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

“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

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.”

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.” 

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

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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