Residential Walk-Through

Ranch, Reborn

Phoenix, Arizona

Sandra Harrigan, Allied Member, ASID
Studio H, Phoenix, Arizona

BY NORA BURBA TRULSSON

INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK BOISCLAIR

The entry's offset, maple-paneled walls focus views on the living room, anchored by a granite-clad fireplace. Chairs are from Antoine Proulx, Phoenix. Artwork is by Phoenix artist Robert Holman Charon.

Interior designer Sandra Harrigan had just completed a major remodeling project for a business associate's Phoenix home when the neighbors across the street introduced themselves to her. They liked what Harrigan did to the house, and wondered if she would be interested in helping them update their 1970s ranch.

Two years later, the expanded house sports a sleek new exterior and an interior dynamic enough to win a First Place Award in the Total Remodel category in the Arizona North Chapter ASID's 2007 design competition (see story in this issue). "We like to joke that the wife simply asked for a dedicated pantry space at the start of this remodeling," says Harrigan of the project and her clients. "What they got was essentially a new house."

The living room's flexible coffee and side tables were designed by Sandra Harrigan. Console, chairs and small table are from Antoine Proulx; area rug is Ligne Roset.

Indeed, the original intent was to utilize the existing house, but to stucco the exterior and expand the square footage from about 1,700 to 2,355 square feet. Working with the builder, R.J. Bromley, Harrigan redesigned the exterior and was granted variances for the expansion of the house. Inside, the plan was to remove a series of archways and walls that chopped up the floorplan, scrape off the popcorn ceiling and install new, updated background materials.

But when extensive termite damage was discovered during the demolition phase, the homeowners, designer and builder agreed it was more prudent to take the home down to the original slab, leaving only a wall with the electrical panel standing. "This was a blessing in disguise," explains Harrigan, "because we were able to raise the ceiling height in the house from eight feet to 10 feet, which made all the difference in the world."

A composite of images from the home's interior prior to renovation.

Harrigan opted to keep the original footprint of the house, working with existing plumbing lines, but added on along three of the home's four sides. She added a new office and gym, and the master suite, kitchen, a guest bedroom and garage were expanded. More closets and storage options were added as well. She eliminated many walls in the core of the house, creating an open living, dining, kitchen and family room space, and removed an atrium off the entry that originally contained a staircase leading to a roof deck.

For the exterior, Harrigan created a contemporary pueblo look, with a parapet roofline, view-grabbing windows, a covered entryway and graphic detailing.

The kitchen's breakfast bar curves into the open living and dining area. The homeowners acquired the vintage Knoll Bertoia barstools from a neighbor.

Inside, she specified sleek, sophisticated materials for the background, including pale limestone flooring, honey-stained maple cabinetry and millwork, black granite countertops, concrete, black Venetian plaster, glass tile, and stainless-steel and copper accents.

For the entry hall, Harrigan created a telescoping effect with offset maple-clad walls and stainless-steel strips embedded in the limestone flooring, focusing the view on the granite-clad fireplace that anchors the living area. The entry walls are inset with black perforated steel panels, where the homeowners display a collection of masks collected during trips abroad. Additionally, the maple panels hide a hall closet, opened via touch latch.

The home's exterior, before and after renovation.

In the living area, the fireplace is flanked by maple-clad pilasters accented by stainless-steel tiles. The living area's south wall contains a set of pocket French doors that slide open to allow access to an updated patio. The kitchen's granite-topped breakfast bar curves out into the living and dining area, its curvature echoed by a ceiling soffit and a sweep of copper, inset into the floor. "I call these the 'parenthesis' around the kitchen," Harrigan explains. A guest bathroom was redesigned to include a glass-enclosed shower and a simple, dramatic vanity and sink.

Harrigan furnished the rebuilt house with a mix of the owners' existing pieces, some new selections and several of her custom designs. The living and dining areas feature chairs, a side table and a console from Antoine Proulx; Harrigan designed a metal coffee table and side table by the sofa to be flexible and offer maximum surface area. The owners bought the kitchen's vintage Knoll Bertoia barstools from a neighbor, who was downsizing. The interior was finished off with more of the owners' masks and contemporary artwork, illuminated by Harrigan's lighting plan, which also adds a warm glow to the home by night.

A guest bathroom includes a walk-in shower and a dramatic vanity.

As a final touch, the home, completed in 2006, was fitted with a new staircase (spiral) to a new roof deck (above the master suite instead of the entry door), from which the homeowners have 360-degree views. "They can see the mountains and downtown Phoenix," Harrigan says, "even the ballpark."

Interior and architectural design: Studio H, Phoenix, AZ; http://www.studiohinc.com/ or (480) 283-1913.

Builder: R.J. Bromley Construction, Inc., Mesa, AZ; (480) 557-9217.

Cabinetry and millwork: Brothers Wood Works, Mesa, AZ; (480) 317-9663.

Living and dining chairs, side table and console: Antoine Proulx, Phoenix, AZ; (602) 952-1580 or http://www.antoineproulx.com/.

Floorplans show the home's remodeling changes.