Dover Shores Newport Beach: One of the Coast's Most Coveted Neighborhoods
Dover Shores is one of the most established and sought-after neighborhoods in Newport Beach. Sitting along the Upper Newport Bay, also known locally as the Back Bay, the community is a tightly held collection of around 310 single-family homes. Some sit directly on the water with private or shared docks. Others are bluff-top properties with views of the bay and the city beyond. Residents share access to private beaches, walking paths along the Back Bay nature preserve, and proximity to Westcliff Plaza, Fashion Island, and the Newport Aquatic Center.
Most of the homes in Dover Shores were built in the 1960s, which means renovations here are about honoring the original architecture while bringing the floor plan, finishes, and feel into a modern sensibility. The lots are generous, the streets are quiet, and the community has a rare intimacy for a neighborhood this close to the coast. It is the kind of place we love working in.
Inside a Two-Year Newport Beach Whole Home Renovation
Our Dover Shores Project is moving forward at full pace, and it has been such a rewarding road to get here. After more than two years of design work, it is thrilling to finally see the ideas on paper come to life on site. This full-service whole home renovation in one of Newport Beach's most coveted coastal neighborhoods has been a labor of love and a testament to what thoughtful residential interior design can achieve when every detail is considered from the start.
Since the project is in Newport Beach and our interior design studio is based in Carlsbad, we have had to be very intentional with planning, coordinating with the contractor, and syncing with all the trades. Every site visit is packed with walkthroughs, questions, and quick but thoughtful decisions to keep progress smooth. It is a lot of moving parts, but with each step, the design gets closer to reality.
On our most recent visit, the walls and cabinetry were being primed for paint, the living room built-in stain was custom-mixed for that signature Joey Snow Design Co. finish, cabinetry change orders were in play, and countless other details were in motion. This is the heart of interior design project management: making sure the little things do not slip through the cracks during the pace of a new build. By being on site weekly or every other week, Joey and our team are able to give these details firsthand attention, ensuring the vision stays intact and progress keeps moving.
Andersen Black Casement Windows: Our Choice for Coastal Living
Throughout the home we are using Andersen casement windows in a black finish. Casements open outward on a hinge, which means cleaner sightlines, better airflow, and a more architectural look than standard double-hung windows. The black frames give the home a bit of crispness and modernity that plays beautifully against the warm wood ceiling and pale interior palette. Casements also frame views differently. In a neighborhood where the bay, the trees, and the changing California light are part of the experience of being in the house, that matters.
Custom White Oak Kitchen Millwork and Built-Ins
White oak runs through this home as a unifying material. The kitchen features custom white oak built-ins, open shelving, and tall pantry cabinetry that anchor the room. The oak grain reads cleanly against the white walls and brings continuity from the ceiling all the way down to the cabinetry. One of the things we love about working with white oak at this scale is how it ages. It will deepen and soften over time, the way the best natural materials do, and the home will only look more collected as the years go on.
Rift-Cut White Oak Ceiling With Exposed Beams
The ceiling is one of the signature design moments of this entire project. We chose rift-cut white oak in a planked layout with exposed beams running across the room. Rift-cut white oak has a tighter, more linear grain pattern than plain-sawn or quarter-sawn oak, which gives the ceiling a refined, intentional look without feeling rustic or heavy. Used overhead, it draws the eye up, warms the space without darkening it, and creates the kind of quiet architectural presence that grounds an entire room.
Pairing a wood ceiling with white walls and white oak millwork keeps the room warm without feeling closed in. The exposed beams add rhythm. The recessed lighting was carefully laid out to integrate cleanly into the planking. It is the kind of detail you do not necessarily notice first, but the room would not feel right without it.
Primary Bathroom: 4x4 Glazed Zellige Tile Shower
Some of the most exciting details on this project are the tile selections. In the primary bathroom, we went with a 4 inch by 4 inch glazed zellige. The texture and variation give the shower walls and niche a dimensional, geometric quality, while still feeling timeless. It is a surface that only gets better with time. This is one of the reasons we love working with artisan tile in our bathroom renovation projects. It brings a warmth and character that factory tile simply cannot replicate.
Girls' Bathroom: Layered Herringbone, Subway, and Pink Accent Tile
For the girls' bathroom, the goal was something with a playful personality. We layered three different tiles to create a dynamic composition: a herringbone pattern for movement, a clean subway layout for balance, and a soft pink accent running along the shower pan for the perfect finishing touch. The result is fresh, youthful, and full of fun. It is proof that thoughtful bathroom design can have personality without sacrificing sophistication.
Custom Vaulted Closet With White Oak Slat Detailing
This custom vaulted closet was designed for one of our client's daughters. The ceiling was not originally vaulted, but when the opportunity came to raise it, we reimagined the space with both creativity and function in mind. Designing the slats to align seamlessly with the new vaulted ceiling became as much a mathematical challenge as a design one, resulting in a closet that feels thoughtful, elevated, and entirely custom. It is these kinds of bespoke details that define a Joey Snow Design Co. home.
What Makes Dover Shores Newport Beach Special for Renovations
This is not the first project we have done in Newport Beach, and it will not be the last. Dover Shores in particular lends itself to thoughtful renovation. The 1960s architecture has good bones. The lots are generous. And the homeowners who choose this neighborhood tend to be people who care about how design and life intersect. Every conversation on this project has been collaborative, considered, and creatively rewarding, which is exactly the kind of relationship we hope for on every project we take on.
Dover Shores Project: Frequently Asked Questions
A few of the questions we have been getting most often about this project across platforms:
What kind of wood is the ceiling at the Dover Shores Project?
The ceiling is rift-cut white oak in a planked layout with exposed beams. Rift-cut white oak has a tighter, more linear grain than plain-sawn or quarter-sawn oak, which gives the ceiling a more refined, architectural look.
What windows are you using at the Dover Shores Project?
We are using Andersen casement windows in a black finish throughout the home. Casements open outward on a hinge, which gives cleaner sightlines and frames the views in a way that double-hung windows cannot.
What tile did you use in the primary bathroom?
We used a 4 inch by 4 inch glazed zellige tile for the shower walls and niche. The handmade variation gives the surface a dimensional, geometric quality that machine-made tile cannot replicate.
How long has the Dover Shores Project been in design?
The project has been in design for more than two years before construction began. A timeline like this is typical for a full-service whole home renovation where every detail, finish, and architectural decision is considered from the start.
Dover Shores Project: Sources and Materials
Here is a breakdown of the key materials and finishes used throughout the Dover Shores Project so far:
- Ceiling: rift-cut white oak in a planked layout with exposed beams
- Windows: Andersen casement windows in a black finish
- Kitchen millwork: custom white oak built-ins, open shelving, and tall pantry cabinetry
- Living room built-ins: custom-mixed Joey Snow Design Co. signature stain
- Butler's pantry cabinetry: painted white shaker with white oak base accents
- Primary bathroom shower tile: 4 inch by 4 inch glazed zellige
- Girls' bathroom tile: layered herringbone, subway, and a soft pink shower pan accent
Dover Shores Project Details and Service Area
Project: Dover Shores Whole Home Renovation
Location: Dover Shores, Newport Beach, California
Scope: Full-service interior design, custom cabinetry, bathroom renovation, custom closet design, tile selection, paint consultation, on-site construction coordination
Interior Design Studio: Joey Snow Design Co., Carlsbad, CA
Service Area: Newport Beach, Orange County, North County San Diego, and Southern California
What Is Next for the Dover Shores Project
The next phase will focus on finishing the millwork, completing tile installations throughout, and beginning the surface and fixture installations that will define the final look of the home. We will be sharing more updates as the project progresses, including a full reveal once everything is complete. If you want to follow along in real time, we share progress on Instagram between formal updates here.
Planning a Renovation in Newport Beach?
Joey Snow Design Co. is a full-service interior design studio based in Carlsbad, California, specializing in high-end home renovations and new builds across Orange County, Newport Beach, and Southern California. From custom cabinetry and tile selection to complete project management, we create livable spaces that are as beautiful as they are comfortable.
If you are considering a renovation in Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, or anywhere along the Orange County coast, we would love to hear about your project.
Inquire about your project → | View our services → | Browse the full portfolio →
by Joey Snow, Founder of Joey Snow Design Co. | Carlsbad, CA
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