HOW TO MAKE A RENTAL HOUSE FEEL LIKE HOME

Wow. It's hard to believe, but six months ago yesterday, the moving rig with our Florida haul pulled up here to our new place in Arizona! A lot has happened since moving out here - sometimes I wish more happened, but some things just take time. One of the things that has taken some time is getting adjusted to our new surroundings. It's quite different living here in the desert vs. the tropics of South Florida.  For example lightening storms here come without rain and cause fires, where in Florida they can come with too much rain, and cause floods. Another change has been dealing with the DUST. Although the air in the evening or morning may be crisp vs. the humidity in Florida, it is also filled with a LOT of dust.

 

It's starting to get super hot here, actually hotter temps than Florida, but without the humidity, and it really hasn't bothered us. I like it - I'm Leo - a sun sign - so I love the warmth of the sun :) But the one thing we both terribly miss is the BEACH and seeing water. So this weekend, for another anniversary (our fifth year wedding anniversary) we're taking a drive over to San Diego for a few days! After the past six months - Jeff adjusting to his new position at JCP + all the company changes and me getting to know my way around here + transforming our rental into a home... we BOTH very much need the break!! Here's a little tour... well maybe not so little... but a tour of the transformations (minus the holiday installment!! lol) from our move here to Arizona...

 

PAINT

 

BOXES

 

WAH-LAH!

 

When we first arrived, the round mirror worked great behind the sofa... but it got a little blah after a while. Creating the NYC focal point not only gave a place to hang all these prints, but it started to tell more the story of us...

 

I switched out the NYC focal point for a cleaner look for summer... They have now made their way downstairs to Jeff's office (back where they were in FL).

 

 

 

The two horse prints in corner I'm switching for two B&W prints of AZ I found in a calendar I had. The one white horse I'm re-framing to put over the black bookcases next to dining area. the bookcase will have pics of us in Georgia (with horses!)

 

 

The links mirror was above the buffet in our entry in Florida. It worked above the wall unit for a while, but it now works even better in the bedroom above the dresser...

 

Refreshing the gold round mirror with stripes gave it a $0 update.

 

The box was the Christmas tree.

 

When Jeff surprised me one day with the cow skull I was thrilled!

I had put one one the roomboard I did before we moved out here. I wanted a "piece" of AZ in our home without it screaming SW or Tired Tuscan....

 

The thrifted X back chairs were a great little rustic add to the mix...

When we came in, the first thing we did was remove the wall paper back-splash and paint the space grey. Eventually, the track switched as well as the chandy for a simple drum shade (from CB2). We've never had an island before. It's actually become quite handy. Some of the wood pieces and baskets I've picked up at Goodwill are helping to relate the cherry wood cabinets as well as warm the grey.

 

Love that little pedestal table - Another Goodwill score here in AZ!

Great find at only $9.99!

 

The entry is tiny, so I doubled up mirrors on one side, and used the floating shelves (not shown - but were in stairway in FL) on the other. The floating shelves gave a space for a seasonal rotating entry statement.

 

I wanted to get a jute or sisal rug for the living room, but it's too expensive for right now. This small oval rug was only $12 at HomeGoods and gives that natural hint of texture to the small space.

 

More freeby frames made for a great ocean quad downstairs, and also relates to the bathroom decor around the corner...

 

Sephora :)

 

Covering that awkward window and adding the floating shelves in here + hardware to the door & some paint did wonders to this small bathroom.

 

The small laundry room has functionality too. While I was in FL, and Jeff was here in AZ, I found this (almost) new W/D set online for only $350. We added hardware (from our FL kitchen I had saved) and I spotted these great baskets at HomeGoods to add concealed storage (foot bath for pedicure in one and beach towels (ha!) in the others) Behind the door, the wall WAS red - We painted it a medium grey. I'm getting either MDF or molding to add to the wall for hooks (re-purposing dresser drawer pulls) so I can have some hang space in here to dry clothes. Will post shortly...

 

Third floor is SUPER-DUPER hot right now, unless we run the separate AC unit that is up there. When Jeff gets the replacement part for the TV we had to replace in the LR, that TV will come up here.

 

It was a small thing, but it made a huge difference: switching the existing hardware for this oval knobs. We gained an inch, and that has saved my hips from bruising! 

 

We never quite understood this wall finish...

But one color in one afternoon + reusing outdoor pieces inside with some plants + another Goodwill score here (the brass bookcase) helped create a garden room. It's been a great place to stretch & do some weights. Eventually, we may add a tv here (to replace the other TV the movers broke).

 

Would you believe, there are still 2 more spaces (not counting outside)? One is the guest room, but need to get a futon or daybed... and Jeff's (man-cave) office which is next on the list to get done. He doesn't read my posts so I can share with you - I'm re-purposing something of his he's had since he was 11 yrs old - I hope it fits and I hope it works (fingers crossed!). In between the transformations, I've been donating what we know we're not going to use again here. And thrifting for some natural or rustic items to mix in with our existing pieces has been a huge help in the transformation. Not just because it's on trend or in style, but because it's more indicative to our location and even more casual lifestyle here in Arizona.. I'll post and share more details later on... 

Right now I need to start packing :)

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Linking Post To:

Under The Table & Dreaming - Sunday Showcase

The DIY Showoff - Project Parade

Between Naps On The Porch - Metamorphosis Monday