Phoenix Home & Garden’s Editor Picks for Best of the Valley 2021

From prime summer blooms to the latest and greatest kitchen and bath trends, here are Best of the Valley picks for home design and architecture, courtesy of the editors at our sister publication.

Best Bathroom Transformation
Jaimee Rose Interiors

A statement in high contrast, this master bath (pictured above) makes an impact with simple, classic materials. Tasked with transforming a plain-box space into a “wow” moment – on a budget – interior designer Jaimee Rose’s team got creative. “We flexed our paint fan decks and brought out the black and white to crisp up the space and add some drama,” Rose recalls. “Board and batten siding provides architectural interest to a drywall surround and allowed us to bust a move with black paint above the wainscoting. It’s a very approachable but powerful trick.” Hexagonal penny floor tiling adds a retro nod; matte gold fittings and hardware bring a note of warmth. jaimeerose.com

Most Exciting Design Comeback
Taliesin West

Once a haven for Frank Lloyd Wright’s original apprentices, the drafting studio at Taliesin West was unoccupied during the COVID-19 shutdown. Recently, however, computers, ergonomic chairs, architects and students have returned, thanks to an internship program launched by Scottsdale architect Bing Hu, who received his master’s degree in organic architecture at the school in 1991. “There’s nothing better than real-life experiences and learning architecture in this studio,” Hu says. “This is a homecoming for me and a way to give back to Taliesin.” 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale, 480-860-2700, franklloydwright.org

Best Hotel for Midcentury Modern Junkies
Hotel Valley Ho

Built in 1956, Hotel Valley Ho is considered a paragon for midcentury-modern architecture in the Valley. Once a hideaway for Hollywood glitterati, this Old Town Scottsdale hot spot fell into disrepair in the early 2000s before being purchased and lovingly restored by Westroc Hospitality. This year, the resort celebrates its 65th anniversary and offers locals and guests alike history tours for a glimpse into its storied past. “Anyone can bring a hotel that’s shiny and new,” says Jesse Thompson, director of sales and marketing for the property. “But we’ve got the bones and the history. The Hotel Valley Ho is a staple in the Scottsdale community.” 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale, 877-326-7832, hotelvalleyho.com

Best High-end Garage Designer
Raegan Ford

Working with builder Joe Hendricks, interior designer Raegan Ford brought a car collector’s dream to life (pictured right) with the design of a 10,000-square-foot garage that showcases his menagerie of automotive treasures. “It looks like a museum-quality garage, but it doesn’t function that way,” Ford says. “It features masculine materials and textures, but it’s livable.” raeganford.com

Best Place to Pick Up a Midcentury Modern Conversation Piece
For the People

This Uptown furniture-décor-stationery triple threat is quite possibly the only spot in town where keen-eyed aesthetes might find Italian-designed dinosaur-shaped desk lamps alongside locally crafted pop art prints and Bauhaus-inspired jewelry. And that’s all by design for shop owners Shawn Silberblatt and Chad Campbell, who opened the shop six years ago. “We do this because we’ve learned that by owning a store in an emerging scene like Phoenix – with its interesting, nuanced textures of art, design and culture – we can physically cultivate a sense of community and collaboration in this city,” Silberblatt says. 5102 N. Central Ave., 602-954-4009, forthepeoplestore.com

Best Summer Bloom Mavens
Lavender Landscape Design Co.

“The months of June and July are a great time for landscapes [in Arizona] because the plants that enjoy heat are in full swing with color,” says Haley Tew of Lavender Landscape Design Co. Some best bets for verdant hues this season: Bougainvillea ‘Rosenka’, Spanish lavender and Tangerine Beauty Crossvine. All are hardy against the harsh weather and provide luscious splashes of texture and drama to a backyard desertscape. lavenderlandscape.com

PM Pick: Best showroom
Copenhagen Imports

Where does a Valley homeowner go to exercise self-care? We say it’s this Camelback furniture legend, where clean, tasteful designs and cutting-edge collections make for supreme browsing. 1701 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-266-8060, copenhagenliving.com