Miniature embroidered palm trees, resting motionless on a comfortable chair, delicately hint that the formal living room also has a more relaxed, tropical side. Arte Italica serving pieces from La Via Bella accent the dining room table perfectly.

"Mediterranean" is a frequent word too-often deployed when describing newer SCV homes. But a tiled roof and stucco'ed exterior does not a Mediterranean home make.

However, in the case of Dennis and Nicole Sterndahl's expansive 5,600 square-foot-home (and pool house), the word is used in the most authentic of manners. At first glance, the custom-built edifice seemingly belongs on another continent entirely - except that its desert-shaded color palate and open layout also make it ideal for this mountainous side of Santa Clarita.

Yes, the house could easily lay claim to dual citizenship - but like any immigrant, its roots are still deeply embedded in the homeland. Hand-troweled plaster covers the outside of the home, while gently-curved archways define the interior's architectural inspiration. The formal entrance boasts a turreted stairwell that can clearly be seen from outside the place; its height is made more magnificent when contrasted with the low profile of the clay roof tiles. The formal living room lays claim to a floor-to-ceiling fireplace surrounded in stone slate, making it the focal point of the gathering place. And, like any good Mediterranean space, the Sterndahl's interior contains numerous murals and other painted accents - a tip of the hat to the culture's penchant for incorporating art into everyday living.

The heavy use of lightly-stained maple, reflected in the shiny stainless steel appliances, gives the gourmet kitchen a warm aura. The tropical fruit tray was selected from Ma Maison.

And there is a lot of "living" in the Sterndahl home. After all, there are three young children who reside here, as well. Dane, Lance and Teya range in age from 7 to 4 and eagerly take advantage of the home's many accommodations. Nicole, in typical mom fashion, even designed the kitchen to better serve the needs of her kids. "We made sure that the sink and the stove were set up by the window facing the backyard, so that I could always keep an eye on them, even when I was making dinner or working in the kitchen," she says. The space's convenient bar seating also comes in handy when it's time for a quick snack. The family's game room is also child friendly, with relaxed seating areas and a pool table.

The couple's four-poster bed is surrounded by Nicole Sterndahl's favorite paint color: "near summer." Exquisite Bella Notte Linens from Emma's Nest give the space a feeling of tranquility.

The home's neutral - but warm - color palate continues the theme of relaxation. "Our previous home was entirely white. Everything was white! In this house, these neutral shades were colors to us. We had to get our feet wet," says Nicole Sterndahl. But besides providing a color primer to the couple, the palate - with its soft tan carpeting and candlelight-shaded paint selection - has also allowed substantial flexibility when it comes to decor.

"I change furniture and accessories a lot," says Sterndahl. "The palate is really comfortable and feels good, and it works so well when we have ended up redoing a room."

She hopes the next residents also find the color selection pleasing. Because of a business relocation, the Sterndahl family must relocate outside of Los Angeles county. Thus, they must leave their authentic Mediterranean home behind for different - not greener - pastures. At time of print, the home was still listed for sale.