RELAXED & REFINED

refined relaxed &

INTERIOR DESIGN: ABIGAIL RIZOR, WOLFE-RIZOR INTERIORS and KRISTA AGAPITO, S&W KITCHENS

PHOTOGRAPHY: RICKIE AGAPITO

The kitchen is now the center of the main living area with the dining room and living room on either side. Although the couple brought many of the furnishings with them, the black hide chairs and custom — designed by Abby — lighting fixture are new. The couple’s art pieces can be seen throughout and the shelving over the new wet bar provides storage and an architectural element.

A talented design duo came together seamlessly for a project after each had previously done separate work on the clients’ 1935 house in the heart of downtown. They found the teamwork rewarding and the results exactly what they were challenged to create. In designing a new home that would not feel like just another condo, Krista Agapito, S&W Kitchens, and Abigail (Abby) Rizor, Wolfe-Rizor Interiors, tackled the three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath condo located in the Renaissance at Lake Ivanhoe together.

Specializing in kitchen and bath design, Krista says she knew when walking through the spaces that someone else would need to create a plan to include the overall layout, furnishings and lighting. And Abby was the perfect choice since she also knew the couple and their aesthetic well.

“Abby worked on some layout options, and we merged our plans and ideas together. This ensured a cohesive plan throughout the condo. Working as a unit with both Abby and the clients was the only way to ensure all details were captured and the space could feel like one home,” Krista says.

As wine enthusiasts, the bar was a must. “The original design had two walls protruding into the room as a galley style bar, but the client wanted to place the bar on the back wall instead. However, one of the walls housed a vent stack that could not be moved. So, I drew in another wall to match with a soffit above creating the perfect space for the tall integrated SubZero wine cooler surrounded with black painted wood paneling,” Krista explains. The dining room features lighting that resembles an art installation, and white oak floors throughout add warmth.

The kitchen was designed for cooking and entertaining, and the use of porcelain panels instead of marble slabs meant less maintenance. “The 4 1/2" thick butcherblock Zebrawood top from Grothouse Lumber was one of my favorite elements. Having it at the end of the island allowed us to both extend the length of the island and create more workable perimeter on the island that is a perfect height for chopping. The break in height creates visual interest and the warm wood carrying from some of the tall cabinetry, to the wood top, down to the wood flooring, ties in the elements,” Krista adds. Abby and Krista enjoy a toast to the successful project.

Abby convinced the clients that it would not be a cookie-cutter unit and it could absolutely be tailored to their tastes and needs. Because they are art collectors, many of the items were from their previous house. “They are constantly buying art — every time I visit, they have acquired something new. So, it was important to create a backdrop for all their pieces,” she says.

Both the ladies agree that their clients have a well-honed appreciation for details, so it made sense for them to integrate many furnishings and art pieces they had collected from their extensive travels. This new space would reflect everything they loved but in a more contemporary style. There are still some rustic elements, but overall, there is a strong sense of refinement.

The project was not without its challenges. When remodeling a condo, the placement of things like drains cannot be altered. “One of the things we figured out was getting rid of the walls that separated the main rooms which resulted in the walk-through kitchen. Before it was a little claustrophobic. Our goal was to make it not look like a condo and for it to feel more like a New York loft space. So, we put in the beams that allowed us to add recessed lights. We were fortunate that there was already a drain where we installed the wet bar,” Abby explains.

“Abby and I both liked a lot of the same things and we pushed each other when we needed to. Some high contrast with a lot of black was a big influence here, and we both wanted to have a warm wood element, some dark, some light for balance. I think with a great collaboration like this, you really forget who had which idea. It’s more about building a beautiful space together than wanting credit for particular items or ideas,” Krista adds.

After the year-long project was complete, everyone was pleased with the outcome. “It was really a collaboration between Wolfe-Rizor, S&W Kitchens and the clients. We all worked very closely together, and it was a lot of fun. It says a lot when you have a team for one project, and you want to use them again for the next,” Abby says.

The dramatic powder bath also features porcelain panels and complementary textures and tones. “People are using porcelain a lot because it’s beautiful and the only drawback is there may be slight seaming in places. It’s thin so you can use it more places, but you have to have a good fabricator,” Abby explains. For the primary bath the challenge was no windows, but a faux sun light installed above the shower adds a warm glow. With a more spa-like style, the lighter walls and white oak cabinetry create a sense of serenity.

K L a ST L oo

On the Canal by Orit Reuben

plein paintings

Now in its 13th year, the Winter Park Paint Out, presented by the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, is a distinguished weeklong festival that invites 25 highly acclaimed artists to paint “en plein air,” just like the 19th century French Impressionists. Audiences can watch the artists in action as they create more than 200 paintings that become part of a pop-up exhibition and flash sale. The Paint Out attracts art collectors, artists and art enthusiasts of all ages. For the Museum’s special 60th anniversary year, the 13th Annual Winter Park Paint Out will end with a Great Gatsby Garden Party on Saturday, October 16. winterparkpaint.org