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City View: Phoenix Style Blooms in the Desert

Designers are leaving literal desert references in the dust, now favoring ubercontemporary styles along with Spanish colonial revival

Becky Harris July 5, 2012

Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected." I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.

Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More

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Spanish colonial revival design is still a big part of design in Phoenix, Arizona, but design here is becoming more contemporary, full of unexpected color and more in tune with the desert landscape. "The most challenging misconception that we face as architects in Phoenix is the belief that the desert is a harsh, unfriendly environment that should be shielded out," says architect Mark Tate of Tate Studio Architects. "If understood and respected, the desert can be a very economical and welcoming place to live. Understanding these challenges and always looking for the alternative to the status quo are the keys to finding innovative solutions to living in the desert."

We've asked design professionals in the Phoenix/Scottsdale region to weigh in and show us what makes a design distinctly Phoenix, trends on the rise in Phoenix and the biggest misconceptions about Phoenix style.

Hallmark Interior Design LLC

Spanish colonial revival architecture is a very popular style in Phoenix and throughout the Southwest. The tile roof, rustic wood beam and ornate detailing on the doors, as well as the courtyard plan of this house, are all elements of the style. This facade uses a regional stone in lieu of stucco, creating a strong connection to the natural surroundings.

Tate Studio Architects

"The most distinctive design feature that we appreciate about Phoenix is the unique setting," says Tate. "The desert environment offers so many opportunities for a home to engage the surroundings and be a magical place to live. Vibrant flora, endless vistas and abundant fauna are the inspiration that allows us to bring the mystery and charm of the desert into the everyday lives of our clients."

Tate Studio Architects

Some of the ways Tate designs for the desert include using energy-efficient glass walls to invite the site into the interior and generous overhangs to create shade outdoors.

Tate Studio Architects

The pros agree that appreciating the desert landscape strongly influences architecture and interior design here. "A design trend that is on the rise in Phoenix is the desire to seamlessly blend interior and exterior space," says Tate. "A greater appreciation of design principals such as sun orientation and thermal properties combined with more energy-efficient materials is allowing designers to create this reality."

He adds, "The desert can be a seasonally challenging place to live, but if well understood and respected … there is no place more pleasant to live."

Chris Jovanelly Interior Design

The contemporary commercial urban architecture sprouting up has also influenced residential tastes. "Our downtown area has grown substantially with residential high-rise buildings, cool restaurants and bars, hotels and noticeably more contemporary interiors," says interior designer Chris Jovanelly of Chris Jovanelly Interior Design.

Chris Jovanelly Interior Design

"With the abundance of architecture in Phoenix reflecting old-world and Mediterranean traditions sprawling throughout our suburbs, we're thought of as being homogeneous in that respect," says Jovanelly. "However, over the past eight years I have seen a shift to a more urban, contemporary lifestyle."

Mediterranean Kitchen Mediterranean Kitchen

Mediterranean styles have a strong presence in the region. "Designs that are directly related to Phoenix incorporate a very Spanish colonial influence," says interior designer Jamie Herzlinger. "Phoenix heritage is rich with design influences such as sunset colors, muted tones and Saltillo tile with the use of native materials like flagstone and sandstone."

Jamie Herzlinger

Newcomers have also influenced architecture in the area. "With the advent of population to Phoenix, it has become the fifth largest city in the country," says Herzlinger. "Along with growth came an influx of people from other areas that were accustomed to seeing modern design, and it quickly became a request from the population to local architects. Now, Phoenix is known for a stunning new architecture called desert modern."

Jamie Herzlinger

"A major misconception regarding design in Phoenix is that desert living is like living on a deserted island," says Herzlinger. "Phoenix is known for so much more, like the amazing art museums and our beautiful Phoenix symphony."

Prideaux Design

Unique indigenous materials are a major design factor in Phoenix. "I believe that the use of wonderful local materials such as cantera stone and glazed Mexican ceramic tiles makes a design uniquely Phoenix," says Kathryn Prideaux of Prideaux Design. "We also love our water features — there is nothing that cools the mind more than the sight and sound of water."

S Interior Design

While an adobe color palette is popular ithroughout the Southwest, it is certainly not a requirement. "A misconception about design in Phoenix is that it needs to have a Southwestern decor vibe and be done in earth tones," says Suzanne Lasky of S Interior Design.

S Interior Design

Lasky has been busy designing with many color stories that break out of the expected earth tones, while still honoring the earth by paying attention to sustainability. "Here is a photo of a great room we completed for a Scottsdale, Arizona, family; note the use of vibrant colors. We also incorporated ecofriendly reclaimed wood pieces, such as the round coffee table," says Lasky.

Builder Vince Fratantoni of Fratantoni Luxury Estates notes that marble countertops in kitchens have never been more popular in Phoenix than they are today. "Putting marble in kitchens has always been something people feared when designing homes in Arizona, because of how porous the material is. However, we get our clients over this by sealing the marble slabs in a way that eliminates these concerns," he says.

Hallmark Interior Design LLC

"I am seeing a rise in a more modern desert design in Phoenix/Scottsdale from the Mediterranean/Tuscan architecture," says Julie Hallmark of Hallmark Interior Design. "The neutral palette has moved from a brown base to a gray base."

Hallmark Interior Design LLC

"I am using a lot more pops of color and graphic prints in my design," says Hallmark. "Even in the more Mediterranean-style homes, the use of fresh colors helps update the design with a fresh palette."

Hallmark also notes the inclusion of views and access to the landscape. "There is also a real desire to link the outdoor spaces with the interior spaces. Doors that disappear or stack back, connecting the spaces, is a fairly common request in new construction."

SWABACK pllc

More:
So Your Style Is: Southwestern
Houzz Tour: Stunning Desert Hillside Home in Arizona

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Lisa DiPaola

My Phoenix pool with a touch of southwest. Even though I live in the desert I don't consider my style southwest its really more Tuscan but had to give it a little southwest in my design. Of course soon the plants will be more drought tolerant, which is a necessity here in the desert.