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YOUR HOME   -   INSIDE SCV HOMES
Escape to Saugus
July, 2008 - Issue #45
Many an evening is spent relaxing atop the outdoor furniture purchased from Oasis Garden & Patio. An iron cross, purchased from the San Fernando mission, represents the location in which the couple was married. A vase, selected from The Decor Store,
Many an evening is spent relaxing atop the outdoor furniture purchased from Oasis Garden & Patio. An iron cross, purchased from the San Fernando mission, represents the location in which the couple was married. A vase, selected from The Decor Store,
Truly relaxing resort communities are not easy to come by. Regionally, SCVians must travel to Santa Barbara or San Diego to experience the sense of nirvana that comes so naturally to places boasting an ocean breeze, seaside soaks and gorgeous views. It was surprising, then, to find the same qualities in, of all places, Saugus.

But the lucky visitors (and there are many) of the Talbot home will tell you that the over 10,000-square-foot backyard lot is everything you'd wish in a vacation destination and more. Complete with a fireplace-enhanced outdoor living room; beach-entry and umbrella-studded pool; professional-grade outdoor kitchen; collaboratively-designed landscape; numerous enclaves in which to experience a view of the city; and hosts who love to throw great parties, this is a special place indeed.

"We love to entertain," says Frances Talbot. "We have a huge family and we have been blessed with lots of great friends."

The Outdoor Living Area
A flagstone-encrusted fireplace sits center-stage in what might be the most-used room on the property. "We eat here just about every night," says Talbot. They also use the space for intimate dinners. By drawing the curtains and turning on the two heaters purchased especially for this purpose, heat can be "trapped" - and chilly elements are kept at bay. "It could be raining, but we'll stay warm and dry," says the homeowner.

Darkly-shaded scroll work, combined with rust-colored weather-resistant fabric coverings, suggest a Mediterranean theme. The patio set was purchased from Oasis Garden & Patio.
Darkly-shaded scroll work, combined with rust-colored weather-resistant fabric coverings, suggest a Mediterranean theme. The patio set was purchased from Oasis Garden & Patio.
The curtains also play a vital role in keeping the house cool during the summer. Besides acting as a visual "softener" in contrast to the surrounding hardscape, the heavy fabric prevents the harsh Santa Clarita sun from beating down into the home during daylight hours.

The darkly-stained wood overhang hints to the interior home design. A custom combination of several stains inspired by the house's interior decor was used to create the rich chocolate- and red-tinged shade. The effort was worth it; since the interior and exterior of the home physically are very much a part of each other, the duplicative use of color helps the space blend together seamlessly. Durably-comfortable, trend-setting furniture and seating selected from Oasis Garden & Patio also help ensure that the transition is smooth.

The Pool
Hundreds of guests have splashed around in the Talbot pool, and for the homeowners, that's considered "mission accomplished." The beach-sloped entry allows for plenty of room for the smaller set to safely play under the protection of oversized patio umbrellas. But the 10-inch-deep space can also double as party central. "My husband has speakers hooked up from the inside of the house to the backyard. We've had a fantastic time using the space as a dance floor. It's been great for kids and adults, who can lounge there, relax and stay cool - out of the sun," says Talbot.

The hot tub located at the edge of the waterscape was also planned with the needs of others in mind. "My husband, Cary requested that the seats be made to accommodate both men and women of different heights. People have torsos of different lengths, and it was important that everyone was comfortable. This way, everyone can enjoy the view, too," she says.

A mildly-sloped beach entry, created with both children and adults in mind, is dotted with umbrellas.
A mildly-sloped beach entry, created with both children and adults in mind, is dotted with umbrellas.
The Softscape
It's obvious that the lush landscape found in the Talbot's yard was created for a homeowner like Frances, who loves to garden. Designed in collaboration with Chad Curtis of Landscape Pros, the result is a park-like feel that changes based on the season. In the summer, the look is dominated by cool-toned flowers. In winter, warmly-shaded plants are selected to convey a Mediterranean feel.

"When we were discussing our remodel, I wanted to make sure that we kept enough grass. I still wanted lots of plants, because I like taking flowers inside," says Talbot. She also was hoping for a way to commemorate her mother, who recently passed away. "I mentioned to Chad that I would like to see some birds of paradise in honor of my mom. He surprised me by planting a small forest of them in the front yard. We obviously worked together very well. I told him what we liked, and he modified it; then we implemented the result. We had really high expectations. It has been an absolutely positive experience," she reflects.

Favorite Places
According to Frances, there are six distinct sitting areas in the backyard, each with its own feel and view. Perhaps the most remarkable, though, is the flagstone U-shaped seating area. "When the sun sets and the wind picks up, it's like nothing else. The view is lovely," she says.

But when it comes to treasured alone-time, there's nowhere she'd rather be than the lounge area, opposite the hot tub. "When you're there, you can experience the different colors of the pool, view the city, take in the twinkling lights and enjoy a glass of wine," she explains.

Friends and family have had plenty of opportunities to choose their own favorite places, too. In the month of December, not even 30 days after their backyard remodel was completed, the couple hosted 11 events. The yard has played a supporting role in numerous birthday parties (her sister's festivities recently drew 135 guests), showers, an anniversary party and Fourth of July festivities.

The Talbot home is a popular destination, to be sure. "My son, Bobby, says he'll never move back; that way, he'll always have a resort to come to," says Talbot. Their daughter, Venessa, who, like her brother, still calls Santa Clarita home, is also a fan.
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