Frank Aazami’s Featured Listing: Treasures in a Work of Art
Treasures in another treasure: Discover the many riches of this Spanish Colonial home, 5239 E. Roadrunner Road, in Paradise Valley, Arizona’s wealthiest community.
Designed by celebrated Scottsdale architect, Mark Candelaria, AIA, the 7,251-square-foot two-story home occupies a private acre in Paradise Canyon Foothills on the west side of landmark Mummy Mountain, minutes from the Paradise Valley Country Club.
Seven bedrooms, six and a half bathrooms and a stand-alone 550-square-foot guest casita will generously serve your daily and hosting needs. And, a five-car temperature-controlled garage with an overheight RV bay and an RV side gate provide exceptional vehicular welcome.
“What strikes you first is the home’s elegance, the timeless beauty of its towering Juliet balcony overlooking the circular approach, grass lawn and mature trees,” says Frank Aazami, principal of the Private Client Group, Russ Lyon International Realty, Scottsdale. He is co-brokering with associate Realtor®, Jean-Michel Edery.
“And then there are those gorgeous mountain views from the large second floor terrace. The home has features like oak floors, intricate wood beams, brick-covered ceilings, sconces, cantera pillars, an abundance of fireplaces, a dramatic curved staircase and a wrought-iron banister,” he adds. “This level of quality and details: They simply don’t make them like this anymore.”
A Showcase for The Bespoke Collection
Inside the home are 29 hand-crafted fine rugs, chairs, tables and other furnishings, whose artistry is at the same high level as the architecture and setting. The exclusive pieces are part of The Bespoke Collection from AZADI Fine Rugs in Scottsdale.
Selling individually and separately from the home, the sustainably sourced artworks are priced from $2,500 to $12,000. The lamps, settees, chairs, tables and other items appear at the home on an alternating weekly basis and, as an item is sold, AZADI Fine Rugs replaces it with another equally distinguished piece from its catalog.
“Several years ago, after finding unique items from around the world, including Egypt, Fiji and the American West, we put together The Bespoke Collection,” explains David Neishabori, owner/president of AZADI Fine Rugs.
“In a series of collections, the artisanal pieces represent a highly crafted fusion of palmwood and other natural materials such as leather, grasses, wool, brass, fur and gemstones,” he explains. “Many were inspired by artifacts from indigenous tribes and created using traditional techniques.”
For instance, the Atlas Collection recalls Polynesian canoes and the Comanche Collection the ribbed bark canoes of the Native American Plains tribe. More contemporary styles include the Retro Lounger, which can be a one-seater or a love seat, available in A-grade leather or Australian merino wool.
Neishabori is the sixth-generation owner of his family’s rug weaving company, which began in 1790. When he was just 15, he came to the United States, graduated from Cal State Fullerton, then relocated the family business from Germany. He eventually opened today’s AZADI Fine Rugs and BELLA Fine Goods galleries in Scottsdale, Sedona, Telluride and Jackson Hole.
“By placing these unique pieces in luxury homes such as this one, we hope to best display how they will enhance them,” he says. “And, by changing them regularly, we can make sure visitors to the home can see new pieces.”
Exalted Mountainside Living
Spanish Colonial homes debuted in parts of the Southwest settled by Spaniards from the 1600s to the mid-1800s, Aazami explains. The interiors are casual and warm, and the patios, porches and courtyards are gathering spots for family, extended family and friends. They are designed to be welcoming and friendly.
The Spanish Colonial Revival style, popularized in Arizona and the Southwest during the 20th century and still vital today, emphasizes this Old World inspiration, with arched entryways and wooden doors accenting light stucco exterior walls and additional arches inside. The style continues in this home with a distinctive second-story porch.
In his complete remodel of the home in 2008, Candelaria and his associates dexterously added the upper level, working with the style that had already been established for the home. “It was quite challenging to add that,” he says, “but if you couldn’t tell we did it, then I think we did a pretty good job.” Candelaria also designed the home next door to the west and, more recently, the two across the street. “Roadrunner has been very good to me,” he says, with a smile.
Not only structural changes were made. Details and components were added such as Moroccan tiles in the downstairs powder room; hand-painted Spanish tiles on stair risers throughout; a door and trim package crafted on site using mesquite wood from Mexico; and a boiler water-heating system.
“With plenty of alfresco gathering spaces, this rambling home expresses a sense of relaxation and fosters a connection to nature and the beautiful surrounding environment,” Aazami says. “The vast grounds, with near views of Mummy Mountain and the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and city lights in the distance enhance the immense beauty of this classic architecture.”
Recently remodeled, the gourmet kitchen has a working center island with a granite countertop and state-of the art gas appliances including multiple ovens, all on tile. Adjacent is a large butler’s pantry, breakfast bar and dining room. The owner commissioned the one-off kitchen hood tile during the 2008 renovation.
“The custom backsplash incorporates designs in the spirit of yin and yang that suggest health and happiness,” Edery explains. “When the owners cooked for their friends and family, this good energy added to the enjoyment of the food.”
Two masters, one on the second level and a junior on the lower, make this an excellent configuration for multigenerational families, Aazami says. This upper master includes a walk-in closet and a sitting room; the large bath suite has double sinks, a shower and a separate jetted tub. One of the home’s five fireplaces, inside and out, is here, too.
The upper master is accessible by an exterior staircase leading directly to the heated spa, pool and water feature. This terrace level adds two bedrooms, which could flex as a home gym or second office. “It’s a great place for parties and events with the restaurant-size bar looking out to the back yard,” he adds. “And, if you wanted additional living space, you could enclose it on this side or the front or both.”
The outside is as impressive, Aazami explains. “The enchanting landscaping includes a large grass lawn for events, and the mature vegetation buffers the home from neighboring properties; no one is looking in. And, there’s an outdoor chef’s kitchen for all your entertaining essentials, a sports court for recreation, an RV gate and a separate children’s area.”
The superlative home will provide its new owners an incomparable Paradise Valley lifestyle, and the contemporary works of The Bespoke Collection from AZADI Fine Rugs will celebrate the spirit of this or any home. “They are,” Aazami says, “works of art in a work of art.”
This superb home, designed by one of the Southwest’s leading architects, is offered at $3,399,000. To schedule an appointment to experience the home, call or email Frank Aazami, 480.366.0240, frank@pcgagents.com or Jean-Michel Edery, 480.747.4795, Jm@pcgagents.com. Walk-through tours are at vimeo.com/394325497 and tourfactory.com/2698239.
For more about the Bespoke Collection from AZADI Fine Rugs, or to purchase one of the items, call 480.483.4600 or see azadifinerugs.com.