A Home In Tulum

Our Tulum story begins in August 2020. In the midst of the pandemic like many other people my other half and I felt the need to get away. We also had some time to reflect on our lives with businesses being closed and some activities limited. We began to do some future planning and realized we wanted a place to get away from it all, maybe even a place to retire someday. One of the places on my “bucket list” for a long time had been Tulum, one afternoon I made a decision to just go. The third day of the trip I knew I was going to get a place there, not if but when. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it but It was going to happen. This journey has been about so many things. It started with a trip to reflect on life and explore a new place and it ended with us meeting one of the most amazing goals of our lifetime. It’s not just a story about Tulum, it’s a story about life. We found ourselves in the jungle.

Every time I returned from Tulum I booked another trip. Tulum has a vibe that just centers me. They say you have to slow down to speed up- it’s true. In the past I’ve been a complete workaholic, never wanting to take off a day, always proud of “the grind”. I was really at a point where my business couldn’t grow anymore, I didn’t have really good close relationships, I was feeling empty despite being so successful. But was I successful in my own eyes? No. I never stopped to celebrate successes or think about how the old me wished so hard for all the things I was taking for granted. I was running and running working around the clock towards a goal I never even established. In 2021 I met with a good friend and mentor for lunch he asked me “What are you working for? What do you want? What is enough? Why are you scared to take the next step?” These questions hit me hard. I realized in that moment that I had no answers to these questions. This friend also happens to be a business associate that I’ve admired for a long time and I have watched him find more meaning in life. From that day I started thinking- what do I really want? And from there it started on fire. We decided to move forward and build our own home in Tulum. The finances lined up - really everything lined up. That’s because I truly feel that I started feeling aligned with my goals, myself and life in general. Instead of worrying I trusted it all would work out and just let it happen.

The building process was exciting, but still a little surreal. Even though I visited the home during the progress, I didn’t SEE the home. Sure it was exciting but it wasn’t real just yet. Finally in May of 2022 exactly 1 year after we closed on our land we furnished the home and stayed there for the first time. It became so real. It’s really hard to put into words how that felt that first morning waking up looking outside at the jungle. But it was magical and it changed our lives

I’ve curated so many homes for people over the past few years but never really one completely for us. Over all of our visits to Tulum we stayed at so many airbnb properties. This gave us a really good idea of what the discerning traveler might want from a luxury rental. Every detail has been carefully curated to make an unforgettable experience.

The style of the home is traditional Tulum with a modern influence. All of the furniture was handcrafted in Mexico. Some of the pieces were custom designed by us just for this space. We worked directly with the architect from the beginning to add in details that we felt would complete the space - tile, custom bunk beds and metal details are just a few. Full details on the house and more photos click here.

If you’ve ever spent any time in Tulum then you know that things just flow there. So many things have come together there for us that we have decided it will be a second market for us. We have a spec home under construction, new homes we are designing, airbnbs we are furnishing, and we started our own airbnb management company called Jungle Luxe. I’m so excited to share my knowledge of investing in Mexico with clients and create a truly curated collection of homes in Tulum. Visit the Jungle Luxe website here.

It feels amazing, it’s our dream and it came true! We are looking forward to share our “House of Dreams” with guests traveling to Tulum. Just think what if everything really did work out the way you wanted?

OUR COOKBOOK

THE DDH COOKBOOK

From our family to yours, We are proud to share our curated collection of recipes with you. Download it HERE. 

If you make any of our recipes, be sure to tag us @desertdesignhouse! We would love to see your takes on our recipes! 






Adventures in Tulum

I just spent a week in Tulum Mexico and it is really a gem! I for sure will be going back and want to share a few of the fun things to do and some overall comments so if you’re on the fence about going - don’t be- book a ticket … like now.

 
Sonoran Desert Living - Adventures in Tulum
 

Where I stayed…. An airbnb in the Aldea Zama development. This is one of the more modern newer developments in Tulum. It’s in between the beach and the town and very private. Being in another country feeling safe is really important to me. I also personally prefer airbnbs to hotels. I want to feel more at home and separate from other travelers. This 3 story building really showcased the natural beauty of the area. Since the design has some of the nuances of the homes I personally design, this unit naturally appealed to me. Accents like jute rope, metal, wood and lighting really made the building come together.

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Mia 

Papaya Playa Project 

These were both absolutely beautiful - my number one is Mia. Of the two its the most affordable but I do think the beach front it is on is just a little more desirable. We loved the employees and the food was terrific. Most of the resorts offer beach access in exchange for a minimum spend of $25-$35 per person. Easy to do when you’re having lunch and a few cocktails. Call a day before for a reservation. Great vibes!!

 
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When it comes to food- it’s some seriously great handcrafted food in Tulum! I visited a few IG worthy places while there and a couple others I just stumbled upon- 

  • Casa Jaguar 

  • Bak by Harry’s Steakhouse 

  • Casa Banana 

  • Clandestino 

  • Tatewari at Delek 

  • Ziggys 

  • Mur Mur 

Casa Jaguar

Casa Jaguar

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Casa Jaguar

Casa Jaguar

The scenery is unreal- pale blue waters and jungle foliage. The buildings are beautiful and are made with local natural resources so nothing looks out of place. The new developments look modern but still keep the “jungle charm” of the smooth cement, use of native wood for doors, steps etc.  It definitely has an “eco-vibe” and just like any ocean town conservation is a must. 

It was a terrific value with the exchange rate of 20 pesos per US dollar so even the more expensive places were still less than you would pay in the US. There are a lot of nice, private airbnbs and you can choose from being in town or in an exclusive community like Aldea Zama. Most of the beach front are resorts since there are some restrictions for land sales on the coast. A true gem and a must see.

Relocating to or visiting Phoenix check out these great areas!

Phoenix is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. With 299 sunny days per year how could it not be popular? So where do we start? I could probably make a book out of this but in this post I will list some of the areas and a few of their perks. Whether you are just visiting or contemplating a move there’s something for you in the valley of the sun. Here are a few of my fave areas (in no particular order I love them all). I’ve included some buyer facts and a $ rating with $ being the lowest and $$$$$ being the highest.

Want to know more? Reach out to us to schedule a brunch, coffee or happy hour and we will fill you in on this beautiful city!


No 1 Central Phoenix $$$-$$$$

I had to start here because Central Phoenix most often is what everyone thinks Phoenix IS NOT. Lush grass lots, trees, shady streets, large homesteads and a lot of history. Once part of the beginning areas of Phoenix it has experienced a revival of epic proportions. Now home to some of the most prestigious restaurants, breweries, and real estate it’s a must see. With that said it’s convenient to just about everything. In the earlier years of the 2000’s Phoenix built itself a serious infrastructure and it paid off for the city. There is still plenty of gentrification happening but you can definitely find your dream home.

Buyer Facts: Terrific proximity to all things cool, drawbacks- gentrification still happening in some areas, homes are circa 1950-1970-ish and need work, so get ready to compromise if you want a piece pf Phoenix’s heart.

Places to Note:

Lux On Central- Epic coffee and baked goods in the am, fun bar at night

Ocotillo- Try brunch its on point, great outdoor area

Richardson’s Cuisine of New Mexico- I cant say enough- great food any time and love the southwest decor and copper bar

 
Central Corridor Home - Courtesy Architectural Digest

Central Corridor Home - Courtesy Architectural Digest


No 2 Arcadia/Biltmore $$$$-$$$$$

Currently the ‘darling” of the valley with the rapid addition of amenities, central phoenix style lots and a view of camelback what’s not to love? Like Central Phoenix these are older homes with new infill builds sprinkled in. Highly sought after this superb location is a must visit.

Buyer Facts: This terrific location has every amenity you can think of, houses sell fast and compromises often made to stay within budget. A great place to “buy and renovate” you can add instant equity if you put in the work

Places to Note:

OHSO Brewery- I call this the OG of Arcadia. They brew beer on site, have a fab patio, love dogs and even have spent grain dog biscuits. All with a view of the iconic Camelback Mountain

JT’s Bar and Grill- aka “the vortex” the wings are great drinks are strong- I promise you’ll have fun. Drinks used to be served in Red Solo Cups. Get “the works” wings.

The Little Woody- opens at 4- try and find the hidden owl- seriously they have skee ball- enough said.

Camelback Flower Shop- If you like plants or are looking for a unique gift there is not a better place. The vibe in there is magic go see for yourself. Every year I tell my fam to buy my Christmas presents there.

Le Grande Orange- Pretty much an institution- they can do no wrong in my book, cute gifts and bonus Postino a wine bar is located right behind. Breakfast? Try the commuter sandwich.

 
Arcadia Style Home Photo via Arizona MLS #5910096

Arcadia Style Home Photo via Arizona MLS #5910096


No 3 Uptown + Downtown $$$-$$$ 1/2

For the sake of not writing a book as long as war and peace (look it up) I am combining some areas. These are also considered by some a part of the ‘central corridor” 7th ave-7th st, northern ave south to the I-10

Uptown- funky fresh vibrant area with mid-century vibes. 7th St is one of our most vibrant streets - happens to be where our Real Estate/Design studio is located too! Lots of grassy lots and a number of homes by the famous architect Ralph Haver. Uptown is known for it’s hip crowd and fun eateries.

Downtown- 15 years ago someone would have said- lets hang downtown and gotten a blank stare in return. Now it’s full of residential real estate both leased and owned. An actual business district has emerged and restaurants/nightlife beyond the 9-5. Downtown is also home to our most coveted Historic Districts. Get ready to swoon over restored and revamped homes. A neighborly area and oh so popular you’l fall in love

Buyer Facts- Both of these areas you may place more emphasis on the area than the home. Both areas are charming and highly sought after. Uptown being the more affordable of the two areas.

Places to note:

Downtown-

The Clarendon Hotel - from the rooftop deck watch the sun go down and the city lights turn on its unforgettable

Hanny’s- Restaurant night cub with DJ background music, great food and an interesting basement display- don’t miss

Arcade Bar- Seriously go play Ms Pac Man and have cocktails

Durant’s- Enter through the kitchen of this 60+ year old steak house and go back in time. From red velvet wallpaper to cocktails served by some of the cities top bartenders. If you want to experience a little bit of history this is the place. everything is good and try the strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Uptown-

Luci’s at the Orchard- Eclectic gifts and great eats make this a good choice for Breakfast and Brunch

Honor Amongst Thieves- A speakeasy that is open evenings above the great Stock and Stable Restaurant

The Swizzle- It’s a pretty fun dive bar




Downtown-Photo courtesy Durant’s - a steakhouse you won’t forget

Downtown-Photo courtesy Durant’s - a steakhouse you won’t forget


Uptown MCM Home Photo via Arizona MLS# 5904338

Uptown MCM Home Photo via Arizona MLS# 5904338


No 4 Ahwatukee $$-$$$ 1/2

A whole array of amenities make this a place you wont want to leave home! If you like vaulted ceilings and larger lots this area is fantastic.

Buyer Facts- With some of the best schools in the Phoenix Metro this is a popular area. I call it the most central suburb in Phoenix. Near I-10, 143, and 60 many areas are easily accessible form Ahwatukee. Fun fact most people in Ahwatukee remodel their own homes, when shopping you will find builder grade but it will be a bargain when you look at the mountain views.

Places to note-

South Mountain Park- one of the largest parks in the US, fantastic hiking, biking, and horseback trail riding

The Buzzed Goat- Local coffee bar/night time bar

Bleacher’s Sports Bar- Ahwatukee’s high class dive bar even has OTB!


South Mountain Park- photo unknown

South Mountain Park- photo unknown


Our picks: top 10 best Airbnb's in Phoenix/Scottsdale Metro Area!

Coming to visit the valley and wondering where to stay? We got you! Here are our picks from an interior design point of view…


No. 10

Gilbert Thirty Six

Downtown Gilbert is one of the “can’t miss” places if you’re visiting the valley. In recent years the small town has experienced a huge revival and boasts some excellent local dining options as well as shopping.

What we love about this design- clean white lines with a touch of leather and boho

 
Boho style gets us every time!

Boho style gets us every time!


No. 9

Elegant Historic Bungalow

Just 15 years ago downtown Phoenix was a much different landscape. Fast forward to 2019 and we are bustling with a light rail, top notch restaurants, a true business district and a whole lot of cute restored homes.

What we love about this design- Minimalist design with just enough flair, charming area, natural light for dayyyyys.

 
Living room with loft

Living room with loft

Stocked kitchen ready to entertain.

Stocked kitchen ready to entertain.


No. 8

Modern + French meets in this renovated 1920’s home

You had me at exposed brick…. that coupled with some of the french accents, cozy fireplace and sexy master bathroom make this a must stay!

What we love about this design- everything. You’ll do just fine with all the amazing restaurants nearby too!

 
Modern met French and it was a success for sure!

Modern met French and it was a success for sure!


No. 7

The Howard Tempe, AZ

Funky fresh design in vibrant Tempe. Catch and ASU game, some good eats and be close to many valley attractions!

What we love about this design- Give us allll that texture! We are huge fans of white but we especially like to see shiplap, fringe and metal elements in one room!

 
A house as fun as Tempe!

No. 6

Mid-Century Glamorous

You;ll be sitting pretty in this fun home located in the heart of Scottsdale. Nearby some of the best shopping, dining, and golf that money can buy.

What we love about this design- The kitchen is everything we definitely would throw a dinner party to show this off to all of our local friends!

 
Who doesn’t love blue and brass?

Who doesn’t love blue and brass?


No. 5

Raise your hand if you’re a highroller! $3500/nt

Luxury. Views. Location. This one has it all!

What we love about this design- ummm look at the living room windows ok?

 
Day and night you can enjoy incredible views

Day and night you can enjoy incredible views

Take in the mountain views poolside

Take in the mountain views poolside


No. 5

Walk to Old Town Scottsdale, Heated Pool + Sleeps 12!

This one topped our list for its location, heated pool- that’s a big deal!

What we love about this design- simple but not empty. Love that green wall in the backyard and did we mention the pool?

 
Gourmet Kitchen

Gourmet Kitchen

Modern clean lines + a spa tub!

Modern clean lines + a spa tub!


No. 4

Dream Maker Villa

Can anyone say perfect family spot? This home is beautifully appointed and its packed with fun, putting green, pool, foosball, even frolf (look it up)

What we love about this design- This is not just some big house that is lame but gets rented for its ability to accommodate a large group, its actually really rad! A farmhouse kitchen is also a strong feature any day!

 
This is one seriously dreamy master bath

This is one seriously dreamy master bath

You, your friends, or family will not be bored I promise.

You, your friends, or family will not be bored I promise.


No. 3

Bohemian Bungalow Sleeps 4

Light bright, airy and I can never say no to a cow rug! Centrally located great if you’re needing to be downtown.

What we love about this design- Kitchen is just enough and the master bedroom looks so comfortable we are almost Zzzzzz…

 
I’ll take 10 of these cow rugs please!

I’ll take 10 of these cow rugs please!

Looks so comfy! I also spy a pretty cool exposed duct!

Looks so comfy! I also spy a pretty cool exposed duct!


No. 2

Old Town Retreat Sleeps 16!

Funky design and lots of room to spread out. Great for a group especially with lots of kids- How fun would it be to hang in that bunk bed room telling ghost stories at 2am?

What we love about this design- Kitchen is a winner with marble and then the rattan lights making it just feel right. Oh and THE BUNK BEDS!

 
Love the warmth from the wood and rattan!

Love the warmth from the wood and rattan!

Looks like a fun vacation !

Looks like a fun vacation !


No. 1

The Brexley

This place is flawless and its pretty much impossible to top- prepare to be amazed

What we love about this design- this really captures the true Phoenix modern living vibe. You won’t ever want to go home!

 
You can’t top this really

You can’t top this really

Greenery everywhere

Greenery everywhere

Serene inside and out

Serene inside and out

Private lagoon pool area

Private lagoon pool area

Front elevation

Front elevation

Properties are linked directly to Airbnb in the title, all photos from Airbnb. Sonoran Desert Living does not own any of these properties but we hope you will love them!

The Willetta Project and OPEN HOUSE Recipes!

We had a pretty rockin' open house weekend and some of you asked if I would share a few of the recipes. I have to say its nice to have the food catered but I really do enjoy cooking sooooo I'm thinking I'll do it when I can! But first.... let's talk Wiletta. Located in the FQ Story historic district of downtown Phoenix, this home had a total makeover! I'm not going to go crazy with photos but here are a few of the finished product and a couple before and afters. At the time of this post we have just listed it for $467,000 Stats: 3/2 Study/1 car garage/RV gate 1751 sq ft 1946 build           Photos: Gina Zee Photography

 

It was magical to get over 400 people through the house and hear the feedback. I truly am so grateful for the opportunities I have to remodel these homes. They are homes, not just flips. We put love into each of these projects with the vision of the new owner spending the next years of their life there.

Now let's talk food. I think these are perfect fall/holiday appetizers and now they can be yours too! First up the Cranberry Salsa. At first glance I thought well that is kind of weird, at first bite I was in love. Simple but ends up having a very rounded flavor you would have thought I spent a whole day on it. Guess again- 10 minutes and 2 hours in the refrigerator. 

This recipe is from All Recipes and photo is courtesy of The girl who ate everything blog

This recipe is from All Recipes and photo is courtesy of The girl who ate everything blog

So here goes- I used 1 jalopeno and I removed seeds AND the veins before I tossed it in the food processor. I don't like too much heat so if you want to turn it up toss the whole thing in there after you cut off the stem of course. 

Cranberry Salsa with Cream Cheese

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar (add more to taste)
  • 1 jalapeno , seeded and chopped coarsely (leave the seeds in if you like it spicy)
  • 1/2 cup cilantro
  • 4 green onions
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 (8 ounce) blocks of cream cheese  

Place all of the ingredients in a food processor (EXCEPT CREAM CHEESE) and pulse until desired consistency. I like mine fairly fine. Chill in the fridge for a couple of hours (preferably overnight) to allow the salsa to macerate. Serve over cream cheese and with crackers..
 

The fine print.

This makes enough to cover two blocks of cream cheese. Some people prefer to spread the cream cheese on a serving dish with the salsa on top. I poured mine on top of a block of cream cheese and garnished with a sprig of cilantro. I served mine with sea salt artisan toast.
Depending on how tart your cranberries are you may want to add more sugar. This last batch I added a total of 1 cup of sugar.
 

Photo and recipe courtesy of Gimme Some Oven 

Photo and recipe courtesy of Gimme Some Oven 

Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 (10 oz.) bag fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 (13.75 oz.) can quartered artichoke hearts, chopped and drained
  • 1 (8 ounce) brick low-fat cream cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup light sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup finely-chopped white or red onion
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and stir until evenly combined.  (You can also stir the mixture actually inside the bowl of your slow cooker, but it would be easier in a large mixing bowl.)  Transfer the mixture to the bowl of your slow cooker, that has been misted on the inside beforehand with cooking spray.

Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2 hours, or until the dip is completely warmed through and the cheese is melted.  Give the dip a good stir and season with extra salt and pepper if needed. I went the on high route for 2 hours and it was perfect! I served with fresh ciabatta bread and the olive oil sea salt toasts. Total tile 2 hours 15 min

Photo courtesy of Honey and Birch, recipe by Jenny Bullistron

Photo courtesy of Honey and Birch, recipe by Jenny Bullistron

Baked Goat Cheese Roasted Cranberry Appetizer

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1/3 cup unsalted almonds
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1 tablespoon thyme
  • 10 ounces goat cheese 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and bake for 6 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and pour the almonds into a small bowl. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine the balsamic vinegar and honey. Add the cranberries and thyme to the bowl and stir until they are covered by the liquid. Set aside for 5 minutes.

On a cutting board, chop up the almonds. Set aside 1/2 tablespoon chopped almonds and roll the goat cheese in the remaining almonds. Use your hands to mix the almonds into the goat cheese and form the goat cheese into a disc. Place the goat cheese in the center of a pie plate.

Pour the cranberry mixture around the cheese. Sprinkle the set aside almonds on top of the goat cheese.

Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes. Serve hot with crackers or bread.

I used unsalted almond slices to save some time, I put them in the oven for 5 minutes before I mixed them into the goat cheese. Who doesn't like goat cheese and cranberries?! Lastly the thyme made all the flavors pop!

Photo courtesy my iPhone, recipe by Jennifer Neuman

Photo courtesy my iPhone, recipe by Jennifer Neuman

The OG Artichoke Dip 

  • 1/2 cup parmesean cheese
  • 3/4 cup mayo
  • 1 package colby jack shredded cheese (8 oz)
  • 1 small jar minced pimentos
  • 1 small can mild diced green chiles
  • 12 oz. artichoke hearts diced

Mix together and bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes- I use an 8x8 glass pan. Trust me this is easy and people will LOVE it!

Outdoor Kitchen Paradise!

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What do you do when you move to the burbs for some peace and quite but don't have ALL the posh restaurants in your immediate area? You make your own swanky bistro of course! 

When we bought this house in November 2016 we knew we would make some changes. We loved the backyard but felt it really "needed more". Defining more wasn't that easy- It had a great green area, unground pool with sundeck, covered patio putting green, turf we actually love and even some awesome concrete rectangles. 

As we continued to decorate our home over the past year, we also started noticing that the outside lacked the feel as the house and we wanted the atmosphere to match inside and out. So now what? Well there was of course hours days weeks... who knows how long of planning. See when you design homes for clients or to flip its so much easier. Now here you are at your own home asking yourself if its worth it? Can you live with it? Is the price excessive? No don't be cheap get what you want. Complete angel and devil on each shoulder things! 

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So earlier this spring we started planning and by April we had pulled the trigger. Here was the first thing we never thought of-- its Hot AF By May- June..... So hot that how could you  A- touch any of the appliances B- paint in the heat it dries so fast  C- Grout, if you are not the actual looney tunes speedy mouse then forget it! and finally D- pour a counter. 

All the planning and some more waiting we had wait until the heat subsided AND of course we had a couple flip projects that were finishing up. Side note my family basically does not like me whatsoever the last 2 weeks of a project- more on that in another post but it does end well! 

What was remarkable about how this turned out is that I had looked at so many photos, pintrest posts etc and this all came right together BUT a little different but still better. My vision was to create a complementary "bring indoors outdoors" concept. I'm leaning a tad modern farmhouse these days but I still like some rustic touches after all we are outside. 

Some things I considered - I do in all houses - 1. What is the best use of the space 2. How functional will the remaining space be? 3- Go big or ....well lets take a peek when I'm done designing and tone it down if necessary. 4. Resale value of the house- are my appliances and finishes in line or am I straight up overboard (that is not always bad sometimes theres a method to my madness) 5- Last but not least budget- what did we choose, are there less expensive options, trade-offs for the best things etc.

Part 1- Plan the space. Sounds easy but on your own house NOT! I spent a couple afternoons with measuring tape and graph paper just to get an idea of size. Luckily I was using a pencil so I could keep erasing the elongated bar and then putting it back in!  Ultimately I decided on the U shape, small bar, sink, backed the kitchen window for a servery and was open to the yard, seating area behind and had a bar space. 

Part 2- Appliances. Whoa! So guess what my appliance almost cost the same as my demo, pavers, block kitchen with stucco (no counters) but still! It was a bit of a humbling experience. Any of you that follow me or know me that I can be a bit high maintenance. Time to be practical. I live in a gorgeous but modest tract home in the Ahwatukee foothills. Not the type of house that you just shoot the lock off and put in Viking appliances. It must be the investor in me that screams STOP NO! DANGER! in my head- or I'm crazy- possibly both. Ultimately we decided on Lion. Decent pricing, good reviews and enough beauty and power for my abode. We ordered a refrigerator, side burner, ice chest, double door and a single drawer. Pay close attention to what I ordered and you will soon see my first mistake. Also included was a upper countertop to meet the kitchen window and a sink. Side note- we chose a refrigerator that was another $200 we got the same refrigerator and in a separate box an expensive door. I'd say that was the only disappointment the rest of the appliances are perfect!

Part 3- Lets demo, build the shell, stucco and plan spacing for the doors and appliances. Easy. Suns out workers are here. I print all the spec sheets and.... record skip. These guys finish the kitchen and we discover that 75% of the openings are wrong. Oops- I like seriously was babysitting pretty hard but I guess sometimes that language barrier doesn't help. So I call my main man and let him know, he sends them in and they fix... a week later. Also if you know me you know that I think everything happens in a day or week and can be a tad unrealistic about timelines. 

Part 4- Check openings, plan install of appliances and frame counter. Here is where if you paid attention to what I ordered... this is where it went wrong. Side burner- instead of sugar plum fairies in my dreams I had visions of steaming clams and crab OUTSIDE so I would not smell up my house. NO. I had measured counted- ten times counted and how could this be? Might want to consider that the kitchen is made out of blocks so there are some restrictions that come with that! If I were doing a kitchen in a more expensive house it would have been masonry obviously. So in the end it happened that there is no burner. It doesn't fit it and cannot be made to fit. Glad to report- I'm still alive though and love my kitchen 

Part 5- Countertops.  Fast forward a couple months. Its like 115 out every day, we are in the throes of flipping, clients staging vacate rentals and everything in between. Now it's time to plan for the countertops. Build forms, mix up- whats the hold up?? Oh still the heat. Finally we are ready its now low 100's upper 90's. Working with grout- concrete - paint in a dry heat is something you need to plan for. Counter was drying so fast we needed both Tom and Vinny mixing and pouring to make this happen. In our case we like to pour in place using forms we order in. Once the concrete is poured, it needs to be vibrated to get rid of air bubbles, and it seriously isn't perfect. I get calls for designs or counters and my answer is yes- but you are required to come over and see mine. 

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Part 6- Finish Finale. So all along we are into the technical stuff- much like the beginning of a flip and then we get to the fun! We decided that the outside of the kitchen would be wrapped in Cement tile and we would have a barn wood baseboard combined with pipe shelves. Here's some tips on Cement tile- 1. Its expensive so decide what you want, buy it and PAY ATTENTION to the install instructions. We did with no hiccups but I'm saying this because I feel like so many people just hurry along in excitement. The cement is porous and needs to be sealed (takes all of 5 min) before installation and again after grouting. If you are going to pay so much for tile you have no excuses. Also be careful handling it - it's brittle AF.  For the trim I visited one of my vendors and chose a thin trim piece. We used construction adhesive to hold this in place, no nailing into stucco or cement tile. My vision was a bar with shelves for cute stuff and bottles. Easy for us we assembled and installed the pipes and then used barn wood for the shelves. 

I then staged this, took photos and basically stood speechless staring for a while. Now that we have been using it for a couple months it is really everything we wanted and it is the perfect addition to our home! 

If you would like your own outdoor kitchen design contact us for a consult! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REMODELING A CAMPER!

So... many of you on instagram have been following my stories and I'm sure asking yourselves why the f*ck I would remodel a camper. BECAUSE! 

Several months ago I started researching Airstreams and talking with @flippinwendy about camper remodels. I think my reactions/actions went in this order- AWE like really? These camper remodels are pretty cute and clever WANT wow could I do this? Am I cut out for it- yes! LOOKING so I shopped for a few different things. I did learn some more about the Airstreams and got a HELL NO from Tom. Ok then maybe we need to ease into this? OBSESSED now I'm pinning, Wendy and I are non-stop texting about and and we will not STFU about campers to our guys. JUST DO IT so we rule out the Airstream.. for now.... and I begin looking for the smaller project. HOLY SNAP! It was a hot summer weekend and guess what ??!! Wendy and I purchased the same size trailer the SAME DAY! Ok well there's where "the same" ends. 

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My camper: 1991 Kit Monterey 18' 

Wendy's Camper: 1971 Red Dale 18' 

Theme- Well naturally its opposite! Mine is luxury over the top and generally high maintenance- hers is practical and retro

rachel's camper design

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wendy's camper design

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THE PLAN

Let's talk about the plan. Now that I found a camper- it was a whirlwind romance! Now I could put all my pintrest boards to work all at once- just kidding. We did a walkthrough- much like what we do before a remodel and then took to researching. Here are the immediate things we needed to consider: 

Paint- Our sweet 90's camper had the most lovely wallpaper- theres a specific way we need to paint that to adhere 

Cabinets- Again the number one issue was painting, then came to or not to replace doors, maybe add trim and hardware. 

Kitchen- Stove, countertop, faucet, sink

Flooring- Wood- Vinyl, Cork? Researching the weight the how the why 

Cushions- Initially we thought we could leave our master bed out and still use the camper- well that was shut down quickly since it blocks the door. We weighed our options on cushions - covers, mattresses etc. 

Bathroom- To what end can we make this look like an actual bathroom?

Decorations- Curtains, wallpaper, refrigerator 

Exterior- Consulted some uber smart Dunn Edwards geniuses and made a decision

Mechanics- Look I'm not going to be hot or cold in this camper or go without my creature comforts. This unit needed and AC, Icemaker, and a generator at least! 

Guys- this is one of my prized possessions!

Guys- this is one of my prized possessions!

SURPRISES? 

So out of the box what were the biggest surprises or things to overcome? 

1. Cabinets. These were a sexy laminate with a super-duper awesome gold trim. Well guess what? The primer did not adhere to the gold plastic. The fix- Tom popped off all the gold trim 

Also there was a pretty cool indent in each of the cabinets, we thought well lets get new doors or put some type of deco trim on the doors. The fix- wood filler. Now we were at ground zero- we liked that so much that we primed and painted and you would NEVER know. 

Oh the paint---- I am notorious when anyone asks me "What sheen do you want for that paint" I say "As matte as possible" WRONG! Smart I know I can print the cabs with Dunn Edwards Aristoshield but my not so smart was she sheen. Eggshell- spotty finger prints instant filth.       The fix- we sprayed the Aristoshield in a high gloss. All set! 

2. Paint. We did figure out that we need to use Dunn Edwards Sure-Loc primer followed by an interior paint. The thing we did not realize is HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE. Ask me what I wouldn't diy next time? Interior paint. 

3. Stove. I was flying high when I thought we were gonna keep our cute white stove. Great news once we painted it - turns out it was more of an almond--- thumbs down! Just like any house I remodel I welcome the challenge- I took a look at the stainless appliance options which were astounding. $800 for a camper stove- NOPE (Maybe in that Airstream this is me daydreaming)  Wendy mentioned powder coating so that's what we both ended up doing. Mine was teal but then I changed my mind and settled on pink. I think the powder coating guy was rolling his eyes... like what is this person doing??

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WHERE WE ARE NOW

So far we have done the world's shortest 1 hour demo and....

  • Primed and Painted (I don't recommend diy) 
  • Removed and Replaced counter, sink and faucet 
  • Powder coated stove 
  • Spray painted lights, vent covers etc 
  • Installed Flooring 
  • Demoed Bathroom

NEXT

  • Installing wallpaper and kitchen backsplash
  • Spray tub, Install partial tile in shower 
  • Add vessel sink, faucet, counter in bathroom
  • Add new Vanity mirror and shower curtain 
  • Install Acrylic camper table 
  • Assemble cusions- we got new covers 
  • Install privacy curtains, and roll down shades, curtains on large windows 
  • Decide deco for refrigerator 
  • Paint Exterior (professionals!) 
  • Pack up and go on our first voyage!!! 

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME PROGRESS PHOTOS

 

 

 

 

 

A little remodel...

So this is it- our latest flip. We had fun with this one especially since it was only 1125 sq ft! But as always it was a rollercoaster. So let's talk about some of the behind the scenes stuff- 

Upon starting this job we realized a few things we hadn't thought about in our first couple of walkthroughs. Not that we had the inside removed its as time to finalize the kitchen layout- well it was a little more tricky than we had anticipated. This is not out of the norm- once you get down to inches there are some things to be realized. This particular kitchen is IKEA so we were using the kitchen planner to guide us through this one IKEA KITCHEN PLANNER PHOTO. Upon taking some additional measurements we realized that the sink was not going to be centered over the window which was to me a travesty. Next we plugged in the appliances and the island and then had some serious second thoughts. We couldn't have a kitchen that is not functional but we also could not have a wide open space in this little box of a house. After some late night back and forth, cocktails, and more time with the kitchen planner-  we decided to move the refrigerator to the other side and cancel one of the hallway doors. 

So trashy looking in the beginning

So trashy looking in the beginning

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Window install proved to be interesting since we had recessed windows we assumed they were set in block- NOT. So once we cut the windows out and re-installed it was looking pretty rough. Stucco was a breeze and then we turned our attention back inside. We noticed that the ceiling in the kitchen was a bit cracked due to the plaster so next up - well there was no insulation in any of the exterior walls or ceiling! Not sure how the folks that lived there prior paid their AC bills! So we set out to make a ton if holes in the walls to blow in the insulation. 

At this point I was getting impatient because we werent to the "pretty stuff" yet. No offense to y'all that love drywall and insulation but its boring AF. A week later we had an insulated house, new living room ceiling, and patched drywall. Now off to the races--->

While the crew was handling all of the non-exciting must-do things I was off meeting with some of my vendors to talk shop.  Some of the most important things to me when I'm doing a flip are: Flooring, countertops, and specialty items such as shutters, barn doors etc. 

Turney was the first home in the world to get Arizona's Geronimo Marble 

Turney was the first home in the world to get Arizona's Geronimo Marble 

Flooring is probably number one, not only is it at the top of the list as far as expense it will make or break your project. Things I needed to consider were of course budget but wait- lets talk about the other less obvious things. The overall appeal based on trends in the area, the neighborhood, and the perceived value. Finish quality and color is another deal breaker. One finish for one side of town will not work for the other. Also its good to have a couple of higher end finishes that mix in with the lower grade ones to make it pop. Counters and backsplash are worth spending time pondering. Your home needs to stand out, be unique but still appeal to the masses. This is especially important in Phoenix as most homes on the market are remodeled or flipped. The buyer is accustomed to upgrades and expects something special. 

Once we chose all of the finishes it was time to execute and to balance the work and timing with all of our trades. This can be tricky! It's like walking a tightrope. Everything needs to align perfectly or you'll fall- well maybe not that bad but I guess what I'm trying to say is that every single thing depends on something else. My best advice is that someone needs to be on site every day to field questions, catch mistakes, and keep progress on track. It takes a village people! 

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Once we get well under way with finishes we turn to deadlines. This particular house we had a party planned to announce our new product Revive + Remodel which designs for the public. Party = Panic the house needed to be done not only for photos but for this event that we had heavily advertised, ordered food, live music and you name it else. The morning of the party the house was a mess there was sawdust on the floor the oval toilet didn't let the bathroom door shut and other general nonsense! We didn't panic we persevered and at 4pm in the people came, food and music flowing it was a success! 2 days later we put the home on the market and sold it within the first few hours over our list price. Another happy buyer!

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Here are some before, after, and detail photos. Professional Photography by Life Created other photos by Tom or myself