A Mediterranean Retreat

Square Footage: 7,600 sq feet
Number of Bedrooms: 5
Number of Bathrooms: 7
Year Built: 1995

Picture yourself on an extravagant vacation in southern Europe, venturing and exploring through the Tuscan coast along central Italy.  Think about the ageless remains of a region seemingly frozen in time for over 500 years, embellished with Renaissance artwork and architecture reflecting a popular fascination with science, social interaction, and humanistic beauty.  The unique essence and atmosphere of this Mediterranean region is the only one of it’s kind in the world with no other places in comparison.  However, atop the hills of Rolling Ridge Drive in Saugus, there is a home that comes close.  Joe and Anita Gage have been Santa Clarita residents for 21 years, making a home that is their idea of a two-acre, Mediterranean retreat.
Upon arrival, a long, winding driveway decorated with varying shades of brown and beige stones leads visitors to a grand, panoramic entrance complete with a weathered, theme fitting fountain and palm trees serving as a center point on top of the trail.  With a plastered-looking exterior and large, arched windows spanning the entire width, the home’s rustic look, similar to those of historical Italian landmarks, serves as a foreshadowing element for what is to come inside.

After crossing the threshold through the geometrically intricate, glass, double doors, a homage to classical Renaissance masters like Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rafael manifests itself, welcoming visitors into less of a house and more of a snapshot capturing sixteenth century Italy during the height of the Renaissance.  The Gages explained that they hired a muralist to let his imagination and creativity roam, decorating varying walls and rooms throughout the house.
Located across the entryway, the formal dining room sits with murals of cherubs whimsically floating across the ceiling with a mothering figure reaching up toward them.  Anita Gage commented that each cherub was hand picked by each of their children to represent them and their respective personalities, giving a more sentimental and personal tone to the overall atmosphere of the room.
Across the hallway, the formal living area sits with a nautical theme adorning every corner of the room.  Along the furthest wall, a large fish tank stands in between a series of cabinets and shelves with tropical pieces filling throughout.  However, the centerpiece of the room is actually the large family mural located next to the fish tank.  The Gages stated that this Mediterranean themed painting depicts the family in traditional dress with Joe and Anita standing below the five children, implying that they were in their thoughts.
Traveling into the master bedroom, one can’t help but notice the ceiling painted and textured to recreate marble and the walls layered with a Venetian plaster effect, giving a sense of astonishment to visitors.  Embellished with granite, lined with walls inclusive of the Venetian plaster look, and murals modeled after the basement of the Vatican, the master bathroom is fit for a luxury spa.  In addition, this room also includes a retreat, a built in gym and sauna which are in no way to be considered an afterthought!
Into the kitchen, cabinets of coffee stained maple and granite countertops juxtapose stainless steel appliances above a tiled floor.  This modern kitchen is ideal for all sorts of gatherings and hosting.  Adjacent to the kitchen is the living room, fully equipped with a pool table, bar, and entertainment center.  Varying shades of purples and browns color the contents of this room, serving as a central hub for family togetherness.
Once outside, visitors can pretty much pick what kind of activity they’re in the mood for because this place has four different levels of outdoor space full of lush greenery!  On the first level is a resort style, pebble-tec pool with two spas and a water slide.  Follow the Arizona flagstone path and make your way down to the second level, and you’ll notice a relaxing area with a fire pit and cabana, perfect for warm summer nights.  Go down another level and there is a full tennis court and a putting green on the next.  With so much packed into this space, it’s amazing that it was all done in just about nine months!

The Gages have called this place their home for 20 years, making it their own Mediterranean retreat along the way.