We’re so glad you’re here!
This blog is where I’ll be sharing glimpses of our life in the Southwest—our home, our projects, and everything that inspires us out here in the Sonoran Desert. But first, a little backstory…
We’re originally from a small town in Minnesota, and after a few years of living in Colorado, we followed our hearts to Tucson. From the first time Vince and I visited, we knew there was something special here. The sunshine, the saguaro-studded landscapes, the peaceful energy—it kept calling us back year after year. In 2023, we finally listened, packed up our lives, and made the move.
As we started our home search, it honestly felt like this house found us. We were dreaming of country living—something with space, privacy, and a patio home that didn’t feel like city living. And then we walked into this house, and it was like finding the perfect wedding dress: when you know, you just know.
We didn’t get to choose the finishes since the home was newly built and already listed for sale, but the bones were perfect—and the potential was undeniable.
Our home sits on 1.5 acres just outside of Tucson, with panoramic mountain views in every direction. It’s a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom patio home, and every time I step outside, I’m in awe. The desert feels like magic.
I’ve always loved designing and styling the homes we’ve lived in, but this move inspired me to slow down. I’ve felt deeply drawn to create spaces that blend indoor comfort with outdoor beauty. Natural textures, southwest charm, a touch of Spanish influence—everything I love is coming together here.
And now, I’m so excited to bring you along for the journey. Here’s a little tour of how much we’ve transformed our home so far:
Home Tour
We’ve already transformed so much, and I shared some YouTube videos about our move and the progress of our home updates—I hope you’ll check them out! I’ll also be posting updates right here on the blog and over on Instagram @jeaniemarie.home, where I share behind-the-scenes peeks, projects, and everyday life in the desert.
Kitchen & Dining Room
Our kitchen is truly the heart of our home—nestled in the back and bathed in golden sunset light each evening. The high ceilings and warm basalt maple cabinetry create a cozy, inviting atmosphere that feels both timeless and grounded. I’ve always had a love for natural wood—it brings a depth and warmth that so many new builds often lack.
One of our favorite upgrades was removing the original cold gray granite countertops and replacing them with beautiful Magnifica Encore porcelain in the Calacatta Antique color. The subtle veining and warm tones pull in the desert’s natural palette—those soft oranges and terracotta shades I can’t get enough of.
The U-shaped layout flows seamlessly into the dining area, making it the perfect spot for slow mornings or simply enjoying a meal while watching the desert sky shift with the evening light.
Shop our kitchen & dining room →
Living Room
Our southwest-inspired living room is a cozy, sunlit space that perfectly blends comfort and character. A few of my favorite features are the large windows on both sides of the room that flood it with natural light, our sleek picture frame TV that doubles as art, and the beautiful arched faux fireplace that adds warmth and charm without the heat. To bring in that southwest feel, I got creative with a mix warm southern-inspired accents and pottery vases that tie the space together.
When it came to furniture, we chose comfort first. Vince really wanted reclining pieces—and while I was hesitant at first, I’m so glad I caved. Our cozy reclining loveseat has become one of our favorite spots to unwind together.
Master Bedroom
Our bedroom is one of the most peaceful spaces in our home—designed with relaxation and comfort in mind. The mix of natural textures, crisp white bedding, and warm wood tones creates a serene, calming atmosphere that feels like a retreat. The room itself is very large and spacious, so we added a cozy seating area on one end for slow mornings or evening reading, and placed a hanging egg chair in the opposite corner—a perfect spot to unwind and relax.
This room gets the best natural light in the entire house, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountain ranges and our backyard. Waking up here feels like a dream.
Master Bathroom & Walk-in Closet
Our master bathroom continues that spa-like feel with Luna quartz countertops, a spacious walk-in shower lined with classic subway tile, and marble-look flooring that adds a touch of elegance. It also connects directly to our walk-in closet, making the space both beautiful and functional.
Soft candlelight from our decorative fixtures and layered candle décor makes our primary suite feel like the ultimate escape—a perfect place to unwind at the end of the day.
Guest Bathroom
Our guest / hallway bathroom gives me all the warm, fuzzy feelings—and it’s easy to see why. I went all in with my favorite desert-inspired color palette: warm terracotta and earthy tones. From the Spanish-inspired floor tile to the terracotta backsplash and the zellige tile shower surround, every detail reflects the southwest charm I love.
This little bathroom might be small, but it’s full of personality. It’s a true Spanish cutie that brings so much joy every time I walk in.
Home Offices
We had a lot of fun designing our home offices, especially since we both work from home and wanted spaces that felt inspiring and functional. To bring in some desert personality, we installed wall murals—mine features a dreamy cholla cactus sunset, while Vince’s has a bold, saguaro-studded mountain scene that captures the rugged beauty of Arizona.
We also built our desks from scratch so we could fully customize them to fit our individual work needs and styles. These spaces not only reflect our personalities, but they make working from home feel creative, productive, and truly our own.
Outdoor Living Space
When designing our outdoor living space, we treated it with just as much intention as the interior of our home. Living in Arizona means we get to enjoy beautiful weather nearly year-round, so it was important to make the outside feel just as comfortable and inviting as the inside.
We spend a lot of time on our patio and porch—whether it’s sipping coffee in the morning, watching the sunset in the evening, or having a mid-day lunch outside. We layered in cozy furniture, outdoor area rugs, and terracotta planters to create a space that truly feels like an extension of our home. It’s become one of our favorite spots to unwind, entertain, and fully enjoy the peaceful beauty of the Sonoran Desert.
Shop our outdoor living space →
Designing your home is a personal expression of who you are—don’t let anyone else’s opinions water down your vision. Create a space that feels like you. We’ve fallen in love with the timeless charm of Spanish Colonial, Pueblo Revival, and Southwest desert style—so much of which is woven into the character of the region. And although we live in a new construction home, I’m doing my best to thoughtfully blend those classic elements into our space. I hope it inspires you to create a home that reflects what you love, too.
Feel free to browse and shop each room of our home right here—everything is linked and organized room-by-room to make it easy to find what you love.
Thanks for stopping by and being part of this new chapter. I’m so happy to have you here.
— Jeanie Marie
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