Armed with ample inspiration, a North Scottsdale couple builds their ideal oasis.

If any couple in the Valley knows the value of a well-designed home, it’s real estate professionals Matt and Lisa Lucky. Since getting into the industry in 2000, the partners—in business and marriage—have walked through some of the biggest estates and the most extravagant abodes in town. When the Luckys set out to create their own dream home, their expertise came in handy, both in the selection of their all-star design team and their vision for the final product.

“Initially there was a bit of pressure on us,” admits Matt of the early stages of planning the new house. “When people heard we were building a home, they assumed we would know exactly how to design it given our exposure to all the cutting-edge concepts in town.” Lisa points out that their experience in real estate did give them a good starting point, however. “We were really inspired by what we’ve seen throughout our careers. We felt like we got to choose from the best ideas we’ve made note of over the years.”

The couple’s first order of business was assembling a team of design professionals as keen-eyed and experienced as they were. Phoenix Home & Garden Masters of the Southwest award-winning architect Erik Peterson, a long-time friend of the Luckys, was Matt and Lisa’s first choice to design the perfect desert contemporary-style home. “I was so honored that they asked me,” Peterson recalls. “Because of their notoriety, it’s a big statement to the community that they wanted to choose us.” 

Interior designer Kim Scodro, who had worked on other projects with the Luckys in the past, was also selected for her ability to harmonize various textures, materials and finishes into a visual symphony. “I started off a little nervous because Matt and Lisa have been in every nice house in the Valley, so their expectations were different from other clients,” says Scodro. “But it was such an awesome experience because it meant that they could articulate exactly what they wanted.”

Dreaming of a modern retreat with warm desert tones, artistic architectural touches and fully optimized views from every possible room, Lisa and Matt shared their vision with the design professionals and then handed over the reins. “They recognized the talent of their team,” says Peterson. “They basically said, ‘We’re in your hands,’ and then let us create this amazing modern home. They just trusted us.

“With traditional homes, such as Spanish, French, Italian or colonial, there are some historical standards you have to pay attention to,” the architect continues. But when we do contemporary homes, they’re truly expressions of artistic talents where we can really play.” Situated in the picturesque desert of North Scottsdale, the home was built to soak in the majesty of Pinnacle Peak, which sits just beyond the Troon golf course and is visible from multiple points of the property. “The architectural design all stemmed from the view toward the mountain,” notes Peterson. “We didn’t want any of the overhangs to cut off the top of the peak, and we made sure there was a really strong flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces.”

“If you’re going to embark on the adventure of homebuilding, have fun with it.”

—Kim Scodro, interior designer

Repeated throughout the house and extending into the front and backyards, bold linear forms contrast with the rugged terrain of the desert. This dynamic combination is also echoed in the relationship between the organic feel of the home’s stone facades and the grounding effect of the deep steel overhangs that protect the expanses of windows from the summer sun. “We really wanted to have the home feel integrated into the natural desert,” explains landscape architect Clayton Miller. “Instead of a solid perimeter wall, we used a rebar fence that wraps around the yard and doesn’t disrupt the view. There’s a great push and pull, too, that helps nestle the property into the environment. The pool extends out into the landscape while the firepit is sort of tucked back.”

Inside, Scodro maintained this careful juxtaposition through the use of various finishes. “Every surface has some sort of texture—wood ceilings, grasscloth on walls, stone and textured tile in the powder room. Even the floor tile gives off a sense of subtle movement without inducing dizziness.” While the interior designer used the wide range of textures to bring a dimension of warmth to the contemporary home, she also utilized honey-hued wood and touches of gold to add depth and coziness against the simple, monochromatic color palette. 

With a contemporary spirit, serene aesthetic and luxurious touches—including a wine wall, outdoor shower, backyard firepit and patio bar—inspired by some of the Valley’s finest residences, the Luckys’ new home is an expertly balanced oasis of modern amenities and natural wonders. “The view is just sensational,” Matt says. “In the morning, when the clouds are pink and the sun has yet to hit Pinnacle Peak, the world around puts on this great show, and we have front-row seats.”

ARCHITECT: Erik Peterson, PHX Architecure. BUILDER: Platinum Companies Inc. INTERIOR DESIGNERS: Kim Scodro, Elise Miller, Dana Meyerchick, Kim Scodro Interiors. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Clayton Miller, Greey|Pickett

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