In Living Color| Earth and Images: Phoenix-Based Interior Design

In these three Earth & Images interiors, the use of color leaves no doubt as to the vibe and tenor desired by each client: 

LE CIRQUE Á LA MAISON 

As with many remodels, what started with a small change turned into a whole house redesign of this Paradise Valley home. The Seattle-based owners desired to take better advantage of the Arizona sun and pay colorful homage to their career involvement with Cirque du Soleil. Phoenix-based interior design firm Earth & Images brought the homeowner’s dream to life,  at the entry is a custom-colored and designed stained glass door, inspired by the hues, costumes and aerial silks of Cirque. 

Austin LaRue Photography

The guest house and laundry room designs feature the owner’s favorite color—orange. Other portions of the home—such as bedding and window treatments— were inspired by the owners’ artwork collection. Standout spaces include the powder bath, where the Phoenix interior design firm designed  three-dimensional apple green geometric tiles to create a statement wall. French glass doors open up to the sitting room where windows wrap the walls, giving panoramic views of the desert landscape, the seasonal and daily color changes are produced naturally by Mother Nature. 

Austin LaRue Photography

“This was fun,” Bochniak says. “We feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with such an interesting and uncommon color palette and art collection.”

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SUNWASHED SOUTHWEST

Staying true to this home’s southwest roots, Earth & Images designers updated and refreshed this home’s interiors with color and pattern by incorporating handmade Mexican tiles into the bathrooms and kitchen. 

Earth & Images

“When working with traditional Mexican tiles it is easy to pull out pops of color and apply them to the walls, cabinetry artwork and furniture,” Bochniak says. “The client wanted to use reclaimed wood flooring in the kitchen, so we juxtaposed the warmth of the floor with a cool green hue in the cabinetry. We were able to repurpose the existing doors from the client’s previous house by adding transom windows to accommodate for the extra height, a punchy way to add color to an otherwise mundane hallway. 

Earth & Images

Typically, with terracotta and the warm colors in Mexican tile, it’s nice to play with a cooler palette to balance the space. Blues and greens are optimal, which happened to work well with our client’s color preferences.” 

HAPPY PEOPLE HOUSE

This 2,500-square-foot, lakeside Santa Barbara-style villa remodel by the Earth & Images design team created a brighter and more open floor plan. A neutral white paint on walls and ceiling helped to lighten dark wood floors, and provided the perfect canvas for the introduction of playful color to highlight the homeowners’ unique art collection. The entryway features a floor-to-ceiling display of blown-glass sculptures from artist Juan Ripollés.

Austin LaRue Photography

“In the living room, we drew inspiration from Ripollés while designing the custom drapery and throw pillows,” Bochniak says. “With black and white as the base, we were able to use strong colors without it being overpowering. The original dark wood cabinetry in the kitchen was replaced with a lighter and brighter glass front style, handcrafted mosaic tiles form a backsplash, and a reclaimed wood beam was adhered to the range hood.

Austin LaRue Photography

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We used bright colors conscientiously and somewhat sparingly, concentrating the most color behind the range. The fireplaces were outfitted with handcrafted Mexican tiles, tying in the colors of the surrounding spaces. The end result is a charming and artful abode made for two.”