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Homepage / Interior Design  / A Paradise Valley Home Gets a Sleek, Contemporary Makeover

A Paradise Valley Home Gets a Sleek, Contemporary Makeover

Three decades of friendship anchors the creative partnership between an interior designer and a couple starting a new chapter in a new home.

By Carly Scholl | Photography by Michael Duerinckx

Tucked into a craggy mountain façade in Paradise Valley, a master class in contemporary design surveys the Phoenix metropolis as it stretches into the desert for hundreds of miles. Originally designed and constructed in 2010 by architect Richard Cipriano and builder Jamie Vaughn, the sprawling abode retains much of its original characteristics, but under its new homeowners—and their trusted interior designer—it has been further polished and refined for luxurious modern life.

“I’ve been friends with the homeowners for more than 30 years,” says interior designer Kris Stockfisch. “Having known each other for so long, we’re familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and I was so honored that they deferred to me for the design decisions.”

According to the homeowners, that deference wasn’t difficult. “We love Kris’ minimalist, clean, light style,” the wife notes. “Her taste is so beautiful. We knew she was the right person for the job.”

After moving to Arizona in the ’80s, the homeowners say their style gradually evolved with the landscape of the Valley. “When we first came out here from the Midwest, we were young newlyweds, and we brought a Ryder truck full of antiques,” the wife recalls. “But my husband has always been more modern than I was, and he influenced my style a lot over the years.

“With each house we’ve had, our aesthetic has developed,” she continues. “With every home, we became a little more modern. By the time we moved here, the style of the house sort of demanded a modern approach.”

Before they found the home, the couple was initially planning to undertake a major remodel on the house they had lived in for more than 10 years. “We had talked about it and drew up plans—then right before we started the renovating process, we reconsidered,” the wife recalls. “I had always admired this house from afar, and I originally asked if we could walk through it to get ideas for our remodel. But when we saw it, within two minutes we said— ‘I think we need to buy this.’ Everything we planned to do at our old house was already done here.”

Boasting a stunning contemporary profile, a community that offered the privacy and security the couple wanted, plus more than 8,800 square feet of space to host their children and many grandchildren, the decision felt obvious. “And, of course, the view helped seal the deal,” says the wife. “We truly can see all of Phoenix.”

But with a new home and a new chapter in their lives, the couple knew they needed the help of a trusted professional—and who better than an old friend? “It was so amazing working with Kris,” says the wife. “She’s been a dear friend for so long, and she’s so easygoing. She figured out how to make both my and my husband’s tastes work together in this new space, which was a fun challenge balancing contemporary style with some natural softness and warmth.”

Stockfisch agrees—“It was an easy, delightful process, and I attribute that to our friendship,” she says. “I was thrilled because I love doing soft contemporary, and they sincerely trusted my guidance every step of the way. After 20 years in the business, I can tell you that these kinds of opportunities don’t always come along. And that’s what made it a dream project—I got to help my friends create their ideal home.”

  • Builder: Jamie Vaughn, Carmel Homes Design Group.
  • Interior designer: Kris Stockfisch, Kris Stockfisch Design.
One of the most captivating elements of the interiors is a collection of large-scale artwork the couple has curated over the years. “We began collecting art in about 2010,” says the wife. “But when we moved into this house, we had the space to expand.”
In the main living room, views of the Valley take center stage. “I wanted to keep a calm palette with soft neutrals, linens and nubby woven fabric on the sofas in the living room,” interior designer Kris Stockfisch notes. “These muted tones and subtle textures give it a soft, organic feel and let the views and the colorful art shine.”
“We wanted the space to be an arrival experience—it really is a feature of the house,” says the wife of the gallerylike entryway. “One of my favorite parts of living here is playing the piano—it reverberates through the whole house.” In addition to the Steinway, large-format artworks hung on subtly textured grass cloth wallcovering welcome guests into a soothing atmosphere.
A small sitting area off the kitchen reflects the home’s neutral color palette—but offers an energizing burst of color in another large abstract painting by Charles Arnoldi. “My husband and I have very divergent taste in art, so when we invested in new paintings for the main areas, we agreed that they had to be pieces we both liked—not an easy task,” the wife says.
On the fireplace wall, the custom plaster finish has a mother-of-pearl sheen that, when it catches the light, is stunning.
Mirroring the vast Sonoran sky, an azure pool welcomes family and friends alike to take a dip and soak in the scenic surroundings. “We’ve always felt that we’ve been blessed so that we can bless others,” says the wife. “This house is two levels, and as we’re getting older, everything we need is up on the top level—if we can’t do stairs, we even have an elevator. The entire lower level is for guests and is perfect for our six grandkids—with three bedrooms, a kitchen, laundry room, bar, theater, shuffleboard and the pool area, they’re in heaven.”
In an intimate corner of the upper patio, lounging guests can enjoy a panoramic view of the Valley. “The couple felt strongly about maintaining contemporary design throughout the whole home, but they also wanted to keep it family-friendly,” Stockfisch notes. “We chose a lot of simplistic, quality furniture and outdoor fabrics that are durable and made to withstand both the desert conditions and rambunctious grandkids.”
“I love that in this house, the contemporary design is more organic than cold and sterile,” says Stockfisch, noting the generous use of natural material throughout.
“When our daughter-in-law saw the kitchen, she said, ‘It’s like the kitchen of the future!’” the wife laughs. Sleek, pearly-white cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances melt into the confines of the space, creating an open, airy environment for guests and family to gather and enjoy the views.
“The primary bedroom is my favorite room,” Stockfisch proclaims. “The tone-on-tone blend of crisp linens, warm wood and silvery-gray accents feels so peaceful in a space that cannot compromise on serenity.“ Amid the tonal layers, another bold work of art adds a dramatic burst of blue to the room.
“Ten years ago, when the house was built, contemporary wasn’t as popular, so some elements seemed ahead of their time,” the wife notes. One of these features is the primary bathroom, decked out floor to ceiling in dynamic, richly veined Carrara marble. Filled with natural light and views from the mountainside, the space is a heavenly retreat for the couple.
The lower level includes complete guest quarters and swimming pool access. “When we first moved in, the floors looked like a basketball court that had been flooded,” the wife remembers. “We had them sanded down and sealed. It made such a difference in the look and set the tone for the rest of the design. We repainted all the interior doors black to match the exterior doors, and the contrast of light and dark felt like a unique statement.”

SOURCES

  • Builder: Jamie Vaughn, Carmel Homes Design Group, Scottsdale, luxuryhomebuildersscottsdale.com.
  • Interior designer: Kris Stockfisch, Kris Stockfisch Design, Scottsdale, krisstockfischdesign.com.

DINING ROOM

  • Chandelier and buffet (by Holly Hunt): John Brooks Inc, Scottsdale, johnbrooksinc.com.
  • Artwork: (by Jim Waid): Bentley Gallery, Phoenix, bentleygallery.com.

LIVING ROOM

  • Sofas (by Holly Hunt): johnbrooksinc.com.
  • Coffee table: bradleyusa.com.
  • Barcelona chairs: knoll.com.
  • Artwork (at left, by Charles Arnoldi): bentleygallery.com.
  • Artwork (at right, by Robert Kelly): bentleygallery.com.
  • Rug: David E. Adler Fine Rugs, Scottsdale, davideadler.com.
  • Decorative accessories: The Collector’s House, Scottsdale, thecollectorshouse.biz.

ENTRY

  • Artwork (at left, by Nellie King Solomon): bentleygallery.com.
  • Sconces (by Holly Hunt): johnbrooksinc.com.
  • Rug: Azadi Fine Rugs, Scottsdale, azadifinerugs.com.

POOL AREA

  • Lounge furniture: brownjordan.com.

SITTING ROOM

  • Artwork (by Charles Arnoldi): bentleygallery.com.
  • Rug: azadifinerugs.com.

KITCHEN

  • Cabinetry and countertops: Bulthaup, Scottsdale, buhthaup.com.
  • Appliances: gaggenau.com.

PRIMARY BEDROOM

  • Bench (by A Rudin): johnbrooksinc.com.
  • Eames chair: hermanmiller.com.
  • Artwork (by Jim Gleason): bentleygallery.com.
  • Fireplace wallcovering: Hopper Finishes, Scottsdale, hopperfinishes.com.
  • Drapery (‘Melody Soprano’ by Holly Hunt): johnbrooksinc.com.
  • Lamps: arteriorshome.com.
  • Nightstands (by Holly Hunt): johnbrooksinc.com.

LOWER LEVEL

  • Artwork (by Dion Johnson): bentleygallery.com.
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