We replaced the roof, added rigid insulation and sandblasted the wood ceilings to bring out the grain. Honestly this was one of the most important parts of the project because the wood ceilings move through the entire home and were fundamental to creating the warm and natural aesthetic that we wanted. We took out the existing kitchen and bathroom, which required us to replumb and replace the waste lines. We tore out the carpet and refinished the concrete floors below. We replaced the exterior doors but chose to keep the windows, because they lend so much character to the home.
The yard had years of overgrown vegetation and accumulated objects, but behind it there were mature trees and plants that wanted to thrive. There was a massive mesquite tree in the back yard that we had an arborist prune to create a lacey shade canopy over the yard. There is an old, knotty olive tree in the front yard full of character that we nurtured back to life. Acacia, palo verde, creosote, citrus and agave were all preserved.
E: I’m an early riser, so my dog and I typically get up before the sunrise. She grabs a spot in the kitchen while I make a french press coffee. I try to get some quiet time in before the rest of my family wakes up, so she and I go out on the back patio and watch the sun come up and listen to the birds. She’ll occasionally try to catch a lizard or rabbit, but otherwise we sit and listen. Sometimes I see coyotes and javelina cutting through the easement around the yard.
K: I sleep really well here, so my mornings are usually slow. Our life in Tucson is very seasonal: in the summer I’ll get up and have a coffee and read with Ed on the back patio before the sun is in full force, but in the winter I will get up and make a fire in our wood burning stove.
There are so many good moments here, I think because we were really intentional about the design and function of the house, and because the property has this really special quality to it. We love sitting outside around the firepit in the evening - even though we’re only a few miles from U of A it feels like we are outside of town. The deep soaking tub we splurged on. Playing games together in the living room by the glow of the wood burning stove. Being outside in the early morning. The list goes on.
What did the house mean for your family?
This home has been a refuge.
