Built in the 90’s by a couple who at the time, called Taos home, and raised their two children here, this Chic Shack is for sale at a very affordable price!
It’s the ideal spot for a young couple with a small family who crave the feeling of being out in the country while still close to town. It’s five minutes from Holy Cross Hospital and on the (school) bus route, with plenty of space for kids (and dogs) to run around. If you’re looking for something in a warmer area then consider homes for small families at somewhere similar to Union Park.
The original owners left their mark all over this property with handmade elements throughout, a design sensibility the present owners (my daughter Angelica and her partner Lee Backer), continued to implement in the improvements they have made, increasing the property value considerably.
They have spent the past year investing a lot of time and money in order to show this home in the best possible light, and as you can see, they have certainly succeeded. Replacing doors, windows and fixtures using somewhere like marvin windows phoenix, the attention to detail has paid off, giving the house a more streamlined and modern vibe.
Custom tile work and a bespoke butcher block island made to order by Angelica’s father Sonny Robinson, a talented artist and wood worker (who did a lot of the cabinetry in the late R.C. Gorman’s home), make the open plan kitchen a cook’s dream. The (hard) wood for the kitchen island was sourced in Arizona.
Other seemingly small details make a big impact. The built-in book shelves in the living area, the charming sleeping loft nestled in the eves, plate-glass doors and windows used generously throughout this home, with the addition of several skylights, flood the house with light all year long. In winter the house is warmed by the sun, considerably lowering heating bills.
Three bedrooms and two full bathrooms and laundry facilities, make this the perfect place to raise a small family. Currently, the (just under 2000 sq ft) house, which sits on an acre of land at the end of Maestas Road in the Weimer area, bordering Talpa, is rented to a writer (with great taste), who lives there with her two children.
The property has water rights – an acequia runs through it – and over the years the land has sustained gardens and live stock. It’s situated in one of the most fertile spots in our valley. Talpa is known for its gardens and orchards, so fruit tees planted here and lovingly tended to, bear fruit in a very short time.
Mature trees, tall coyote fencing and drought resistant landscaping add true Taos charm to this property with two buildings on it. Wooden decks and hardscaping connect the main house to the (750 sq ft) studio with full bath and stunning views. If you are looking to undertake a hardscaping project of your own then you might benefit from searching hardscaping Charlottesville online in order to find a professional capable of doing the job. The studio is above a two car garage which is heated with radiant floors.
The courtyard that has been created between the two buildings, is the perfect spot for outdoor entertaining in the warmer months, opening off the kitchen/dining area with lots of room for a grill, a large table and lounging chairs. It is shaded by fully grown trees and is completely private. Another (hand-tiled) deck off the living area begs for a chaise lounge (or two) and a small table on which to set a tray of drinks and nibbles for an evening cocktail.
The separate unit, which has great views of the foothills and mountains from its balcony, can be used as a yoga or dance studio (one of the the original owners was a dancer), an art studio, guest quarters or even as an added source of income if rented out. The studio loft is an artist’s fantasy work space; wide open with extraordinary light.
At the moment the apartment, which has been recently renovated, is a short-term rental which I’ll be featuring (newly furnished and decorated), here on the blog in the next few weeks. The studio too, has passive solar elements making it very warm during the winter season.
For more information about this very family friendly property, and to see more great images, please visit the site linked below.
Photographs by Carville Bourg
