Home of the Year: Glamorous Beverly Hills Style Meets Sonoran Charm
A luxurious estate channels the traditional grandeur of Beverly Hills—with a contemporary twist.
By Lauren Tyda | Photography by Kevin Kaminski
Surrounded by a lush, verdant landscape with riotous bursts of fuchsia florals, a remarkable Paradise Valley residence intertwines Mediterranean charm with old Hollywood allure.
The exterior showcases elements of traditional Spanish Colonial style: white stucco walls, red clay tile roofing, exposed rafter tails and gentle archways. But inside, it is delightfully incandescent. Owner Debbie Bloy—an interior designer who has completed projects in both Scottsdale and Southern California—used a palette of ivory and warm woods to create a crisp, minimalist atmosphere, bathed in natural sunlight.
“I wanted to design something with the flavor of Scottsdale but with L.A. architecture,” explains Debbie, who is also an artist, published author and former restaurateur. “My thought process was to have a calming, clean style throughout, using whites and light oak floors and beams.”
The designer’s penchant for mixing classic with eclectic shines in her choice of materials. “What interests me is going into all of these L.A. houses and seeing the very old and what can be made new,” she notes. “I always strive to find something different, whether it’s unusual latches and pulls or beautiful tile.”
Each room transitions into intimate courtyards, patios and garden areas. “The outdoor spaces were very important to her, so we created little patios wherever we could,” says architectural designer and builder Gary Wyant, whom Debbie recruited to execute her vision. “Most of the rooms have French doors that open up to a seating area or landscape.”
Walking paths wind around the backyard, poolscape and guest casita, where fireplaces and fountains invite relaxation. “I wanted lots of flowers,” says the owner. “In the front, I was going for much more manicured, but in the back, it’s wild, natural and organic.” A brick wall surrounds the garden area, where a wooden gate opens up to a vegetable garden and a mélange of citrus trees.
Project manager Hans Balazs says he was impressed by Debbie’s ability to bring a fresh perspective to Spanish Colonial design, both inside and out. “In a lot of older Santa Barbara-style houses, the interiors can feel dark with the Venetian plaster, beige travertine and heavy granite countertops,” he observes. “I like that the inside of this house is clean and bright, while still retaining all the traditional architectural details of this style.” Wyant agrees: “It’s very pure and simple but also very attractive, with just clean forms and spaces.”
When she is not summering in Los Angeles, Debbie enjoys soaking up her abundance of outdoor space and entertaining guests, whether she is serving an alfresco meal or hosting weekenders. “I tried to make the rooms cozy—for one person or many people,” she says. The creative also enjoys spending time in her art studio, painting and crafting pieces that she proudly displays throughout her abode.
“This house was a labor of love,” Debbie reflects. “I was involved in every detail of it, and I love that the design was uniquely mine.”
Talk about a Hollywood ending.
SOURCES
Architectural designer: Gary Wyant, Calvis Wyant Design Group, Scottsdale, calviswyant.com. Builder: Calvis Wyant Luxury Homes calviswyant.com. Project manager: Hans Balazs, calviswyant.com. Original landscape design: Berghoff Design Group, Phoenix, berghoffdesign.com. Updated landscape design: Royal Gardens Landscapes, Phoenix, (602) 341-4530.
