Ownby Design, Dale Gardon Design and Schultz Development come together to craft a striking Flagstaff retreat.

The home’s exterior, a staggered three-tier showstopper, was designed by Dale Gardon of Dale Gardon Design.

THE PROJECT

Nestled into a hillside adjacent lot in Flagstaff’s coveted Pine Canyon Golf Community, this new construction, staggered three-tiered showstopper is a casual yet luxurious retreat for the now-retired heads of a Dubai-based family. The couple tapped John Schultz of Schultz Development, Dale Gardon of Dale Gardon Design and Claire Ownby of Ownby Design to lead the charge. “This home that we did for them is a kind of legacy project for their family,” Ownby explains. “When their parents and kids come, this is their meet-up spot when they’re all in the U.S.” The home lies at the edge of the golf course, and most rooms are designed to face Humphreys Peak, maximizing the stunning views that drew the family to this location.

The great room is anchored by a custom U-shaped sectional and coffee table, plus a seriously cozy fireplace and copious views.

THE EXTERIOR

Gardon crafted the distinctive exterior to be reminiscent of a mine shaft structure that had been added to over the years. “The design was inspired by the form and materials of historic mining buildings, but with a modern interpretation,” the architect notes. Think warm gray and cream-colored stone veneer, rustic reclaimed woods, black metal wall panels and a standing seam metal roof, among many intricate details.

THE DESIGN PLAN

As for the interiors? “The home really is all about the views,” says Ownby. “Dale did an incredible job of positioning the house, framing the view from the front door through the great room to really frame the peak of the mountain.” To keep from competing with the landscape, Ownby’s team stuck to a warm, neutral color palette with more modern finishes to keep the home from looking too dated. “We wanted to give a little bit of a nod to the architecture without it feeling old.”

Neutral hues and lush textures abound in the primary suite, including the custom Ownby Home bed, A. Rudin lounge chairs and ottoman, and Azadi rug.

THE DETAILS

The couple’s expansive art collection abounds throughout, notes Ownby. “They had phenomenal art,” she says. “We don’t always get handed that, so it was fun to work with.” Antique movie posters dot the adult sons’ downstairs bedrooms, while the husband’s impressive guitar collection doubles as an art piece in the game room. The eclectic collection also includes originals by Lichtenstein and Picasso. Adds Ownby, “Every piece of art in the house was something that had special meaning to them.”

These clients requested open floor plans with plenty of space to entertain—enter the great room, which includes the dining room and opens to the kitchen. The room was designed around a stunning U-shaped sectional centered around a custom root wood coffee table, both designed by Ownby Home. Noir side tables, Arteriors floor lamps and an Azadi rug round out the design.

The kitchen is completely open to the great room, allowing for plenty of chic entertaining space, including a sprawling kitchen island.

Adjacent to the great room sits the swanky lounge and bar area, thoughtfully crafted in the image of a famous New York City-based bar called The Blacktail, best known for its live jazz and Cuban-inspired cocktails. “The theme of that bar was the Blacktail flying boats that took people from the east coast to Havana during Prohibition,” Ownby explains. Speakeasy vibes abound with Charleston Forge bar stools and lounge chairs, and an Alder and Tweed coffee table.

Last, but certainly not least, this home’s man cave might just be the coolest one we’ve ever seen. The space acts as a combined motorcycle workshop and home gym and comes complete with an authentic, fully functional firepole (sourced by the client from an old firehouse!) that connects the room to the garage below.

A spa-inspired bathroom capitalizes on the home’s picturesque views with a free-standing soaking tub and muted decor.

THE OUTCOME

The clients love their new Arizona abode, and Ownby is just as thrilled. “It was an amazing builder, an amazing architect and just the greatest client. There was such a good collaboration and such a strength within the team that it really allowed the clients to enjoy the project,” she gushes. “They were so delightful to work with that we all just walked away from it going, ‘Gosh, wouldn’t it be great if every project were like this?’”

DESIGN DETAILS

TYPE
Single-family

LOCATION
Flagstaff

DESIGNER
Claire Ownby, Ownby Design
ownbydesign.com

ARCHITECT
Dale Gardon, Dale Gardon Design
dalegardondesign.com

BUILDER
John Schultz, Schultz Development
schultdevelopment.org

RESOURCES

ALDER AND TWEED
Lounge coffee table
alderandtweed.com

ARHAUS
Kitchen counter stools and breakfast chairs
arhaus.com

A. RUDIN
Dining room and primary suite chairs
arudin.com

ARTERIORS
Great room floor lamps
arteriorshomes.com

AZADI FINE RUGS
Great room and primary suite rugs
azadifinerugs.com

DUNN-EDWARDS
Primary bedroom paint
dunnedwards.com

FLOOR STYLES
Lounge rug
floorstyles.com

NOIR
Great room side tables
noirfurniturela.com

SOLIDO
Primary suite nightstands
solidollc.com

VISUAL COMFORT
Primary suite table lamps
visualcomfort.com