Newport Beach Magazine: February/March 2018
Notes From the Editors
Whether you’re showing off your new place to loved ones or you’re trying to pique the interest of potential buyers, the front of your house is the first thing people will see, so it’s imperative to make it pop. If you’re looking to make a lasting first impression, check out “Inviting Exteriors” (page 46) for tips and tricks from Orange County experts to play up that wow factor. From a simple power wash and fresh paint to a complete renovation, let us guide you through creating the ultimate curb appeal, which is guaranteed to make your guests feel welcome.
Home & Design Special Section
Inviting Exteriors
Local experts share tips for making the front of your home pop with curb appeal.
First impressions mean everything. They set the tone for how people perceive something and their attitude toward it. This especially goes for homes, whether you’re decorating a new purchase, sprucing up your longtime abode or preparing to sell—the exterior of your dwelling is the first thing that people will see, so it’s imperative to ensure that it stands out.
1606 Lincoln Lane in Newport Beach
“That’s what draws people to your home; it’s the main thing. It’s, as you say, your curb appeal,” says Lori Decker, owner of Serenescape Landscape Design in Newport Beach. “If a home looks well kept, landscaping is maintained properly, it just looks really good. … If all of that … is all put together, it shows [that] someone loves this home and someone cares about this home, and it especially helps when you’re going to sell your house.”
In addition to contributing to the neighborhood’s overall appearance, when a home’s exterior looks cared for, it suggests to potential buyers that the rest of the home has been maintained properly, meaning fewer headaches for a new owner down the road.
Brittany Leighton, a real estate broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, whose office is just over the Newport border in Irvine, says that home exteriors have increased interest among potential buyers in the past and she considers it a “game-changer.” So, if they are dazzled by the outside of the house, it will certainly produce positive feedback. Here, we gathered some top tips for how to improve the look of your home’s exterior for curb appeal that will impress anyone driving by or walking up to your threshold.
A Clean Palette
The first and most important thing any homeowner needs to do in order to make their home exterior look presentable is to deep clean: Make sure any necessary repairs are made; power wash the driveway, walkways and windows; and keep all access areas clean and free of debris.
When it comes to the home itself, Decker says one of the most crucial things is to maintain any wood in order to keep termites at bay and keep everything look fresh. This is especially noteworthy for those who agree with Leighton’s suggestion to opt for a solid wood door in a solid color, which is a welcoming site to visitors. “I think that the front door is the most important part,” Leighton says. “If they were just going to do one thing, I would say … either give [the front door] a paint job or just get a brand-new front door.”
Paint is another important aspect that needs to be touched up every few years to ensure it looks fresh and does not have any chips. As far as color, Leighton says that “it’s really about the neighborhood and what blends in to the surrounding properties,” as well as the overall look and theme of the property. In general, she recommends white, off-white or other neutral colors as good bases.”
A neutral color palette serves as a clean base, such as at 321 Amethyst in Newport Beach. | Photo by Rani Lu Mundell
Decker also cites windows as something to pay attention to, whether they need to be replaced or just cleaned up and painted. If you have aluminum windows, she says to get rid of them because they are not airtight, a factor that affects energy efficiency when heating or cooling the home. Instead, opt for vinyl, metal-clad, steel or various other types of builds.
“New windows [and] fresh paint are definitely worth the money,” Decker says.
Finally, for the practical components, Leighton says the type of lights that you install need to be cohesive in order to look clean and uniform. “[It is important to choose] lighting that goes with the overall vision of the property,” Leighton says. “… You need to either stick with warm light bulbs or cool light bulbs, but don’t mix them.”
One thing that must always be well lit is the address number, so people can find the house without any hassle. Another thing to consider: Small spotlights directed up at certain features of the home and landscaping can help highlight these areas and create a dramatic effect at night.
As for some fun extra accessories, Leighton also suggests adding a bench to the porch and a swing in the tree, for a quaint and welcoming aesthetic.
“If there’s a tree in the front yard that’s big enough, it’s always a good idea to hang a wooden swing by ropes off the tree,” Leighton says. “If it’s a family-friendly neighborhood, it is just really inviting and tells people that families live there.”
Luscious Landscapes
When it comes to landscaping, the types of plants and design are completely dependent on the overall style of the house. “No two yards are the same,” Decker says. “Everybody’s taste, everybody’s style is different and probably the best thing to make your home look, landscape-wise, like it’s cared for. … [is to] have some kind of a theme … something going on so that even if you did it yourself, it looks like you had a pro do it.”
Decker also says that her biggest suggestion to her clients is to keep their front exteriors as uncluttered and simple as possible, and to avoid looking “hodgepodgey” by mixing plants that don’t fit together. One way to make your plants work together to create a gorgeous entryway is to choose colors that complement each other.
Landscaping adds life to any home exterior. | Photo by Rod Decker
“Color is a very important factor for pop, but color can also be [simple]. I’ve done a lot of homes where we’ve just used green and white, and if there’s white trim on the house, it really will make it pop,” Decker explains. She says that she uses a lot of blue, yellow and white for her winter colors and then, going into spring, she says people tend to go for a Christmas theme by showcasing more red and white colors.
When it comes to the specific types of plants she recommends, Decker reminds people that California is, by nature, a desert. “When you say you want to go with native plants or drought-tolerant plants, that’s fine, but realize that you’re going to be living in a desert [with these types of plants] when you live in lush Newport Beach,” Decker explains. “It kind of doesn’t go together.”
Of course, there are other ways to be drought-tolerant aside from planting succulents and cacti. The easiest fix being to get rid of your lawn, which is where a lot of water consumption goes. Green grass can be replaced with an artificial lawn or an attractive rock garden laid out on top of bare soil or wood chips.
No matter what you choose, as long as your home reflects who you are and leaves a lasting first impression on others, you’ll be enveloped in happiness every time you step through the door.
Flowers add a colorful pop to home exteriors. | Photo by Rod Decker
Less Maintenance, More Allure
Landscape designer Lori Decker shares her top picks for the best low-maintenance plants to keep your front yard beautiful without the hassle.
Roses: Choose these popular flowering bushes, which come in so many colors, for a classically timeless look that requires minimal care and offers plenty of bang for your buck.
Impatiens or scaevola: Both of these options are easy to care for and provide great ground cover.
Texas privet: A type of Ligustrum, this plant creates pristine hedges that offer a sleek-looking boundary and a bit of privacy.
White icebergs: Large and hearty plants, these are ideal for summer, especially if white is your home’s base color.
Camellias: Depending on where you’re located, these are a go-to because—once properly established—they will last a long time and provide nice color when blooming in the winter, while remaining green during all other seasons.
Taste of the Town
Wine Country Cuisine
Olea presents California fare with European flare at Russ Bendel’s newest concept in Newport Beach.
The bar at Olea in Newport Beach | Photo by Kevin Gosselin
For those days when you wish you could escape to Napa or Tuscany, but don’t quite have the time for a trip, Olea offers wine country cuisine right here in Newport Beach. Presented by Russ Bendel as the restaurateur’s third dining establishment with this theme—it’s clear that he has mastered the concept. Olea not only stands up to its award-winning sister restaurants Ironwood, in Laguna Hills, and Vine Restaurant & Bar, in San Clemente, it stands out.
Upon entering the restaurant, the interior design showcases beautiful and timeless pieces such as the antique French floors made of white oak, the Argentinian leather marble on the bartop and across an entire wall, the rustic log beams lining the ceiling, and sculptures made from tree branches that separate the dining room from the exhibition kitchen.
Blue crab baked oysters with Champagne-tarragon butter | Photo by Kevin Gosselin
For an even closer look, there are four seats at the chef’s counter, for diners to watch the food be prepared right in front of them. In total, the 3,647-square-foot establishment seats 130 guests, including 25 seats at the bar, covered patio tables and a private dining area in the wine room that features a custom-made captain's table as the centerpiece, surrounded by wine storage and displays as well as artwork and intricate lights.
The menu, which was developed by chef and partner Jared Cook, combines signature dishes from the restaurant’s predecessors along with delightful plates that are unique to this eatery. Old favorites include the jumbo lump blue crab with roasted heirloom beets and the Meyer lemon and honey duck wings, both also on the menu at Vine and Ironwood. As for new dishes, the shining star of the starters is the blue crab baked oysters with Champagne-tarragon butter, which are a flawless blend of rich, creamy and smooth. The terrine of duck liver, bacon and bourbon is also a must-try, spread across ciabatta bread with a bit of mustard—an exquisite way to begin your meal.
The Pacific Northwest filet mignon | Photo by Kevin Gosselin
When it comes time for entrees, the herb-roasted prime beef cheek stroganoff is a fine dining meal with a home-cooked feel, served alongside house-made rosemary pappardelle pasta in a charred scallion creme fraiche sauce. If you’re looking to indulge in something truly ambrosial, order the Pacific Northwest filet mignon topped with a crispy langoustine bearnaise sauce and served with black truffle and creme fraiche potatoes as well as fresh vegetables.
And with such large portion sizes, you are sure to leave feeling satisfied, especially when you factor in the sensational selection of sides. Out of all the enticing options, be sure to taste the skillet of macaroni and cheese, which comprises the chef’s mixture of four different cheeses and panko bread crumbs, baked to create a magnificent rendition of the classic comfort food.
Rich Girl cocktail | Photo by Kevin Gosselin
You’ll need a beverage to complement your decadent dishes, and the signature cocktails, created by beverage director Gabe Whorley, are the perfect accent to this meal. For something sweet and tasty, order the Rich Girl, with rose wine, vodka, lime, yuzu and basil; or for a strong and spicy option, ask for the Jorge Lucas, which is a mixture of tequila, mezcal, lime, orange juice, egg white, serrano pepper, Angostura bitters and a Tajin salt rim.
Of course, there is always room for dessert, and those who love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter will delight in the Belgian chocolate chunk and fromage blanc cookies, which are dessert sandwiches made of chocolate cookies and peanut butter cup gelato. For those who prefer a fruity alternative, order the Meyer lemon and Tahitian vanilla bean creme brulee, which is topped with fresh berries and lavender for a luscious and relaxing end to an incredible dining experience.
