Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/13061
JULY 2010 HEALTH & HAPPINESS 38 Many people return from vacations with artifacts to remind them of their journeys, but Lonny and Marji Eggleston's love of the Southwestern motif found in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is more than just a painting hanging above a mantel. The Egglestons' 3,600-square-foot Lakewood abode incorporates the colors, textures and ambiance found in Southwestern-themed art. Items such as kachina dolls, dyed Navajo rugs and drums from the Taos Drum Factory are merely a few of the items that punctuate a family room that transports visitors to another region of the country. This style, the Egglestons say, began unintentionally but grew once the couple realized the aesthetic was a perfect match their California ranch home. "It originated with all of our trips to Santa Fe," Lonny said. "Every time we would go there, we would love all the artwork and the furniture. We just love that particular style." Marji added, "We both like the rustic look, and it was a good marriage for the house. It's a compilation of things we really like." Built circa 1954 by an electrical engineer, the Egglestons are the third owners of their home, but the first to make any significant changes to the residence. After purchasing the 2,800-square-foot property in 1998, the couple embarked on a two-year remodeling process that Marji jokingly said got them "too familiar with the contractors." Changes included the conversion of a two-car garage into the family room, a complete kitchen remodel highlighted by two stone sinks, the creation of a new garage, the renovation of an office to a guest room, the addition of an outdoor fountain adjacent to the family room and the inclusion of a new roof, windows, heaters, air conditioners and siding. This overhaul added 800 more square feet to the home, not counting what lies below. "Almost nothing is original," Lonny said. "When we first bought the home, it was just an old slumpstone house." Because their half-acre home sits on a corner lot, the Egglestons have a larger front yard and smaller backyard compared to their neighbors. Unfortunately, this design means the property is one of the few in the neighborhood without a pool. The couple said having a watery sanctuary would be nice, but when the duo decides to entertain a few guests or just wants to retreat to an ultra-private area, they descend to their 450-square-foot wine cellar. There, a service kitchen features the home's original kitchenware and shelving that can hold approximately 1,400 bottles of wine, which offers the perfect retreat from a busy day. HOME & GARDEN : HOME TOUR DINING ROOM