A Palisades tradition continues this Sunday, November 14 when the Pacific Palisades Junior Women’s Club presents its 19th annual Holiday Home Tour and Boutique. Four distinctive private homes, all beautifully decorated for the holidays by talented local florists and merchants, will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $35 ($25 for seniors over 60) and may be purchased on the day of the event at each of the homes or at the Holiday Boutique. Entry to the boutique is free. The Holiday Boutique, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is staged in the Palisades Recreation Center Gymnasium, 851 Alma Real, and showcases a wide variety of holiday treasures, decorations and gifts. An added attraction at the boutique is the first annual Junior Women’s Estate Sale, featuring great finds donated by members including antiques, vintage fabrics, candlesticks, designer purses, botanical prints, pillows and more. Also of interest is the boutique raffle with enticing prizes such as a dream cruise to the Caribbean or Mexican Riviera, a $500 gift certificate to Denton Jewelers, Inc. and a children’s playhouse. The Boutique Caf’ will offer lunch and refreshments. Proceeds from the Home Tour are awarded to local non-profit organizations in the Palisades. Last year the club awarded over $90,000 to a record 36 local organizations. The club invites nonprofit groups whose services and programs benefit the Palisades to request funding application forms. Contact Marjorie Graham, Project Selection Chair, at 573-4282 or write to: PPJWC Project Selection, c/o Marjorie Graham, P.O. Box 1224, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, or visit the Web site at www.ppjwc.com. Completed applications must be received by January 7, 2005. 15020 Altata Drive – A Stately Traditional Home Although this is a new home, it exudes a gracious traditional look, with huge white pillars articulating the front facade. Walnut floors, English antiques, French crystal chandeliers, hedged gardens, a porch swing and Venetian glass mirrors work together flawlessly to create a traditional theme. A connection with nature also permeates via a large number of antique botanical prints and seashore accents. Along with its traditional styling, the owners also were attracted to the openness of the home and the large yard that includes a pool, spa and cabana room. They also loved the ‘male retreat’ which has been decorated to reflect the husband’s Montana heritage. Pocket doors make indoor/outdoor entertaining flow easily into the yard surrounded by magnolias and sycamores. A kitchen outfitted with three dishwashers, three ovens, a Garland stove and a double-door refrigerator lends itself to large-scale entertaining. Upstairs, the little boy’s room, a guest room with a seascape theme and a family room with kitchen indicate that this is a family who enjoys being at home and spending time together. The master suite boasts a fireplace, his and her closets, antique French wash basins, an antique claw foot bathtub, limestone floors and a walk-through his and her shower/steam room. 14954 Corona del Mar – A Historical Gem on the Bluffs At the gates of this breathtaking Mediterranean estate, the eye is first drawn to the large tree growing in the center of the circular drive. Upon entering the home, the first instinct is to stroll out to the enormous grassy lawn and take in the180-degree panorama that spans Palos Verdes to Point Dume (see photograph above). Throughout the home are many 18th-century French antiques, including French country tiles in the large kitchen and original French railings from the 1890s adorning the balconies. Other items of note include a large Chinese screen dating to the 1860s and a secret bar in the living room used during the Prohibition era. All bathroom tiles are originals from the 1930s. Upstairs there are four large bedrooms including a master with stunning views off the balcony. A 1940s French bed frame graces the guestroom. The home’s history is as enthralling as its present-day features. Originally built in 1932, the house was owned from 1941 to 1949 by actor Charles Laughton, who shared the home with Elsa Lanchester, the actress who played ‘Bride of Frankenstein.’ Laughton held acting classes in the large basement, which is now a movie screening room. Many famous people spent time here, including Charlie Chaplin, Shelley Winters and Marilyn Monroe. German author Bertholt Brecht even wrote a poem about the house. 14974 Corona del Mar – A House That Reflects Heritage When the owners of this spectacular home, boasting panoramic ocean vistas, found it for sale five years ago, it was something they couldn’t resist. This classic Spanish colonial home also gave the owner the opportunity to embrace her Mexican culture and heritage. Collaborating with designer/colorist Heidi Wianecki, landscape architect Julie Hart and landscape designer Mary Ephron, the owner has remodeled this 30-year-old home to appear as though it has been sitting on the bluff for 100 years. An archway at the entry, adorned with reproduction Malibu tiles, instantly recalls an earlier time. Once inside the foyer, an eclectic collection of Latin and Mexican art peers out from every room. Saltillo tile and hardwood floors, a hand stenciled stairway and a stunning hand-painted ceiling in the living room elegantly blend with English and French antiques. The ceiling, painted by Nancy Kintisch, was inspired by a similar ceiling at the historic Adamson House in Malibu. ”The owners love entertaining and during the remodel several interior walls were removed to increase flow. Family room and living room doors open to create seamless indoor/outdoor entertaining. Along with the view, an outside bar, custom barbecue and garden paths lend themselves beautifully to drawing guests outdoors. Fruit trees, flagstone walkways and a fountain all complement a natural California garden. 556 Ocampo – Elegant Tradition with a Twist The owner/decorator of this traditional home knew the minute she walked in that it was for her. She fell in love with details such as classic moldings, coffered ceilings and paneled walls. She also loved that it had enough bedrooms for each of her children and a street filled with kids. Together with her mother, also a designer, the owner worked hard to achieve a pleasing blend of old and new, with antiques filling the home, accented with touches of chinoiserie. Walnut floors are found throughout. The kitchen is modern with its white Carrara marble countertops and top-of-the-line appliances. Most of all, this is a home designed for family comfort. The little girl’s room has beautiful hand-painted florals on the walls and twin beds with Victorian headboards, a younger son’s room has a ‘doggy’ theme while the older son’s room sports a Hawaiian beach theme. The master bedroom is truly a retreat, with soothing blues and greens used in the decorating. Outdoors, a barbecue area, an outdoor room and a pool give this family little reason to ever leave.
