The phrase "guest house" might conjure up an ivy-covered cottage on the expansive grounds of a turn-of-the-century mansion. But with the price of real estate in Coronado few can afford such luxury. However we found three very different, but equally delightful, examples of guest cottages right here in on the island.

What do they all have in common you might ask? They each, in their own way, are used for the sole purpose of enhancing guests' pleasure. And all are surrounded by dazzling gardens that say, "Welcome, we're glad you're here. Enjoy."

The Balls
When William and Donna Ball purchased their Coronado home there was a side building that had originally been a garage (built in 1948 and converted to a guest house in 1989). The Balls' brilliant renovation in 2003 completely transformed the boxy structure into an inviting and comfortable pied-a-terre. Surrounded by gardens of fox glove and delphinium, an herb garden and award-winning old roses, and with a huge avocado tree and hibiscus hedge to provide privacy, the guest house enjoys an old-world, romantic setting. The Balls' generous hospitality is constantly drawn upon as family and friends utilize what has come to be called "The Enchanted Cottage."

The main house, with a Spanish white stucco façade and low-pitched terracotta tile roof, was erected by Vice Admiral Elliot Buckmaster in 1935. A walled courtyard to the right of the main house delineates the guest house garden and leaves the guest house accessible but separate.

All of the changes made during the renovation to the guest house were well thought out to be not only attractive, but also functional and to maximize the use of space. A raised hearth and fireplace, numerous windows and skylights and mirrored doors on the closet give a sense of spaciousness to the 550 squarefoot building. Custom-made tile around the fireplace and bath reflect the Spanish architecture of the main house. The continuity of the color scheme of cobalt blue and peach throughout the house contributes to the sense of openness.

The Balls added caps to the flat roof and a pitched arbor which extends along the entire front exterior of the guest house. These two architectural changes have softened the lines of the structure and created an amazing metamorphosis. The crimson bougainvillea that cascades over the Hunter-green arbor creates a cozy outside area in which to enjoy cocktails or a barbecue. The French doors into the house are always open to the porch, Donna Ball says, thus adding to the spaciousness of the building.

"The great thing about having a guest house is that you can have friends and family close," she says, "but they can enjoy their own schedule and dip into yours if and when they want to. And vice versa."

While Donna is quite busy with her new position as president of the Coronado Chamber of Commerce, she admits that she loves to entertain family and friends, many of whom are from out of town. She likes knowing that her guests can feel welcome and well cared for without her constant attention which is possible with the guest house.

The Jones
Art and Polly Jones' California shingle home at Sixth and C was built in 1912. The garage was built in the 1940s and later converted into a guest house. French doors from the main house lead across a flagstone patio to the matching French doors of the guest house. Flagstone flooring in the guest house gives the feeling that the garden continues into the room. Another set of French doors at the back of the building allows a view of the gardens from any point in the room.

And what gardens they are! Roses and more roses spill out of French urns and celadon ceramic pots. A trellis heavily laden with a lavish pink climbing rose stands in a carpet of bright green moss and dichondra. An ivy-filled bird bath accented with lobelia provides an inviting contrast of blue.

And not a weed in sight - even though Polly suggested that the garden needed work. That's probably why she has won countless blue ribbons for her gardening skills from the Coronado Floral Association.

When asked what his role is in the gardening endeavor, Art says with a wink, "I do what I'm told."

The guest house, which is positioned between the main house and a combination potting shed and artist's studio, is surrounded by gardens and protected by a towering jacaranda in the back. Polly, whose house is a showcase for her considerable talents as an interior decorator, has wisely decorated the guest house in muted shades of beige and white so as to provide a backdrop for the gardens. White wainscoting merges into the sandstone colored stucco upper walls. The 13-foot open-beam ceiling follows the lines of the hip roof. Clay sconces on the wall diffuse the light to a soft glow. Art's family collection of Indian artifacts adds an earthy accent.

Currently an eight-foot pine harvest table dominates the room in front of the massive fireplace. At one time the Jones had a hide-a-bed sofa to accommodate a younger family but now they enjoy the guest house more as an entertainment room. The placement of the room between the two gardens provides a wonderful, easy flow of guests, and on Sunday afternoons music from the concerts in the park wafts into the patios.

The Hucks
Joanie Huck, having just arrived home from teaching a fitness class, explained as she led the way to the guest house that her two sons, Myles and Evan, had just arrived home from university for the summer. They and their friends would most likely be using the guest house, along with whatever other space they could commandeer. It was obvious that the guest house and pool area had provided a perfect venue for a welcome-home party the night before.

Bill and Joanie Huck's guest house, with an adjoining garage, was built in 1999 as part of a general revamp of the backyard. Using the design firm Caroline Murray ASID & Associates, they patterned the guest house after a cottage Murray had seen in France. The nine-inch-wide pecan floorboards mirror the pattern of the open-beam ceiling. A recessed alcove accommodates a French provincial daybed and an ornate, wooden billiard table stands in the middle of the 20- x 21-foot space. Plaster walls are textured to create an antique flavor in keeping with the French cottage theme.

The Hucks worked with Murray and landscape designer Gary Stone of Encinitas to create a backyard space that would be inviting and functional. They more than accomplished their goals.

A wrought-iron chandelier, designed by Murray, hangs from a branch of the jacaranda to light the patio area that fronts the guest house. A stone bench under an arbor trailing purple clematis provides a seating area from which to enjoy the large exterior fireplace.

The pool is faced with large slabs of blonde stone and the pool walls are painted a dark blue to simulate a natural pond in France. In addition to the jacaranda, olive trees line the pool and tall, stately cypress add to Old-World European ambience.

Three very handsome guest houses, each with its own personality and purpose, and all succeeding in extending the open arms of hospitality.