Coastal design. The concrete entry walk, inlaid with shells, brings you to a light-filled foyer complete with tongue and groove walls and windows that bring in the natural light from the beautiful courtyard. At every turn, seaside accents and turquoise hues permeate this family home — beach living at its best. The stone floors keep signs of kids and dogs at bay while the uniquely designed stair railing is one of the many features that remind you that this is a finely built custom home. The four en-suite bedrooms all have beautifully stained cabinets with glass tile accents. The upstairs office is a perfect work retreat, but the downstairs basement room is truly the definition of a “man cave.” The kitchen and Great Room open to a beautiful lanai. Every square foot of the back yard space was utilized to create an entertainer’s dream: spacious cook area, spool with waterfall and a large fire pit perfect for relaxing conversation. This home is California Coastal living at its finest.
Lots of light and sea colored accents complement the home’s coastal design.
THE WYMBS HOME
908 Highview Avenue
Manhattan Beach
The commandering presence looks out on an equally commanding ocean view.
This Spanish Colonial masterpiece was recently completed in April 2014. Encompassing 6,700 square feet, this impressive hill section home is situated on a 12,863 square foot ocean view lot. Meticulously designed and constructed, this custom home evokes the feeling of permanence and ageless grandeur, yet features all of today’s modern luxuries. The designer and homeowners helped to create many of the unique architectural details, sourcing materials and finishes from around the globe. The hand-troweled plaster walls, handcrafted new and antique tiles, custom lighting, reclaimed hand-hewn beams and vintage wood flooring were carefully executed with the finest craftsmanship. The relaxed, timeless interiors offer a unique blend of old world patina and modern simplicity. In addition to five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, the home also features a craft room and baking station designed to meet the needs of this active and creative family. The indoor/outdoor family room opens onto sunny exterior living areas with fireplaces, pool, spa, cabana and sports court.
The backyard cabana gives an Old World feel to this newly built Spanish Colonial design.
THE KALLIS HOME
420 10th Street
Manhattan Beach
This walk-street remodel harkens back to a traditional Manhattan Beach cottage.
A walk-street remodel completed in 2012, this cozy retreat retains all the charm of a classic Manhattan Beach cottage. The homeowners overhauled the original floor plan by opening up walls, making the windows larger, and bringing in all the 21st-century amenities modern families have come to enjoy. The outdoor patio and fire pit are a gracious welcome to this classically redone beach cottage. The French oak floors set the tone for the understated color palette throughout, helping to showcase wonderful artifacts collected from around the world. The first floor seamlessly opens to the back dining patio, epitomizing the casual indoor/outdoor lifestyle. Upstairs, three bedrooms and a bonus room are perfectly appointed for escaping the hubbub of walk-street living. This home maximizes space, but doesn’t leave a single detail forgotten. By incorporating high ceilings, tall doors, and copious amounts of natural light, this beach cottage will certainly stand the test of time.
Unlike the traditional beach cottage this walk street home’s interior is wide open, with lots of natural light.
THE BESHKE HOME
121 8th Street
Manhattan Beach
Tall, skinny and stunning.
This walk street home is a true standout. Built by the owner in 2012, it features five bedrooms, three and one-half baths, and views galore! The stucco, stone, and wood exterior stuns from the curb, but once inside, the views from Catalina to Malibu take your breath away. The upstairs Great Room brings the outdoors in, with beams that run the length of the patio through the living room. The expansive patio allows for private outdoor meals high above the walk street below. Tucked in the back of the main floor is an intimate library perfect for TV watching or gazing at the pier. Downstairs, the Master Suite has a private outdoor hot tub, and the girl’s bedroom has sliding doors which seamlessly converts the hangout area to a guest bedroom. The downstairs Great Room opens to the fire pit lounge, maximizing the benefits of walk-street living. An added feature is the full bath with access from the outside, allowing beach goers to shower inside without bringing sand through the house. This modern home proves that location and design are everything.
The upstairs opens to a patio for dining with an ocean view.
THE LEONARD HOME
532 3rd Street
Manhattan Beach
Dark wood floors and white wood ceilings frame the open floor plan.
The stone stairs at the entry lead to a Dutch door that opens into this stunning 3900 square-foot home built by the owner for family enjoyment and entertaining friends. The dark walnut floors are an exquisite accent to the gorgeous open floor plan. The kitchen, dining area, and family room open to a turf-lined yard featuring a built-in BBQ pit. A bright, breeze-filled office and full bath complete the main floor. A sunlit staircase leads to the second floor, which includes a laundry room, two bedrooms, and an amazing Master Suite that is equally suited for lounging in the bath or enjoying the quiet-sitting retreat. The home’s basement is an added bonus: a great place to watch the big screen TV, or multi-screen TV viewing or to enjoy a family game. This active family of four has a masterfully organized garage that you will covet. In addition to holding boards, bikes, and balls with ease, this garage has its own natural gas fueling appliance. This eco-friendly beach home, built in 2007, is not to be missed.
The 41st Annual Sophisticated Snoop home tour, presented by the American Martyrs Parent Association opens the doors on one of the most modern and widely honored homes in the South Bay, as well as several newly completed, traditionally designed homes, plus a walk street update on the traditional beach cottage. Over the past four decades, tour director Debbie Walmer has made Sophisticated Snoop one of the most highly regarded home tours in Southern California.