This Comfortable Fountain Hills Retreat is Perfect for Entertaining Two Snowbirds’ Many Guests

October 7, 2021

On the back patio of Daryl and Nancy Olsen’s Fountain Hills home, upholstered furnishings in muted hues continue the aesthetic of the soft and comfortable interior space. “This very livable, welcoming home transitions seamlessly to the desert landscape and mountain views,” notes interior designer Elaine Alexander.

A winter retreat in Fountain Hills welcomes a Midwestern couple with open arms.

By Carly Scholl | Photography by Garrett Cook

One of the most striking features of the Olsens’ home—inside and out—is the prominent use of stacked stone. “We used ironwood ledge stone,” says builder Jeff Lupien. “We went through many different samples but when we saw this one, we had that ‘ah-ha’ moment, and we knew it would fit the color palette perfectly.”

“People our age always want to downsize. But we have two daughters, four grandkids and lots of friends, and we wanted people to be able to come visit our home and feel comfortable,” explains Nancy Olsen of the roomy Fountain Hills home she built with her husband, Daryl. While the abode features elements of contemporary style, architect Jon Bernhard notes that the essence of the property really transcends a definitive aesthetic. “It’s progressive,” he says. “Our architectural choices were dictated by the opportunities of the site and by the lifestyle of the Olsens.”

Set on a spacious, sloped lot overlooking the pristine golf course of the FireRock Country Club, the Olsens’ new two-story retreat is the perfect place for the couple to relax, entertain and enjoy their loved ones. “With this project, it was really about creating a space for the couple’s kids and grandkids to gather,” says builder Jeff Lupien. “This design team wanted to keep that in mind when we went through the early building stages. We needed to keep the house as enjoyable for the whole family as possible.”

With a Tuscan-style home as their main residence in the Midwest, the Olsens were looking to achieve a completely different feel at their winter retreat. “They didn’t want to do something old and obvious,” Bernhard says. “Nancy and Daryl wanted something new and appropriate for the climate. We sat down and talked for a few hours about every detail and defined the architectural character. The finished product captures such a range of design elements that it’s really a style of its own.”

Numerous walls of stacked stone, clean lines and a desert-inspired color palette lend an initial sense of austerity to the house, but with the help of sumptuous textures, comfortable furnishings and a breathtaking vista of the Valley, the sophisticated home feels family-friendly and accessible. “When we first discussed the project, I didn’t realize there would be so much interior stone, but it turned out absolutely gorgeous,” Nancy recalls. “When Jon came back with initial design, I breathed a sigh of relief—he just got us. We wanted the home to feel warm and hospitable, and that’s exactly how it feels.”

“When the house was finished, we were ecstatic. The way it turned out was just beyond our wildest dreams.”

—Daryl Olsen, homeowner

1. Architect Jon Bernhard went beyond the basics of contemporary style when designing the Olsens’ new home, which is apparent from the first step to the front door. “I like to make a statement with the entrance,” he explains of the exterior facade, which is marked by organic stacked stone walls offset by a sleek cantilevered overhang. “It’s less about the physical door and more about the experience of opening it and discovering what’s beyond.” 2. “The combination of dynamic architectural elements and balanced colors and textures led to the grand scale design of the great room fireplace, which features uniformly stacked slabs of Aliveri marble and wood reveals,” Alexander remarks. Soothing desert-inspired tones contrasted by rich hickory wood floors add to the serenity of the space. 3. The sprawling views of Red Mountain were a major selling point of the site for the Olsens. When they began the design process with the architecture and building teams, those same vistas were at the core of their vision. “We positioned everything to conceal the neighboring properties so that Daryl and Nancy could sit on the patio and be fully immersed in the landscape,” says Bernhard. 4. Because Nancy is a gourmet chef, the kitchen in her new home needed to live up to her culinary prowess while still being comfortable enough to host her friends and family. A massive island with a waterfall marble top serves as a place to prep, while visitors can feel at ease in their own space at the bar counter. To help define the kitchen from the other areas of the great room, Bernhard designed the floating “clouds” of wood beams, helping to bring the ceiling height to human scale.

Interior designer Elaine Alexander played a large part in cultivating a soothing aura throughout the indoor spaces. “The Olsens expressed a desire for a comfortable, contemporary home without formality where guests and grandchildren feel welcome,” she notes. In order to achieve the homeowners’ wishes, Alexander used contrasting natural materials as a common thread through the house. “The floor-to-ceiling backdrop of stone found all around the property influenced the selection of the different wood finishes we used for millwork, multiple ceiling treatments and the hovering ‘clouds’ that define the kitchen space,” says the designer. “For earthy balance and warmth, medium brown hickory flooring was specified, delivering a beautifully harmonious result. These organic materials and strong geometric forms harmonize with the outdoors, the surrounding terrain and the magnificent mountain views.”

1. A two-tone porcelain patio dining table extends to serve the large family and contracts for meals shared between just Daryl and Nancy. The counterspace, sink and appliances surrounding the dining area allow for easy alfresco cooking, prepping and serving. 2. “Hanging light fixtures, mirrors and decor with metallic finishes produce reflective light sources throughout the home,” Alexander notes. “In particular, the whimsical copper leaves hung in the entryway communicate a subtle, friendly message to relax and enjoy your visit.” 3. A powder room dressed in monochromatic charcoal tones diverges from the light and airy color palette of the home’s communal areas but maintains the organic elegance that defines the entire house.

To offset the masculine organic palette, Alexander added such glamorous elements as metallic-framed mirrors and delicate lighting fixtures, adding a bit of sparkle in each room. “The thing that wasn’t explicitly defined but that we added in was a level of exaggeration,” she adds. “We wanted the interior to be comfortable, but we also wanted it to pop. The scale of certain elements, such as the living room fireplace and some of the artwork on the walls, provided dynamic centerpieces for the space.”

As with many visitors to the Valley, the Olsens wanted outdoor living to be a major fixture of their new home. “When we first found the lot, it was everything we wanted,” Daryl recalls. “It had beautiful views facing southeast. It took us all of five minutes to make up our minds.” The architect and builder designed the entire home around this vista, positioning windows and patios in the perfect spots to soak up the desert beauty. “The views really are extraordinary,” Bernhard notes. “Red Mountain was the target, and when you open the front door and it’s right down the middle.”

“We wanted the interior to be comfortable, but we also wanted it to pop. The scale of certain elements provided dynamic centerpieces for the space.”
—Elaine Alexander, interior designer

1. Seen in the great room, upholstered furnishings selected for their distinct ebony wood framing were teamed with organic pieces, including a Milpa wood cocktail table. Sophisticated design details, such as neutral shades, linear and geometric patterns, and contrasting of materials and finishes, continue throughout the house. 2. “The dining room is kind of tucked behind these stone masses away from the great room,” Bernhard says. “It has its own defined space but it’s also open to the view. The wine room is definitely a part of the dining experience as well.” 3. Below the infinity pool’s edge and looking out on the spectacular views of the East Valley, a cantilevered patio presents guests with a cozy spot to sit around a fire. “This space was a bit of a challenge,” recalls Lupien of the building process. “The curved glass and the amount of concrete and steel that goes into making that work was a little tricky. But it turned out great, and I think it’s probably the most unique feature of the home.” 4. Another linear fireplace in the master bedroom features a texturized surround atop a veined marble hearth. Sumptuous bed linens in shades of gray and decorative items with a pop of metallic sheen add a deep sense of luxe coziness to the private space.

With amenities such as multiple bedrooms to house visiting family members; a spectacular kitchen fit for gourmet chef Nancy’s talents; and a spacious outdoor living area complete with alfresco dining spaces, an infinity pool and a cantilevered fire pit deck, the Olsens’ home rivals any destination resort. “We’ll be sitting around and just find ourselves smiling,” Daryl says. “When the house was finished, we were ecstatic. The way it turned out was just beyond our wildest dreams.”

Architect: Jon Bernhard, Swaback Architects + Planners. Builder: Jeff Lupien, True North Builders Inc. Interior Designer: Elaine Alexander, Est Est Inc. Landscape Designer: Nadia Rico, N.R. Design + Build.

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