Studded Spanish cowhide-covered dining chairs combine rustic texture with dramatic height in the formal dining room.

Most would find the task of personalizing 3,700 square feet of living space daunting, but for Mike and Tiffany Smith, it's anything but. Their home, located in the Enclaves, has evolved from a tract home into a custom creation over the last decade. "It's been a work in progress, but we've enjoyed it," says Mike Smith. "Your house is a reflection of you; you live there. The effort is worth it," he continues.
The couple, both drawn to medieval style, appreciate the intricate details of the period, as well as the darker color palate. Still, they have been open to surprising accents, like a brightly-lit custom saltwater tank in the family room. "The space was meant to be used as firewood storage," says Smith. The otherwise neutral, deeply-toned space does not detract from the intense color of the tropically-hued tank.

The rich chocolate-brown sofa, ottoman and chair, selected from Ambience Furniture, are a gorgeous contrast to neutrally-toned 20-foot walls.

The two-story house, filled with impressive imports (the 8-foot doors from India that now grace the stairway required nine installers to safely suspend them 15 feet above) and local touches (furniture and accents were selected from SCV-based companies like Ambience Furniture) is also home to Tiffany's and Mike's four
children.