The Villa Mariona was one of the two great architectural masterpieces that created a voyage by Christopher Columbus Miller and his son Frank. The result was a beautiful and unique playground for world travelers to set their feet down in this renowned sea side village of Laguna Beach, California. As the movie industry emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, Laguna became a gateway playground for a number of Hollywood celebrities. An invitation to Villa Mariona became a highly coveted prize. Hollywood luminaries like Clifton Webb, Robert Mitchum, Errol Flynn and Bette Davis basked on its private beach. In fact, Bette Davis met her third husband, William Sherry, at a party in the great room of Villa Mariona in November, 1945.
Inspired by the love of his life, the Villa Estate was created as a gift for his wife Marion and to be shared to the public as Villa Mariona. The original masterpiece, the Mission Inn in Southern California, took over 50 years to complete and was marveled world wide by social leaders such as Susan B. Anthony, Henry Ford, John Rockefellor, William Randolph Hurst and Helen Keller, just to name a few. The list of entertainers who have toured the Inn is extensive: Lillian Russell, Sarah Bernhart, Harry Hodini, other guests have included actors such as Ethel Barrymore, Charles Boyer, Bette Davis, W.C. Fields, Clark Gable, Barbara Streisand, Jack Benny, Bob Hope just to name a few. Other notable guests were Albert Einstein, Andrew Carnegie, and Booker T. Washington.
The site of many major social gatherings and political functions were held at the Inn; the marriage of Pat and Richard Nixon at one of the two wedding chapels, and the honey moon of Nancy and Ronald Reagan. Eight other U.S. Presidents have stayed at the Inn: Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Herbert Hoover, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Gerald Ford, and George W. Bush.
Under the same hands and watchful eye of Miller, the crews and artisans that built the Mission Inn began to craft this Villa with the same spirit. Started in 1918, the Villa was finished in 1922 and stands as an architectural masterpiece until this day.
When you enter this private compound, you are being welcomed through this 20 foot wrought iron gate opening for you to start your journey to the privacy and elegance enjoyed by the luminaries at both the Mission Inn and Villa Mariona.
As you step out of your car you feel the ocean breeze cool your face while filling your lungs with crystal blue magical spray that nourishes the mind and body. The surf crashes in a rhythmic beat against the ancient cliffs and reefs welcoming you to relax and enjoy this peaceful Villa.
As you descend through rock walls and steps accented by lush tropical trees you notice the fragrance of indigenous plants and flowers leading you across the stone laden pathways and patios. You discover the hand carved aged wood entry door. You catch your breath in wonderment and amazement of what is before you. You look to your left and catch a glimpse of a spiral staircase leading down a rustic tower topped with burnt orange Mediterranean tile. Your next vision brings you back to the grand entryway door with your hand opening the door experiencing and marveling at who could have created an elegant way for us to travel back through time and feel the presence of the “golden era”, remembering those who visited this wonderful Villa before us.
You find yourself inside this great mystery as you notice the leaded glass casement windows reflecting the sun on the hand sanded mahogany floors. As you glance across the pitch of the massive wood beam ceiling you notice a loft library perched high above the huge great room calling you forth to see what book you may take you on a historic journey while relaxing in front of one of the six fireplaces meant to warm your evening against the cool offshore Pacific breeze. The rhythmic beat of the surf echoes against the ancient reefs 60 feet below.
You move through the great room and find yourself in the kitchen alive with a high pitched two story white vaulted ceiling accented with bright yellow and blue wall tiles. Softened with beautiful porous light mixed marble counter tops invite you to an evening snack.
You decide to descend down a curved stair case covered with the finest thick wool paisley carpet softening your feet for a landing into the entertainment room where you will be serenaded by a1940’s Rockola juke box filled with music from a former era or you may choose to sink into one of the two large lounge chairs and recline to catch a movie before retiring for the evening.
Feeling a little tired and weary from your journey, you must take a short tour through the Villa and choose from one of the three master suites before retiring for the evening. As you maneuver through the many corridors you have found that the choice may not be so easy.
There are two entryways into the upstairs master suite. One is through a small L cove that opens through a hardwood carved 12 star constellation door. You move through the door and your eye catches a glimpse of an antique carved rosewood chest from the Imperial Palace of China. Straight ahead the bathroom door is ajar and you find yourself pondering upon the intricate marble floors and walls with the roaring 20’s bathtub embedded for your leisure. As you exit the bathroom the hand carved mirrored armoire reflects the master bed perched on an early 20th century Persian carpet. To the right is a mauve brick colored fireplace to warm you against the cool evening ocean breeze.
In the morning you pass through two multi colored masterpiece mahogany doors just as the sun is moving into place lighting the room with warmth. Relax in the antique glass enclosed sun roof as the rays create a rainbow effect beaming and reflecting through crystal blue waters of the Pacific while you enjoy a warm cup of relaxing tea. There is much to be left for your imagination with two more master suites open for your discovery.
While entering the lower sun porch you’re mesmerized by the sun drenched cliffs and endless ocean views as far as your eye can see. Two French doors open and lead you outside to the outer deck with rugged cut stone floors and sun bleached log railings. As you move back further you find the secret passageway that leads to the two master bed rooms.
Now through the passageway you entered the first of two master bedrooms with a floor to ceiling rugged cut stone fireplace to light your late evening chat with a romantic partner, while the early ocean breeze creates a soothing mist of poetic comfort.
Through a connecting door you enter the last master bedroom with a fireplace flickering light that is dancing through each glass window orchestrating a rhythmic flow against the evening tide- inviting you to rest your soul in the comfort of ornate hand carved maple four poster bed.
We invite you to come find the many mysteries of the only private Villa listed on the National register of historic places in the world renowned Sea Side Village of Laguna Beach. Awaken that star inside you and give yourself a gift that will never leave your memory and will be cherished through the ages.
Fri, Jun 25, 2010
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