Whether you’re looking to furnish your home or build an entirely new one, here are your top choices in Home & Design in the Valley.
Best Architect
Bing Hu
Our voters know A-plus design when they see it. Bing Hu (who was awarded the most votes in all Best Of categories) studied his craft locally at Taliesin West before becoming an architect and general manager of Scottsdale’s H&S International. Among Hu’s most notable projects are the Valley’s Apache Outlaw and Chiricahua clubhouses at Desert Mountain and the Kiva and Blackstone clubhouses at Vistancia, as well as numerous residences throughout the world. Most recently, Hu was the man behind the stunning La Casa at Encanterra in San Tan Valley (pictured above). 480.585.6898.
Optima Camelview Village pictured above
Best Condo Development
Optima Camelview Village
There aren’t many amenities that Optima Camelview Village doesn’t offer to its tenants. In addition to striking interiors that boast floor-to-ceiling glass walls and gourmet kitchens, those who call Camelview Village home also have access to an indoor swimming pool, a putting green, a fitness center, a dog park, a party room and much more. Plus, the lovely garden terraces are always a source of eye candy for those driving along Scottsdale Road. www.optimaweb.com.
Rosewood Homes pictured above
Best Builder
Rosewood Homes
With a presence in luxury communities like DC Ranch and Vistancia (pictured), chances are that most of us have admired one of Rosewood Homes’s gorgeous, Old World-inspired masterpieces. Apart from being awfully handsome to look at, Rosewood residences have been honored numerously for their livability and eco-friendly practices. 480.922.6366, www.rosewoodhomes.com.
Best Luxury Rentals
Shade Apartments at Desert Ridge
We’re guessing Shade Apartment residents will be spending the spring lapping it up in the complex’s various pools and cooking out in the barbecue plazas—or simply staying indoors to soak in the superb surroundings. 480.991.9111, www.mark-taylor.com/shade.
Ownby Design living room pictured above
Best Design Firm/Designer
Ownby Design
Claire Ownby of Ownby Design in Scottsdale is so talented, she couldn’t be contained to just one state. (She also has an office in Hawaii.) Voters love Ownby Design’s inclination towards clean lines and natural materials. 480.575.8448, www.ownbydesign.com.
Best Home Accessory Store
Copenhagen
Whether they’re looking for a cute throw pillow to adorn their sofa or a pair of pretty vases to top their table, voters turn to one of the four Copenhagen stores in the state. Copenhagen specializes in contemporary goods for the home or office. www.copenhagenliving.com.
Vistancia pictured above
Best Master-Planned Community/Development
Vistancia
With three distinct neighborhoods, Peoria-based Vistancia has a perfect abode for nearly every luxury homebuyer. Vistancia Village is made up of 12 communities and more than 100 different floor plans, ranging from 1,600 to nearly 6,000 square feet of space. Additionally, Trilogy is an age-qualifying resort lifestyle neighborhood and Blackstone features top-notch golfing opportunities. Regardless of which community they call home, all Vistancia residents have access to Alvea Spa, Verde Grill, miles of walking trails, a championship golf course and plenty of picnic-worthy lawn space. 623.933.6233, www.vistancia.com.
Best Furniture/Home Store
Ladlow’s
This longtime Scottsdale staple features elite, specialty lines of furniture in a 75,000-sq.-ft. showroom for both contemporary and classic abodes. Ladlow’s, which is locally owned and managed, has served the Valley since 1954. 480.609.5000, www.ladlows.com.
