Welcome Home…

Imagine yourself cruising down Highway 14 on a hot summer day.  The radio is on, the air conditioner is blasting, and it’s nothing but you, your car, and then open road traveling through the California desert ahead.  You begin to pass green exit signs for places like Placerita Canyon, Golden Valley Road, and Via Princessa.  Before you know it, you’ve driven right through our hometown, Santa Clarita Valley, and begin to venture north toward the great beyond.  You look to your left and to your right, noticing there is nothing but miles of sand and brush as far as the eye can see.  Then, intricate rock formations begin to present themselves as you venture deeper into the chaparral region.  Like giant clay moldings placed by some divine being, these rocks lead you to a less-traveled place named Acton – an area that looks no different than any other desert community.
However, it is here that you notice something looks like it doesn’t belong.  Amidst the modest setting of medium-sized homes and shopping centers is a single road, gated off from the rest of the residential area.  After deciding to take this path, a crown jewel in the middle of the desert appears, surrounded by rocky textures of tan and beige.  A four bedroom, four bathroom estate, this custom built home, product of John Greppin Construction, stands tall in a 5,500 square foot property.  For a little over a year, the McClendon’s have called this place their dream home, adding their own personal touch to the interior.  Furnished in a classic, traditional fashion, the McClendon’s home is full of Provencial furniture, imported all the way from Italy!  Complete with a modernized kitchen, a room just for the dogs, a recreation room with antique video games, a pool table, and a bar, this place has everything an entertainer would need with the comfort of a cozy place to return after a long, tiring day at work.

When you walk in you’ll notice a central hallway that ties the whole house together.  Immediately to the right, a formal dining room is elegantly placed, esthetically appealing to the eye.  Classical furniture embellished with beautiful woodcarvings full of round edges and accented with curving patterns decorate the room.  Accompanied by an ornamented chandelier, the formal dining room looks fit to serve a large family for the holidays or a group of friends for a private soiree.  Across from this is a formal living room, which includes a fireplace, a whimsical carousel horse and imperial-looking furniture with contrasting dark and light colors.

Making your way down the hall, you’d better brace yourself for what’s in store in this home’s kitchen.  Alder cabinets lining the perimeter, exotic granite sitting on top, travertine tile accenting the walls, Viking appliances shining in the sun, and a copper sink, this kitchen is more than you’d see in an average, model-home.  In the middle of the kitchen is a central island that is undoubtedly one of the largest you will ever see.  Despite all the eye-opening decoration, the softer, beige tones of everything give this room a warm, cozy feeling.

Next, you’ll want to take a peak at what’s inside the, family favorite, game room.  Laura McClendon states, “This is my personal favorite room.  We get to spend a lot of time with family in here playing games and snacking on appetizers.”  Nothing short of the perfect “man-cave”, the game room is complete with a bar, fireplace, television, slot machine, pool table, antique video games, and neon signs perfect for setting the mood to any fun-filled evening.

Making your way down the hall, you’ll find two peculiarly interesting rooms in this home.  On one side, there is an exercise room with a near full in-home gym and on the other, a half door serving as the entrance to a room designated specifically for the owners’ dogs!

Finally, at the end of the hall, you will reach the master bedroom equipped with a fireplace and full of royal furniture that matches with the rest of the home.  The wood carvings show detailed, intricately sculpted engravings that give each piece a sense of elegance.  Take a step into the marvelous bathroom and you’ll find a place full of Italian porcelain that is a fitting compliment to the extravagance of the furniture located a few paces away.
Even though it was only built a little over a year ago, this desert oasis really gives you the sense of home you’d get from somewhere that’s been around for a much longer time.