8517 N 49TH Street Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

This craftsman contemporary home designed by architect H. Maynard Blumer, FAIA, FCSI combines iconic mid-century modern architecture with a huge expansion & remodel in 2001. Architect's own home of 56 years sits on a 1+ acre w/native vegetation & 4-way mountain views. Post, beam & plank construction allows for view-framing walls of glass & no load-bearing walls. Living room has wood plank ceilings & floor-to-ceiling windows. Remodeled kitchen features birch cabinetry & granite counters. Owner's wing was constructed in 2001 with 14' ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows + old Phoenix brick Rumford fireplace. Owner's bath has mosaic sunken tub/shower, dual vanities + jetted tub w/mountain views. Wide overhangs, timber structure, redwood & cedar exterior. Preserve, remodel or expand! SEE MORE! *******DETAILED DESCRIPTION********
This rare craftsman contemporary architectural masterpiece by H. Maynard Blumer, FAIA, FCSI is post, beam and plank construction. The home's mid-century bones have been respected and thoughtfully enhanced over the last 56 years, by the owner/architect.

This home is ideally situated on a 1.017 acre lot in the Town of Paradise Valley, with mountain views in 4 directions, to the McDowell Mountains, Superstition Mountains, Four Peaks, Mummy Mountain, Camelback Mountain and Phoenix Mountains. The home's orientation allows for afternoon sun deflection in the summer and a long North/South dimension maximizes the view towards the mountains. Large roof overhangs around the home allow for natural light, but control direct sun exposure.

Multiple outdoor destinations have been created to take in the natural scenery that surrounds this unique home. The natural vegetation includes 65+ different types of mature plants, including saguaros, mesquite, palo verde, creosote, pomegranate, fig, orange, silk oak, jacaranda, bottle brush, olive, Chilean pepper, eucalyptus, carob, bamboo, yucca, jasmine, agave, acacia, aloe, orchid tree, Norfolk pine, rosemary, calla lily, crepe myrtle, ficus benjamina, 50 rose bushes and more. A gray water system directs gray water from the bathroom sinks, showers and laundry room to the vegetation around the property.

The 8' front door opens to the entry hall, which features travertine flooring, cinder block walls and 9' tall ceilings of natural pine planks. The structural elements throughout the home are architecturally-exposed. The entry is naturally lit by large North windows, with a view to the garden courtyard and the unique, Flemish bond brick wall.

In 2001, the owner/architect designed and built a generous addition, as well as a major remodel of the existing home. The owner's suite is a wonderful space filled with natural light from the windows that reach the 14' ceilings on the full length of the West, South and East walls. Go to sleep by the stars and moonlight shining through the high windows. The wood plank ceilings floating overhead extend beyond the windows, to the large roof overhangs. The old Phoenix brick Rumford wood-burning fireplace is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. The all- brick mantel has a recessed herringbone pattern, and the brick extends floor-to-ceiling with a hearth and window seat. There is a private French door exit on the East side of the room that leads out to the lush side gardens. Full-length South-facing windows provide views to the giant saguaros, rose bushes and fig tree, with mountain views in the distance. The owner's closet is outfitted with numerous built-in shelves and clothes-hanging solutions.

The spa-like owner's suite bathroom is flooded with light from the 22' west wall, which has clerestory windows from the bedroom. Dual mid-century birch vanities were recycled from the original kitchen and outfitted with ceramic tile countertops. The full South window at the edge of the jetted tub provides garden + mountain views. There is a sunken mosaic tiled tub/shower, in shades of 60s blue, which is original to the home and is in immaculate condition. The gray water from the lavatories, jetted tub and sunken tub/shower drain into the nearby garden, for efficient watering of the vegetation on this side of the home.

As part of the major expansion and remodel in 2001, an efficient office space was created just off the main entry. It features 12' ceilings adorned with natural pine planks and gorgeous natural North light from the clerestory and large casement windows. There is a loft for displaying art or using for storage, which can be accessed with a 10' ladder. A gallery hall connects the new owner's suite wing to the original portion of the home.

The living room is a multi-functional space, currently divided into 3 zones, for space maximization. The South wall features an architectural stacked-bond, raked-joint cinder block wall, not load bearing. In fact, none of the walls are load-bearing, which allows for many opportunities for reconfiguration or expansion. A slot window provides a view to the giant saguaro cactus, a glimpse of the rose garden and a view to distant Camelback Mountain. The home's orientation is turned slightly to the North, which provides a full-height 12' wide glass wall, shaded by a mesquite and an orange tree. The wood ceilings with walls of windows harken back to the 60s, but the space could easily be updated for contemporary styling, as well.

The gourmet kitchen was doubled in size and fully remodeled in 2001. It features a classical work triangle design and is joined in spirit, sounds, light and air to the living room and dining room; the living core of the home. The interior walls are open above 7' height, providing a virtual connection to the living room. Additional features include an extra-large island, walk-in pantry, mixing area/appliance nook and a breakfast room with bay window cooking library. There are 270 degree views from the bay window, which overlooks the patio, rose garden and mountain views, in the distance. The casement windows are operable, for bringing in nice spring and fall breezes. The wide window above the sink overlooks the wormy cypress deck and garden areas. The entire wall on the South side of the kitchen can be removed to open the kitchen fully to the living room, if desired. Additionally, the North wall of the kitchen can be removed or reconfigured to provide larger entrance to the dining room.

The formal dining room can accommodate up to 12 people. The post, beam and plank structure is exposed throughout. The East wall is all windows providing an abundance of natural light and allowing a panoramic view of landscape and mountains. Library shelving on North wall is built in. If desired, the North wall can come down entirely, as it is not load-bearing.

The den/bonus room can serve a multitude of purposes; name it how you would use it. The space has a large window overlooking the rear yard, along with a wall of adjustable shelving. 2 of the 3 secondary bedrooms open to this space, making it perfect for a play room or additional living space. There is a separate central HVAC unit serving this space. It has hardwood, beamed ceilings and an abundance of natural light.

There are 3 bedrooms split from the new owner's suite wing. Bedroom #1 features wood plank ceilings with high West operable clerestory windows (wide roof overhang keeps mid-day direct sun off the windows) and 60s pendant lighting. Library shelves on 2 walls can be used for books or decorations. Bedroom #2 (more recently used as a sewing room) features bright fuschia shag carpeting, wood plank ceilings, walnut-paneled East wall and full-room width operable clerestory windows. Bedroom #3 is currently being used as an architectural studio. It is a shadow-free room, due to its sun orientation, dimensions and dominance by out-of-doors. Bright, natural Northern light extends wall-to-wall. The East wall is walnut wood paneling, which gives an office-like atmosphere. The West wall features adjustable wall shelving. There is storage closet, so this room could function as a bedroom, which was its previous use. A full hall/guest bathroom services this side of the home. The bath has an abundance of natural light, along with architectural block wall above the preserved 60s ceramic-tiled shower surround, which has kitschy accent tiles. The gray water from the hall/guest bathroom waters the North garden area.

The oversized garage is 24' x 24'. Windows between the wood plank ceilings provide daylighting for the garage. The custom-sized garage door is 17' x 17'. Concrete curbs on all sides cast monolithic with a no curb to floor joint, for easy cleaning. There are no floor joints either. Full thick brick pavers provide a 20' parking area. The garage floor elevation is two risers above the house floor elevation to accommodate the lot slope.

The impressive entertainer's rear yard is perfect for the year-round AZ desert lifestyle. The owners have had weddings and many large events in the rear yard. The mature vegetation provides shade and beautiful scenery, in all directions. You will find a gated brick-walled front entry courtyard and a gated, fenced rear yard with raised planting beds, brick paver pathways and mature landscaping in all directions. The sliding glass door from the living room leads to a wormy cypress deck, which features 1" specie. The wormy cypress can get wet all day, without losing its strength. There is seating for 6 on the deck, along with expanded entertaining space out on the large brick terrace.

The original portion of the home was constructed in 1963. Due to its flexible, living architecture, the home has been easily modified over the last 56 years, to meet the owners' needs. Since there are no load-bearing walls, the owners have reassigned interior spaces over time. Every wall in the home could be taken down, if a new buyer wanted to reconfigure the entire layout. The split bedroom side of the home could be re-configured into a mother-in law suite or can be modified to suit any lifestyle.

Additional features at this home include a premium Derbigum roof (2017), new gas service line (2001), new water service line (2001), updated HVAC systems and an oversized septic system.

The level of workmanship used throughout the home is simply not something you will find every day. You would be hard-pressed to find another home with these features and amenities, with this 4-way view lot, in the Town of Paradise Valley, at a more affordable price point. This mid-century jewel is a true classic that like a fine wine, will only get better with time.