Writer Rebecca L. Rhoades // Photography by Loralei Lazurek

For more than six decades, Est Est has been transforming residences throughout the Valley into showcases of comfort and style. Founded in 1959, it is the oldest interior design firm in Arizona, with a reputation for providing its clientele with high-end rooms tailored to the individual and for fostering the careers of some of the state’s top talent.

The original owners, William Benner and Patrick Maas, brought a unique aesthetic to the Sonoran Desert, blending European and Mexican antiques and “making the interiors fit our lifestyle and Southwestern architecture,” Maas noted at the time. Their approach caught on, attracting such celebrated clients as Robert Maytag (who had adopted so many exotic animals that the designers suggested he start the Phoenix Zoo, which he eventually did), the Wrigley family and Robert Goldwater, brother of Senator Barry Goldwater.

By the mid-1980s, the duo had handed over the reins of the business to Tony Sutton, who elevated the firm to even greater success.

“My goal has always been to honor Bill and Pat and the difference they made in design in Arizona,” Tony once said. “These were the guys who set the bar for everyone else.”

In 1997, Sutton expanded the studio, which originally had been located on Main Street in Old Town Scottsdale, moving it to a new location in North Scottsdale that included a spacious showroom and warehouse. Since then, the firm has thrived. Its designers are sought out by the Valley’s wealthiest and most discriminating homeowners, and the team has racked up hundreds of the industry’s top awards.

Sadly, last year, Sutton passed away after a two-year battle with cancer. While his leadership, passion for community and all-around good guy persona are missed, his son Blake Sutton is carrying on his legacy and pushing Est Est and its team to the forefront of Arizona’s — and the country’s — design world.

Taking The Helm
“I’ve grown up around this my entire life,” says the younger Sutton, who, following his father’s death, was named the new CEO of Est Est.

Sutton, who has a degree in construction management from Arizona State University, joined the family business in 2010 as director of operations after working for a few years in the custom homebuilding field.

“For 13 years, I’ve worked alongside the absolute best designers in the industry to really understand how their life works on a day-to-day basis and the intricacies of how a project runs,” he explains. “My knowledge set is pretty unique in the industry, having spent so long on design, seeing how everything comes together and understanding design trends and what’s happening in product development. And with my construction experience, it gives me the ability to meet with homeowners and provide them with a unique perspective on how they can maximize their homes.”

Currently, Est Est employs a team of 12 designers, many of whom are recent graduates of The Design School at Arizona State University The firm is known for being a great starting point in the industry as it allows designers to develop their own style while providing support, collaborative opportunities and the wealth of knowledge that comes from more than half a century of experience.

“Having a great team in place who can collaborate is something that’s pretty unique in our industry,” Sutton explains.

Others, like senior interior designer Chris Jovanelly, come to the firm after having run their own businesses.

“Est Est hires a lot of people right out of school, and this is where they get their start. A lot have stayed for a very long time, and then some spread their wings and go elsewhere. I did it backwards,” Jovanelly says, recalling how Tony Sutton had suggested he join the firm. “I thought, ‘Why would I want to give up the thing that I worked so hard for?’ Then I woke up and realized that this is an opportunity. Est Est has such a rich history, and it’s great to be a part of that.”

Over the years, Tony and his team worked on some of the largest and most expensive homes in Arizona, from 10,000-square-foot Southwest-style masterpieces that rise from the slopes of Camelback Mountain to ultramodern urban penthouses.

“Our projects range from adobe, Southwest and territorial-style houses to steel, masonry and glass contemporary homes and everything in between,” Blake notes. “A lot of the work is contemporary and transitional, because that’s what the biggest demand is in the marketplace. But we’re also doing a French country-style home, we’ve got some Southwest-style homes going on right now, and we’re even designing a couple of mountain-style homes.

“Our designers are trained to have great diversity in their skill sets, and that’s something I absolutely love because it means that I’m not looking at the same style over and over and over again. We really do customize every house to meet the homeowners’ needs.”

Growing The Future
Stepping into a top leadership role is always difficult. And to do so at one of the most well-respected businesses in the industry that was run by one of the most well-respected faces in the industry can be downright intimidating.

“Blake’s working really hard, and he’s doing a really great job,” Jovanelly says. “I tell him several times a week how he’s just killing out there.”

Each day brings new opportunities, and Sutton remains focused on improving the quality and consistency of the firm’s work and creating a workplace that brings out the best in both the staff and clientele.

“It’s really just about doing fun, exciting things that are memorable and that people are passionate about,” Sutton says. “So when you look back on your career, you remember working with great people and doing things that are significant and meaningful. So the biggest thing for me is taking on projects that we’ll always be proud of.

“My dad’s legacy is so broad. It’s all the different lives he touched over the years. He created a great foundation, and now I have the opportunity to take it to the next level.”

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