The home defies conventional architectural labeling. “There’s uniqueness in the architecture,” Cole says. “It’s compatible with Southwestern design, but we wanted to go somewhere else with it. It’s our style, eclectic but not crazy eclectic.” The distinguishing mark of the house is columns, lots of them, inside and out. There are mass, space, height, volume, and great sweeps of light. A very three-dimensional design. Cole thinks of the home in terms of cubic feet, seeing volume instead of square footage. From the entry foyer, the house radiates in every direction. Anasazi-style stone walls and tall columns bracket tantalizing glimpses of other, farther rooms. Rectangular works of art provided counterpoint to the curved walls, round ceiling and the sweep of the graceful staircase to the second floor. The floor is of stained concrete in a rich dark terra cotta. A handsome corbel motif seen throughout the house begins here, in the striking entry door of stained glass by Salvador Equihua. Another of his doors, appropriately decked out in grape clusters and leaves, leads to a charming below-staircase wine room.
The many columns that define the great room seem to be straight from an Italian palazzo but are, in fact, made of concrete and faux-finished by Gloria Goodman. The hue of the columns matches that of the walls, a soothing butterscotch that melds with the tranquil tones of aspen, maple and oak. Cole designed a long recessed and lighted wall for a changing display of art. Sleek maple cabinetry provides a home of a delightful collection of wooden carvings and toys. The entire curved east wall is of windows, punctuated by a fireplace of the Anasazi stone. Watching the nature parade passing outside the window wall is one of the Coles’ favorite pastimes. “I love the music of the birds,” says Terri. They watch critters they call their “urban coyotes.” Quail hop along the patio wall.
