Jay Jeffers Brings High Style To A Newport Beach Retreat

Jeffers delivered what his clients desired and then some, adding his own spin to their point of view. “This is glamour with a capital ‘G,’ ” he declares of the result. The home, a new build, was already in framing when he joined the project, allowing him to focus on enhancing the finishes and creating cohesion across the two-story structure. Working closely with principal designer Victoria Nady, Jeffers channeled the oceanfront sophistication and high style of a Monaco penthouse—but with restraint. “We could have easily gone over the top with gold and glam, but this house needed to make sense in Newport Beach,” he notes.

Still, Jeffers and Nady largely shunned the typical coastal home rule book in favor of rich fabrics, standout lighting and evocative art. See the living area’s sculptural accent chair, finished in a luxe lacquered goatskin, or consider the kitchen counter stools’ unexpected floral fabric, an elevated twist on a traditional pattern that feels fresh. There are instances of exuberantly veined marble and gleaming brass elements alongside eye-catching contemporary art and geometric pendants. Even the more pared-back palette of the owners’ bedroom suite exudes the energy of an exotic destination. “There’s a sexiness and a loungy vibe to these spaces, with no bright whites and nothing nautical or too expected,” Nady observes. That’s exactly what homeowners Megan Gorman and Roger Nabedian were aiming for. “The go-to aesthetic in SoCal is either beachy or white-beige—and that’s beautiful too—but we wanted something very chic and pushed ourselves to go bold,” Megan says.

Despite the intentional disregard of any cottage-by-the-sea tropes, the designers and their clients certainly didn’t ignore the home’s coastal setting and idyllic Pacific views. “If you’re going to live in this spot, you want to make sure you’re inviting the outside in,” comments Roger, pointing out how the positioning of the pool just outside of the great room, connected by sliding glass doors, draws guests outdoors and pulls eyes to the horizon. But rather than commandeering attention, the ocean vista engages in a carefully choreographed dance with the interiors. Prismatic pendants hanging over an oval dining room table serve as reflective mirrors of the sun and sea; abstract art above the living area’s fireplace feels referential to waves and movement; and the primary bedroom’s textures usher in softer sandy shades. “I think we nailed the glamour quotient—with just the right amount—yet there’s still some beach to this home,” says Jeffers, who features the residence in his new book, Modern Classic.

Downstairs, the atmosphere turns effervescent. “We joke that the house is a little bit like a mullet,” Megan shares. “The upstairs is serious, and then downstairs is where the party’s at.” An inviting glass-enclosed wine cellar and bar, the anchor around which the lower level’s lounge area and screening room pivot, confirms that. As Roger has spent his career in the wine business and the couple loves to entertain, the space handily caters to their passions while artfully storing their collection. And the sinuous green velvet sofa of the lounge stays firmly on theme: It’s completely unexpected in a beach home yet “a very glamorous place to sit and feel fabulous,” Jeffers says. “We took certain risks and those risks paid off,” Megan concludes. “That’s advice I now share with others—don’t be afraid to be collaborative and take a risk with a designer.”