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Keeping mature trees intact was one goal in creating this home
By Melissa St. Aude, The Las Cruces Bulletin - Friday, May 25, 2007
Nestled on a quiet 1.1 acre lot, surrounded by an orchard of 25 pecan trees, 3021 Mesilla Verde Terrace was built to be at home in its tranquil surroundings. With its rustic, Old-World style and modern features, the home is cozy and warm while at the same time elegantly tasteful, and that’s exactly the look builder Shawn Stalls of Phoenician Custom Homes was striving for when he built 3021 for himself and his wife, Amy.
“We wanted to create a home that was homey,: Amy Stalls said. “We wanted an open floor plan and a big kitchen so that when we have company, there’s plenty of room in the kitchen for people to help.”
Designed with company in mind – the couple frequently hosts family members visiting from out-of-town – the house features a four-bedroom main house with two master suites along with a one bedroom guest casita that includes a living room, bathroom, bedroom and kitchenette. Between visits from family, the casita serves as a game room.
“We wanted a house where we could all gather for Christmas and other holidays and be in one place,” Amy said. “Sometimes, family comes in droves, and we’ll have 12 guests at a time. We wanted enough space so that everyone could be together and comfortable.”
Shawn said that among other things, keeping as many of the 1.1 acre lot’s mature pecan trees intact during building was important to give the final home a peaceful and secluded feel.
“We only removed eight of the 33 trees that were on this lot,” he said. “The rest we left.”
To accent the pecan trees, Shawn included a waterfall-inspired pond – surrounded by green grass and colorful flowers – in the backyard. He added a drip irrigation system to keep the thick carpet of lush grass healthy and vibrant green.
So that the peaceful landscaping could be easily enjoyed, the home was designed with abundant large windows, rounded walls and easy access to the back yard. A large covered patio, complete with fireplace and built-in grill, add to the indoor/outdoor living lifestyle.
To enhance enjoyment in the front yard, which overlooks a vast front lawn and trees, Shawn built a wrap-around front porch and accented it with a wood-plank ceiling and intricately carved wooden columns. In line with the theme of flow and unity throughout the home, the porch was built with a curved half wall. To achieve unobstructed views in the front, he placed the oversized three-car garage at an angle on the side of the home.
The interior og the home features an open floor plan with the large living room, dining area and kitchen adjacent to one another in the center of the home.
Set again the lush green view of the back yard, the living room features a floor to ceiling fireplace of stacked stone. Wooden floors, towering ceilings and uniquely angled built-ins add to the room’s warm charms.
Walls throughout the home are painted in faux-finish. Amy spent a month painting the home herself and included contrasting colors for added warmth and depth.
The home’s master suite includes a spacious room with a large walk-in closet with abundant built-ins and granite-topped folding table. A washer and dryer are including in the closet to make laundry less of a chore.
The master suite includes a beautifully designed bathroom with a spa-styled tub, walk-around shower, custom cabinetry and expert tiling. Adjacent to the master suite is the home’s fitness room and office.
“We wanted this area to be convenient and functional,” Amy said.
The home is the 14th house built by Phoenician Custom Homes. A former professional soccer player, Shawn spent his childhood in Las Cruces and attended local schools.
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