A Warm California House That Feels Nothing Like a Tract Home
Name: Andrea Van Soest
Location: Murrieta, California
Size: 3500 square feet
Years lived in: 6 years, owned
“Many of the homes in Southern California (like ours) are tract homes,” confesses Andrea Van Soest. “While our builder did a good job of making the exterior of our neighborhood look darling, we have worked hard to make the inside of our home feel nothing like a tract home. I think it’s so important for a home to be unique and to reflect the personalities of those that live there. Our home is our favorite place to be! It represents us well.”
“My husband Doug is a real estate investor and loves to run and fish. We have three awesome kids. Adley is 14 and just starred in the Nutcracker ballet in our town! Weston is 11 and loves football (he’s a human NFL stat encyclopedia, ha!). And Owen is 7 and loves Krav Maga. We also have two dogs, Maggie a rescue mutt, and Molly a Morkie.”
What is your favorite room and why? My favorite room in our house is the kitchen. It is open to the family room and it is the place where we spend most of our time. It is the place where we have our best conversations, play card games, cook great meals, enjoy friends and neighbors, and have random dance parties to celebrate good grades.
If you could magically change something about your home, what would it be? I would move my house to a larger lot. I really wish we had a larger yard, but we do have a park right across the street so I can’t complain too much.
Which fictional character would be most at home in your place? My husbands says Phil Dunphy from Modern Family. He says, “He is always seems so happy, fun to be around, up for antics, and would fit right in here.”
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The West Elm Chelsea hutch is the last thing I purchased for my home.
Any advice for creating a home you love? I like to make sure that everyone who lives here is represented in our home’s style and decor. I want everyone to feel comfortable and at home. My kids are really proud to bring friends to our house and I love that.
Thanks, Andrea Van Soest!
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