FEATURED IN
Luxury Homes | Interior Design | Home Furnishings
Fall 2026
THE HEIGHT OF LUXURY A WATERCOLOR-INSPIRED WATERFRONT PENTHOUSE, EXQUISITELY DESIGNED WITH GENTLE ELEGANCE
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Great Room (Previous Spread): Expansive floor-to-ceiling sliders frame sweeping views of Tampa Bay from the penthouse at The Ritz-Carlton, flooding the great room with natural light and a sense of openness. Dual motorized solar shades with a refined linen texture offer UV protection while preserving the room’s bright, airy aesthetic and uninterrupted connection to the skyline beyond. The open-concept great room transitions effortlessly into the dining area and chef’s kitchen, creating an elegant, continuous entertaining space. The kitchen is beautifully appointed with Wolf appliances from Ferguson Home and includes a custom coffee bar, thoughtfully outfitted with premium accoutrements for everyday indulgence and hosting.
Dining Room: A stylish Caracole dining table paired with cane-back chairs lends the open dining area a soft, feminine sensibility. Layered neutrals and warm wood tones enhance the room’s quiet elegance, while the generous scale and seamless flow create an inviting setting for intimate dinners and gracious entertaining.
Elevator Vestibule: An ornate crystal light fixture and mirror complement the metallic silver branch wallcovering, while intricate leaf sculptures and leaf-motif hardware echo its natural pattern. The result is a luminous arrival experience that blends refined luxury with an organic, sculptural aesthetic.
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Hurricane Milton tore through Tampa Bay with unforgiving force, leaving behind a trail of devastation — including the lifelong Davis Island home of one of Tampa’s most cherished residents. In the aftermath, the prestigious and aging gentleman found himself living amid wreckage and rapidly developing health issues from mold exposure. He had no choice but to leave his beloved home and possessions behind, and he had to do it quickly. Fortunately, years earlier he had purchased the penthouse at the Ritz-Carlton Residences on Tampa Bay as an investment, and the building had just been completed. The unit, however, was little more than a shell: flooring installed, a kitchen in place, but no pantry, no closets, no trim, no ceiling details, and no decorative lighting. Realizing he needed to transform the space — and furnish an entire condominium — immediately, he turned to his trusted realtor for guidance. u
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A marble-clad focal wall anchors the expansive great room, integrating a sleek linear electric fireplace and an oversized television. Framed by generous seating and polished finishes, this feature wall creates a sophisticated gathering spot for everyday living and effortless entertaining. 148
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Living Room View: A series of John-Richard mirrors accented with selenite jewels sparkles against a wall finished in the same luxurious gray Venetian plaster carried through the great room’s coffered ceiling. The shimmering surface adds depth and dimension, reinforcing the home’s cohesive palette of refined textures and elevated detail.
She encouraged him to place his trust in owners and designers Kristen McKinlay and Melanie Rose of McKinlay Rose Interiors. Known for their impeccable taste and breathtaking interiors, the duo also offers a full-service approach supported by a team of skilled in-house trades. In the chaotic post-hurricane environment, when contractors across the region were stretched impossibly thin, this capability was invaluable. When McKinlay and Rose first stepped into the raw penthouse and took in the sweeping floor-to-ceiling views of Tampa Bay from the top floor of the Ritz-Carlton tower, they felt as though they were standing on the deck of a luxury cruise ship. “You’re up so high, all you see is water,” McKinlay remarked. Their excitement grew when they examined the expansive, glossy, marble-look tile flooring that stretched throughout the unit. “It’s a light taupe with an elegant sheen reminiscent of a five-star luxury hotel,” Rose noted — exactly the kind of foundation they would have chosen themselves. u
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Guest Suite Retreat: A serene guest suite pairs a soft, monochromatic bedroom palette and sweeping balcony views with a sophisticated ensuite bath, where marble finishes, warm wood cabinetry, and a sculptural mirror-and-lighting ensemble create a polished, spa-like retreat for overnight guests.
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Office: With the homeowner’s ease and comfort in mind, McKinlay and Rose introduced a discreet door connecting the primary bedroom to the office, unifying the spaces into a private, hotel-worthy suite.
Inspired by the endless water views and the refined flooring, the designers envisioned an interior that echoed the serenity and fluidity of the bay. They selected Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray in an eggshell finish for the walls, giving them a subtle sheen — almost as if they were perpetually wet. For the great room, they designed and built coffered ceilings and enlisted a local artist to apply a stunning gray Venetian plaster finish within each coffer. The result is a shimmering, water-like effect that plays beautifully with the glossy floors and softly reflective walls. With its serene palette, elegant textures, and gentle luminosity, the entire space feels like stepping into a watercolor painting — calm, fluid, and deeply connected to the breathtaking view just beyond the glass. u
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Primary Bathroom: Gray marble spans the floors and walls, creating a cohesive, spa-like setting in the primary bathroom. Thoughtfully placed gold accents introduce warmth and glamour, giving the serene retreat a subtle, luminous glow.
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One of the biggest challenges was transforming the expansive, open floor plan into spaces that felt warm, intimate, and inviting. In the great room, the designers masterfully carved out two distinct seating areas anchored by back-to-back sofas. One grouping faces a dramatic twenty-foot focal wall clad in marble, featuring an inset linear electric fireplace and an oversized TV above. Selecting furniture with the right scale for such a large unit posed another challenge. “We needed sizable pieces that still felt light and elegant,” says McKinlay. Caracole delivered with stunning selections that met every design requirement — and, just as importantly, the demanding turnaround time. A grand yet refined dining table, crafted with an ash burl wood top and creamy couture legs, is surrounded by ten oval-back cane dining chairs in a champagne-toned cane finish with soft-gold metal ferrules. Gentle curves soften the table’s silhouette, preventing the stately piece from feeling overly masculine. Just off the kitchen, the designers created a cozy conversation area positioned to enjoy the family’s baby grand piano — a cherished heirloom salvaged from their Davis Island manse. Four exquisite barrel-back club chairs, featuring a gold bullion laser-cut motif and aptly named “Ice Breakers,” sit before a wall finished in the same gray Venetian plaster used in the great room’s coffered ceiling. A series of custom John-Richard mirrors, each inset with a unique selenite jewel, hangs above. The interplay of natural stone, reflective surfaces, and soft, watercolor-like tones echoes the serene artistry woven throughout the home. n
Primary Suite: The spacious primary suite is a study in serenity, appointed with light, neutral finishes and Neoclassical-inspired furnishings. The refined palette and graceful silhouettes create a calm, timeless retreat within the penthouse.
“We needed sizable pieces that still felt light and elegant,” says owner and designer Kristen McKinlay of McKinlay Rose Interiors.
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Written by Minka McDonald Photography by HDM Photography Interior Designer:
Resources:
McKinlay Rose Interiors 3637 South Westshore Boulevard Tampa, FL 33629 813.981.0613 www.mckinlayrose.com
Ferguson Home 302 North Willow Avenue Tampa, FL 33606 813.251.1690 www.fergusonhome.com
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