New Mexico House Tour with Michelle & Tim

A Sneak Peak in Placitas, New Mexico

One of the blogs that I love to browse is Apartment Therapy. It is my online HGTV. It delivers constant inspiration by showing a peek into a house from somewhere in the world. They great part is that accompanying the great pictures, there is always a little survey of the owners and a list of resources so you know where they got everything.

Last month while at my brother Tim's house, I was inspired to take pictures of he and his wife Michelle's home. I sat down with Michelle and we went through the standard Apartment Therapy survey that accompanies all their house tours. I just wish I would've taken more pictures to share. Like I said, it is a peek!

Name: Michelle & Tim
Location: Placitas, New Mexico
Size: 2000 square feet

Michelle and Tim have been a mobile couple since they got married 15 years ago. They have lived in South Korea, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Florida, Georgia and their current residence in Placitas, New Mexico. Their adobe house is at the foot of the Sandia Mountains. (yes, near the HGTV Dream Home) A beautiful pebbled courtyard is planted with rosemary, lavender, ornamental grasses and other desert hardy plants. Upon entering the solid wood front door you can immediately tell you have walked into a house of a well traveled family. Even though the house is just 5 years new, they wanted to change many of the "standard features" that came with the home when they moved in. Michelle was the designer and overseer, and in some cases the DIY-er of this overhaul. In fact, they were waiting on the new granite for the kitchen while we were visiting.

Tim, a pilot in the Air Force and Michelle a Registered Nurse, have made a very comfortable cozy home for themselves along with their two boys, two dogs and two cats.

Enjoy your sneak peek!

VC Survey with Michelle:

My style: Eclectic...with focus a on Asian and rustic styles

Inspiration: I love colors of the desert. and each room starts with a special find

Favorite Element: The mountain views are amazing and the newly remodeled master bath with the custom vanity, marble counter, mosaic tile work and copper tub and sinks are luxurious.

Biggest Challenge: Finding the time and patience for overseeing a renovation while being a working mom.

What Friends Say: "Its Absolutely Amazing!"

Biggest Embarrassment: None. This house was new and very "vanilla" when we moved in and although I changed almost everything to fit my taste, nothing was embarrassing.

Proudest DIY: I laid the pebble rock floor in the boys' bath and I think it turned out great. I even included some glass tiles and a few my own sea shells.

Biggest Indulgence: The hammered copper soaking tub.

Best advice: Take your time. Let your home evolve!

Dream source: Hmmm. Really a compilation of pictures from books and other people's homes, as well as features seen in the countries we have visited.

Resources:

Furniture: Hong Kong, antiques stores, Custom build, DIY painted,
Bed: Bed was custom made
Paint: Home Depot
Rugs: Overstock.com
Artwork: All our travels around the world
Window Treatments: Custom or Stores like World Market or Bed Bath & Beyond
Accessories: Flea markets, antique stores, Target, other online vendors, gifts, and items picked up from traveling.

{copper tub surrounded by mosaic border and rich colored tiles}

{the little details-light switch plates of copper}

{Michelle's DIY bathroom floor of river rock- beautiful!}

{front courtyard with colorful pottery and desert plants}

{painted arch leads to renovated bathroom in master suite}

{niche in living room with native american art/textiles. lovely tile baseboards}

{one side of living room boasts this fireplace, the other a wall of windows to the mountains}

{collection of New Mexican horses above the kitchen cabinets}