Debra May Himes, ASID, IIDA, LEED AP has been working as a professional interior designer in the Phoenix Metro area for over 30 years.  Debra believes her best projects are the ones in which the home owners, architect, builder, and interior designer are all able to work as a team to make the home owner’s dream home come to life.  She feels very blessed to have been part of so many wonderful projects over the years.

This Mountain Retreat is the third project Debra has been involved with for these clients. For this project, Debra was asked specifically to design some special pieces. When designing for her clients, Debra is thoughtfull of what will work best for each client. For example, knowing that both of her clients are tall, Debra designed the sofas for their Mountain Getaway so that when her clients’ retreat to relax and enjoy the fireplace, the feel surrounded and nestled into their seating.

This custom home designed by Debra is located near Flagstaff, Arizona in Forest Highlands.  Her busy and well-traveled clients wanted a getaway retreat that leans toward the contemporary but that could also seamlessly incorporate a select few of their Asian furniture pieces. In addition, natural materials such as dark Island Stone and finishes such as the red Venetian Plaster complement darker, warmer and rough textures found in the local flagstone, granite and sandstone. The house boasts dramatic fireplaces, ceilings, custom furniture, cabinets, doors and products all designed by Debra with very important input from her clients and great implementation by the builder.

Debra not only received a 1st place in Residential projects’, and Design Awards for ‘Product Design – Fixtures’, and Product Design – Furnishings,’ as well as a Design Award for the Powder Bath, Debra also received ‘Best of Show’ over all residential projects for The 2010 ASID Design Excellence Awards.

Many of the furniture pieces and products in this home were designed by Debra specifically for this project.

Photography By

Dino Tonn