Covenant Hills selected as host site for 2008 Art House

The prestigious, gated village of Covenant Hills in the South Orange County community of Ladera Ranch has been selected as the host site for The 2008 Art House.

The Art House, a stunning 8,143-square-foot French chateau-inspired residence located behind the gates of Covenant Hills, is the creative accomplishment of distinguished architect and builder Michael Schrock of Cuvee Estates based in Costa Mesa.

From Sept.13 through Sept.20 at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), the public will be invited to tour The Art House where some of Orange County’s finest galleries will be displaying their collections of contemporary art, California Impressionism and Plein-Air, abstract art, sculptures, fine photography and more within each of the lavish rooms and custom-designed spaces found at The Art House.

Among the galleries to be represented at The Art House are the following: Diana Ferrone Gallery, Assunta Fox Gallery, San Clemente Art Association, Space on Spurgeon, John L. Blom Custom Photography, Studio 7 Galleries, Lightopia Gallery, eMotion Portrait Studio, artistMaryana Espe-Wagor, artistJan Merryfield, and artist Susan Marcley. Admission to The Art House will be priced at $10 per person.

“We are very excited that Covenant Hills will host The 2008 Art House next month,” said Holly McKie, director of marketing for Rancho Mission Viejo, the master planner and developer of Covenant Hills. “Covenant Hills offers the perfect canvas on which these fine galleries can display their collections at The Art House. Each room at The Art House will serve as a boutique gallery—illustrating and illuminating eclectic pieces, photographs, sculptures, statues and more—all within a setting that is both panoramic and poetic.”

Aptly named “Château de l’eau,” meaning “Water Castle” in French, The Art House is highlighted by six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, two powder rooms, a complete home theater and a billiards room.

This French-inspired estate presents exceptional craftsmanship with authentic forged-iron balcony railings, a slate tile roof, an ocean view sun deck with natural stone flooring and classic iron trellises, wood shutters with ornamental iron hardware, and custom wood roll-up garage doors.

The interior captures a French Regency flavor with extensive paneling, custom-crafted staircases, exposed wood beams accompanied by lavish woodwork, crown molding, wainscoting, and door and window casings.

While the great room features an opulent wood-burning fireplace complimented by an elegant mantle, perfect for entertaining, the reception room offers an additional fireplace and full bar that embraces a more intimate setting ideal for smaller gatherings.

“With its spectacular backdrop of rugged ridgelines, rolling hills and city lights below, Covenant Hills truly presents an incredible showplace for the artwork of The Art House,” said McKie. “We look forward to unveiling more information about this incredible week-long event at The Art House over the course of the next few weeks -- and anticipate welcoming the most selective of art collectors and connoisseurs to the majestic setting of Covenant Hills.”

To learn more about The 2008 Art House at Covenant Hills, please visit www.OrangeCoastArtHouse.com.

To learn more about Covenant Hills, visit the new Custom Sales Gallery of Covenant Hills. Simply exit Ortega Highway from the I-5 Freeway in South Orange County, proceed east 2.5 miles to Antonio Parkway where you will turn left, and then turn left again onto Covenant Hills Drive where you will enter the village at the East Gatehouse. Parking and shuttle service for The 2008 Art House will be located at the Ladera Corporate Terrace on Antonio Parkway between Crown Valley Parkway and Ortega Highway. The Custom Sales Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the gated, hillside village of Covenant Hills, please call 888.220.2303 or visit www.covenanthillscustom.com.

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