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Homepage / Interior Design  / An Interior Designer Strikes a Perfect Balance Between Comfort and Sophistication in a Paradise Valley Home

An Interior Designer Strikes a Perfect Balance Between Comfort and Sophistication in a Paradise Valley Home

In a Paradise Valley home, interior designer Britany Simon balances traditional and contemporary decor.

By John Roark | Photography by Kevin Brost

Frequently used in architecture and design, the term “transitional” can be tricky to define. “When I think of traditional decor, I think of rolled arms and details that are more ornate. With its straight lines, contemporary can be a bit colder,” says interior designer Britany Simon. “For this project we wanted to land somewhere in between.”

Simon and her team delivered warm and cozy, buttoned-up but not stuffy. “When you walk into this home, it feels very sophisticated but still comfortable. It’s slightly dressed-up, but not in an intimidating way.”

On these pages, Simon shares her insights on design decisions that drove the project and takeaways to consider for your own home.

Simon Says:

“You can be fun and child-friendly without being too juvenile. This space feels right for both kids and adults to sleep in. It doesn’t make you feel like you’re having to sit at the kids’ table at Christmas.”

Simon pondered, “How do we make this fresh, young and playful, but something the grandkids can transition with when they grow up, change their minds and have opinions later on?” A landscape mural imparts a fun tree house vibe, but is not what one would typically see in a children’s space. “Once the kids get older you could easily take out the bunk beds and make this a more sophisticated room. We’re not pigeonholing it into a kids’-only space.”
Designed with grandkids in mind, the game room includes a sectional, swiveling ottomans, a built-in banquette, abundant storage and places for games, puzzles, snacking and hanging out. The bar opens onto the patio. To dress things up, the flooring has a different treatment. “We’ve got straight wood in most of the main areas of the home, but a herringbone pattern gives this room its own character,” says Simon.

Simon Says:

“If your ceilings are higher than 9 feet and the room gets a decent amount of natural light, you can absolutely paint a ceiling a darker color. We went with a dark green up above, adding an oversized crown molding with an additional 10 inches of applied molding below. It looks like it’s one huge element, but we sort of cheated it.”

A gallery wall of artwork in a variety of frames adds interest behind the sofa. “When you walk into a room, where does your eye go first? Focus on dressing that one area. If you’re filling all of the walls, it makes it less special.”
In addition to the use of the color green, wood ceiling beams are a recurring element in the decor. “To me, good design is thinking about those extra details, not repeating the same thing throughout,” says Simon. “We’ve got the same beam, we’re just using it differently to add a different architectural element so that it still feels unique.”

Simon Says:

“I’m not a fan of having a large sectional in a main space because it closes everything off. You see a lot of sofa back, and that’s not pretty. In this room, we have a sofa, a daybed and a couple of swivel chairs, which leaves everything more open. It’s easier to move through the room.”

A metal-and-glass archway subtly divides the dining room from the home’s adjacent entryway. “A dining room feels more elevated if it’s a separate space,” Simon observes. “This is where I encourage people to take risks and be a bit bolder.” Luxe wallpaper and stone-and-wood flooring add dramatic sophistication, while rows of gold-framed botanical prints impart elegance. An antique mirror skews to the traditional aesthetic; the chairs are more contemporary. A shimmering chandelier echoes the shape of the table.

Simon Says:

“Don’t be afraid to cover a wall with art, and don’t shy away from filling the span of that vertical space. It makes a bold statement.”

“Carpeting is impractical in a dining room. This is where we like to do something more interesting that you don’t want to cover with a rug.”

Simon Says:

“Layers make a space feel cohesive and thought-through. Here, a throw rug and linen wallpaper add subtle touches. They’re also great for acoustics in this small space.”

“I like to move around when I’m working,” Simon observes. This versatile office space includes a desk, a separate table and a settee area within the corner of the cabinetry. “This gives you multiple places to work but also allows other people to work with you when necessary.” Windowed reclaimed doors bring in a traditional element, providing privacy when needed.
The desk includes circular cutouts. “If a piece of furniture is standing in the middle of a room, it should have a personality. It’s out in the open, not hiding.”
At the foot of the bed stands a custom cabinet with a pop-up TV. “I don’t like walking into a room and seeing a television, especially over a fireplace. If you have the space to conceal it, that would be my suggestion.”

Simon Says:

“Don’t be afraid of pulling furniture away from the walls. We’ve got a very large rug grounding the bed, which allows the separate seating area to float in the middle of the room—but with intention.”

“I like to bring multiple functions into a bedroom, especially when you’ve got the space,” the designer says. In addition to the sleeping area, seating in front of the fireplace provides an inviting spot to read or lounge. “A bedroom should feel cozy, like a hug. This space was almost too big and we needed to make it feel less overwhelming.”

SOURCES

  • Interior designer: Britany Simon, Britany Simon Design House, Scottsdale, britanysimon.com.
  • KIDS’ ROOM—Rug: Floor Styles Inc., Scottsdale, floorstyles.com.
  • Light fixtures (custom): lucentlightshop.com.
  • Bunk beds: rh.com.
  • Wallpaper: fineanddandycompany.com.
  • Mushroom baskets: burkedecor.com.
  • Bedding: westelm.com.
  • GAME ROOM—Sofa and ottomans: crlaine.com.
  • Wallpaper: innovationsusa.com.
  • Art lights and floor lamps: visualcomfort.com.
  • Dining light: arteriorshome.com.
  • Throw pillow fabric: designersguild.com.
  • Rug: Floor Styles Inc., Scottsdale, floorstyles.com.
  • Dining table: essentialsforliving.com.
  • Dining chairs: highlandhousefurniture.com.
  • GREAT ROOM—Sofa: vanguardfurniture.com.
  • Side chairs: crlaine.com.
  • Side tables: highlandhousefurniture.com.
  • Lamps: visualcomfort.com.
  • Kitchen light fixture: rh.com.
  • Counter stools: hickorywhite.com.
  • Drapery fabric (by Casamance): John Brooks Inc., Scottsdale, johnbrooksinc.com.
  • DINING ROOM—Table: vanguardfurniture.com.
  • Wallpaper (by Zoffany): johnbrooksinc.com.
  • Dining chairs: vanguardfurniture.com.
  • Buffet: madegoods.com.
  • Antique mirror: eloquence.com.
  • Light fixture: rh.com.
  • Gallery art: wendoverart.com.
  • Art at buffet: zoebioscreative.com.
  • Dining table vessels: globalviews.com.
  • Buffet lamps: visualcomfort.com.
  • Drapery fabric (by Casamance): johnbrooksinc.com.
  • OFFICE—Wallpaper: casamance.com.
  • Rug: floorstyles.com.
  • Desk chair: vanguardfurniture.com.
  • Drapery fabric (by Casamance): johnbrooksinc.com.
  • Chandelier: visualcomfort.com.
  • PRIMARY BEDROOM—Rug: floorstyles.com.
  • Chairs: highlandhousefurniture.com.
  • Lamps: arteriorshome.com.
  • Ottoman: crlaine.com.
  • Side table: bernhardt.com.
  • Artwork: wendoverart.com.
  • Bed: vanguardfurniture.com.
  • Nightstands: globalviews.com.
  • Chandelier and floor lamp: visualcomfort.com.
  • Drapery fabric (by Casamance): johnbrooksinc.com.
  • Mirror: mirrorhome.com.
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