While larger homes had fallen out of favor in recent years, the pandemic has made smaller homes seem even smaller. More and more, families are resisting the idea of assisted living facilities, opting rather to bring their family under one roof.
In the case of the four bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom 3,730-square foot Galleria at 63839 Orangewood Lane, bringing family together was owner Tommy Wade’s driving inspiration in breathing new, luxuriant life into the tired, neglected home he’d purchased in 2013. Relying on a variety of contractors and sourcing many of the home’s opulent fixtures himself, Wade reimagined the Galleria’s spaces, remodeling them to be a more sumptuous, yet practical and hospitable space for housing and entertaining family and friends. With an appreciation for Old World design and craftsmanship, and motivated by a desire to graciously accommodate his guests, Mr. Wade left no surface nor home system untouched.
Outward appearances belie the transformation that has taken place within the home. From outside, the elevation is the familiar Galleria two story “C” plan with its cross hipped, flat tile roof. But all similarities to the builder’s floor plan end at the front door. Opening the home’s beautiful scrolled wrought iron security gate, custom-made by The Painted Gecko, the eye is drawn to both the imposing nine-foot custom double doors boasting solid functional speakeasy windows with decorative iron grills and a massive 15-light scrolled iron chandelier descending from the vestibule ceiling.
Inside, the former lower-ceiling foyer that had opened directly into formal living space, was dramatically transformed into wide, high hallway, achieved with the addition of a wall to divide living and dining spaces, along with the installation of a lam beam above to vault the ceiling to an impressive 13-foot height. Evoking the grandeur of a Mediterranean hall, the line of sight goes directly to the south-facing back yard and the stunning panoramic view of the Catalina Mountains curving westward to Pusch Ridge.
Quality of craftsmanship is immediately noticed from the flooring, a porcelain wood plank tile topped with 6-inch espresso-stained baseboard, to the home’s new espresso-stained solid wood doors, each framed with Craftsman-style door casements and crowned with headers and molding. Generous use of pocket doors abounds, with seven hung throughout the house. Ho-hum carpeted stairs were replaced with new wood risers stained to match the homes doors and baseboards with a stylish runner and elegant custom iron handrails.
The grand hallway leads to the home’s great room area with kitchen to the left and family room space to the right. The former kitchen was completely gutted, with a more functional layout, punctuated by a huge 5.5 x 8-foot island topped with beautiful chiseled-edge Spectrus granite and fitted with a trough sink. Covering the kitchen’s island, perimeter and dining room wet bar, the bold and beautiful stone features sweeping waves of dark gray, gold and rust on a black background, set off by a backsplash of tumbled travertine stone and a shimmering iridescent glass tile mural above the cooktop.
Designed with the help of Canyon Cabinetry, the new layouts of the kitchen, dining room and master bath utilize Amish knotty maple cabinets with a burnished clove stain on the kitchen perimeter and master bath, and a rustic black distressed stain on the island and dining room Butler’s Pantry. Gone are the standard Galleria electric cooktop island and sink peninsula, now cooktop and sink occupy the exterior wall where gas was readily plumbed to the new 6-burner cooktop, above which a wall mounted designer range hood vents to the outside, and a new window frames the mountain view above a handsome polished black granite farmhouse sink with a chiseled apron.
The new chef’s kitchen is replete with high-end GE Monogram appliances, two Delta one-touch faucets, soft-close hinges and pullouts, pop-up power outlets, and additional lighting. Removal of the former pantry allowed for a wider opening for better flow to the dining room where a Butler’s Pantry adds valuable storage and a convenient wet bar and beverage center with an icemaker and two refrigerated drawers. It’s conceivable that the space could be readily used as a game room, if desired.
While the Galleria’s master bedroom is already one of the grandest among SaddleBrooke floor plans with a spacious seating area and two walk-in closets, Mr. Wade sought to improve the humble master bath. Borrowing three feet of space from the bedroom behind, the bathroom was gutted and remodeled. The toilet and shower traded position, with the latter redesigned as a roll-in shower, and the mundane garden tub was replaced with an air-jetted therapeutic tub faced with a handsome stacked slate.
Gone is the Galleria master bath’s standard long stretch of cabinetry with double sinks, replaced by handsome furniture-like cabinetry with footed sink bump-outs and Golden Crystal granite counters topped with a corner tower cabinet that hides appliances and divides the two opposing spacious sink stations. Featuring rich vibrant gold tones, as well as cream, gray, black and rust, Golden Crystal granite tops the home’s other two full baths, in the second downstairs bedroom suite and the upstairs hallway. In the powder room, a beautiful under lit alabaster vessel sink adds an elegant touch.
The foreshortened former fourth bedroom was converted to a new, larger laundry room with loads of storage, folding counters, a second refrigerator, and a convenient second entry to the master bath. Meanwhile, the space formerly occupied by the laundry room was remodeled to be the new ensuite bath for the floor plan’s den. Thoughtfully outfitted with an easy entry shower, in-bath closet and pocket door entry to both front and back doors, the den now serves double duty as practical and comfortable first-floor quarters when needed for guests with mobility issues.
While the fabulous finishes impress, the behind-the-scenes renovation and remodel is equally impressive. Not only were water heater and both HVAC units replaced, but the home’s ductwork was replaced and rerouted for more efficient heating and cooling. Additionally, new interior lighting was added, along with numerous chandeliers and tropical ceiling fans. Outside, the pool was resurfaced with a new PebbleTec finish and mechanicals, and three new motorized large retractable awnings span the back side of the house, increasing shaded entertainment space.
“Now that Tommy and his partner Brady have moved to Utah to be closer to remaining family,” said realtor and dear friend Karen Green, “I imagine nothing would delight him more than a new owner and family enjoying togetherness in this beautiful home he so lovingly transformed!”
Note: At time of publication, this home is an active listing. For more information, please contact Beth Fedor, Realty Executives Arizona Territory, at (520) 271-3642.
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