Neutral Territory

A SUBDUED PALETTE AND CONTEMPORARY ELEGANCE BRING CHIC SERENITY TO A SUNNY ISLES BEACH VACATION PERCH

WHEN A WORLD-TRAVELING COUPLE from Mexico City swapped their South Florida vacation home for a 4,500-square-foot, new-construction condominium at Turnberry Ocean Club Residences on Sunny Isles Beach’s Millionaire’s Row, they didn’t waste time hiring Design House Studio’s Janine Geller to transform it into a bright and welcoming beachside retreat.

“From the beginning, our taste levels were very aligned,” says Geller, whose reputation for interiors that are elegant without ostentation resonated strongly with the well-heeled and discerning owners.

In the living room, custom wood wall panels open to a media system and wet bar, while the Ditre Italia sectional and bronze-legged arm chairs by Sunpan inspire convivial chatter.

Interior designer Janine Geller had the couple’s grandchildren in mind when designing the sun-splashed family room, so everything is treated to withstand abuse. RH’s Rigby table and mini knit poufs serve as a comfortable spot for little ones to draw or have a snack.

A fter a few meetings with her clients, the designer’s mission became clear: low-key and lowmaintenance sophisticated environs. “They entertain a lot and have grandchildren,” says Geller. “They didn’t want anyone feeling uncomfortable about putting their feet up.”

Geller and her team began by culling a neutral-oriented palette that eschews Miami’s glossy white standard in favor of beiges and crème fraîche-colored tones that echo the sandy beaches below. Coming up with refined décor that’s also amenable to spilled drinks and pint-sized handprints was a tall order, but one to which the designer happily rose.

In the common areas of the residence, oversized marble tiles in off-white reflect light and create an air of grandeur. “They make every room seem much larger than it is,” notes Geller. To make up for the home’s lack of storage, custom case goods were added throughout, as was light white oak millwork that begins in the foyer.

Nearby, the family and media room share a similar lightness thanks to a Ditre Italia sectional topped with cushions in performance fabric. The mostly beige and cream room, which faces a paneled wall harboring a secret doorway leading to the secondary guest rooms, is centered below a tray ceiling with LED lights. “To create the sphere, we had to drop down the entire ceiling about six inches,” Geller reveals. “It’s incredible how much depth and interest a small step up can make.”

While the condo came with a dark walnut kitchen, the designer and her clients agreed it had to be refurbished. The cabinetry was resurfaced in a lighter hue, countertops were replaced with large pieces of Taj Mahal quartz for more surface use, and a supplemental island with barstools was installed. The footprint was even expanded to accommodate an auxiliary wall with custom built-ins for the wife’s collection of fine tableware.

Ocean views are a given in the primary bedroom, which is anchored by a bespoke bed from DH Home. The chandelier by Solitude is one of two in the residence.

SOURCES

ENTRY FOYER

Wall and floating shelf designed by Design House Studio, SFDP, Hollywood, FL, and fabricated by Sunshine Alliance, Boca Raton, FL Mirror – Eternity Modern, Ferguson Showroom, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Chandelier – Luce Plan, DH Home, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Sconces – Modern Forms, Miami, FL

LIVING ROOM

Sofa – Ditre Italia, DH Home, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Chairs – Sunpan, DH Home, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Cocktail tables – Four Hands, DH Home, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Chandelier – Bocci, Lumens, lumens.com

Floor lamp – CB2, Miami Beach FL

Area rug – Jaipur, DH Home, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

FAMILY AREA

Sofa lounge – Ditre Italia, DH Home, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Cocktail ottoman – Maiden Home, maidenhome.com

Side table – RH, Aventura, FL

Poufs – RH, Aventura, FL

Chandelier – Nemo Lighting, DH Home, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Area rug – Jaipur Living, DH Home, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

KITCHEN

Cabinetry designed by Design House Studio, SFDP, Hollywood, FL, and fabricated by Sunshine Alliance, Boca Raton, FL

Island – Marble of the World, Pompano Beach, FL

Stools – Sunpan, DH Home, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

DINING AREA

Table – Reflex s.p.a. Italia, Italy

Chairs – Kathy Kuo Home, katheykuohome.com

Mirror – John Richard, DH Home, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Chandelier – Hubbardton Forge, hubbardtonforge.com

PRIMARY BEDROOM

Bed and headboard designed by DH Home, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Lounge – CB2, Miami Beach, FL

Chandelier – Hubbardton Forge, hubbardtonforge.com

Area rug – Jaipur, DH Home, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

PRIMARY BATHROOM

Floating cabinetry designed by Design House Studio, SFDP, Hollywood, FL, and fabricated by Sunshine Alliance, Boca Raton, FL

Mirror – Glass Guys, Miramar, FL

THROUGHOUT

Architect – Covenant Engineering, Inc., Davie, FL

Builder – Ultimate Builders Corp., Parkland, FL

Window treatments – Window Designs by Sonia, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Wallpaper – Phillip Jeffries, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

The designer’s adoration for wow-factor light fixtures is on display throughout the home, including in the dining room where a crystal Solitude chandelier was so well received, a second one was ordered for the couple’s primary bedroom. The bold illumination choices continue in the semiformal living room with a cluster of bubble-shaped fixtures by Bocci that appear as if they floated up from the ocean and into the residence.

Serenity reigns in the primary bedroom, where a geometric-shaped headboard adds an architectural counterpoint to a sleek, downcushioned chaise lounge from RH. “She wanted something comfortable where she could lay and read a book or look out at the sea,” says the designer. “This was the perfect piece.”

Geller smiles when she remembers her clients’ reaction to the completed project. “I turned the lights down to set the mood and there was this magical orange-pink sunset when they walked in,” she says. “They started crying, then I started crying. Seeing my clients so happy makes me realize how much I love what I do.”