This morning Sarah and I are headed off on a road trip to tour Campbell University, the school she is considering transferring to when she graduates from the Community College in the spring. (It’s about 200 miles away.) That basically means that the College Countdown has begun; one year from now, she will be moving out of our house. Treasuring those moments . . .
For those of you who love looking at interesting architecture and unique décor, I wanted to share a few pictures of the 150-year old adobe home we stayed at in Santa Fe.
Our little apartment was a part of a compound where a large extended family lived 150 years ago.
This is the outside parking area. Our parking spot was right next to an old windmill which I loved.
Here are some entrances to the other units. I think the whole compound was divided into 6 or 8 different separate units.
We met one of the owners when we were out walking and after talking for just a few minutes about how much we loved the whole building she said, “Would you like to come into my house for a tour?” Such a lovely touch of hospitality.
She told us that Joan Baez and Bob Dylan used to hang out at the compound back in the day. How cool is that?
An outdoor fireplace in the parking lot.
This is the entrance to our little spot.
The view of the living room as seen from the patio. The living room used to be the garage.
Looking from the living room to the patio.
When the owners bought this part of the compound, it had no plumbing, running water or electricity. The couple spent $225,000 renovating 600 square feet, doing most of the work themselves. They said it was a labor of love—and it shows.
The built a rose quartz vein right into the wall. I’d never heard of such a thing until I saw this one.
A shelf full of treasures.
The kitchen.
Even the bathroom had really cool features.
There was a stained glass window in the shower stall.
The details even extended to a small, carefully cut piece of fabric that was affixed over the peek hole of the front door.
But the thing that we really loved about this place?
This bedroom.
The tree actually came about because the walls in that spot were in such horrible shape that they couldn’t smooth them out. They finally decided to form the shape of a tree and plaster over it.
Talk about a great example of turning a weakness into a strength!
We couldn’t have been any happier with our adorable adobe abode. We will always remember the golden moments we spent there.
Note; we got this little home for $129 a night through Airbnb, (Which is still a little expensive for my budget but we don’t go on vacation very often.)
You might like to try this company the next time you travel. You can rent a couch, a room, or a whole house–everything from a castle to a yurt to an Airstream trailer. The prices are really reasonable considering what you’re getting. (And no, this is isn’t a paid ad; I just love the whole concept of getting to rent an entire home away from home!)
What a beautiful , unique place. I especially love the tree wall, what a cool idea. I too love airbnb- right now we are on a small vacation, staying in an airbnb flat for half the price of a hotel room. Looks like you had a fun time!
Jenna,
Half price is a GREAT price, especially when it means having more space. Enjoy!
What a beautiful place! And so much more fun than staying in a regular old hotel room. Thanks for sharing your awesome accommodations with us!
Gayle,
Yeah, no matter how expensive and beautiful a hotel room is, it is still a ROOM! It was so wonderful to have extra (and lovely) space.
Becky, as always, I thoroughly enjoyed your photos!!! And FWIW, I have only heard good things about Campbell throughout my life. Hope Sarah’s visit is positive. Fred & Lucy 😉
Fred,
Yes, her visit was very positive; we loved Campbell!
Before my husband and I purchased our townhome we wanted to have a home that had “character” which ours does. In looking at your pictures, you certainly did have a place that had character. How beautiful!
Sharyn,
I know, isn’t character such a wonderful thing?
The tree may have been added to cover some plumbing.
Steve,
I knew it was covering SOMETHING unsightly!
Lovely adobe! We’re using AirBnB for our trip to Europe in December/January. We’ve booked a thatched cottage near my in-laws’ town in Cambridgeshire for two nights, and I’m so excited!
Stefanie,
A thatched cottage. Sigh. I love the sound of that.
Just loved your little home in Santa Fe. Couldn’t believe the price. We were there about 7 years ago and were shocked with the high lodging prices. Just had to see if I could find your abode on airbnb. Your review was great. Thanks for sharing all the pics. Did you find interesting things to do?
Judy,
Yes, we did noticed the prices around us were pretty high and felt very blessed to find the deal we did. It was actually within walking distance of the downtown area and within a block of the oldest church and the oldest house in America. Lots and love to do there; I would highly recommend a visit to anyone!
wow, that is the coolest place ever! I love the sink, and Joan Baez. Thank you for sharing the photos. Good luck on your trip with Sarah!
Lesley,
The sink and Joan Baez. What’s not to love? 🙂
Good luck on the college visit. My brother said last night he almost choked on his words when he said his daughter was an upper classmen. She starts her junior year in high school in a little less than two weeks. Both my brother and sister-in-law will finish 30 years of teaching the same year she graduates.
The adobe looks very inviting to stay. Pictures are beautiful as always.
Phyllis,
Kudos to your brother and sister-in-law for teaching 30 years. They are heroes! And yes, I understand that choking sensation when speaking words that reveal how old our kids are getting.
Beautiful, Becky. Thanks so much for the pictures. We paid more than that per night at The Swan and only had a room at PI Leadership Conference. Love the tree in the bedroom and bathroom is simply beautiful. So glad you and Steve got to go. Enjoy touring Campbell. Have not been in a long time and it has changed so much. Soon will be 50 years ago that I graduated from there.
Ann,
What a big anniversary–50 years since college graduation! We were very impressed with Campbell and were glad to hear you had a good experience there.
That home is just amazing! I especially like the bedroom and the bathroom sink! So cool!
Have a safe travel day and enjoy the college visit. I hope that the school is what Sarah is hoping that it will be. 🙂
(This is LeeAnne. I added a photo and now it shows my user name. Need to fine tune, I guess. 🙂 )
Ok….now I’ve got it! Whew!!
LeeAnne,
Glad you got all that technology figured out. It’s enough to drive a person crazy sometimes! 🙂 And what a darling picture.
Gorgeous place!!! My daughter was born and raised in Ohio, but went to a college in Santa Fe. Quite the change! She lived in northern New Mexico a while after college, and is back east of the Mississippi now. I visited that area numerous times. What I noticed is that many people in New Mexico, women especially, skip all the make-up and hair colorings we in the east tend to use profusely – not that there’s anything wrong with that! It just struck me, and I kinda liked it! Did you notice that Becky? I certainly felt that “of the earth” vibe going on! Happy college visiting!!
Ann,
I know exactly what you mean about the “of the earth” vibe. I did see that a lot and I appreciated seeing women showing off their natural beauty.
I’m envious of your daughter going to college in such a beautiful place although I can imagine what an adjustment it was for her coming from Ohio!
that tree is absolutely fantastic!!
the whole place is charming!!!
hope the college tour is a good experience.
Mrs. Pam,
Fantastic tree. check. Charming place. check. Good college experience. check 🙂