Peek Inside This Sonoran Desert Estate With Moorish Roots
"You start to unwind just as you drive up to the house,” says architect Don Nulty of this recently completed Paradise Valley abode. But it’s pushing open the entrance’s large carved-wood doors that truly makes one’s shoulders drop. Inside is a courtyard centered on a burbling stone fountain shaded by palms and 100-year-old olive trees. The surprises continue with a view that extends all the way through the home to what looks like a private botanical garden abutting the region’s famed mountains.
“The Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style was perfected in the 1920s in Santa Barbara, but its roots go back to Andalusia in southern Spain,” Nulty explains. “It’s a very romantic style with informal massing, clean lines and subtle details.” Alongside project manager Brian Zant, the architect worked with John and Ruth Arabia, builders with a passion for Spain. “Ruth and I have a profound admiration for the architectural wonders of Andalusia, particularly the Alhambra, which has been a wellspring of inspiration for our endeavors,” John says. The 13th-century fortified palace was built during the 700-year period of Muslim rule and is one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture. “By incorporating elements reminiscent of Andalusian design, our projects embody a genuine connection to the past,” he adds.
Thick-cut quartz atop custom cabinetry by Rysso Peters adds a sense of luxury to the kitchen. Behind the Blanco sink and Waterworks faucet, light filters in through Riviera Bronze steel windows.
“We believe in authentic inspiration, which reflects in our work through the use of traditional materials and meticulous detailing,” Ruth continues. Some of those features here include custom clay floor tiles as well as hand-plastered walls with a clay additive that gives a breathable effect. But there are contemporary aspects, too. Rather than designing heavy framing and wrought-iron accents, Nulty opted for simple iron doors and windows that open the walls to striking views of the landscape.
To furnish the rooms, interior designer Dana Lyon continued that delicate balance of Old World and new. “We wanted everything to feel natural and to complement the details of the architecture,” she says, pointing to the Spanish-style corona chandeliers and Moroccan lanterns. Because of the home’s large scale, Lyon, working closely with lead designer Mollie Bradish, created numerous bespoke furnishings, such as the 16-foot-long sofa ottoman in the family room, and sourced monumental pieces, like the 11-foot Moroccan doors that act as a headboard in the primary bedroom.
Stools covered in a Holly Hunt fabric line the kitchen island, above which is a Visual Comfort & Co. pendant from Sun Lighting. The range was found at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, and the backsplash tile is by Waterworks.
The designer and her clients, an active family recently transplanted to Arizona, also sought eye-catching artworks for the home, finding abstract pieces by John Swincinski and David Dauncey. “I like to approach a room by asking ‘What’s the hero of the space?’” Lyon says. “You’ve got to know what to look at when you walk in—whether it’s a great piece of furniture or a painting—so that your eye isn’t racing all over. That really helps create a calming effect.” This grounded nature fosters an especially warm welcome for the owners’ friends and family. Designed with eight armchairs encircling a coffee table, the living room evokes what Lyon calls “a campfire feel,” while the smaller of the two dining areas features a corner fireplace for cozy, intimate gatherings.
The outdoor spaces invariably beckon visitors, too. Landscape designer Jeff Berghoff filled the garden with broad pathways for strolling and even supplied special tags to identify the plantings for curious guests. “Five acres can be overwhelming, so we needed to be strategic, sensitive and water wise,” Berghoff says. “The owners wanted the gardens to be usable, so the design is really a desert adaptation of Mediterranean style. There are narrow lawns by the pool for stretching after the gym; stylized groupings of aloes, saguaros and succulents for visual interest; a pickleball court; and even a citrus and vegetable garden.” Crowning the home is a covered rooftop terrace. “Up there, you can see the mountains in all their glory while getting a good view of the gardens,” he adds.
“We really unlocked the possibilities of this site,” Nulty says. From its Andalusian influences to its resort-like feel, the dwelling embodies vacation spirit. “It’s truly all inclusive,” Lyon adds. “You needn’t ever leave!”
A beehive fireplace warms a small dining area. The French limestone table base from Studio Ressource wears a custom top by Peter Thomas Designs. Perennials-upholstered chairs and a chandelier from Hinkley’s Lighting round out the space.