Four exposed 2,000-pound Douglas fir beams support the ceiling of the formal living room—Buto’s favorite space, with its expansive view window of the Superstitions. Centering the room is a carved cantera stone fireplace flanked by built-in shelves designed by Buto. To the shelf faces, she applied intricate moldings. On the floor are handmade Mexican saltillo tiles inset with custom-designed Mexican ceramic accent tiles from Handcrafted Tile in Phoenix. The saltillo also appears on the rear patio. In the family room and kitchen, the saltillo is banded into large squares juxtaposed with oak.
The home also incorporates hand-painted medallions set with the saltillo in numerous rooms. These replicate Malibu tiles produced in the 1930’s and 40’s. In addition, herringbone patterns using saltillo provide a transition from room to room. For warmth and further contrast, the master bedroom is carpeted, and the study, living and great rooms all have Oriental rugs selected by Buto. Similarly, in the kitchen, between the sink and stove, is a long runner.
Buto furthered this color and materials richness in the wall finishes, window treatments and furniture. The walls of the major rooms have faux finishes in varying colors, hue and depth, like russet in the study, antiqued copper on Venetian plaster in the powder room and a soft gold in the living and great rooms and the kitchen. To provide sun protection and privacy, Buto called for woven grass shades from Asia in the kitchen, and, in the dining room, layered draperies comprising stenciled silk-stripe stationary panels, raw silk-look traverse draperies and a sheer to soften the glare while affording views to the courtyard.
In the great room, in particular, Buto displays her talent for interweaving furnishings, colors and textures. A handmade sofa in chenille holds custom pillows. The hand-carved console is from Peru, the coffee table carries a slate inset top and built-in cabinetry conceals a large-screen television. A woven Oriental rug in brown and cream offsets the colors of the upholstery.
One of the Babcocks’ favorite areas, the adjacent kitchen, reveals equally rich finishes and furnishings. The large center island with alder wood cabinetry features a popcorn-colored glaze, a honed granite countertop and swivel stools. Granite countertops mimic the island countertop. A coffee bar offers one kind of relaxation, while the nearby wet bar another. “The kitchen and great room afford Mel and Peg a large integrated space to entertain large groups or have a casual meal with family and friends in the nook adjacent to both rooms,” Buto says. “The traffic flow allows them easy access to the wet bar and French doors to the outside patio.”
She adds: “For a successful project, egos have to be set aside, and flexibility steps in. In the end, it is the homeowners’ residence. We worked together from the ground up, down to the last pillow trim. With our Ohio/Indiana roots, we’ve remained friends—even after completion.”
