Paradise Found
A dazzling Arizona abode mirrors the colors of the landscape.
Jamie Drake and Caleb Anderson brought the palette from the interiors to the exteriors to create a sense of cohesion. Sliding glass doors allow for a seamless transition between indoors and out. The spectacular vistas can be viewed from multiple seating areas that surround an outdoor fireplace and a refreshing pool.
Bookmatched slabs of stone climb up the two-story wall over the fireplace, creating a dramatic focal point enhanced by a dynamic Edward Fields rug.
Design should be tailored to the landscape—at least that’s the argument this Paradise Valley, Arizona residence puts forth. Which is exactly why history came into play and Jamie Drake and Caleb Anderson of the eponymous firm Drake/Anderson, were enlisted to wield their fearless approach to color on a new build. “As trusting, twenty-year-long clients, they let us choose the palette, and embraced it fully,” explains Drake.
Left: A fully decked out bar includes Sub-Zero refrigeration, wine storage, and an ice maker
Right: A figurative nod to the region’s Indian Paintbrush flower, the kitchen’s Sub-Zero refrigerator is wrapped in an orange/red leather. A Wolf range and ovens, two Cove dishwashers, and Dornbracht faucets make the glam space supremely functional.
The wild-yet-serene landscape of the surrounding Camelback Mountains is not only mirrored in the living room’s dramatic double-height fireplace surround, but throughout the home. The result of a visit to the stone yards, the mesmerizing, bookmatched slabs of stone captivated the clients and subsequently inspired the home’s regional decor. “The choice pleasantly surprised me. I thought something this bold would be scary to them—but they absolutely adored it,” says Drake. The colors of cacti, sagebrush and turquoise play against vibrant orange tones that pay homage to the region’s native Indian Paintbrush flower.
Holly Hunt chairs, upholstered in an eye-catching chevron pattern, incorporate all the warmer colors of the dining room.
The open-plan layout on the main floor sets the tone for the rest of the home. Giant porcelain pavers in a soft sage green connect the living, dining, and kitchen areas. Expansive windows with sliding glass doors bring in the views and create a seamless transition from the indoors out. In the living room, a capacious L-shaped sofa in a sky-colored pastel hue defines the room. A shapely wood table sits over an expressive silk-and-wool rug that Drake says reminds him of “desert sunsets.” Overhead, a giant orb by Barnaby Barford composed of 1,000 hand-painted ceramic pieces lit from within, gives the impression of a setting sun in all its glory.
The designers commissioned a gorgeous mosaic for the outdoor shower.
In the nearby kitchen, a lower ceiling height creates a sense of spatial differentiation while a vibrant, orange/red leather-wrapped refrigerator door speaks to the complexity of the design. Quartz, lacquered metal, glass, steel, and ceramic are just a few of the material elements that add interest. Just steps away, a custom dining table allows for regular convivial enjoyment. Holly Hunt dining chairs upholstered in a striking woven chevron pattern perfectly play off the enormous Dan Christensen painting that appears to offer yet another beguiling illustration of a setting sun. Outside, big bold prints add a bit of oomph, while various seating groups offer multiple perches from which to entertain and enjoy the impressive panorama.
In the bedroom, a leather and fabric Holly Hunt bed, bench, and nearby desk all keep within the same color family.
For pre- or post-dinner cocktails, Drake and Anderson outfitted a bar with all the necessary accoutrements. But it’s the channel upholstery in a pastel faux suede lining the back wall that purposely steals the show. “I wanted to create a visual destination,” explains Drake. While most of the home’s private rooms are located on the second floor, the main bedroom is an extension of the great room—at least in terms of color. It is infused with tonalities of green, blue, and beige, while a bright, graphic painting ups the vibrancy. The master bath features a stunning backlit onyx floating wall set against a shimmering green glass mosaic wall. But the coup d’état is the connected outdoor shower—the designers commissioned a beautiful mosaic panel to inset into the wall that depicts, in fantasy fashion, an Arizona landscape.
The second floor is home to a den and additional guest bedrooms. Fantini faucets offer the perfect touch in the main bath.
The home’s natural harmony with the outdoors is intentional. In an upstairs den/guestroom, a neutral, textured wallcovering sets the backdrop for sofas covered in a blazing hue that mimics the colors of red rock formations. A whimsical series of prints exude what Drake terms “a Wild West sense of humor, a great wink.” Coming from the cold, Northern states, the clients are thrilled with the results, says Drake, and are relishing “the flow of living that’s enjoyed so much in the Southwest.”
