Arapahoe Acres

Ahhhhhhhhhh…………………….
The Home Tour is over!! It was a great success! We still are counting up the numbers, but I know we surpassed last year’s donation to the school by nearly double. Did you come? Did you enjoy it?
I heard lots of folks heading to their cars saying things like “That was the most amazing tour ever”. I’m so happy that people enjoyed Arapahoe Acres. Thank you to every homeowner who shared their home’s unique beauty and simplicity with the masses. I hope events like this will help to preserve this neighborhood. Could you imagine one of these homes being demolished? Oh, it would be a tragedy.
If you missed the tour and would like a commemorative book, they are still available here.

Now that the tour is over, I can concentrate on my own home. Some asked if we’d be opening our house this year. With a toddler making messes every time I try to clean one up, I knew we couldn’t do it. Not to mention the time it took to plan this event.
Now that the tour is over, I’m ready to make a to do list so our home can be a happier, more beautiful place. Our family room needs lots of help. I’m hoping to get it painted and maybe even do something with the floor (it has carpet remnants over painted concrete slab, any suggestions?). But then there’s the single paned casement windows that freeze over every winter. Oh and the mangy carpet in the kids’ rooms…. and have you seen our master bathroom? Ok, the list is eternal and funds are limited. Hopefully I can choose a few things that will make us happy without breaking the bank. A lot of the changes will seem like spring cleaning being done in the fall. I have my car’s trunk full of clothes to take to the donation center. Check!
This is how I decompress. Or is it? I know I’ll be looking for another project to distract me from cleaning my house. I really don’t like housework.

The next Arapahoe Acres Home Tour is scheduled for Saturday, August 28th 1-5pm. Head over to the site for more information.

This is the latest home I was honored to photograph in the Arapahoe Acres neighborhood.

I call this the “flagship home” simply because it is often the first home seen in Arapahoe Acres. Ironically it was one of the last homes to be built in the neighborhood. With its Asian lines and details, this home represents Hawkin’s influence from his trip to Japan.

The beauty and uniqueness to this home is not only in the architecture. The current homeowner is quite the collector, with vintage pieces carefully placed throughout the home. Beautiful paintings and even a vintage tube television add beauty and charm. Who would have thought that a pink sofa could look so good in this space?

I was struck by how all the furnishings and details of this home just sing. From the restored grass wallpaper to the copper fireplace to the cork floors, this home is a perfect example of a proper restoration. Being a 1950’s split level home, with the bedrooms and office on the south “wing”, allows the kitchen, living and dining room ample space. The home is small, as so many homes are in this neighborhood, and has two bedrooms upstairs a third on the lowest level along with a den.

The use of exterior materials on the inside of AA homes is prevalent. In the Young House, the window sills are exterior bricks, the ceiling planks extend to the patio outside. The brick on the fireplace is the same as found on the home’s exterior. I love that Hawkins used copper for many of his fireplaces, this was my first to see and photograph.

I am so happy to live in one of these beautiful homes and experience my neighbors’ living spaces. Thank you so much for allowing me to photograph them.

Beautiful registered Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass clerestory windows and original grass cloth covered ceilings.

The newly added zen garden can be seen through the window. Both light fixtures are Wright inspired.

The Zen garden adds interest and movement to this area under the fascia.

A beautiful, peaceful respite. When we left, Beth and I knew we were returning to the chaos of the real world.

I brought along Zed and Beth (my friend, neighbor and fellow photographer) to help out with this shoot. Our hostess gave us the tour and then took Zed off our hands and he was soon fast asleep in her arms. I am so blessed to photograph such beauty and get to know my neighbors while I work.

Today I discovered another shoot was happening in this garden. A crew is filming a commercial for Weber Grills in the tranquility of the yard. Ezra, Zed and I stopped in for a minute to see all the equipment and people milling about on set.

It has been so long since I’ve been at a shoot, it brought back many memories. Especially today, 9-11. Eight years ago today I was on set, assisting, at another beautiful home in southern Massachusetts for Traditional Home magazine. Between shots and while shooting, the television showed us the mayhem in NYC. Today I cannot forget the loss we felt that day. Today I am grateful for those who defend us. Today I pray for peace.