I’ll never forget the first time my mom described the location of our parents new home in Arizona.
“Oh, honey, it’s off of a dirt road!”
And I will also never forget the moment when I realized she kinda lied. You see, it’s not just off of one dirt road.
It’s off of a dirt road off of another dirt road off of another dirt road off of another dirt road! And it’s in the desert.
Literally.
18 acres of desert.
As you are bumping along those dirt roads, wondering if your teeth will still all be in place by the time you arrive, suddenly you see it.
Sitting on a hill, rising up like an oasis.
We just returned from spending a fun-filled week here and I thought you might enjoy a peek inside Michael and Carol’s (yes like the Brady Bunch) home. Otherwise known as Heather and Vanessa’s parents!
Come on in!
Once inside the foyer, the “oasis” feeling continues as you take in the crisp white walls, beautifully curved arches and wide expanse of tiled floors.
Off of the entry is the den which is a wonderful place to hang out, play games or sit and work my way through the stacks of decorating magazines my mom saves for me (and Heather!) when we come to visit.
A television on the wall and a wet bar make it the perfect spot for relaxing.
The dining room is really the first room you see when you enter the home and while it opens onto the foyer a column detail keeps it still feeling like it’s own separate space.
My mom just put the finishing touches on this room with the addition of these gorgeous silk drapes which she made herself.
Heading down the hall you find yourself in a wonderfully serene master suite.
Let’s head now back down the hallway to see some more of the house, shall we? This always reminds me of an art gallery. Of course, in our family, we only purchase our art at the finest establishments.
You know, like those which carry works by T.J. Maxx and Home Goods! 😉
While the kitchen is open to the family room it once again gets a feeling of separation courtesy of beautiful arches. The over-sized island is perfect for entertaining and is, frankly, NEVER this clear of clutter when my family is visiting. Actually, I think for the sake of these photos I had to move all of the kids’ stuff into another room!
One of the things I love most about the family room is that while the walls and flooring are light, darker pieces of furniture help to ground the space.
My mom has carried this decorating philosophy throughout the entire home and it keeps it feeling warm and cozy despite the white walls.
It’s easy to see why we truly feel like we are on vacation when we visit them here. We ride ATV’s, shoot pool, play air hockey, lounge by the pool, roast marshmallows and make s’mores around the fire pit and shoot BB guns.
My mom listens for the kids in the morning so that my husband and I can sleep in a little. I readily admit to enjoying being “mothered” a bit since in my season of life I am in full “mothering” mode day in and day out.
But, and I know I speak for Heather too when I say this, all of those things aren’t really the best part about visiting our parents at their desert oasis.
Getting to spend time in their beautiful home is wonderful. But sitting in the den with my mom after getting our PJ”s on and the kids are in bed and just talking…and talking…and talking? That’s pretty wonderful too. Seeing my husband and my dad laughing together over a joke that was probably only funny to them? I love that.
And watching my parents with my kids? I almost don’t have words. Not only do they play and interact with them from morning to night, they marvel at them, talk about them and just are generally adoring.
So, while we love that going to visit Nonna and Poppa feels a little bit like visiting an amusement park.
The best part about visiting them is actually…well…THEM!
Thanks so much for coming along on the tour of their home and for joining us today At the Picket Fence.
Have a fantastic weekend!
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Wow Us Wednesday
BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my gosh what a lovely home. You are truly blessed to have wonderful parents…and I agree. One of the best things is seeing your parents with your children. Priceless.
What an amazing house, and there are so many great details! To be honest, though, I would be a bit scared alone in the desert like that… what if I run out of ice-cream while sitting at the beautiful pool? 😉
Oh, my goodness! Your parents’ home is just gorgeous. Now gals, I can see two little apples didn’t fall far from the mommy decorating tree! 🙂 I can see why you all would have such a great time.
Be a couple of sweeties,
Shelia 😉
Tucson?
What a beautiful home! I can see why you’d love to visit. 🙂 I read and marveled in amazement because it is just so different (the area) than anything I’m used to! I live on the east coast of VA (literally on the coast, marshlands and all) with lots of trees and green…and very flat, flood prone land. 😉
Thanks so much for sharing!
Nancy
What a lovely house your parents have and the decor is beautiful. It made me want to visit!
Thanks so much for giving us a look into their home.
Mary Beth
I can see where you and Heather get your love of design — absolutely NOTHING grandma about grandma’s house! Just stunning and warm and welcoming and modern! And I agree about getting “mothered” — and “fathered” too — by our parents. Which is why our annual vacation to Florida is the highlight of our year!
Have a lovely weekend …
🙂 Linda
Your parents home is lovely….and how wonderful that you all have such a great relationship…that is the best of all!
Ummm hello gorgeous views ! Wow what a fabulous place to visit 🙂 You kids must always want to go and visit 🙂
What a fun way to spend the week! Their home is gorgeous too.
What a beautiful home your parents have! I love how open, bright and “happy” it is! And, the backyard is fabulous … I’d spend lots of time by the pool, for sure! Thanks for sharing with us, Vanessa … hope you had a wonderful time. xoxo
That is just gorgeous! Thank for taking us on a tour. Hey there to the parents! You’ve raised some spectacular women. 🙂
This has got to be one of the SWEETEST most Special home tours ever!!! And we are actually not to far from Arizona… So I think a Visit just might be in order.. Just to make sure it’s all legitimate.. You, know VERIFY that that this is Really your parents house and you didn’t just go on a Real Estate tour.. LOL!!! Oh and I must make sure that’s a REAL pool and not just a Desert Mirage!!! 😉
LOVE it!!
Thanks so much for sharing it!
xo
Wow, that is beautiful with stunning views and a pool! It has to be hard to leave.
Well, it’s obvious that you inherited all your creativity quite honesty! What a beautiful home in an amazing location. Your parents are so young looking, too. You got some great genes there, ladies! The best part of all? You know that time with your family is a priceless gift.
Beautiful home and, more importantly…a wonderful story about the love and sharing of close family ties…THAT, as you well know…is PRICELESS! P.S. I’d never leave the pool..except maybe for s’mores! xo
Oh my word what an amazing home.
And I love each room and description – and the love you have for your folks.
They are an attractive couple and I can imagine they wish you were visiting much more often.
Bet your kids LOVE that pool, too!
Wonderful post and beautiful home, indeed.
Their home is absolutely beautiful and your post about spending time with them is just so wonderful. I didn’t realize that they lived in Arizona. It’s easy to see where you both got your beautiful decorating taste and creativity from. I’m so impressed with your mom’s silk drapes. It’s not easy working with silk! Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful weekend.
What a beautiful home your parents have!!! They sound wonderful too! LOVE that they truly enjoy spending time with there Grandchildren!You are all so blessed!
xx
Anne
What a lovely home and family you have. The desert house is amazing and clearly your parents have good taste in decor, “like mother like daughters” 🙂 I am wondering if it gets really cold in the winter or is it very mild in Arizona. How far do they have to travel to the nearest shopping areas for groceries and such?
Its wonderful seeing inside the homes of other people. Thank you for sharing.
Lee
Thank you for your comments. Actually, it can get quite cold in the northern Arizona desert. We’re nearly at 4,000 feet in altitude. Last winter it got to a low of 12 degrees which we’re told was quite unusual. It snows 1-2 times but it melts quickly. We have to travel about 30 minutes for groceries, etc. Phoenix is about 3 hours from us and Las Vegas about 2 hours. Thank you!
Vanessa and Heather’s Mom
The decor is sooooo relaxing but are there snakes and creepy crawlies outdoors that would put me into cardiac arrest?
Such a beautiful home and beautiful family you have! I love the desert! Your parents home is stunning – it must be so hard to leave!! Thanks for sharing the gorgeous home tour!
Oh my goodness, you girls are so blessed and of course your Parents are as well. Stunning. I can just imagine the talk talk talk after the kiddos are sleeping by that gorgeous poolside. WOW!~ This home should surely be in a magazine.
What lovely parents! I can surely see where you girls got your decorating talents!
Judy
Crying over here! I bet your Mom & Dad miss you already. What a beautiful home! Now we all know where your taste comes from!! That pool is devine, and the view! WOW! Thanks so much for sharing with us. Loved seeing your parents!
Your parents home is beautiful and what a pretty view of the mountains. No wonder you love visiting.
xx,
Sherry
Such a great vacation spot and beautiful home… the white walls and floors will feel cool in the summer.
Your mom is brilliant.
Your parents have a beautiful home. To Die For in other words. 😉
I love the Fine Galleries of T.J. Maxx and Home Goods.
Thanks for sharing your parents unique and beautiful home. As a long distant grandmother, I fully understand their joy at each and every minute with their grandchildren.
What a lovely home! I grew up in that desert and my heart is still there! It’s hard to describe the stark beauty to someone from greener, more lush areas, but it is indeed beautiful and serene. Thanks for a glimpse of home today!
What an amazing home! If your parents ever need some more grand kids to visit we’ll volunteer our girls to go 🙂 I love the openness and high ceilings. Thanks for sharing their home. Please tell them how lovely it is!
Great tour of a wonderful home. But what I really enjoyed about your post was how you described the relationship with your parents and your children, It touched my heart! How nice of you all to be able to spend quality time together!!
I can see where you and Heather get your design sense and talents…what a gorgeous home…but most of all, it is filled with so much love…what a fantastic place to spend time in…and the views are spectacular…thanks for showing us your parent’s fabulous home.
Oh my, how wonderful that your parents are the custodial owners of their own piece of the beautiful AZ desert! I can’t tell if that view is of the Superstitions or McDowell Mountains — maybe neither! How long have they lived in AZ? While I absolutely love the vista, rattlesnakes and other varmints keep me in the “planned and well-manicured areas of our great state…..lol!
Carol
What a beautiful oasis in the desert! Love all the white! The interiors are gorgeous. Please come link up to Centerpiece Wednesday https://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/04/centerpiece-wednesday-and-wrap-up.html and share this post with us! Karin
This home is lovely! Thank you for sharing the pics.
I just have a little tip: It’s (it is) your parents’ home (not parent’s, because you have two parents). “It’s” only means “it is” whereas “its” refers to stuff about or for “it” whatever “it” is. It’s a screwy, screwy rule. I’m a word nerd, and a home decorating lover. I think spelling and punctuation contribute to beauty, too.
I *will* be bookmarking and reading your blog, and I won’t peep again about words or punctuation, honest. I know I have issues. Now, back to more of your loveliness!