American Martyrs Parent Association Gives a Peek Behind The Curtain

Annual Upscale Home Tour Benefits Local Students, While Bringing the Community Together
Urban Contemporary—The Horan Home 1149 Pine Avenue, Manhattan Beach
Beach Chic—The Hasso Home Morningside Drive, Manhattan Beach
Spa Retreat—The Harris Home 659 30th Street, Hermosa Beach
Spanish Revival – The Traylor Home 2920 Agnes Street, Manhattan Beach
Old World Appeal—The Coppersmith Home 13216 Hermosa Avenue, Hermosa Beach

Annual Upscale Home Tour Benefits Local Students, While Bringing the Community Together

Next weekend, May 13-15, American Martyrs Parent Association is holding its 43rd Annual Home Tour, aptly titled Sophisticated Snoop 2016. For $30 (if you buy tickets in advance), you can meander through five unique homes in Manhattan and Hermosa Beach, taking notes and comparing styles or simply satisfying your curiosity.

More than 40 years ago, Debbie Walmer conceived the idea as a way to raise money to maintain quality education for the students at American Martyrs, and the event’s success has demonstrated that the novelty continues to astound all those in attendance.

Here, a sneak peek at the homes available for snooping.

Urban Contemporary—The Horan Home 1149 Pine Avenue, Manhattan Beach

This Tree Section stunner is more modern than most homes in this neighborhood. The vision of both an architect and builder with a commercial background, this home blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living.

Three large doors roll open, allowing the walls to disappear completely, welcoming the outdoors in. A bamboo-lined backyard serves as a serene retreat, while a metaphorical “spine” of bookcases runs through the center of the house, connecting the first, mezzanine and top levels of the home.

Beach Chic—The Hasso Home Morningside Drive, Manhattan Beach

A breezy coastal palette of coral and gray set the tone for this 5,000-square-foot beach home, a space so grand that it can hardly be considered a cottage. Show-stopping tiles, one-of-a kind light fixtures and vibrant fabrics blend seamlessly to deliver beach chic living at its finest.

Nestled between the chip trail and the Strand, this family-friendly home has a huge ocean view rooftop deck that’s perfect for enjoying sunset cocktails while the kids play in the playroom on the other end of the top floor.

Don’t miss the ground-level sports viewing room, which will likely have you wishing you could come back for the next big game.

Spa Retreat—The Harris Home 659 30th Street, Hermosa Beach

A Zen oasis high in the Hermosa Hills, this home was dubbed “Hermosa Hills Resort and Spa” by the owners, and rightly so.

Reminiscent of the South Pacific, the spacious home (5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, an office and a home gym converted from a 7-car garage) has teak finishes and hanging water features that incite relaxation upon arrival.

A rooftop deck with a sunken hot tub boasts views from Malibu to Palos Verdes, allowing visitors to bask in the daydream that they might be able to stay indefinitely, without the owners noticing.

Spanish Revival – The Traylor Home 2920 Agnes Street, Manhattan Beach

Think Santa Barbara in the 1920s. A large Spanish style front door welcomes guests into a spacious foyer with a unique circular stairway. Reclaimed beams, plaster walls and painted ceilings add character and charm, while mod cons like a movie room, wine cellar, bar and fire pit add five-star luxury.

Foldaway doors open to a covered patio with a pool, hot tub, sports court and outdoor kitchen perfect for entertaining.

Old World Appeal—The Coppersmith Home 13216 Hermosa Avenue, Hermosa Beach

Mi casa es su casa. In this case, it’s called “Casa Hermosa,” a four-story charmer built by empty nesters. A mere hop, skip and jump from the beach, this home thoughtfully displays curated treasures collected over the years by the jet-setting couple.

A powder room sink is an antique, reclaimed from a hotel in Marseille, France, while other decor elements might transport visitors to Italy or Mexico.

Timeless and elegant, this European-inspired gem is not to be missed.

Tickets are now available at locations including American Martyrs School, Grow–e Produce Shop, Patterson Cleaners, Tabula Rasa, Bristol Farms (Manhattan Beach and Rolling Hills locations), Aaron Brothers (Hermosa Beach, Pages, Card de A (Redondo Beach) and Banner Stationers in El Segundo. Proceeds support education for the children of American Martyrs School.