Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Only the Best for a Desert Spanish Colonial
Calacatta marble, Venetian plaster and hand-carved wood create a home awash in luxurious comfort for an Arizona family
Prepare to enter a luxurious Spanish colonial home built with every detail beautifully executed. "We had a budget where we could use the very best of everything on this house," says interior designer Josie Fratantoni. But "I love to show it to clients of all budgets, so that they can be inspired and show me what they like about it," she adds. "Then I can figure out a way to get the same look within their budgets."
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Who lives here: A couple and their 3 children
Size: 10,800 square feet; 6 bedrooms, 8 1/2 bathrooms
That's interesting: The design and building of this house was a family affair. Sam and Josie Fratantoni started Fratantoni Luxury Estates; he is a builder, she is an interior designer. Their son Vince helps drive the business and marketing, and their other son Angelo helps clients with financing.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Who lives here: A couple and their 3 children
Size: 10,800 square feet; 6 bedrooms, 8 1/2 bathrooms
That's interesting: The design and building of this house was a family affair. Sam and Josie Fratantoni started Fratantoni Luxury Estates; he is a builder, she is an interior designer. Their son Vince helps drive the business and marketing, and their other son Angelo helps clients with financing.
From October through May, the family tends to relax on the covered patio; during the rest of the year, they enjoy the mountain view from the adjacent family room, separated by motorized doors that tuck away when opened. "This is the room where the family likes to unwind, entertain and watch shows like American Idol together," says Fratantoni.
The walls are Venetian plaster, the fireplace is a rare Moroccan cantera stone, and the heavy wood beams have hand-hewn, hand-carved corbels. "We are so lucky to work with contractors who produce such high-quality work," she says. "They love what they do, and it shows."
A long gallery occupies the space between the family room and the courtyard. The groin vaults in the ceiling are a traditional Spanish colonial touch, as are the wrought iron doors and sconces. Travertine forms a unique stone runner down the middle of the walnut floors.
"The original inspiration for the house was the courtyard," says Fratantoni. When all of the doors are open, it connects to many of the rooms in the house.
Flagstone and a mesquite tree tie the courtyard to the greater landscape, while wrought iron and arched windows, doors and niches tie it to the house.
Flagstone and a mesquite tree tie the courtyard to the greater landscape, while wrought iron and arched windows, doors and niches tie it to the house.
"The kitchen has a European look that is timeless," Fratantoni says. The countertops are all different; the one in the foreground is Calacatta marble. The first island has two warming drawers; the second island is for less formal family meals.
The cabinets were all custom made of alder. Bands of brick break up the pattern on the curved brick ceiling.
The cabinets were all custom made of alder. Bands of brick break up the pattern on the curved brick ceiling.
This room serves as a lounge and the husband's man cave. It was designed to accommodate a pool table should they want one in the future. The bar is custom built and has a beautiful marble inlay.
The 12-foot-long dining room table is also handmade with marble inlays. The domed ceiling has detailing of cantera stone, a material that provides cohesiveness throughout the house. The French doors connect to a courtyard with an open fireplace. To the right a 10-foot door connects to a butler's pantry.
The family already had the buffet you see on the left; Fratantoni designed a custom niche for it.
The family already had the buffet you see on the left; Fratantoni designed a custom niche for it.
Imposing walnut doors open up to a luxe and comfortable library. Small details play a large role throughout the home. "We designed the doors around the door knockers, which we found in London," Fratantoni says.
Fratantoni designed this room for the couples' 13-year-old daughter. "I love to listen to the kids, find out what I like and incorporate different things," she says. In this case the daughter loved the browns and pinks of Juicy Couture, and Fratantoni designed a room that can grow and change as the young lady matures.
"It's so exciting when I work with a family with young children, because I've been through it all myself and can see each year they have ahead of them," she says.
"It's so exciting when I work with a family with young children, because I've been through it all myself and can see each year they have ahead of them," she says.
When some extra space became available, the wife's boutique-like closet swallowed it up. "She likes to keep everything very tidy and organized," says Fratantoni. The counters are marble, and the floor is travertine with a smooth finish.
"For his closet we kept things very smooth, streamlined and masculine," says Fratantoni. The cabinets are mahogany, and the floors are marble.
While she thoroughly enjoyed working on the high-end luxury end of the design spectrum for this home, Fratantoni emphasized that she loves to help clients realize their dreams no matter how small the budget or the square footage. A large house like this offers many ideas and inspirations.
While she thoroughly enjoyed working on the high-end luxury end of the design spectrum for this home, Fratantoni emphasized that she loves to help clients realize their dreams no matter how small the budget or the square footage. A large house like this offers many ideas and inspirations.
Josie Fratantoni added traditional Spanish colonial style through rich textures and a warm neutral color palette. The ceiling is stained tongue and groove wood; the floors are travertine and carry through to the uncovered patio outside. The fireplace is hand-carved cantera stone.