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Several years ago I spotted a “for sale by owner” sign in front of a cool modern home in Arcadia probably built in the early 1960s. The real estate market was white hot at the time, and I knew the home might get torn down to make room for a palace. This bothered me because the mid-century modern homes are the most visible and livable old homes in Phoenix. I called the homeowner and discovered that the house was in fact built by a well known Arizona architect (Beadle?) many years ago.  I also found out that the home was out of my price range, so if the home would be restored it would have to be done by someone with more money. Within a couple of months the home was sold and a construction fence soon went up.

The photos you are looking at below are of that old home became. It has some styling inspired by the mid-century modern homes, but doesn’t stay confined by the original home’s lines. It’s better looking and more livable than ever. (And now it’s definitely out of my price range.) I’m sharing the photos here on my blog mostly because I like looking at ‘em.

Verrado is a beautiful master planned community West of Phoenix that really captures the essence of a small community. It’s basically a little town of perfect neighborhoods all connected with leafy streets and beautifully manicured public parks. When you stroll on the sidewalks and admire the timeless beauty of the homes, it’s hard to believe this whole place is only seven years old.

It’s become a tradition for our friends and family to make the 45 minute drive across town to enjoy an afternoon in Verrado.  (To my knowledge, we are the only group people I know who makes this trip. My guess is that more people would do it if they knew about this place.) Our most recent trip a few weeks ago happened to be Founder’s Day, a annual celebration where residents flood the streets and gather at the central park for a locals-only talent show and a free concert. Last year it was the Beach Boys, this year it was the Big Bad Voo Doo Daddies–the swing band that did well in the 1990s.

So in one day we toured model homes, ate at at a wine bar, and picnicked in the park while watching a concert. It was quite a day! I snapped some photos along the way of my favorite architectural details within the neighborhoods. Click on the thumbnails below for bigger photos with captions…

So I dug through my bookmarks and my iPhoto library to pull out seven items that inspire me every time I look at them. What I enjoy most about these things is that they are not exotic. They’re simple things that are done really well.

1. Vespa Rocking Horse

Make no mistake: children love rocking horses. It’s about as much on-demand fun and adventure as a year-and-half-year-old can have imagine. It seams to me that rocking horses seem to come in two varieties. 1) The traditional wood “old timey” horse that is often uncomfortable and easy to break 2) The cheap plastic horse that’s is surprisingly durable and comfortable but still remarkably tacky. <– We have that one. My hope is that later in life I’ll be able to build a beautiful Vespa rocking horse like this one:

2. The LCD TV Easel from Restoration Hardware

Televisions may forever be a source of pride and insecurity for Americans. I recently read an article in an interior design magazine that asked ten hardworking designers how they address the sensitive issue of putting a massive blabber-box in a well-appointed living space. They only had two solutions: hide it or put it on display for all to see. What is interesting is that when they presented their solution, every designer—every designer—began their answer with a disclaimer.

1. “Since we’ll use it all the time, why hide it?”  -or-
2. “Since it’s a hideous black hole hung on the wall, we had not option but to hide it.”

There just didn’t seem to be a solution that was free of insecurity. Or maybe there is a solution. Check out Restoration Hardware’s TV stand that’s inspired by an artists easel.

Here’s why this works. You look artsy without having to commit to purchasing a piece of art. (I know that my art school friends hate what I just wrote, but I am of the sophisticated crowd composed of art patrons who believe that modern art is garbage. Garbauge.) Plus you can hook up an Apple TV and you have yourself a dynamic family photo album. What could be better?

3. Salt, Pepper, Sweets

Have you ever seen a fancy marker rendering of a new restaurant concept? You’ll never see salt and peppers shakers on the tabletops. Why? Because these tacky necessities interrupt the visual cleanliness of a restaurant’s dining area. It’s for the same reason that you will never see a rendering of a concept car that includes door handles, antennas, or windshield wipers. In other words, they just don’t look cool. I snapped this photo at Postino Wine Bar in Arcadia (Phoenix).

The slip of paper that reads “Gum Here” is a brilliant idea. For one, it’s punchy and clever… it adds an emotional lift in an unexpected place. Two, it’s a clean piece of paper for writing down phone numbers of new friends. Three, it helps the restaurant save money—little by little—by discouraging patrons from wrapping their A.B.C.* gum with a perfectly good packet of sugar.

4. McDonalds, Detroit Airport

McD’s is not a popular destination for hip people and they know that. It seems like McDonalds is trying to fix that. One example is an atrocious McDonalds near my home that was given a “spa-treatment” with acres of natural stone and earth-toned paint. They even had a “water feature” that tried hard to convince patrons that they’re eating cheese burgers by a babbling brook. You might actually think after reading those words that this could in fact be an improvement on the colorful plasticy interiors of most McD’s. But it was certainly not an improvement. One word: ridiculous.

However, the McDonalds in the Detroit Airport actually got a visual upgrade and looks better than most.

5. Water Closet

Okay, let’s get this out there: photographs snapped in bathrooms are of any worth to our civilization. There are few exceptions to this rule, and you are looking at one of them. Why did I take this photo? It’s a simple yet clever reinvention of the least-glamorous corner of our lives.

(Have you ever dropped your phone in the toilet? Don’t laugh—because it could happen to you. This doesn’t just happen to those who choose to multi-task by chattering with unsuspecting friends. No, if your phone has ever fallen out of your pocket while sitting on the couch, know that the same thing can happen on a porcelain throne. This is an issue of gravity. With gravity always comes drama.)

Here you have a discreet tray for you phone, keys, whatever. It’s there if you need it. It can be ignored if you don’t.

6. This Shed

This is a small but cool picnic area in the charming Agritopia community outside of Phoenix. What I love about this structure is the attention to detail. Take a closer look…

7. This Truck

This is the most interesting truck at the car show in midtown Phoenix last fall. A four-door (stock, I presume) Chevy C-10 from the late 1950s with a drastically altered suspension. It’s amazing to see that airbag suspension and big rims can make a previously unexciting pickup into something unique and cool.