Houses with history

Five homes chosen to exemplify the charm of Laguna’s architectural hodgepodge will be featured on the annual Charm House Tour, presented by Village Laguna beginning at noon May 16.

The homes, ranging in style from a Craftsman-style bungalow to beach loft, will be open only to ticket holders. Knowledgeable volunteers on the tour buses and at the homes will provide factual information and local lore to enhance the experience.

“While we appreciate the appeal and popularity of an ocean-view home, I also look for much-loved-yet-friendly homes, proud owners, sustainable and green homes, small yet sophisticated and definitely historical homes since May is Heritage Month in Laguna Beach,” said Charlott Masarik, chairwoman of the selection committee. “This year’s Charm House Tour homes are a very good profile of the intimacy and neighborliness of the Village.”

Here’s a peek at the homes on the 2010 tour, with information provided by Village Laguna. All of the homes on this year’s tour are in the central village portion of Laguna Beach.

First stop

La Maison des Lunes is the first stop on the tour.

The 1930s home, which was remodeled in 2009, has a documented pedigree for the land reaching back to an original Mexican grant in the 1880s. Joseph Yoch, builder of the Laguna Beach hotel, owned the property in 1900. His daughter Florence designed the wide curving streets in the neighborhood.

Highlights of the interior include a Didier painting, a cherished African drum and Sally Miller painting above it, a black-and-white bedroom suite with a French accent, a grand piano rescued by the owner’s father from the fire that destroyed the Fox Arlington Hotel in Santa Barbara and a David Cooke painting displayed nearby.

Tour tickets and will-call tickets will be available at this home.

Second Stop

The Brayton-Eschback Home was built by internationally known potter Durlin Brayton in 1939. The late Jack Eschbach moved to the home in the 1980s.

Eschbach had a penchant for French architecture. He conducted his florist business in the Normandy-influenced building occupied by art galleries and a jewelry store in the 300 block of Forest Avenue. He also created the quaint Peppertree Lane, where his folks had a potpourri shop and Eschbach lived upstairs before moving to the Brayton home.

The fireplace, windows and white oak floors are original to the home. Old French pavers in the dining room lead to the courtyard and pool.