October 16, 2017

Two clients looking for a place away from the cold Northeastern winters chose the sundrenched Arizona desert as the site of their getaway. Designer Lori Carroll of Tucson, Ariz.-based Lori Carroll & Associates worked with them to build a modern home that embraces its surroundings.

“The goal of this team of architect, builder and interior designer was to metamorphose a rugged, untamed property into a contemporary oasis,” said Carroll. “Among the granite boulders, mesquite trees and cacti, this unique 3,200-sq.-ft. house features three bedrooms, four bathrooms and a loft.”

Bringing the Outdoors In
According to Carroll, modern minimalism architecture – the inspiration behind the new-build home – typically begins with a floor plan that is open to its surroundings. Using AutoCAD, her team began outlining this style by designing vast floor-to-ceiling windows and unobstructed views.

“The simplicity and cohesiveness that define the home’s natural setting are found within the confines of the interior,” said Carroll, who designed this vacation property with a luxury resort in mind. “Materials and finishing touches were selected to give it a feeling of grandeur and harmony – perfect for a break from the winter rain and snow.”

The kitchen, which looks on to the outdoor patio and the surrounding desert, has a minimalist design that does not detract from the views. Custom American walnut cabinetry with a natural satin stain gives the kitchen a natural palette and functional storage and pairs well with quartz countertops.

“Besides being aesthetically pleasing, the quartz countertops were the perfect choice for this kitchen,” said the designer. “This durable material requires little maintenance, which is especially important in a vacation home.”

The island design coincides with the simplicity in the rest of the kitchen; it provides a large work surfaces, storage and a convenient dining area. The LED pendants grouped over the island feature satin nickel finishes and offer the ideal amount of light for the workspace.

Outfitting with Innovation
Subtly integrated into the simple design, the kitchen features high-tech elements such as a suite of Miele designer appliances. These include a dishwasher with a hidden control panel and LED lighting, along with a combi-steam oven that retains moisture, vitamins and minerals better than conventional ovens.

Carroll also thought innovatively with the backsplash, which is made from Starphire brand glass, an ultra-clear material.

“Creative engineering was necessary to get the ideal transparency for the glass panels, proper structural support and light source to all come together to eliminate cold spots, hot spots and unwanted shadow lines on the surface of the glass,” she explained.

Glamorous Bath
In keeping with the resort feel, the design team created the master bath with luxury in mind. They started with a notoriously lavish material: marble, the foundation upon which they built the space.

“Certainly marble could be considered royalty in the natural stone world and was the iconic choice when designing a luxury bathroom,” said Carroll. “In this space, marble set the tone for an opulent look with rich veining and varying white to gray shading.”

American walnut cabinetry, custom made with horizontal graining, adds a sense of warmth to the bathroom. The darker color and patterns in the wood bring to the otherwise white space, without diminishing the sense of openness suggested by the marble walls and floors. Adding contrast to the marble, a 3-in. by 3-in. watercolor glass mosaic serves as a focal point in the shower and provides just a hint of color for the space.

“This master bathroom has a sense of grandeur and allure,” said Carroll. “Each polished marble tile is an inspiring work of art.”