Touring a Mediterranean Style Home

April 5, 2013

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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