Name: Mich Lyon
Location: Downtown Phoenix, Arizona
Size: One bedroom, 1.5 bath, 1450 sq. ft
Years lived in: 1.5 year to remodel and have lived in 6 months
When Mich left the bright lights (and late nights) of New York City three years ago to return to his home state of Arizona, he wanted to find a place which would still have that big city feel while also showcasing the beauty of the Phoenix skyline and desert. A downtown high-rise was the only answer!
Maybe not a high-rise by New York standards, but a high-rise it would be nonetheless! After months of searching, Mich happened upon a classic (i.e. never renovated) two bedroom condo on the 19th floor of a pristine 22 floor, 1964 building in downtown Phoenix. 18 months later, this 2 bedroom was transformed into a huge 1 bedroom bachelor pad. Renovated from head to toe, Mich oversaw the installation of glazed ceramic tile flooring, a modern kitchen with stainless appliances and poured concrete countertops, huge sliding glass doors to frame the desert sunsets and loads of custom cabinetry to display his growing collections of antique German TV towers, Metlox Poppytrail dishware and bronze statues and trophies.
Apartment Therapy Survey
How would you define your style? The background is mid-century modern with Empire accents (bronze dore urns, Louis Vuitton, riding boots and etchings)
What is your greatest inspiration? My friend (and Apartment Therapy contributor) Chad
What is your favorite element of your home? Loft style, great views, space for collections
What is the biggest challenge of your home? As a high-rise apartment, the plumbing configuration could not be altered
What do friends say about your home? It's like sitting in MOMA
What is your home's biggest embarrassment? Ha! The greatest potential embarrassment...glass walls in the toilet & shower
What DIY project are you most proud of? DIY, what does that mean?
What is your biggest indulgence, when furnishing your home? The new front door . . . it cost a fortune, but changes the mood of the building as you enter the space
Best Advice: "Calm down, it can be fixed"
Dream Source: 1stdibs.com
Other Inspiration: Apartment Therapy of course!
Resources
Architect: Daniel Saari, Office of Desert Architecture
Appliances: Sub-Zero / Wolf
Porcelain: TOTO / Laufen
Cabinets: C&F Cabinets (Scottsdale)
Furniture: Craig's List, IKEA, and Louis Vuitton (tables)
Accessories: Ebay, 1stdibs.com
Lighting: Green Sparkys
Rugs and Carpets: Fab.com (living room), Warhol (master bedroom)
Window Treatments: Electric Blinds
Bed: Tempur-Pedic
Artwork: James Angel, Brent Bond, Brian Kappel
Paint: Dunn Edwards
Flooring: Grey ceramic tile, 12x24
With space to stretch and views for miles, leaving New York behind has proven easier for Mich than expected. And with the METRO light rail just outside the building's front door, it's just a quick "subway" ride for Mich to get to Arizona State University where he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Urban Planning. On behalf of AT, please accept our honorary doctorate in good design!
Thanks Mich!
(Images: Chad Schroer)
• HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE Check out past house tours here
• Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour Submission Form.
• Are you a designer/architect/decorator interested in sharing a residential project with Apartment Therapy readers? Contact the editors through our Professional Submission Form.
Must-See Small Cool Homes: Week Two
Juan's Garage Turned Modern Guest House
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Commercial Flour Sa...
10 Picnic-Ready Salads to Eat Outside
Easy Entertaining Recipe: Grilled Peppadews with Smoked Mozzarella
You mean <I>Arcadia glass doors</I> ;)
You mean Arcadia glass doors ;)
Dang it!
Wow! I think this may be my favorite Houe Tour EVER!!!!! I am in love with this space!
This definitely feels very slick Phoenix bachelor to me. It's like Ed Hardy meets Calvin Klein Home.
Very far from my personal taste, and yet I love it! Such a cool place, love the kitchen, the bathroom and the views
It's undoubtedly a very nice place, but decidedly not mid-century modern aside from a few accent pieces here and there.
It is a nice apartment, but I just have to say, the phrase mid-century modern is getting tossed around way too much. There is really nothing about this place that is mid-century modern. It is very much a contemporary decor and architecture.
I can move in tomorrow. Really. I'm free. I'll pack tonight.
This place is 100% off the hook. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
Oops, have to revise my earlier comment - just looked to the end of the slideshow and realized the building itself is 60s - so that aspect is indeed mid-century. But still, the interior is totally updated, can't really tell it is an older building!
That is a wicked apartment, but I found myself mentally redecorating it.
I live just down the street and have looked at a few unit in the Regency House - this is the nicest by far! My feedback: Love the LV trunks, I'd reconsider the ceiling lights and put in some sort of a backsplash or something in the kitchen - it looks very sad right now. Otherwise... GREAT PLACE
This is quite a distinct style, but I am failing to see any mid-century at all.
I sort of see cool bachelor pad meets CSI set. But I like it!
I love this place, I wish I could just add a few vintage movie monster posters and use it as a vacation home. I'd like to think this is the place Patrick Bateman from American Psycho would have if he was real, living now, had depth and true character instead of an adopted sense of others' style...and wasn't a narcissist or a serial killer.
I love it! So sleak, so fabulous and so sexy. If Mich looks anything like his apartment then I'm moving in.
The Raymond Loewy set is perfect!
Oh wait, the Regency House? I live literally just a few doors down, and walk past your place every day to and from the light rail. WEIRD.
wow, you weren't kidding when you said "bachelor pad".
What an absolutely fabulous pad. Where are Patsy and Edina??
Pictures are too dark.
I see the Mid-Mod in the atomic accessories - space needle trinkets, rockets, etc... But yeah, I agree... that's about it. It's still a pimp little apartment!! Great job!
Wow. This reminds me of Barney's apartment in "How I Met Your Mother!" Legend....wait for it.... ;p
this place is sick! love the posters, furnish, and layout....bookmark!
What exactly is MidCentury Modern about this apartment?
Wow! Fascinating.
Also, my favorite survey answers :-)
@LBCHEF1 I think they are referring to the actual building being MCM since it was built in 1966. Personally, I don't think the apartment itself is MCM styled other than a few decorative pieces that are MCM.
not my taste and i wouldn't categorize it as mid-century at all. the overall feeling is very cold and the IKEA living room sticks out like a sore thumb in a supposedly luxury apartment.
Not loving it. Feels dated already.
I drive past the Regency House often and have wondered if any of the owners were investing in renovating the dated interiors. I got my answer today!
As someone who is at home at night many more hours than during the day, this space seems to me to be designed perfectly for after-dark. I especially love the floor and shower tiles and way the apartment enables Mitch to enjoy his extraordinary collections. So stylish.
I'll bet there are some great parties in this apartment. Enjoy the view!
Beautiful! Would love to be a guest ... hint, hint!
love it! am i missing the mentioned front door?
Very very cool!
@maerkzurich: Why criticize the Ikea? Obviously, he didn't have an unlimited budget and it's hard to find contemporary, sleek stuff that is cheap. Great thing about that ikea stuff.....no guilt sending it off to Goodwill. This is Apt. Therapy not Elle Decor.
He's a student still, so cut the guy some slack!
It'd make a gorgeous bachelorette pad. Can you move out tomorrow? (A girl can dream!)
What did you using on the shower walls? Thanks.
it is ribbed tile . . .
I agree . . . it was designed to contain a collection of mid-century modern art and collectables. It is intended to be a blank background like a museum.