By Kristen West
Photos by Herschel Mair
Traditional Southwestern Pueblo-style homes are known for their earthen appearance and collaborative layouts that encourage community living. Over time, they often evolve, with each owner building on to suit their needs. This was the case with one Bishop’s Lodge home that became disjointed from all its piecemeal construction. The owners wanted to preserve the historic aesthetic and charm while transforming it into a warm, open family home with a cohesive design.
To achieve this, they worked with Amanda Tucker, principal designer at Bohome Interiors, who specializes in a desert-modern aesthetic. She says the plan for the remodel was to keep the organic appeal but also make it feel clean and contemporary. “We wanted to make everything white, bright and light, and then let their art and furniture come to life in those spaces.”
Previous additions left the house with many dark, fragmented areas, so to create flow and bring in natural light, the team removed unnecessary walls. “The flooring or the texture on the walls seemed to change in each space,” Tucker says. “We kind of blew out the house and opened it up.”
The redesign features neutral tones like white oak floors and ceilings painted white and taupe, plus preserved vigas and beams. The living and dining rooms now connect seamlessly, and light floods through the space after removing a pony wall. A step down into the living room remains to differentiate the areas, but Tucker used consistent finishes for a cohesive look. “When you’re remodeling a home, it’s so important to make it feel like it was a custom home from the beginning,” she notes.
A black dining table adds deep contrast softened by rounded chairs that echo the architectural curves. Furnishings in white and various neutral hues and oversized patterned rugs create a sense of calm and serenity. For entertaining, Tucker added a wet bar, coordinating the tan cabinets with the fireplace by painting the old red brick.
There’s one distinct deviation from the neutral palette. Teal cement tiles in the kitchen exude a desert vibe. “It’s meant to complement how clean the space is and bring your eye to the area and highlight it,” Tucker says. “It felt very Santa Fe without being kitschy.” Other standout features include a custom range hood by Joshua Schriber, two sinks, skylights and a large island with black quartz countertops to allow for family gatherings. The oversized hardware adds warmth and style, while a hidden appliance garage and service pantry maintain the minimalist look.
The formal sitting room offers stunning views through a large, steel-framed picture window. Tucker added natural elements like brass and horsehair sconces and a travertine table and salvaged the traditional adobe-style fireplace for authenticity—adding a family heirloom above it.
Tucker’s overall design approach ensured the home felt unified while highlighting its architectural features. “I wanted it to feel like, whatever room you were in, it was just a calming, very cohesive vibe,” she says. The transformation honors the home’s Southwestern roots while embracing a modern, light-filled aesthetic, perfect for family living and entertaining.
