Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Rethinking a Midcentury Modern Icon
In Phoenix, a Paradise Gardens subdivision home designed by noted modernist Al Beadle gets a thoughtful update
Kristy and Scott Smith really wanted to live in a midcentury modern home. Arriving in Phoenix after a move from Seattle, they weren’t short on options. They settled on a house in Paradise Gardens, a subdivision built and developed in the early 1960s by Robert Altherr, who commissioned noted Arizona modernist architect Al Beadle to design several home plans.
Though it had good bones, the single-story masonry-block home was far from perfect, despite several renovations. The interior seemed closed-in, and the master suite was tiny. The back yard? Dirt.
Why We Love Midcentury Modern Design
Though it had good bones, the single-story masonry-block home was far from perfect, despite several renovations. The interior seemed closed-in, and the master suite was tiny. The back yard? Dirt.
Why We Love Midcentury Modern Design
AFTER: The Smiths enlisted the aid of architect Jim Pinnella and architectural designer Jeeyoung Kahng of Pinnella/Kahng architecture studio, as well as builder Jason Smith (no relation) of Identity Construction, for the renovation. The team responded with a more open floor plan that connected indoors to out and eliminated a fourth bedroom to create a larger master suite. They also developed a landscape plan that transformed a barren backyard into an entertaining oasis.
Pinella, Kahng and builder Smith pared down the home’s exterior, bringing it more in line with its original look. They reclad the fascia in anodized bronze aluminum, and Smith designed and built a new front door, made of hot-rolled steel and glass, and reused the previous door handle.
“We debated keeping the old brise-soleil in front of the windows,” owner Scott says, “but one strong shove made it collapse. We reused the blocks for the new mailbox.”
The front landscape was refreshed with new decomposed granite, an offset aggregate walkway, metal planter boxes, a bench and drought-tolerant plantings.
Pinella, Kahng and builder Smith pared down the home’s exterior, bringing it more in line with its original look. They reclad the fascia in anodized bronze aluminum, and Smith designed and built a new front door, made of hot-rolled steel and glass, and reused the previous door handle.
“We debated keeping the old brise-soleil in front of the windows,” owner Scott says, “but one strong shove made it collapse. We reused the blocks for the new mailbox.”
The front landscape was refreshed with new decomposed granite, an offset aggregate walkway, metal planter boxes, a bench and drought-tolerant plantings.
The architectural team recommended full-height sliders for the living room and adjacent dining area to bring in more light and mountain views, as well as to access newly expanded patios.
The existing carpeting and exposed concrete floors in the public areas were replaced with porcelain tile flooring.
The owners selected classic modern furnishings in neutral hues, enlivened by colorful accessories and their collection of contemporary art.
Windows: Fleetwood Windows & Doors; tile: Kaiser Tile; sofa and area rug: Design Within Reach; Nelson platform bench and Eames lounge chair: Herman Miller; coffee table and floor lamp: Noguchi; entertainment cabinet: Blu Dot
The existing carpeting and exposed concrete floors in the public areas were replaced with porcelain tile flooring.
The owners selected classic modern furnishings in neutral hues, enlivened by colorful accessories and their collection of contemporary art.
Windows: Fleetwood Windows & Doors; tile: Kaiser Tile; sofa and area rug: Design Within Reach; Nelson platform bench and Eames lounge chair: Herman Miller; coffee table and floor lamp: Noguchi; entertainment cabinet: Blu Dot
On the left, a wall between the living room and kitchen was removed, giving the interior a greater sense of space and more light. Because it was a structural wall, an I-beam was installed for support. “It was an aesthetic decision to use that kind of a beam and keep it exposed,” Kahng says.
The painting on the left is by Arizona artist Max Hammond.
The painting on the left is by Arizona artist Max Hammond.
AFTER: The reconfigured kitchen now opens to the living and dining areas and includes an island for prep work and entertaining. The original laundry room was sealed off from the second bathroom and transformed into an efficient butler’s pantry. The laundry was relocated into the master suite’s dressing area.
Custom stained bamboo lower cabinets and lacquered Ikea uppers add to the kitchen’s streamlined look.
Appliances: Monogram, GE; counters: Silestone; sink: Kohler; faucet: Hansgrohe; pendant lights: Vibia
Custom stained bamboo lower cabinets and lacquered Ikea uppers add to the kitchen’s streamlined look.
Appliances: Monogram, GE; counters: Silestone; sink: Kohler; faucet: Hansgrohe; pendant lights: Vibia
A small fourth bedroom gave way to the serene new master bath, connected to the master bedroom via a dressing room. An extra window adds more natural light, while custom stained bamboo cabinetry adds warmth.
Tub and tub filler: American Standard; counter: Silestone; sinks: Kohler; faucets: Hansgrohe; roller shades: The Shade Store
Tub and tub filler: American Standard; counter: Silestone; sinks: Kohler; faucets: Hansgrohe; roller shades: The Shade Store
AFTER: The hall was cleaned up with flush, push-latch doors for the linen closet and mechanical access, as well as new hardware for the standard doors.
The doorway to the fourth bedroom was sealed off to make room for the new master bath, creating the opportunity to display pottery at the end of the hall.
Smith designed reveals in the walls for dimmable LED strip lighting to illuminate the space.
Door hardware: Emtek
The doorway to the fourth bedroom was sealed off to make room for the new master bath, creating the opportunity to display pottery at the end of the hall.
Smith designed reveals in the walls for dimmable LED strip lighting to illuminate the space.
Door hardware: Emtek
AFTER: The design team created outdoor living spaces by expanding the covered patios, installing a pool and adding landscaping. To keep the landscape drought-tolerant, they used artificial turf for the lawn.
Iconic vintage Butterfly chairs provide a comfortable spot for relaxing and enjoying the sunset.
Cushion fabric: Sunbrella
Cushion fabric: Sunbrella
AFTER: The patio was transformed into a dining area with the addition of an outdoor kitchen. The grill structure was built reusing masonry blocks that were removed to accommodate the new larger window walls. The black can lights are original to the home.
Table and bench: Design Within Reach; grill: Summerset Professional Grills; refrigerator: Danby; fan: Minka-Aire
Table and bench: Design Within Reach; grill: Summerset Professional Grills; refrigerator: Danby; fan: Minka-Aire
The expanded patio off the kitchen includes an opening in the overhang, allowing more light to penetrate the home’s interior.
The white stucco bump-out at the end of the patio is the expanded master bedroom, which now includes access to the patio. “When we enlarged the master bedroom, we decided to mark the addition as a stucco volume,” Kahng says. “It would have also been difficult to match the original block.”
Table and chairs: Design Within Reach
The white stucco bump-out at the end of the patio is the expanded master bedroom, which now includes access to the patio. “When we enlarged the master bedroom, we decided to mark the addition as a stucco volume,” Kahng says. “It would have also been difficult to match the original block.”
Table and chairs: Design Within Reach
The home’s site plan includes a design for a future garage and pool house.
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Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Phoenix
Who lives here: Kristy and Scott Smith— she’s a training manager; he’s in product development
Size: 1,750 square feet (162.5 square meters); three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Homes by late modernist architect Beadle, known for designing the only Case Study House in Arizona as well as sleek office buildings, are now coveted by midcentury modern enthusiasts. Beadle created several models for the Paradise Gardens subdivision, marked by flat rooflines, block walls and offset carports, but is said to have parted company with the developer before the project was built.
BEFORE: When the Smiths bought their house, shown here, previous owners had started the renovation process, sandblasting painted block walls, installing a new front door and adding a curved garden wall. The deep metal fascia and brise-soleil — the concrete feature that helps block sunlight on the exterior window on the left — are original architectural touches.