Essex House Sedona

As a newly divorced, middle-aged woman, I embarked on a remarkable journey of transforming a 1983 prefab S.I.P (Structured Insulated Panel) house into a captivating holiday rental. The revelation of its S.I.P. structure, devoid of traditional studs in the outer walls, only came to light during the remodeling process. Despite its total lack of architectural charm, the house did fit within my tight budget. Its interior presented an additional challenge: none of the walls were plumb, and the windows came in assorted sizes, suggesting that it was a DIY kit house built by the original owner.

The project hit a snag when my primary local contractor bailed after the demolition phase, leaving me with a torn-apart house and just one functioning toilet. Fortunately, a trusted friend, a contractor from Denver, came to my rescue, and together we tackled the endeavor. It took us a solid eight months to wrap up the remodel, during which I acquired a diverse set of new skills—from tiling and flooring to kitchen installation and deck building. It was an unexpected twist in at this stage in my life, delving into handyman (or handywoman) territory. Just confirming the fact that it is never too late to learn new skills.

I am an artist with a Swiss Hotel Management degree and over 30 years of hospitality experience. This unexpected project has led me down a completely new career path doing interior design and property management for short-term rentals. Despite the extra grey hairs earned along the way, the experience has been incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.