Southern Highlands estate home transforms

Scott Phelps, owner of Haven Development, the builder of a $5.9 million, 10,000-square-foot home in the Southern Highlands Estates neighborhood of Augusta Canyon, has transformed the house into a mini-French chateau. It is reminiscent of historic Petite Trianon, which was featured in the recent feature film "Marie Antoinette."

The estate home, located at 30 Augusta Canyon, is one of 13 homes featured on the Las Vegas Parade of Homes that began April 18 and runs for three weekends through May 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

According to Phelps, whose Southern California development company has built more than 20 palatial custom homes in Orange County, the decision to re-create the set of "Marie Antoinette" was inspired by Las Vegas photographer Francis George and real estate agent Alisanne Frew, whose friendship can be traced to Paris where Frew was a French antique collector and dealer. George, who is of French origin, said the home's architecture reminded him of Petite Trianon, a relatively small chateau on the grounds of the Palais de Versailles.

"We immediately seized George's vision and went to work to re-create the opulence and extravagance of 18th century France with a Marie Antoinette theme," Phelps said. "Frew, whose passion for everything French, coupled with her knowledge of the real estate market, has done an absolutely artful job of turning the home into something not-to-be-missed."

Visitors to the home, which is the fourth house on the Parade of Homes tour, can expect to be met by beautiful models in period costume adorned with Parisian ribbons and wearing hand-rolled wigs by the Hollywood designer who created them for Sofia Coppola's movie, Marie Antoinette.

Fresh flowers and floral arrangements will adorn the entire home, while Freed's Bakery is re-creating a lavish spread of French-style cakes, similar to those seen in the movie's infamous dessert scene. Landscape architect Jay Pleggenkuhle of Stonerose Landscape planted thousands of red geraniums in the gardens surrounding the home. A team traveled from Salt Lake City to install 15 plasma television screens that will simultaneously play the Marie Antoinette movie and soundtrack featuring Kirsten Dunst. And finally, Bloomingdale's Home is staging the baths in a 17th century motif.

"Just like Marie Antoinette, the home will turn heads and grab your attention," Phelps said of the unusual approach he has taken to marketing the Augusta Canyon residence.

"Parade of Home-goers expect to see beautiful furniture and beautiful décor, but they aren't expecting to be knocked out by thousands of red geraniums or opulently costumed Marie Antoinette look-alikes. It will definitely be a home they will remember -- for many reasons."

The mansionesque home, which features European-style architecture, encompasses more than 10,000 square feet of living space on about half an acre. It offers five bedrooms, 61/2 baths, 51/2-car garage and second-floor bonus room -- in addition to a temperature-controlled wine room, private guest casita, courtyard with barbecue area and craft room.

To visit, catch the shuttle bus at the intersection of Southern Highlands Parkway and Stonewater Lane just off Interstate 15 between St. Rose Parkway and Blue Diamond Road. The shuttle goes into Southern Highlands Golf Club and stops at 30 Augusta Canyon.

For a private tour, call Frew of Southern Highlands Realty at 530-713-9191 or e-mail her at afrew@olympiacompanies.com.

For tickets and information on The Parade of Homes, call 636-1020.