An open-concept remodel in Paradise Valley takes a creative spin, thanks to the homeowner’s artwork collection and fondness for Cirque du Soleil.

In the guest bedroom suite, the existing fireplace was refaced with a three-dimensional black tile from Craftsman Court Ceramics (craftsmancourt.com) and the box was replaced with a contemporary cannonball insert. Photographed by Austin LaRue Baker

THE PRIORITY

Throughout the renovation process, the new homeowners from Seattle enlisted the expertise of Phoenix-based design firm Earth & Images (earthandimages.com) to create an interior aesthetic that represented their unique and eclectic personal taste. “The priority was to remove a pony wall impeding the flow of the entry to the dining room. However, as they delved deeper into the design, the focus became more about aesthetics of the interiors relating to the homeowner’s personal taste,” says principal designer Nikka Bochniak. “The layout of the 5-bedroom, 5.5 bathroom home was redesigned to have an open concept feel with skylights installed throughout so the owners, who spend most of their time in Seattle, could take full advantage of the Arizona sun.”

The pool is made with 1-inch by 1-inch custom Scicis tile from Cactus Stone (cactustile.com). Photographed by Austin LaRue Baker

THE CHALLENGE

“This sprawling desert home was due for some functional and cosmetic updates to bring it up-to-date for our clients,” says principal designer and owner Isabel Dellinger-Candelaria. Opening up the space was a necessary adjustment for the owners to be able to enjoy their 6,000-square-foot property to its fullest. “The challenge with any remodel is working within the existing footprint to create flow and continuity within the space for how the client lives their daily life,” notes Bochniak. In this home, the existing layout was closed off . “After correcting some floor plan faux pas, we jumped into introducing artistic and design-forward material applications to create a soothing and upbeat atmosphere,” adds Dellinger-Candelaria.

The guest house is decorated with splashes of orange, the owner’s favorite color. Photographed by Austin LaRue Baker

THE STRATEGY

The remodel was centered around creating a more fluid space that allowed for more functional use while incorporating aspects of the owner’s vast art collection and colorful aesthetic. “After removing walls to create an open-concept layout, we introduced engineered European oak flooring in the main spaces which transitions gradually into a mix of natural stone and porcelain hexagon tiles,” says Bochniak. Reclaimed beams by Peter Thomas Designs (peterthomasdesigns.com) were used throughout the kitchen, primary and junior primary suites. “Creating continuity and cohesiveness throughout the home by using the reclaimed beams throughout that match the wood flooring gave us an overall shell, and then we addressed each room individually based on the client’s art collection and color preferences,” says Dellinger-Candelaria.

In the kitchen, the main wall is amplified with Alto decorative tile from Artistic Tile (artistictile.com). Photographed by Austin LaRue Baker

THE DETAIL

“There are a lot of different moments happening throughout the home creating very individualized spaces with different feels,” says Bochniak. “The design of the guest house and laundry room started with orange, the owner’s favorite color. The rest of the house drew inspiration from the owner’s artwork collection and fondness of Cirque du Soleil,” she adds, noting that the custom-designed stained glass entry door was inspired by the troupe’s colors, costumes and aerial silks.

Bold color, pattern and eclecticness can be seen throughout the entire remodel, notably in the primary bathroom. “Dimensional geometric tile, which was plaster set and installed in a wave-like design, wraps from the shower to behind the vanity mirrors,” says Dellinger-Candelaria. “Other important design details are the application of texture, for instance, on the primary bedroom headboard wall; the guest bedroom’s acid-yellow and black cactus printed drapery, reflecting the beauty of the exteriors, and bringing the outside in; and the angular backsplash tile in the kitchen, vertically applied to extenuate the difference in depth from one end of the tile to the other.”

The primary bedroom features Aruba Grasscloth wallcovering from Omexco (omexco.com). Photographed by Austin LaRue Baker

Outside, Dellinger-Candelaria notes how the mosaic pool, composed of 1-inch by 1-inch custom Scicis tile from Cactus Stone, also became an inspired project. “It was magical how everything came together piece-bypiece in the end. It was like creating art itself,” she says.

THE OUTCOME

“Staying true to the Arizona landscape, this is a definitive nod to the Arizona desert and the homes’ location near Camelback Mountain,” affirms Dellinger- Candelaria of the distinctive Paradise Valley abode. “It is light, bright and refreshed while also featuring fun pops of color and moody moments throughout,” says Bochniak. “The end result is a sunlit sanctuary for these Seattle natives.”