Walk Through This Paradise Valley Stunner By A Stellar Scottsdale Design Team

By Laura Eckstein Jones

Thoughtfully crafted to capture the majestic views of Camelback Mountain, this Paradise Valley Home by a stellar Scottsdale design team seamlessly blends grandeur with warmth.

Candelaria Design, Vallone Design, Linthicum Home Builders and Berghoff Design Group collaborated on this Paradise Valley home, a clean, modern take on a classic Italian villa.

THE VISION

From the outset, the homeowners had a clear goal: a refined yet modern home with a deep connection to family and a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience. “Their number one priority was capturing the view of Camelback Mountain, specifically Praying Monk,” says architect Mark Candelaria of Candelaria Design. “They wanted a lot that looked right at Camelback, right at the monk, to see it every day from every room.” The challenge was ensuring that this breathtaking view remained the focal point of nearly every space in the home while maintaining modernity and intimacy within its grand scale. “When presenting to them in design meetings, they used the term ‘Not modern enough!’ frequently,” says interior designer Donna Vallone of Vallone Design. “However, because they are a very close and loving family, they wanted modern, yet warm and welcoming.”

A sculptural chandelier from Visual Comfort adds drama to the home office.

THE TEAM

To bring their dream home to life, the homeowners assembled an elite team of design professionals. Candelaria Design guided the architectural vision, integrating classic Italian villa elements with a fresh, contemporary aesthetic. Vallone Design curated the interiors, layering textures, colors and materials to balance elegance with comfort. Linthicum Custom Builders precisely executed the home’s construction, while Bergoff Design Group crafted the lush, expansive gardens. “We always call ourselves bandmates,” says Candelaria. “We get on the stage, we pick up our instruments, and we go to work, and we just kind of jam out together.”

Furnishings from Janus et Cie and Palacek sit atop a Dash and Albert rug in the living room’s covered patio.

THE INSPIRATION

Materials and finishes were carefully selected to balance the clients’ modern sensibilities with the timeless charm of an Italian villa. “It’s an Italian villa, but with a modern twist,” notes Candelaria. “It’s very edited down, so it’s not gingerbreaded out. It’s very clean but has all the elements of an Italian villa, with beautiful courtyards and materials.” For the interiors, Vallone took inspiration from a trip to Venice, specifically a visit to the Murano glass factory. “From the get-go, we discussed a more formal black-and-white entry,” she says. “The chandelier for this home needed to be designed, and it turned out to be a great starting point for the entire interior palette—primarily black and white with pops of color.”

A piece by David Michael Slonim from Altamira Fine Art adds a pop of brilliant color to the living room, which features a curved sofa and tables from Holly Hunt, the Bloomfield chandelier from Eurofase and rug from Azadi Fine Rugs.

THE LAYOUT

The home is meticulously planned around two primary axes, ensuring connectivity between spaces while maintaining distinct functional zones. “When you first walk in, there’s a main axis—a very short axis—but it’s basically the compass to Camelback Mountain,” explains Candelaria. A north-south axis bisects the home, ensuring every passageway ends with a view, a garden or natural light. The house is divided into separate wings: the primary suite, the main gathering spaces, the entertainment hub and the guest wing.

Dark walls highlight the furniture and draperies in the primary bedroom’s sitting area, which houses a Roche Bobois sofa and tables from Hickory White. The lighting is from Eurofase.

THE DETAILS

Every space was designed to balance contemporary elegance and inviting warmth. The entryway sets the tone with striking black-and-white patterned tile from Craftsman Court Ceramics, paired with a statement Swaim Muse mirror above a sleek acrylic bench by Allan Knight. The grand living and dining rooms exude refined comfort, featuring a Holly Hunt curved sofa, sculpted coffee tables and a Monaco sideboard from EJ Victor. A Holly Hunt dining table is paired with A. Rudin chairs beneath Vaughn Design’s Lymington chandeliers, while the kitchen, a chef’s dream, includes a striking La Cornue range, a Miele coffee system and Sub-Zero refrigeration, complemented by custom Copperstate Cabinetry.

The stylish entertainment spaces throughout were designed for maximum enjoyment. The game room features a Lee Industries sectional and Roche Bobois Bubble chair, while the subterranean bowling alley is lined with Phillip Jeffries wallpaper, Duchateau Hyde flooring and a custom banquette.

With its Vanguard Kelsey bed, Interlude Asher bench and an Arteriors Turner chaise, the primary suite is a luxurious retreat. The adjoining spalike bathroom features Innovations and Phillip Jeffries wallcoverings, a THG Paris free-standing bathtub and custom cabinetry. Guest rooms, including a serene casita bedroom, continue the home’s refined aesthetic.

Outdoor living was also a key focus, with a resort-style pool, tunnel slides and an outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven. The patios, furnished with Janus et Cie lounge chairs and Brown Jordan seating, provide the perfect space for relaxation and entertaining.

Dressed in bedding from Valerianne of Scottsdale, the Vanguard Furniture Kelsey king bed is the star of the show in the primary bedroom. Caracole nightstands and the Asher king bench from Interlude —along with Eurofase lighting and a rug from David E. Adler—finish things off.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Among the home’s standout features is the custom-designed subterranean bowling alley, a playful nod to the couple’s love story. “The grandkids literally beg their parents to go on a trip so they could stay with the ‘G’s’!” says Vallone of the fun-filled abode. With a cozy living area, dual bathrooms, separate closets and a glass-walled gym pavilion, the primary suite is a private retreat. “They don’t have to leave that side of the house to live,” Candelaria notes. “It’s got a little mini bar and coffee center—it’s killer.”

Another highlight is the eye-catching art throughout the home, which was carefully curated to reflect the clients’ vibrant personalities. “They did not bring anything from their previous home, as everything was very Mediterranean and dark,” Vallone explains. One of the first acquisitions was a statement piece by David Michael Slonim for the living room, discovered at Altamira Fine Art. “It was one of those ‘ah-ha’ moments when you think, ‘They have to love it as much as I do because it is the perfect piece,’” she adds.

The fun-loving family requested a stylish two-lane bowling alley and a bowling-themed bar located downstairs, underneath the garages.

THE CHALLENGES

Building a home of this caliber is never without its challenges; in this case, construction coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. “Other than that, it was a great team,” Candelaria says. “Everyone worked really well together.” One unexpected moment came just before the homeowners’ first holiday party. “The first pair of dining room chandeliers were being installed just hours before their annual holiday gathering,” shares Vallone. “The electrician was on a very high ladder adjusting a few things when one fixture fell out of the ceiling and crashed to the floor. Thankfully, he was OK, but we still called 911 to have him checked!”

The fun-loving family requested a stylish two-lane bowling alley and a bowling-themed bar located downstairs, underneath the garages.

THE OUTCOME

The end result is more than just a luxury residence; it’s a home filled with warmth, personality and a deep connection. And the homeowners aren’t the only ones who love it. “The house just won a national award,” shares Candelaria, who accepted accolades in Las Vegas at the end of February. Every element, from the perfectly framed views of Camelback Mountain to the playful yet sophisticated interiors, speaks to the harmony between architecture, design and the family’s unique spirit. Vallone sums it up best: “It’s amazing, fun, and elegant. And that’s what makes it special.”

Donghia wallpaper lines the powder room, which features the Pursley oval mirror from Uttermost, and Negro Marquina marble slab and Emser Tile round button glass mosaic tiles.