When you own and run Roger’s Gardens, one of Orange County’s most recognizable institutions in home furnishings and garden plants, materials and design, you had better know something about creating inviting, relaxing spaces. And Gavin Herbert Jr. and his wife Kerry’s Corona del Mar home shows that they do.
In fact, it’s a reflection of their retail business, now in its third decade and considered by many to be an irreplaceable landmark. If there is any doubt, take a walk through Roger’s Gardens, which can be more like a trip to a park than a shopping experience.
Want proof? How about the fact that each year many show up not to shop, but to take advantage of the beautiful backdrops for family or special occasion photos, relaxing with a book or just soaking in the tranquility of the sprawling grounds’ gardens, complete with fountains and winding gravel pathways. They may not buy anything, but they’re sure to leave with something they’ll cherish.
And that’s just fine with the Herberts, who say they have infused their own home with that same calm, joyful – and always welcoming – spirit. So we dropped in on the couple and asked about how their home reflects their personality. And like those photo-seeking “shoppers,” we didn’t leave empty-handed.
What is the aesthetic sensibility of your home? Aesthetically, our home reflects the same philosophy of our business. We try and bring the outside in. It is about casual coastal living rather than formal furnishings. We chose an eclectic blend of comfortable, usable pieces.
What is your favorite room of the house? Tough question. They are all my favorites for different reasons. The girls’ rooms were so fun to decorate. The powder room is super fun and beachy. The greet room is a wonderful gathering place. The wine room is fun for a game of darts with good friends.
Did you renovate any part of your home? All of it.
How was the process of renovation? Surprisingly smooth. The entire process from tear-down to move-in took 13 months. I know this is unheard of but we actually finished with our original general contractor and he liked the community so much, he is now our neighbor.
Was there anything that you kept from before your renovation? One thing: the playhouse that Gavin bought me as a birthday present from Project Playhouse.
Favorite thing about your home? That it is a reflection of who we are… casual and fun.
The best place to imagine in your home? The Sky Deck. Fresh air with an ocean breeze gets the creative juices flowing.
What’s your perfect day at home? During the summer, the Cameo community likes to kick off the weekends with the “Friday sunset” from the beach. More often than not, we invite a slew of neighbors and friends for an evening swim. We usually have about 20 kids splashing around.
What is on your nightstand? A Baccarat crystal heart that we received for a wedding gift.
Your home is never without… Laughter.
If your house had a signature soundtrack, the song you would most play is… One of the best amenities that we installed in the home was a surround sound system with two tracks for Sonos. My track is Neil Diamond and Norah Jones. Gavin’s is Stevie Ray Vaughn and Stevie Nicks. We are both happy.
