New Homes & Lifestyles
At Home With Randy Gatewood
“When we look back on our lives now, it hasn’t always been this way,” Randy Gatewood comments. If the Gatewood’s gorgeous Gilbert home is any indication, life is pretty good now on and off the field.
Randy Gatewood, Arizona Rattlers wide receiver/defensive back earned his second Arena Football League Ironman of the Year title at the end of the 2006 season. Voting by the League’s head coaches, players, fans and the Arena Football Writers Association determine the distinguished honor. Randy earned the same award in 2003. He is only the third player in AFL history to be selected twice.
Randy’s college football achievements at UNLV landed him the opportunity to compete for a position with the Miami Dolphins. Cut from the roster on the last day of training camp, Randy returned home to west Texas. At the instigation of friends on the Rattlers team, Randy eventually moved to Phoenix and signed a contract with the Arizona Rattlers. “There was no doubt in my mind that I had the ability to play on Sunday. But the Rattlers welcomed me with open arms. When I got to Arizona my life kind of started to fall in place,” Randy recalls.
Randy met his wife Shannon shortly after arriving in Arizona. The drive, hard work and “can do” attitude Randy and Shannon share has brought them to this pointing their lives – and led them in a new entrepreneurial direction too.
This is the second home Randy and Shannon have built, but their first custom home. Randy describes the hundreds of pages clipped from magazines that they used to refine what they wanted in the home – articles and photos of game rooms, kitchens, garages and more. They toured homes with their architect to decide what they liked from a design standpoint.
The elegant 5,600 square foot home was planned with family life in mind. “My kids are the absolute world to me. When you start having kids, you look at life with a whole different perspective. They bring out a side of you that you didn’t know you had,” Randy explains. Randy’s face lights up when he talks about Shannon, their two sons 14 and two, and their seven year old daughter.
The architecture and décor of the home are an Old World style. Every detail has been carefully selected to blend Old World charm with all the comforts of the 21st century. In the sunken great room a stone fireplace, hearth and carved mahogany mantle share a wall with a built-in big screen television and media center. The dark hardwood flooring sets the tone for the dramatic ceiling beams and trusses. The room is warm and inviting, softened by a large chandelier, oriental carpet and the contoured lines of the sofa, chairs and ottoman.
The great room opens to the kitchen and dining area. One step higher than the great room, the kitchen is as functional as it is beautiful. Wanting to make sure they would use their entire home, the Gatewoods chose to forego a formal dining room, opting instead for a lovely dining area in front of the kitchen windows.
An expansive granite island anchors the kitchen, giving ample room for food preparation, serving hors d’oeuvres, family photo displays and space for friends and family to gather. Stainless steel appliances and granite countertops give the kitchen a clean contemporary look, accented with decorative ceramic tile on the range wall. In keeping with the open feel of the kitchen, there are very few wall-mounted cabinets. The butler’s pantry off the kitchen provides spacious storage.
Throughout the home, the ceilings and hallways display their own character, one wing features barrel ceilings, the other vaulted ceilings. A portrait gallery of photographs of the children line one hall and a collection of crosses adorn what Randy refers to as the confessional hallway.
The master suite is sedate yet stunning. The luminescent wall treatment, a six-layer process finished with a lace pattern, dances in the light from lamps and wall sconces. An oriental carpet under the poster bed accents the hardwood floor. An ornately carved mirror frame, rectangular leather bench and distinctive dressers finish the look. The adjoining master bath features a circular marble Jacuzzi®, oversized shower and individual sinks mounted in antique cabinets.
The game room is Randy’s favorite place in the house. If he chooses, he can watch five different programs or sporting events simultaneously on wall mounted TVs. Comfortable home theater leather sofas, a full bar and a poker table set the stage for relaxation and lively evenings with family and friends. Walk through the game room archway and an arcade-style game room unfolds.
Meticulous planning and an eye for detail didn’t end with the home design and decoration. The resort-style pool and patio is a virtual paradise. The diving pool includes a waterslide, waterfalls, and an adjacent spa. The raised deck with playful waterspouts is ideal for a splashing toddler. A palapa covered lounge and swim up bar are perfect for entertaining or watching the children. A sandy beach completes the tropical atmosphere.
The same drive to excel that Randy displays on the football field is taking him in a new entrepreneurial direction. On a Rattlers road trip a couple years ago, Randy came across a clothing boutique that piqued his interest. Realizing that there were no places to buy latest trend designer blue jeans, tees and casual chic men’s or women’s attire in the East Valley, Randy went to work on the market research. March 2006 Moody Blues celebrated its grand opening.
Moody Blues’ décor is similar to the Old Word style in the Gatewood’s home. The blue jean culture boutique is an eclectic fusion of Old World and rock and roll. The beautiful 2,600 square foot boutique is at The Boulevard Shops at Chandler Fashion Square.
Establishing a clothing store from scratch is a complex process, but once again Randy and Shannon make an excellent team. Having managed a construction company for many years, her business background gives her the skills and experience to handle the financial aspects of Moody Blues. Randy describes his role, as “I like to think I’m the people person, negotiating the lease, researching and picking the location, finding lines to bring into the store, advertising and marketing.”
According to Randy, “The whole idea behind the boutique is to make sure we do business the right way. We want our customers to enjoy the experience of coming into our store, talking to me and Shannon, and our employees.” Randy is at the boutique nearly every day, getting to know their clientele and staying on the crest of fashion changes. Already there is discussion of opening a second boutique in Scottsdale within the next year or so.
Starting his 12th season with the Arizona Rattlers, and the last year of his contract, Randy will no doubt contribute to another exciting year for Rattlers fans. Could Randy need additional display space for a third Ironman of the Year trophy?
