Sunset Canyon at Desert Mountain

“A River Runs Through It” as the home sits atop a ridge with a hot tub outside the Master Bedroom that overflows into a stream which meanders down the side of the house, dumps into the negative edge pool, then trickles down to the Guest Suite hot tub. New construction and clients that were open to new ideas, let me be very creative. The all onyx bath is back-lit. I designed patterns to be cut into the slate flooring and uniquely tiled baths are throughout. However, absolutely unbelievable views from all the rooms and patios were going to be ruined by putting up the required fencing for the pool. I arranged a meeting with the City of Scottsdale Building Inspector with the intent of convincing him that because of the way the house would sit on the mountain side, that no one of any age could possibly scale up the steep cliff without being part billy goat, and there would be fencing at the driveway level. He could definitely see my point when he came on the building site and told me about an obscure building code that would apply to just this setting, a cactus barrier. So by planting across the back some very sticky, nasty, but short cactus the amazing views were saved!

Mohawk

A great winter home for my Canadian clients needed a make-over. While I had at least met the husband, the wife didn’t see the house until the project was completed, now that’s trust! But with the help of cell phones and technology, the couple were able to view selections and have input. New flooring went everywhere giving the home a more spacious look. Old tubs were donated and replaced with one freestanding tub in the Master Bath to allow for larger shower areas. An amazing cabinet refacing completed the look.

Tuscan at Desert Mountain

My direction on this new build was make it look like a bit of Italy and that’s exactly what I did with Old World finishes, hand carved details on the cabinets, and a truly grand custom Master Closet. Vanities and columns from a dealer in antiquities grace the Master Bath opening. All the lighting and railing was custom done to my designs by a Master Blacksmith. I had to go to battle with the HOA, because it was the first time to use brick on the exterior of a home at Desert Mountain, and the result was great! The house sits high on a ridge and is stunning from all sides, the negative edge pool forms a stone waterfall to the back of the property.

McCormick Ranch

Originally this was the working ranch of Fowler and Anne McCormick. Fowler’s grandfathers were Cyrus McCormick, who invented the grain reaper, and Nelson D. Rockefeller. The 4,200 acre site was a working ranch for their Angus cattle. When Anne died in 1970, the land was sold and by the end of the 70’s and early 80’s it was the place to build in Scottsdale. This house obviously needed some updating! This was “phase one”- the kitchen and family room. The ceiling was raised, new lighting everywhere, incredible quartz counters with an infinity edge, unique floor patterning and details, and really sharp new contemporary cabinets with integrated panels on fridge changed everything.  Even found expensive designer bar stools at consignment at a great price.

Moon Valley

This home sits high on a ridge looking down at the neighboring rooftops, with panoramic views that often include hot air balloons! I first saw the property before the new owners closed on the property and could tell the Realtor had his doubts, but the view was worth every penny! Out came everything, first of all heavy wood shutters that blocked the views, then fireplace, cabinets, showers, and even the pool. The total outside hard-scape and landscape was re-done as well, taking a frumpy “hard to sell” to a stunning Contemporary. The neighbors, checking almost daily on the progress, were so impressed with the re-model that they hired me to do their place as well.

Red Mountain

After converting the too small formal Dining Room into an much needed Office, I converted a large screened in porch off the Kitchen into the new large Dining Room. A total update to the Kitchen, new cabinets, fabulous “leathered” green granite made an amazing change. The island is all butcher block and it’s used as such by the husband who loves to cook. Their two dogs vied for my attention, and one of them actually made it into the photo shoot!

Old Town Scottsdale

When this couple married, two large families became one huge family with tons of grandchildren, and this house was going to be perfect for them! The couple loves to entertain, any given evening all parts of the house are being used, including the spacious new patio with a fire pit. The remodel included travertine everywhere, especially the Master Bedroom and major Guest Master, so no problems coming from pool area.  High maintenance grass was replaced with desert landscaping and a citrus orchard. During demolition,  a “secret” room was discovered behind the built-in TV niches. After removing a panel, you could crawl back into a narrow room. I turned it into a playroom for grandchildren by adding a door and painted details all around the room acknowledging every grandchild with something meaningful to them. I finished with the couples’ initials “carved” into the tree.

Silver Leaf, Orange Tree Country Club, and Gilbert Horse Property

Silver Leaf was new construction with a classic Santa Barbara flair with brick, vaulted ceilings, stone fireplace, and stunning patios.

Orange Tree was a major remodel. After demolition, only the powder bath and a hallway was left. The final home was stunning and in the neighborhood  the clients wanted to raise their kids.

Gilbert Horse Property was new construction for a large family and a mom who loved to cook. An antique iron gate made the headboard in the master bedroom. Faux finishes gave the home old world charm. The family’s ice cream parlor was inspired by an antique one in Greensburg, Kansas that my own children loved to go when we lived there.

Southwestern at Double Tree

A graceful old Southwestern style home had just been purchased by my clients. I had helped them with their previous home and was excited about fixing the new home to meet their busy family’s needs. The heavy old fireplace was one of the first casualties. Then a large Powder Room sink that almost blocked the door, and large columns that closed in the Living Room and Master Bath also disappeared. The fireplace was replaced with a much smaller hearth and covered in hand-painted Mexican tiles that suited the architecture perfectly. The Wine Room got a renovation and so did the Master Closet. A bold blue custom TV cabinet completed the look.