A Creative Couple Transform This Historic Phoenix Home into a Modern Marvel
New to the neighborhood, the design-savvy duo breathes stylish life into a 1920s-era home in the Willo District.
By Carly Scholl | Photography by Scott Sandler
In the front yard, the couple installed silver travertine pavers and Mexican beach pebbles in an effort to modernize the property without taking away from its historic character. Bougainvillea and firestick succulents (Euphorbia tirucalli) frame the abode with vibrant color, while a Candy Apple Red 1966 Mustang adds a little old-school charm when parked outside.
Through an open window, a soft, cascading melody comes tumbling out of a glossy grand piano and floats into the front yard of a charming Pueblo-style home in downtown Phoenix, delighting passersby out on their daily walks. The deft hands on the keys belong to Tom Perry, who, on cooler days when the open window invites refreshing breezes, enjoys playing his piano for the neighborhood in the new abode he owns with his partner, Beau Stump.
“The piano room was actually one of the reasons that we decided this house could work,” recalls Beau. “When we first looked at the property, we realized there was a perfect spot in front of a picture window where Tom’s piano would fit.” This musical space sits near the entrance to the couple’s home, beckoning guests into the stylishly remodeled interiors that reflect the owners’ passions and personalities while still honoring the original architecture dating back to 1928.
While living downtown, Beau often took his dogs for walks through the Willo District and was always drawn to the little white adobe-style house. “Before it was bought by an investment company, it was still really cute,” he remembers. “Then it sold and the investors took out all the historical and architectural appeal and it just sat on the market for about a year. But then Tom came down to look at it with me one day, and we saw the potential.”
After purchasing the property, the couple began a major cosmetic remodel on both the interiors and the front and back landscapes, but they left the structure as is. “The original footprint was around 960 square feet, but the investors
Just past the grand piano, the living room in Tom Perry and Beau Stump’s house features a bold fireplace surround—one of many accent walls throughout the home defined by a matte black hue.
built several additions so now it’s just under 2,400 square feet,” says Beau. “It was lucky for us because this neighborhood has a lot of regulations and restrictions for renovations, but the previous owner had to deal with them, not us.”
The vision for the new house was a balance of Beau’s warm, modern style and Tom’s appreciation for simple Scandinavian-influenced design, all blended into a serene, welcoming haven where the couple could host friends and family and enjoy life with their four dogs. “It was challenging to consider the wear-and-tear of fabrics and furniture in the context of having so many pets,” notes Beau. “I wouldn’t typically use so much leather, but it’s really the only material that the dogs can’t completely tear up. So I incorporated a lot of warm wood to balance it out and I used rugs and other accents that I can replace pretty easily if they get damaged.”
The one element Tom and Beau kept from the investor’s remodel was a white, triangular-patterned wallcovering near the entry, and it became the inspiration for the home’s recurring geometric motif. “It wasn’t on purpose at first,” Beau admits, “but we just kept heading in that direction because it was flowing so nicely.” From floor tiles and lighting fixtures to decorative objects and artwork, clean lines and strong shapes define the stylish interiors. Flanking the piano room, the living and dining spaces sport matching cowhide rugs that feature trapezoidal patchwork in shades of gray, black, cream and rust, while sleek furnishings emphasize the angular aesthetic. Hints of midcentury modern style emerge in carefully chosen details, including an Eames lounge chair and a Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chair.
“We incorporated a lot of nontraditional ideas in this house,” says Tom. “One of the recurring themes is the liberal use of black in nearly every room, which isn’t commonly seen because homes with too much bold personality often have a hard time selling. But we wanted something that
An open dining space blends modern furniture and contemporary details, such as as a minimalistic lighting fixture and patchwork hair-on-hide rug.
we could truly enjoy and that would reflect our personalities, and we didn’t want to do all this work on the house just to flip it and make some money. Beau and I wanted to enjoy living here and to create a place that we loved.”
“I think lighting is one of the most important things in interior design, so I’m constantly playing with it.”
—Beau Stump, homeowner
The home’s original kitchen felt empty and poorly planned, as there were no cabinets and a tiny island. “It just looked hodgepodge and weird,” recalls Beau. “But we opened it up and made it our own.” Monochromatic tile in a chevron pattern seamlessly transitions from the expansive new island to the floor, while smart accent lighting can be customized in rainbow of colors.
Though historic at its core, this home gets a dose of contemporary edge through the use of customizable lights and smart technology. “I think lighting is one of the most important things in interior design, so I’m constantly playing with it,” asserts Beau. “We have down- and up-lighting everywhere, including underneath the piano and the TV stands. My favorite time to be in the house is at night, as the whole mood changes.” The remodeled kitchen is a prime example of how illumination plays a major role in the couple’s design aesthetic. Concealed accent lighting above the cabinets and beneath the island counter come alive at the touch of a button, instantly casting a warm orange, fuchsia pink or electric blue hue over the space. “All of our switch panels throughout the home are fully integrated with Wi-Fi and can be controlled by our Amazon Alexa,” adds Tom. “Almost every light bulb in the house can be customized individually to any color in the spectrum.”
1. “When we bought the house, there was no backyard design whatsoever, just gravel,” says Beau. “We wanted to create a landscape that we could take care of ourselves with minimal effort, so we put in low-maintenance synthetic turf and travertine.” The narrow, European-style pool was a must-have addition. 2. A contemporary black pergola shades an outdoor dining area situated just past a concrete fire table.
The property’s landscape also received a dramatic makeover that fit the couple’s lifestyle. “Another central theme throughout the house—inside and out—was the idea of having multiple places to entertain,” Tom explains. “For example, we created the huge kitchen with the big island so we can have people hanging out while we cook. The backyard now has multiple areas where guests can congregate, including the fire pit, the covered dining area and the pool. We even redid the front porch so that we could spend time out there and actually be able to engage with the neighborhood and the folks walking by.”
After several months of careful renovation, Tom, Beau and their four pups aren’t the only ones enjoying the new and improved home. “Even though we weren’t sticking with the typical old style of the house, most of the neighbors were actually excited when we bought it,” remarks Beau. “I think they were just glad that we were giving it some life again.”
1. “I’m used to living in a condo and waking up to see the city outside my window,” Beau notes. “I thought I wouldn’t get that same experience in a house, but the windows in our master bedroom have a skyline view of Phoenix. We have the best of both worlds.” A striking black accent wall is fitted with moldings, creating a subtle layer of texture and interest to the tranquil space. 2.-3. A massive walk-in shower is a luxurious focal point in the master bathroom, which is outfitted with contrasting walls of sleek black and white tile and streamlined cabinetry.
A massive walk-in shower is a luxurious focal point in the master bathroom, which is outfitted with contrasting walls of sleek black and white tile and streamlined cabinetry.
A massive walk-in shower is a luxurious focal point in the master bathroom, which is outfitted with contrasting walls of sleek black and white tile and streamlined cabinetry.
