While opening up the layout to capture desert light, Darci Hazelbaker and Dale Rush accentuate the character of their 1925 Spanish-style home.

The bright living room incorporates some of their own furniture prototypes with treasured midcentury collectibles. The T-square on the wall came from the estate of Albuquerque architect George Pearl; the hanging textile opposite is by fiber artist Romeo Reyna. The Finn Juhl chair comes from another estate sale, while the lights were made from standard, off-the-shelf parts. Darci and Dale also built the console and coffee table.

For architects Darci Hazelbaker and Dale Rush, the duo behind Tucson–based Hazelbaker Rush, restoring their 1925 Spanish-revival bungalow was an exercise in honoring the home’s century-old past. The pair combined two bedrooms, clad the walls with wood lath, and mixed their own furniture prototypes with treasured midcentury pieces. The result is an interior that reflects the couple’s simple yet functional design mantra, with an honest reflection of place and time.

$1,260
Demolition
$870
Framing + Insulation
$3,000
Electrical
$2,800
Plumbing
$630
HVAC
$3,500
Exterior Stucco
$700
Windows
$800
Door
$520
Lighting
$5,500
Finishes
$4,500
Fixtures
$6,200
Appliances
$8,100
Cabinets & Countertop
$3,800
Misc. Construction
Grand Total: $42,180
The 1,000-square-foot bungalow sits along a quiet street near downtown Tucson and the University of Arizona. "For us, home isn’t simply about the space you live in; it’s also about the sense of belonging to a particular place," says Dale.

The 1,000-square-foot bungalow sits along a quiet street near downtown Tucson and the University of Arizona. “For us, home isn’t simply about the space you live in; it’s also about the sense of belonging to a particular place,” says Dale.

Photo courtesy of hazelbaker rush

“The design decisions were driven by our desire to update the home without losing its historic character and presence in the neighborhood,” explains Dale. Ultimately, this meant tackling most of the construction themselves as a way to discover ways to accommodate their needs while remaining flexible with material selection. 

Darci and Dale in their kitchen with Ricarda, a pup they are fostering during the COVID-19 crisis. "Our homes are a place of refuge—a manifestation of our lives—and change as we do," says Dale. "A home allows one to surround themselves with objects that reflect their histories, encounters, and experiences."

Darci and Dale in their kitchen with Ricarda, a pup they are fostering during the COVID-19 crisis. “Our homes are a place of refuge—a manifestation of our lives—and change as we do,” says Dale. “A home allows one to surround themselves with objects that reflect their histories, encounters, and experiences.”

Photo courtesy of hazelbaker rush

“For us, the major constraint was budget,” explains Darci. “Since we were our own builders, we could keep the renovation process fairly organic. Opening up the layout to allow for natural light was the main priority. We wanted the home to be full of the desert light.”

The bright living room incorporates some of their own furniture prototypes with treasured midcentury collectibles. The T-square on the wall came from the estate of Albuquerque architect George Pearl; the hanging textile opposite is by fiber artist Romeo Reyna. The Finn Juhl chair comes from another estate sale, while the lights were made from standard, off-the-shelf parts. Darci and Dale also built the console and coffee table.

The bright living room incorporates some of their own furniture prototypes with treasured midcentury collectibles. The T-square on the wall came from the estate of Albuquerque architect George Pearl; the hanging textile opposite is by fiber artist Romeo Reyna. The Finn Juhl chair comes from another estate sale, while the lights were made from standard, off-the-shelf parts. Darci and Dale built the console unit and coffee table as well.

Photo courtesy of hazelbaker rush

See the full story on Dwell.com: Budget Breakdown: An Architect Couple Polish Up Their Tucson Bungalow for $42K
Related stories:

  • An Edwardian Home Gets a New Life Complete With a Sparkling Pool
  • Before & After: A Drab Midcentury Outside Seattle Gets Infused With California Surfer Vibes
  • A Gigantic Staircase Sweeps Through the Heart of This Tokyo Home

Similar Posts