HistoryIn case you haven’t heard about all of this, allow me to catch you up. The beach house has been in our family since it was first built in 1935. So many of my favorite childhood memories were created here, it was the perfect vacation getaway not so far from home. In the backyard there used to be a caretaker’s cottage with a hammock and a pot bellied stove. This was where I would hideaway from four crazy brothers to read my books, color and have deep conversations with my dolls!
My Great Aunts Dora and Alma were the original owners. These two sisters lived a beautiful life together in Brentwood, so gracious and welcoming- and so put together, they always had the perfect brooch or scarf. These lovely ladies rarely used the house, but instead, they would open up for friends and family. They kept a guest book, and for some reason whenever we would visit, my brothers and I would pull it out to read each time. There was an inordinate amount of entries by one person in particular. It seemed she was a regular, and yet she wasn't family. Who was she. Well I remember the day we all went into hysterics reading her latest entry, "I hope I get to meet you someday..." My aunts had opened there house to a friend of a friend... but, then, that's who they were. I was able to stay regularly myself for a couple nights a week while at 16 attending Laguna Beach School of Art. By this point the house now belonged to my parents and they were putting up for sale- Gasp! So, being me, ready to right wrongs, ask no questions, take no prisoners... each week I removed the for sale sign out of the window. The economy eventually turned around, the housing market boomed and my family was grateful for my "foresight!" The house underwent a remodel in the 80's adding the rooftop deck and upgrading the kitchen among other things, but maintaining the beach cottage feel, and hanging onto the antique hardware, fixtures and furniture. After another 30 years of vacation use, it finally got a bit more attention, We've redone the floors, gave the kitchen a lift, loved on the furniture, upgraded and added fresh paint and paintings, and stocked it with easels and art supplies. It is my hope that I can be even half as gracious as my dear great aunts. I hope to welcome friends ad family, to help host special events and retreats here, and renting at airbnb -and really, providing that respite to others that I have always enjoyed here. |
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Beach House RetreatsLocated steps from the beach in the sweet little area, Corona del Mar,
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