Coastal Living Magazine’s 2014 Coronado Showhouse, located at 100 Ocean Drive!
A tour of Coastal Living’s completed 2014 showhouse, located by Coronado’s beautiful Sunset Park, will leave you with a sense of wonder and inspiration! Tickets are on sale now at a cost of $25, available online at www.coastbuilder.net, or in person at the Coronado Visitor Center, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Navy SEAL Foundation. The fabulous showhouse will be open for tours from July 16 – September 28, 2014.
Every year Coastal Living, a national magazine with a readership exceeding four million, celebrates innovative architectural design, quality construction and chic interior design by selecting one home from across the nation. This year is the first time a showhouse has been awarded to a Californian recipient.
eCoronado recently toured the completed Coronado showhouse at a press preview and party, and interviewed the major players involved in this highly anticipated project. Flagship Properties, Flagg Coastal Homes, Lytle Design, Topia Landscape Architects, and Burnham Design were part of the talented team selected by Coastal Living Magazine to bring this impressive home to fruition.
The talented all-star design team, Coastal Living representative and owners
During the press preview and party, hosted by Coastal Living and catered by local Coronado business, Southern Hospitality, John O’Brien and Mark Blore of Flagg Coastal Homes presented a “huge” check from a private donor to Rear Admiral Garry Bonelli, chairman of the Navy SEAL Foundation. The Navy SEAL Foundation was formed to support the U.S. Navy SEALS, the associated Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen and Naval Special Warfare (NSW) support personnel, as well as their spouses and children. Flagg Coastal Homes was given the honor of selecting the charity that will benefit from a portion of ticket sale proceeds. O’Brien explained why the Navy SEAL Foundation is so important to them, “Both Mark and I were in the Navy. I drove boats for the Navy SEALS and Mark was a Navy SEALÂ… They are the the perfect beneficiary for Mark and me, and also for Coronado.”
Mark Blore (left) and John O’Brien (right) presenting Rear Admiral Garry Bonelli, Chairman of the Navy SEAL Foundation (Center), with a “huge” check from a private donor.
John O’Brien, Owner of Flagg Coastal Homes, a Coronado based design/build company .
Flagg Coastal Homes, a Coronado based design/build firm, directed by John O’Brien and Mark Blore, built the luxurious 4, 500 square-foot custom residence, located at 100 Ocean Drive. The home features three bedrooms, a bunk room, basement, three full baths, three half baths, three-car garage, a media room, office, pool, spa, and multiple outdoor areas. The house is finely crafted and the attention to detail is evident.
Sea salt, the nemesis of residential construction in beach communities, has a destructive effect on many building materials and O’Brien is considered the forerunner in the use of innovative techniques to combat the destructive nature of the coastal climate. O’Brien used a blue shade concrete composite siding on the exterior, which gives the impression of a grained shingle. Other techniques used include PVC for the trim, which is surprisingly sturdy in appearance and feel, creating the effect of a well crafted wood. During the building phase, owner Steve Madsen, a retired contractor and carpenter observed the skill involved in working with this particular material, “What’s interesting about it [PVC trim] is this stuff lasts forever, but it’s so much harder for craftsmen to work withÂ… to do such good work on this, is just amazing!” John O’Brien credits his partner, Mark Blore and his attention detail for the excellent standard of craftsmanship seen throughout the home. “That’s a credit to Mark Blore, Mark has such a terrific eye.”
The ground floor back verandah. Notice the blue shade concrete composite exterior siding.
The showhouse is built on what was formerly Coronado’s Spanish Bight – a historic saltwater inlet that once separated north and south Coronado islands (filled in during World War II). O’Brien explained earlier in the year they used Tremco’s waterproofing membrane, containing bentonite, in the basement to combat ground water issues that can arise due to the location of the house.
The home’s owner, Steve Madsen, who intends to move into the property next year with his wife Debbie, appeared very pleased as he wandered around his new home. He expressed particular delight with the interior design, “I am completely excited, especially with the [interior] design work, it had nothing to do with us, we were never asked what we wantedÂ… we had to give a few pointers of what we were like. We are casual people and we wanted a casual beachside house,” which is exactly what Burnham Design delivered.
Delighted owners of the 2014 Coastal Living showhouse, Steve and Debbie Madsen
Interior designer, Betsy Burnham and Max Humphrey of Burnham Design, designed a chic and sophisticated interior, befitting of the Coronado coastal lifestyle. Each living space is pleasingly unique, though continuity flows from one space to the next through the use of an eclectic mix of color, pattern, texture and well chosen design pieces. The result is a timeless feel that will appeal to all tastes and generations. Burnham explained, “We weren’t too literal with the coastal themeÂ…the goal was to keep it sophisticated and chic, but not unfriendlyÂ…to keep it warm, inviting and comfortable, but not necessarily what people would think of when they think of a beach home.”
An example of Burnham Design’s chic and eclectic, coastal inspired design
Architect, Dorian Lytle, designed the beautiful coastal dwelling for Flagg Coastal Homes. The interior layout is a smart reverse style floorplan, with open plan kitchen and living areas, located on the top floor- boasting an expansive ocean view. High cathedral like ceilings and ample windows in a variety of shapes and sizes allow light to brighten the rooms, whilst maintaining privacy. Lytle has made innovative use of space, the bunk room being a particular fine example. Storage (which is often undervalued in home design) was obviously of high importance on this build and can be found in abundance throughout the house, yet remains unobtrusive. The master bedroom’s walk-in closet is a sight to behold, and along with the master ensuite, is smartly situated.
The beautifully designed and spacious kitchen with stunning ocean views.
eCoronado.com asked John O’Brien how he felt about the showhouse’s finished product, “We’re pretty pleased with the way it’s come out, it’s a very special house. This back porch, in particular, is really special.” O’Brien revealed the back porch was his favorite part of the house, on account of the stunning ocean views. The porch can be enjoyed all year round and in all types of weather with the nifty installation of an inconspicuous electric awning, sponsored by Sunbrella.
The divine ocean view from the second story back verandah
Coastal Living’s selection of the Coronado residence is a wonderful opportunity for the city of Coronado as the town will receive huge national exposure and attract many visitors to the island to view the showhouse. O’Brien explained, “we are using an interesting, high-tech company, based out of San Francisco who are managing ticket sales. Already one third of sales have come out of LA!” It is expected twelve to fifteen thousand people will tour the home. Tour tickets can be purchased online at www.coastbuilder.net or in person from the Coronado Visitor Center. Your $25 ticket will be money well spent on an experience that will surely ignite and inspire the creative home designer in you, leaving your mind brimming with imaginative ideas — whether you are interested in your own new build, renovation, redecorating a living space, or just want to admire the finished product.
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Siobhan Bailie
Staff Writer
