Hold on to your flip-flops, because we are about to take a tour of my dream home. Sadly, my dream home is not currently owned by me. Rather, it is owned by Dorie, and good thing too, because she was totally able to see what this hacked up mish-mashed mess was supposed to be, whereas I would have been like … “A balcony! Kewl!”
So here we go! See the aforementioned balcony and pillars and dormers? NOT jiving with the 1916 bungalow. Dorie took care of that and several more architectural sins that the previous owners had committed, as you shall see.
Like closing off the wrap-around porch! What the wha? Why? WHY?! Don’t worry, it looks freaking fantastic now.
And then there was the kitchen. I have no words. Yes I do. But they are swear words. Good thing they had the floor to ceiling wine racks, because living with that kitchen would require a constant state of drunkenness. How else could you not be semi-bothered by the oven being IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM? But ohmygoshyouguys, the after.
Unbelievable! Nothing frightfully wrong with the bathroom, other than the gold fixtures and hunter green tiles affixed to the room’s surfaces at random. So yeah, pretty bad. But the after is unrecognizable! I. Want.
And finally, what makes more sense when you live in Arizona, than enclosing yet another porch and adding an enormous fireplace? Anything, that’s what. Anything makes more sense than that. Quantum physics, astrology, Charlie Sheen, anything.
But drink in the after! Drink with your eyes! It’s like paradise!
There is A LOT more to see on Dorie’s blog Tuesdays with Dorie, check it out! And Dorie, don’t be alarmed if you come out one day and find me living on your back porch.
24 Comments
arlene
April 15, 2011 at 9:08 PMAbsolutely the most wonderful make over ever to the worst re-do ever. I know that sweet house is thanking you!
Sam @ The Junk House
April 15, 2011 at 9:09 PMWait?! You mean to tell me there are homes with character in Mesa? I thought we all lived in beige/brown cookie cutter houses here. I might move onto her back porch too!
Brittany Rivers
April 15, 2011 at 9:17 PMWow…to be honest the first thing that jumped out at me as being horrific is the stove in the middle of the kitchen. The stupidity is unbearable.
The overall renovation is incredible. This is coming from someone who’s been there and done that. Looks fantastic! I LOVE the kitchen island.
Prudently Painted Vintage
April 15, 2011 at 9:19 PMAll I have to say is Dorie has a magic wand and I want that wand!
Kristy
April 15, 2011 at 9:31 PMFabulous! But does anyone else notice the duck/goose/bird thing under the coffee table in the last pic! =)
Sheree Flick Photography
April 15, 2011 at 9:41 PMIs that a live chicken under the table??
Teresa@oursoutherncountryhomeandfarm
April 15, 2011 at 9:44 PMDorie did a great job on the renovation, but I am sure you would have too if you owned it.
Diana J.
April 15, 2011 at 9:46 PMIf the genius she has is contagious, I am driving over to Mesa RIGHT NOW to hope it rubs off on me! WOW!!
Romaine
April 15, 2011 at 11:45 PMFantastic reno!!
Jen
April 15, 2011 at 11:50 PMI am trying not to let my jealousy take over. I really am. That house is BEAUTIFUL!
Dorie
April 15, 2011 at 11:58 PMThank you Lindsey for the feature! And yes, that is my chicken in the picture. And yes, she’s (unfortunately sometimes) very alive 🙂
Anna See
April 16, 2011 at 1:35 AMAstounding! This is a gorgeous home. What vision Dorie has!
Carol-Anne (Use the Good Dishes!)
April 16, 2011 at 2:35 AMHoly Cow! That house is fantastic!I especially love the bathroom vanity….beautiful in a rustic way.
Lynda
April 16, 2011 at 2:42 AMI can’t even think of enough superlatives for that redo on that gorgeous, beautiful home! What wonderful pictures to have in my head before going to sleep!
I am so glad someone told me about your blog. I thought I had seen more than enough wonderful ideas and still they keep being posted anew every day!
alaroway
April 16, 2011 at 3:41 AMOMG I Love their bathroom vanity, kitchen, outdoor spaces, everything! So glad photobucket is back up to I can get my daily better after fix! 🙂
**Mumzy
April 16, 2011 at 5:26 AMAmazing!!! Love, love, love it!!! Love the porches!!!! Where can I get a wand???
TracyAnne
April 16, 2011 at 8:02 AMWow! I love it! I want a covered porch, too.
Margaret
April 16, 2011 at 12:33 PMThe stove in the middle of the room was actually genius, as I can’t tell you how many times I drop things behind mine, and have to pull it out from the wall several times a year.
Dorie, your home is restored to its intended charm, and I love the porch…winner, winner chicken dinner..no wait, not YOUR chicken!
concretenprimroses
April 16, 2011 at 2:02 PMWonderful!
what ever do people have against porches? Even here in NH it irks me when they get “converted”. (I have 4)
The wine racks in the kitchen are a mystery too.
Great job!
Kathy
Laree
April 16, 2011 at 6:50 PMSwoon!
Anne-Marie @ 10 Rooms
April 17, 2011 at 12:32 AMTHAT is Talent!! So, so lovely..
Leslie
April 18, 2011 at 2:39 PMThe chicken under the table is stunning!
Dutchie
April 18, 2011 at 7:20 PMThis house is amazing!
Kit
April 19, 2011 at 4:52 AMWho ever designed that before kitchen needs to be dragged out back and shot. “Here’s a nice big room, lets put all the counters tops about 3 feet from the walls so that they can have the tiny cramped kitchen they’ve always dreamed of having.”
Thank you Dorie for putting that tiny kitchen out of it’s misery. The rest of the house is just genius. definitely my favorite “After” ever.