AWARD WINNER
2026 NARI of Greater Phoenix Remodeler of the Year, as well as 2026 NARI Regional Remodeler of the Year, Region 5: South Central Winner for Residential Exterior $100,000 – $200,000
Like She’s Always Been Loved | Historic Home Restoration Phoenix | Homework Remodels
In Phoenix’s historic Willo neighborhood, remodeling isn’t just about improving a home — it’s about honoring one. This 1930s Spanish Colonial Revival exterior restoration balanced preservation with modernization, from hand-tuckpointed brickwork and custom windows to new gates, updated systems, and a fully refreshed garage. When the work was complete, the homeowners said it looked exactly as they had imagined — “like she’s always been loved.” We think the before-and-afters speak for themselves — take a look.
BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS
Aesthetic Transformation
Front Yard
The transformation began by addressing both form and function. A large, diseased tree was removed from the front yard, opening the façade to natural light and restoring visual balance to the home’s street presence. New tile was installed at the entry step, carefully selected to complement the original materials while adding a subtle, refreshed elegance.
With each repair and improvement, the home’s symmetry and strength returned — proud, balanced, and timeless once again.
Functional Renewal
Front Patio & Bay Window
Time had worn the brickwork, but not its spirit. As part of this historic exterior restoration, skilled masons carefully ground out deteriorated mortar and refilled every joint by hand, restoring the elegant façade to its original character. During window replacement, the old bay window frame began to crumble, revealing weakened brick beneath. New structural supports and a fully rebuilt sill restored the opening, giving the bay a strong, beautiful frame ready for its new custom windows.
Every inch of original 1930s brick was tuckpointed by hand — a cornerstone of the exterior restoration process — returning symmetry, texture, and structural strength to the entire façade.
Backyard
The backyard was reimagined as an inviting outdoor living space. New steps lead from a freshly installed door into the yard, framed by crisp stucco and paint. The tankless water heater was discreetly positioned behind landscaping near the original utility grate, maintaining visual balance throughout.
Rebuilt den walls and an elevated roofline now harmonize with the music room’s height, while Spanish Colonial-inspired paint colors and low-maintenance plantings complete the cohesive design.
Outdoor Kitchen & Dining Area
A new tri-paneled door improves traffic flow and introduces better natural light and ventilation. All exterior openings were fully rebuilt as part of the exterior restoration — ensuring a watertight seal throughout. The former door threshold — which had allowed water intrusion — was regraded and sealed, permanently resolving the drainage issue.
A new paver patio replaced the deteriorated original flagstone, completing an exterior restoration that balanced practical problem-solving with the charm and character this historic home deserves. A small dog door and dedicated step were incorporated for both convenience and a finishing touch of personality.
Music Room
Outdoor living now extends naturally into the music room, which opens directly onto an ample patio designed for entertaining. Low-maintenance landscaping and new exterior light fixtures — designed to evoke vintage gas lanterns — add warmth and visual continuity to the home’s historic aesthetic.
Garage
What had become an aging, underutilized outbuilding was transformed into a fully functional garage — a natural extension of the broader exterior restoration. Old walls were opened, new framing was added, a wash sink was installed, and natural light was introduced through new windows. Textured stucco now ties the garage, fence, and main house together as a unified whole, giving the property a cohesive, finished appearance from every angle.
The original side entry door was repurposed to replace a deteriorated one — a detail that speaks to the spirit of this exterior restoration: preserving historic character wherever possible while quietly improving structural integrity throughout.
Innovation & Challenge
Electrical Service Upgrade & Panel Relocation
To meet the homeowners’ need for a 400-amp electrical service upgrade, the outdated and undersized panel at the rear of the property was replaced entirely. The existing system no longer met modern safety or performance standards, and new home systems — including a high-efficiency HVAC unit and tankless water heater — required significantly greater electrical capacity.
Current electrical code requires that a 400-amp service panel be accessible from the street for emergency and fire safety purposes, meaning the new panel could not remain behind the existing gate. This requirement drove a creative solution that balanced compliance with minimal disruption to the property.
Key steps included removing the old panel, installing the new 400-amp panel on the driveway side for street accessibility, relocating the gate to the rear corner, and upgrading all supporting infrastructure to handle increased electrical demand for modern systems, including the new HVAC system and tankless water heater. All work met current safety, accessibility, and electrical code standards while preserving the property’s architectural integrity.
This carefully planned upgrade gave the historic home a modern electrical heartbeat, delivering reliable power for today’s needs while preserving its timeless character.
Privacy Fence
A new block privacy fence was constructed along the driveway, replacing a failing wood structure. The updated design provides stronger security, a clear boundary from neighboring properties, and a refined aesthetic that complements the home’s Spanish Colonial character.
Gate
A new driveway gate was added to complete the security upgrade, reinforcing the property’s updated aesthetic while providing the practical security the homeowners desired.
Landscape Plans
Comprehensive landscape plans were developed to capture both existing conditions and the full transformation vision — redesigned planting beds, new pathways, defined outdoor living zones, and optimized flow between interior and exterior spaces.
Meeting the Client’s Vision
The homeowners had cherished this property for decades. Their goal was clear: preserve the home’s story and character while ensuring it would be comfortable and functional for generations to come.
When the work was complete, they said it looked exactly as they had imagined — “like she’s always been loved.”
This project celebrates the balance between restoration and reinvention: a timeless transformation that honors the past, serves the present, and preserves the spirit of a beloved family home for generations to come.
AWARD-WINNING HOME REMODELING IN THE HISTORIC WILLO NEIGHBORHOOD
For high-end home design, build, and remodeling in the greater Phoenix area that reflects your vision, Homework Remodels will help you love your home again. Start your project by calling us at (602) 478-5102 or emailing steve@homeworkremodels.com to discuss your remodeling project. We offer a free in-home consultation. Our NARI-certified award-winning designers and craftsmen are eager to work with you to make your vision for your home a reality! To help you plan your remodel, you can find great information in our Core Guides. Learn more about our Design-Build Approach, where we unite preconstruction planning, design, budgeting, and construction under one experienced team. This streamlined process allows for greater transparency, reduces risks, and accelerates timelines, making it the smarter, more efficient way to remodel and build.