Elegance on the Ranch – Refined design meets equestrian themes in this Placerita Canyon gem

Like walking into a private hillside retreat, the home of Rob and Laura Hall expertly blends refined interiors and ranch-style exteriors in this meticulously and stunningly decorated Placerita Canyon home.  Mastering the art of décor, Laura is an interior decorator who has made her own home her greatest masterpiece.  With a passion for gardening that rivals her eye for design, every inch of the Hall property is delightfully inviting and refreshingly beautiful.
As the third owners of this 1993 Amelia Lane home, the Halls moved from Valencia in 2003 to enjoy a rural lifestyle and have space for their two miniature ponies, Poncho and Pearl.  Even before they moved in, however, Laura began a 12-year process of remodeling that still isn’t finished; room by room Laura has slowly seen her vision come alive.
A single story, the home is designed around a beautifully landscaped center courtyard in the backyard, which creates a u-shaped layout.  Welcoming red doors invite guests into the entry hall with dramatic 15-foot ceilings, from which the bedrooms stand on the left and the family living spaces stand to the right.
Straight ahead, the spacious formal living room sets the style for the rest of the home, mixing both old and new to create a space that ties family history together with updated design.  An ancient Chinese artwork, dating back more than 800 years, hangs above the stone fireplace and acts as the room’s focal point.  Throughout the home, much of the art and furniture pieces are Hall family antiques or heirlooms; some were even used in the late 1800s before the family left Minnesota for California.
To the right, their elegant dining room has hosted many family gatherings and gourmet dinners with friends.  Against the wall, a glass and iron table is made from a 17th Century iron window grill from France.  In addition to antiques, many pieces have come to the Hall home as a result of family travels, such as the hand-woven Turkish rug. The first and largest remodel, the kitchen reflects Laura’s passion for cooking, which began when the Halls joined a Gourmet Group that continued for 25 years.  Framed by extensive custom cabinetry and stained with a glaze finish, the doors and drawers hold every kitchen gadget and platter for cooking, baking and entertaining.  Family congregates around the counter and kitchen table, taking in the beautiful natural light that flows in from wide, bare glass windows.
Past the kitchen, the warm and inviting family room is a more recent remodel, featuring updated wood floors and a stacked stone fireplace wall in a cream split travertine and wood mantel.  As suggested by the room’s namesake, much of the family’s memories and traditional decorations are enjoyed in this room.  Though there’s a TV in the family room, much of the family’s entertainment is enjoyed in the theatre, adjacent to the family room.

Originally the garage, the theatre has been converted and remodeled a couple times before arriving on this family favorite.  Two rows of leather recliners, including loveseat recliners, are topped by argyle blankets and flanked by cabinets, maintaining the room’s original functionality.  Three movies posters, which are regularly switched out to reflect in-theatre films, line the back wall.  Candies in glass jars fill a concession-stand style counter at the room’s entryway.  Lighting and sound is all designed for top-notch movie enjoyment.
Across the house, the three children’s bedrooms are decorated to reflect their interests and personalities.  The youngest, Haylee’s room demonstrates her equestrian roots with portraits of her horses, Gwen and Gatsby, hanging above the nightstands.  With a very young, feminine look, Haylee’s room has been used several times in movies, TV shows and videos.  Sharing her passion for horses, the oldest Hall daughter, Taylor, hung an oil painting of a horse and foal, which was a given to her as a gift.  Trevor’s room inspires a relaxed, beach feel with a surfboard on the wall.  Hart High School memorabilia is kept safe on a shuttered wall, and a cabinet holds treasures from travels and adventures.

In the back of the house, the master bedroom opens up to the tranquil backyard courtyard through a set of French doors, bringing the relaxing feeling of nature inside.  The master has several family heirlooms, including a second piece of ancient Chinese art that is so fragile it can’t be moved, as well as a gooseneck rocker and other pieces passed down through the family.  In the bathroom, a large white stand-alone tub is the focal point, framed by a large window that floods the room with sunlight and overlooks the backyard and surrounding greenery.

Once in the backyard, the family enjoys a wide-open grassy area and lounge area complete with a barbecue and putting green.  A pool with a large beach entrance makes for an excellent place to enjoy the summer.                    The highlight of the tour, however, is the side yard, framed by a lush raised garden – and two miniature ponies named Poncho and Pearl.  A true ranch home, this beautiful sprawling property is a gem in Placertia Canyon.

photos by Joie de Vivre Photographie

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