LADERA RANCH, CA (March 5, 2009) — Step out onto the balcony of the estate at 4 Thomas Road and you'll swear you've been transported to romantic Tuscany. The panoramic vistas of sun-soaked hillsides and verdant valleys are the perfect backdrop to this extraordinary custom home in one of the most prestigious, gated villages in all of Orange County—Covenant Hills.

Custom homebuilder Grant Fluegge of Custom Home Development in Ladera Ranch, insists that there is much more to 4 Thomas Road than the stunning landscape that surrounds it, the cooling canyon breezes that whisper in its every corner or the estate's unrivaled setting within exclusive Covenant Hills. Grant Fluegge believes that this home is all about one central focus…family.

"There is no doubt that Covenant Hills is beautiful," said Fluegge. "The views are incredible and the homesites are more than generous. But, honestly, the biggest draw to Covenant Hills for me was the family-oriented nature of the community. Children are being raised here, long-lasting friendships are being created and memories are being made. You just can't put a price on that kind of lifestyle. And, the beauty that surrounds the homes within Covenant Hills is an added bonus.

"Family is something Fluegge lives every day at home and at work. After working in the homebuilding industry for many years, Fluegge formed Custom Home Development of Ladera Ranch where he puts his vast homebuilding experience to work and brings his inspirations to life.  With the help from his sister-in-law's interior design company, Fluegge Interiors, Fluegge is known for incorporating extraordinary interior features and designs that make his custom home creations both flawless and functional. The end result is spectacular custom homes inside and out—showcasing dramatic, breathtaking exteriors as well as warm and inviting interiors—it's everything a family could ever want.  

"We create and design for beauty," said Fluegge. "We also keep in mind the needs of the families' who will be making their homes right here in Covenant Hills. I think that is what really sets our designs apart. We create custom homes that take full advantage of the incredible Covenant Hills landscape and possess both a sense of style and purpose."

It took just over a year for 4 Thomas Road to become a reality in a process that Fluegge characterizes as seamless. "Building a custom home is not the frightful event some would make it out to be," said Grant. "If you choose the right team to build the home of your dreams at Covenant Hills, you can't go wrong. The setting and homesites complement the kind of grand and elegant custom homes that are crafted here. It just makes the experience of building a custom home all the more fulfilling."

Old World charm lives at 4 Thomas Road, with Tuscan-inspired stylings that include a stone veneer exterior with warm brick accents and red clay roofing—all ensconced by native trees, vegetation, and flowering blooms that highlight nature at its best. The rear yard, which enjoys some of the most breathtaking vistas in all of Covenant Hills, is an entertainer's dream with a refreshing pool, bubbling spa, a dramatic stone hearth, and a gazebo outfitted with a barbecue island and refrigerator.

"I really wanted to showcase the amazing Covenant Hills canvas as much as the inside of this custom home," said Fluegge. "One way we were able to do that is to expand the interior space to include the outdoor entertaining area. In fact, when you walk into the home, your eyes are drawn all the way back to the pool and the magnificent view through large glass doors and decorative archways. It's absolutely beautiful."

Featuring an expansive 7,400 square-feet of interior living space, 4 Thomas Road is layered with special spaces and living areas that the entire family will love and appreciate. The living and dining areas seem even more spacious with rich, wood flooring and dramatic exposed beams overhead for a finished look of refinement. And the kitchen, which flows into the family room, is a master cook's fantasy with an expansive center island, double oven and convection oven, walk-in pantry, and stainless steel refrigerator. Dark walnut cabinetry, granite countertops, travertine flooring and two wrought iron chandeliers are the perfect finishing touches for such a grand room.

"We put every bit of space in this custom home to good use for families to live and grow," shared Fluegge. "I am especially excited about the seven-car subterranean garage. It's just enormous. We also included a full-service wine cellar and a pre-wired home theater room in this underground hideaway."

The upstairs is just as lavish with four bedrooms and a generously-appointed master suite, complete with a separate dressing room and private balcony that offers views of gently sloping ridgelines and the sparkling lights of Ladera Ranch below. Other accoutrements throughout the home include two staircases, a game and billiards room, seven bathrooms, cathedral vaulted ceilings, two expertly-crafted built-in bookcases, coffered ceilings and even four fireplaces.

 "We set out to achieve something really special here at 4 Thomas Road in Covenant Hills, and I'm proud to say that we've accomplished it," said Fluegge. "This custom home and the village of Covenant Hills are the perfect place to raise a family—away from the big city, perfectly tucked into this remarkable little spot of serenity. It's precisely what a home should be."

Now offering an exclusive collection of custom homesites and custom homes, Covenant Hills enjoys panoramic views of rolling hills and valleys, rugged ridgelines, San Juan Creek, neighboring San Juan Capistrano, and the distant ocean.

            Covenant Hills' lifestyle offers the rare opportunity to escape and unwind while enjoying the privileges that are associated with exclusive, "behind the gates" living. Included among Covenant Hills' long list of amenities and features are a swimming pool, barbecue/picnic areas, expansive play lawns, an orange grove, lush gardens, and miles of surrounding hiking and biking trails, and more. And the elegantly-appointed Spanish Colonial-style clubhouse plays host to many popular community events, including Mommy and Me art classes, springtime celebrations and wine-tasting.

For those who aspire to create their custom dream homes at Covenant Hills, homesites can be purchased from the high $500,000's to over $1 million. In addition, a limited number of move-in-ready custom homes built by some of the area's premier homebuilders are currently available at Covenant Hills and are priced from the mid       $2 millions to over $5 million.

Additional facilities and amenities located in and around Ladera Ranch include 16 diverse parks, including the dog-friendly Wagsdale Park, the 25-acre Cox Sports Park, an authentic water park, several resort-style swimming pools, lap pools, plunges, wading pools, aquatic play areas, tennis courts, volleyball courts, a skate park, tot lot play areas, and group picnic areas.

Additionally, Ladera Ranch enjoys various reputable public and private schools, daycare centers, a public library, and convenient shops and services, including the delightful new Mercantile West center and "downtown" Main Street.

Ladera Ranch residents make virtual connections via LaderaLife.com, the community intranet that links families with their neighbors, as well as local schools, recreational facilities and more. Many resident clubs have been started through LaderaLife.com, providing residents of all ages with the opportunity to make friends with others who share common interests.

To find more information regarding the custom homesites and custom homes at Covenant Hills, contact the Custom Sales Gallery by calling 888.220.2303. For more information on the gated, hillside village of Covenant Hills, please visit www.covenanthillscustom.com.

To reach the exclusive, gated village of Covenant Hills, exit Ortega Highway from the I-5 Freeway in South Orange County, and proceed east 2.5 miles to Antonio Parkway. Turn left onto Antonio. Turn left onto Covenant Hills Drive and proceed to the East Gatehouse.