A marriage of desert contemporary style and a spalike lifestyle defines this couple’s blissful retreat in north Scottsdale.
PHOTO BY PHIL JOHNSON, PROVISUALS MEDIA
THE CLIENT
Dan and Trista Fisher chose Whisper Rock Estates (wrestates.com)—a new, exclusive community in north Scottsdale—for the location of their second home. The area borders golf course greens and has stunning views of surrounding mountain ranges. Having recently returned from a trip to Mexico, they desired a home with a desert contemporary style and a spalike aesthetic that carries through to the outdoors.
European oak wood planks complement the granite fireplace in the great room. PHOTO BY PHIL JOHNSON, PROVISUALS MEDIA
THE PRIORITY
“To design a home that inspires healthy living and lifestyle. The modern home is now a place of relaxation, family, Fitness, security, work and so much more. To understand what this means was key to the design process,” says Stuart Jon Traynor, creative director at PHX Architecture. “Our goals were to create a home that not only provides for all the modern life activities, but [that allows] for future adaptation and Flexibility as needs change. The design also required an exterior aesthetic that not only fits into the desert landscape and its current architectural vernacular, but one that reflects the modern living interiors.”
Papagno’s Silver Roots marble fireplace wall reigns in the primary bedroom. PHOTO BY PHIL JOHNSON, PROVISUALS MEDIA
THE CHALLENGE
PHX Architecture worked in tandem with Platinum Companies to create this first home build within the villas in Whisper Rock Estates. “Our vision is to always design luxury branded residences in unique living opportunities, which is why we chose to partner with Whisper Rock and Platinum on this unique opportunity to create a new village in Whisper Rock,” says Erik B. Peterson, president of PHX Architecture.
Stunning views of mountain ranges surround the exclusive community of Whisper Rock Estates. PHOTO BY PHIL JOHNSON, PROVISUALS MEDIA
“As a custom homebuilder, we are used to building from an unexcavated lot,” says Ashley Reese, interior designer at Platinum Companies. “These villas were prepared pads, so the build time was faster, which forced us to make decisions on finishes more quickly than usual.” Metal, stone and stucco were the final choices blended together in a way that gave a unique and modern look. “It was vital we understood from the beginning the kind of parts we wanted to use, both in materiality, colors and how materials come together,” adds Traynor. “We used a simple palette of materials and colors to enhance the richness of the desert colors and to open the spaces within.”
The black natural quartzite countertop makes a statement in the kitchen. PHOTO BY PHIL JOHNSON, PROVISUALS MEDIA
THE STRATEGY
“Careful planning was done in the layout of the floor plan to take full advantage of the beautiful golf course and mountain views,” explains Kim Smith, design project manager at PHX Architecture. “Superior construction techniques showcase the specific design details. And, one-of-a-kind interiors further individualize the character and feel of each space.” In order to accomplish the “desert spa” feel, a simplistic tone-on-tone textural palette with warm wood and dramatic black accents was followed. “With a balance of texture and color in each space, the home has an open, relatable resort feel that translates to each space in the home,” says Andrea Stubblefield, interior designer at Platinum Companies.
THE DETAIL
“The Fisher family selected almost every finish for the house during one design presentation and they were open to all our ideas,” says Stubblefield. “But some of our favorite features in the house—the primary bathroom accent wall and the wood on the great room fireplace—were driven by Trista’s vision. For the great room fireplace, they fell in love with Everest White granite with a raked texture, but as we were designing the fireplace surround, we felt it needed to be warmed up, so we added European oak wood planks to complement the granite. This is a detail we replicated throughout the home, balancing texture and color.”
“As the builder and specifier, we feel so fortunate that the Fishers listened to our ideas and trusted us during the process, allowing us to proceed with almost everything we suggested—that made it so much fun. It was such a group effort,” says Reese. “The best part was when they started bringing in their furniture and accessories because they were absolutely on point!”
8-inch tile in World Amsterdam chevron gray accents the bathroom wall. PHOTO BY PHIL JOHNSON, PROVISUALS MEDIA
Trista confided in her friend and interior designer Michelle Herbert of Bullet Collective Home (bulletcollectivehome.com) to help select the furniture. “She created design boards and did all the furniture research,” says Trista. “I simply ordered the pieces and placed them—and made a few of my own tweaks and adjustments.” In fact, all beds and dressers in the bedrooms; furniture and tables in the living room; and stools, chairs and table in the kitchen were selected by Trista with Herbert’s lead.
To enhance the “desert spa” experience, an outdoor shower off the main bathroom was added and the backyard carries on the resortlike feel with a French Gray Pebble Sheen “spool,” which functions as both a spa and a pool. Jets can be incorporated and the water heats to spa temperatures, but it can also be used as a plunge pool to cool off when the heater is not in use.
The backyard carries on the resortlike feel with a French Gray Pebble Sheen “spool,” which functions as both a spa and a pool. PHOTO BY PHIL JOHNSON, PROVISUALS MEDIA
THE OUTCOME
“The experience from the moment you approach the home all the way through its flowing spaces gives an inviting, calming energy—a peaceful retreat to relax and work,” notes Traynor.
“The project itself is one of the most unique homes we’ve worked on,” says Reese. “It was really a project we all poured our hearts and souls into because we, of course, wanted it to be perfect for them.” Stubblefield adds, “The Fishers did a phenomenal job with furniture and artwork, creating the ultimate desert contemporary home!”
HOME
Single-family residence
LOCATION
Scottsdale
ARCHITECT
PHX Architecture
phxarch.com
BUILDER & INTERIOR DESIGNER
Platinum Companies
platinumcompanies.com
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER
Sonoran Landesign
sonoranlandesignllc.business.site
FLOORING
Olympic Hardwood, olympichardwood.com
LIGHTING
Hinkley, hinkley.com
PRIMARY BATHROOM
Tub and fixtures: Kohler, kohler.com
Decorative wall: Facings of America, facingsofamerica.com
KITCHEN
Cabinets: Highborn Cabinetry, highborncabinetry.com
Negresco counter: Papagno’s Marble & Granite, papagnos.com
Vadara perimeter: Spellman Hardwoods, spellmanhardwoods.com
Appliances: Sub-Zero, Wolf, subzero-wolf.com
OUTDOOR KITCHEN
Appliances: Ferguson, ferguson.com
Granite counter: Papagno’s Marble & Granite
FIREPLACES & FIRE PIT
Arizona Fire Features, arizonafirefeatures.com
SPOOL
Phoenician Pool Construction, phoenicianpool.com
Photography by:
