1321 E Monte Vista Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85006

There are houses that you drive by without a second glance, and then there are houses like 1321 E. Monte Vista, a home that you not only slow your stroll for, but remember long after you’ve walked on by. In terms of curb appeal, it’s perhaps most notable for the spearmint green trim that stands out against the home’s sturdy brick walls. The color scheme, carefully manicured front lawn, and the matching Little Free Library that sits on the edge of the road makes this home feel Storybook-perfect before you even open the front door. Step inside, though, and you're instantly greeted with authentic Coronado charm. Seriously – if someone blindfolded you, drove you to this house, walked you inside, and then took that blindfold off, you'd instinctively know that you were in Coronado. The cozy living room features a cheery window nook that pets and humans alike could spend hours sunbathing in, as well as honey-hued hardwood floors and a charming arched entryway that leads your eye into the rest of the home. The dining room sits between the front living space and renovated kitchen, and provides enough space for a full table and perhaps a Hoosier cabinet, home bar, or other storage units. The light fixture in this room – and the others throughout the home – were added just before 1321 E. Monte Vista's 2015 home tour, and somehow feel as modern as they do nostalgic. If you turn right while standing in the dining space, you'll walk into an open-concept "hallway" / interior nook that was a popular part of floorplans in the 1930s and '40s. This space serves as a gateway into the other areas of the home, including two bedrooms and a bathroom. The previous homeowners put shelves here, and there's certainly enough room to create your own mini library or quaint lounging space. Speaking of bedrooms, the master is a two-room suite that's divided by a gorgeous set of white French doors. Your options are endless when it comes to how to set up these two rooms, so use your imagination! On the opposite side of this bedroom is the second bedroom, and between both is a gorgeous bathroom that'll earn you an "ooh!" by every single guest who's lucky enough to spend time within your home. The glossy tiles here are a rich, dark blue – reminiscent of the deepest ocean depths – which exaggerates the crisp whiteness of the pedestal sink. The king of this room, though, is the antique, cast iron clawfoot tub. It was shipped from Port Hope, Canada and installed at the time the house was built. In addition to daydreaming in the bathtub and devouring a magazine or novel in the living room window nook, you can cook up a noble feast in the strategically renovated kitchen. Thanks to the additional countertops and storage space, the kitchen feels roomy and big and lends itself to food prep. It opens into a laundry space near the back of the house, complete with a Jetsons-esque, all-in-one washer and dryer unit. Just when you thought you were done with this tour, you realize there's more. Yes, folks, the charm just keeps on coming with this one. 1321 E. Monte Vista's backyard comes with a garden, covered patio, and 9-foot deep pool that's just been resurfaced, making it the perfect home for hosting BBQs and pool parties for your crew. You'll love the original "85006" graffiti on the side wall, which was commissioned by Bryan Harris, a local artist who you can find at Dig It, the neighborhood nursery. In the backyard, you'll also find a detached, two-room studio that can be turned into whatever you desire. The previous homeowners used this as a sewing and craft studio and guest house when friends visited from out of town. You can turn it into a second living space, a home office, your own music studio, or whatever else the heart wants. Before we go, a note from the previous homeowners, who rented the home for a year before buying it in 2008. They've got a baby on the way and are relocating, but wanted to note just how much they'd miss this neighborhood: "Coronado is like the one neighborhood in Phoenix where everybody actually knows each other. We could walk our dog around the Tuck Shop and back and run into five or six families that we knew all along the way." That's the charm of the Coronado, and when you've got a space as special as this one, it adds real magic to your world. You'd be proud to call this house – and this neighborhood – home.