Balancing Sleek + Cozy In A Contemporary Arizona Home

Building the ideal home always comes with challenges—sometimes even before the foundation is laid. Such was the case for couple Chuck and Deb, who sought a property that satisfied both their wishes. “I wanted a city view and lights; Deb wanted mountains,” Chuck says. The pair, however, agreed on one important thing: a contemporary design. But, while Chuck leaned into modern architectural elements—think sleek glass doors and windows, minimal detailing, and steel—Deb wanted a dwelling with some warmth and color. “I didn’t want to live in a sea of beige,” she says.

Before their property search even began, the couple turned to builders John Cochran and John Perkins for assistance in achieving their vision. In turn, the builders recommended residential designer Jeremy Gardner to round out the plans. With the construction and architecture team in place, it came time to find the perfect location. When Chuck first saw the Scottsdale Mountain lot they would eventually call home at street level, he was a bit skeptical. But Gardner ventured to higher elevation and saw something else entirely: glittering western vistas of Phoenix and Tempe, as well as Camelback, with the McDowell Mountains to the east. “Jeremy literally ran down the hill and said, ‘These are the views you want, back here!’ ” Chuck recalls.

Those sight lines paved the way for the architecture. “I wanted to come inside and immediately be greeted by the great views out to the valley below,” Gardner says. “We designed the entry close to the great room and its big pocket doors that open to the alfresco living space.” Thoughtful landscaping by Marcos Carrillo smooths the indoor-outdoor transition. “We strategically placed Hercules aloe along the side of the main patio, providing height and vibrant color that extends into the interior,” he says. The exterior material palette of smooth stucco, stacked stone and wood accents heightens that connection to the surrounding desert environment, while glass and steel bring a contemporary edge. 

With the architectural plans in motion, the couple tapped designer Raegan Ford to create cohesive interiors that served both Chuck and Deb’s desires. To do so, the designer says, “We chose desert colors and brought in some texture, visual interest and tactical appeal.” She set the tone by appointing the modern, minimalist entry with a paprika-hued bench, providing a pop of color next to the steel-framed glass door. Ahead, the great room expands into earthy neutrals accented by a pair of deep sienna armchairs in the living space and marine-blue seating in the dining area. The primary bathroom’s gray-gold Jerusalem limestone brings movement and warmth to the floor and walls, while in the homeowners’ bedroom, elegant taupes and sands make for a restful space.

It was in the sleeping quarters that the concept of asymmetry entered the picture. Deb requested a single narrow vertical casement window in their bedroom for airflow, which made the room slightly off balance. Ford added an off-set backlit wall behind the bed to center the space. There are touches of this counterplay elsewhere in the home, like the great room’s fireplace, an asymmetrical mix of dark granite and steel, and the dining area’s rug, which is slightly off-center from the table’s base.

The kitchen’s cantilevered angular island continues the off-balance theme. Large enough to seat six people, it is also an ideal gathering space for the consummate entertainers. “Chuck is Italian, so we enjoy the Italian food and wine culture,” Deb notes. “And I was in the wine business for close to 20 years. We do a lot of cooking, wining and dining with friends.”

This understanding of how clients live in their homes plays a foundational role in Ford’s design philosophy—even when the clients don’t express their thoughts directly. “She did exactly what we wanted but didn’t know how to say ourselves,” Deb says. “She translated our thoughts really well—we’re thrilled.”