Under a desert sky
The contemporary features of this home are infused with the bold forms and heat of the landscape
Designing a home in the heart of a desert, with its extremes of temperature and dramatic vistas, requires an approach that has little in common with the needs of metropolitan living.
Natural materials and organic forms are required, rather than the cool white surfaces and clean, boxy lines associated with urban contemporary homes, says Adam Knecht of Domanico Custom Homes.
"This Las Vegas home has a modern feel," he says. "The elevations are contemporary, but the home takes its cue from the surrounding desert."
Key to this design known in the region as Desert Contemporary is the use of asymmetrical forms, large windows and stone and stucco exteriors. Homes are usually one-story, and oriented to maximize the mountain views.
"From the street, this home appears to be single story. In fact, this is a split-level home, with the basement leading directly to the lower level of the backyard," says Knecht.
For this project, chiseled stones from Arizona, selected to withstand local conditions, have been used for sections of the exterior. The same stones form the stone pillars of the interior, and the ceiling-height fireplace surround in the great room.
Other natural materials used for the interior include travertine, hickory, redwood, cherry wood and alder. In the great room, alder is used for the custom-made coffered ceiling; the flooring comprises hickory planks and the entertainment center cabinetry is custom made from cherry wood.
The great room opens to the entertainment area and the kitchen, where cherry wood cabinetry has been topped with a dark green marble, and offset by large travertine floor tiles. Key to the look is the stainless steel feature range hood, which continues the home's contemporary theme, says Knecht.
In the master bathroom, marble floor tiles and vanity tops imported from Italy are paired with cherry wood cabinetry. The walk-in shower incorporates a sit-down shower bench.
The basement, comprising a home theater, billiard room and two bedrooms, provides direct access to an infinity edge pool and spa. From the pool a series of waterfalls and fountains leads down to a fire pit and seating area.
The homeowners wanted a home for entertaining, as well as a state-of-the-art home automation system to control lighting, air conditioning, security, home entertainment, pool and window shades.
"More homeowners are looking to have a complete home automation system, as it allows them to have full control of all the services in their homes," says Knecht.
Domanico Custom Homes has received many awards, including the Parade of Homes People's Choice and Best Builder award in 2007. The company designs and builds high-end custom homes in the Las Vegas area.
For more information, contact Domanico Custom Homes, 10789 West Twain Avenue, Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89135, phone (702) 221 0338, fax (702) 368 6675. Email: adam@lv-builders.net.Website: www.domanicocustomhomes.com.
Story by: Trendsideas
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