DeCesare Design Group transforms a dated home into a joyful abode for a down-to-earth couple with four college-age children.

A chandelier from Lucca Antiques and sconces from Lostine illuminate the dining room, where poufs from Verellen and J. Alexander chairs surround the table. Photographed by Laura Moss
A chandelier from Lucca Antiques and sconces from Lostine illuminate the dining room, where poufs from Verellen and J. Alexander chairs surround the table.

THE PROJECT

Sometimes, things are better the second time around. These words rang true for designer Caroline DeCesare of DeCesare Design Group, who revisited a project she tackled years back—the Silverleaf Sales House—which since had been reworked into a single-family home. Her clients, a couple with four college-aged children and two beloved labs, Tubs and Crockett, were after a layered home filled with natural, reclaimed pieces and found objects. “She loves a pop of color, which adds a bohemian flair to the home,” says DeCesare, who worked with principal designer Kathryn Brower on the project.

One of the family’s beloved labs strikes a pose on the side patio. Photographed by Laura Moss
One of the family’s beloved labs strikes a pose on the side patio.

THE PRIORITIES

“The clients wanted their home to feel inviting and comfortable,” DeCesare shares of the homeowners, who she’s worked with in the past. “In order to lighten the feel, many of the original finishes, being dark and heavy, were altered. This, coupled with keeping the Spanish Colonial roots in the design, were the main goals.”

The front patio is dressed with pieces from the client’s previous home designed by DeCesare Design Group. Photographed by Laura Moss
The front patio is dressed with pieces from the client’s previous home designed by DeCesare Design Group.

THE PLAN

To lighten things up, DeCesare decided to paint all the walls white. “The overall color palette is neutral to create a timelessness in the home, while handcrafted tiles and wood beams add texture and interest,” says Decesare. The team looked to the home’s original architecture for inspiration—including handpainted tiles and plaster fireplaces—which became the driving force for the design. “Keeping the hard surface materials and large furnishings neutral allowed us to create interest with pops of colors in artwork and accessories,” the designer explains. One significant change was moving the kitchen from the middle of the home, which lacked natural light, to the front. And since the client’s children were college-bound, they wanted to downsize.” We could reuse several of their existing furniture pieces we’d curated in their previous homes while introducing newfound and vintage treasures,” DeCesare says.

The hallway contains an impressive gallery wall Photographed by Laura Moss
The hallway contains an impressive gallery wall.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Although it was hard to choose, DeCesare names the kitchen as one of her favorite rooms in the house. “It’s a true showstopper,” she says of the space, which features a gorgeous patterned tile backsplash—Thomas Tile & Stone did the tile work—behind the range and a reclaimed timber accent on the hood. “A large island grounds the room and provides plenty of seating for this family of six.” She also calls out the primary bathroom, where a custom back-to-back his-and-her vanity shines in the round space.

Custom back-to-back his-and-hers vanities are centered in the uniquely shaped primary bathroom. Photographed by Laura Moss
Custom back-to-back his-and-hers vanities are centered in the uniquely shaped primary bathroom.

Both the husband’s and the wife’s offices are distinctly different. “Her office is filled with bright colors that reflect the client’s cheery personality,” says DeCesare, while the husband’s is more subdued and doubles as the family movie theater. Also of note is the family room. “This comfortable room begs you to cozy up on the sectional to listen to someone play the piano,” notes DeCesare. Outside, plantings and colorful stair tiles create an inviting entrance to the front door. “The dining courtyard is a magical place at dusk, with the bistro lights, foliage and water feature,” she adds. “It’s a perfect gathering space.”

In the primary bedroom, custom-carved doors that lead to the en suite bathroom create interest. Photographed by Laura Moss
In the primary bedroom, custom-carved doors that lead to the en suite bathroom create interest.

THE OUTCOME

“The wife said that she thinks this is her favorite house that we’ve designed for them,” says DeCesare. “You get an overwhelming sense of welcoming when you enter this home. While all the finishes are beautiful, you feel like real people can actually live there. The home is light and bright and exudes comfort.”

A Visual Comfort chandelier hangs in the family room, where a Lee Industries sectional mingles with vintage chairs, a vintage rug and a CFC TV console. Photographed by Laura Moss
A Visual Comfort chandelier hangs in the family room, where a Lee Industries sectional mingles with vintage chairs, a vintage rug and a CFC TV console.

DESIGN DETAILS

TYPE
Single-family home

LOCATION
Silverleaf

INTERIOR DESIGN
Caroline DeCesare and Kathryn Brower, DeCesare Design Group
decesaredesigngroup.com

BUILDER
Ron Barney, RD Enterprises
rdenterprisesaz.com

Filled with vintage leather poufs, a built-in desk by Desert Cove Woodworks and a chandelier from Lucca Antiques, the husband’s office doubles as a theater room for family movie night. Photographed by Laura Moss
Filled with vintage leather poufs, a built-in desk by Desert Cove Woodworks and a chandelier from Lucca Antiques, the husband’s office doubles as a theater room for family movie night.

RESOURCES

CREATIVE METALS
Primary bathroom custom vanities and shower enclosure
creativemetalsaz.com

DESERT COVE WOODWORKS LLC
Kitchen cabinetry, husband’s office desk
dcwoodworks.com

DUNN-EDWARDS
“Whisper” paint throughout
dunnedwards.com

The kitchen moved from the center of the home to the front, where light streams in from a large arched window. Photographed by Laura Moss
The kitchen moved from the center of the home to the front, where light streams in from a large arched window.

J. ALEXANDER
Dining room chairs
jalexanderfurniture.com

LEE INDUSTRIES
Family room sofa, primary bedroom bed
leeindustries.com

LUCCA ANTIQUES
Decor throughout
luccaantiques.com

PREMIERE WOOD FLOORS, INC.
European white oak flooring throughout
premierewoodfloors.com

THOMAS TILE & STONE
Kitchen and bathroom tilework
thomastileandstone.com