While looking for a home to purchase in Canyon Country, the Sarmasts were thrilled to find a farmhouse-style home that reminded the equestrian family of home.
The Sarmasts were looking to move to the Santa Clarita Valley so Sharlena could be closer to Summerland Farms Inc. in Sand Canyon where she trains as a U.S. Equestrian Federation showjumping junior competitor.
“Our horses were already up here, so we kept driving (back and forth) four times a week for lessons,” Karen Sarmast said.
Little did they know that the house they’d fallen in love with was the winning home on HGTV’s new home-design show, “Rock the Block,” where four identical homes in the Aliento community were renovated.
Jasmine Roth of “Hidden Potential” competed against her fellow design stars to renovate her home to add the most property value, choosing a farmhouse style that spoke to the Sarmasts.
“We walked in and immediately ended up liking it because it was like a barn,” Sarmast said. “We were blown away. My daughter was so happy.”
Sarmast and her husband Ali moved in last year, making the barn their true home, with teens Pasha and Sharlena, pups Tyson, Akira and Peter, and horses Blue, Justin and Finn, housed nearby.
“Tyson, our great Dane, and our other doggies really love it there, especially the backyard and doggie trails that go through the mountains,” added Sarmast.
Now, Sharlena is able to focus on training and it looks like it’s paying off, as she recently won the Northern California region championship in the children’s division at Woodside Horse Park.