Fabulous and fully furnished

Written by Blue Door Magazine on March 3, 2024

A new home on Little Balboa Island makes a big impression
by Jenn Daack Woolson

Sailhouse’s new custom residence at 209 Crystal Avenue on Little Balboa Island gives the term “move-in ready” a whole new meaning. The 2,400-square-foot open layout home is being sold fully furnished, with interior design and furnishings by Morrison Interiors. This approach is a bit of a departure for Sailhouse, but they’re finding the concept is widely appealing.

“We made the conscious decision to furnish it with the intention of engaging all of the senses,” explains Sailhouse Founder Pat Patterson. “Stepping into an empty property evokes a different emotion than entering a fully furnished space, and we wanted to ensure that our project was complete in every way. By incorporating the Newport Beach lifestyle into our design, we hope to inspire further interest and make our space more approachable and relaxing.”

*The home is set back from the quiet one-way street to increase the amount of exterior entertaining space.*

Opposite: The beautiful textural wallcovering adds depth and dimension to the room without overpowering the space. Its muted tones complement the richness of the wood cabinetry while enhancing the overall sense of coziness and warmth.

*One of Lander’s favorite details is the kitchen island, which features a waterfall edge with clean stone carvings making it a truly custom piece.*

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

The four-bedroom, five-bath home has ample patio space for outdoor entertaining. Large-format stone flooring flows from patio to kitchen through large sliding glass panels to accentuate the property’s indoor-outdoor living aspect.

Although the home has a neutral color palette, there’s plenty of playfulness in the design details. Jocelyne Lander, a senior designer with Morrison Interiors, says the team selected a lot of natural stone, including limestone, Calcatta marble, and quartzite, for durability and longevity.

There’s also a lot of playfulness in the home’s lighting. “In our quest to create a truly distinctive ambiance, we delighted in hand- picking bespoke light fixtures that would serve as the crowning jewels of our design,” remarks Lander, reflecting on the meticulous attention to detail in their selection process. “Collaborating with esteemed boutique vendors from New York, as well as Visual Comfort and Urban Electric, allowed us to infuse the space with a touch of cosmopolitan flair while maintaining a sense of bespoke elegance.” The home’s dynamic downlighting system from Visual Comfort Lighting can be fully controlled from smartphone or tablet using the Vantage lighting control system.

TAKING A TEAM APPROACH

Working with a dream team like this is nothing new for Sailhouse. “Collaboration and team- work are integral to our success as we recognize the value of working closely with different business functions, which enables us to acquire new skills and remain a step ahead of our competitors,” Patterson says. Lander found working with Sailhouse fabulous as well. “Any ideas—as complicated and intricate as they were—Sailhouse was on board for executing. We worked hand in hand to problem solve and create intentional design.” That included disguising intricate ceiling conditions by incorporating beams, tray ceilings, and tongue and groove for a timeless look.

SMALL SPACE, BIG IMPACT

On the island, where space is at a premium, this home makes strategic use of every inch. “We really spent time studying the floorplan to see how we could maximize the space we had,” Lander says.

That resulted in rare amenities for a house this size: a butler’s pantry, huge walk-in closet in the primary bedroom, a walk-up bar, and a casita on the second floor. The third floor has a bedroom and full bathroom as well as two roof decks. The home’s elevator services all three floors. Patterson concludes, “Whether we are collaborating with clients or constructing a Sailhouse Signature home, we prioritize achieving a balance between purpose and refinement.