We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
![Wood Entryway](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e1cb9ce40985052055ef-h1000_v59nfo.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
text by SHANI SILVER photography by MICHAEL WILTBANK
![Black Portrait](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e55e9ce409850520560e-h1000_hrwxjx.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
Today we head west (a smart direction in these frosty winter months!) to Arizona, where Kelley Pierce, of Kelley Pierce Design, shares her family’s well-curated and welcoming home with us. Her ranch-style home, built in 1954 and nestled in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood, was remodeled in 2004 and spans 3,
. Read on to learn more about Kelley’s space, and even score a design tip or two for yourself!
![White Gallery Wall](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e2929ce40985052055f3-h1000_ldfrsh.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGN AESTHETIC IN THREE WORDS? I’d say classic, relaxed and curated (with a little quirky thrown in).
![Gray and White Gallery Wall](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/10/5672e2589ce40985052055f2-h1000_zvff2l.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
WHAT DREW YOU TO THIS HOME INITIALLY? The Arcadia neighborhood is highly sought out in Phoenix. It has strong community ties, great schools, amazing people and beautiful views of Camelback Mountain. We searched high and low, and immediately placed on offer when this house became available. The house was a rental property and was poorly “updated”. Everything had to be ripped out and this gave us an opportunity to start fresh and put in the touches we wanted. We were able to modify the space to meet our family needs, which is a huge gift!
WHAT WERE YOUR DESIGN GOALS FOR THIS SPACE? When we purchased the house we had a young family, two girls under four years of age. We knew that this was our forever house, and built it as such. Thank goodness we had enough foresight to realize we needed our own individualized spaces. As adults we needed our own private space and the girls did too.
![Taupe Vignette](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e5509ce409850520560d-h1000_nrpy0r.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
Also, it was important that we did not overbuild, we needed “right” sized rooms for coziness and family togetherness. I wanted every room to have purpose and get full utilization. We have an extra bedroom, which was once a playroom when the girls were young, and now we converted into a teen room. Also the key to a happy marriage, separate closets and separate sinks!
![White Living room](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e4b69ce409850520560b-h1000_hzxdho.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE? Getting decisions made timely. I felt like a 1000 decisions needed to be made daily. We acted as our own contractors and I was designing the space and picking out product and finishes.
![Gray and Silver Vignette](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e50874b619840558e597-h1000_fptsal.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
Also at the time I had a full time job in retail, plus two small children. It was stressful! Plus, we lived in the house during construction. Not a smart idea unless you enjoy drywall dust and washing dishes in your tub.
![Gray and White Bar](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e38274b619840558e594-h1000_vquxgf.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST SPLURGE IN YOUR HOME? Custom cabinetry throughout and Carrera marble in kitchen and the master bathroom.
![White Kitchen](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e3a79ce4098505205605-h1000_od1l4w.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
WHAT IS THE BEST STEAL? I like the mix of high/low, vintage/new. So I would say my best steals are my high end vintage pieces.
![Brown and White Dining room](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e4599ce4098505205609-h1000_yx2osc.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
I have a killer Michael Taylor Far East dining room table that my blogger friend, Jen West, found for me on eBay for a few hundred dollars. I love thrifting and going to estate sales. I feel like every piece of vintage furniture I buy has a great story behind it.
![Brown and Red and White Flowers](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e3dc9ce4098505205607-h1000_ze7qgb.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![Brown Dining room](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e4819ce409850520560a-h1000_kk5rfl.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![Brown and White Living room](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e4eb9ce409850520560c-h1000_bpb6oo.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
WHAT DESIGN ELEMENTS DID YOU USE IN THIS SPACE THAT OUR READERS SHOULD TRY FOR THEMSELVES? Buy the best you can afford but don’t rush the process. You will find what you love, and when you do you must buy it! I would say make sure you have a good mix of finishes, heights, textures, etc. Train your eye and educate yourself.
![Brown Vignette](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e1f79ce40985052055f0-h1000_tzybys.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![Black Entryway](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e2159ce40985052055f1-h1000_ydarfb.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
WHAT IS ONE THING THAT DESIGNING YOUR HOME TAUGHT YOU? Two things which are very hard.
- Be patient The right item will come along, but often you have to wait. Don’t settle just to get it done.
![Gray and Green and White Bedroom](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e2c29ce40985052055f5-h1000_zybx1n.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
- Don’t buy it if you don’t need it. Being a hoarder is not attractive. If you can’t live with out it, then get rid of the stuff you no longer need.
![Gray and Green and White Bedroom](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e2d99ce40985052055f7-h1000_ogibmg.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![White Bathroom](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e2f69ce40985052055fa-h1000_sufpma.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
![Silver and White Bedroom](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20/5672e3419ce40985052055ff-h1000_ymrmtm.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)