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Some years ago, Melanie Wagner and husband weren't sure where they wanted to settle permanently, pre-retirement. They wanted to "try out" Tucson, and lucked into a sweet rental with some soulful details.
She calls her style, "Arizona Colonial"-- because it leans to the British colonial look she favors, but with the Southwest accents she has woven in.
NOTE: "Homeworthy" is pulling its usual tricks-- video too dark! So, I've patched their images together with some brighter images of the house from elsewhere... still recommend the video in order to get a much better feeling of flow in the house.
As she's walking in to the living room, this looks darker than it is-- oh well.
There's a beautiful desk, flanked by classic zebra print chairs when you first walk in.
She loves Slim Aarons' classic midcentury art photographs just like I do. She confessed that the little silver trays that she uses to layer under planters, etc., are a Dollar Tree find. She gives lots of handy "high-low" tips like that!
The couch faces simple bookcases, with treasures collected over 30 years...
....like her Mexican pottery that she combines with the artichokes she dries herself, in a wooden bowl.
Her collected mirrors and art really personalize the rental throughout--
The characteristics of British colonial-- white slipcovered furniture, rich woods, carved details, old rugs, rattans and wovens, intricate metal work, and plants, are ever present. They blend and overlap with her Southwest details of wrought iron, Indian blankets, baskets, and Talavera pottery and motifs.
The landlord wanted to rent the house to them "as is", with 10- 15 year old wall-to-wall carpeting-- but they hated that, and somehow they convinced him to let them rip it all up, and paint the concrete in a harmonious color.
See the fringed blanket on the couch below? Melanie chose the sand- colored stripe in the blanket, and they found a paint color that matched, to paint the floor--
Here's the floor right after they ripped all the glue and carpet nails out, etc., and before painting. See how great their raw outdoor space is:
BEFORE. The original compact kitchen had fake wood grain cupboards. The couple were allowed to paint them out, and they made other changes out of their own pocket.
AFTER, below. Of course, Melanie gets questions about art so close to the grease, etc. of a stove. She said she 'needs' the art, and when she's really into her heavy duty "Italian-girl" cooking, she just whisks the leaning painting away from the stove:
They put in a deeper sink, and handsome faucets. The blue ribbon art was made by her daughter to showcase the award her Mom got from the Pima County fair for doing an exceptional table scape display in an interior design competition. What a sweet daughter!
Their dining room is a tiny space between kitchen and living room, but exudes personality. A flower nut who gets tired of constantly refreshing bouquets, she got some realistic faux gladiolas and put them in real water in a vase--
The Picasso print that was over the fireplace in the first photo, is now in the dining room. Love her romantic metal lamps.
A sweet, snug but airy bedroom--
Their patio is a spectacular space! Patio furniture is old Home Depot which she painted black. Geraniums are her favorite flower.
They have a wonderful old wood table they've used both indoors and out--
She has a view of this brick wall from her bedroom, so wanted more of her favorite geramiums and topiary here.
Specially loved this since Tucson has been one of my favorites since childhood visits with family there. Very simpatico city!
Question-- as a renter, would you put in a sink and faucet more to your liking, at your own expense? Or provide the labor to rip up undesirable carpet? Clearly, it was worth it to them, and they've stayed and gotten enjoyment out of their improvements.
To me, a charming and well-lived-in home.
@Oznell wrote:
Some years ago, Melanie Wagner and husband weren't sure where they wanted to settle permanently, pre-retirement. They wanted to "try out" Tucson, and lucked into a sweet rental with some soulful details.
She calls her style, "Arizona Colonial"-- because it leans to the British colonial look she favors, but with the Southwest accents she has woven in.
NOTE: "Homeworthy" is pulling its usual tricks-- video too dark! So, I've patched their images together with some brighter images of the house from elsewhere... still recommend the video in order to get a much better feeling of flow in the house.
As she's walking in to the living room, this looks darker than it is-- oh well.
There's a beautiful desk, flanked by classic zebra print chairs when you first walk in.
She loves Slim Aarons' classic midcentury art photographs just like I do. She confessed that the little silver trays that she uses to layer under planters, etc., are a Dollar Tree find. She gives lots of handy "high-low" tips like that!
The couch faces simple bookcases, with treasures collected over 30 years...
....like her Mexican pottery that she combines with the artichokes she dries herself, in a wooden bowl.
Her collected mirrors and art really personalize the rental throughout--
The characteristics of British colonial-- white slipcovered furniture, rich woods, carved details, old rugs, rattans and wovens, intricate metal work, and plants, are ever present. They blend and overlap with her Southwest details of wrought iron, Indian blankets, baskets, and Talavera pottery and motifs.
The landlord wanted to rent the house to them "as is", with 10- 15 year old wall-to-wall carpeting-- but they hated that, and somehow they convinced him to let them rip it all up, and paint the concrete in a harmonious color.
See the fringed blanket on the couch below? Melanie chose the sand- colored stripe in the blanket, and they found a paint color that matched, to paint the floor--
Here's the floor right after they ripped all the glue and carpet nails out, etc., and before painting. See how great their raw outdoor space is:
BEFORE. The original compact kitchen had fake wood grain cupboards. The couple were allowed to paint them out, and they made other changes out of their own pocket.
AFTER, below. Of course, Melanie gets questions about art so close to the grease, etc. of a stove. She said she 'needs' the art, and when she's really into her heavy duty "Italian-girl" cooking, she just whisks the leaning painting away from the stove:
They put in a deeper sink, and handsome faucets. The blue ribbon art was made by her daughter to showcase the award her Mom got from the Pima County fair for doing an exceptional table scape display in an interior design competition. What a sweet daughter!
Their dining room is a tiny space between kitchen and living room, but exudes personality. A flower nut who gets tired of constantly refreshing bouquets, she got some realistic faux gladiolas and put them in real water in a vase--
The Picasso print that was over the fireplace in the first photo, is now in the dining room. Love her romantic metal lamps.
A sweet, snug but airy bedroom--
Their patio is a spectacular space! Patio furniture is old Home Depot which she painted black. Geraniums are her favorite flower.
They have a wonderful old wood table they've used both indoors and out--
She has a view of this brick wall from her bedroom, so wanted more of her favorite geramiums and topiary here.
Specially loved this since Tucson has been one of my favorites since childhood visits with family there. Very simpatico city!
Question-- as a renter, would you put in a sink and faucet more to your liking, at your own expense? Or provide the labor to rip up undesirable carpet? Clearly, it was worth it to them, and they've stayed and gotten enjoyment out of their improvements.
To me, a charming and well-lived-in home.
Yes, I would. First I would ask for a long term rental agreement with the stipulation I could upgrade within reason.
If one put in $20k and lived in the rental for 10 years it would average out to 2k per year.
I was a landlord for 30 years with 10 rentals. I would consider this win-win for both tenants and a landlord.
As a landlord I found credit checks mean very little as to how a tenant will take care of a home or pay the rent.
If a would be tenant approached me with this request, /I would jump on it.
I really like the rental makeover you posted.
The living room would look a lot better with a white or ivory rug with green accents. The current one is too dark.
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