This was what a pair of Paradise Valley, Arizona empty nesters craved. Avid travelers, they wanted a house that they could leave without worry, but also one that felt personal—a space that would welcome them back after their adventures away.

To create more fluid gathering spaces, the open floor plan centers around a great room that opens up to the patio and backyard, which was landscaped by Brandon LaCombe. “The indoor-outdoor living space gives them that feel they were looking for,” notes Wyant. Through the French doors, guests can filter around the alfresco dining area and seating nook surrounding the fire pit, or wander back inside, where the built-in bar has become a favorite place for cocktails. “My husband likes to face our friends and family when he’s serving them,” says the wife. “So that’s been a fun little aspect to play with.”