Empty Nesters Bring California Cool to Croasdaile Farm

A serendipitous encounter with a Triangle designer led Scott Eblin and Diane Eblin to create their dream home in Durham, combining East Coast charm with West Coast glamour

By Morgan Cartier Weston | Photography by John Michael Simpson

It started in 2019 with a map and pins,” Diane Eblin says. She and her husband, Scott Eblin, had spent years in Los Angeles, but with their two adult sons, Andy Eblin and Brad Eblin, long out of the house, they began to seriously consider making a lifestyle change.

Scott’s brother was already living in North Carolina and his mother was in West Virginia; Diane, who’s originally from the Philadelphia area, also liked the idea of returning to the East Coast, which helped them narrow their scope. “Durham really checked a lot of boxes for us,” Scott says. “We loved the diversity of cultures, the art, food and architecture. It felt like the perfect place to put down roots.”

By January 2021, the Eblins had chosen an ideal lot in Croasdaile Farm, but after deciding on a location, they had a new challenge: navigating the intricacies of building a home from the ground up for the first time. That is, until one day when Diane made a fortuitous acquaintance in an unlikely way – through Peloton.

“I was taking a live class and saw someone who was located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina,” Diane says. “Her username was ‘LuvWhereULive,’ and I knew I had to reach out.” She contacted Allison Sloan Polish, and the pair hit it off, following each other on Instagram. Allison launched her interior design business, Sloan Polish Design, a month later; it was a no-brainer for Diane and Scott to hire her and help them envision their dream home.

The trio worked together through a series of consultations to tailor a concept that incorporated multiple entertaining hubs, indoor-outdoor living spaces and locally sourced furnishings. “I was especially lucky that Scott and Diane had the foresight to hire me at the planning stage, far prior to groundbreaking,” Allison says. “It had a huge impact on the result, because I was able to weave a cohesive thread through all of the decisions, from plumbing, tile, lighting and paint to couches, tables, rugs, window treatments and even landscaping.”

The Eblins selected Hearthstone Luxury Homes to execute the design, and in December 2021 moved to Croasdaile Farm’s Woodstone Apartments; a year later, they got Scott’s mom, Judy Eblin, settled there as well.

Allison was able to source all of the furnishings and store them in a warehouse during the 18-month build period, and installed everything in a single day. The pandemic exacerbated typical building project hurdles, including supply chain disruptions and labor shortages, but the couple remained undeterred, and the home was completed in 2023. “Each project has its quirks and challenges, but where there is a will, there is a way,” Allison says. “Trust your instincts, and stick to your guns.”

Their patience paid off. Stepping inside the front door, a sweeping staircase draws the eye upward. A glamorous Hollywood Regency-inspired dining room features velvet wallcoverings, plush seating and a sparkling crystal chandelier. “This is our nod to California,” Scott says. An open living space connects to a semicircular bar, kitchen and informal dining space.

The heart of the house lies in its spacious kitchen, where recipes sourced from Diane’s extensive cookbook collection – housed in a hidden pantry – are brought to life. A hub of activity during family get-togethers, every surface is covered with intricate charcuterie boards, one of Diane’s many artful pursuits. “A lot of thought went into designing our kitchen,” Scott says. “It’s a place where we gather, cook and connect.”

Judy frequently joined Scott and Diane for dinner. “It was great having her a 10-minute walk away,” Scott says. “I saw her every day, and we loved spending time together.” Sadly, Judy passed away in February 2024, but left Diane and Scott with many fond early memories of their new home. “We’re both really grateful that we had the time that we did,” he says.

Upstairs, a state-of-the-art home theater and game room, complete with a bar, neon signage and vintage movie posters, takes the home’s entertaining function to the next level. “We love music, movies and hockey,” Scott says, “so this is perfect for enjoying all of that with a crowd.”

“Some of the most complicated, hardest-fought finishing details, like the hidden door in the media room, became the greatest triumphs,” Allison adds.

A curated art collection adorns the walls throughout the home, with each piece representing a significant place or memory for the Eblins. Colorful works in an array of styles reflect an appreciation for local talent – including Diane’s – and infuse each room and hallway with personality.

Diane’s upstairs art studio is a sanctuary for more creative expression, where she dreams up both paintings and stained glass works. Framed photos of Andy and Brad with their respective partners, Donna Mena and Renee Beckwith, bring cheer and charm to the kitchen.

“The art in our home tells a story – it’s a reflection of who we are and the journey we’ve been on,” Diane says. Scott’s office, a simple yet functional space with midcentury modern touches, and a home gym round out the second floor.

Outside, the backyard is a haven for pollinators. Native plants, blueberry bushes and Buddha Bee Apiary beehives pay homage to the land’s previous life as a farm. “Incorporating a beekeeping operation was important to us,” Diane says. “It’s a reminder of our connection to the land and our responsibility to preserve it for the future.”

The steep lot was transformed into a terraced oasis designed by Old North State Landscape Development in partnership with Allison. Large amounts of excavated stone was repurposed into landscape accents.

In their new Durham home, the Eblins have carved out a place where California dreams blend seamlessly with their life in North Carolina, weaving together a lifetime of experiences into a forever home overflowing with personality.