Luxe Article

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5/21/09

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ARIZONA EDITION

ASIAN FUSION WRITTEN BY

G E O R G I N A R AY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

M IC HAEL BAXT ER

for rich skwarek and laureen ong, navigating their daily lives in the midst of hong kong’s concrete jungle is

the

reality; retreating to their phoenix vacation abode is t h e d r e a m . While the jet-setting couple has called multiple places home, it is their

finely attuned residence at the base of Camelback Mountain, surrounded by the natural beauty of Echo Canyon, that stokes their home fires. “Arizona is fabulous,” Ong

architect Jon Poetzl, Carson Poetzl, Inc. interior designer Sharon Fannin, Fannin Interiors home builder Rob Bromley, RJ Bromley Construction bedrooms 3

bathrooms 3

square feet 3,010

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gushes. “We lived here in the ’90s and always knew we would return because we had such a great experience. It’s peaceful, beautiful and serene.” But to match this feeling of tranquility in the original, 1970s adobe-style home t

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selected—for the awe-worthy views it provided—would require some work and creative vision. Luckily, architect Jon Poetzl, of Scottsdale-based Carson Poetzl, Inc., was up for the challenge. “Rich, Laureen and I agreed early on that a contemporary style was the best way to go,” he says. “But there was a lot of structure to get through before I could make that happen.”

The first thing Poetzl did was eliminate a number of interior walls, opening up the space for an unrestricted flow between the living and dining rooms,

p e r f ec t f i t

The orange sofa, custom designed for the space by interior designer Sharon Fannin, is Skwarek’s favorite furnishing.

“We wanted it to be interesting and complement the color and material selections in the house,” he says.

as well as the kitchen. The resulting area creates a spirit of entertaining that spills out into the central courtyard, which is separated from the interiors by expansive sliding doors, catering to the homeowners’ frequent guests and dinner parties. no boundaries The kitchen and dining room are partners in the open floor plan. Engineered, dark wood flooring pulls the areas together for a seamless, well-lived look.

“We love to cook,” Skwarek says. “So, the kitchen was particularly important to us.” Poetzl cut into an existing pantry to expand the room’s footprint and make space for a huge center island to accommodate the homeowners’ functional needs and provide an impromptu gathering spot for family and

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friends. Builder Rob Bromley, of Mesa’s RJ Bromley Construction, worked with the custom cabinet installer to ensure the project went off without a h

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“The final product is beautiful,” he says. “The island is impressive; it was topped with CaesarStone in a concrete color for a great monolithic look.” The sheer magnitude of the kitchen still leaves Skwarek and Ong humbled. “There are 79 door pulls!” they laugh. “We still have not found a way to fill all those cabinets and drawers.”

a i r a p pa r e n t

The center courtyard offers privacy while showcasing spectacular mountain views.

Brown Jordan woven outdoor furniture

Throughout the home, interior designer Sharon Fannin, of Fannin Interiors in Phoenix, implemented soothing Zen, Asian elements to soften the contemporary architecture. “Creating a clean, comfortable look for the space was my main goal,” Fannin explains. A subtle, neutral palette leaves the emphasis on the mountain views and brings a striking contrast to the bold hints of color provided by custom pieces of furniture, like the vibrant orange sofa in the living room. The framed photos above the sectional are

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forms a cluster for conversation, expanding the home’s entertaining potential outward.

h o m e s t r e tc h

Lit sculptures line the trellised entry to the home, creating a virtual shadow show that attracts guests.

Architect Jon Poetzl says, “It’s offered as a handshake to someone trying to find the entrance, which is somewhat hidden from the front.”

z e n r e t r e at

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Steps inside the front door, the Asian theme is immediately apparent with a collection of

Ong’s favorite design accents: National Geographic prints that she was

figurines that line the entry

allowed to pick as a farewell token when she left her post as founding

bureau. A large mirror reflects

president of the National Geographic Channel.

natural light from outside.

During the course of the remodeling, there was only one major kink: Skwarek and Ong were out of town for most of it. So, Poetzl turned to technology to keep his clients posted on updates and changes to the plans. And for their part, the homeowners put their trust in the design team they had selected. “It made to order Custom cabinetry by Krista Kenyon, of Kenyon Studios in Tolleson, maximizes the kitchen’s efficiency and lends a cool, streamlined aesthetic that resonates with the rest of the house.

was a wonderful collaboration,” Fannin says. “Everyone attended the meetings and offered up input that truly made the house the best possible package for the homeowners.” However, while the team worked well together, facilitating the process and instilling the home with a cohesive feel, there’s one thing they’ve never been able to fully agree on: what part of the home they like most. “I love the openness of the kitchen,” Bromley says, “and the way it draws you into the living room.” Poetzl counters: “Definitely the courtyard!” L LUXE INTERIORS + DESIGN

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