Cindy Shearin, Founder of The Shearin Group in Manhattan Beach, California is a leading agent for Strand Hill Christie’s International, and also one of the most sought after luxury home Interior Designers and Developers in South Bay. Her rapidly growing Interior Design and Development business continues to remain strong in these unique times. Find out more about what is making Cindy’s business tick in this exclusive interview with Haute Residence.
Photo Credit: Linda Cotter
Haute Residence: How has your design and development business fared during the uncertain start of 2020?
Cindy Shearin: Naturally, everyone has been affected in some way. On the job sites, we experienced a temporary slowdown for a few weeks with social distancing for our workers and having to reinvent how we ran meetings with clients, etc. But, as restrictions ease, we’ve been able to get back to our usual fast pace.
HR: Have you seen growth in your custom Design and Development division despite the recent lockdowns in California?
CS: Yes, we have. In fact, we currently have six custom luxury developments across the South Bay. That number includes properties in the Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach Sand Sections, the Hill Section, Liberty Village, Manhattan Village, and the city of Rolling Hills, one of which is a spec build.
The properties we are developing are a mixed bag. Two of the properties are exterior transformations from the Mediterranean style to a more Coastal Modern aesthetic. We are achieving this by updating all the windows and doors, reconstructing the entries, and removing the old style stucco. Then we add the quintessential touches to complete the new look. We love helping clients reimagine their existing properties to their complete satisfaction.
Photo Credit: Linda Cotter
HR: Are you seeing any style trends in what your clients are asking for?
CS: The current properties we are developing are primarily what we call Soft Modern and Coastal Modern-meets-Plantation style. We do however have an Industrial-Modern in design for the home in Rolling Hills, and a Mediterranean in the Manhattan Beach Sand Section that we are converting to a Santa Barbara/Montecito style.
Though these requests were strong before COVID, we are seeing a continued demand to add a second master suite, mudroom, additional great rooms, and indoor/outdoor spaces to most homes. Now more than ever, clients are looking for a blended indoor/outdoor space and additional work/homework spaces that are highly functional for working and homeschooling. For the Sand Section, adding beach rooms and elevators are still on the rise.
Photo Credit: Linda Cotter
HR: What are your predictions for the last half of 2020 as far as growth in custom home design?
CS: For growth, we will finish the year strong with new projects on the horizon coupled with our recent inquiries which will begin late 2020 and wrap early 2021.
Regarding predictions for trends, we will remain current on interior design trends that meet the demands of the affluent Los Angeles Beach Cities and Palos Verdes clientele. While there may be a common thread in the marketplace for style, the clientele in our area desire to freshen things up and install some of the latest design styles and colors on a regular basis. For example, we have simple updates we make for clients each season and then install larger more complex projects bi-yearly to keep their stylish homes completely fresh.
For more information about The Shearin Group’s available properties, spec homes, and to inquire about Cindy’s luxury home Design and Development portfolio, please contact Cindy directly...you’ll get her on the phone. 310-200-8318
