Ask any Valley resident where the most outrageously expensive homes in Arizona are and you’ll probably get a resounding and enthusiastic Paradise Valley. Scottsdale will come in at a very close, if almost imperceptible, second.
With that, it should come as no surprise to learn that 85253 (Paradise Valley) was voted the most expensive zip code by the Property Shark. In addition, it probably won’t be earth-shattering to learn 85262, 85266, 85255, 85259, and 85254 (all Scottsdale) were included in their top 10. Other top zip codes in Arizona included 85377 (Carefree), 85018 (Phoenix/Arcadia), 85331 (Cave Creek) and 85263 (Rio Verde).
Frequenting many of private real estate tours over the past several months, we’ve enjoyed a peek into what is happening in luxury design. Here’s what we found.
Don’t let those Tuscan-style exteriors in Paradise Valley influence your perception of luxury design. What’s going on in the inside of these McMansions is anything but Old-World. We are seeing a resurgence in the popularity of classic styles, with a more modern, layered and relaxed twist.
Chris Jovanelly Interior Design
Today’s homeowner is drawn to a refined warmth, a delightful blend of classic forms with a more informal, comfortable feel to their homes. We’ve been seeing a lot of simple moldings applied to soaring walls for added texture, light play, and classical flair. A clean white on white for a formal and elegant look. Flat moldings surrounding pops of color in children’s rooms and fun, cheeky spaces. Shown above is a fabulous bedroom space by Chris Jovanelly, Chris Jovanelly Interior Design, with raised formal moldings reversing and repeating the linear decoration of the linens and emphasizing the pattern in the tweed fabric headboard and unpretentious drape. A dramatic lamp, a modest pillow, and the sparkle of a writing desk and chair — stunning.
IMI Design
Luxury design is all in the details. Formality punctuated by clean, determined strokes. Uncluttered and purposeful elements relying on simple repetition and lines for impact. Light, soft grays beautifully paired with luxurious gold have a made a strong entrance in the Valley. A lovely deviation from the beige and heavy browns we have enjoyed over the years. We are also seeing a resurgence in the small pane window frames. Anita Lang, IMI Design, has used this detail to her advantage is this fabulous dining room. The rectilinear details of the window mullions are repeated in this beautiful display of luxury design through its cabinetry doors and gorgeous custom-cantilevered table. Allowing a functional piece to become a star element in this sumptuous space.
Ownby Design
Arcadia is seemingly obsessed with the modern, minimal farmhouse design. Known for its warmth and simplicity and characterized by natural textures and materials like wood or galvanized steel, and open spaces, the modern farmhouse is a natural for our carefree lifestyle and industrial aesthetic. The warmth of the kitchen and great room floors and ceilings is punctuated by steel I-beams, metal door casings, and gray concrete and limestone walls in this award-winning design. Claire Ownby, Ownby Design, balanced these earthy, industrial elements with the elegance and softness of soft gray painted cabinetry and stylish marble countertops embodying luxury design.
Est Est Inc.
Midcentury-style furniture tends to feel more open and less bulky and is a natural fit for the modern farmhouse and industrial aesthetic. A Midcentury blend beautifully executed by Est Est Inc. in conjunction with the living-edge table tops so prevalent in local luxury design. Coupled with the open airiness of the great room and waterfall edge counters, this livable space is the Valley’s rendition of the big-city loft.
Est Est Inc.
Besides the flurry of modern farmhouse styles consisting of open floor plans, soft grays, and rustic woods, experiences rein in many of the upscale neighbors. It’s about the art, the cars, and the collections. Displaying wine collections front and center in climate controlled cases rather than tucking them away into cupboards and cabinets seems to be a trend that’s here to stay. Perhaps life has taught us that luxury design is found in the simple enjoyment of beautiful views, good conversation, and family and friends – creating memories for a lifetime.
And there is nothing quite as joyful as the Arizonians love of pets. Dining and shopping aren’t the only treats we bestow upon our furry family members. Many homes are being designed with complete pet palaces for all Fido’s toys, treats, and the finest facilities for grooming. No spa is complete, furry, or otherwise, without at least some form of subway tile, marble, or caustic cement tiles.
Studio V Interior Architecture & Design
No matter the zip code, most homes boast some form of the fabulous indoor-outdoor lifestyle we covet and enjoy most of the year round. Whether inspired by the East with red brick and painted structures as depicted in Studio V Interior Architecture & Design’s award-winning design, or inspired by our rocky surroundings, we see outdoor retreats both grand and quaint that incorporate kitchens, dining areas, lounging, and fireplaces. Only limited by the imagination, the budget, and of course, the boundaries of the property.
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