Entertaining Options

Taking full advantage of a hillside setting offering a magnificent mountain panorama and an equally great climate, this custom home in Paradise Valley, Ariz., features a view-oriented floor plan that includes a high-end outdoor kitchen, five patios and a negative-edge pool and spa.

"These homeowners entertain guests frequently, from small groups to large parties," builder Jim Morgan says of his clients, who use the 9,600-square-foot desert retreat as a secondary residence.

The heart of the interior entertaining space is a sleek, contemporary kitchen that not only offers a terrific view of the central pool terrace but also has an open design that establishes a visual connection with the adjoining family room.

"The kitchen is extremely functional," Morgan says. "There is plenty of space to prepare a dinner for 50 guests, but it is still comfortably scaled for everyday use as well." In addition to abundant countertop space, the kitchen includes a baking center, a coffee bar and professional-grade stainless steel appliances.

"Having the ability to entertain outside, particularly at night, was also very important to my clients," says Morgan. Outdoor terraces span the width of the rear elevation, which faces Camelback Mountain, to maximize use of the limited backyard space. All main rooms in the house directly access the terrace area.

To compensate for the desert's daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations, the outdoor terraces have their own heating and cooling systems, including a misting system custom-installed by Phoenix-based Mist Air and incorporated into the roof overhangs. "This can lower under-roof temperatures up to 20 degrees during the heat of the day," Morgan says. For chilly evenings, hidden gas lines with multiple hookups are positioned strategically throughout the terrace area, making it possible to locate portable heaters wherever guests gather. The outdoor entertaining space also contains a custom-built masonry fireplace and a fire pit with four fire rings.

Additionally, the outdoor living space integrates the home's whole-house audio system and a 34-inch, high-definition television. The audio system includes two ceiling-mounted speakers and six less obtrusive speakers incorporated into simulated rocks.

Style of home | Contemporary Southwest
Location | Paradise Valley, Ariz.
Total square footage | 9,600
Hard costs | $335 per square foot, excluding land
Estimated market value | $6 million
Builder | Morgan Construction Co., Phoenix
Architect | Architecture Plus Ltd., Phoenix
Interior designer | Est Est Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz.
Custom secondary residence

Major Products Used:
Kitchen/Family Room/Wet Bar | Appliances: Sub-Zero (refrigerator, freezer), Dacor (oven, warming drawers, microwave), U-Line (mini-refrigerator), Scotsman (ice maker), Universal Metals (hood, hood vent), Grindmaster (coffee maker), Gaggenau (cooktop), Asko (dishwasher), Fisher & Paykel (dishwasher drawer) | Cabinetry: Pfeiffer | Plumbing fixtures: Kohler, Franke, KWC | Home controls and automation: Crestron, LiteTouch | HVAC: Carrier | Windows: Western Windows | Wine cooler: Totaline | Television: Panasonic
Outdoor Space | Universal Metals (range/counter canopy, grill cover), Fisher & Paykel (dishwasher drawer), Marvel (refrigerator, ice maker), Sub-Zero (refrigerator drawers), Alfresco (grill, gas burners), American Range (griddle), Franke (disposal), KWC (faucet) | Custom cabinetry: Kiesler Enterprises | Countertop: concrete | Misting controls: Crestron | Portable gas heaters: Sunpak | Doors: Pella | Television: Panasonic | Pool/spa tile: Noble Tile | Pool-cleaning system: Water Pik Technologies (Jandy AquaLink)