I’ve wanted to Home Tour since forever. And then it happened. And I wrote a whole post about it, but never posted it. Now, in celebration of Things I Should Have Done Six Months Ago, here’s that post…just pretend you hopped in a time machine so I can keep the verb tenses the same…

The Arapaho Heights Home Tour is this weekend, and it’s jam-packed with stunners. Seriously. Jaws will drop. Tears will be shed. The kind that come up when you’re staring at something that’s almost too beautiful. Yes, you can still buy tickets. And yes, you can buy them day of at any of the houses, too. Arapaho Heights Home Tour Roll Call:

102 West Shore Drive
The one that started it all. Architect Ted Kollaja and his equally talented wife, Elaine, brought this mid-century modern back to life and made it one of the home I envied the most when I moved in. Everything in this home feels like it was always meant to be. That’s the gift of the Kollajas, they’re purists through and through.

200 West Shore Drive
This home sat vacant for several years and then it fell into the very capable hands of Michael and Loree Westbrooks. You know how people say, “It’s to die for” and it seems like a total exaggeration? In this case, it’s not. There’s a whole lotta Loree-influence in this house and I’ve freaking obsessed.

303 Waterview Drive
Tiffany and Chris Franklin fell hard for this home in the prestigious Waterview Preservation District and made it their own. Drenched in rich jewel tones, wallpaper, peace signs, turtle planters and the best mix of modern and vintage furniture, Tiffany clearly has a gift.

504 Saint Lukes Drive
Matt and Kelly Giese are MCM to their core. When they moved from a sprawling ranch in Omaha, they brought a truckload of authentic furniture with them. They found the perfect place for their Kartell table in this little cutie with the backyard that won’t quit.

604 West Shore Drive
This has been such a fun transformation to watch. It was a single-story home that had seen better days. It became a two-story home with a fabulous floorplan and the most unique bathroom vanities. What Andrew and Crystal Stringer love the most is the backyard. With creek access. Where they really do kayak.

1218 Glen Cove
Caldwell Residential wanted to create a home fitting of the lot it sat on. And they did. This home is exceptional with no detail overlooked and no expense spared. It’s gorgeous with plenty of space to grow and sets Richardson up as THE suburb. The central location and laidback vibes of the city just make it that much better. 

“Dark Brown Is Back For 2024.” As I scrolled through this article, I got sad, then angry, then barfed.

And even that looked better than a solid brown wall.

Oh hey buds, I shared this Neighborhood Guide to West Richardson as told by CultureMap and me, Little Nikki No Shoulders*, last month. But then I thought, I bet people sure wish they could see it and read it again. Maybe even quote it and bookmark it. And probably, print it and wallpaper their homes with it. So here I am selflessly sharing it again. Can someone please help me straighten my halo?

*I grew up with two sisters. If there was a weakness, we exploited it.

In 2021, I helped Mitch and Jayme Ditto sell their cutest 1950s house in East Dallas. It was such a special house with a massive screened in porch that really was an extension of the house. They ate dinner out there, played, created, sweated and even once shivered. I know selling their home was hard for them. And me, too. I got locked out at an Open House. (HASN’T HAPPENED SINCE PEOPLE. Calm yourself.)

When they headed down to San Antonio, it was a real STRUGG to find something as special as what they had up here. I mean, it’s a whole different city with a whole different vibe. They were moving to be closer to family AND because they needed more space, but they forgot to pack their money tree so all the houses they were drawn to – the midcenturies, craftsmans and other old school cuties – were just beyond their price range.

They quickly recalibrated and revisited their priorities and that’s when they realized this house was the one for them. It had just enough character – with angled ceilings and subtle 1970s vibes, it had the space, and it was basically a big blank beige canvas. When you’re two of the most talented and creative people I know, that’s a pretty good place to start.

Jayme said the theme of this house is “rainbow” and the clever way she’s brought it to life is literally my favorite. It’s also pretty inspirational so I thought I’d share some of her favorite things which just so happen to be mine too.

THIS ROOM – The color palette was inspired by an Instagram account called Accidentally Wes Anderson. (There’s a coffee table book, too.) The green is Sherwin Williams Split Pea. The pink ceiling is Jovial and the drop sides in the tray ceiling is Perky Peach. (Jayme said it’s a little trick so the overall look isn’t too heavy.) And the light fixture is Color Cord. (You create your own light fixtures!!) The red freaking ties it ALL together and I honestly want to stare at this room forever and ever. You made me like puke green, Jayme. Wins on wins.

Iridescent Film – Want a tricky word to spell? Try iridescent like Ooohhh, this iridescent film is – don’t gag on this word because it’s appropriate!! – MAGICAL. JimJam said they initially added the film in the hopes of cutting down that less-than-magical Texas heat. Bummer Alert: It didn’t, but it DOES saturate the house in the prettiest, shimmeriest colors so let’s call it a win.

Floral Mural – Feels like it should rhyme, doesn’t it? Does it? A little?? Anyway, here’s a super fun one painted by Jayme and her best pal, Allie. You know what I love? The lavender background. If this wall were white, I would have fallen asleep three sentences ago.

Rainbow Sheers – The best statement about these is from Jayme: ”They hide my naked butt from the neighbors.” And it’s true, they do. They’re also the most perfectly selected softened rainbow colors that get a little boost from that disco ball.  

Rabbit Hole – Under the stairs, there’s a little storage area. OR THERE WAS. Now it’s an Alice in Wonderland-inspired rabbit hole where the girls can go and play and plot how to destroy dining tables. (I assume.) You know what else this room has? ANOTHER KILLER COLOR COMBO.

“Custom Furniture” – Mitch and Jayme have two children. Children wreck things. Sometimes they even plot it in a rabbit hole…I’ve heard. Instead of blowing their hard earned dollhairs on a future family heirloom, they made one. Jayme found a rickety vintage dining table for way cheap. Mitch fixed it, Jayme painted it and now if it meets the wrong end of a KoolAid KoolBurst, who even gives a rip?

Little Paints – Even if you’re not a Ditto, you can still find ways to add color and personality. Like that little pink face that used to be a boring yellow doorbell. The handrail that used to be minus a neon stripe or the cussword pipe cleaner that used to be a non-cussword pipe cleaner. YOU CAN DO IT!!

Find inspiration in All Things Jayme Here, Here, Here and Here.

A neighbor sent me a TikTok that said, “When your Starter Home becomes your Forever Home because you’re not leaving that 2.5% interest rate,” and ain’t that the truth, Ruth?

Currently rates are clocking in around 7.25% for a 30-year fixed loan. (I’m not a lender. I can’t give you a quote, but if I were leaning out a window at 227, that’s what I *might* have heard.)

Most Buyers are banking on refinancing in the future. But what are they doing in the present? Three things…

1. Shoppin’ and droppin’. By getting quotes from several lenders, Buyers can sleep tight knowing they have the best rate possible.

• Paying points. Buyers can buy down their own interest rate by paying points. (1 point or 1% is approximately $8,000 right now. Again, not a lender.) If you buy down your own rate, it stays that way for the life of the loan.

• 2-1 Buydown. This is where the Sellers pay to buy down the Buyers’ interest rate. For the first year of the loan, the interest rate is 2% lower. The second year is 1% lower and the third year, the regular rate comes into play.

On the 2-1 Buydown in particular, the hope is rates will decrease within the next two years and Buyers will be able to refinance and lock in a lower rate long-term.

Is that even possible? According to US News & World Report, yes-ish. It depends on how low you’re looking to go. If you’re holding out for rates to dip below 5%, that’s not expected to happen until 2025. But it is expected to happen so let’s all just hug and high five and end this one on a high note.