Tempe, AZ March 2026

The Art of Living Well

Spring has a way of making us see our four walls differently. As the light shifts and the world outside begins to stir, the urge to reimagine—whether through a fresh coat of paint or a full-scale renovation—becomes hard to ignore.

Welcome to our annual Home Issue.

This month, we’re exploring what makes a house feel considered and lived-in. A dream home isn’t built on Pinterest boards alone; it’s shaped by experience, craft, and the ability to balance beauty with structure.

Inside these pages, we sit down with local interior designer Jaydin Nielsen, founder and principal designer of Nita & Hearth Interiors, who explains why the most successful design begins long before finishes are selected—and how early involvement creates space for intention.

We also go behind the scenes with Matador Construction, founded by Ruben Cossio and Cynthia Zarate. Known for its thoughtful, transparent approach, the family-owned firm has built its reputation by guiding homeowners through the realities of remodeling with clarity and care.

Whether you’re drawn to wide-plank white oak or considering a complete kitchen overhaul, our Q&A with leading flooring and finishes specialist Michelle Hunt offers a grounded perspective on materials, trends, and the value of experience when making long-term decisions.

We also mark a milestone at Mirabella at ASU, which celebrates its five-year anniversary in Tempe. Designed to support an engaged, enriched lifestyle, the community pairs thoughtful residences with cultural, educational, and dining experiences—distinguished by its uncommon setting on the Arizona State University campus and its commitment to lifelong learning.

Home is where life unfolds—quietly, daily, and over time. This March, we hope these stories offer perspective and inspiration for shaping a home that feels intentional, lived-in, and unmistakably yours.

Happy Spring,

WENDY BATES, PUBLISHER

March 2026

PUBLISHER

Wendy Bates | wendy.bates@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Jett Arredondo | jett.arredondo@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Skye Wagner | skye.wagner@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Abigail Bates

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jett Arredondo, Michelle Talsma Everson, Wendy Bates, Shannon Roberts

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jett Arredondo, Summer Lee

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Zack Miller

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler

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Tempe Community Action Agency 20th Annual VICINITY Fundraiser

Tempe Community Action Agency’s 20th Annual VICINITY, taking place March 27, is a celebration of the generosity and community spirit that fuels real, lasting change. The event supports TCAA’s mission to eliminate poverty and advance equity across the communities it serves. Guests are invited to join fellow changemakers for an inspiring evening of live music, local food, and heartfelt giving through a live auction, paddle raise, and more. Visit tempeaction.org for more details.

Mirabella at ASU celebrated its fifth anniversary on Jan. 22 with a progressive dinner party for its nearly 400 residents, marking how far the university-based retirement community has come since opening on Arizona State University’s Tempe campus in late 2020. Mirabella brings ASU’s commitment to lifelong learning into practice by integrating older adults into campus life. Its on-campus location gives residents access to classes, activities, events, and campus initiatives, while fostering meaningful connections with students.

Tempe Chosen for McCarthy’s New National Center for Learning and Development

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. announced the completion of its purchase of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Tempe, located at the corner of Priest Drive and Broadway Road. The property will become the company’s new center for employee learning, leadership, and development. The new facility reflects McCarthy’s continued investment in its people and represents a long-term commitment to Tempe as a year-round destination for business, learning, and professional development.

Here for Tempe — Yesterday, Today, and in the New Year.

As the calendar turns, we’re grateful for another year ser ving the community we call home. At The Sorenson Law Firm, we’re more than attorneys we’re parents, neighbors, and active supporters of our local Tempe Community.

If 2026 brings unexpected challenges — from an injur y accident to a business conflict you don’t have to face them alone. Our family-owned team is here to protect your rights and help you move for ward with confidence.

Wishing you a safe and successful New Year.

Personal Injur y & Wrongful Death

Arbitrations, Mediations, and ADR

Business & Commercial Litigation

Same Day Garage Door Service

ARTICLE

BEFORE

the Walls EXIST

“WHEN THE ARCHITECT, BUILDER, AND DESIGNER ARE ALIGNED FROM THE START, THE HOME DOESN’T FEEL OVERDESIGNED. IT JUST FEELS RIGHT.”

The earliest stage of a project feels much like a painter facing a blank canvas. There is a quiet pause before anything takes shape—where nothing is finished, yet everything already matters. It is within that moment that the design work truly begins.

INSIDE NITA & HEARTH’S APPROACH TO DESIGNING HOMES THAT FEEL INTENTIONAL, WARM, AND DEEPLY LIVED-IN

“INTERIOR DESIGN ISN’T JUST ABOUT WHAT YOU SEE AT THE END.”

IMPORTANCE OF INTERIOR DESIGN

When interior design is excluded from early planning, challenges often emerge later that are costly and difficult to undo. Lighting layouts, ceiling details, storage solutions, and room proportions can become locked in before they are fully considered, turning thoughtful opportunities into revisions. Renderings play an important role in preventing those missteps. When so much of a home exists only on paper, hyper-realistic visuals help translate ideas into reality early on, allowing decisions to feel informed, confident, and free of guesswork.

“When I’m handed architectural plans, I see possibility before anything else,” says Jaydin Nielsen, founder and principal designer of Nita & Hearth. “It’s the moment where intention has the most influence, before decisions start feeling permanent.”

Designing from the ground up means being involved before walls exist, before concrete is poured, before a home begins to introduce itself. It is the stage where design has the power to shape how a home will actually feel to live in, not just how it will look in photographs.

Early involvement opens the door to a more nuanced approach to design. Light, movement, and the subtle ways people occupy a space become central considerations. Some rooms invite stillness, others energy. Proportion, rhythm, and flow work quietly in the background, shaping how a home is experienced long before any decorative layer is added.

“Interior design isn’t just about what you see at the end,” Nielsen explains. “It’s about how a space supports real life, how it feels to move through it, and how those choices show up every single day.” When design enters the process too late, many of the most influential decisions have already been made. Ceiling heights are set. Windows are placed. Electrical plans are finalized. What follows is not a lack of care, but a missed opportunity to shape the home from the inside out.

Some of the most lasting design decisions are the ones that quietly shape daily life. Door placement. Kitchen flow. Lighting that adapts from early mornings to slow evenings at home. These

details rarely draw attention to themselves, yet they influence how a space is experienced, often in ways homeowners only notice once they are living there.

Design works best as a shared conversation. Early alignment between architects, builders, and designers allows the interior and exterior to evolve together. When that alignment happens from the start, the interior and exterior begin to speak the same language. Materials feel connected, transitions feel natural, and the home carries a sense of ease, even when it is newly built. “Collaboration is everything,” says Nielsen. “When the architect, builder, and designer are aligned from the start, the home doesn’t feel overdesigned. It just feels right.”

At its core, designing from the ground up means creating homes that feel intuitive and personal. The focus shifts away from chasing trends or perfection and toward spaces that feel layered, comfortable, and shaped by everyday life. Homeowners are moving away from stark, ultra-modern spaces and toward environments that feel personal, layered, and grounded, with a growing appreciation for craftsmanship, character, and meaning. Spaces that support both daily rhythms and deeper connection. “People are craving spaces that feel human,” Nielsen shares, “homes that can hold quiet moments just as comfortably as they hold a room full of people.” This shift often aligns with homeowners who value intention over immediacy, appreciating patience, collaboration, and the understanding that the most meaningful homes are shaped over time.

Clarity, Care, and Craftsmanship

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED How Matador Construction helps Tempe families build homes they love

ARTICLE BY MICHELLE TALSMA EVERSON

Remodeling a home is exciting, but without clear expectations, that excitement can quickly turn into stress. Budgets, timelines, and unexpected discoveries behind the walls often leave homeowners thinking the same thing at the end of a project: I wish I had known this before we started. That moment of clarity is where Matador Construction begins its work.

Founded in 2018 by Ruben Cossio and Cynthia Zarate, the family-owned Tempe construction company has built its reputation not on being the biggest operation in town, but on guiding homeowners through the realities of remodeling with intention, transparency, and craftsmanship.

A WORK ETHIC BUILT EARLY

Cossio’s path into construction began long before job sites and blueprints. As a child, he spent summers knocking on neighbors’ doors, offering to mow lawns and clean yards for a few dollars. The work was simple, but the lesson stayed with him.

“There was something really satisfying about showing up, working hard, and seeing how happy people were when the job was done,” Cossio says.

That sense of pride followed him into large construction firms, where he worked his way up—learning to manage teams, solve problems, and lead by example. Over time, his approach took shape around building a company where people felt valued and worked together with purpose. Today, that vision defines Matador Construction, which remains intentionally small, hands-on, and relationship-driven, prioritizing quality and communication over volume.

REMODELING REALITY CHECK: WHAT HOMEOWNERS SHOULD KNOW

As office manager and co-founder, Zarate is often the first point of contact for clients and the steady presence throughout a project. Over the years, she has noticed the same questions and surprises surface again and again.

Insurance coverage is one of the most common areas of confusion.

“Many homeowners don’t realize that insurance often covers water damage,” Zarate says. “Before assuming something will be out of pocket, it’s important to check your policy. We help clients understand what’s covered and how the process works.”

Matador Construction completes a significant amount of insurance-related repair work, including water and fire damage restoration. The company’s website outlines the process step by step, helping homeowners better understand what to expect before work begins.

Budget conversations are another essential part of the planning phase.

“Always keep your budget in mind,” Zarate says. “Our role is to help clients stay within it by offering guidance, clear estimates, and realistic options. Remodeling isn’t always predictable.”

Her most frequent reminder is one many homeowners learn firsthand: “You never know what’s behind the wall.”

Hidden plumbing issues, outdated wiring, or structural surprises can affect timelines and costs. At Matador Construction, transparency is central to the process. Homeowners are kept informed, given options, and asked to approve changes before any work moves forward.

“We don’t believe in surprises,” Zarate says. “Communication is everything.”

ONE FINAL PIECE OF ADVICE

After years of helping homeowners transform their spaces, Zarate has come to see remodeling as more than a construction project—it’s a deeply personal decision about how people want to live.

“You only live once,” she says. “Why not remodel and actually enjoy your home?”

At its best, remodeling is not about rushing toward a finished product, but about creating spaces that support everyday life. When expectations are clear and communication stays open, the process can feel far more grounded—and far less overwhelming.

CONTINUED >

Growth without losing the family feel

Like many small businesses, 2020 brought challenges. Matador Construction weathered that period and rebounded, growing steadily while expanding its services. By 2025, the company began branching into new builds and broader construction projects, offering everything from landscaping and cabinetry to full renovations. Despite that growth, Matador remains intentionally family-owned and hands-on. Cossio and Zarate’s now nine-year-old son has been part of the journey, visiting job sites and learning what it means to build something lasting. That sense of legacy matters deeply to Cossio. “My goal isn’t to be the biggest company,” he says. “It’s to be the best— building work my son can be proud of while doing right by every client, every time.”

Members

The

On Solid

Ground

ARTICLE BY WENDY BATES PHOTOGRAPHY BY JETT ARREDONDO

Michelle Hunt reflects on experience, growth, and perspective.

With more than two decades in the industry, Michelle Hunt brings a seasoned perspective to the work she does at AZ Flooring and Finishes. Her approach is rooted in experience, education, and an understanding of how materials and decisions shape the way a home lives. In this Q&A, Hunt reflects on her path, what she’s learned along the way, and how that knowledge continues to guide the business today.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO OPEN AZ FLOORING AND FINISHES?

I’ve been in the flooring business for over 20 years, so I’ve seen many flooring companies come and go, as well as people purchase flooring businesses without experience. This type of business is different—it’s very specific, with many details and nuances you need to understand to be successful. I decided to open my own flooring business in 2023, and it’s been a lot of fun.

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS EVOLVED SINCE YOU FIRST STARTED?

I think it’s always evolving. Flooring is a lot like fashion—it changes as new styles are introduced. I try to stay true to what I like to offer: quality products that are environmentally friendly and consumer-friendly.

WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM BIG-BOX RETAILERS?

For starters, education. After 20 years in the business, I’ve toured our manufacturers and visited mills and plants. I’ve seen carpets being made and understand the process behind wood and laminate flooring. I know how products are installed and assembled. I also have a design background, with experience in color, and I’m always looking to expand my knowledge through continued education.

WHAT VALUES GUIDE THE WAY YOU RUN YOUR BUSINESS?

I approach every project as if it were my own home. My installers have been with me for 15-plus years, which gives me peace of mind. I know that when they’re in a client’s home, they’re taking care of it as if it were their own.

WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING FOR 2026?

Colors are definitely warmer, moving away from the greys that dominated around 2023. We’re also seeing more interest in green products that are not only better for the environment but also beautiful in the home.

Now Open In Tempe

Adult and Pediatric ENT Care

Hearing Testing/Treatment

Earaches/Ear Infections | Dizziness

Tinnitus/Ear Ringing | Nasal Surgery

Sinusitis | Allergies | Nose Bleeds

Congestion | Sore Throat | Cough

HOME Across GENERATIONS

A senior living community integrated into university life, fostering lifelong learning

Luxury senior living communities are designed to offer enriched lifestyles for older adults, often pairing thoughtfully designed residences with amenities such as fitness centers, swimming pools, educational and entertainment programming, and multiple dining venues. Many also provide hospitality-style services that support ease and comfort in daily life.

Mirabella at ASU fits within this model, offering a wide range of services and amenities alongside well-appointed accommodations. What sets the community apart, however, is not simply the level of comfort it provides, but its uncommon setting and purpose.

It is rare to find a luxury senior living community located directly on a major university campus and fully integrated into university life.

“During the first four weeks, friends were already visiting, even though we were hardly unpacked, because they’d never seen anything like this before,” says Dr. Richard Kramer, a Mirabella at ASU resident since 2021. “They came away from it saying, ‘That’s incredible.’”

While residents enjoy the conveniences of daily living, including multiple dining venues, a fitness and aquatic center, an art studio, a woodworking shop, housekeeping and maintenance services, and primary care through Pine Park Health, they also gain access to the broader academic environment of Arizona State University. For residents

committed to lifelong learning, the connection offers a distinctive extension of daily life.

“At 82, it’s so empowering to be learning at the university level and also contributing to the academic community,” says Dr. Karen Busch, who also moved to Mirabella at ASU in 2021. “I’m modeling for students that they can continue to learn and be part of a university long after they’ve graduated.”

Residents are supported by the ASU Lifelong Engagement Team as they navigate opportunities across campus. They can visit the university’s four on-campus libraries, audit from a catalog of more than 10,000 classes, attend weekly lectures, and experience performances at Gammage Auditorium. Through the Artists-in-Residence program, select music and dance students live at Mirabella in exchange for offering performances and classes for residents.

The result is a setting that encourages connection across generations. Mentorship, shared learning, and informal relationships develop naturally, creating an environment shaped as much by exchange as by comfort.

“This is an exciting way to retire with meaning, providing all that wisdom, experience, and passion we retirees can contribute,” Dr. Kramer says. “These students are what drive me today and a major source of enjoyment. If I can make a small impact on even one life, it can make my entire life worthwhile.”

“These students are what drive me today and a major source of enjoyment. If I can make a small impact on even one life, it can make my entire life worthwhile.”

Bookcase Styling your

Tips for an Organized and Aesthetic Display

ARTICLE BY SHANNON ROBERTS

A bookcase is often more than just a storage unit for books; it’s a focal point of a room that can enhance the overall decor and reflect personal style. Styling a bookcase can be a rewarding endeavor, allowing you to showcase your literary collection and curate a space that feels inviting and visually appealing. Here are some tips to help you achieve a beautifully styled bookcase.

Styling a bookcase is a creative process that combines practicality with aesthetics. By using these tips, you can transform an ordinary bookshelf into a stylish, engaging focal point that complements your home’s decor while showcasing your personality and interests.

Step 1

Strategically Place Books on the Bookcase While Incorporating Decorative Elements.

When placing books back on the shelves, think about the arrangement, vertical stacks are more traditional, horizontal stacks more modern, or both for more visual interest. Adding decorative elements such as picture frames, vases, or sculptural objects to break the monotony. Incorporating items with varying heights can create a dynamic arrangement. Use larger items like art pieces or baskets on lower shelves and smaller decorative objects higher up. Aim for a balanced look while avoiding perfect symmetry. This creates an organic flow, drawing the eye naturally across the shelf. Incorporate asymmetrical groupings for added interest, mixing textures, colors, and shapes.

Step 2

Use Color Wisely and Add Natural Elements.

Color plays a role in styling a bookcase. You can opt for a monochromatic palette for a sophisticated look or introduce pops of color for a more energetic vibe. If your books are of various colors, pick a few colorful decorative pieces that complement or contrast them effectively. Integrating plants or natural elements can breathe life into your bookcase. Small potted plants can add color and texture.

Step 3

Create Zones and Add Personal Touches.

If your bookcase has multiple shelves, consider creating zones or themes for different sections. Infuse your personality into the bookcase through memorabilia, travel souvenirs, or personal artwork. These pieces add a storytelling dimension and make the space uniquely yours.

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MARCH 12TH-15TH

Spring Plant Sale at Desert Botanical Gardens

Desert Botanical Garden | 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix

The 50th Anniversary Spring Plant Sale returns to Desert Botanical Garden with an extensive selection of desert plants, including cactus, agaves, succulents, trees, and shrubs. Garden horticulturalists will be on-site to offer expert advice. Members shop March 12; the public is welcome March 13–15. Details: dbg.org/ events/spring-plant-sale-2/2026-03-12/ 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., last admission at 2 p.m.

MARCH 13TH-15TH

Tempe Festival of the Arts

Downtown Tempe | Mill Avenue and 5th Street, Tempe

The Spring Tempe Festival of the Arts returns to Downtown Tempe March 13–15, 2026. This three-day art walk and street fair ranks among Sunshine Artist’s Top 20 festivals nationwide. More than 300 juried artist booths fill Mill Avenue across 18 categories, from ceramics to wearable art, creating a distinctive shopping experience that draws nearly 225,000 visitors each spring weekend annually.

MARCH 28TH

Valley Bloom "Runway for Hope" Breaking Barriers

Marriott Phoenix Chandler | 12:00 PM

Valley Bloom, a local nonprofit serving the East Valley since 1989, provides clothing, school uniforms, personal care items, and school essentials to underserved students in Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, and Mesa. The organization is hosting a fashion show fundraiser, Runway for Hope, highlighting its Homeless Teens program. The event will include a silent auction, a boutique marketplace, and a Macy’s fashion show.Register at valleybloom.org