Design Diversity

Adrienne Gamba, ASID, IIDA, LEED-AP • BerensGamba Interior Design, LLC

Michael Giscombe

Winning both Best of Show and First Place in the category of Green Design, this remodeled kitchen by Adrienne Gamba incorporates creative and environmentally friendly features for homeowners who value both sustainability and a modern aesthetic. First, Gamba restructured the space to eliminate wall separation and establish a more open atmosphere. Instead of pulling up the original tile floor, she had new stained-concrete flooring installed directly over it. Open shelving, which utilizes a railing system fabricated from scrap metal, saves on raw materials; movable opaque panels of recycled plastic aid in organization. The attractive and surprisingly durable countertop is made from recycled paper. Materials were selected for sustainability, durability and ease of maintenance, and most fixtures were reused in order to avoid adding waste to the landfill. Friendly and welcoming to its owners, their guests and the planet, this kitchen should be a wonderful space in which to cook and entertain for years to come.

Michael Giscombe

Michael Giscombe

Christy Martin, Allied Member ASID • Studio Encanto

The owners, horse lovers who relocated to the Tucson area to escape the cold, thought they had hit the jackpot when they found this property. The multi-acre spread, complete with a barn and horse pens (not to mention fabulous views), was the perfect spot in which to breed and raise cutting horses. There was only one problem: the house. A previous remodel had left it somewhat dated, with whitewashed terra cotta floors and a ubiquitous daisy-themed décor. But the clients recognized the home's good bones, and contacted Christy Martin for an extreme makeover. Martin took the reins and incorporated elements such as richly painted walls and classic custom tiles, smart cabinetry, and charming case goods and upholstery. The result is a stylish, warm home that appears every inch the authentic modern horse ranch.

The warm, contemporary redesign of a ranch house by Christy Martin, Allied Member ASID. Photograph by Robin Stancliff.

Lorraine Edminster, Allied Member ASID • Lorraine Edminster Interior Design

When an adopted seven-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl join the family, nothing is certain except for one thing: You're going to need more room. That was the premise behind this space, which incorporates a 700-square-foot remodel and a 900-square-foot addition to an existing residence. The homeowner enlisted Lorraine Edminster to design a girl's suite and a boy's suite, along with a connecting media room. The media room is situated on the floor above the children's suites and features entertainment wall, modern furnishings, a computer workspace and a game table on top of Spanish ash parquet flooring. brushed stainless-steel railing matches existing railing in the home and anchors the sets of stairs that descend from the media room to the respective children's suites. Each suite features custom millwork that corresponds to the curve of the addition's perimeter walls. The focal point in the girl's bedroom is a wall-to-wall custom flower mural, with purple specially requested for the color scheme. The boy's bedroom, tough enough to withstand the ravages of a seven-year-old, features custom walnut veneer headboards to match the desk cabinetry and a wall-to-wall corkboard, along with durable caged brushed-aluminum pendant lamps. Halogen niche lighting, European bath fixtures and hardware, and radiant glass mosaic tile counters and niches provide style and function in both baths.

Personality and function star in two children's suites by Lorraine Edminster, Allied Member ASID. Photograph by Tom Veneklasen.

Linda Britt, ASID • Linda Britt Interior Design, Inc.

The challenge with this project was to take separate spaces in the client's second home and turn them into one large "Southwest living" space that would accommodate cooking, entertaining, reading, watching television and enjoying quiet conversation. Designer Linda Britt removed and reconfigured walls to open the space and ensure good traffic flow between the various activity areas. She also raised ceiling heights, creating curved soffits to define the dining and kitchen areas. A small wall with brightly colored niches separates the living and dining areas. Britt updated the kitchen, the heart of the space, with new doors on the stained-wood cabinets, new appliances, granite countertops, a new island and vibrant chile-red paint. The Southwest-inspired fireplace is the focal point of the TV-conversation grouping, with warm Mexican colors, niches and area rugs defining this space. A cozy corner in what used to be the dining nook now is a great place for conversation or to sit and read a book. Leather, fabric, metals and stone provide rich textural interest throughout.

This residential design by Linda Britt, ASID is the epitome of Southwest living. Photograph by Matt Orchard.

Terry Tellez, ASID • Design Awareness

It's the quintessential American success story: Immigrants to the United States dream of opening up a mom-and-pop restaurant to serve traditional food in a traditional atmosphere. Designer Terry Tellez helped make the dream a reality for the owners of this modest Mexican eatery, located in an industrial park in Green Valley, south of Tucson. Encouraging the clients to reach higher than cliché notions of chile ristras, serapes, sombreros and beer signs, Tellez suggested a more refined taste, combining upscale Spanish Colonial elements with durable materials, rustic furniture, Talavera pottery, whimsical handpainted wall art and bright contrasting wall colors. Understated but still cheerful, the Mexican/Southwestern ambience allows the menu—and the owners—to shine.

This Green Valley Mexican restaurant garnered honors for Terry Tellez, ASID. Photograph by Amy Haskell.

Patricia Mooney, ASID • Designlines

The challenge: create a comfortable, eye-catching interior design for a contemporary Mexican bistro while staying within a fixed budget. Designer Patricia Mooney more than succeeded, selecting materials with a high visual impact that don't break the bank. The Tucson restaurant, which serves a unique menu of healthy Mexican specialties, accommodates walk-up ordering, fast service, and a combination of booth and table seating. Mooney specified a stained concrete floor with a two-tone swirl pattern to add interest and break up negative space. Bold paint colors—pistachio, deep coral, palm leaf and walrus gray—create an inviting atmosphere, while drama is achieved via elegant black granite tabletops. Booth fabric is bright, graphic and hip. The drama continues in the restrooms, which feature slate tile walls, glass and mosaic tiles, coral wall accents, brushed-nickel fixtures and a mosaic tile–framed mirror.

At this contemporary bistro, patrons will enjoy a healthful Mexican menu in an equally tasteful atmosphere thanks to Patricia Mooney, ASID.

Terry Tellez, ASID • Design Awareness

For the remodel of the kitchen in her Tucson home, the client was hoping for a space that was not only functional, but that also provided beauty and inspiration. Artfully combining both, Terry Tellez juxtaposed modern stainless-steel appliances with traditional touches, such as collections of antique plates, terra cotta bowls, platters, copper cookware and hanging baskets. To open up the kitchen to the breakfast area, she realigned the countertop and cabinets against the wall; this also made room for a stainless-steel prep table. One special touch is a handpainted mural in a window-like niche above the cooktop, anchored by a combination of geometric check, terra cotta and Spanish listello accent tiles. It adds a bit of Mediterranean "flavor" to this warm and inviting kitchen.

Terry Tellez, ASID also was honored for a Tucson kitchen remodel, which features a hand-painted mural framed by colorful tiles. Photograph by Amy Haskell.

Patricia Mooney, ASID • Designlines

Looking at this spacious bathroom now, it's hard to believe that it used to be dark and cluttered. The award-winning transformation is courtesy of Patricia Mooney. Since the room was built into the side of a boulder, ceiling height and lighting posed special challenges. Mooney started by coming up with ways to create the illusion of more space. The overall blue and gray color scheme is calming and light. Full-height mirrors on either side of the vanity add to the impression of more space, while the washed maple vanity cabinets, capped with blue pearl granite counters, were elevated for additional visibility and to display more of the floor, which is done in ostrich-gray slate inset with collages of metal and glass mosaic. A matching storage cabinet is fronted with translucent ribbed glass. The airy shower, encased with frameless wall-to-wall, ceiling-to-floor glass, is large enough for two and features slate-tile walls and a black-pebble floor that echoes the appearance of a riverbed. Steam, body sprays and a rain showerhead in the shower, along with a corner jetted tub, give this bathroom retreat all the features of an in-home spa.

This spa-like bathroom by Patricia Mooney, ASID is a relaxing retreat for every member of the family.

Sandra Keeney, Allied Member ASID

Susan Lujan, Allied Member ASID

Sandra Keeney Interiors, Inc./Aesthetics Interiors, Inc.

Outdoor living is a fine art in Arizona, and this patio and pool/spa is the perfect example. The clients wanted a Tucson-style outdoor space that would accommodate small and large gatherings year 'round. Designers Sandra Keeney and Susan Lujan created a resort-style setting with a variety of areas for cooking, dining and conversation. A curved loggia defines an outdoor living room, which features a tongue-and-groove wood ceiling and cantera floors. The cooking ramada, conveniently located near the dining areas, has a bar area where guests can gather and mingle. An intimate seating space by the fireplace is a wonderful spot for quiet conversation or simply to sit and enjoy the fire. A custom-made piece of metal art above the fireplace incorporates hidden "family" meanings in its design. Whether the homeowners are hosting a barbecue for a few friends, relaxing in the spa or sitting by the fire, every area of this space offers spectacular views of desert, city lights and sky.

Sandra Keeney and Susan Lujan won the Outdoor Living Space category for their design of a variety of function-specific patio areas in a Tucson home. Photograph by Amy Haskell.

Sandra Keeney, Allied Member ASID

Susan Lujan, Allied Member ASID

Sandra Keeney Interiors, Inc./Aesthetics Interiors, Inc.

Sandra Keeney and Susan Lujan also were honored for this model home, located in a gated golf-course community. Parameters for the design included Tuscan style, accommodating a large flat-screen TV in the family room, and integrated indoor/outdoor living areas. To create a European feeling, the designers faux-finished the walls and selected appropriate stone surfaces. They designed a custom cabinet with a lift for the flat-screen television and merged the outdoor areas with the interior to take advantage of the views. The patio space features a fireplace and iron furnishings with upholstered cushions, and the breakfast nook off the kitchen overlooks desert landscaping outside. Inside, the kitchen island with bar seating has turned legs and a granite and wood countertop to resemble a piece of furniture. A rock fireplace, travertine floors and European-style furnishings anchor the living room, while the den/office features wood shelving and a partner's desk. In the dramatic dining room, a wood tongue-and-groove beamed ceiling looks down on a large table and a rustic wrought-iron light fixture. The result is a Tuscan symphony.

Their design of this Tuscan-style model home in a golf course community brought accolades to Sandra Kenney, Allied Member ASID, and Susan Lujan, Allied Member ASID, of Sandra Keeney Interiors, Inc. and Aesthetic Interiors, Inc. Photograph by Peter Wong.