Orange County Register

My first peek behind the gates of the exclusive Shady Canyon enclave was a memorable one: I got to tour a $10 million, 10,000-square foot home that has been decorated to the nines.

Casa California is an annual event benefiting the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. For $35 a ticket, you too can ogle a luxe new home styled by 17 decorators from Los Angeles and Orange counties. An on-site cafe provides sandwiches and salads, which you can munch poolside, and a boutique offers clothing, jewelry and accessories for purchase. A cut of all the proceeds goes to the Philharmonic Society’s Youth Music Education programs.

My morning started out with a ride on a shuttle bus, where I was joined by several volunteer docents on their way to the home. Behind the gates, the views grow ever more spectacular as you make your way up the winding roads. The home itself is Mediterranean-inspired, as is all of the architecture within Shady Canyon.

Once inside, the decor is a cacophony of sight and texture. “Old meets new” is the theme, as you spot a fireplace mantel made of 550-year-old limestone, reclaimed from Malta. The living room is centered around a Venetian double love seat, accented by Swarovski crystal light fixtures and lamp bases built upon real ostrich eggs.

CLICK ON THE PHOTOS FOR A CLOSER LOOK!

Most items on display are for sale, and a quick glance at the price list confirms that just about everything in the home is out of reach for most of us: as an example, the dining room table can be had for a mere $21,385.

The laundry room is bigger than most kitchens; the master bedroom is akin to a luxury hotel suite, with a sitting area, balcony, coffee bar, his & hers bathrooms and an upstairs retreat.

While one board member said the home tour is mostly a magnet for “the ladies who lunch,” men will enjoy the basement level. If the lounge area with a 103-inch flatscreen TV and a full-length bar isn’t enough, meander over to the media room.

It’s a mini-movie theater featuring a 135-inch screen and eight cushy leather recliners arranged stadium-style. The audio is a treat for the ears.

Did I mention the dimly lit wine cellar and the spacious spa?

The spec home was built by Finton Construction, and was chosen for the design showcase because it is currently vacant. But once the home tour is over, it will hit the market for between $9 and $10 million, according to spokeswoman Lucinda Prewitt.

The home is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; on Thursdays, it’s open until 9 p.m. Tickets are $35, and here’s a list of no-no’s: photography, strollers, backpacks and high heels.

Tour the home through November 8th; for ticket information, visit the Philharmonic Society’s web site.

What do you think of designer home tours, and would you ever attend one? What do you like and/or dislike about the concept? Do you plan to check out this Shady Canyone abode?

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