Tuscany Revisited

Tuscan villas are defined by their solid stone walls and terra-cotta tile roofs, which not only give the homes a sense of permanence, but also protect them from climate extremes. It’s an architectural style that works equally well in a hot desert landscape, such as Las Vegas.

This new house, designed and constructed by Pinnacle Architectural Studio, takes the traditional Tuscan architecture and adapts it for a modern lifestyle.

Design principal Quinn Boesenecker says creating an aged look was a critical part of the design. Every element, from the stonework and the landscaping to the finish on the interior walls, was designed to convey the sense of a home that has aged over time.

“Authenticity was key, starting with the exterior,” Boesenecker says. “The towers and the multi-layered roof line, for example, reference traditional homes in Tuscany. We also added copper roofs, which have been treated to create an aged patina. And all the arched windows and doors feature limestone sills and surrounds, just as they do in Italy.”

The entry to the house is through an arched opening and a landscaped courtyard, complete with old-style granite pots and water feature. Arches also define the interior, which includes a large great room with a soaring, 24ft vaulted ceiling and a double-height decorative limestone mantel. The main hallway incorpo- rates classically styled columns and a groin vault ceiling with a Venetian plaster finish. Most rooms open to poolside terraces or balconies, creating an easy indoor-outdoor flow.