Working a family’s modern lifestyle into a home inspired by historic styles involved carefully balancing old and new. “The clients expressed a desire for a French Provincial feel that was rustic but refined,” designer Lissa Lee Hickman says.
To give the impression that the Phoenix home– meant as a relaxing retreat for extended family–had roots in the area, the design team gathered ideas from estates in the rural Mediterranean.
“Homes there have been in families for generations,” explains residential designer Gary Wyant. “They would start with one central building and add onto it over many years as families grew.”
To achieve an Old World feel, the design team used reclaimed materials, such as barn wood beams and European limestone, both inside and outside the property. Clay tile rooflines and stucco and stone were incorporated to allow both old and new materials to flow seamlessly.
Furthermore, modern touches including Calacatta Gold marble surfaces and herringbone floors add a sophisticated feel, while reproduced antique furnishings durable enough for young children complement the rustic interiors.
With the home complete, it’s the perfect retreat for the family’s frequent gatherings. “Come holiday time, every room in the house is full,” Hickman says.