Waterside Estates in Gasparilla Island, Delray Beach, Winter Park & Grassy Key
STYLE LEGACY An Architecture Tour of Florida
7 New Showrooms to Consider
The Downsview cabinetry collection is custom crafted in North America and available exclusively through select kitchen design showrooms
U.S.A. - SCOTTSDALE, AZ Italian Design Concepts (480) 534-3970 -BEVERLY HILLS, CA Kitchen Studio Los Angeles (310) 858-1008 -COSTA MESA, CA E. B. Kitchen & Bath (714) 545-0417 MONTEREY, CA Monterey Kitchens (831) 372-3909 -SAN DIEGO (Solana Beach), CA European Kitchen (858) 792-1542 - SAN FRANCISCO (Bay Area), CA Atherton Kitchens (650) 369-1794 - SANTA ROSA, CA Gallery 41 Design (707) 615-6777 - DENVER, CO Exquisite Kitchen Design (303) 282-0382 - STAMFORD/NEW CANAAN, CT Deane Inc. (203) 327-7008 -MIAMI (Dania at DCOTA), FL Downsview Kitchens (954) 927-1100 PALM BEACH (Juno Beach), FL Downsview Kitchens (561) 799-7700 -NAPLES, FL Elite Cabinetry (239) 262-1144 - ATLANTA, GA Design Galleria (404) 261-0111 -HONOLULU, HI Details International (808) 521-7424 CHICAGO, IL nuHaus (312) 595-1330 -INDIANAPOLIS, IN Conceptual Kitchens (317) 846-2090 -NEW ORLEANS (Harahan), LA Classic Cupboards Inc. (504) 734-9088 -BOSTON, MA Downsview Kitchens (857) 317-3320 BIRMINGHAM, MI Bolyard Design Center (248) 644-3636 -MINNEAPOLIS, MN North Star Kitchens, LLC (612)
Your Sanctuary on the Bay
Designed by internationally acclaimed Robert A.M. Stern Architects, The St. Regis Residences, Miami are situated along the beautiful coastline of South Brickell, with exquisite bayfront views, a private marina, and an exclusive fine-dining restaurant by MICHELIN-starred chef Fabio Trabocchi. The Residences offer a lifetime of legendary moments — a place where the history and heritage of a timeless brand enable a signature way of life, propelled by impeccable service and unparalleled connoisseurship.
Demolition has commenced 1809 Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida 33129 Schedule an appointment 786 544 8012 MiamiSRR.com
ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. ARTIST’S CONCEPTUAL RENDERING; SURROUNDING BUILDINGS AND LANDMARKS MODIFIED OR OMITTED. THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS ARE IN A CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM THE OFFEROR. FILE NO. CP23-0071. WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THIS OFFERING. St. Regis
EXPERIENCE EXCEPTIONAL
KITCHEN | BATH | CLOSET | STONE
As an icon rises along the Vanderbilt Beach skyline, it represents a rare expression of perfection—the only Ritz-Carlton-branded residences in Naples, recently named the best place to live in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report . It’s a marriage that brings together masterfully crafted residences, 50,000 square feet of sublime amenities, the endless charms of Naples, and the thoughtful service of The Ritz-Carlton.
FLORIDA DESIGN
ON THE COVER
170 ISLAND IDYLL
ARCHITECTURE BY PAUL KONSTANT
INTERIOR DESIGN BY NATALIE KONSTANT
A father-and-daughter design team craft the ideal Gasparilla Island vacation home from the ground up.
FEATURES
180 STYLE UPGRADE
INTERIOR DESIGN BY DAVID MIRANDA & DIANA URIBE
Modernity and chic elegance bring new life to a Coconut Grove family home.
192 MODERN MASTERPIECE
INTERIOR DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE BY WESLEY KEAN & CHANCE STILLMAN
A new modern build by the water in Delray Beach gives two art collectors the museum-like home they had always evisioned.
192
Copyright 2024, Florida Design, Volume 34#3, Fall 2024, Palm Beach Media Group North. Neither the publishers nor the advertisers will be held responsible for any errors found in the magazine. The publisher accepts no liability for the accuracy of statements made by advertisers. Ads in this publication are not intended as an offer where prohibited by state laws. Florida Design is published by Palm Beach Media Group. Subscriptions are available for $36 per year: circulation@floridadesign. com. Postage paid at West Palm Beach, FL, and additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Palm Beach Media Group, P.O. Box 3344, Palm Beach, FL 33480-9883.
COVER PHOTO BY DUSTIN HALLECK
202 FUN IN THE SUN
ARCHITECTURE BY MATTHEW PRINCE & LEIGHTON CAMPBELL
INTERIOR DESIGN BY DESTIN BARKLEY
Tropical vacation vibes rule at a massive family compound in dreamy Grassy Key.
214 CONTEXT AND CONNECTION
ARCHITECTURE BY CHARLES R. STINSON, CHUCK THISS & BEN BOWER
INTERIOR DESIGN BY KIM STREETER
Stellar architecture connects a home to its lakeside setting in Winter Park.
224 PRAIRIE PASTORAL
INTERIOR DESIGN BY SARAH CAIN
On land inside a national state park near Gainesville, a design team makes a couple’s forever-home dreams come true.
DEPARTMENTS
In-Depth
84 MATERIAL HISTORY
Oak and stone nod to an old Korean custom in artist and designer Sung Jang’s The Given.
Buzz
86 BUZZ
Design news and notes from Florida and beyond
108
Showrooms
94 LA DOLCE VITA
Italian heritage style is the name of the game at Jupiter’s Casa Casa Italia.
96 CURATED APPROACH
Ashley Petrone brings personal design (and really good coffee) to Cortez with The Fox Mercantile.
98 TEXTURE TACTICS
Pratesi and ARCA satisfy tactile design needs with new showrooms in Palm Beach.
100 DESIGN TRIFECTA
Three new shops on Tampa’s buzzy Water Street beckon a visit.
Art
108 CERAMIC CEILING
Leading female ceramicists from Japan get the exhibition treatment at Sarasota’s Ringling Museum.
CERAMIC CEILING 86 BUZZ
138 STUDIES IN CONTRAST
FD Asks
112 GREEN ACRES
Architect and designer Paul Charette embraces sustainability at a green home in Port St. Lucie.
Designer’s Own
116 A NOD TO MOD
A designer nods to groovy styles from the 1960s and ’70s in her West Palm Beach home.
Architecture
132 VISION ON VIEW
An expansion at Lakeland’s Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art helps the institution embrace the future.
138 STUDIES IN CONTRAST
An architecture tour of Florida from the Panhandle to the Florida Keys
Hotels
160 DESIGN CHECK-IN
Four new Florida hotels tune in to different vibes and styles.
160 DESIGN CHECK-IN
Best of Show
234 HIGHLIGHT REEL
New offerings from brands slated to participate at this year’s High Point Fall Market
Events
244 DESIGN TALK
Florida Design talks shop at a friends-and-clients lunch at The Ben in West Palm Beach.
Covet
248 SOLID APPEAL
Designers Roberto Racy and Nicholas Gennari reveal what makes Zaha Hadid Architects’ Minera table a favorite.
Bonita Springs House of Cabinetry 239-948-3040
Bradenton Epoch Solutions 941-761-8855
Englewood The Cabinet Guy 941-475-9454
Ft. Lauderdale Lifestyle Cabinetry 954-563-1801
Living Color Cabinetry 954-970-9511
Fort Myers Dwayne Bergmann Interiors 239-344-7455
Islamorada JDR Designs 610-639-3905
Lake Mary Signature Kitchens 407-330-6860
Miami Luv My Kitchens 786-276-9990
Trimline Design 305-666-7609
Naples Tradewind Designs 239-354-4708
Naples Interior by Design West 239-514-1234
Palm Beach Gardens Rachel Eve Designs 561-694-0146
Sarasota Cooks Custom Cabinetry 941-366-6112
Renaissance Design Studio 941-921-9393
Stuart Superior Kitchens 772-286-6803
Tampa Artisan Design 813-922-7909
Vero Beach Dawn Wallace Designs 772-999-2691
William Charles 772-562-5101
ON THE ROAD
As a design lover, one of the advantages of living in Florida is quick access to the state’s varying architecture. In MiamiDade County alone, by driving a few miles, one can encounter styles that range from the happy pastels of Art Deco on Miami Beach (once a professional playground for L. Murray Dixon and Henry Hohauser) to the tree-shaded Mediterranean Revival residences of Coral Gables to the glass-centric Coastal Contemporary estates of Bal Harbour. Head north to Palm Beach and you’ll see yet more Mediterranean musings, this time by the legendary Addison Mizner. Venture south to Key West and you’ve got the conch houses that inspired the Florida Cracker movement in Seaside on the panhandle in the 1970s. Cut across the state to the Gulf Coast and you’ll encounter the work of Sarasota School masters like Paul Rudolph and Ralph Twitchell. Off the beaten path, surprises inevitably pop up, such as the Prairie Style buildings in Lakeland by none other than Frank Lloyd Wright. I bet the chances are high that any form of architecture or notable architect (living or dead) one can think of is somehow represented in our 67,758 square miles.
With all this information in mind, we decided to ask contributor Saxon Henry for an architectural tour of the peninsula. A design enthusiast and author of the book Four Florida Moderns, Saxon is rather well-acquainted with the subject and her thorough article in this issue is full of interesting anecdotes.
Architecture is well-represented in our feature section as well. Charles Stinson shares a lakeside Winter Park home that’s all vertical forms and soaring horizontal planes. KoDA’s Wesley Kean and Chance Stillman discuss the nautical inspirations of a new build in Delray Beach. DIDA Home’s David Miranda and Diana Uribe reveal the ins and outs of transforming an outdated house in Coconut Grove into an elegant, modern marvel. Sarah Cain lets us in on creating a “European country retreat” with Pridgen Homes within national state park lands near Gainesville. D’Asign Source’s Destin Barkley and Matthew Prince speak about erecting a resort-like family compound (complete with a lazy river and a swim-up bar) in Grassy Key. And on our cover is a stellar example of family teamwork: a Gasparilla Island hideaway by architect Paul Konstant with interior design by his daughter, Natalie Konstant, that epitomizes the good life in Florida with just one photograph.
Happy trails!
LUIS R. RIGUAL Editor-in-Chief lrigual@floridadesign.com
PHOTO BY MANOLO DORESTE
Photo by Argonaut Productions
WESTWARD HO!
A proud product of Florida public schools, Daughter No. 2 is a graduate of the University of South Florida in Tampa, an incredible school that proved to be a launchpad for her career in media (apples and trees as they say). At the time of her enrollment, we lived in Miami and Alligator Alley was our route across the Everglades to her campus dorm for visits. Inevitably, stops along the way in Sarasota or St. Pete would yield quiet strolls among the galleries and small eateries of those cities. That was so 2015.
Today, a quick scan of our West Coast reveals a collection of new residential towers rivaling cities to the east. Tampa is the bustling home to more than a dozen of those inspired real estate projects, as well as fantastic design-centric hotels like The Edition, and worthy-of-a-visit home shops on Water Street (as I discovered from reading the Showrooms pages in this issue). Not to be outdone, St. Pete boasts several high-profile boutique residential projects of its own, including the Nolen and Art House—those may not house quite as many residences, but they certainly deliver top level design and amenities.
Homebuilders in Hillsboro, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties have been responding to client demand for additional space inside and out. By expanding both floor plans and homesites—not to mention delivering award-winning interior design—buyers are getting superlative options. The West Coast projects by firms such as Lee Wetherington Homes, Trade Mark Interiors, and Innerspace recognized at our Florida Design Seaglass Awards earlier this year are a testament to all this.
Beginning with our 30th anniversary issue in 2020, Florida Design has been extra committed to expanding its reach and representation across the state. This fall 2024 issue is an ideal example of this commitment. The six features chosen by our editorial team reflect interior design that starts north in Gainesville and then moves down to Winter Park, Gasparilla Island, Delray Beach, Coconut Grove, and Grassy Key. This north-to-south approach can also be seen in “Studies in Contrast,” an architectural tour that takes readers from Seaside in the panhandle all the way to Key West. In coming issues, expect to see more of Santa Rosa Beach, Walton County, Plant City, Pensacola, and other surprisingly hot design destinations in the state.
As you can see, Florida Design reflects not only what is on trend, but what is classically Floridian. Until the next one.
The beachside residence on the cover of this edition is an excellent example of teamwork. Located on Gasparilla Island, the home features architecture by Paul Konstant and interior design by Natalie Konstant, Paul’s daughter. The approach to the build was clear: “a house where you can kick off your shoes, walk on the sand outside, and be surrounded by materials that are conducive to that beachy environment.” As for the look inside?
“There’s something very California cool about the interiors, but they’ve also got a surf shack vibe,” says Natalie. “It all just works together.” konstantarchitecture.com; konstanthome.com
DESTIN BARKLEY
D’Asign Source
“Fun in the Sun,” page 202
There is so much sun-and-sand-infused joy in the massive estate that the D’Asign Source team brought to life in Grassy Key, readers are likely to be inspired to book a vacation in the Florida Keys as soon as they are finished with the article. With its swimup bar, lazy river, boat deck, and putting green, the residence feels more like a resort than a private home. And that was the goal. “It’s a testament to luxurious coastal living,” says Destin Barkley, who headed up the architecture and design team for the ambitious project with Matthew Price. “Our costal design aesthetic was inspired by the natural beauty of the surrounding environment, which influenced everything from the color palette to the materials that were used.” dasignsource.com
DIANA URIBE & DAVID MIRANDA
DIDA Home
“Style Upgrade,” page 180
When a young couple approached DIDA Home with a renovation project in Coconut Grove, the team jumped at the chance of working in the historic neighborhood. “The finishes, lighting, and architectural details of the existing house were unsuitable to our clients’ taste preferences, so we partnered with the two of them to make improvements,” says Uribe. The two-year renovation process delivered a modern and elegant home that’s both stylish and familycentric. “We enjoyed this commission very much,” says Miranda. “It was charming to see the unique and loving interaction between the couple, their children, and the rest of the family.” didahome.com
CHARLES R. STINSON & KIM STREETER
Charles R. Stinson Architecture + Design “Context and Connection,” page 214
One can see that Minnesota architect
Charles R. Stinson and interior designer Kim Streeter put their all into a lakefront home in Winter Park created for a couple with a shrewd eye for design. A collaborative mission by Stinson’s in-house architectural and interior design teams, the collective intent was to engineer a house that would fluidly connect to the Florida landscape. “Each decision for this project was thoughtfully considered to ensure flow and connection to adjacent spaces, finishes, and furnishings,” says Streeter. “The scale of each piece, the tonalities, and special accents create space for your eye to move around the room comfortably and harmoniously.” charlerstinson.com
WESLEY KEAN
KoDA
“Modern Masterpiece,” page 192
“The house’s design is intrinsically linked to its site and context,” says architect Wesley Kean about the Delray Beach home highlighted in this edition. “It’s architecture formed in response to its environmental characteristics.” Created for a couple with a beloved and extensive art collection, the oceanfront home boasts an interplay of exterior and interior materials that’s impossible to miss, all in the name of serving as an ideal backdrop for the homeowners’ masterpieces. “The clients appreciated our collaborative design process,” adds Kean, who worked on the project with Chance Stillman. “That made the process very enjoyable.” kodamiami.com
SARAH CAIN
Sarah Cain Design “Prairie Pastoral,” page 224
“Great design is about building a lifestyle, and life is in the details,” says designer Sarah Cain. “Our objective is to understand what feeds the souls of our clients and translate that into their homes.” Those words certainly apply to the Cain-designed home featured in this volume. The Gainesville-area residence, which sits within a national state park, embodies all the charm and elegance of a European country retreat with views of its site’s wetlands from just about everywhere.
“My favorite part of designing for clients is to find out what brings them joy and how they want to live,” says Cain. “It’s all about creating a look that brings their signature brand to life and elevates their style of living.” sarahcaindesign.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Daphne Nikolopoulos
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Luis R. Rigual
DESIGN DIRECTOR
Laurie Spector
ACQUISITIONS EDITOR
Annette Sessa-Galbo
MARKET EDITOR
Kristen Desmond LeFevre
WEB EDITOR
Abigail Duffy
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Riki Altman-Yee | Christopher Day
Jeanne Delathouder | Jenee Destin
Saxon Henry | Mallory Jacobson
Kelley Marcellus
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Tamara Alveraz | Jeanne Canto
Corey Gaffer | Dustin Halleck
Polina Pigulevsky
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Selene M. Ceballo
DIGITAL PRE-PRESS SPECIALIST
George Davis
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Lourdes Linares
PRODUCTION COORDINATORS
Ileana Caban
Anaely J. Perez-Vargas
SENIOR DESIGNER
Jeffrey Rey
SHE BUILDS IT
SPACIOUS, BREATHTAKING LUXURY HOMES that are designed to meet all your family’s needs.
VICTORIA MARTOCCIA
CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION M
VICTORIA M CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION
As one of South Florida’s few female general contractors, Victoria Martoccia possesses a unique design-build perspective. She provides her clients with a hands-on approach to ensure that the highest level of quality finishes and detail are achieved in constructing their luxury home.
Art & Culture: Cultural Council for Palm Beach County
Pinnacle: Jupiter Medical Center Foundation
Advances: Tampa General Hospital
Naples REALTOR | Naples Area Board of Realtors
Annual Report: Woods Charitable Trust
Florida Design Reader Services
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Designers, architects, developers, builders, and homeowners are invited to submit photography of their designs for editorial consideration. For more information, call the editorial department at 561.472.2217.
REACH OUT!
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Diamond Spas Pools
Spas Swimming Pools Glass-Walled Pools & Spas
TO INFINITY & BEYOND
The idea of vastitude was obviously in the mind of Italian designer Marcantonio when he conceived the Infinito sofa for NATUZZI ITALIA
A metal tubular structure gives the piece its symbolic shape, while elastic polyurethane padding ensures its softness, support, and maximum comfort. Endlessness has never looked so appealing. natuzzi.com
Let’s Get Optical
FALL 2024 SETS ITS SIGHTS ON VISION-INSPIRED DESIGN
LEFT: The hand-painted motif of this side table by TOV makes it an immediate eye-catcher in any space. tovfurniture.com
ABOVE: A symbol of good luck and protection, the watchful eyes that adorn the porcelain Lito bookends by L’OBJET provide a reminder to seek beauty in the everyday. l-objet.com
ABOVE: The intense gaze of the Eyes and Circles wallcovering from MIND THE GAP will make anyone who comes across it stare in delight. mindtheg.com
RIGHT: Spreading light through hand-etched crystal in a metal dome that’s finished in matte black on the outside and gold leaf on the inside, the Eye table lamp from ARTEMEST creates a striking focal point. artemest.com
LEFT: The windows-to-thesoul-inspired Eye rug from RUG SOCIETY is crafted using hand-tufted, cut, and loop techniques in a combination of natural wool and botanical silk. rugsociety.eu
FRAMES THAT UP THE ANTE ON STYLE
1 Connect the dots on the Gloria side chair from the SASHA BIKOFF X ABNER HENRY collection inspired by a mashup of Art Deco and Memphis Milano styles. abnerhenry.com 2 The hand-hammered iron frame of the Aisha chair by ARTERIORS offers sleek style. arteriorshome.com 3 A comforting cage of nickel-plated rods creates the barreled back of the Ruffalo chair from CENTURY centuryfurniture.com 4 Inspired by the rays of the sun, the Raggeria chair from FORNASETTI brings radiance to any room. fornasetti.com 5 The Nelson Marshmallow sofa from HERMAN MILLER has offered a sweet seat since its launch in 1956. hermanmiller.com 6 The modern African structure of the Nyala chair by artist JOMO TARIKU is crafted from walnut with holly inlays. jomofurniture.com
Inspired by legedary designer Milo Baughman, the Beau coffee table from the SASHA BIKOFF X ABNER HENRY collection boasts an exaggerated checkered top in contrasting hues of wood. abnerhenry.com
BELOW: Featuring a 64-block checkerboard top, this chess table by MOOOI is suitable for a match whenever the mood strikes. moooi.com
WINNING MOVES
CHECKERBOARD-INSPIRED FURNITURE GOES FOR VICTORY
RIGHT: The anodized metal-clad Pixel sideboard from BOCA DO LOBO plays with perception to keep any space checked in to style. bocadolobo.com The Rosso sofa from the LAYERED X TEKLA EVELINA SEVERIN collection is upholstered in two contrasting hues of orange fabric. layeredinterior.com
ABOVE: Crafted from New Zealand wool, the Square flat weave rug from NORDIC KNOTS offers cozy sophistication underfoot. nordicknots.com
Loop Logic
WINSOME FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES THAT REFUSE TO STAY WITHIN THE LINES
LEFT: The looping, gold-leafed frame of the Storrs chandelier by CURREY & COMPANY is enhanced with 14 milky glass globes that bathe any space in ambient light. curreyandcompany.com
LEFT: Designed at the behest of Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, the Mickey chair by INDIA MAHDAVI is so named for its characteristic “ears” crafted from bent wood. india-mahdavi.com
LEFT: Originally handsketched in graphite pencil by designer Sara Bergqvist, the Stripes Graphite wallcovering from REBEL WALLS features random, sinuous lines that twist and turn into loops and knots. rebelwalls.com
ABOVE: With no joints in sight, the Looping bench by KINO GUERIN is made from laminated and bent plywood covered in several layers of wood veneer. kinoguerin.com
LEFT: The Aura table lamp from LUKE LAMP CO. provides warm illumination that’s ideal for bedside reading. lukelampco.com
PHOTOS
table Napoleon Keramik chairs Greta
Bloom
Madras
ABOVE: Juxtaposing the modern tech of an LED light ring with the organic touch of alabaster slabs, the Volterra pendant from HUBBARDTON FORGE offers both up-light and down-light illumination. hubbardtonforge.com
BELOW: With a base crafted from natural rattan poles and a transparent glass top, the design of the Acacia dining table by KENNETH COBONPUE was inspired by the branches of the baobab tree. kennethcobonpue.com
mixed messages
BELOW: Upholstered in a combination of leather and fabric, the Parka sofa by POLTRONA FRAU offers a variety of modular elements to fit any space. poltronafrau.com
ABOVE: The wood frame of the Adiada chair by FENDI CASA pays homage to primitive Brazilian design, while the softness of its fuzzy seat and back creates a bold and contemporary contrast. fendicasa.com
This Brutalist-inspired, triple-frame mirror from JOHN-RICHARD features a hammered brass finish that contrasts the reflective glass it surrounds. johnrichard.com
PHOTOS
Burly Beauties
LEFT: Framed in exotic mappa burl veneers, the Burlesque mirror by CARACOLE features a small shelf for trinkets. caracole.com
ABOVE: The Umpire Locker bar cabinet from MADE BY MONIOMI is constructed with layers of burl- and cathedral-grained woods. The interior is adorned in hand-woven leather, onyx, and eglomise mirrors. moniomimade.com
ABOVE: The Marshall console by WORLDS AWAY cascades bookmatched burl veneers over a waterfall frame for a striking silhouette. worlds-away.com
With its shade and base both done in burl, the Bohan table lamp from RACHEL DONATH plays with shapes and shadows. racheldonath.com
LEFT: Velvet upholstery surrounds Pippy Oak veneer with a burl finish on the Noelle armchair from SOHO HOME sohohome.com
Light Up the Night
ABOVE: The Veloce fandelier from MODERN FORMS features intertwined metal frames and LED light strips that enclose a trio of fan blades. modernforms.com
STYLISH OPTIONS FOR OUTDOOR ILLUMINATION FOR FALL’S ALFRESCO EVENINGS
With its rope weaving and 1970s vibe, the Lara pendant by EUROFASE offers an elegant island aesthetic that’s ideal for Florida. eurofase.com
BELOW: The Bols garden lamp by VAKKER offers a light, a side table, and a plant stand all in one. vakkerlight.com
Designed by Chapman and Myers for VISUAL COMFORT, the wall-mounted Darla lantern is ideal for a note of traditional elegance. visualcomfort.com
RIGHT: Dotted with crystals that sparkle and shine, the Dreamcatcher sconce from SCHONBEK showers outdoor areas with chic shards of light. schonbek.com
LIGHT UP YOUR WORLD
Beacon Outdoor Lighting is a family-owned business with deep Southwest Florida roots, dedicated to transforming outdoor spaces into stunning showcases with illumination. Led by founder Cory Moore, Beacon’s experienced team emphasizes a “design first” approach that integrates state-of-the-art lighting technologies with the client’s needs, architectural elements, and landscape features.
The Beacon team begins with a discovery phase where their lighting designers discuss the client’s vision and assess the property. They then present a comprehensive
lighting design which is brought to life with Beacon’s inhouse lighting technicians.
Beacon partners with WAC Landscape Lighting, an industry leader in customizable lighting solutions. They offer a wide variety of fixtures, including Colorscaping. Colorscaping is a tunable white and RGBWW-color system that blends seamlessly into the environment while bringing outdoor spaces magically to life.
Contact Beacon today and let them transform your property into an enchanting outdoor oasis.
Material History
ARTIST AND DESIGNER SUNG JANG USES OAK AND STONE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO AN ANCIENT KOREAN CUSTOM
text LUIS R. RIGUAL
THE BACKSTORY
Part of a recent exhibition of artist and designer Sung Jang’s work at the Volume Gallery in Chicago, The Given is a functional sculpture that mixes found stones with sophisticated, handmade oak bases. Through the pieces, Jang investigates his Korean culture in response to what he calls “the industry of production and consumption, the process of design, fabrication, and labor, and our individual experience related to artifacts.”
THE FINAL WORD
Is it art or is it furniture? Jang isn’t saying. “It’s a sculpture about design I suppose,” says the artist. “I think it’s comfortable enough to sit on for a little bit. Another meaningful use I see is having it simply for the ability to touch raw stone in your private living space. This tactile offering is important to our senses.” sungjang.com; wvvolumes.com
THE INSPIRATION
“There is an old art form that originated in the Far East, particularly in Korea, of finding a piece of stone that resembles something and displaying it as a sculpture,” says Jang. “The process doesn’t really involve skill, but in my view, it’s actually an embodiment of the quintessential Korean aesthetic experience.”
Allison Paladino, ASID & Zita Rudd, Sr. Partner
Sargent Architectural Photography
Collection Collaboration
BRUNSCHWIG & FILS TAPS TWO PALM BEACH TASTEMAKERS TO TELL ITS LATEST PATTERN STORY
Brunschwig & Fils knows presentation is everything when it comes to design. Case in point: To showcase its latest textile and wallpaper collection, La Menagerie, the brand turned to two of its favorite Palm Beach residents, photographer Nick Mele and interior designer Danielle Rollins, for help. To say the two longtime friends went the extra mile is an understatement. Rollins designed various rooms in Mele’s house using the collection, and Mele then photographed those spaces (with himself and his family as models) for the campaign. “I love lots of patterns and maximalist decor, so I jumped at this opportunity,” says Mele. La Menagerie, which features six archival designs in three new printed fabrics, wallpapers, and embroidered patterns, is available through Kravet showrooms nationwide. kravet.com
The Rousseau lamp comes in three options: bronze, burnished brass or nickel.
ABOVE: The Mélange lamp features a handcarved alabaster shade embraced by metal prongs that seamlessly blend into the base.
BELOW: The Covet lamp is defined by an alabaster box design that resembles an illuminated sculpture.
CORDLESS CACHET
Wires are so passé. Just ask prolific tastemaker Kelly Wearstler. The designer recently released a rechargeable lamp collection that eliminates the constraints of cords. The styles in the line reinvent previously released designs in petite and portable profiles, either eight or 12 inches. Just charge and go. kellywearstler.com
ABOVE: Housework and leisure take place simultaneously in a backdrop that includes Cascade fabric (as window treatments) and the Beauport Promenade Garden wallcovering from Brunschwig & Fils’ La Menagerie collection FARLEFT INSET: Danielle Rollins LEFT INSET: Nick Mele
RIGHT:
ABOVE: Molly Mele (Nick’s wife) feeds a friend in a room featuring the Shalimar wallcovering and Riviere fabric print from B&F’s La Menagerie collection.
THE SEQUEL
AFTER A SUCCESSFUL FIRST COLLABORATION WITH ITS NAMESAKE, HOLLY HUNT GOES FOR DESIGN GOLD AGAIN
Last year, the powers that be at Holly Hunt (the company) tapped its namesake and original owner (who sold her business to Knoll in 2014) to collaborate with Executive Creative Director Jo Annah Kornak on HH40, a collection to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Holly Hunt brand. That partnership was so successful, the two women decided to do it again for fall 2024 with Series II, a line of seven handcrafted designs for dining, living, and bedroom spaces that make the most of raw materials such as American black walnut and bronze. “This collection tells a story of materiality, craftsmanship, and quality, three fundamental values that have defined Holly Hunt’s legacy for the past 40 years and continue to guide our design ethos today,” says Kornak. “Series II is expressive and forward-thinking while still remaining elegant and understated.” hollyhunt.com
BELOW: The
Italian Interests
Set to debut a flagship showroom in the Miami Design District during Art Week in December, Italy’s Henge is poised to become a destination for design connoisseurs with collectible collections in mind. Founded by Paolo Tormena and Isabella Genovese in 2011, the brand has quickly made a name for itself for its use of rare materials and commitment to artisanal craftsmanship. “The Design District is a perfect match for our brand,” says Tormena. “It’s an area that reflects our passion for innovation, quality and artistry.” As far as inventory is concerned, visitors should expect the collections Henge introduced at Milan Design Week earlier this year—plus (knowing the way design folks think during Basel) a few interesting surprises. henge07.com
ABOVE: A Murano glass chandelier from the Floyd Lights Series by Henge in collaboration with Venini
INSET BELOW: Designer Holly Hunt came back to her old company to collaborate with Executive Creative Director Jo Annah Kornak on the Series II collection.
Ursa lounge chair is a modern take on the classic club chair that’s cut, sewn, and tailored by hand.
LEFT: The Origami 120 coffee table by Ugo Cacciatori for Henge is made of pewter and stone.
Inspired by the banyan tree’s sculptural trunks, the Ban and Yan side tables are designed to nest, while also having enough visual presence to stand on their own.
Where design meets
A Classic Reborn
TWO ICONIC DESIGNS FROM HERMAN MILLER ARE GIVEN NEW LIFE
ABOVE: Gilbert Rohde served as Herman Miller’s design director from 1932 to 1944.
SHELF LIFE
There’s no denying Gracie’s amazing design tradition. For 126 years the renowned brand has been delighting aesthetes with meticulously handpainted wallpapers that have found their way into some of the most exclusive homes in the world (including the White House in D.C. and more than a few estates in Palm Beach). The new Rizzoli title The Art of Gracie (in shelves in September) takes readers on a tour of many of these rooms to reveal the company’s artistic wallcoverings, which feature everything from panoramic landscapes to floral fantasias that shimmer with metallic details. graciestudio.com; rizzoliusa.com
RIGHT: The Art of Gracie volume is 320 pages long with 250 full-color photographs.
“You’re not just making furniture anymore,” said Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller’s first design director, to company founder D.J. De Pree once. “You’re making a lifestyle.” Rohde was referring to the way he was pivoting the furniture maker away from traditional reproductions to original designs that better served the time’s changing architecture and people’s daily lives. During his tenure (1932 to 1944) with Herman Miller, Rohde pushed the company into modern times with moves such as the 1941 introduction of the Rohde Easy Chair and Rohde Paldao Table, two iconic pieces in the brand’s catalogue that were recently reintroduced for the first time in 80-plus years. “Rohde’s American perspective brought warm, new materials, and bold forms to the discipline, elements that remain central to our brand,” says Noah Schwarz, Herman Miller’s VP of product design. “Both of these designs feel as relevant today as they did 83 years ago.” hermanmiller.com
INSET RIGHT: An artisan applies the finishing details to a Gracie wallpaper pattern the same way it’s been done for 126 years.
LEFT: The Rohde Easy Chair has been reissued in a variety of plush fabric and leather options.
ABOVE: The reissued Rohde Paldao Table, in burl wood cut in walnut and oak, is available as a coffee table and in two side table height options.
ABOVE: A living room comes to life with a Gracie wallpaper depicting peacocks and flowering trees.
A rendering of a home in the upcoming The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Palm Beach Gardens reveals an open layout and designer Ally Coulter’s “transitional American style.”
Realty Check
INTERIOR DESIGNER ALLY COULTER BRINGS HER SIGNATURE TOUCH TO THE RITZ-CARLTON RESIDENCES, PALM BEACH GARDENS
The latest collaboration that has both real estate types and design arbiters buzzing is that of Ally Coulter with Catalfumo Companies. The association means the interior designer will offer bespoke services to buyers at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Palm Beach Gardens. Coulter, whose client list includes everyone from Tommy Hilfiger to Ralph Lauren, has revealed her approach will be “transitional American style” that’s in tune with the property’s oceanfront location: “By utilizing materials like wood, stone, and glass, along with a soft, neutral color palette, I aim to create interiors that seamlessly blend with the surrounding environment, capturing the essence of the Intracoastal Waterway.” The condominium project, which boasts three seven-story towers with 106 homes that start at $4.6 million, is scheduled for completion by early 2026. theresidencespalmbeachgardens.com; allycoulter.com
NEW TALENT
Here’s a first—literally. The fall 2024 collection from Roche Bobois features two new collaborations with designers the brand has never worked with before. Designed by Franco-Chinese artist Jiang Qiong Er, the Bamboo Mood line is a modern interpretation of the traditional Chinese lounge in shades of celadon and coral, two iconic colors in Asian decorative arts. Also new to the Roche Bobois catalogue is renowned French designer Patrick Norguet and his Elanta line, a grouping of tables, chairs, and sideboards marked by intricate woodwork. Expect more from these creators in seasons to come. roche-bobois.com
ABOVE: Designer Ally Coulter describes her design as “a stylistic sweet spot merging history with fashion and innovation to create comfortable, timeless, elegant rooms that engage all the senses and offer a surprise or two.”
LEFT AND BELOW: Patrick Norguet’s Elanta sideboard features curved doors in oak veneer plywood.
LEFT AND INSET ABOVE LEFT: Jiang Qiong Er’s Bamboo Mood sofa is made of bamboo fabric and comes available in multiple density foams.
Live Brilliantly
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Boca Raton
La Dolce Vita
HERITAGE EUROPEAN STYLE COMES TO JUPITER WITH THE OPENING OF CASA CASA ITALIA
text
CHRISTOPHER DAY
Designer Cyrilla Yanez has spent the last six years creating a name for herself in Palm Beach County’s interiors industry with Cyrilla Home, a firm with commercial and residential projects from South Florida to Southampton. This autumn, she hopes to solidify those efforts with the debut of Casa Casa Italia, a new showroom in Jupiter offering classic top-tier brands from La Penisola.
“After many travels to Italy, I’ve cultivated relationships with longstanding family heritage brands and artisans throughout the country,” says Yanez. “These connections are what’s allowing me to introduce furnishings, kitchens, bars, and wardrobe systems to the U.S. under the Casa Casa Italia umbrella.”
Located at 2157 US 1, the 1,200-square-foot showroom’s inventory includes mid-century modern furniture by Cafedesart, classic and contemporary furniture lines by Bianchini, bespoke closets by ForLiving, custom rugs by Artep, leather seating by Bracci, and decorative plumbing hardware by Palazzani. Autumn will see the release of CCI’s own brand of furniture and wardrobe systems, as well as a collaboration with Palazzini featuring bathroom vanities with the brand’s hardware. Onsite design services cover everything from customization to full-blown foyerto-backyard renovations.
“We’re all about celebrating the quality and unparalleled craftsmanship of Italian design,” says Yanez. “We’re here to set a new standard for luxury furniture worldwide.” casacasaitalia.com
above: Cafedesart’s Caleido bar features a lacquered shell in a gradient finish.
above: Interior designer and Casa Casa Italia founder Cyrilla Yanez
above: Cafedesart’s Mia Wall sideboard features rhapsodic patchwork in a light wheat-colored wood.
above: Among the custom installation services Casa Casa Italia has slated for fall is bespoke closet systems.
Ashley Petrone named The Fox Mercantile after her daughter Foxi, who is one of four children.
LEFT: Ideal for homes on the Gulf Coast, The Fox Mercantile’s inventory nods to organic materials and natural fibers.
Curated Approach
Big-name brands are well and good, but every town needs a place like The Fox Mercantile, a home store and café hybrid in Cortez, one of the last remaining fishing villages on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
“When I’m really into a project, I can see a vision for it imperially,” says owner Ashley Petrone. “And when we came across this amount of space, the wheels in my head just started spinning.”
Said space, a former antiques shop called Sea Hagg, had the ample indoor and outdoor square footage to realize Petrone’s vision: a destination for both locals and tourists to enjoy a solid cup of coffee and then peruse a selection of home goods and gifts in the adjoining shop.
“The inventory consists of glassware, unique linens, kitchen accessories, art, and local goods,” says Petrone,
AT THE FOX MERCANTILE IN CORTEZ, HOME DESIGN IS PERSONAL
who lives with her husband and four kids in nearby Anna Maria Island. “Everything we offer is handpicked by me. I love curating collections based on the season of life I find myself in. I get my ideas from travel and whatever the scenery of the area I’m in is like.”
As we head into fall and the rest of 2024, Petrone is excited about the private shopping experiences, classes, dinners, workshops, and holiday market that will be part of the shop’s schedule. Originally from California, Petrone and her husband Dino are particularly keen on this area of Florida. After opening the Jolie Inn, a boutique hotel on Anna Maria Island, in 2021, The Fox Mercantile felt like the logical next step.
“This area is home to us,” says Petrone. “We plan on being here for many years to come.” thefoxmercantile.com
ABOVE:
SOFT TOUCH
The bed, the bath, and the table are well covered at the new Pratesi boutique at 400 Hibiscus Avenue in Palm Beach. Designed by Studio Monteleone & Associates, the store is as exquisite as the inventory with travertine floors, tufted wool carpets inspired by the brand’s butterfly motif, and accents in aniline leather and copper. In terms of fabrics, the venue offers various of Pratesi’s best-known collections, including Angel Luxe, Paradise, Tre Righe, Treccia, Federico, Fresia, Divino, and Marca. Think hand-sewn towels, 900-thread count down comforters, Egyptian cotton sheets, tablecloths worthy of state dinners, and cashmere throws featuring the iconic “P” logo. pratesi.com
Texture Tactics
text CHRISTOPHER DAY
Pratesi’s Bianchissima and Tre Righe table collections feature tablecloths, napkins, runners, and placemats.
TWO NEW PALM BEACH COUNTY SHOWROOMS CATER
TO OUR TACTILE DESIGN SENSIBILITIES
SOLID CASE
After making its name in Wynwood, ARCA has crossed two county lines with a new gallery at 2408 Florida Avenue in West Palm Beach conceptualized by renowned architect Vincent Van Duysen. The space’s earthy hues and sleek contours provide the ideal backdrop for ARCA’s museum-like displays of natural stone, wood, and tiles.
The showroom’s layout takes visitors through various vignettes of textures arranged like masterpieces. And we have to say, slabs of marble have never looked so good.
“Vincent’s design transforms the gallery into a sanctuary of modern elegance, seamlessly blending art, design, and artisanal craftsmanship,” says José Fernandez, the company’s worldwide CEO.
“Each corner of this space reflects our dedication to showcasing the intrinsic allure of natural materials.” arcaww.com
ARCA’s new West Palm Beach showroom displays the brand’s various natural stones with art gallery-like precision.
left: A slab of ARCA’s Breccia Capraia marble in blue
left: Pratesi’s Treccia Moderno bedding collection is made of 100 percent Egyptian cotton.
Design Trifecta
THREE NEW DESTINATIONS ON TAMPA’S POPULAR WATER STREET HAVE THE HOME WELL COVERED
FEEL-GOOD INTERIORS
“Wellness living.” That’s the phrase used to describe the inventory at the new Clayton Gray Home. But what exactly does that mean? “We specifically look for small, hand-made, and made-to-order products that are unique to our area,” says owner Wendy Garraty. “By sourcing from smaller companies, we are able to communicate with the vendors personally to ensure sustainable practices are followed.” With more than 5,000 items on site, Garraty doesn’t have just wellness-chic covered, but also vintage finds, as well as product from renowned brands like Arteriors, Made Good, Palecek, Kelly Wearstler, and Oly Studio. Fall brings Verellen to the shop. “We don’t do filler,” says Garraty. “Each piece matters.” claytongrayhome.com
NEW BEGINNINGS
Dwell Home Market is heading into autumn 2024 with a rebranding and a new name. Dwell and Company reflects the showroom’s grander scope moving forward. “Our design ethos is modern, global, casual interiors with superior quality,” says co-owner Kristy Craig Anderson. “We have more than 60 new Dwell and Company-designed pieces in development, all created with the current design trends and our customer feedback in mind.” Things have sure come a long way from Dwell’s meager 2014 beginnings as a purveyor of second-hand bookshelves, vases, and lamps. Today, Dwell’s inventory is allnew and the company offers home staging styling services from Tampa Bay to Sarasota. dwellcompany.com
GREEN CORNER
Yura Vine Brothers started as a pop-up shop at Hyde Park Village in 2019. Five years later, its 900-square-foot location on Water Street is one of the city’s most popular plant shops. According to coowner Samuel Rodas, a big part of the success has to do with Yura’s design services. “We offer ways to incorporate beautiful plants and planters into businesses and homes,” he says. “We also do a lot of unique moss art.” The hundreds of varieties of plants don’t hurt either. yuravinebros.com
left: Yura Vine Brothers offers plant varieties from all over the world that are grown locally in South and Central Florida.
above: Dwell and Company’s inventory is best described as modern, global, and eclectic.
above: A stylish corner with accessories at Clayton Gray Home above far right inset: Owner Wendy Garraty
JANUARY 9-13, 2025
• MIAMI BEACH CONVENTION CENTER
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Construction
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Architecture lives in harmony with the environment, sustainably in its individual surrounding, as an honest expression of the landscape and owner.
RESIDENTIAL AND HOSPITALITY THE TRADE’S PREMIUM WORKROOM RESOURCE
Excell In Design Group is the premium provider of innovative window treatments, bedding and upholstery. Known for exceeding its clients’ expectations from start to finish by providing expert consultations, quality manufacturing,and professional installation.
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Designed by DawnElise Interiors
Ceramic Ceiling
A NEW EXHIBITION AT THE RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART IN SARASOTA SHINES A LIGHT ON THE JAPANESE FEMALE ARTISTS WHO HAVE QUIETLY REVOLUTIONIZED POTTERY FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS
text KELLEY MARCELLUS
“Clay is not watercolors,” says Rhiannon Paget, the curator of Asian art at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota. “It’s dirty, it’s physical, and it requires space, specialized tools, and equipment. You need a big kiln and someone to help you move things in and out of it. You need a support network.”
For much of history, support was exactly what was missing for female artists in Japan—and other countries—in the realm of ceramics. Tradition, as well as governmental initiatives, encouraged and expected women to be at the forefront of domestic duties, not artistic studios. Those with talent who pursued a formal art education were anticipated to be informed consumers rather than creators, even though many perfected the technique in the studios of their male counterparts.
This slice of unfair art history informs Radical Clay (through May 11, 2025), a new exhibition at the Ringling that showcases more than 40 works from 36 Japanese women who are shifting the paradigm of international ceramics with their inventiveness of subject and technique.
Curated by the Art Institute of Chicago’s Janet Katz, the exhibition marks the first time the collection has been shown outside of Illinois.
left: “The decorative styles and forms that I allude to and incorporate in my works each contain a story based on historical backgrounds and ideas, myths, and allegories,” says Aoki Katsuyo of works like Loom II (2024), made of glazed porcelain.
Different types of gourds are common in artist Katsumata Chieko’s work. Pumpkin (2015, glazed porcelain) reveals her signature technique of using layered colored slips to create a specific texture.
The show represents women of three generations. Tsuboi Asuka, Ogawa Mahiko, and Mishima Kimiyo—born in the 1930s and ’40s—lead the charge with their works in terms of technique and subject matter. Kimiyo became known for her extreme realism of everyday objects, like trash, which was considered radical by the Japanese who revere cleanliness. Those artists born in the ’60s and ’70s, ventured even further, stepping into the grotesque.
“There’s a certain audacity in some of the pieces,” says Paget, pointing to biomorphic selections from Oishi Sayaka and Kawura Saki whose glaze techniques lend realism to objects that appear inspired by human organs. “They’re astonishing and in some ways hard to look at. It takes a certain amount of confidence to create something that is revolting like that.”
While the works in Radical Clay are brilliant examples of contemporary art regardless of the artists’ genders, the societal hurdles their creators had to overcome make them all that more notable. “A society that has been historically patriarchal presented a lot of challenges to women pursuing an artistic career at high level,” says Paget. “These Japanese women are really at the pinnacle of their field in terms of their mastery of this medium. They’re incredibly imaginative and [the collection is] an astonishing variety of technique, concept, and form.” ringling.org
The detailed cloth-like folds of Bag Work (2018), made of glazed Shigaraki stoneware, showcase artist Tanaka Yu’s expert approach to ceramic sculptures.
below left: Wandering, 2012, porcelaneous stoneware applied with shaved clay, by Hattori Makiko below center: Untitled (Crushed Asahi Beer Box), 2007, glazed and silkscreened stoneware, by Mishima Kimiyo below right: Seaphim, 2016, unglazed stoneware, by Fujikasa Satoko
GREEN ACRES
A RIVERSIDE HOME IN PORT ST. LUCIE GOES THE DISTANCE IN THE NAME OF SUSTAINABILITY
The positioning of this tropical modern house in Port St. Lucie was strategized to maximize the view of the river behind it. “The home’s architectural elements, such as balconies, window eyebrows, breezeway, and primary bedroom trellis, were layered for maximum sun protection,” says architect Paul Charette. “The columns on the breezeway are offset and staggered to make a subtle reference to the mangroves on the river.”
When an environmental science professor tapped Paul Charette to oversee the architecture and interior design of an all-new and environmentally conscious home in Port St. Lucie, the Boca Raton architect proved that while going green in terms of real estate is not exactly simple, it’s certainly worth the effort. By working closely with the builder, contractor, and landscape architect, Charette and the team delivered a modern house that meets the strict standards of sustainability set forth by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), an organization dedicated to improving the state’s environment through verified green certification standards for private dwellings, land developments, highrises, and commercial spaces.
Obtaining the FGBC’s green home certification for this house was rather important to the homeowner, wasn’t it? Yes, very important. As part of her ethos, she wanted to incorporate sustainable products that were ethically sourced and local whenever that was possible [to reduce the construction’s carbon footprint].
In order for a Florida home to attain the FGBC green certification it has to meet a number of specific requirements. How does this house do that? In terms of energy efficiency, all
text CHRISTOPHER DAY | residential photography TYLER SARGENT
left: Solar panels installed above the garage nod to the residence’s green certification from the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC). In addition to reducing the home’s carbon footprint, the panels lower electric bills by more than 80 percent and ensure power remains on during an outage.
right: Boca Raton-based architect Paul Charette
appliances and HVAC systems are Energy Star-certified, which means they use less electricity. We installed rain barrels and a reflective metal roof for resource conservation. When it comes to health and durability, there are no volatile organic compounds used in the hickory flooring and stairs, nor in the dining table and chairs. We also used eco textiles on many of the sofas and chairs in the house.
How does this home’s energy use differ from that of a home that’s not green? This house uses one third of the energy that a non-green house this size would use. How does the home’s landscape design adhere to the green certification? The main goal in that regard was to preserve the natural riverscape, as the home sits on the North Fork St. Lucie River Aquatic Preserve, which is part of Florida’s Save Our Rivers program. The plants around the primary residence are 50 percent Florida native and 50 percent Florida-friendly selections. Plants that need similar soil and water amounts were chosen to take advantage of the land conditions. What were some of the sustainable design measures taken inside the home? Whenever possible, the interior design decisions were made with safety, quality, and sustainability in mind. The fabrics we used are all organic and certified so that they pose no health risks to humans or pets. All the furniture was fabricated in the U.S., and the wood to make the furniture is either from the U.S. or FSC-certified, which meets several criteria as to how the wood was forested. We installed polished concrete flooring on the first level, which
reduced materials. And we finished the wood floors on the second level with a hard wax oil, as opposed to linseed, which contributes to better air quality inside the house.
Once all these measures are taken in the construction phase, what is the FGBC certification process like? You must document all these selections, and the plans and specifications are sent for approval. After that, there are two additional inspections, one before the drywall is installed, and the other before the final building begins.
What was the homeowner’s reaction once the house was finished? She was completely pleased that the residence is as comfortable as it is energy efficient. And she was thrilled with the way the architecture opens the house to the river. She’s sent me several videos that she’s captured from her bedroom’s balcony showing dolphins and manatees swimming in the water. She calls the house “pure bliss.” charettearch.com
above: The property sits on an acre of land on the North Fork St. Lucie River Aquatic Preserve. To ensure the landscaping is sustainable, the vegetation chosen is made up of species that are either native to the area and/or friendly to the land.
above: The kitchen features a recycled glass backsplash and bamboo cabinetry in a light tone. right: The hickory used for the stairwell is FSC-certified, which ensures its adherence to sustainable foresting practices.
A Nod to Mod
STYLISH
REFERENCES TO A BYGONE GROOVY ERA
DRIVE THE RENOVATION OF A DESIGNER’S RANCH HOME IN WEST PALM BEACH
Nina DeKay Grauer had been living in southern Palm Beach County for a few years when she noticed the exciting growth happening in West Palm Beach and began making plans to move to the area. As principal designer and founding partner of DeKay & Tate Interiors, a design firm with offices in Palm Beach and Denver, Grauer is well-versed in matters of real estate, so when she found a 1938 ranch-style home near the El Cid neighborhood (not too far from family and friends), she promptly purchased it.
left: A side view of the living room reveals a Jonathan Adler sofa upholstered in a floral fabric from Halsey & Spruce. The bar, in Benjamin Moore’s Palmer Green, extends the eye to the home’s loggia.
below: Designers Nina DeKay Grauer (left) and Eleanor Tate Trepte tackled the home’s renovation together.
below: The designers’ chosen 1960s/’70s vibe is evident in this vantage point of the living room. The outline to the right of the bar reveals a hidden door to the primary bedroom.
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above: In the loggia, a custom bench does double duty as a daybed with a cushion from Utopia Goods and multiple pillows by Megan Adams, Kravet, and Kathryn Ireland. The wheeled coffee table was upholstered with a multi-pattern kaftan that alludes to the home’s groovy design aesthetic.
The decision to buy the 1,800-square-foot residence was an easy one, but the renovation that followed wasn’t quite as effortless. Grauer enlisted her business partner, Eleanor Tate Trepte, for the job, and the two went to work guided by style and ideas from the 1960s and ’70s.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the music, the psychedelic art, and the overall vibe of that era,” says Grauer, “so that’s where we found our inspiration.”
While work on the exterior of the house was minimal, the interiors underwent a total transformation. Rooms were reconfigured to open the living room and reposition the bedrooms to allow for a more modern layout, while electrical and plumbing systems were brought up to date. All this took money, dust, and time, but the designers didn’t let that dampen their spirits. Instead, they concentrated on selecting the ideal colors to play up texture and pattern in some parts of the house, as well as enlarge the space and impart calm in others.
These personal touches are evident in every corner of the home. In the living room, the designers installed a custom bar topped with shelves filled with books and mementos, as well as a hidden door that opens to the primary bedroom, a secret passageway inspired by Grauer’s aunt’s New York City apartment. “I remember that
left: In the kitchen, pops of color stand out against the all-white cabinetry.
Photography by IBI Designs
place as being super loud and a little hectic,” says Grauer, “but then you went behind a bookshelf and there was this bedroom sanctuary.”
Sanctuary is actually a good word to describe the home’s primary suite. A departure from the vibrant florals and embellishments found in the rest of the home, this room offers a quiet palette of neutrals and blush pink, with a grass-cloth wallpaper in a subtle checkerboard pattern. The home’s guest bedroom tunes in to a completely different vibe with bold colors, whimsical art, and eclectic accessories. The kitchen lowers the volume again with white cabinetry and a glass tile backsplash. “There’s definitely a yin-yang of ideas at play,” says Trepte. “It’s a happy, cozy place that feels like home for me too.”
For her part, Grauer couldn’t be happier. “This home is my own little retreat,” she says. “I love hosting friends and entertaining on the weekends, but I also like being here at peace. It’s exactly what I wanted.” dekayandtate.com
right: Patterned white tile and rose marble strike the right texture note in the primary bathroom.
left: The tranquil primary bedroom features Phillip Jeffries grass-cloth wallpaper, Schumacher window treatments, Billy Baldwin slipper chairs, and Lia Burke Libaire prints above the bed.
below: Doors in Sherwin Williams’ Blue Chip shade, a light fixture from Antler, and wallpaper by Pierre Frey bring personality to the guest bedroom.
CENTRAL FLORIDA DESIGN
Special Section
featuring the finest custom home builders, interior designers, architects, fine furnishings and kitchen and bath specialists. Whether you’re building a new home, renovating a kitchen, or designing your dream bath, these experts offer unparalleled service and craftsmanship to bring your vision to life.
CRT STUDIO INTERIORS
CRT Studio Interiors is an internationally recognized, award-winning luxury Interior design firm located in the Orlando/Winter Park Florida area. The firm’s expertise ranges from custom interior design, interior architectural spaces, and furniture design, as well as the procurement of furniture, art, and accessories.
Robert Turner, president of CRT Studio Interiors, creates a clean, focused approach to contemporary, transitional, coastal, and traditional design. He acquired his knowledge and core understanding of interior design from his travels and studies throughout Europe, South America, Central America, and across the United States. With over 25 years of experience in this industry, Turner and his team have the knowledge, experience, and resources to assist you in achieving a distinctive and comfortable interior environment.
Tradition is Saccaro Design Habitat’s territory. For almost 70 years, the firm has created timeless furniture of the highest quality produced by its most valuable tool: human hands. Its 4,000-squarefoot Winter Park showroom features a selection of Saccaro’s signature indoor and outdoor collections, including Maori, Virtus, and Diamante, which draw inspiration from the life and landscapes of the Brazilian tropics. Raw materials, cu ing-edge technology, and artisanal cra smanship combine in each piece of Saccaro furniture to create distinctive, exclusive designs. Take advantage of Saccaro’s in-stock sale until the end of the year with up to 50% for immediately delivery!
URBAN PERCH
A Boutique Home Builder cra s elegant, efficient homes designed to inspire holistic living. Based in beautiful Winter Park, Florida, Urban Perch is a concierge construction, real estate, and design firm ready to turn your home dreams into reality. 407-797-1121 urbanperchhomes.com
Rooted in wellness, founders Eric and Bianca employ biophilic design principles and healthier construction products to achieve international wellness standards and elevate the aesthetic of custom homes around the Sunshine State.
ARTISAN KITCHEN AND BATH GALLERY
Artisan Kitchen and Bath Gallery can help create dream spaces in your home.
A Kohler premier showroom located on Designer Row in Winter Park, Artisan serves homeowners, designers, remodelers, and custom-home builders throughout Central Florida with the finest kitchen and bath fixtures. Artisan’s parent company, Hajoca Corporation, has been in the plumbing industry since 1858, giving Artisan some of the highest buying power in the country. At Artisan, the goal is to bring your kitchen and bath dreams become reality.
784 Orange Ave., Suite 106 Winter Park, FL 32789
407-636-6716 artisankbgallery.com
BLUE DAZE DESIGNS
Blue Daze Designs is a full-service luxury interior design firm based in Orlando, Florida, dedicated to transforming spaces with a distinctive blend of bold, modern, and vibrant styles. They specialize in creating elevated, functional spaces that reflect their clients’ unique personalities and lifestyles.
Celebrating 20 years in the interior design industry, Blue Daze Designs is an expert in cra ing environments that combine sophistication with innovation. Two decades of experience have honed the firm’s ability to deliver unique, creative solutions that exceed client expectations. Blue Daze Designs offers an extensive range of services, including the selection and installation of modern furnishings, chic décor, and custom window treatments. They also specialize in eye-catching wallpaper, bespoke cabinetry, and dynamic color pale es. Whether you’re looking to furnish, remodel, or design a brand-new home, Blue Daze Designs delivers customized solutions to realize your vision.
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CARPET SOURCE
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PEAK MARBLE AND GRANITE
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This angle of the new addition to The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art, formerly the Polk Museum of Art, illustrates how Straughn Trout Architects has designed an extension that relates to the original building—the plinth beneath the large volume echoes the color of the bricked façade built in 1988.
Vision on View
SET TO DEBUT THIS FALL, AN EXPANSION AT THE NEWLY NAMED ASHLEY GIBSON
BARNETT MUSEUM OF ART BY THE FIRM RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS ORIGINAL DESIGN IS SURE TO STEER THE LAKELAND LANDMARK INTO THE FUTURE
text SAXON HENRY
During the 36 years that the Polk Museum of Art building has become a fixture in Lakeland, its collections have outgrown its galleries—what began as a grouping of 500 treasured objects in 1988 has multiplied to more than 3,400 masterpieces in those three-plus decades. The need for space inspired those who were determined to erect a museum in the first place to keep a dream alive with an expansion (to be revealed in late fall) that will showcase more of the institution’s prized collections, serve as an educational hub for the community, and further solidify the venue’s affiliation with Florida Southern College.
Alex Rich, the executive director and chief curator of the museum (renamed The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art as this issue was going to press), becomes animated when describing what’s driven these dynamic developments: “Our mission and our needs have evolved over the past 36 years because we’ve enhanced the experience we provide for everyone who walks through our doors,” he says. “We want an expansion that will echo the twenty-first century nature of the museum and help us leap into the future.”
A major partner in this undertaking is the firm noted for the design of the original museum, Straughn Trout Architects. “As a legacy project for our firm, we were compelled to tether the expanded design to the original structure,” says Tim Hoeft, STA’s current managing principal, pointing out that his team’s main goal with the new addition is creating cohesion. “By articulating
above left: Alex Rich serves as executive director of The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art, formerly known as the Polk Museum of Art. above right: Tim Hoeft is managing principal of Straughn Trout Architects, the firm that originally designed the Polk Museum and is now overseeing its new addition.
a few deliberate echoes of materiality and form, we have crafted a contemporary addition while maintaining the integrity of the original modernist building.”
In the late 1980s, it was one of the founding partners of the firm, Jerry Trout, who drove the design program and spent many hours drawing the plans for the Taxdal Gallery, where the museum’s collection of pre-Columbian era artifacts are on view. Rich says that space has greatly informed the expansion: “I don’t think we would have envisioned the spaces we’re planning now if we hadn’t had the Taxdal Gallery to use as a springboard.”
Hoeft points out that client forethought has made the project a seamless experience: “It is inspiring to work with someone who has such a clear vision for the future.” This is evident in Rich’s understanding of the effort they are
The Taxdal Gallery, which houses the museum’s Art of the Ancient Americas permanent exhibition, served as inspiration for the design of the expansion.
The brick façade of the museum makes it one of Lakeland’s best-known landmarks.
left:
above:
A new first-floor gallery illustrates how technology has made it possible to introduce natural light into exhibition spaces thanks to high-performance glass with UV glazing that prevents damage to the art.
tackling: “A museum is a different beast of a building and there is nothing quite like it,” he explains. “Besides temperature control, there is the placement of windows and the flow of bodies through space to consider.” Additionally, there are technological advances the designers need to take into account and materials that simply didn’t exist when Straughn Trout designed the museum in 1988 that must be considered. Among these is the high-performance glass with UV glazing that will be used throughout the museum, allowing natural light to flow into spaces without fear it will damage the art. This modern flexibility makes everyone involved thrilled to be watching an evolutionary project unfold.
“The continuous façade that Tim and his team have come up with is a wonderful through-line of fluidity that will
create continuity between the two buildings,” says Rich. “The fact that visitors will still walk through the original building before they move into the expansion means they will go on a journey from the past to the future.”
Rich credits the Straughn Trout team for helping them identify the elements that will work best with the museum’s collections and support an expanded educational mission.
The desire for teaching spaces has intensified since the original structure was built because the museum now has a stronger affiliation with Florida Southern College, one that allows the school’s undergraduates to experience educational programming.
“We are proud that our work at the museum will provide FSC students with a more dynamic exploration of art,” says Hoeft. His firm’s involvement brings an extra layer of satisfaction because the connection between the museum and the college has a legacy hook that a famous architect brought to town many decades ago—a collection of 18 buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright on the college campus between 1938 and 1958.
“This museum expansion is the latest iteration of an architectural vision that has become synonymous with Lakeland,” adds Hoeft. “Everyone involved in this project is very proud of that.” polkmuseumofart.org
above: The new first-floor lobby will be an open, light-filled space with minimalist architectural details that bring the museum the “leaping into the future” feel the museum’s board and trustees were looking to achieve.
left: A brick expanse on the second floor creates a correlation between the new addition and the original building’s bricked façade.
A home with deep overhangs is a hallmark of the Sarasota School of Architecture, as interiors need protection from the intense Florida sun. These are evident on the exterior of the Blackburn Bay Residence designed by Sweet Sparkman Architecture & Interiors in Sarasota.
Studies in Contrast
FLORIDA’S DIVERSE ARCHITECTURAL STYLES NARRATE THE HISTORY OF THE STATE THROUGH THE LANGUAGE OF DESIGN
text SAXON HENRY
Given Florida’s diverse population, it’s no surprise that the state’s architectural styles are a veritable mélange—in some cases helping to define a sense of place that was not present before architects brought their sensibilities to bear on a city, a town, or a stretch of coastline; in others, the place itself served as the catalyst for the built world. In surveying a variety of classifications spread across the peninsula, quite a few contrasts—and some surprising similarities—come into sharper focus.
SARASOTA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
The coastal city of Sarasota and its surrounding islands will forever be linked to one of history’s most revered architectural movements. The legacy began to develop during the 1940s when Paul Rudolph and Ralph Twitchell designed examples of what would eventually become known as the Sarasota School of Architecture there. Buoyed by the optimism and spirit of freedom Americans felt after the end of World War II, they created a pared-down architecture that was designed to respond to the regional climate before the age of air-conditioning. These buildings, which had open plans and wide swaths of glass that were shaded by cantilevered overhangs, were revolutionary because they utilized passive solar heating and natural cooling to make the interiors comfortable.
The modernist qualities achieved by these visionaries was possible because construction technologies had developed to the point they were able to experiment with materials like reinforced concrete. Rudolph, who had studied under Walter Gropius, the founder of the Bauhaus School, at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, gleaned ideas there that served as the foundation for the concepts he and Twitchell developed beginning in 1947. The other members of the group who adopted these precepts and developed their own include Carl Abbott, Bert Brosmith, Victor Lundy, William Rupp, Gene Leedy, Jack West, William Rupp, Joe Farrell, Philip Hiss, Don Chapell, Frank Folsom Smith, Ralph and William Zimmerman, and Tim Seibert. Their work is still inspiring architects today, and the respect shown for their design prowess is likely to continue for an untold number of generations to come.
above: Situated 11 feet above sea level, Siesta Key’s Bay House, designed by Damien Blumetti, illustrates how architects who follow the precepts of the Sarasota School vernacular continue to develop strategies to address climate change.
left: The Umbrella House, built in 1953 in Lido Shores by Paul Rudolph, is among the preeminent works of the Sarasota School of Architecture.
below: In the words of architect Guy Peterson, his Spencer House in Sarasota is “all about light, openness, and transparency.”
left: The Art Deco-style hotels on Miami Beach’s Ocean Drive catch the eye with their tropical pastel shades during the day and neon glow at night.
below: Proof of Art Deco’s enduring appeal can be found in this rendering of the lobby of Ella Miami Beach, a forthcoming residential development with architecture by Arquitectonica and interior design from Interiors by Steven G.
ART DECO
The architectural style that has made South Beach world-famous is most often referred to as Art Deco, though it’s actually a hybrid of an array of styles that include Cubism, German Bauhaus, Expressionism, Dutch de Stijl, the Amsterdam School, the Vienna Secession, and French Art Deco. The latter was a classical iteration of the style that was unveiled in Paris in 1925, and featured expensive materials, elaborate motifs, and a voluptuousness created by fountains, floral designs, and striking nudes. Miami Beach’s building boom came during the second phase of the Art Deco movement known as Streamline Moderne, which became popular after the stock market crash of 1929 and continued to be favored until the outbreak of World War II.
The principal architects of Deco South Beach—Henry Hohauser and L. Murray Dixon—created the first streamlined curves, added window “eyebrows” with abandon, and revved up exteriors and interiors with neon. They also employed motifs they spotted on ocean-liners to reinforce the fact that Miami Beach was a newly minted and fashionable seaside resort. All these moves brought to life what is now called tropical Art Deco. Along with a symmetry to the curved edges and corners, tropical Art Deco’s repeating elements include ziggurat rooflines, terrazzo floors, glass-block walls, and round porthole-shaped windows. Rather than bright colors, muted pastels proliferate, though in moderation. Stripes, geometric shapes, and panels in pale turquoise, soft pink, powdery blue, toned-down yellow, and muted sage green ornament the brilliant white facades that gleam in the South Florida sunlight.
above: A contemporary take on Art Deco by ODP Architecture & Design in this Miami Beach foyer features niches framed in ebony Macassar wood.
below: The Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach opened in 1964 in a 1930s Art Deco building designed by Russell Pancoast.
TROPICAL MODERNISM
When Coconut Grove was on the cusp of becoming a town, it was the lush landscape that enticed its first settlers to put down roots there. Among these was Commodore Ralph Munroe, a man who cherished the natural world so much, he was determined to preserve the original forest of tropical hardwood hammock between Main Highway and the home he built. He named it Barnacle House and cut a trail leading to it that was barely wide enough for a buggy. Built in 1891, it is the oldest residence in Miami-Dade County that stands in its original location. The wide top veranda shades the bottom one and deep overhangs protect the interiors from intense sunlight, a hallmark of the Florida vernacular that has continued to be popular even as air-conditioning has become commonplace. Situating the house beneath a canopy of trees is another move builders of the earliest tropical homes made, as was choosing locally sourced materials—in Munroe’s case, he harvested shipwreck timbers from Biscayne Bay for the framework of Barnacle House.
left and below: In 2008, Max Strang designed the new education center at The Kampong on the historic Fairchild Estate. The modern Asian/Mediterranean theme of the existing buildings on the property influenced Strang to adopt and expand the use of locally sourced oolite to create a linkage between the original structures and the new one.
Nearby, on the same stretch of coastline that Munroe tapped for his home, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden was created by another nature lover who left a legacy in Coconut Grove, Dr. David Fairchild. These environmentalists, who ensured the area they developed maintained the lushness they found there, continue to inspire today’s architects who have embraced and contemporized the precepts that drove them. A prime example of this approach? The Kampong’s educational pavilion designed by architect Max Strang, which features massive piers of oolite that support a roof of exposed concrete.
right: The Barnacle House, constructed in 1891 by Commodore Ralph Munroe, sits comfortably within its setting as the visionary intended it when he built it centuries ago.
right: Located in West Palm Beach’s historic El Cid neighborhood, this Mediterranean Revival residence was restored to its 1930s-era glory after a seven-year renovation overseen by interior designer Lauren Czarniecki.
below: Designed by Leonard Schultze and S. Fullerton Weaver, the Biltmore Hotel is one of Coral Gables’ best-known Mediterranean Revival landmarks.
MEDITERRANEAN REVIVAL
Coral Gables inherited its name from one of its earliest non-native residents, Reverend Solomon Greasley Merrick, who expanded a simple wood structure into a New Englandstyle home that he and his wife, Althea Fink, named “Coral Gables” because it was made of native coral rock quarried from what would later become the Venetian Pool. Built in 1906, it was a simpler structure than the Mediterranean Revival style that began to shape the architectural tone of the city two decades later when The Biltmore Hotel became a jewel in the town’s crown. Designed by Leonard Schultze and S. Fullerton Weaver, The Biltmore was a bridge between a nostalgic vision of Mediterranean grandeur and avant-garde luxury when it opened in 1926. North in Palm Beach, a roster of architects who would become some of the greatest names to perpetuate this style were designing up a storm. Beginning with Addison Mizner in 1918, his Venetian-inspired architecture realized some of Palm Beach’s grandest buildings, including The Everglades Club. Marion Sims Wyeth arrived in Palm Beach in 1919 after graduating from Princeton, where he was trained in the Beaux-Arts style. Maurice Fatio, who opened his office in Palm Beach during the 1920s, added an Italian Renaissance vibe to the mix. And so did Schultze & Weaver (they called it Renaissance Revival) with the iconic Breakers hotel, developer Henry Flagler’s playground for the one percent. John Volk, who studied architecture at Columbia University, opened a practice in Palm Beach in 1926 and one of his most significant commercial projects is Royal Poinciana Plaza, still one of The Island’s most popular landmarks. To this day, Mediterranean Revival remains Palm Beach’s architecture style of choice.
above: A historic Mediterranean-style home, built in 1925 by architect Phineas Paist, gleams amid the resplendent native foliage of Coral Gables.
right: No property in Palm Beach illustrates how grand Mediterrean-style architecture can be better than The Breakers, designed by Schultze & Weaver for industrialist Henry Flagler.
BUNGALOW REVIVAL
The Historic Kenwood neighborhood in St. Petersburg is renowned for the Bungalow Revival movement that has been taking place there for decades. The earliest homes were built by Charles Hall, a Philadelphian who bought 160 acres of avocado groves about two miles northeast of downtown in 1912 and then subdivided and developed the lots he cordoned off. Hall’s subdivisions form the largest parcel of land within Kenwood, which was St. Pete’s first suburban neighborhood for year-round residents. His first model home, which was completed in 1918 and still stands today, is home to the Craftsman House Gallery that is dedicated to American craft arts.
Most of Kenwood’s bungalows, which were built between the late 1910s and the 1950s, were influenced by the American Craftsman style that was inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement that was popular during the last years of the nineteenth century. The exteriors and interiors also hold traces of the Shingle Style and the Prairie Style that Frank Lloyd Wright made famous. By the 1930s, others had begun developing alongside Hall, and the neighborhood grew quickly when 170 existing bungalows were moved to the area to make the section of town one of the largest concentrations of Craftsman bungalows in Florida. During the 1950s, Kenwood declined when homes with air-conditioning beckoned residents to newer suburbs. Revitalization didn’t begin until the 1990s when fans of the style bought and restored many of the homes. In 2003, the neighborhood was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
above left and below: This 1920s bungalow in downtown St. Petersburg was restored during a complete renovation overseen by designer Pamela Harvey. The process included lime washing the exterior’s original brick, reconfiguring all the interior spaces, and adding extra square footage.
right: Brooke Eversoll of Bee Studios designed the interior remodel for this 1920s bungalow in St. Petersburg guided by the quintessential charm of the style.
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FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S PRAIRIE STYLE
In 1938, Dr. Ludd Spivey, the president of Florida Southern College in Lakeland, asked Frank Lloyd Wright if he would be interested in designing a great education temple in Florida. After Spivey informed the famous architect that he lacked the financing to make this revolutionary campus happen, he promised he would work tirelessly to raise the funds if Wright accepted the challenge. The architect was intrigued with the idea because it would allow him to execute his design concepts on a grander scale than he’d ever been able to realize. Wright did accept the assignment and traveled to Lakeland in May of 1938 to survey the property on a hill overlooking Lake Hollingsworth. He was just shy of 71 years old.
When Wright returned home, he began designing buildings he said would grow “out of the ground and into the light—a Child of the Sun.” Several months later, he returned to present his master plan and the design for the first building, the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, to Spivey, who then set the project in motion. Construction soon began on the chapel and 17 other buildings followed, the first five connected by a system of covered walkways called the Esplanade. The 20-year project (1938 to 1958) represents the longest stretch of time Wright spent on any commission. Jacksonville is another city that Wright influenced by way of an architect named Henry J. Klutho, whose historical Prairie School buildings were inspired by Wright. Klutho is also touted as having designed “Jacksonville’s first modern home.”
this page: The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel is one of 18 Prairie Style buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright on the campus of Florida Southern College in Lakeland between 1938 and 1958.
FLORIDA CRACKER
left: A hallmark of what has become known as the Seaside vernacular of architecture is a metal roof. The community’s connection to the ocean and humanfriendly scale are two of its winning factors.
above: One of various beach pavilions at Seaside rises like an elongated pyramid amid the community’s other structures.
Though Seaside’s popularity in the late 1990s stems from its 15 minutes of fame as the primary filming location of The Truman Show, it would not have been the quaint village showcased in the classic film had J.S. Smolian not bought the 80 acres of land on which it sits in 1946. Smolian’s grandson, Robert Davis, who summered at the beach with his grandparents when he was growing up, decided to develop the land during the 1970s. He tapped Miami architects Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk of DPZ CoDesign to help him plan the community of buttoned-up “cracker shacks” that served as the backdrop for Jim Carrey’s antics in the movie. One of the most influential cities for them was Key West, whose picket fences, narrow front yards, and elevated porches they emulated. This resulted in a new “old” town that was planned to foster the walkability found in the heart of Key West’s historic district, which holds a grid of closely-knit “conch” houses.
The conch style arrived in Key West with its earliest non-native residents from the Bahamas. This included Richard Cussans, who stepped ashore in 1829 and set about building a residence that now holds the Oldest House Museum. It was built from lumber sourced in South Florida and architectural historians credit the strength of the local woods for the survival of Key West’s historical district, which holds the largest collection of frame vernacular in the United States today. Davis also chose local materials when he was initially realizing the Seaside version of Key West charm.
above: The Conch House Heritage Inn B&B in Key West reflects the Bahamian conch style of dwellings that emerged in the island in the 1800s.
below: The original residence of Robert Davis, who developed Seaside during the 1970s, is a cottage that is illustrative of the town’s Florida Cracker architecture.
COASTAL CONTEMPORARY
Historians say the arrival of modern architecture in Florida is tied to a young man named Bernard Maybeck, who would become famous for his later works in California. As the construction architect for Carrère and Hastings’ Ponce de Leon and Alcazar Hotels in St. Augustine, built between 1885 and 1886, he brought to the state the first innovative construction techniques that have continued to develop for more than a century. Fast forward to the 1910s and ’20s, and John Klutho picks up the baton in Jacksonville while Antonin Nichodema does so in Tampa—both influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, who began his Lakeland project in the late 1930s. By then, the Coastal Contemporary style was inspiring young architects living in Florida, including Alfred Browning Parker, whose residence in Miami prompted Wright to declare it was organic architecture at its best.
This global movement also caught the attention of Palm Beach architects Belford Shoumate and William Royster Johnson, whose houses are notable for their clean and elegant lines. The Sarasota School maestros put their own spin on it in the 1940s. Robert McCarter, who is an architecture professor at Washington University in St. Louis and was the director of the School of Architecture at the University of Florida from 1991 to 2001, notes that the forthright expression of construction and authenticity of materials have been the focus of those creating contemporary architecture in Florida since Maybeck’s arrival. Nowhere is the proliferation of the Coastal Contemporary style more noticeable than in waterfront communities like Miami, Miami Beach, and Jupiter Island.
A glass-centric home in Jupiter Island by Dailey Janssen Architects epitomizes the Coastal Contemporary style of design that’s so prevalent in this area of Florida.
right:
Architect Chad Oppenheim’s own home in Miami Beach, Villa Allegra, features a layout arranged into public and private areas, with some double-height volumes creating transitions between the inside and outside spaces.
above: Architect Alfred Browning Parker designed this Coastal Contemporary residence in Miami for himself in 1963.
MESKITA MAGICAL KINETIC ART
Ale Meskita was born in Brazil to a family of artists. At 15, she began painting, weaving, and working with textiles, and in 2010, started the fashion line MESKITA in New York, attaining success in department stores worldwide. She finds her artistic inspiration in the creation of textiles and the structured movements of her embroidered fashion designs.
In 2016, Meskita married her art aesthetic to tailored craftsmanship, creating artwork for her Miami living room. She intricately entwined acrylic-painted canvas with colored cords and yarns. Meskita wanted to create art that could be touched and retain its form; however, she also wanted to create something that changes shape and hue when admired from different angles, becoming a completely different art piece based on one’s reference point. Through weaving, and painting, she portrays a dance of movement onto her walls, incorporating a kinetic effect and kaleidoscope of color, pattern, and texture.
Meskita’s work quickly gained recognition, transforming her career into that of an artist’s. She resides in Miami, working with internationally acclaimed galleries, luxury interior designers, and prominent art collectors.
Meskita also creates bespoke art for visionary collectors who seek an “artist experience” by delicately pairing colors, styles, and textures to perfectly dress a space.
THE GENERAL CONTRACTORS DESIGN GROUP INC.
South Florida real estate is known for its luxurious high-rise condominiums, mega mansions, and unique waterfront properties. Whether it’s luxury interior design or custom general contracting, it’s no wonder The General Contractors Design Group has become the household name throughout the industry. This nationally recognized design build firm has been taking charge, having been widely noted for their innovation, craftsmanship, and tailor-made approach with every project.
Founder and CEO Dylan Blake Kapneck, famed for merging general contracting and interior design, created a concept where clients get to experience this unique
journey to design their dream home with the guidance and expertise of The General Contractors Design Group. Whether it’s a renovation, transformation, or a new construction project, GCDG has you covered. It all starts at its state-of-the-art diamond flagship in downtown Boca Raton. You’ll have the opportunity to design in real time. Clients get to sit back and watch the virtual reality 3D module of their project flourish before their eyes while experiencing every material at their fingertips. From kitchen and bath to flooring and wallpaper, clients get to curate their vision alongside an award-winning quality design team.
51st ONCE-A-YEAR GIGANTIC SALE
A truely gigantic sale on every rug in every collection
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Quality isn’t expensive, Cheap is expensive
A quality Oriental rug will be handknotted, made of 100% silk or wool, and will continue to reward its owner for decades. Whether it cost $500 or $50,000 you will feel it was money well spent. That’s the only kind of rugs we sell at Azhar’s.
AZHAR’S SILK MASTER (QUM, TABRIZ) COLLECTION Azhar’s pride and joy - is a vast collection of the world’s most luxurious, most prized, rugs. Each painstakingly handknotted in pure luxurious silk pile, silk warp & weft containing up to 1,000 knots per square inch and more. The detail, clarity and color combination is simply mesmerizing. Whichever you choose, rest assure that you too will feel enormous pride & joy in having such a masterpiece heirloom in you home.
rugs for the last 50 years.
4’ x 6’ Fine Hereke silk, Handknotted, 100% silk pile, warp & weft, 2600 knots/sq. in. Hereke (Turkey)
WHERE OLD WORLD CRAFTSMANSHIP MEETS NEW WORLD DESIGN & COLOR
Outstanding in every aspect, these rugs are hand knotted in Tibet & Nipal from the world’s finest wool & silk. Azhar’s contemporary selection is the new standard for those that seek the magnificence in comtemporary rugs.
Oceanic Col., 9’ X 12’, Sky Blue, 100% wool, Hand knotted. Nepal Earth Col., 10’ X 14’, 100% wool, Hand knotted. Nepal Nature Collection 9’ x 12’, 100% Wool, Hand knotted. Nepal
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Transitions Col. Infinity 8’ X 10’ Wool & Silk, Hand knotted. Tibet
DESIGN CHECK-IN
FOUR FLORIDA HOTELS, FOUR VERY DIFFERENT STYLES
text CHRISTOPHER DAY
The Vineta Hotel, Palm Beach
THE VIBE: Old money. THE DESIGN: Paris-based interior designer Tino Zervudachi was tapped to oversee a top-to-bottom renovation of the nearly 100-year-old Mediterranean Revival property (most recently known as The Chesterfield) that reduced the room count from 53 to 41 to provide larger accommodations. The hotel’s new incarnation is honest to the Palm Beach aesthetic with clean lines and subtle colors. Zervudachi calls it “a cosmopolitan look that blends European design cues with the destination’s unmistakable aesthetic.” THE MUST-SEE: With its dusty rose lounges, vintage-style parasols, and green mosaics around and inside the pool, the hotel’s pool deck is the place to be. oetkercollection.com
above: Conceived by Paris designer Tino Zervudachi, The Vineta Hotel’s pool area was inspired by holiday resorts in the French Riviera.
Amrit Ocean Resort, Singer Island
THE VIBE: Wellness chic. THE DESIGN: At the 155room Amrit (which means elixir of life in Sanskrit), all aspects of the resort are rooted in the five pillars of wellness: mindfulness, nutrition, fitness, relaxation, and sleep. Design firm Bilkey Llinas obviously took this into account when crafting the interiors, all of which exude five-star tranquility. THE MUST-SEE: As guests ascend the marble staircase from the lobby to the bar lounge, a cascading chandelier of crystal tubes drops from the ceiling and serves as an elegant welcome to the property. amritocean.com
left: A custom chandelier welcomes guests to the Amrit Ocean Resort’s bar and lounge
The Riding Academy Hotel, Ocala
THE VIBE: Equestrian elegance. THE DESIGN: Part of the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, the 390-room Riding Academy Hotel opened in April 2024 to meet the visitor demand at the 400-acre resort. As expected, the interiors by Roberts Design (also in Ocala) feature equestrian and fox hunting motifs. There’s an antique hand-carved wooden horse in the reception area, as well as tartan fabrics, family crest imagery, leather seating, Ralph Lauren stirrup sconces, and custom trophy lamps.
THE MUST-SEE: With its dog-as-jockey portraits and green leather club sofas, the very English library is tailormade for an afternoon Scotch. ridingacademyhotel.com
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, Sarasota
THE VIBE: Beachside modernity. THE DESIGN: With design by Hirsch Bedner Associates, the 168-room St. Regis’ look was inspired by the Gulf Coast’s natural elements and the historical legacy of Sarasota’s preeminent founding father, circus magnate John Ringling. Subtle design elements that nod to the Big Top heritage include elegant rope chandeliers and the oval-shaped layout of the Astor Ballroom, which is reminiscent of a circus tent. At the St. Regis Bar, a latticed circus cage surrounds a hand-painted mural by William Savarese. These subdued motifs never veer into cliché territory, but rather liven the contemporary decor. THE MUST-SEE: With its illuminated crystal ceiling installation, the spa reception is worth a visit whether one has a treatment scheduled or not. marriott.com
right: A subtle palette dominates the reception of the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort’s spa, where a light crystal installation sets a tone of opulence.
left: The library at the Riding Academy Hotel in Ocala leans into British equestrian themes.
The hallmark of Fisher Weisman, as described in the New York Times Sunday Magazine, is “drop dead, big city chic.”
Fusing unbridled imagination and a unique artistic sensibility, Andrew Fisher and Jeffry Weisman create decorative lighting, furniture, and accessories that are distinctive and memorable. Since 2015, Fisher Weisman Collection has been producing iconic pieces tailored to the taste and style of a formidable range of discriminating designers. The collection is presented in fine showrooms across the United States and in Mexico.
South Florida's Premier Design Destination
An example of Italian craftsmanship at its best, MandiCasa’s Yota luxury kitchen cabinetry enriches the architecture and interior of the home. In this design, the classic warmth of walnut intersects with the innovative Ambra metallic lacquer. Slightly satin to play with light and shade, the Ambra finish creates a dynamic aesthetic that reverberates throughout the entire space.
Explore Mandi Casa’s modern Italian kitchen designs by visiting its Hollywood showroom.
2860 Pershing St. | Hollywood, FL 33020 954.923.9860 | mandicasa.com/showrooms/hollywood-fl/
Judith Norman’s 400-plus lines offer an impressive, comprehensive array of the finest furniture from around the world. Selections includes contemporary, modern, and transitional furnishings. Judith Norman’s mission was to build a portfolio to allow designers to complete any project at any price point in any style. Stop by the 45,000-square-foot showroom covering indoor and outdoor furniture, decorative and architectural lighting, art, rugs, and accessories.
Luca Collection by Brown Jordan
South Florida's Premier Design Destination
is South Florida’s premier destination for luxury outdoor furnishings, offering an exquisite selection of designer pieces tailored to enhance any outdoor space. At InsideOut, products can be custom ordered to match any decor. Visit InsideOut’s Hollywood location to discover pieces like the Organix Lounge by Royal Botania. This elegant, nature-inspired set, along with many others, perfectly blends style and comfort, providing the ultimate in outdoor living. InsideOut can help you create the outdoor oasis you’ve always wanted
WOOD SHADES
Shown with Maritime Fabric in Alabaster
trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners.
South Florida's Premier Design Destination
Boyd Lighting, a century-old American manufacturer, has always been at the forefront of contemporary light-fixture design. With a deep-rooted passion for design, Boyd consistently pushes the boundaries of innovation, blending timeless aesthetics with cutting-edge technology. Boyd’s mission is continuous evolution, always embracing and creating new visions in the art of illumination. 2862
At home with a sea view … evocations of water, light, and sapphire spark the imagination and soothe the soul. Translucent surfaces glint with inner light, set like jewels in branching sand-cast brass, bronze, and nickel. This array of Ironies side tables is just a glimpse at our full line of equally alluring furniture, lighting, and accessories—meticulously handcrafted decor drifting in a space between artisanship and art. To explore the possibilities, visit ironies.com or see our designs in person at the Jerry Pair showroom.
954.923.3330 | jerrypair.com
a U-shape that wraps around a pool and offers multiple views of the sea. The property’s bright white exterior provides a pleasant sight for passersby.
ISLAND IDYLL
A FATHER-AND-DAUGHTER DESIGN TEAM DELIVERS A TRUE FLORIDA RETREAT IN BOCA GRANDE WITH FUTURE GENERATIONS IN MIND
architecture PAUL KONSTANT, KONSTANT ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING, BOCA GRANDE, FL
Architect Paul Konstant designed this Gasparilla Island home in
AFTER YEARS OF VISITING FRIENDS and admiring their homes up and down Gasparilla Island, one Midwestern couple finally decided to take the plunge and build their own at Boca Grande, a small residential community in the Lee County portion of the island. To steer them through this endeavor, they called on a team that had delivered for them before: Illinois architect Paul Konstant and interior designer Natalie Konstant (Paul’s
Interior designer Natalie Konstant grouped four Freya Lounge chairs by Formation in this great room area so those seated could watch television or swivel the other way and enjoy the water views.
For their Florida getaway, the clients wanted a true island home. Or, as architect Paul Konstant puts it: “a house where you can kick off your shoes, walk on the sand outside, and be surrounded by materials that are conducive to that beachy environment.”
daughter). The duo’s mission was to create a beachfront vacation escape that the clients could enjoy with their four adult children and, someday, their grandchildren.
Trust between the homeowners and the design team was established long before any construction work began. Paul has designed a good number of homes on Gasparilla (including his own), so he’s well versed in local rules and logistics, and the clients were already familiar with his work after they’d collaborated on properties in Illinois and Wisconsin. “There’s a similar feel to all of Paul’s houses even though they are all different,” says the wife. “They’re
above: The design team opted for durable exterior materials that would complement the homeowners’ penchant for nickel gap, found throughout the home’s interior walls. Landscape architects installed palm trees in perfect proportion to enhance the overall visual effect.
like little jewel boxes that are beautiful and reflective of the personality of the family they’re designed for.”
For t heir Florida getaway, the clients wanted a true island home. Or, as Paul puts it: “a house where you can kick off your shoes, walk on the sand outside, and be surrounded by materials that are conducive to that beachy environment.” They also wanted comfort for both them and the family and friends who visit regularly, so architect and designer ensured the home’s 4,710 square feet were fully versatile, with areas that completely open to the outdoors.
left: “The house functions around this kind of main great room space that goes out to the pool terrace,” explains Natalie. “It really works for both small and large groups.” A dining table from Petersen Antiques in Los Angeles was coated in a heavy lacquer and Gervasoni dining chairs were upholstered in all-weather fabric to prevent damage and stains.
below: Artwork from Jett Thompson Home in Naples and a resin bench by Tina Frey create a charming vignette.
Because this is a home where entertaining is common, the outdoor areas and those leading to the outdoors were given special consideration. Natalie opted for comfortable yet stylish seating groups that can easily be relocated or merely swiveled for conversation. The wife says one of the family’s favorite gathering spaces quickly became the rather large screened-in porch with its beautiful cypress ceiling: “That’s where we pretty much live.” Wood, in both tone and texture, dominates much of the palette indoors. Engineered teak floors were chosen for durability (and with the family’s lovable but destructive black Labrador
below: Custom bunkbeds allow smart space for up to four visitors in one of the guest bedrooms.
above: Because most of the home’s walls are paneled in white nickel gap boards, the approach was repeated in the primary bathroom.
in mind). In the dining room, a custom table warms the area and alludes to the numerous gatherings that take place here, but getting it situated took a crane and some strategic brawn from more than a few workmen. In the kitchen, oak cabinets from Naples’ Ruffino Cabinetry provide an ideal contrast to the bright white nickel gap paneling.
As accents go, both the homeowners and the designer agreed that incorporating natural fibers such as sea grass and rattan, as well as shades of blue, would add the type of layering and personality the interior needed. “There’s something very California cool about the interiors, but they’ve also got a surf shack vibe thanks to the fringe on the chairs and the raw teak coffee table,” says Natalie. “It all just works together.”
Whi le the home’s overall look may be difficult to pigeonhole into one theme, one thing is certain: This will be a family retreat for generations to come.
In the primary bedroom, the Amber Interiors bed frame is upholstered in a neutral Mokum fabric. Pops of blue are common throughout the entire residence. “When you’re on the water, blue just feels right,” says the designer.
SOURCES
GREAT ROOM
Sofas – A. Rudin, arudin.com
Cocktail bench designed by Natalie Konstant Interiors, Boca Grande, FL, and fabricated by Iatesta Studio, iatestastudio.com
Club chairs – Formations, Holly Hunt, hollyhunt.com
Accessories – Patina Collection, Naples, FL, Jett Thompson, Naples, FL, Boca Blooms, Boca Grande, FL, Hive, Palm Beach, FL, and Le Serene, Palm Beach, FL
above: Sofas from Bradley Terrace, slipcovered swivel chairs and cocktail tables from Serena & Lily, and square side tables from Teak Warehouse set a resort tone on the screened patio. A cypress ceiling visually warms the space.
right: The outdoor kitchen incorporates a surprisingly large amount of storage and even a few surprises, such as the You and Me table from RS Barcelona, which also serves as a ping pong surface.
above: A bone inlay table from Boca
in
a pouf from
and a painting from
add interest in the hallway leading to the guest rooms.
Blooms,
Patina Collection
Naples,
Cape Cod artist Sarah Hinckley
Style Upgrade
SURROUNDED BY COCONUT GROVE’S LUSH VEGETATION, A RENOVATED PROPERTY FINDS NEW PURPOSE AS A FASHIONABLY MODERN FAMILY HOME
Beyond its enchanting hidden entrance, this Coconut Grove residence opens onto a posh and modern receiving area with mohair club chairs and a Nazar rug from Atelier Février. The mystical eye motif creates a pathway to the dining area, where organic forms prevail with Collection Particulière’s YAB table and Cassina’s curvilinear Dudet armchairs.
WITH ITS CANOPY OF PLUSH GREENERY and Indian peacocks roaming the streets, Coconut Grove feels more like a remote tropical island than a coastal city neighborhood. Dotted with waterfront restaurants and quaint alfresco cafes, the enclave offers the ideal balance of suburban quiet and urban excitement. This brand of yin-yang charm means that even an imperfect property presents a desirable pursuit for homeowners—especially with the prospect of a fresh renovation envisioned through the eyes of DIDA Home’s talented design duo.
above: Pierced living room walls create continuity, visually connecting the public spaces to compose a fluid floor plan. A Christophe Delcourt EKO sofa pairs with Secolo’s sleek rounded Pingu side table. Artist Marcela Cure’s Le Gambe sculpture strikes a seductive pose on the coffee table.
interior design DAVID MIRANDA & DIANA URIBE, DIDA HOME, MIAMI, FL
text JEANNE DELATHOUDER photography JEANNE CANTO, NORTH MIAMI, FL
“Our clients, a young couple with two small children, came to us after purchasing the house from a developer,” says DIDA Home founder David Miranda, who co-owns the firm with designer Diana Uribe. “The finishes, lighting, and architectural details were unsuitable for their taste preferences, so we partnered with them for an overall improvement of the property.”
Bor n and raised in Ecuador, Miranda and Uribe share a passion for refined modern style, bespoke design, and exceptional craftsmanship. Hence, they refurbished all
A massive slab of Egeo marble from Opustone anchors the living room, lending artful movement with its natural veining. Elegant black stone cocktail tables fabricated by DIDA Home in Ecuador echo the sophisticated aesthetic.
the millwork, flooring, and lighting throughout the interiors, incorporating seamless architecture with hidden baseboards, trimless lights, a modern Italian kitchen, and streamlined Poliform closets. Neutral limestone flooring balanced with stained oak wood paneling generates coziness. “For me, the circulation of the space was key,” says Uribe. “I am a fan of staircases—they provide everyday flow, creating the heart of the home. Here, the original stairs were bulky and stiff, so we opened them up and made them float, paying attention to details such as concealed support mechanisms to ensure circulation.”
Positioned as the heart of the home, a floating staircase designed by DIDA Home contributes to the dwelling’s effortless flow. Hidden support mechanisms and custom millwork produce a clean look.
right: Marked by a black palette and limestone flooring, the kitchen embodies a modern Italian aesthetic with Varenna cabinetry from Poliform. A custom island designed by DIDA Home, built-in appliances, and hidden cabinet door openings ensure seamless simplicity.
below: Clad in graphic black-and-white Ann Sacks tile floors and a chic black marble vanity, the design of the powder room creates a moment of intrigue in a small space.
The home’s muted color palette, informed by its site’s lush green la ndscapes, emerged as the ideal solution, aligning with the client’s tastes. “More than the color, what we really paid attention to was the richness of textures,” adds Miranda, “a tactile blend of fabrics, woods, and metals evoking a sense of warmth and elegance.” To mask a massive entrance door, the design crew paneled the entire foyer with millwork to hide as many doors as possible. A convivial receiving area greets guests with a charismatic eye-motif rug, a pair of mohair armchairs, and a dynamic black ceramic table created by Philadelphia-based artist Sean Gerstley. “We placed the dining room near the entrance so the family can enjoy front-yard views of the trees while having dinner,” notes Uribe. “I designed the sideboard with an exotic veneer from the Amazon jungle, and it turned out to be of my favorite pieces.”
above: On the upper level, walls of glass frame the resplendent Coconut Grove treetops, composing a forest-like backdrop for the family room. A modular Minotti sofa grouping encircles a round cocktail ottoman custom-made and designed by DIDA Home in Ecuador. An MMairo marble side table brings vintage juxtaposition to the modern aesthetic.
left: In the son’s bedroom, a LEGO-style wall designed by DIDA Home comes alive in an ombré pattern of blue hues and includes a built-in reading nook.
above: Handmade white Faina floor lamps made in Ukraine double as sculptural pieces in the upstairs family room. Their textured organic forms synchronize with sinuous furniture, including a corner club chair.
Because the clients enjoy having their kids run around and share moments visible from the kitchen to the living room, an open floor plan was implemented in the main living spaces wherever possible. “We sliced through the walls to create a peekaboo effect, defining an ‘entrance moment’ to the living area, while an Egeo marble slab accents the back wall with dramatic veining to create movement,” says Miranda. “I also adore the little finishing touches, like the MMairo marble side table and the legs sculpture by my dear friend Marcela Cure.”
Ascending the floating staircase, slatted wood panels continue upward, uniting the two levels and allowing connectivity to downstairs activities. The second-floor family room forms a magical oasis in the treetops, where the couple loves to gather with their kids for TV time. Natural oak flooring throughout the upper level, including the primary
bedroom and bath, lends a coziness that only wood finishes seem to achieve. For some contrast, the designers articulated the private suite with a lacquered pivot door and an architectural detail composing a seating niche encased in a lustrous wood framework.
“We loved being a part of this home during the two years of design and construction,” notes Miranda. “It was charming to see the unique and loving interaction between the couple’s first child and their newborn, as well as all the family members who came to visit.”
“I always enjoy the design process,” adds Uribe. “I wanted the details to be spectacular and make the clients happy, and that’s exactly what we did.”
Natural oak flooring and a seating niche wrapped in rich wood finishes infuse warmth into the primary bedroom suite. A minimalist platform bed and headboard from Poliform capped with a custom leather bench blend fluently with Gabriel Scott pendant lighting and a fluffy vintage sheep accent piece.
above: Library bookcases from Frigerio supplement the primary suite’s linear elegance. The bedroom’s muted palette unites with a mélange of tactile fabrics and rich textures, including linens, velvets, leathers, metals, and woods.
below: The primary bathroom’s sand limestone flooring conjures a beach vibe. Poliform’s sleek cabinetry and closets combine with a spacious marble shower, composing a refined aesthetic against a natural backdrop of unspoiled native foliage.
SOURCES
DINING AREA
Table – YAB, Collection Particulier, Paris, France
Chairs – Dudet, Cassina, cassina.com
Buffet design by DIDA Home, Miami, FL
Artwork above buffet – Daniel Berman, Mexico City, Mexico
Lighting – Apparatus, apparatusstudio.com
Club chair – PIA, Collection Particulier, Paris, France
Accent table – Sean Gerstley, @seangerstly
Sculptural rug – Nazar, Atelier Février, atelierfevrier.com
LIVING ROOM
Sofas – EKO, Christopher Delcourt, Paris, France
Club chair and cocktail table designed by DIDA Home, Miami, FL
Side tables – Pingu, Secolo, secolo.design
Block side table – Anna Karlim, MMairo, mmairo.com
Artwork – Paul Amundarain, Miami, FL
Stone wall – Egeo, Opustone Stone & Tile Concepts, Miami, FL
Legs sculpture – Marcela Cure, marcelacure.com
Area rug – Art and Loom, artandloom.com
STAIRWAY
Stairway designed by DIDA Home, Miami, FL, and fabricated by CH Construction Group, Miami, FL
Millwork – Vedani Mobili, vedanimobili.com
KITCHEN
Cabinetry – Poliform, Miami, FL
Island designed by DIDA Home, Miami, FL, and fabricated by Poliform, Miami, FL
FAMILY ROOM
Sofa grouping – Minotti, Miami, FL
Cocktail ottoman designed by DIDA Home, Miami, FL
Floor lighting – Faina, @fainadesign
Area rug – Art and Loom, artandloom.com
SON’S BEDROOM
Lego wall designed by DIDA Home, Miami, FL, and fabricated by Vedani Mobili, vedanimobili.com
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Bed and headboard – Poliform, poliform.it
Pendant lighting – Gabriel Scott, gabriel-scott.com
above: Renovated outdoor spaces include an intimate covered area with a wood ceiling and modern Italianinspired furnishings. A custom bean-shaped marble cocktail table counterbalances Cassina’s clean-lined sofa grouping.
right: An alfresco dining area faces the pool and its tropical landscape. Textural black woven chairs from B&B Italia surround an organically shaped custom concrete dining table designed to simulate a cloud.
Florida-native landscaping is positioned to tie the lower level of the home to the surrounding areas and enhance privacy for the second and third floors, directing attention to the ocean views rather than the roadway that separates the property from the beach.
Modern Masterpiece
AN ALL-NEW OCEANFRONT RESIDENCE IN DELRAY BEACH SERVES AS THE IDEAL BACKDROP FOR A BELOVED ART COLLECTION
& interior
WESLEY KEAN & CHANCE STILLMAN, KODA, MIAMI, FL
KELLEY MARCELLUS
JEANNE CANTO, NORTH MIAMI, FL
above: With architecture inspired by a catamaran, this Delray Beach residence features angles that open like a sail, in color tones inspired by the surrounding sand dunes.
BUSINESS BROUGHT JOHN AND ANGELA DesPrez to South Florida more than a decade ago, but a specific house convinced them to call Delray Beach their home for good.
Whi le the couple had lived happily in Boston for years, when the financial services company of which John is CEO moved to South Florida, they bought a property in Highland Beach on the Intracoastal and embraced the local lifestyle, including forging a relationship with the Boca Raton Museum of Art. The DesPrezes have an extensive collection of contemporary art, which John began accumulating more than 20 years ago, and the couple is dedicated to living with those cherished works.
The house was conceived specifically for its prime beachfront site by architects Wesley Kean and Chance Stillman, who designed the threestory structure to take advantage of the ocean view. The first floor acts like
a subterranean level, housing two two-car garages, a gym, an office, and a hidden entrance. “It’s the antithesis of modern development,” says John. “You drive down the street and there are no doors visible.” The reason the exterior recedes from the view of passersby is to provide the homeowners with privacy and remove the distraction of the roadway between the home and the beachfront. “You can forget that A1A even exists because you see over it,” says Kean regarding the home’s second-floor public living spaces, third-floor bedrooms, and rooftop deck—one of the few that have been permitted in Delray Beach. Native, salt-tolerant landscaping and a muted gray shade further camouflage the first floor. “The lower level is about the shadow that really connects you to the landscape,” adds Kean. “As you rise up, the materiality becomes much lighter.”
The a rchitects liken the design of the home to that of a catamaran, with angles and sails opening skyward. “The motor court is darker and more out of view,” says Stillman. “As you look up, the vessel starts to emerge and that’s what cradles the main living space.”
Wooden exterior fins, which continue inside the home, highlight windows that shield views of the street from inside, yet frame a wide view
above: The lower level of the house conceals a pair of two-car garages and a private entrance. Woodwrapped fins on the second floor artfully create a cocoon of privacy without compromising the soothing water vistas.
right: In the dining room, the paneled wooden fins, which mimic an exterior architectural feature, offer privacy without diminishing natural light or ocean views. The colors of the wood and stone serve as another reminder of the house’s natural surroundings.
incorporated throughout the residence with gallery-like precision.
The bar in the club room area of the house is one of the few places where a dark palette was employed.
left:
above left: The homeowners’ prized art collection, including Blue Girl Walking by Jane Maxwell, was
of the ocean. The tone of the wood was chosen to mirror what was found in the natural environment outdoors, a tactic that drove color choices made throughout the residence. “We wanted sleek and contemporary, so we made choices that were clean,” says Angela. “This is a contemporary house, but it’s far from being a white box.”
In terms of the look indoors, the interplay of exterior and interior materials was key. The same type of coral stone used outside sets an ideally neutral backdrop for the homeowners’ art collection inside. On the first floor, a curved wall crafted of ribbed light oak disguises an elevator and hides some of the residence’s utilitarian spaces. On the second level, where the main living areas are located, the elevator enclosure becomes a visual element within an open floor plan meant to serve as a gallery space for various paintings and sculptures.
The open-concept living room offers floor-to-ceiling oceanfront views through its glass walls.
above: On the first floor foyer, Five Hanging Ladders, a colored glass installation by Carrie McGee, is backdropped by the same coral stone that’s used in the home’s exterior. The ribbed oak enclosure to the left of the stairwell conceals the elevator that connects the residence’s three levels.
below: The homeowners’ art collection includes pieces such as Blue Gardens, a triptych by Vesela Baker set against the ribbed oak elevator enclosure; Crystal Companions I, II and III, a table sculpture by Thomas Scoon; a painting by Edward Lentsch, Secrets from the Cave Drawings II on the back wall; and a painting by Rick Eggert, River Rock Tower, on the left wall.
above: Homeowner Angela DesPrez says the kitchen is an oft-used space that the homeowners find easy to maintain. The ribbed wood encasing the island and range hood provides a counterpoint to the sleek cabinetry.
Wood, texture, and curves tell the story in the kitchen, which offers a sleek balance of white lacquer and blond oak. Here, a large island is angled in a very similar way to the ribbon motif outside the house. “We opted for a very contemporary effect,” says John. “There are no cabinet pulls or knobs anywhere, and that was a very conscious choice.”
The l iving room is an area for contemplation of both natural splendor and human creativity. With glass walls highlighting the Atlantic Ocean, the eye can’t help but jump from the water view to the art, which includes an abstract glass sculpture by Brent Kee Young and a blue-toned painting by Jane Maxwell. A glass-railed staircase contributes to the gallery vibe with its sculptural silhouette.
“Al l in all, the house accomplishes everything we wanted,” says John. “It allows us to live with the art we’ve collected and love, and it has evocative layers that tell the story of the dunes, water, and sky that are right outside.”
above: An exterior staircase leads to a third-story rooftop deck with a hot tub, fire pit, and entertaining area.
below: Retractable sliding doors open the primary bath to the outdoors.
SOURCES
DINING AREA
Table and chairs – Interiors by Steven G, Pompano Beach, FL
Wall panels designed by KoDA, Miami, FL, and fabricated by Azure Development, Delray Beach, FL
LIVING AREA
Sofa and chair – Interiors by Steven G, Pompano Beach, FL
Sculpture – Homeowners’ collection
BAR AREA
Table, chairs, and stools – Interiors by Steven G, Pompano Beach, FL
Millwork designed by Interiors by Steven G, Pompano Beach, FL, and fabricated by Mirrors & Closets of Florida, West Park, FL
KITCHEN
Cabinetry and island designed by KoDA, Miami, FL, and fabricated by Armazém, Dania Beach, FL
Furniture selection – Interiors by Steven G, Pompano Beach, FL
Millwork – Armazém, Dania, FL
Stone – Opustone, Miami, FL
Stairs designed by KoDA, Miami, FL, and fabricated by South Florida Stairs, Boynton Beach, FL
Windows and doors – Sun Architectural Windows & Doors, Deerfield Beach, FL, and fabricated by ES Windows, Miami, FL and Aldora, Coral Springs, FL
KoDA architects Wesley Kean and Chance Stillman designed the house to be part of the dune landscape, with plant life and levels that seem to erase the road that separates the home from the beach.
above: “The backyard features a unique extension that juts out into the ocean, offering expansive water views,” says interior designer Destin Barkley of this massive estate in Grassy Key. “Additionally, there’s a saltwater tidal pond, connected to the Gulf of Mexico, adding to the property’s inherent appeal and making for a peaceful retreat.” The entire site is comprised of 23,913 square feet.
home.
left: Verdant foliage guides the way to the entry of the main
Fun in the Sun
COMPLETE WITH A SWIM-UP BAR, A LAZY RIVER, A PUTTING GREEN, AND AMPLE SQUARE FOOTAGE FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, A RESORT-LIKE COMPOUND IN GRASSY KEY BECOMES THE IDEAL VACATION RETREAT
WHEN A BOCA RATON-BASED EXECUTIVE began planning for a weekend retreat, he envisioned a place that would evoke a true getaway for himself and his partner, along with his adult children and their growing families. He had fond memories of visiting the Florida Keys as a child and enjoying fishing, lobstering, and diving, so settling on Grassy Key near Mile Marker 57 as a location was a no-brainer.
“I was already quite familiar with Marathon, and the sense of nostalgia around this particular area, which is rather special,” he says. “From the moment I pulled up to the property, I was taken by the long stretch of flat water, the private setting, and, of course, the picturesque sunsets.”
While a 1950s-era house existed on the site, it was outdated and not in line with the homeowner’s vision, so he chose to demolish it and start anew. To handle the complete build and design of a new estate, he called on D’Asign Source, a full-service firm that operates out of Marathon. What resulted from that initial call is a massive tropical retreat that serves as a frequent gathering place for family and friends.
The team behind the project, which took several years to complete, included interior designer Destin Barkley and architects Matthew
above: A classic cream sectional from American Leather is a go-to spot for indoor lounging.
left: This alfresco dining area highlights the tranquil essence of the property with a teak table from Barlow Tyrie and coordinating chairs by Lloyd Flanders that offer ample seating.
Prince and Leighton Campbell. Through many site visits and discussions with the homeowner, they arrived on the concept of creating a compound, rather than a singular home. “Focusing on a transitional coastal modern aesthetic, the compound was designed to make several separate buildings feel like one large house through the use of connected walkways and covered patios,” says Prince, who, along with Barkley, envisioned a main home comprised of three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and one half-bathroom, along with a two-bedroom and two-bathroom guesthouse with a kitchen, and a duo of guest cottages that each include two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Overall, there are 9,760 square feet of air-conditioned space, and that doesn’t account for the seemingly endless number of outdoor areas available for dining, lounging, and swimming. In its entirety, the property has a footprint of 23,913 square feet.
As outdoor activities are at the heart of life in the Florida Keys, it was imperative that the transition from inside the home and the accompanying guest suites to the outdoors was seamless. “The natural appeal of the surrounding
left: An LED chandelier by Hammerton illuminates the foyer that leads to the primary bedroom.
below: As the homeowner has a penchant for wine and champagne, a dedicated space for his collection was a necessary feature. The design team upped the ante with a backlit slab of exotic blue agate for the accent wall and a stained walnut storage system by Kessick Wine Cellars.
“It’s my favorite fixture in the house,” says interior designer Destin Barkley of the dining room chandelier by Scabetti. “It consists of 850 handmade fine bone china fish figures. When the door is opened and a breeze blows through the house, there is a very soft wind chime effect.” The table is from The Phillips Collection and was crafted from sustainably harvested Camacha wood. The palm tree artwork was commissioned by the homeowner from California artist Steve Barton.
environment was my main inspiration when it came to the interior design,” says Barkley. “It influenced everything from the color palette of layered blues to the organic textures and rich wood tones.”
Several elements that were incorporated into the design plan were inspired by specific memories from the homeowner’s life. “Early in my career, a client of mine had a swim-up bar, and I thought that was the coolest,” he says. “And I’ve always loved bringing my kids to water parks, so the lazy river is a result of that.”
Woven throughout these outdoor attractions is a landscape of lush vegetation, further enhancing the utopian vibe. With a combination of native greenery, salt- and wind-tolerant plants, and artificial turf, the team was able to add visual interest while scaling down the large space, creating a more intimate and inviting atmosphere around the backyard and pool area.
And when a break from the sun is necessary, retreating to the game room and bar is ideal. In orchestrating this domain, Barkley endeavored to conjure a space that would make an elegant statement yet be casual enough for hanging after getting out of the pool. That’s one of
In the game room, the ceiling is lined with a Phillip Jeffries wallcovering in a deep
hue. A contemporary billiards table was sourced from Sawyer Twain and the foosball table is from Frontgate. In the corner, an L-shaped bar crafted from blue
Bar tables and coordinating stools by
provide additional seating with a prime view of the pool area and beyond.
The D’Asign Source team created and installed the putting green, which is enjoyed year-round.
right:
left:
Summer Classics
cerulean
quartzite beckons guests to gather for a cocktail.
A nautical guest bathroom features an authentic map wallcovering from NavChartArt. The rattan mirror is from Made Goods and the open weave rattan and brass chandelier is from Shades of Light.
the reasons she chose a moody shade of paint for the walls and ceiling, and then installed white trusses and decorative beams atop iridescent wallpaper. “I went with rich blue tones that mimic the deep ocean waters,” says the designer, who also sourced coastal-inspired game tables to further complement the space.
According to Prince, the property remains a memorable project to him because of the homeowner’s involvement and earnest attention to detail. “We enjoy working with clients who truly participate in the process and have a hand in the design integrity,” he says. “The beauty of this endeavor was that we were able to create some stunning interior and exterior spaces while still maintaining that flip-flop appeal that is so much a part of the Florida Keys lifestyle.”
left: A haven for relaxation, the primary bathroom offers a sweeping ocean view. The accent table is from Lexington and the pendant lighting is from Currey & Company.
below: To enhance the allure of the property, D’Asign Source incorporated lush landscaping that is impervious to the elements of a waterfront home.
above: Woven counter stools from Palecek line the outdoor bar while sapphire-hued tiles set in a herringbone pattern on the floor recall the shades of the sea.
below: A 13-person swim-up bar is a welcome stop along the property’s lazy river. The gazebo was designed to match the house’s transitional coastal modern architectural style and features a Lynx cocktail station, making for the consummate happy hour setup.
From the pool area, the views of sea and sky are endless, and so are the opportunities for having fun or totally unwinding.
SOURCES
EXTERIOR DINING AREA
Table – Barlow Tyrie, teak.com
Chairs – Lloyd Flanders, lloydflanders.com
Fandelier – Serena & Lily, serenaandlily.com
Lanterns – Palecek, palecek.com
LIVING ROOM
Sofa grouping – American Leather, americanleather.com
Pool designed and fabricated by D’Asign Source, dasignsource.com
Pool engineering – Aquatic Consultants, aquaticconsultantsinc.com
Pool finish – Pool Boy, poolboyplastering.com.
Pool mosaic – Ray Corral, mosaicist.com
THROUGHOUT
Ceiling cypress fabricated by D’Asign Source, dasignsource.com
Landscape architecture and plants – D’Asign Source, dasignsource.com; dasignsourcebotanicals.com
Clad in Alabama limestone and embraced by trees, sky, and water, this Winter Park dwelling is poised on a green peninsula stretching over Lake Maitland. Informed by architect Charles R. Stinson’s timeless, modern style, the home’s design fully maximizes the property’s rare dual waterfront views.
Context and Connection
A TRANSPARENT COMPOSITION OF VERTICAL STONE FORMS AND SOARING HORIZONTAL PLANES CONNECTS A WINTER PARK HOME TO ITS SETTING ON LAKE MAITLAND
architecture
CHARLES R. STINSON, CHUCK THISS & BEN BOWER, CHARLES R. STINSON ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN, DEEPHAVEN, MN
interior design KIM STREETER, CHARLES R. STINSON ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN, DEEPHAVEN, MN
builder CHARLES CLAYTON CONSTRUCTION, WINTER PARK, FL
architecture MILLS DESIGN GROUP, OVIEDO, FL
landscape
text JEANNE DELATHOUDER
photography COREY GAFFER, MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN
AFTER REGULARLY EYEING a Winter Park land site for a decade, a local couple’s patience paid off. Over the years, their search for the perfect lakefront location for a home had evolved into an enjoyable hobby. But when a lot situated on a peninsula overlooking Lake Maitland unexpectedly became available, they wasted no time acquiring it.
“Winter Park is beloved for its brick streets, extensive tree canopy, and the chain of six lakes connected by navigable canals,” says the homeowner, a long-time area resident who swiftly purchased the land for him and his partner. “With unparalleled dual lake views on a quiet thoroughfare—all within a short walk from the downtown historic district—this particular site is truly one of a kind.”
left: ArtZMiami’s convex teal mirror and Ralph Pucci Cell Suspension pendants bring reflection and whimsy to the foyer. Beyond, the dining area with a view showcases a Gallotti & Radice Platinum table surrounded by Constantini Pietro chairs. An Etienne Moyat carved wood artwork brings textural drama to a custom buffet clad in shagreen leather fabricated by Braaten Creative Woods.
below: A pristine auto court displays front-to-back water views surrounding the peninsula, giving the home a light-filled sense of transparency. The ivoryhued Alabama limestone exterior cladding merges with the Florida landscape, informing the tones carried throughout the interior.
A color-blocked custom hide rug fabricated by Kyle Bunting emulates the landscape hues, bringing rhythm and flow to the great room. Minotti furnishings create an inviting conversation area with an off-white sectional sofa and lacquered side tables paired with leather swivel chairs and a marble and bronze coffee table.
After years of admiring his Florida work in various design publications, the couple knew reaching out to Minnesota architect Charles Stinson for their new build was the right choice. “The first time Charles visited the site, within minutes, he had climbed up on the second-story roof of the existing home to get a sense for sightlines,” notes the owner. “We could immediately see an artist at work— his mind already spinning with concepts to incorporate the home into the surroundings and take advantage of its unique location.”
Encompassing 6,700 square feet with water vistas from nearly every room, Stinson’s transparent design melds vertical limestone stacks with soaring horizontal roof and terrace planes, creating sculptural, individual forms that appear to float. Composed on-site and old-school—with ink and colored pencils—his thoughtful composition brings nature to the forefront, responding to sunrise and sunset views. “When you study architecture, they tell you it’s all about arranging boxes and carving holes—almost like cave
above: A custom Impatia glass pool table covered in blue felt nods to the lake views seen from the game room. Bocci lighting overhead mimics the shape of the pool orbs. Glass-faced custom bar cabinets amplify the light and spirit of the room, as does Cheryl Mackey Smith’s framed white ceramic artwork.
architecture,” says Stinson. “When designing homes like this one, I envision living in trees, being a bigger part of nature—harmonizing with the natural surroundings—to create a very Zen-like feel.”
A joint effort by Stinson’s in-house architectural and interior design teams, the collective intent was to engineer a home that would fluidly connect to the Florida landscape. “We quickly learned that Charles, along with colleagues Chuck Thiss, Ben Bower, and lead interior designer Kim Streeter, shared our appreciation for detail,” says the owner. “An architect’s plans are sometimes taken as a ‘suggestion,’ leaving many decisions to be made in the field. Their design plans included every detail—even precise locations for outlets, switches, and vents.”
One of t he team’s first exterior selections, an ivory-hued Alabama limestone cladding, created “the springboard for the tones carried throughout the interior,” says Streeter, “while informing the main level’s terrazzo floor.” The limestone arrives at a mill not far from Stinson’s Minnesota offices, so to gain insight into its origins, the clients set out on a field trip for a first-hand look at the process. “Seeing the massive limestone blocks coming in on trucks and transforming into pieces of precision-cut stone is just one example of the level of engagement we shared with them in the process,” notes the homeowner.
Streeter’s muted interior palette further enables the lake views to dominate, and the open floor plan’s broad sightlines ensure the owners stay connected with their guests from all vantage points while entertaining. “Tabu Tay cabinetry finishes complemented with super-matte Italian-designed Fenix surfaces generate a
exudes a luxury spa vibe with a Toto zerogravity tub and horizontally stacked Porcelanosa wall tiles aligning with the custom floating cabinetry and mirror heights. Séura’s innovative TV mirrors emit ambient lighting, keeping the space comfortably lit.
left: The first-floor primary bath
The guest room boasts magnificent lake views and a floating rift white oak bed and nightstands that create the illusion of spaciousness. A calming tonal palette gives way to Max Bill’s colorful artwork above the bed, 16 Constellations.
left: An elegant Poliform custom closet encased with smokey glass-front cabinets illuminates from within, highlighting its contents. Erik Kuster’s textured woven leather bench for Lepere creates a chic sitting area while bringing luxuriant visual warmth with its rich ochre tone.
balanced blend of textures,” adds Streeter, “lending contrast to dark-stained rift white oak interior doors and cabinetry on the second and third levels. For continuity, the terrazzo floor’s base hue repeats in the Italian plaster walls, which had minerals added to create dimension and a little sparkle.”
Rewa rding on many levels, the building experience presented an intensely dynamic and creative process, with numerous aspects inspired by the homeowners’ impeccable taste. “Their trust in the collaboration allowed the project to flow,” notes Streeter. “When a design is completed to this level of precision, it brings me great joy and satisfaction.”
For Stinson, each architectural endeavor becomes the homeowners’ personal story, naturally unfolding over time, shaping the outcome with each step. “The soul of our architecture is connection, and the site is where it begins,” he says. “It is the context and catalyst for understanding a vision, and it sets my work in motion.”
above: Outfitted with Brown Jordan furnishings and full-height gliding and stacking doors, the main-level deck allows seamless indoor/outdoor living experiences. The alfresco kitchen area features a custom hightop outdoor table by Charles R. Stinson Architecture + Design paired with Gandia Blasco bar stools.
“The soul of our architecture is connection, and the site is where it begins,” says architect Charles Stinson. “It is the context and catalyst for understanding a vision, and it sets my work in motion.”
Floating buffet and shelf designed by Charles R. Stinson Architecture + Design, Deephaven, MN, and fabricated by Braaten Creative Woods, braatencreativewoods.com
Area rug designed by Charles R. Stinson Architecture + Design, Deephaven, MN, and fabricated by Kyle Bunting, kylebunting.com
GAME ROOM
Cabinetry designed by Charles R. Stinson Architecture + Design, Deephaven, MN, and fabricated by Braaten Creative Woods, braatencreativewoods.com
Artwork – Cheryl Mackey Smith, cmackeysmith.com
Lighting – Bocci, Fuse, fusempls.com
Pool table – Impatia, impatia.com
Area rug designed by Charles R. Stinson Architecture + Design, Deephaven, MN, and fabricated by Kyle Bunting, kylebunting.com
PRIMARY BATHROOM
Cabinetry designed by Charles R. Stinson Architecture
+ Design, Deephaven, MN, and fabricated by Braaten Creative Woods, braatencreativewoods.com
Mirrors – Seura, Montaggio, montaggio.net
Wallcovering – Porcelanosa, Ceramic Matrix, Winter Park, FL
Tub – Toto, Montaggio, montaggio.net
GUEST BEDROOM
Bed, headboard, and chests designed by Charles R. Stinson Architecture + Design, Deephaven, MN, and fabricated by Braaten Creative Woods, braatencreativewoods.com
Sconces – Astro Lighting, astrolighting.co.us
Artwork above bed – 16 Constellations, Max Bill,
Homeowners’ collection
Chair – Maxalto, maxalto.com
Area rug – Perennials, perennialsandsutherland.com
PRIMARY CLOSET
Cabinetry – Poliform, Miami, FL
Bench – Lepere, lepereinc.com
Indirect lighting – Kelvix Lighting, kelvix.com
EXTERIOR
Seating grouping and lounges – Brown Jordan, Casual Contract, casualcontract.com
Specialty wall finishes – Otto Painting Design, Chanhassen, MN
A newly built custom home in Gainesville’s Savanna Pointe community embodies the charm and patina of an elegant European country retreat. The owners’ antique desk complements a collection of botanical prints, composing a quaint hallway vignette. A rustic stone wall and antique door create a well-worn aesthetic.
Prairie Pastoral
A COUPLE AND THEIR DESIGNER CREATE A FOREVER-HOME SANCTUARY AMID THE WILDLIFE OF A NATIONAL STATE PARK NEAR GAINESVILLE
WITH ITS WILD HORSES, bison, and nearly 300 species of birds, Florida’s Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, just south of Gainesville in Alachua County, is a sanctuary of wildlife and wetlands revered by animal lovers all over the state. Folks like Dr. Terry and Heidi Tomlin, a couple with a thriving veterinarian practice who were looking to downsize after living on a sprawling 10-acre farm for many years. Heading into retirement, they aspired to travel more and spend time with their seven grandkids. But after enjoying the privacy of country living, they wanted a neighborhood that afforded them the same feel and sweeping landscape views they had on their farm.
above: Old-world exterior finishes, including Ancient Villa Ledgestone, brass half-pipe gutters, and iron-embellished doors and windows, pair with St. James Lighting’s Oxford gas lanterns.
architecture PRIDGEN HOMES, GAINESVILLE, FL
interior design SARAH CAIN, SARAH CAIN DESIGN, GAINESVILLE, FL
text JENEE DESTIN
photography POLINA PIGULEVSKY, JACKSONVILLE, FL
left: A trio of horse-themed ink drawings by Christina Cassidy of ChèvreFeuille highlights the hallway entrance of the residence.
“We searched for years to find the right property, and then one of our clients suggested Savanna Pointe, a small, gated community bordering Paynes Prairie,” says Terry. “When we drove in, we fell in love immediately. It was exactly what we had been looking for.”
Armed with a rough sketch on a napkin, the Tomlins met with their building contractor at Pridgen Homes, and began designing their bespoke house. It didn’t take long to realize their multifaceted vision, along with a vast collection of personal items they wanted to incorporate, would be an arduous endeavor. After interviewing several designers—some of whom didn’t bother calling back after learning of the couple’s deep involvement in the design process— they contacted Sarah Cain. “She was excited and immediately understood my vision,” says Heidi. “We met on our lot and started crafting a plan for our forever home that would keep its charm for years. We wanted the house to age with us and enable effortless entertaining with our friends and family, especially our grandkids.”
Indeed, their 2,978-square-foot home embodies all the charm and elegance of a European country retreat. Nestled between two fingers of the prairie, the property showcases wetland
above: In the “family bonus room,” custom shelving incorporates a secret door that reveals a play space designed for the grandchildren. Bassett’s sectional sofa doubles as a sleeping area for the kids, and a tufted blue leather ottoman includes clever built-in storage.
left: Vintage Parisian doors enhanced with circular transom details lead into a piano room dressed in Sherwin Williams’ richly pigmented Indigo Batik. A Cristol tiered chandelier by AERIN unifies a deep blue cocktail ottoman accented with vivid apple green velvet armchairs.
A raw-edge custom stone backsplash accented with a black range hood infuses drama into the
below: The coffee and wine bar composes a comfy kitchen alcove where the homeowners can pause and recharge. An antique mirror backsplash highlights
vistas from front to back, with courtyard-style architecture allowing these views to shine. Rough-hewn beams, warm stone details on the fireplace, and wide-plank bleached oak flooring combine with architectural steel doors to captivate and reflect a well-loved patina typically unseen in new construction. “Our goal in selecting the materials was to create a comfortable retreat with timeless appeal,” says Cain. “The homeowners’ love of antiquing and integrating vintage pieces found during their travels played a significant role in the design.”
With Pridgen Homes’ original architectural plan, the design crew collaborated on a few edits, including antique doors and custom built-ins and increasing the size of the kitchen coffee bar to make space for a sofa. “We are very team-oriented and love working in tandem
right:
kitchen area. Rustic X-legged Gabby stools line the Calacatta marble-topped island.
custom brass shelving from Palmer Industries and VintageView wine pegs.
with builders, architects, and other design professionals,” notes Cain. “One would never expect this to be only a two-bedroom home because it feels much more spacious and luxurious than its square footage would indicate.”
Continually seeking to push the boundaries and uniquely expand the homeowners’ style, Cain implemented an unexpected play space for the grandchildren in what she calls the “family bonus room” by adding a wall of custom shelving with a hidden door. “My favorite part of designing for clients is to find out what brings them joy and how they want to live,” says Cain. “It’s all about creating a design that brings their signature brand to life and elevates their style of living.”
Framed by arched glass doors opening to the pool area, the primary bedroom illustrates artful symmetry. A hand-painted prairie landscape mural by Rick Chance creates a graceful backdrop for Anthropologie’s velvet tufted headboard and Gabby nightstands.
A custom-cut marble slab outlines an elegant soaking tub in the primary bathroom. A gold vintage chair upholstered in vibrant pink velvet creates an ornate accent piece against the all-white palette. Mosaic marble flooring and a branch chandelier dripping in crystals generate a refined European aesthetic.
The Tomlins, who spend most of their time on the back lanai enjoying the outdoors, consider their home an enchanted living piece of art. “Working with Sarah was a lifesaver,” says Heidi. “We spent many hours, days, and years sourcing finishes and furnishings, and it paid off. This house is a dream come true. We even have a sandhill crane couple that comes for daily visits. One day, Mr. Crane surprised me by tapping at the door with his beak, and the pair are now raising two adorable colts in our backyard.”
left: Outfitted in black marble with white veining and brass faucet fixtures, the double vanity sinks deliver a dramatic contrast against the guest bathroom’s Parisian blue cabinetry and vintage drawer knobs.
Arched doorways and square-edged columns frame the pool area, comprising classic courtyard architecture. White travertine stone pavers counterbalance the colorful tiles inset in the pool design.
SOURCES
MUSIC ROOM
Piano, ottoman, desk, and chair –Homeowners’ collection
Mirror – Regina Andrew, reginaandrew.com
Chandelier – Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com
Millwork on walls designed by Sarah Cain Design, Gainesville, FL, and fabricated by Pridgen, Newberry, FL
Antique entry doors installed by Pridgen, Newberry, FL
FAMILY ROOM
Sofa and ottoman table – Bassett, bassett.com
Area rug – Jaipur, jaipur.com
COFFEE AND WINE BAR
Sconce – Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com
KITCHEN
Marble backsplash and island top – Mystic Granite, mysticgranite.com
Hood – Pridgen, Newberry, FL
Pendant lighting – Robert Abbey, robertabbey.com
Sconces – Regina Andrew, reginaandrew.com
Stools – Gabby, gabby.com
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Bed and headboard – Anthropologie, anthropologie.com
Night tables and bench – Gabby, gabby.com
Lamps – Homeowners’ collection
Chandelier – Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com
Mural – Chance Design, chancedesigninc.com
PRIMARY BATHROOM
Tub – Signature Hardware, signaturehardware.com
Accent chair – Vintage, Sarah Cain Design,
Gainesville, FL
Chandelier – Revelation, Uttermost, uttermost.com
Marble – MIR Mosaic, mir-mosaic.com, and Mystic Granite, mysticgranite.com
Flooring – MIR Mosaic, mir-mosaic.com
BACK EXTERIOR
Sofa – Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com
Armchairs, drink table, dining chairs, and stools –Summer Classics, summerclassics.com
Dining table – Serena & Lily, serenaandlily.com
Pool – Fun State Pools, funstatepoolsinc.com
Tile – Fireclay Tile, fireclaytile.com
THROUGHOUT
Builder – Pridgen, Newberry, FL
Landscape architect – Big Trees Plantation, Newberry, FL
above right: Bordered by custom-made white Breeze Block and hand-painted tiles from Fireclay Tile, the alfresco shower area features handmade brass fittings. A seating bench and a teakwood towel stand lend charming outdoor embellishments.
right: A Serena & Lily pedestal table shapes the outdoor dining area with whitecushioned gray metal chairs from the Roma Collection by Summer Classic. The patio’s recurring theme of vibrant hand-painted tiles infuses the summer kitchen with a lively pattern.
Crafted in aluminum and teak, the Jack collection by ETHNICRAFT features simple shapes and curves that look good from all angles. ethnicraft.com
With six shades delicately crafted from green linen, the Polly chandelier by REGINA ANDREW is both graceful and versatile. reginaandrew.com
Highlight Reel
Available in two- and threeseat configurations with ash wood or walnut column legs, the Revie sofa by AMERICAN LEATHER was inspired by architectural monoliths. americanleather.com
AS HIGH POINT FALL MARKET NEARS, WE TAKE A LOOK AT STANDOUT INVENTORY FROM SOME OF THE FAIR’S PARTICIPATING BRANDS
TEXT CHRISTOPHER DAY
Underneath all that stunning white oak veneer, the Fusaichi console table by DAS WOLFE hides two drawers that emerge from both sides. daswolfedesign.com
The 10-inch globe on the Crest table lamp by HUBBARDTON FORGE emits a subtle glow for a serene ambiance. hubbardtonforge.com
The Leiden bench by ALFONSO MARINA was inspired by mid-twentieth century Danish furniture known for its functionality and refined aesthetics. alfonsomarina.com
Sleek design cues pair with soft, feminine silhouettes in all the pieces of the BAKER Resort Collection for McGuire Outdoor. bakerfurniture.com
Reminiscent of the modern arcade bridge in the mountains outside of Eze, France, the Nexus console table by CARACOLE is a sleek and statuesque addition to any room. caracole.com
Supported by three wood legs, the Bowie leather chair by BERNHARDT offers a sophisticated silhouette with simple forms. bernhardt.com
ARTEFACTO YACHT LIFE COLLECTION
Luxury furniture brand Artefacto is embarking into the super-yacht world through a prestigious partnership with award-winning yacht designer, Carla Guilhem.
The home furnishings icon, which is internationally recognized for its warm neutrals and inviting contemporary designs, debuted the “Essenza Collection” capturing the essence of life on a super yacht—luxurious yet purposeful, sophisticated yet comfortable.
Guilhem is a powerful figure in luxury yacht interiors, globally recognized for her innovative use of texture and form. Her work has achieved numerous awards for category excellence, including the 2023 BOAT International Design & Innovation Award.
She has taken the spirit of floating paradises and expertly distilled it into Essenza—composed of indoor and outdoor furniture, reflecting the same ethos of luxury, comfort, and functionality found on customdesigned yachts.
“Carla is a star in the yachting world, extremely respected for her talent and innovation,” says Paulo Bacchi, CEO of Artefacto. “This collection is not just furniture—it is the result of extraordinary design and craftsmanship meeting Carla’s keen understanding of functional luxury.”
The uniqueness of the collection lies not only in its inspiration, but also in Artefacto’s exquisite design execution crafted with the finest raw materials, marrying performance with luxury. The line blends modern sophistication with elements of the sea, nautical details, sleek finishes, and refined upholstery.
“Essenza is a serene symphony, beautifully translated into furniture that embodies the characteristics of a super yacht,” says Guilhem. “These designs create stunning aesthetics, but also convey an ambience of warmth, harmony, and serenity.”
Guilhem says the collection presents the same appeal on land. “The concept brings the super-yacht lifestyle to homes because each piece of furniture offers a sophisticated and timeless luxury living experience.”
The Essenza Collection is available in all Florida Artefacto showrooms.
Florida Design gathered clients and friends of the magazine for a lunch at The Ben in West Palm Beach to share the magazine’s plans for the rest of 2024 and into 2025. Editor-in-Chief Luis R. Rigual spoke about editorial initiatives to come and shared tips on how design professionals can submit their projects for feature consideration in FD editions, while Publisher Terry Duffy shared information about upcoming sales and marketing strategies.
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PHOTOS BY TYLER BENSON
ELMAR BENAVENTE, JENNIFER DARDANO, RICHARD SATZ
ALLISON PALADINO, ZITA RUDD
LINDA PATON, TERRY DUFFY, LESLIE EXCELL
AMANDA BENAVENTE LUIS R. RIGUAL,
SCOTT BUSSARD, JENNIFER DARDANO
MARTIN VILLABA, PENNY MURPHY, JOSE BARNI
JOSE BARNI, JOLEEN TURNER, MARISSA MURPHY
HALEY REICHENBACH
TERRY DUFFY
JOLEEN TURNER,
Photo courtesy of Marissa and Trevor Lawrence
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CALENDAR
Design happenings around the world
OCTOBER 2024
6-9 Decorex, Olympia London, UK, decorex.com
8-13 PAD London Design + Art, Berkeley Square, London, UK, padesignart.com
18-22 Design Miami/Paris L’hotel de Maisons, Paris, France, designmiami.com
26-30 High Point Fall Market, International Home Furnishings Center, High Point, NC, highpoint.org
NOVEMBER 2024
1-3 Art San Diego, Convention Center, San Diego, CA, redwoodartgroup.com
10-11 BDNY, Jacobs K. Javits Center, New York, NY, bdny.com
7-11 Salon Art + Design, Park Avenue Armory, New York, NY, thesalonny.com
21 Festival of the Trees, Benefit for Florida International University’s School of Architecture, Coral Gables Country Club, Coral Gables, FL, festivalofthetrees.com
DECEMBER 2024
3-8 Design Miami/, Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL, designmiami.com
3-8 Art Miami, One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL, artmiami.com
3-8 Context, One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL, artmiami.com
4-8 Aqua, Aqua Hotel, Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL, aquaartmiami.com
4-8 Spectrum Miami, Mana Wynwood, Miami, FL, redwoodartgroup.com
4-8 Untitled Art Miami Beach, 12th Street and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL, untitledartfairs.com
4-8 Red Dot Miami, Mana Wynwood, Miami, FL, redwoodartgroup.com
JANUARY 2025
6-8 Art Basel Miami Beach, Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL, artbasel.com/miami-beach
SETTING THE STANDARD
Palm Beach Media Group is a renowned publishing company with print publications representing a mix of proprietary titles and custom magazines, along with digital solutions, serving the entire state of Florida and more.
8-11 International Lighting Show, Market Center, Dallas, TX, dallasmarketcenter.com
9-13 The Original Miami Beach Antique Show, Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL, originalmiamibeachantiqueshow.com
22-26 Art Palm Beach + Contemporary, Convention Center, Palm Beach, FL, artpalmbeachshow.com
PUBLISHER OF:
Naples Illustrated Naples Charity Register Palm Beach Illustrated Palm Beach Charity Register Naples Realtor Magazine Palm Beach Relocation Guide Vero Beach Magazine Jupiter Magazine 5th Avenue South: 5th Avenue South Business Improvement District Aventura Magazine Naples 100 Stuart Magazine Florida Design Sarasota Palm Beach 100 Pinnacle: Jupiter Medical Center Foundation Vero Beach Magazine: Vero Beach Handbook art&culture: Cultural Council for Palm Beach County Time and Treasure: Guide to Better Giving Florida Design Southwest Florida Relocation Guide Florida Design Miami Edition Florida Design Annual Sourcebook Florida Design Naples Edition Club Braman Magazine Advances: Tampa General Hospital Naples on the Gulf: Greater Naples Chamber
Solid Appeal
DESIGNERS ROBERTO RACY AND NICHOLAS GENNARI ADVOCATE FOR THE ORGANIC AUSTERITY OF ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS’ MINERA TABLE
text CHRISTOPHER DAY
THE TASTEMAKERS: Roberto Racy and Nicholas Gennari head up Miami’s Nar Design Studio, an interior design firm with commercial and residential projects all over the country, and award recognitions from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Hungary.
THE OBJECT: Part of the Erosion Collection by Zaha Hadid Architects for Neutra, the Minera table (revealed earlier this year at Milan Design Week) is crafted from a single block of Carrara marble and accommodates up to eight people. The piece is one of eight in the world.
IN THEIR WORDS: “The Minera reaches a superior level of craftsmanship and design through its bespoke curves,” says Gennari. “It’s a unique interpretation of biophilic design with futuristic nuances.” “It’s the type of piece I would use with any client who loves to entertain,” says Racy. “That is, as long as that client wants to make it the centerpiece of the home.” nardesignstudio.com; neutradesign.it
