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Chef de Cuisine, Rebecca Merhej

Chef Rebecca Marhej, mar'sel, Terranea Resort

Chef Rebecca Marhej

Terranea’s signature restaurant, mar’sel exudes the warmth and classic elegance of Southern California set against a panoramic ocean backdrop. mar’sel takes its name from the Spanish term for sea, mar, and French term for salt, sel – a reflection of its contemporary twist on the California-inspired menu. Chef de Cuisine Rebecca Merhej brings fresh flavors to her seasonal creations with local ingredients and produce grown in Terranea’s herb garden.

Being only 24, Chef Marhej is the youngest member of the culinary team to earn the position of Chef de Cuisine. She has been an integral part of the resort since opening and contributed greatly to the development of mar’sel. Prior to joining Terranea Resort as sous chef in 2009, Merhej earned her stripes at Chef Kerry Simon’s celebrated restaurant, Simon LA. Since then she has spent the last three years honing her culinary skills and working alongside award-winning Terranea Resort Executive Sous Chef and mentor Michael Fiorelli and under the tutelage of the highly acclaimed Destination Hotels & Resorts Corporate Executive Chef Christian Schmidt.

Now at the helm of mar’sel, Merhej’s dynamic interpretation of a classic, California-inspired menu is enhanced through European and Mediterranean influences. She is committed to utilizing local, seasonal ingredients to develop farm-to-table menu offerings that change daily.  Merhej’s inspiration for cooking is fueled by, “the joy that is felt in creating happiness for others through unique dining experience.”

Imitate Chef Mehej’s specialty brunch items with the following recipes.

Buckwheat Waffle Mix

Ingredients

  • 1 c buckwheat flour
  • 1 c All purpose flour
  • 2 tbl brown sugar
  • 1 tbl baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 eggs separated
  • 1 ½ c milk
  • 8 tbl unsalted butter- melted
  • Powdered sugar for dusting
  • ¼ c of your favorite preserves or fresh berries
Directions
  1. Preheat waffle iron
  2. In a large bowl sift together all your dry ingredients.
  3. In a separate bowl whisk your egg yolks, butter and milk. Pour the mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir in briefly just to incorporate them all together.
  4. With a stand mixer or a hand mixer whisk your egg white until they form soft peaks and gently fold them into your batter.
  5. Ladle your mix into your waffle machine (use the amount according to how much your waffle machine holds).
  6. The waffle should take about 5 minutes or until its golden brown.
  7. Once the waffle is done, cut it into 4 triangles, dust it with the powdered sugar and top it with the berries or the preserves.

 

Chef Rebecca Merhej, mar'sel, Terranea, Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes

Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes, one of Chef Rebecca Merhej’s brunch items.

Ricotta and Blueberry Pancakes

Ingredients

  •  2 c water
  • 1/3 c sugar
  • 1/3 c honey
  • 2 c pancake mix (Bob’s Red Mill all organic mix is great)
  • 1 c whole milk
  • 1 c ricotta cheese
  • ½ c blueberries
  • Melted butter for your skillet
  • Powdered sugar for garnish
  • Blueberries for garnish
Directions
  1. Using a rubber spatula, stir the water, honey, sugar  and vanilla in a large bowl.
  2. Add the pancake mix and stir just until its incorporated (no lumps).
  3. Stir in the ricotta into the pancake mixture.
  4. Gently fold in the ricotta but try not to break it up too much, clumps are a good thing.
  5. Fold in the blueberries.
  6. Heat a griddle over medium heat & brush with the melted butter.
  7. Ladle the pancakes onto the griddle, flip when you see small bubbles around the edges.
  8. Cook until both sides are golden brown.
  9. Top with fresh blueberries and shake powdered sugar on top.

 

 

 

 

All-Star Story

Donna Orender

Donna Orender

From NYC to Jacksonville Beach,WNBA President Donna Orender finds serenity and inspiration in her oceanfront home.

Donna Orender, president of the Women’s National Basketball Association, knows how to sink a shot, and her Jacksonville Beach, FL, beach house is one of her many scores. This “committed New Yorker” picked up roots when she was recruited by the PGA Tour to lead the effort of moving their production company to the Sunshine State. Florida may not have been home, but things turned out exceptionally well; the Nantucket-style Cedar Shake oceanfront home that she shares with husband MG Orender (Honorary PGA President) and their four children is a testament to the benefits of change. Many years later, the WBL All-Star point guard and ABC Sports and SportsChannel celebrity says,

“I don’t think a day goes by that we don’t remark on how much we enjoy our home.” —Kiley Jacques 

What drew you to Jacksonville? I was involved in the initial start-up of PGA TOUR Productions in New York City, and after a few years left to begin my own marketing company (Primo Donna Productions). The Tour decided to move their company in-house; they asked if I would be interested in going to Jacksonville to help. I found the beach lifestyle to be the perfect complement to my city life and a great antidote for a very busy and challenging job.

Which area destinations do you like to share with out-of-town visitors? We play golf at Amelia Island’s Northampton Golf Club and at the Ponte Vedra Inn. There are a lot of good restaurants and local chefs that we like to support, including Pom’s Signature Restaurant and Eleven South. For little and big kids alike, a trip to the Alligator Farm is a must. Recently, we hosted a group who came here to launch Generation W, a special event for women in northeast Florida. Our itinerary included a reception at Roy’s—one of my family’s favorites (Roy himself visits from Hawaii and cooks for us).

How would you describe its furnishings? It is a happy house with an open layout, a great flow, clean lines, a warm heart, and a beach soul. With a beautiful view of the ocean, we have chosen colors that echo nature and accentuate the window-framed scenery.

What has influenced your tastes and design choices? We often joke about the influence of things we’ve seen during our travels, particularly great bathrooms. We are equally at ease in urban environments and have ultimately created a warm, clean, and friendly aesthetic. We have an eclectic style—with a dash of whimsy. We feel strongly that style has to function for all to work well.

Which room do you spend the most time in? The room with “the view” and the food. We do everything in this space. Our kitchen, dining area, computer workspace, and living room tie together and are framed by three enormous picture windows. I find it serene, inspiring, and motivating. Everyone tends to end up in this space.

 

Windsurfing Champ Dane Dingerson

At home in Belize with Dane Dingerson, windsurfing champ and founder of the country’s Caye Caulker Nature Reserve.

For Windsurfing National Champion of Belize Dane Dingerson, there’s no place like home, especially when his home happens to be surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. Dingerson is the founder of the Caye Caulker Nature Reserve (cayecaulker.org/reserve), established in 1989 on the small limestone island off the coast of Belize. With an amphibious nature, Dingerson is equally at ease navigating the eye of the wind, planing the perfect wave, and planting tropical gardens. No matter the venture, he’s living Caye Caulker’s island lifestyle to its fullest. —Kiley Jacques

 

You have had such a diverse career history, from Windsurfing National Champion of Belize, to Founder of the Ocean Academy and the Caye Caulker Nature Reserve, to CEO of Eden Isles, Inc. What inspired you to take on so many things? I began traveling in college as part of my education, and found the world full of opportunities unavailable to those who prefer to stay home.

Why Belize? Why Caye Caulker Island specifically? I am a curious traveler and often ask other high mileage travelers, ‘Where is the best place on earth?’ A doctor in India, who has been to more than a hundred countries, once told me, for her, it is Caye Caulker. Many years later, I went and found she was right. I’ve stayed for 30 years.

What do you love most about the island? The whole island is white sand. No matter how deep you dig, there are no rocks or dirt. The water is clear and warm because the nearby reef encloses and protects us from waves; sometimes when fishing, you can actually see the fish you are trying to catch.

Describe your home and its immediate surroundings? We have a good bit of direct oceanfront property because land here is very affordable. We live on a place about 300 feet from the ocean, and we have five small decks from which we savor our forest and coastline proximity. The vegetation grows fast, and we allow it to crowd the house to provide natural cooling from shade and evaporation.

What is Caye Caulker’s appeal? Slow development is sometimes best; it allows the local culture to survive and evolve in a natural way. There is an island nearby named Ambergris Caye, which attracts travelers who enjoy luxury resort vacations. But Caye Caulker is for people looking for a true Belize-style vacation. It’s the kind of place that makes people dream about staying forever.


 

Beach Buff; Andrew Thomka-Gazdik

For 38-year-old attorney Andrew Thomka-Gazdik, Palm Beach is the ideal coastal playground—but it’s also home.

Palm Beach is known the world over as a sun-drenched paradise, an exclusive enclave that’s rife with shops bearing ultra-luxe brands, highways crawling with the sexiest and most expensive cars on the market, world-class restaurants, and some of the planet’s most eye-popping real estate. For 38-year-old attorney Andrew Thomka-Gazdik of the firm Stromberg and Tarone, PLC, this earthly paradise is also where he lives and works. Gazdik talks to Ocean Home about striking a balance between work and play in this glamorous corner of the globe. —L.L.

You’ve lived in Europe and also Canada, where you were born, and have studied in the North and Northeast, but you came back to Florida to practice law. What drew you back? The quality of life. We live in paradise. Palm Beach has the reputation of being a “resort-town” destination, but in fact, it’s a vibrant close-knit community that has great restaurants, water-geared activities, and, of course, the weather. You can’t beat 70 degrees in December!

What do you love most about life in Palm Beach? Not only is it a pristinely beautiful place, but it’s clean, safe, friendly, and has an overall relaxed, easy-going vibe that allows you to enjoy the perks of living on an island, without having the whole “island-time” mentality.

If we spent a weekend with you in Palm Beach, what would it be like? I absolutely love to entertain. Hosting a dinner party with great friends is my ideal Saturday evening. Also, the notion of sunset cocktails is really taken to a new level here!

What does Palm Beach have that makes it special, and what keeps you there? The ability to take advantage of the weather, scenery and island living. To be able to play tennis or golf at a moment’s notice, or hop in the ocean. It seems that there are more hours in the day down here.

Favorite hangouts in Palm Beach? Buccan and Cucina are two of my go-to spots for a great dinner (fresh seafood, etc.) and lively nightlife scene.

You’ve got a background in real estate and real estate law, as well. Living in Palm Beach must be like living in a candy store for a kid. Palm Beach real estate is unique unto itself. Whether it’s a quaint pied-a-terre, bungalow, or sprawling mansion, Palm Beach has something for everyone. It has been a retreat for many snow birds, as well as a solid investment for those looking to put down roots here.

What are your toys of choice for enjoying the coastal life in Palm Beach? Anything goes down here, from converted former U.S. Mail Delivery Jeeps to Maybachs, but I’m a little more practical with a Range Rover, especially as I plan on taking up paddle boarding and will need to lug that tall board around.

Profile: Christopher Pulitzer Leidy

Palm Beach native Christopher Pulitzer Leidy channels a life spent by the sea into a thriving, ocean-inspired photography career.

A native of Palm Beach, Florida, Christopher Pulitzer Leidy was practically born loving the beach. Today, Leidy, an avid surfer and grandson of designer Lilly Pulitzer, channels his passion for the sea into his own successful photography business, Leidy Images. Of his evolution as an underwater photographer, Leidy says, “From day one, I have had salt water rushing through my veins. I grew up surfing and fishing off my home coast of Palm Beach, and I was fortunate enough later in life to spend several months out of the year diving and fishing through the southern Bahamas on my grandfather’s boat, the Sea Hunter.”

When Leidy returned from those trips, he brought back “amazing stories of riding whale sharks, diving in schools of sharks, and catching 500-pound blue marlin” to share with friends. “For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to share…tales of my excursions, global travels, and experiences,” he says.

That’s precisely what Leidy accomplishes through his photography, counting singer Jimmy Buffett and New York real estate tycoon Douglas Durst among the high-profile clients who own pieces of Leidy’s imagery, some of which he captured in places like French Polynesia, Panama, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. Leidy says he still loves the Bahamas and shoots there often (“because of color and beautiful whale shark encounters”), as well as in the South Pacific.

Wherever his travels take him, Leidy says his goal is to soak in the sights and experiences each destination affords him and to create a collection of photographs that not only appeals to ocean enthusiasts, but contemporary fine art lovers as well. Apparently, he’s well on his way—Leidy frequently exhibits his work around the U.S., with 2012 exhibits including Christie’s “Green Auction” Bid To Save The Earth in New York City (“It was unreal”); the NYC Affordable Art Fair; a solo show at 4 Times Square in New York City, a.k.a. the headquarters of global publishing juggernaut Condé Nast; and Art Basel in June. For Chris Leidy, life really is a day at the beach. —L.L.

Paul Mitchell Systems Co-Owner, Angus Mitchell

Angus Mitchell

Angus Mitchell, co-owner of Paul Mitchell Systems, knows a thing or two about beauty—and we aren’t just talking hair.

As co-owner of Paul Mitchell Systems, world-renowned stylist and educator Angus Mitchell keeps a jet-setter’s schedule, traveling between his namesake salons and endless engagements. In between, Mitchell, son of late hair-cutting guru Paul Mitchell, finds time to recharge at his coastal properties in Hawaii, Canada, and Southern California. —L.L.

You spend a lot of time considering aesthetics. How does that affect how you see your homes? I see hair through architecture and design; I am sensitive to form and function through structure. I apply the same vision to hair as I do to my homes. My father purchased the land at Lanikai in the ’80s but never lived to see the construction through to completion. I have redesigned and redecorated different elements of the estate to enhance the natural coastal environment. I am currently going through a major renovation that incorporates surprise elements of design that I spent planning out in detail in my head before committing it to a blueprint. Lanikai embodies my deep appreciation for art and localism.

What other properties do you own? I recently purchased a 2,600-square-foot house on Victoria Beach in Laguna, California. Victoria Beach is known as the birthplace of skimboarding. The house was was built in 2006; it’s a Cape Cod-style home that leads directly onto the beach. Victoria Beach is my Hawaiian paradise in California; I call it “Hawaii nice.” The beaches are impeccable and I can truly relax and connect with the power of the ocean when I am there.

We hear you also have a place in Canada. I own a 27-acre private island in Canada, with a 6,000-square-foot home. It is a fishing/hunting lodge built in 1902. We rent this home out for weddings, but this island is my rustic getaway. The views of the water from the hiking trails on the island are breathtaking. The water can get as warm as 80 degrees in the summer. It has a floating boathouse that garages the boats, the only transportation to and from the surrounding islands.

You support environmental initiatives. What’s your take on it? I believe in living life selflessly, not selfishly. On a greater scale, this mantra is pertinent to the preservation of Hawaii’s coastal land. In December 2011, I donated my favorite coastal property in Turtle Bay, Hawaii, to the Nature Conservancy. Together we are committed to protecting the land so that generations to come can appreciate [Hawaii’s] scenic and historical coastline.

 

The Details The Paul Mitchell Estate, Lanikai, Hawaii. Bedrooms: 7. Bathrooms: 6 full, 5 half. Special features: Outdoor pool/Jacuzzi, massage/lounge area, and firepit. Land purchased: 1980s. Style: Polynesian.

Forbes Riley Talks Entertaining, Beaches, and Her Florida Home

Forbes Riley

Forbes Riley skipped a grade in high school and earned two undergraduate degrees in just three years. Today, she’s an award-winning TV host, author, spokesperson, motivational keynote speaker, and life coach, as well as the recognizable face behind SpinGym, the at-home fitness accessory she can be seen promoting and demonstrating on HSN. Riley talks to Ocean Home about life at her waterfront Florida home. —L.L.

Why did you choose this home?  The house has the most expansive open water views and a long dock with three boat lifts, so we have the jet boat and the jet ski, and we are still trying to figure out the third!

Which spot in the house affords the best view? Our second-floor master bedroom faces east over the water with a wall of windows, and it’s a dream to wake up and see the sun rise out of the water. I’ve seen many sunsets, but from my bedroom between the silhouetted palm trees to see this glowing ball of energy start the day, it’s magical. The first morning after we moved in, I screamed for my twin children to join me at six a.m. because the sky filled with colors you only find in a crayon box.

What’s special to you about living on the water? There is an undeniable energy you get from the water and all the sea life that lives near our home. We have pelicans, osprey, egrets, cormorant, dolphins, a variety of rays, and the occasional manatee that will swim by our dock–it’s like Sea World. Coming from New York City, I was shocked.  If you saw a three-foot-tall bird in New York walking on my property, you’d have to call the zoo!

Do you entertain much here? We love to enertain. My husband Tom is a Le Cordon Bleu chef with a nose for great wine and great friends. He can whip up a gourmet meal, snacks, and desserts in just minutes–one Saturday we actually had two different parties in a single night!

What makes it great for hosting guests? The floor plan of the house and large lanai are so open, it really affords the experience of bringing the outdoors in. The kitchen is gorgeous and the stove is on the island, so when the chef is creating, his back is not to the guests. In our house, everyone pulls up a seat to the bartop and we watch, munch, and just hang.

What’s your favorite way to enjoy your home’s beachfront setting? The best is to grab a cup of tea in the morning or a glass of wine at night and head to the back of the boat at the end of the dock. The boat has seating that faces the water; you don’t see any land when you’re out there, and you sort of float above the water on the lift. If you’re lucky (and it’s often!), the dolphins will play and jump right in front of you. Turn on the speakers, meditate, read the paper or just cuddle up and listen to the sounds of the water—it’s so romantic, so peaceful. I truly thank the universe every chance I get to enjoy those moments.

Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing Powerhouse: Josh Altman

For Josh Altman, real estate powerhouse and star of Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing, a day at his high-powered California office really can be a day at the beach. By Melissa C. Gillespie

 

Bravo's Josh Altman

With an exclusive clientele consisting mainly of celebrities and high-net-worth individuals from around the world, Josh Altman, a self-proclaimed “no-bull type of guy,” has become one of the leading real estate agents in the business, moving luxury properties at Hilton & Hyland Real Estate.

Today, you’ll find him starring in the fifth season of Bravo’s hit series Million Dollar Listing and closing in on the $100 million sales mark for 2012. Having recently closed the sixth-largest sale in Los Angeles County for $16.5 million, as well as the biggest listing of a condo ever in Santa Monica for $10.5 million, he is on the right track.

For Altman, coming to Los Angeles is a childhood dream come true. “There was something about the glitz and glam of Hollywood that I just wanted to be part of, and it lured me in from the East Coast,” Altman says. “For me, it was about selling the dream ever since I was a kid. I always wanted to wheel and deal in Tinseltown and was fascinated with huge estates.”

Although a city kid at heart with a home base in the Hollywood Hills, Altman finds the ocean soothing and relaxing, and so he logs plenty of hours by the beach with clients in search of a beachfront home. “Whenever I show homes on the sand, I want to loosen my tie just a little bit. You feel like you’re always on vacation.”

Approximately 40 percent of Altman’s sales are derived from oceanfront sales, although he notes they are tending to trade slower than houses in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, and other city neighborhoods.

According to Altman, ocean home buyers vary all across the board-–from billionaires to beach bums. “I have major businessmen who want a second or third home to get away from the office, clients who are retired and just want to wake up to the sound of the waves breaking, and athletes and celebrities who want to be closer to the airports or get away from the paparazzi.”

If his high-octane career stays its current course, he’ll most likely know exactly how those latter clients feel.  

Profile: AnnMaria Baldine

AnnMaria Baldine

It was a fortuitous journey that led AnnMaria Baldine—founder of Washington, DC’s Gallery la Musa—from studies for a career in illustration and advertising to rug design. Her concern for the well-being of weavers and their children, however, is no accident. She has been committed to service since childhood. “It is very important to me,” she says, “that children are protected. GoodWeave® is a wonderful way to make sure they aren’t exploited.”

Although AnnMaria grew up in upstate New York, the hub of the rug industry, she never considered rug design as a career. After studying illustration and advertising at the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology, happenstance led to a job as a textile designer for Mohawk and Alexander Smith. There, in the iconic company’s design studio Ann Maria learned the art of Axminster and Wilton design. As she puts it, “I was the new kid on the block and it was a great learning experience.”

Today her gallery not only shows her colorful and energetic rugs, but also selected ceramic, glass and jewelry. It is the rugs, however, that steal the show. Pompeii, an all-wool cut-and-loop pile rug is her signature piece. The detailed mosaic patterns and the brilliant reds, golds and teals are, she says, the result of a “Wow!” moment she had while looking at images of the ruins of Pompeii. One of her earliest design challenges, and perhaps the most fun, she recalls, was an assignment to design a sea-themed piece for a child’s room. It was a circular rug in two dozen colors with sea creatures of all kinds. “Hand drawn and no repeats,” she says. “That project was fun!”

There is a boldness to her designs, something she cultivates and her clients appreciate. She points to Ionian Isle, a hand tufted 100 percent wool piece in deep blues, reds and yellows. “I wanted to create the feeling of the wind, sea and sky,” she explains. Inspiration comes from many places. The geometric patterns and vibrant colors of Mondrian and the clean lines and simplicity of Giacometti are some of her influences. So is her environment. For example, she is contemplating a collection inspired by a trip to Moldova where she photographed patterns of light and shadow on old architecture. “As an artist you have to have a constant awareness of your surroundings.”

For AnnMaria Baldine, “awareness of surroundings” also has a moral component. The modest rug designer for diplomats, ambassadors and Saudi princes has also worked with a small, women-run factory in Tibet and insists that women, the literal and metaphoric mothers of the planet, need to help each other.

*Images from AnnMaria’s Gallery

 

For more information on AnnMaria’s fabulous creations, visit www.annmariabaldine.com. (202) 256-2376

Margaret Luce’s Jupiter Home

Margaret Luce

Actress, model, and philanthropist Margaret Luce is well versed in the luxe South Florida lifestyle.

An extensive background in fashion and an appreciation for the outdoors brings a delicate glamour to Margaret Luce’s newly renovated Palm Beach County home. These days, when the multi-tasking beauty isn’t busy juggling her jobs as actress, philanthropist, film producer, and model, Luce can be found enjoying the beauty of her recently renovated home, which features 30-foot ceilings, four bedrooms and bathrooms, a pool, a sauna, and a stunning bar. With South Florida’s stunning scenery as its backdrop, it’s safe to say that for Margaret Luce,  there’s no place like home.

Where is your home located? The house is located in Jupiter, Florida, in a gated community right outside of Palm Beach.

What is your favorite room in the house and why? My absolute favorite room in the house is the living room. It has a ‘50s glamour theme to it that brings me back to another time. The best part is that it doesn’t have a television, so everyone can focus on the music and conversation rather than the TV.

What drew you to this property when you were house hunting? The location drew me in. It’s in a secluded neighborhood, but it’s also close to the major highway, which is convenient for getting to and from casting calls. The 30-foot ceilings, lots of natural light, and open space are also what made it the perfect getaway home for me.

What is the best part about living by the ocean? Walking right to the water and being in an instant Zen state of mind, regardless of what is going on in my life. It reminds me that life is constantly changing and there are things to come. Simply stated, nature moves me.

Luce's South Florida home

What is your favorite oceanfront destination to visit and why? My top three are St. Barts, The Fountainebleau [Hotel] in Miami, and Costa Rica. Each of these destinations allows me to sink my feet into the sand, enjoy the vibe, and get lost in the culture.

How does the design of your home help you take advantage of its oceanfront setting? It’s designed with availability to the outdoors in mind. As soon as I step out to the backyard, all the wildlife is at my fingertips. It’s a very comfortable and laid-back lifestyle.

 

 

Read this story in our digital magazine here.

Grupo Questro’s CEO Gives Back

Mexico native and Grupo Questro CEO Eduardo Sánchez-Navarro Rivera-Torres draws on his successes to enable education in his home country.

CEO Eduardo Sánchez Navarro Rivera-Torres

If you’ve ever been to Los Cabos, Mexico, chances are you’ve come across one of Grupo Questro’s many luxury projects. CEO Eduardo Sánchez-Navarro Rivera-Torres came to Grupo Questro in 2001 with a strong background in community outreach and business education. He has since helped to expand the company’s presence in new markets throughout Los Cabos and Acapulco over the past 10 years.

Having grown up in Mexico City, Sánchez-Navarro visited Los Cabos many times as a child, and he has seen the destination’s growth throughout the years. He is now dedicated to supporting education in the different places where Grupo Questro develops properties, awarding many full and partial scholarships to help those who can’t afford to keep up their studies.

Sánchez-Navarro is proud of every aspect of Grupo Questro, so much so that he resides in the Fundadores Neighborhood inside the company’s newest project, Puerto Los Cabos.

Living in his own development alongside the Sea of Cortez has its perks, such as an 18-hole championship golf course, a world-class marina, the stunning Wirikuta botanical desert garden, and private beach clubs. The business mogul says that hosting events at night by the fire pit is among his favorite aspects of living in the development. “As the ocean crashes below and the many stars shine above…it doesn’t get any better than that!” he says.

Sánchez-Navarro is thrilled with how Grupo Questro is thriving, especially with how his dream destination has become his home. With so much culture and beauty at his fingertips, why would he want to live anywhere else?

*Interior of the CEO’s Puerto Los Cabos home

Andrew Spindler of Gloucester

 

Andrew Spindler

Inside antiques dealer Andrew Spindler’s supremely stylish—and dichotomous—home in Gloucester, Massachusetts

New England antiques dealer Andrew Spindler points to the floor in the entryway of his coastal home in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Ceramic tiles glow softly in dusty red, blue, and ochre. They flow into the living room, where they converge with massive granite fireplace stones, a Jonas Lie frieze depicting Viking ships, numerous sculptures, books, and paintings, and a superb collection of American and European Arts and Crafts furniture.

“These are Mercer Tiles,” Spindler says. “They were made by Henry Mercer in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Today, we prize them as great examples of American Arts and Crafts.”

Spindler's elegant living room

But the floors aren’t the only notable design element of the 4,500-square-foot Shingle-style house, built in 1937. Other notable details include varied siding materials, from granite on the first floor to scalloped shingles on the second. The original metal windows represent Modernism’s embrace of clean lines and new materials. When Spindler bought the house in 1992, however, the windows had deteriorated, so he replaced them with new wood ones. He points to torpedo-shaped door hinges as another Modernist touch.

“The house design is wonderful in the way it connects to the site,” Spindler says. “With wood, stone, and beautiful windows, it makes the view important, while seeming to blend into the surroundings. It’s really like nowhere else.”

As for décor, elegant and curvaceous Federal-era furniture, Italian iron lighting, a 1968 Danish Harp chair, and a massive 19th-century mahogany bed could not be more different from each other, but each looks perfectly at home in an environment that honors them without taking them too seriously.

The house may be historic, but that didn’t keep Spindler from applying intense azure blue or kelly green to its walls. Stainless steel kitchen counters spell sleek function, while the room’s walls are treated to a deep aubergine. In this house, historicism does not fight contemporary tastes.

The Beach Blogger

For actress, model, and blogger Camille Anderson, it’s the little moments in life that are the best

Most people know Camille Anderson from her roles in Wedding Crashers, Las Vegas, and Fitness Host. More recently, she has taken her healthy living and divine nursery decorating tips from CamilleAndersonBlog.com to Parenthood.com for her original web series, Mommy Chic with Camille. But those who know Anderson well know that the Texas native’s favorite activity is cooking and entertaining for her loved ones and friends at her Manhattan Beach, California, home.

What drew your family to this home? We knew that we wanted to be conveniently located to the amenities that Manhattan Beach has to offer. With a baby, it’s nice to be able to stroll around town and run errands, meet friends for lunch, or exercise, all without having to get in my car. We also wanted to walk out our front door and be at the beach. The beach is now our front yard.

What’s the best part of living by the ocean? You can choose to be low key and have a quiet day at the beach, or you can partake in the activities of the town and the social scene. It’s also a healthy way to live. People are always outside biking, running, roller blading, or paddle boarding. Living at the beach lends itself to an active lifestyle.

What’s your favorite room in the house? My favorite room in the house is the master bedroom. I have great views of the ocean, as well as vaulted ceilings and a fireplace. I used a large four-poster Marge Carson bed to give the room a masculine, strong feeling. It’s a very cozy room, great for curling up in bed! I incorporated shades of gold and dark green, which maintains a warm, inviting mood.

How does your home’s design help you enjoy its oceanfront setting? My home is a perfect combination of being family friendly and entertaining friendly. I love sharing my home with friends and enjoying the social aspects of the beach. The game room downstairs allows me to keep the entertaining separate from the family quarters—especially the nursery!

With the home’s spectactular setting, you must entertain here a great deal. We love to have friends over and barbeque. There’s nothing like branzino, a glass of wine, and some laughs around the patio table. We have patio furniture on all three balconies, to encourage outdoor living.

What is your recipe for a perfect beach day? My recipe for a perfect beach day is a combination of time at the beach with family during the day and an outdoor dinner at the beach by night. My one-year-old daughter loves the ocean and the sand. Every time we venture to the beach, she runs straight to the water. She loves to watch the water rush up over her feet and to squish the sand between her toes. It’s the little moments in life that are the best.

John Jansheski’s Star Island Home

John Jansheski

A Spanish Colonial built in 1925 on Star Island is the perfect place for John Jansheski to mix modern-day business and pleasure.

If you’re familiar with South Florida architecture, you probably know the name Walter C. DeGarmo. DeGarmo designed a number of homes, hotels, and more in the Miami area, particularly in the 1920s. He had a penchant for Mission Revival and Mediterranean Revival styles, marked by arches, columns, tile floors, stucco, and Moorish themes, among other features.

While some of DeGarmo’s works are no longer standing, one particular residence on Star Island in Miami Beach remains. It is a Spanish Colonial from 1925, and it was the very first home built there. With character like that, it’s no wonder that it grabbed the attention of John Jansheski earlier this year. An entrepreneur and the founder of oral care products company DenTek, Jansheski now spends time pursuing his passions for boating and shooting fashion photography, both on the property.

Jansheski says he’s always lived on the water, so the location on Biscayne Bay was a big draw. (“Maybe it’s my sign,” he jokes. “I’m a Pisces.”) He’s also a longtime boater, so the boat dock was ideal. But equally important, Jansheski says, is that the house represents “a lifestyle blend between indoor and outdoor spaces.” After all, there was no air conditioning in the 1920s, so plenty of areas in the 12-bedroom mansion are open and transitional as a result.

View of Jansheski's back yard

Jansheski doesn’t yet have a favorite room in the house, but he does love the “huge” master suite. And, “You can see the water from every room,” he says.

The abundance of other bedrooms works out well for Jansheski, too, for entertaining or holding photo shoots on site. In the latter case, they permit everyone from stylists to models to work late and wake up refreshed for the next day’s assignments. Jansheski recently converted the house’s drawing room into a state-of-the-art fashion-photography studio. He’s thrilled with how it’s working out, especially with how the house itself makes for the ideal backdrop for his photo shoots.

There’s no doubt that DeGarmo would be proud.

Alexis Bellino of Real Housewives of Orange County

For Real Housewives of Orange County star Alexis Bellino, the best way to return from a beach vacation is to feel like you never left.

Most of you may know Alexis Bellino from The Real Housewives of Orange County, but her friends and family know her as a loving wife and mother of three, smitten with the beach environment she calls home. With a new house in South Orange County, California, the Missouri native opens up to Ocean Home about her new oceanfront estate, at-home entertaining, and, of course, her ideal day at the beach.

What drew you to buy a house on the beach? Who doesn’t sleep better with ocean breezes coming in their window at night? It’s also great entertainment for the kids and for our friends. I always loved the casualness of beach culture and aspired to live by the beach when I was growing up in Missouri.

What are your family’s favorite beach activities and ocean pastimes? With the kids the age they are, it’s chasing the waves. We put on our swimsuits and wait for the waves to come, and then as soon as they come, we run back to the shore. The kids are a little intimidated by the size of the waves; they don’t have the nerve to dive right in yet. We also play with sand toys and build sand castles and have lunches on the beach.

What do you love most about living near the beach? I am definitely a beach person. This is our second home on the water. It’s a great lifestyle, waking up to the ocean in the morning and seeing the sun set on the water at night.

If you had to pick any other beach destination in the world to live, where would it be? Tahiti. Even though I have never been, it’s somewhere I have always wanted to go and fantasized about spending time. Maybe when the kids are all grown up, [husband] Jim and I will run off to Tahiti for a year!

Does your home remind you of your favorite beach destination? Yes! Even when I go on vacation, I love coming home because it still feels like a vacation. When you first walk in the front door, you are immediately surrounded by ocean views, and the back of the house is filled with windows facing the Pacific. There’s a fire pit out back where we make s’mores with the kids, or Jim and I will sit out there and watch the sunset together.

Do you plan to entertain guests at your new home? Absolutely! At Christmas time, we always have a big holiday party. We also host more intimate dinner parties at our home about once a month. Occasionally, we’ve done cocktail parties with themes. We love to entertain.

What is your recipe for a perfect beach day? 75 degrees, walk to the coffee shop, then walk down to the beach and have a picnic and play with the kids. After, we’d get cleaned up and have dinner outside before watching the sun set out on the water.

The Details: Location: Orange County, CA; Bedrooms: 5; Bathrooms: 6; Square feet: 7,500; Parking: 8-car garage.

Paula Cole Lives the Coastal Life in Massachusetts

Singer/songwriter and Grammy winner Paula Cole lives the good life on Massachusetts’s North Shore.

Paula Cole is an internationally known recording artist with a schedule that often requires being on the road, but when it comes to her personal life, the Grammy winner calls the sleepy North Shore of Massachusetts home. There, Cole lives with her family in a more than 100-year-old carriage house—“formerly for horses and cows, with an old root cellar, too,” she says. Here, Cole talks to Ocean Home about the simple things she loves most about oceanfront living. By, Lindsay Lambert

What drew you to this location when it came to buying a home? The land is so beautiful. We instantly fell in love with the peace and wildlife. Also, we’re close to my family here.

What’s your favorite beach pasttime? The annual New Year’s Day morning dip in the cold Atlantic with my family.

What features of the home allow you to best enjoy its beach setting? We are such a short jaunt from the beach. I take great pleasure in seeing the kids’ joy in bounding down the trail to the shore. One day, I know they will reflect upon how lucky we’ve been to live by the sea.

How would you describe the home’s décor style? [It’s] a mix of rustic and modern with a few traditional dashes. This is a strong-boned carriage house with history. I love wood, so I’ve wrapped two rooms’ walls in local white pine. I seek calming, natural environs, keeping an eye on green living, feng shui, and a generous sense of space. Often I find I’m bringing a little bit of a NYC loft feel to this house. It’s eclectic. But mostly, it’s unfinished. This one will take years.

What’s your favorite decorating element when it comes to your oceanfront home? Truly, my favorite aspect of this home is the land, the wildlife. From my back windows, I can see the pond; from my front windows I see land and ocean and the occasional gray fox.  So, my “decorating” is more about comforting the soul and honoring our outside environment. It is rewarding when people come to my home and visibly relax. Open space de-stresses. Then, I find people’s eyes moving to the windows and the outside. The scenery is mesmerizing (much better than TV). We are replacing all the windows here, so I certainly know the value of that. Windows are the eyes to the soul outside, and a practical necessity for energy conservation.

As a recording artist, you spend time on both coasts. What are the biggest differences between the two coasts and their lifestyles? Having lived in both Northern and Southern California, I adore the sense of indoor/outdoor culture. With comfortable temperatures, cool nights, and easy weather…West Coast living is very focused on [a] harmonious duet of indoor/outdoor circulation. From the pelicans and dolphins by the giant sand of Zuma in Malibu to the colder, rocky coves of Mendecino, California has a deep place in my heart. I need to go there to feel complete. But I love my smaller, softer, incredibly beautiful Massachusetts beaches. I love the sea grass and dunes, the environmental awareness for our relatively clean Massachusetts North Shore beaches. And honestly, I love the beaches all year round. I don’t need perfect weather to be happy on these stunning shores. I am grateful for the wide-ranging moods Mother Nature gives us here. And that speaks of a hardiness to the culture here that is very satisfying to know.

Star Chef, Katie Lee

Despite growing up in hilly West Virginia, for star chef Katie Lee, the beach is where the heart is. By, Lindsay Lambert

 

As a best-selling cookbook author, lifestyle guru, and newly minted novelist—be sure to check out her new book, called “Groundswell”—Katie Lee keeps her plate full. Here, she opens up to Ocean Home about relaxing at her beachfront home in the Hamptons, taking spills on her surfboard, and keeping a close-knit circle of friends well fed.

 

You grew up in West Virginia, a.k.a. The Mountain State. When looking for a home to purhcase, what drew you to the seaside in Sagaponack? When I was growing up, we spent all year looking forward to our one-week vacation at the beach. I would spend months dreaming of feeling the sand beneath my toes, splashing in the waves, and smelling the salt air. We always went with my grandparents, and my grandpa and I were total beach bums. I love West Virginia, the mountains are breathtaking, and it will always be “home,” but the beach is where my heart is. The Hamptons are the perfect balance for me, because we have undeveloped farm land and that country feel, paired with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

 

What’s your favorite part of the house and why? The heart of my home is the kitchen. There are so many great farm stands in the area and so much fresh seafood, so I am always cooking. I joke that my house has a revolving door because friends are always dropping by, especially in the summer. Everyone always gravitates to the kitchen. I guess they know they will be well fed!

 

How does living by the ocean influence your cooking/recipe writing? When I first moved to the Hamptons, I realized I didn’t know enough about cooking seafood. I got a job as a fishmonger at a local seafood market and learned so much. I have a few friends who are excellent fishermen, so there are many summer days that they will drop off their fresh catch and come back for dinner. Just down the beach from me, there is a great spot for crabbing, and I love to do a big crab boil for a bunch of friends. I keep everything very casual and laid back.

 

Your new book talks about your newfound love of surfing. What inspired you to learn? I decided to try surfing one day when I needed to “get out of my own head,” so to speak, and try something completely out of character. I have never been very athletic, or coordinated for that matter, so I expected it to be a disaster. Though I took my fair share of falls, and often felt like a pair of jeans going through a spin cycle in the washing machine, I loved it. Being in the ocean makes me feel so close to nature, and it is very spiritual for me. And it’s just so FUN!

 

You’ve been known to describe your personal style with your “three C’s:  casual, comfortable, and with a touch of couture.” How does this apply to your home in Sagaponack? My furniture and decorating style is much like that of my wardrobe. Beach living isn’t meant to be fancy, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish. My decor is easy and eclectic, kind of bohemian, with a couple of stand-out antiques and artwork.

 

What’s your favorite time to be on or in the ocean, and why? I like to be in the ocean anytime the waves are good, and I like to be on the beach in the evening. The light is pure magic as the sun sets.

Ron Hatfield’s Ocean Home

A decade after discovering undeveloped beachfront in Mexico, Ron Hatfield now enjoys year-round ocean views. By, Diane M. Byrne

Since the 17th century, vessels including merchant ships, modern motoryachts, and sportfishing boats have visited the Los Cabos region of Mexico. At the tip of Baja California, its deep, blue waters offer a wide variety of fish, and it is renowned as the marlin mecca of the world. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that hotels and second homes were developed to attract vacationers and avid travelers. Unlike other areas of Mexico—indeed, many oceanside regions in general—Los Cabos is anything but overdeveloped. Instead, picture stretches of uninhabited beaches, with towering mountains providing spectacular views of sand and sea.

That’s what captivated Ron Hatfield, a real estate developer, when he visited the region with his then-business partner, Ken Schnitzer, 15 years ago. “The elevation of the land off the beach provided incredible sites for mountainside homes overlooking the Sea of Cortez,” Hatfield recalls. They acquired land to offer a handful of homes, which sold so quickly that they purchased additional acreage to create the community of Villas Del Mar. Five years later, Hatfield, president of Del Mar Developments, purchased his own home site and now lives there year-round.

Besides enjoying access to golfing and members-only clubs, Hatfield has one of the more distinctive homes in Villas Del Mar. “It’s built into the mountainside for complete privacy and also has a separate honeymoon suite overlooking the sea,” he explains. Mixing traditional furnishings with Spanish-style ones lends what he considers a casual elegance, ideal for hosting dinner parties for neighbors one day, then welcoming his grown children and grandchildren the next. His favorite room? The living room. “My glass pocket doors disappear into the walls, so it’s open all the way around with views of the sea and the mountains. I get fresh sea air while relaxing and watching the game or reading a book.”

Another bonus: The region is virtually free of crime. “Los Cabos is definitely a safe place,” Hatfield says. “I feel very secure and have absolutely no apprehension at all about bringing family or friends here.”

Inside Chris Webber’s Home

Ocean Home takes a peek inside former NBA star Chris Webber’s intimate Malibu beach house.

After years spent sinking buckets on the basketball court, retired NBA star Chris Webber can now often be found enjoying the five-star life at his Malibu beach house. The modern three-bedroom, three-bath home sits on one acre atop Malibu’s highest bluff. While it comprises a relatively modest 3,000 square feet, the player’s pad is by no means small in its interior design and architectural stature. Designed by celebrity interior designer Alicia LaMar of Interior Couture by Alicia LaMar, Webber’s home is quaint yet has every bell and whistle of Malibu estates three times its size. Here, the designer talks to Ocean Home about her star client’s oceanfront escape. —Gerald Beck

How did you come to design Chris Webber’s home? Having designed six homes for [Webber], he called upon me to customize another one of his homes to accommodate his upscale yet distinguished taste. Each of his private homes is distinctively different from the other. This home is nestled on top of the seaside hills of High Malibu and is especially unique because it suits Mr. Webber’s appetite for pristine real estate while appealing to his value for privacy and appreciation for the natural beauty that is Malibu.

You’ve obviously spent time with Chris Webber and his family. What do they like to do at this home and at the beach? At their Malibu home, the Webbers take advantage of the outdoor playground that is Malibu. As a native of “Motown,” otherwise known as Detroit, you won’t likely find Mr. Webber surfing the California waves. Instead, one might find him relaxing on his 60-foot outdoor deck that overlooks 50 miles of serene shoreline.

Do the Webbers entertain here often? Although Mr. Webber leads a very private personal life, I was sure that the furnishing plan was suitable for relaxing and entertaining.

What does the family love so much about living near the beach? All six homes that I designed for Chris Webber have been near a body of water.  It is no secret that water brings peace and tranquility, especially to Chris’s busy lifestyle. The strength and beauty of the Pacific Ocean is simply relaxing.

Describe your style. Chris and I share an appreciation for design—understanding and embracing its diversity and beauty.  None of the homes I design look alike. And with this project, my client gave me complete creative freedom. As such, I kept his physical stature (he’s 6’10” tall) in mind. My focus was to fuse the interior design with the exterior architecture.

The Details

Location: Malibu, CA. Square feet: 3,000. Bedrooms: 3. Bathrooms: 3. Purchase year/price: 2007, $3.75M.

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