Urban Retreat_22-N-V2

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Fall 2022

URBAN RETREAT MULTIFACETED LAYERS BRING METROPOLITAN VIBE TO CHIC, DESIRABLE DOWNTOWN NAPLES CONDO

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Interior Designer David Fruscione of Republic of Decor is passionate about wallpaper. “I love specifying wallpaper!” he exclaims. He credits the medium with a unique ability to bring texture into a room and personalize the space. Nowhere is this more evident than in “Urban Retreat,” a design project he undertook for clients who wanted their Naples condominium — a second residence — to capture a bit of the downtown vibe. Familiar with his design aesthetic from previous work and numerous referrals, the clients gave Fruscione a great deal of creative freedom, saying, “You know what we like, just make it cool.”

Fruscione proceeded to do just that, giving the space a sophisticated, edgy environment by grounding it in neutrals and textures with subtle pops of color and embellished with unusual wallpaper. A layered mixture of materials and finishes provided the contrast needed to give the rooms an urban atmosphere, creating the chic getaway the clients desired. u

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Using the choices provided by BCBE Construction as a starting point, Fruscione upgraded the finishes to include wide plank wood floors made with European white oak in an ultra-matte finish from The Vintage Loft Collection — with a majority of the planks being eight feet long — from Real Wood Floors. He also turned to a local company to bring in special tile for the kitchen backsplash and primary bath walls and floor. Even the closets received special attention, with Empire Closets building out every closet to the owners’ specifications. “I have worked with both companies before on several different projects and they are great partners. I knew we would find materials that would elevate this space,” Fruscione explains.

In total, the customization achieved Fruscione’s goal for this unit in the MHK Architecture master-designed building — to avoid a predictable coastal aesthetic. u

“I love specifying wallpaper!”

David Fruscione of Republic of Decor exclaims.

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“As a designer, you must be able to understand your client. When you design their home, you are embarking on a project with people, building a relationship. Some projects can last a year or longer. You ask questions, provide inspiration, you learn to read your client. You also inspire them and educate them. You expose them to out-of-the-box thinking. That’s when the magic happens!” Fruscione enthuses. “A dream client will trust you entirely, they like your point of view. This client was one. For example, they trusted me to create a beautiful, cohesive environment for their pre-teen daughter’s room. I had to make sure the room would grow with her, would not feel too juvenile or youthful. For the headboard wall, we spent hundreds of hours choosing sophisticated, timeless images with a Bohemian, organic feel; sayings that were empowering and feminine and elicited confidence.” Fruscione created a digital file of the chosen images, then sent it to a California company that created the custom wallpaper.

“We spent the longest amount of time to get this one room right,” he says. The daughter’s reaction? “She loved the room, was obsessed with it, so much so that she wanted to create a version of it for her room in the family’s primary residence, so we’re doing it!” n Written by Ginny Peterson Photography by Tim Gibbons Photography Interior Designer:

Architect:

Republic of Decor 950 1st Avenue North, Suite 130 Naples, FL 34102 239.529.3813 www.republicofdecor.com

MHK Architecture 2059 Tamiami Trail East Naples, FL 34112 239.331.7092 www.mhkarchitecture.com

Resources: Empire Closets 3106 Horseshoe Drive South Naples, FL 34104 239.351.5964 www.empire-closets.com Real Wood Floors 2013 Trade Center Way Naples, FL 34109 239.592.4572 www.realwoodfloors.com homeanddesign.net

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