A unique perspective found in the Mesa community of Las Sendas allows for panoramic views of the valley beyond and breathtaking sunsets. Designed with neutral finishes and elements of warm tones, this new home is inviting and ready to entertain multiple generations of family and friends.
The focal point of the living room is the fireplace, including custom metal surrounds from Infiniti Fire (infinitifire.com). Colorful sculptures by Peter Deise (peterdeise.com) played an integral role in the design of the fireplace elevation.
The main objective of the project was propelled by the homeowners and their close-knit family. “They desired a desert contemporary retreat where they can entertain and unwind,” says interior architect Austin Watters of Studio V Interior Architecture & Design (studiovinteriors.com), who worked alongside builder Starwood Custom Homes (starwoodcustom.com) and architectural design firm [i]Plan (iplandesign.com). “The need to host family and friends was the driving force for many of the design decisions.”
A custom-made dining table from Peter Thomas Designs seats 14.
Inspired by the surrounding landscape, earthy materials and warm finishes come together to create this Sonoran oasis, a desert contemporary retreat with a hint of minimalism. “As the homeowners preferred a neutral palette, one of the challenges for our design team was to think outside of the box when it came to furnishings and artwork,” says Caroline Swaback, designer and manager at Studio V. “Rather than conventional artwork, architectural lighting was incorporated to provide visual interest.”
A chandelier from Sonneman hangs over the cast-concrete bathtub from Native Trails (nativetrailshome.com) in the primary bathroom.
“Mountainside property lines coupled with the client’s programmatic needs informed the spatial layout and overall shape of the home,” says Watters. “The main house and casita are juxtaposed to one another perpendicularly to the mountain slope and connected by a grand porte-cochere that welcomes visitors around to a more intimate cliffside entry while the indoor-outdoor living spaces face outward, taking full advantage of the city views.”
Adorning the primary bedroom is a bed, headboard and nightstands custom made by Peter Thomas Designs (peterthomasdesigns. com).
“From the beginning, the home was designed to have a strong emphasis on family gathering spaces, and the fireplace anchors the otherwise free-flowing open floor plan,” says Watters. “The natural stone cladding that extends from outdoor to indoor serves as a backdrop to the dramatic hot-rolled steel mass that appears to float above the floor. Lighting for the various elements of the fireplace was given particular attention with a combination of concealed LED strips at the hearth and the vertical chase and recessed gimbal pucks to spotlight the sculpture niches.”
The hallway features Forte gray porcelain tile from Villagio Tile & Stone (villagiotile.com) and lighting from Sonneman (sonnemanlight.com)
Careful planning and meticulous craftsmanship went into each design element throughout this expansive property. In the kitchen, two substantial islands are featured. “One is meant as the working island with a raised walnut countertop, and the other acts as a combination of dining space and a serving surface with drawers below for additional storage,” notes Watters. For more entertaining in the dining room, a custom-made 12-by-5 ½-foot table seats 14. “The key element in the living room is the hot-rolled steel fireplace that acts as the focal point and anchors the entirety of the great room,” he adds.
Several members of the family are fans of the 5K obstacle race Warrior Dash, so, naturally, the client desired a space to make fitness a fun family activity for all ages. “Family members and friends can choose to take either the stairs or a slide that leads down to the basement floor where they are met with an athletic training obstacle course and 16-foot-high rock climbing wall,” says Swaback.
Creating livable spaces for the entire family was at the forefront of the design. “Through a collaborative effort, the homeowners’ vision was realized,” says Watters. “As intended, this home will be shared with multiple generations of family and friends.”
Photography by: BY ROEHNER + RYAN
