4 minute read
FRESH & FABULOUS
Interior design:
Brianna Sheehan, Brianna Michelle Interior Design
Cabinetry design:
Chris Druschel, S&W Kitchens
Builder:
Chat Ricchi, Ricchi Homes
Photography:
Rickie Agapito, AOFotos
COLUMNS. COLUMNS. COLUMNS. That was a substantial challenge in transforming a dark, heavy Mediterranean-style house into a warm, modern second home. The Lake Nona Country Club location was ideal for the new owners who have family in the neighborhood, but it would take a total gut renovation to fit their lifestyle.
“When you first walked in the front door there was the dining room and living room with 10 Corinthian columns. They weren’t even straight — some were on an angle. When we started removing them — we had a design to open up the space but knew some would be structural — to our surprise, we found all 10 of them had a structural post in them. So, we had to rethink the design. We must have re-drawn the plans 10 times,” says designer Brianna Sheehan.
The bright formal living room retains a few nods to its Mediterranean roots in a much lighter style. The owner wanted to keep the coffered ceiling in the game room and asked if it could be painted, but as the project proceeded they put more trust in Brianna's team. With the columns removed, the dining room has a more modern, yet formal informality.
In the kitchen, Brianna worked with Chris Druschel, S&W Kitchens, to create a beautifully functional space with tons of storage.
The initial consultation and space tour with the owner was via Zoom and he warned Brianna that the house resembled an Olive Garden — every wall was faux painted — and they were looking for some miracles. “We had a laugh about it — it was really bad. We primarily worked on the interior but did some cosmetic updates to the exterior including paint as well as adding a new pool. Everything was taken down to the studs and all the electrical was redone. There were several areas we wanted to improve. For instance, the primary bath had no views and even though it was huge, you walked right into the toilet area. Now you walk in and see the sink and windows that overlook the backyard,” she adds.
The stone family room floor was kept along with the office built-ins. All the furnishings, including draperies, fixtures, artwork, rugs and the motorized window shades, are new. The owners are minimalists who like clean lines, but Brianna wanted her design to also incorporate some Mediterranean features to complement the exterior style. “There is a certain expectation when you pull up to a Mediterranean [house] and I never want to have a complete departure from your first impression. They wanted everything light, bright and easy to maintain. She is very much into texture over color. We are still finding the right art pieces that resonate with them. It’s a continual process. They are huge wine enthusiasts, so we added a custom white oak wine room that we had manufactured in Michigan,” Brianna explains.
The breakfast area
overlooks the outdoor
living area and flows into the comfortable
family room in a neutral palette with lots of texture.
Previously, there were even columns leading into the primary bedroom. In the remodel, there was enough space for a cozy seating area and custom built-ins that conceal a coffee maker and TV.
The 18-month renovation period was fairly short, especially when you consider the extensive changes. There were only two big design meetings – one on building and one on furnishings. “They have great energy and we really hit it off. They would get super excited when I would show them something and they made very quick decisions. They were very complimentary throughout the entire process. I am working on another project with them now,” she says.
As for her favorite areas of the renewed home, she says: “I was a big fan of the game room update because it was about eight to 10 months of me trying to persuade them to change it. I was also very happy with the way the concept for the living room and dining room turned out. But probably the space I am most proud of is the main bath. We had to tear up the slab because we literally moved everything to open that space up.”
