Sedona-based Desert Design Varnish helped transform the kitchen of this West Sedona property into a more modern setting.
The Kitchen
The home’s kitchen received a full remodel. A few factors drove the design of this space: the couple’s love of the great outdoors, simplicity and items that were easy to care for and clean in the high-traffic area. The original design of the space wasn’t very functional. When the oven door was open, you couldn’t walk through the kitchen. The stove and fridge were flipped from their current positions. “We gained more space physically,” says Kaitlin Hollister, co-founder of Desert Varnish Design, the company that helped with the remodel. Additionally, more counterspace and worktop space was added. The island also features hidden storage underneath. Floating shelves were also installed to give the owners more space.
The orange glass light shares the same colors as Sedona’s red rocks as a way of bringing the outside in.
The pair wanted to make the shelves feel special. Their solution? By crafting the shelves out of native pine sourced from a mill in Flagstaff. The two miniature floating shelves you see were intended to replace a storage space that had been removed. At one point, a wine fridge was intended to go there. One of the kitchen’s most striking features is the hanging glass lamp. “That orange light over the kitchen sink is pulling the red rock colors. That was the one color pop. It’s just neutral colors, but with one central piece,” says Marianne Brown, co-founder and design lead of Desert Varnish Design. The custom one-inch concrete kitchen counters were made by Cottonwood-based CreteLab.
Floating shelves were installed to free up space.
Main Bedroom
The photo of the real leather chaise lounge and sliding glass door was taken in the main bedroom. Beside the door, you’ll see some hanging metal mobiles. The pair were tasked with filling a long, awkward space with something other than a television. “Why not make this feel a little bit more calm, relaxing, sleep space?” says Marianne. “The fiber wall art plays on that as well. Everything in the bedroom plays on that as well, softening it. Everything in the bedroom is a little bit softer than in the living room and the kitchen.”
Above is a space in the main bedroom that Desert Varnish Design outfitted with a real leather chaise lounge and the hanging metal mobiles.
Guest Bedroom
The woven rattan headboard coupled with the skull surrounded by dried floral arrangements that are crafted by Kaitlin makes for one striking statement. “I know skulls are maybe not for everyone, but I think softening it with the flowers around and everything just works for the space,” says Marianne. This guest room is the smallest of the home’s three bedrooms. The tall, texture-rich headboard was added to break up the tall wall behind the bed and to give the space a special feel to it. “Just having a high headboard like that can just add that element to the space because we didn’t have that much room as in the main bedroom,” says Marianne. “It makes it feel full even though it’s a smaller space.” You’ll notice that this room features a mixture of texture and materials – a common theme in their work overall. See the duo’s mix of textures with the large crystal and braided sweet grass on top of the dresser. The crystal is a nod to Sedona’s reputation as being a spiritual destination.
A dresser is that same guest bedroom topped with a crystal to add some Sedona flair to the space.
The Half Bathroom
The home’s half bathroom is still a work in progress, but here’s what’s been completed so far. “Even if it’s small, it doesn’t have to be boring, or it doesn’t have to not have personality,” says Kaitlin. The floor-to-ceiling geometric details are found in wallpaper sourced from Scottsdale-based Urbanwalls. Another theme in the pair’s work? Geometric patterns. Neutral tones dominate many of the spaces Desert Varnish Design transformed in this Sedona home with just a dash of flair thrown in for good measure. “I think the space is a little bit different in that just maybe it has just a little more edginess.” says Marianne.
Design Tips You Can Use
Expect A Renovation To Take Longer Than You Think
“Our advice for anyone is just to plan for longer than you think it’s going to be. There’s always stuff that you run into,” says Kaitlin.
Purchase Materials You Like Soon
If you fall in love with a specific piece – like say, tile – be sure to purchase it soon. Both designers have seen things sell out quickly. “If there’s something that is tugging at your heartstrings,” says Kaitlin. “Don’t let that pass you by.”
Trust The Work
Renovations take time, but it will eventually be completed. “When you walk in and your whole floor is ripped up and everything, trust the process. It will come together,” says Marianne.
