A Vision of Beauty – Local homeowners craft an extraordinary home with a blend of history and contemporary design

It requires great skill and vision to create a space that feels like a home and an escape in the same moment, but the Myers have done just that in their Sand Canyon Tudor-style home, which sits grandly atop a hill surrounded by luscious greenery and astounding views of the Angeles National Forrest.  Since purchasing their house in December 2009, the Myers have remodeled just about every room, surface and exterior living space – one project at a time – while still maintaining the original structure of the home.

“The previous owner didn’t do much to the home, so we brought it back to life when we moved in, adding features that complemented the architect’s vision and design,” the homeowner said.  “We’ve put a lot of work into this house over the years, to make it feel like ours.”
All windows, except the original beveled glass ones, have been updated; glass doors and windows also were added to bring more of the surrounding greenery and soft, natural light into the downstairs living spaces.  All of the walls have been repainted, and many display hand-painted murals by local painter Darlene Marcos of Marcos Murals.  The oak flooring that runs throughout most of the home was hand-scraped and refinished to complement the darker tones of the wood beaming, and the rest of the oak also was stained and painted in each room to create a cohesive color palette.  For room-by-room remodeling jobs, the homeowners enlisted the help of Randal G. Winter Construction Inc.
“The darker tones really updated the feel of the home, while still maintaining the look and structure of the original architect,” the homeowner said.
While the homeowners have redone many of the home’s surfaces, they’ve maintained the builder’s signature characteristics.  William Cloyd, a Santa Clarita resident, built many of the homes in Sand Canyon, including this home, which he built for his sister.  Cloyd’s Sand Canyon homes are typically marked by Tudor-esque exteriors, high ceilings, exposed wood beaming, textured plaster and beveled glass windows.  The overall effect creates somewhat of a fairytale feel as guests grace the landing the this home.
From the front door, guests can look out among the green lawn, aged oaks and stone walkways that carry guests back down the hill.  An antique single horse carriage recovered from the late 1800s sits among a rose garden in the front yard, setting the tone for the home’s unique blend of history and modern design.
Once inside the home, guests are immediately greeted by gorgeous A-frame ceilings, exposed beamwork, a rich dark wood staircase and the formal living room to the left.  In the living room, the standout marble fireplace and stained wood entertainment center quickly becomes the focal point, complemented by ornate lighting such as a high-hanging chandelier, pendant lights and sconces.  A large beveled glass window overlooks the front yard, making for a stunning sitting area.
Further into the house, the formal dining room features a dazzling chandelier, marble-top built-in china display cabinet with a mirror backsplash and dark wood cabinetry with glass doors.  For relaxed entertaining, the game room provides a red velvet pool table, built-in full bar nook and flat screen TV.  Hand-painted wall details, framed jerseys and open beaming give the room a fun yet sophisticated game room feel.  Right next door, the family room also invites guests to enjoy the comforts of the home.  A brick fire place and wooden mantle lend a welcoming sophistication to the room, complemented by two chandeliers.
Built for entertaining, the stunning kitchen features a granite island with built-in cabinetry and shelving.  Framing the stove are two distressed brick columns that add charm and warmth to the room.  An informal dining area sits adjacent to the kitchen and leads out to the pool area through a glass door, framed by two floor-to-ceiling custom windows.  An intricate Tuscan-themed mural by Marcos Murals completes the overall look of the room.
Upstairs, the master bedroom is separated from the others by a private staircase entry.  The master features hand-painted walls with custom faux finishing, along with a grand sitting area that’s warmed by the fireplace.  The balcony off the bedroom overlooks the backyard with views of the pool and natural landscape, while the sitting room overlooks the giant oaks that stand watch in the front yard, giving the room a nearly 360-degree view of the property.  The master bath is made for luxury, with a steam shower and stunning stand-alone tub, which was added during one of the remodels.  Through a secret door in the walk-in closet, the homeowners can access their children’s rooms and the rest of the upstairs.  The daughters bedrooms are connected by a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, which was added as part of a remodel.  With as much space as the homeowners have to enjoy inside, their outdoor living spaces provide just as much relaxation and functionality.            “We have a lot of steep surfaces, and when we moved in, the entire front yard was covered in overgrown foliage,” the homeowner explained.  “But we wanted to utilize all the spaces on our property.”
From the front door, guests can follow the paths down to a terraced fruit orchard and hillside vineyard on the left, and to the right, a stone waterfall flows into a creek that cascades down the property, though it’s currently dry from the drought.  The orchard bears two kinds of plums, peaches, apples and more, while the vineyard produces 175 vines of syrah and cabernet grapes.  Though the homeowners make their own wine, the small batches produce just enough to share with family and friends.   Above the orchard, a putting green and custom-built wine cellar make for the perfect outdoor entertaining space.  The climate controlled 500-bottle cellar is made of barn wood and includes a private tasting space perfectly designed for a cozy chat over a full glass of wine.
More fun awaits in the backyard.  A full, covered outdoor kitchen and built-in barbecue makes entertaining a breeze as guests enjoy snacks at the stacked-stone bar.  The recently resurfaced pool is within view, featuring an enlarged Jacuzzi and outdoor fireplace.  If guests look closely, they may be able to spot tiles from the former pool design, which have been integrated into the outdoor kitchen’s mosaic backsplash.  Coming full circle, the sides of the house feature lovely sitting areas, decorated to be as comfortable and welcoming as any indoor space could hope to be.
For more décor ideas like the ones featured in this home, please visit Ma Maison and Gift, located at 24261 ½ Main Street in Newhall.

photos by Joie de Vivre photographie

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