Just south of Paradise Valley near the base of Camelback Mountain, acres of orange, lemon and grapefruit citrus groves once flourished. Today, the Arcadia neighborhood holds onto its lush agricultural past with leafy landscapes and tree-lined streets, all framing an eclectic mix of homes, many in a traditional ranch house style. Here, on a prominent corner lot, a young family set out to create something new: an abode that would artfully mix tradition with a fresh, contemporary language.
“When we started talking about building our family, we knew we wanted to live in Arcadia,” the homeowner recalls. “We love how friendly the area is and how every day you see people out walking, biking and getting around on golf carts.” After combing through the neighborhood looking for properties, the couple sent dozens of letters to the owners of their favorite lots describing how they were newly married and looking for a place to start a family. “Luckily, one person responded, and it was the folks who owned this corner lot,” the owner says. “I’ve always loved the building process, so we knew we wanted to build versus buying new.”
Home Details
Architecture:
Jim Blochberger, Blochberger Design
Interior Design and Home Builder:
Austin King, Rafterhouse
Landscape Architecture:
Russell Greey, Greey|Pickett
After securing the property, the couple set out to find a team to create their dream home. Chatting with some friends in the neighborhood led them to architect Jim Blochberger as well as general contractor and interior designer Austin King. The two had not only worked together on several previous Arcadia projects but are also both local to the area. “My wife actually grew up in Arcadia,” King adds.
From the start, the team knew they would create something out of the box. “They wanted a home on the more contemporary side,” Blochberger recalls, noting that it required increased intentionality to fit into a neighborhood with more traditional-style architecture. The solution merged clean lines with classical touches, resulting in a dwelling that harmonizes with its environment. Rather than the typical flat-roofed box, Blochberger drafted an elevation featuring prominent pitched roofs facing the street with flat sections in between. Metal roofing lends a contemporary feel, softened by wood outriggers in the overhangs. “The combination of those materials helps tie the house together with the rest of the neighborhood,” he explains.
On the façade, a custom application of stacked limestone gives a subtle yet distinctive sense of texture and depth. “This particular stone came out of a quarry in Mexico,” King points out. “Some of the pieces are flat and others have a bevel, which casts a unique shadow line. It makes for an incredibly memorable exterior.”
The second-floor home office, illuminated by a chandelier from Warmly, opens to a covered patio. Set atop a floor covering by Loloi Rugs, a McGee & Co. chair and Four Hands table face an RH desk and rolling ladder from Custom Service Hardware.
Doors by Euroline Steel Windows & Doors flood the dining room with natural light. The Dovetail chairs and Palecek table are grounded by a Feizy rug and lit by a Moooi chandelier from Design Within Reach.
Quiet neutrals reign in the living room, where Baker chairs frame an Arteriors side table. Completing the seating area are a Vanguard Furniture sectional, Shoppe Amber Interiors coffee table, twin Baker ottomans and a rug from Floor Styles.
In the kitchen, Silver Macaubas quartzite contrasts the white oak ceiling, flooring and cabinets by Distinctive Custom Cabinetry. Noir stools complement the Apparatus pendants. Above the Wolf range is a stainless steel hood by GrayLeaf.
The second-floor home office, illuminated by a chandelier from Warmly, opens to a covered patio. Set atop a floor covering by Loloi Rugs, a McGee & Co. chair and Four Hands table face an RH desk and rolling ladder from Custom Service Hardware.
Anchored by a McGee & Co. canopy bed dressed in Parachute linens, the primary suite enjoys direct access to the backyard. A Shoppe Amber Interiors chair and CB2 bench serve as comfortable perches from which to take in the verdant views. The chandelier is by RH.
It took two engine hoists to lift the 1,800-pound honed Marquina Taupe marble tub by Stone Forest into the primary bath. Watermark fixtures, a Loloi Rugs runner and Visual Comfort & Co. sconces complete the space.
In the backyard, an outdoor living space with furniture by Four Hands opens to a pool with plenty of areas for lounging. The custom planters are filled with cacti and succulents selected by landscape architect Russell Greey.
Inside, soft white oak floors and ceilings lend a cool minimalism to the residence. Beyond space to grow their family, the couple wanted to be able to move seamlessly from inside to outside during the temperate winter months. “We desired a resort feel that takes advantage of the sunrise and sunset views,” the homeowner says. To that end, many of the rooms enjoy broad expanses of glass and retractable window walls. In the main living area, the entire north wall and corner open via an automated system to a covered patio with a fireplace. “We wanted to maximize our backyard to have activities and a nice garden,” the owner adds, referring to the raised vegetable garden beds designed by landscape architect Russell Greey. Outside, an alfresco kitchen connects to an exterior staircase leading to an upper terrace off the home office and fitness area. Complete with its very own speakeasy-style hidden lounge, “The upstairs really becomes its own destination,” King muses.
Throughout, the abode’s clean lines and warm spaces offer a solid framework for the clients’ lives to unfold. “We knew we wanted this to be a home we could grow into,” the owner shares. Much like the Arcadia of years past with its good soil and sturdy trellises, the dwelling is a fertile place for the family to blossom.
Anchored by a McGee & Co. canopy bed dressed in Parachute linens, the primary suite enjoys direct access to the backyard. A Shoppe Amber Interiors chair and CB2 bench serve as comfortable perches from which to take in the verdant views. The chandelier is by RH.