Style. Grace. Panache. Each month, Inside SCV Magazine features a local home that has all three qualities in spades. Choosing favorites is more than hard; it's near impossible. But after a round of intense debate (Who knew that some of us felt so strongly about chenille fabric?) we were able to reach a consensus. Let us know how we did at www.facebook.com/insidescvmagazine.

The Hubbard Home
You know you have come across a winning design when someone exclaims, "I want to kiss whoever created those built-ins!" Exquisite attention to detail (seed glass!) and a chic bookcasing effect make this pair pop.

Christened the "sit, read and stay awhile" settee, this cozy leather lady has style to spare. When comfort combines with timeless elegance, we swoon - so it's good to know that we have a soft place to land.

Get the Look
Nothing sets the tone for a room better than the visual and personal calm of Thomasville upholstered furnishings. Welcome the zest of life into your home with seductive shapes, fashionable colors, exquisite tailoring, tempting textures, delicious fabrics and soul-soothing comfort. Explore Douglas Furniture's rich assortment of seating styles, fabrics and helpful advice. Discover easy-to-navigate solutions that inspire the living, entertaining and relaxing you've always dreamed of. Douglas Furniture is located in Newhall; 255-8366


The Marino Home
Modern and pristine, this kitchen is what our kitchens only wish they could be. A unique take for Santa Clarita, this space proves that there's a place for clean, simple lines in the 661.
We love that a collection of books can be emancipated from a library shelf (or dusty storage box) and used in a way that honors both architectural style and the tomes' previous owners.


The Smight Home
Texture and color collide in our favorite outdoor space. Here we learned that "matching" doesn't count for much when you're creating a casual, energetic place to connect with friends and nature. This home gets props for reminding us that if we just choose what we love, the look will come together beautifully.


The Miles Home
We're still little girls at heart, which is why we covet this dreamy pink and perfect bedroom.

Doing homework at the kitchen table seems quaint - until you realize that it takes less time to cook dinner than it takes to conquer Algebra II. An in-home classroom makes a clear statement: In this house, learning is a priority.


The Hackelton Home
No one wants to live in a museum, but a home filled with lived-in antiques that radiate the warmth and relevance of days gone by? That's something to aspire to. We love this place because around each corner we find more than gorgeous furnishings; we stumble upon a history lesson.

This home displays a truism oft forgotten: In a big house, have big furniture. Statement pieces abound in the form of a floor-to-ceiling mirror and more grand armoires than we were able to count.


The Speer Home
We've snuck a drink or two in our day, but we never thought to devote an entire subfloor to the activity. This below-ground wine cellar and lounge isn't just the most clever thing you've ever seen, it might also be the most comfortable. Thanks to heating elements imbedded in the ground, the room stays "toast"y. (Now who's clever!?)

Don't get us wrong - we really like to cook. But if our kitchen looked anything like this kitchen, we'd never leave. Ever. And if we hypothetically had to leave (Say, to have a glass of wine in the basement...), we'd take one of those copper pots with us.

And onto 2011!
The New Year's Home Improvement Trends
Interior decorative paints will be colorful hues like deep reds, purples, vivid blues, greens, pigment-infused pastels like baby blues and pinks, earthy golds, plum, green moss and clays. Pair energetic colors next to neutral hues.

Environmentally-friendly floorings like cork, bamboo and travertine tile will be beneath our feet more often in the coming year.

Replacing single pane windows with more energy-efficient ones will be the best choice for home-improvement savings.

Task lighting or sight-specific lighting using LED lights and artistic sculptured lighting will brighten homes.

"Green," environmentally- and energy-efficient kitchens will become the most popular home improvement, with brickwork counter tops the fastest-growing style for kitchens.

Turn to Just SCV's Best to find a highly-reputable contractor for all of your home improvement needs; www.justscvsbest.com