Introductions Necessary

Welcome to yet another blog from a person who knows a little bit about being a do-it-yourselfer. Okay when I say "a little bit," I really mean I only know a little bit. My name is Cody Mitchell and I am married to a man named Trent. Trent is actually quite handy, I'd like to consider myself more of the project manager on things although Trent rolls his eyes when I play that card. I also really love the design and decorating end of things when it comes to our house. Let's talk about our house for a moment shall we?

We live in lovely Scottsdale, Arizona, and our house was built in 1959 and designed by Ralph Haver. Haver was a famed architect here in the Phoenix Valley and he was well known for his homes which featured low sloped roofs and interesting windows. He designed schools, theaters and shopping buildings as well as homes around the Valley and pockets of his homes still exist today. Our home, in the Town and Country neighborhood represents the mid-century modern ranch stylings of Ralph Haver and as such Town and Country has been designated as Scottsdale's first historic district. Not only that the neighborhood was recently sent up for National Historic designation. Pretty cool huh?

Anyways, we picked up our little gem of a house in the spring of 2005, and well I say "gem" but really I mean "Diamond in the Rough." Think original 1959 kitchen--and not cool, retro kitchen, weird wooden paneling in places wooden paneling shouldn't be seen (it looked like a pirate ship in the bathroom), ceiling fans so low Trent was almost decapitated, WICKER on on the walls. Outside was a similar situation. A weird firepit, an old hot tub. But all Trent and I saw was beautiful Haver lines and potential, potential, potential. Also location, location, location. We love South Scottsdale!

So, we put in our offer and there we were, with our little diamond in the rough. Now three years later our diamond is finally starting to show her color and it's looking pretty good. It hasn't always been an easy road and lessons have definitely been learned. So that's what this blog is about. The good, the bad, the funny and the ugly of our little journey.

Welcome to the Modern Misadventures!