In early 2020, Audelino and Elizabeth Melgar got married. A week later Audelino flew to North Texas from their home in California to interview the new VP of his company. Elizabeth and Audelino had been on the search for a place to settle down with their girls outside of California. Quite a few states were on the list of possibilities, and Texas wasn't one of them. But upon his return home, Audelino told his new bride, “We should look into Texas. It's beautiful here.” A week later, Audelino and Elizabeth were driving through Argyle and Bartonville, Texas, looking at properties. With each minute they spent in Texas, Audelino and Elizabeth realized, “We were born in California but I think we were meant to be in Texas.”
First, came the building of the perfect home on their new Texas homestead. At every turn, Audelino and Elizabeth chose with intentionality. Each element of their home speaks of investing in quality, investing in beauty and investing in the vital aspects of home.
With inspiration from Tuscan and Mediterranean styles, as well as the Californian estates of their homeland, many elements were imported from Europe or sourced from local Texan vendors. As an outdoor-loving and party-hosting family, the gathering spaces were crafted with extra love, especially the kitchen and the outdoor patio. The kitchen’s stunning Lecanche range stove took two years to build, all in preparation for the years of delicious cooking and joyous hosting to come. Between the kid's wing and the adult’s wing, the kitchen operates as the hub of the household, Elizabeth says. Additionally, the one-story design ensures that the family stays together. As for the outdoor “loja” area, it needed to be big enough to entertain new and old friends and hold a growing family. The investment in furniture was yet another piece of ensuring that the elements of their home would last long through the years.
After settling down, life began. New friends were made as Gizelle attended Argyle High School, Elizabeth began co-hosting the Denton Mom Walk and they decided to expand their family with baby Elianna born in October of 2024. The building of their "forever family”, as Elizabeth says, was starting.
Now with a new little one, a 2-year-old Thalia and a graduating senior, life is oh-so-full for the Melgars. But the dreams of the future are oh-so-big. Elizabeth’s excitement for their homestead brims over into her voice, “We have so many plans for this property.” A flower and vegetable garden, an honest stand, fruit orchards and chickens, are just a few items on the list of the family’s dreams for making their property everything it can be.
With the foundation of a home in which to grow, build and love, digging deeper into the community is the next step of the Melgars’ journey. The future ahead whispers promises of a couples fitness class with a local trainer, movie nights and storytime for the kids of the community and continuing to expand the invite list of Elizabeth’s annual Mother’s Day brunch to include even more local new moms.
The adjustment to Texas from California was easy, Elizabeth shares, “I think we were meant to be in Texas. The Southern hospitality here is something that I've never seen anywhere else.” Both Elizabeth and Audelino radiate approachability, kindness and the Texas friendliness they have come to know and love themselves. “We love to meet new people and learn people's backgrounds and personal stories. We have met so many wonderful people in such a short amount of time,” Elizabeth gushes, “It's just been life-changing. People here are so kind and it always feels effortless, like you've known that person forever.”
“My goal is to walk into the coffee shop and know almost everybody,” Elizabeth laughs. With one glance, one can see that the Melgar family is now truly at home. They were meant for Texas just as much as Texas was meant for people like them.