1 Southfield
Who lives in your home? Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband, Greg, and I bought the home in April 2023. We grew up next door to each other on Middleridge Lane South in Rolling Hills. Greg began giving me rides to Miraleste High School and we fell in love and got married in 1987. We’ve raised two kids on the peninsula, who now live in the nearby beach cities. Our daughter-in-law is pregnant and we look forward to bringing our new grandchild to the beauty of this city. Rolling Hills holds a special place in our hearts.
Why did you choose to live in Rolling Hills?
For a few reasons. Ever since we moved out of Rolling Hills, we have been wanting to come back home. It’s beautiful and peaceful and we take full advantage of all the hiking trails. We are nature lovers and love the rural atmosphere. We’ve lived in almost every city of the peninsula, but Rolling Hills is our special place.
In March 2023, our home in Ocean Front Estates in RPV was broken into one evening by three masked men. I was home alone and it left me very shaken. We knew then that the best place we could go that would be safe would be Rolling Hills.
Both sets of our parents have owned various homes here in Rolling Hills and it’s the place we feel most comfortable. Quite a few of our high school classmates are our neighbors. There is a real sense of community and our neighbors are so friendly! It’s like coming home.
What is the history behind your home?
Carla Routt and her husband bought the house from her parents, who had built it. It has always been home to palomino horses. We love seeing people walk by to visit the horses and give them a pat and a kind word. If I tell people “We live in the home with the palomino’s,” everyone knows where we are talking about!
My husband, Greg, and I bought the home in April 2023. We grew up next door to each other on Middleridge Lane South in Rolling Hills. Greg began giving me rides to Miraleste High School and we fell in love and got married in 1987. We’ve raised two kids on the peninsula, who now live in the nearby beach cities. Our daughter-in-law is pregnant and we look forward to bringing our new grandchild to the beauty of this city. Rolling Hills holds a special place in our hearts.
Why did you choose to live in Rolling Hills?
For a few reasons. Ever since we moved out of Rolling Hills, we have been wanting to come back home. It’s beautiful and peaceful and we take full advantage of all the hiking trails. We are nature lovers and love the rural atmosphere. We’ve lived in almost every city of the peninsula, but Rolling Hills is our special place.
In March 2023, our home in Ocean Front Estates in RPV was broken into one evening by three masked men. I was home alone and it left me very shaken. We knew then that the best place we could go that would be safe would be Rolling Hills.
Both sets of our parents have owned various homes here in Rolling Hills and it’s the place we feel most comfortable. Quite a few of our high school classmates are our neighbors. There is a real sense of community and our neighbors are so friendly! It’s like coming home.
What is the history behind your home?
Carla Routt and her husband bought the house from her parents, who had built it. It has always been home to palomino horses. We love seeing people walk by to visit the horses and give them a pat and a kind word. If I tell people “We live in the home with the palomino’s,” everyone knows where we are talking about!
How long have you lived here?
We have owned it for just over a year and we have loved every moment! Our original plan was to remodel it and update it to take better advantage of the spectacular ocean and Catalina views. It is 2.59 acres with so much potential. We have been so excited at the prospect of creating our dream home.
How large is the home?
It is almost 3000 square feet and has 10 rooms. There is also a barn with living quarters above, including another bathroom and kitchen.
Which is your favorite room and why?
I love the great room with its high ceilings and wall of windows, taking full advantage of the ocean. It’s so soothing to look out and see the great expanse of the Pacific, including the migrating whales and boats on their journeys.
Where do you and your family spend the most time?
We enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors in the backyard. It’s so quiet and serene. We love sitting on lounge chairs overlooking the canyons and vast ocean view and Catalina. We love to watch storms come in over the ocean, Space X launches and meteor showers from the backyard. The skies are open and dark and perfect for stargazing.
We also have a fondness for the palominos and little Maggie May, the black Shetland pony and like to spend time with them.
What changes have you made to the home since you bought it?
We have owned it for just over a year and we have loved every moment! Our original plan was to remodel it and update it to take better advantage of the spectacular ocean and Catalina views. It is 2.59 acres with so much potential. We have been so excited at the prospect of creating our dream home.
How large is the home?
It is almost 3000 square feet and has 10 rooms. There is also a barn with living quarters above, including another bathroom and kitchen.
Which is your favorite room and why?
I love the great room with its high ceilings and wall of windows, taking full advantage of the ocean. It’s so soothing to look out and see the great expanse of the Pacific, including the migrating whales and boats on their journeys.
Where do you and your family spend the most time?
We enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors in the backyard. It’s so quiet and serene. We love sitting on lounge chairs overlooking the canyons and vast ocean view and Catalina. We love to watch storms come in over the ocean, Space X launches and meteor showers from the backyard. The skies are open and dark and perfect for stargazing.
We also have a fondness for the palominos and little Maggie May, the black Shetland pony and like to spend time with them.
What changes have you made to the home since you bought it?
Our plans were to do some remodeling of the house so we did not make any major changes initially. We cleaned it up a little and made plans for the future of this home in such a beautiful area of Rolling Hills.
Then one day after we had had our initial ideas approved, our realtor mentioned that another home down the street was coming on the market. It was freshly remodeled with a great view.
Greg and I looked each each other and weighed our options. A couple years of construction to create our dream home OR a home that was ready to move into. We chose the latter. As long as we are in Rolling Hills we will be happy.
What inspired the architecture/decor of your home?
Southfield is the epitome of the Rolling Hills ranch style architecture. At the time this home was originally built, in 1950, the homes were all ranch. Now, other styles have crept in, some even with red roofs, but the original builders of our home favored the ranch style.
What are the outstanding features of your home?
The first thing that drew me to the home was its great location and its beautiful and majestic, mature Deodora cedar trees.
The location on Crest Road, with its stately eucalyptus trees and magnificent homes was of utmost importance.
Of course , the expansive deep blue Catalina /ocean view is the main draw. It’s so soothing. We are scuba divers, so the ocean holds a special place in our hearts.
What makes your home unique?
The story behind the home fascinates me. Carla Routts’ dad built it, and he also built two homes across from it for family members back in the 1950’s. They added on and enjoyed a quiet equestrian family life.
What inspired the architecture/decor of your home?
Southfield is the epitome of the Rolling Hills ranch style architecture. At the time this home was originally built, in 1950, the homes were all ranch. Now, other styles have crept in, some even with red roofs, but the original builders of our home favored the ranch style.
What are the outstanding features of your home?
The first thing that drew me to the home was its great location and its beautiful and majestic, mature Deodora cedar trees.
The location on Crest Road, with its stately eucalyptus trees and magnificent homes was of utmost importance.
Of course , the expansive deep blue Catalina /ocean view is the main draw. It’s so soothing. We are scuba divers, so the ocean holds a special place in our hearts.
What makes your home unique?
The story behind the home fascinates me. Carla Routts’ dad built it, and he also built two homes across from it for family members back in the 1950’s. They added on and enjoyed a quiet equestrian family life.
The palomino’s at 1 Southfield go back to 1947 and were ridden in the Rose Parade even way back then! It’s known as Palomino Heaven.
Anything else you would like to share about your home?
Carla Routt was a fixture in the community of Rolling Hills. She was well-known and much-loved, and was involved in many RH organizations. I remember seeing her parents’ Palominos in the corner corrals on my way to/from school back in the 80’s. It’s so heartwarming and special to own this home where so much love and legacy has existed.
Anything else you would like to share about your home?
Carla Routt was a fixture in the community of Rolling Hills. She was well-known and much-loved, and was involved in many RH organizations. I remember seeing her parents’ Palominos in the corner corrals on my way to/from school back in the 80’s. It’s so heartwarming and special to own this home where so much love and legacy has existed.
Editor's note: This beautiful home is currently listed for sale for $4.35 million. To view it or for more information, please contact one of our excellent REALTOR® sponsors (see page 5).