The Tunnicliffe home in the Westridge Estates may be new to the family of four, but the Spanish Colonial - though only completed in 2012 - conveys a sense of historic stability to guests and residents alike.

ABOVE The sport pool is good for laps and even better for splashing around with the kids. Each end is shallow, with the middle deep enough to show off your watery handstand skills. These oversize umbrellas are built sturdy enough to stand up to the s

Tom Tunnicliffe and his wife Loretta, along with daughters Roxanne, 10, and Gwen, 8, have called the grand estate "home" since 2014, but already they have made changes to improve the livability and function of their space, focusing much of the effort on the exterior. "It's a great outdoor space," says Tom Tunnicliffe. "We do a lot of entertaining and we wanted a lot of different seating areas that guests could spread out into different groupings. It feels like an extended family room!"

ABOVE The interior's look and feel extends to the exterior living space. The outdoor dining area, with a rustic wood ceiling, rock walls, lantern-like lighting and filtered light, is approachably luxurious. INSET The GG Collection is not only beautif

The family, guided by Loretta's design concepts, worked to stay within the architectural theme that complements the house while trying to create the sensation of "escape" that so many Southern California homeowners hope to achieve in their own outdoor spaces. "We're trying to create a comfortable environment that's luxurious but still accessible and approachable," says Tom. "We wanted it to have a comfortable elegance that isn't pretentious but has an obvious standard of quality; the goal was 'warm' and 'inviting' with a genuine feel to the space. We wanted it to feel like you can live there, be comfortable and enjoy yourself!"

ABOVE The comfortable courtyard is an ideal spot to sit and relax with a few friends. The deep-seated outdoor furniture offers a cozy place to sit while maintaining its beauty even the worst of weather. The grand gas firepit gets its sparkle thanks t

Elemental layers like magnolia trees, carpet and iceberg roses, box hedges and rambling pathways give a sense of permanence and serenity, while natural materials like Saltillo tile provide a calming addition. "We also were able to incorporate really comfortable, beautiful outdoor furniture from Oasis Garden & Patio. They were very helpful. And Hortencia from Bella Venezia provided many design concepts for the interior and exterior of our home. She didn't just sell us furniture; she was instrumental in many of our decisions," says the homeowner.