2008 Nationals: Luxury by the Sea

The home's setting for a coastal lifestyle includes outfoor living spaces and a bathroom retreat. Photos: Eric Figge Photography

Seacrest, a Laing Luxury Homes community, is part of the Estate Collection at Crystal Cove, a master-planned development of The Irvine Co. The marketing objective was to target very wealthy empty nesters with the ultimate luxury setting and optimal views in a relaxed, coastal community. It meets the demand for informal, one-story living with the benefit of secondary bedroom suites in a separate two-story wing. Multiple outdoor living spaces allow homeowners to take advantage of the coastal setting.

The White Residence was designed by Bob White of Forest Studio in collaboration with the Ritner Architectural Group. The home has a first floor master and a great room, a butler's pantry, sun terrace, courtyard, two loggias, a third-story loft and a four-car garage. Though it's semi-custom, customers can pick the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, bonus rooms, finishes and other amenities.

"Our inspiration was to take all the wonderful qualities of a 21st century California-style floor plan, with its sun-filled gardens and courtyards, and enhance it with the Italian farmhouse character and charm you might find in the rolling hills of Tuscany," says Pete Carmichael, director of sales and marketing for builder Laing Luxury Homes. "The ruble stone walls, hand-formed bricks, shuttered windows, thick plaster walls and clay barrel tile roofs are true to the Tuscan style."