COOL HOME Custom house embodies calm

When Bill and Kim Reid retired, they gladly traded the steamy summers of Tennessee for the “dry heat” of the Sonoran Desert.

Kim, a health-care administrator originally from Georgia, and Bill, a neurosurgeon and Phoenix native, eventually settled in a gated, tight-knit community known as Superstition Mountain in Gold Canyon. They haven’t looked back since.

As the name suggests, the community is in the foothills of the Superstition Mountains and offers a spectacular view of the peaks.

When the couple first moved to Arizona, they settled in Scottsdale. But they said the location never felt right because it was too busy to fully relax.

“So then we found this, and it’s this quiet all the time,” Kim said. “You don’t hear traffic. We see a lot of wildlife, and the people that live here are so nice. I don’t see us leaving anytime soon.”

The community of 700 homes has a small-town feel and a strong focus on golfing. The Reids moved here in 2008, and are currently living in their third home within the neighborhood.

This time they custom built their new

house on a previously empty lot. Built in 2015, the 4,300-square-foot house embodies everything the homeowners ever wanted.

“I would do the whole thing over again,” said Kim, referring to the custom building process, which she said she became addicted to.

The Reids hired Erik Peterson from PHX Architecture as the lead architect, and builder Ken Bielenberg of Montara Custom Homes, whom they had worked with in the past.

“They were great about asking the right questions,” Kim said. “And be-

cause we knew our builder, he could give lots of information that I wouldn’t think about because he already knows the way we live.”

Although the home has a Mediterranean flare, with ceramic roof tiles and Travertine floor tiles, it feels light and airy on the inside. There are high ceilings, large arched doorways and lots of big windows.

The interior feeling flows into the backyard, which has a putting green, several sitting areas, a pool and spa. The desert landscaping reflects the mountain views beyond.

“A lot of houses down here are Tuscan, and that’s too dark for me,” Kim said.

Kim made sure the interior reflected her style by acting as her own interior designer. The light-colored walls and abundant natural light give the decor’s wood accent pieces center stage. She said she’s always had a passion for design and decor.

“I just like my house to be about me, not about what it’s supposed to be,” she said. “You can make mistakes along the way. But at least I know they’re mine, and not what somebody else told me I should do.”

The Reids like to entertain and use the formal dining room quite often. “Most people say they never use their dining room, but we use it all the time when we have company,” says Kim Reid.

PHOTOS BY PHX ARCHITECTURE The homeowners chose dark walnut cabinetry (Burdette Cabinet Co.) to create contrast with the light flooring and walls.

Travertine tile floors, light walls and furniture combined with plenty of natural light give the living room an open and airy feel.

The master bathroom has a “rug pattern” tile decoration in the center to add dimension and interest.

PHX ARCHITECTURE The 4,300-square-foot, four-bedroom mansion was custom built for Bill and Kim Reid by architect Erik Peterson and builder Ken Bielenberg.

A view of the Reids’ backyard, with a swimming pool, spa and a putting green. On the opposite side, there is a view of a vast golf course and, of course, the Superstition Mountains, which the homeowners enjoy every day.

Soft tones in all the bedrooms give a relaxing vibe. The adjacent walk-in closet is as large as an average bedroom and opens directly into the laundry room for convenience. Kim wanted to skip the laundry room altogether and put the washer/dryer...

PHOTOS BY PHX ARCHITECTURE A long, wide hallway with walnut hardwood floors leads to the master bedroom.

Kim is originally from Georgia. She and her husband, Bill, moved to Arizona from Tennessee after they retired.