Beauty beheld

Barbara Diamond

Beauty, it’s said, is in the eye of the beholder and Beautification

Council members are the beholders that scour the town for business

and residential properties that merit recognition.

“Beautification is a broad term: it could be a building, an

architectural element or landscaping,” said council Vice President

Bob Borthwick. “But a project must be at least two years old and

visible from the public right of way to be eligible for an award. A

backyard or garden behind a gate is not eligible.”

The council honored 27 properties this year with awards, presented

Tuesday at the Laguna Art Museum. More than 70 people attended the

awards presentation. It was preceded by a sumptuous buffet breakfast

at Las Brisas.

Council members Borthwick, Oral Sterling and Max Brown served as

judges.

“Three of the homes chosen this year were fire rebuilds,

appropriate in the year of 10th anniversary of the (1993) fire,” said

Borthwick. “A couple of the homes have been featured in national

publications.”

RESIDENTIAL AWARD WINNERS

Larry and Rosaura Ulvestad, 1921 Catalina St. Home and garden were

featured in a seven-page spread on coastal properties.

“We’ve all seen Rosaura out working in the garden and we are all

jealous -- including me,” said Borthwick, a prominent landscape

architect.

Rana and Mohannad Malas, 31591 Bluff Drive. Built in 1998.

Featured in the September issue of “Sunset Magazine.”

Ferideh Schafer, 136 McKnight Drive. The flagstone driveway,

softened by moss was particularly noted.

Rick Silver, 1187 Marine Drive. The color scheme of plants and

residence caught the judges’ eyes.

Serena A. Elliott, 1648 Louise St. “The rich landscape has by-gone

era feel to it,” Borthwick said. “The driveway of concrete strips

divided by grass was first used in the 1920s and is making a

comeback.”

Spiros and Besty Koulouris, 447 Aster St. Nominated by council

member Blount for its elegant front courtyard and beautiful garden.

Maya Dunne and John Dombrink, 677 Catalina St. Neighborhood

favorite. All the plants in the yard are succulents or natives. The

yard represents the trend toward Xeriscape landscaping -- the use of

plants that are drought-resistant.

Many landscape architects tout Xeriscape as water issues become

more of a concern in Southern California, Borthwick said. Not to

mention lower water bills.

Nancy Oliver, 1215 Brangwyn. Home built in 1938. The garden was

featured on this year’s Laguna Beach Garden Club tour.

Edith and Jim Otto, 260 Agate St. Remodel designed by Morris

Skenderian. “People say that a good haircut is one that no one

notices,” said award judge Sterling. “I watched this home being

remodeled and I thought the same thing.” A cactus planted 23 years

ago by the Ottos is noteworthy.

Darlene and Charles Brokaw, 940 Oriole Drive. The Brokaws have had

to develop ways to stop deer from dining on their garden. Council

member Eleanor Henry was especially taken with a dry rock creek.

Kari Nies and Jim Wogulis, 1860 Glenneyre St. The remodeled home

was one of three 2003 council award winners designed by Tim Nicol.

Elaine and Paul Caraher, 780 Manzanita St. Jacaranda tree and an

angel’s trumpet plant are a must-see.

Bruce and Karen Cahill’s, 1330 Moorea Way. The landscape includes

stone retaining walls, olive trees and native cacti. “It cost

$500,000,” said council member Dickerson.

Jean Janes, 1401 Coral Drive. Fire rebuild. A prominent rip rap

wall was built to resist fire.

Romy and Bill McFarland, 506 Mystic Way. Drought-resistant plants

go well with the Tuscan-style architecture designed by John O’Neil. A

huge natural stone outcropping was left in place.

“Keeping something that was there long before we were is a real

plus,” said judge Borthwick.

Ruben Flores, 823 Summit Way. The garage roof is planted and has a

rotating display of sculpture. “It embodies the playfulness for which

Laguna is known,” Borthwick said.

Marilyn and Frank Smart, 407 Canyon Acres Drive. Drought-tolerant

garden

Kathleen and William Springer, 31112 Monterey St. She designed the

garden. He planted it.

COMMERCIAL AWARDS

Businesses and recipients.

English Garden, 1199 S. Coast Highway. Anita Rohloff. “Definitely

one of everyone’s favorite buildings on the highway. Built in 1936.

The architect also designed City Hall in 1950 and the Wells Fargo

Bank in the 1960s.”

Camps & Cottages, 1231 N. Coast Highway. Molly English. “Adds a

lot to the north end of town.”

Emerald Bay Realty, 1095 N. Coast Highway. Gordon Haney.

“Historical building, still authentic to the period.”

Fiore, 214 S. Coast Highway. Bonnie Wolin. “Built in the 1920s.

Upper facade unchanged.”

Panno Plaza, 490 S. Coast Highway. Thomas Panno. “Formerly

non-descript. (Architect) Morris Skenderian did fabulous job of

crating a sort of European style.”

Thurston Boyd & Co., 1524 S. Coast Highway. Randy Boyd. “Historic

building. Historic family.”

Laguna Beach Inn, 2020 S. Coast Highway. Chris Spencer. “Reminds

you of places you used to go as a kid in the 1950s.”

Black Iris, 2950 S. Coast Highway. Bill Merrill. “Contemporary,

sophisticated florist. Seasonal changes. Painted windows on the

second story.”

The city was recognized for the El Toro Road median.

“Many cities take the easy way out with medians,” Borthwick said.

“They pave it over or plant ivy, which is bullet proof. Laguna Beach

tries to go the extra mile.”

The Beautification Council was founded in 1952 by Harry Lawrence,

who is still an active member, and began presenting Awards of Merit

in 1967.