The Maybelline Story
Room IV · The Family Wing

AFTER THE LAGUNA BEACH FIRE THE REBUILDING PROCESS BEGINS.

By Sharrie Williams · Written February 2025 · 2 min read

The excitement, frustration, anticipation, fear and finally…..the joy of building my house from the ground up.

AFTER THE LAGUNA BEACH FIRE THE REBUILDING PROCESS BEGINS.
A year and a half after the fire my lot was cleared and prepared for building process to begin.
AFTER THE LAGUNA BEACH FIRE THE REBUILDING PROCESS BEGINS.

My dad Bill Williams, ( here with his wife Gloria,) worked with Architect Bruce Spielbuehler, to design our new Mediterranean, Art Deco home.

AFTER THE LAGUNA BEACH FIRE THE REBUILDING PROCESS BEGINS.
Georgia stands on the cleared lot. The view is spectacular, but our neighbor’s Mark and Barbara’s house will eventually be rebuilt across the street. 
AFTER THE LAGUNA BEACH FIRE THE REBUILDING PROCESS BEGINS.
My dad visits the site everyday. Acting as Boss he makes sure every detail in the blueprints are properly addressed and fires subcontractors he doesn’t think are doing their job. I could never have done this alone.
AFTER THE LAGUNA BEACH FIRE THE REBUILDING PROCESS BEGINS.

The hill had to be pushed back five feet and major retaining walls built before the first floor could go up.

AFTER THE LAGUNA BEACH FIRE THE REBUILDING PROCESS BEGINS.
Gloria directs traffic as nonstop trucks go up and down the hill. The narrow street made It nearly impossible to squeeze enough space for trucks to stop and deliver wood, dirt etc.
AFTER THE LAGUNA BEACH FIRE THE REBUILDING PROCESS BEGINS.
My dad and Gloria see the vision of his imagination
unfolding like magic before their eyes.
AFTER THE LAGUNA BEACH FIRE THE REBUILDING PROCESS BEGINS.

My full time job as owner/Builder was being at the site everyday working with the Builder, Architect and my Dad….. I put in eight hour days answering questions, picking out tile, paint, appliances and writing checks from the insurance money. 

AFTER THE LAGUNA BEACH FIRE THE REBUILDING PROCESS BEGINS.

The garage walls go up and I can’t help think the safe that was in the floor holding my Baby diamond ring. How could it have survived the firestorm? 

AFTER THE LAGUNA BEACH FIRE THE REBUILDING PROCESS BEGINS.

My Architect Bruce Spielbuehler and Builder Randy Smith, check the blueprints after the house was framed.

AFTER THE LAGUNA BEACH FIRE THE REBUILDING PROCESS BEGINS.
Even my brother Preston, helped a great deal, doing all the wiring for the stereo and surround sound.
AFTER THE LAGUNA BEACH FIRE THE REBUILDING PROCESS BEGINS.
Finally the most exciting moment came when my dad and I climbed the stairs to the second story and stood in my new bedroom overlooking the ocean. Maybe I wasn’t able to write my book yet, but the dream of having a second story on my home came true for me.


To be continued tomorrow.

To see the whole series I did on the Laguna Beach Fire please check under archives. 

Coming soon · Next from Sharrie Williams

Maybe She’s Born With It

The next chapter of the Maybelline family story. Get a text the day it’s out.

Where it began: The Maybelline Story — Amazon · Ebook · Signed copy

© 2026 Sharrie Williams · All photographs from the Williams family archive