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YOUR HOME - INSIDE SCV HOMES
The "old Newhall" home of Jeannie and Chris Carpenter is a delicate blend of history and modernity, family and community. "We did all of the decorating ourselves," says Jeannie Carpenter, who describes her house as "old-school California." "A lot of the things here are hand-me-down pieces that Chris's grandfather crafted; a lot of others, I picked up from the Assistance League thrift store in Old Town Newhall. And some of it's new! But not much," laughs the committed SCV non-profit volunteer.
The structure of this outdoor room was designed to add visual weight and interest to the plain rear facade of the home. The result? A simply-stunning space that is welcoming, warm and an all-seasons escape from life's hustle and bustle.
If you have ever dreamed of a home that is "perfectly yours," you know that striking the ideal balance between budget, style preferences, space limitations, utility needs and more can be quite the trial. It's often harder than it looks! But don't get discouraged. Take your home-improvement project one room (One corner, even!) at a time. Find something you love for another space? Grab it - and then stash it! The goal is to make your transformation one that is manageable and... fun!
The Westridge estate belonging to Don and Cheri Fleming is a study in detail. The immaculate interior wows, but this time of year the yard is the star. "So much of what we love about this home can be found outside," says Cheri. "These are the places our beautiful grandchildren play, where we relax with friends, where we entertain for the charities we support."
What we love about this Placerita Canyon farmhouse.
This 4,000-square-foot Southern Oaks home has five bedrooms, five baths - and no shortage of "wow worthy" accents, thanks to a local designer.
The brand-new Southern Oaks home of Preston, Nicole, Madelyn and Hayden Geeting was first introduced to the family via blueprints. "It was perfect. I was so drawn to the open plan! I wanted something that was fresh and bright, welcoming and able to accommodate lots of entertaining. We can have a lot of kids running around, big dogs - a standard poodle and great dane - and never feel cramped," says Nicole Geeting.
With the help of talented designer Tracey McKee of McKee & Company, this exquisite estate went from "Country French" to a lighter, brighter European escape. "She got rid of the red and green florals; the plaids; the oak finishes and revitalized the space with classic shades of ivory and blue. Our home now feels like a breath of fresh air! It's comfortable, stylish and meets our every need," says the homeowner.
The stunning home belonging to Jim and Karen Reilly may look luxurious, but don't let that intimidate you. This is a place where rowdy kids have gathered, dogs have roamed and feet have always been invited "up." "I'm a mom of boys, I'm outnumbered!" jokes Karen Reilly. "They never cared what I did to the house and they don't mind the 'pretty.' I'm given a lot of free reign but my goal has always been to create a space that is comfortable and relaxing. You don't have to worry about breaking anything here. It's homey and cozy," says the military mom.
It's our favorite time of year - holiday decor time! - and we're eager to deck the halls with the help of Henry Mayo's Holiday Home Tour. Each festive season, we look forward to getting an up-close look at Santa Clarita's finest homes, all dressed up for celebration! Here we take a look back at two old favorites as we eagerly await the opportunity to explore this year's most fabulously appointed houses on the annual tour.
When one hears the word "eclectic" in reference to interior design, most immediately presume that the result will be a smorgasbord of upcycled thrift-store finds and bold colors. In the case of this Westridge home, however, it translates visually to a collection of rich textures, surprising accents and handmade intentions.
When life gives you lemons, turn them into lemonade - or, in the case of Scott Zimmerman's Stevenson Ranch house, turn a recent life change into an opportunity to remodel your home into a more accurate reflection of who you are. "With the help of Jen Brown from Surfaces SCV Design Center and Kathy Goldstein of Suburban Chateau, my house was 'lightened up' and made more masculine," says Zimmerman.
In 2009, Inside SCV Magazine featured Jim and Maya Carr's Woodlands home interior. (Search "House of Carrs" for that story and accompanying photographs on www.insidescv.com.). The expansive space was a reader favorite, with many writing in to share their love of the home's Spanish tile, brickwork, arches, wood beams and built-ins.
Mark and Jenifer Felan's home in Valencia's Vista Ridge is where dreams were fulfilled - and new ones sown. The couple put their heart and soul into turning the house into a sanctuary for their children, family and friends and then, when the last nail was pounded in and the dust had truly settled, Jenifer set her sights on the pair's next project. "Opening Organic Sweat Shack was a leap of faith," says the certified organic health practitioner. "We put our trust in God. It became clear very quickly that my passion to help people heal and recover their health is my calling - and I get to express that through the Shack. It has been an incredible journey."
This Valencia yard is big on entertainment, if not huge in square footage. "But by Valencia standards, we have a large yard," says the homeowner. "We have a lot of space to entertain, enough room for a pool, areas to lay out, throw a ball. It's really a family-friendly party yard," she says of her English-styled space.
Chances are, there's not a single home in Stevenson Ranch that resembles the Young family's Southern Oaks space - and that's just how homeowners Heather and Brad like it.
The custom Country French home sits proudly among its peers in the Westridge Estates, infusing the community with a sense of timeless permanence thanks to its stone-flanked facade, Old European rock walls and dramatic entry.
Steve and Mendy Cruse's home in Westridge is the "fun" house on the street, especially during the summer. The enviable title was earned thanks to the family's expansive, coastal-themed yard, which is complete with a sandy bank, rockslide lagoon-shaded pool, slotted pergola, comfortable outdoor furniture and more.
In the early '80s, the landscape of the town called Valencia was rapidly changing. In the onion fields near McBean Parkway, a little suburb called "The Bungalows" was taking shape. Cape Cod houses with welcoming porches in colors of pastel blue, green and yellow were springing up.
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