“I
The Place for Kitchens and Baths offers eco-friendly products that qualify for LEED certification.
The GREEN kitchen of your dreams is within your reach. We can also design for clients who keep kosher. Turnkey Remodeling available.
he wake of devastation Hurricane Ian left as it raged across the west coast of Florida gave true meaning to the idea of shelter from the storm.
SoFLo HABITAT magazine understands that designing and creating beautiful spaces is just the cherry on top. What is most important is for every person to have a roof over their heads and a safe place to lay their heads at the end of each day.
The magazine has made a donation to the Collier Community Foundation’s Collier Comes Together Hurricane Relief Fund that acts quickly to provide aid where it is needed most.
There is no doubt that it is a challenge to definitively articulate SoFlo’s design style. But I like to say, you may not be able to describe it, but you definitely know it when you see it.
And there is no better place to begin to get an understanding of the fusion of styles, creativity and talent that encompass the region’s aesthetic than at Design Miami/2022 (November 29 – December 2, 2022, Miami Beach Convention Center, DesignMiami.com)
As we look towards the future, SoFLo HABITAT will continue to create the stories and present the images that showcase the most beautiful interiors by the most talented, and creative members of SoFlo’s design and décor community.
And tonight, before you turn out the lights, please don’t only admire the beautiful space in which you are so fortunate to live, but also say thank you for knowing you are sheltered from whatever future storms may bring.
SoFLo HABITAT Publisher
At Design Miami/Basel 2022, Joseph Walsh Studio presents Material Culture, an assemblage of works by Joseph Walsh. This table and chair are from his Dommus series that embodies the expressive design and innovative craft techniques in Walsh’s work, within the disciplined parameters of the domestic scale. The series is augmented each year as new pieces are developed.
Image Courtesy of Joseph Walsh
Studio
A look at those who do it best 84
Trish Beaudet of Cashmere & Vine Interiors gives a modern take on SoFlo’s popular Mediterranean architectural style 90
Interior Designer Ken Golen scores big with this Tuscan-style turnover 94
Designer Annie Santulli uses the home’s waterfront location as her muse 100
New to SoFlo’s interior design scene, Sire Design’s Eilyn Jimenez has developed a reputation for her use of wall coverings 105
Celebrating her 25th anniversary as an interior designer, Jackie Armour shares her top 10 principles for creating beautiful spaces
Cashmere & Vine’s superb example of Moditerranean - SoFLo HABITAT’s coined term for modernizing SoFlo’s Mediterranean-style home
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Cover Image: Residence in Tierra Verde, Florida
Interior Designer: Eilyn Jimenez, Sire Design Photographer: Kris Tamburello
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The straight lines inspired by 20th century modernism are being pushed aside for rounded corners, softer edges and arched shapes.
For this Golden Beach home, interior designer Deborah Wecselman designed a custom-made couch, fabricated by LeJeune Upholstery.
Kris Tamburello
Curves which offer a sense of calm and comfort are no longer considered old-style.
These organic shapes, circular forms and curved lines are now seen as contemporary.
The wavy and modular forms popular in the 1970s and 1980s have been refined by infusing the classic Japanese design aesthetic to create furniture that is ideal for relaxation and lounging.
Today, the curved sofa that was synonymous with 1980s couture has returned and is now crowned as the perfect piece of living room furniture-art with its curved lines and sense of style.
“These curved pieces have good proportions and represent true classic design. They fit perfectly within the popular mid-century design
aesthetic with their simple organic and ergonomic shapes,” said LeJeune Upholstery’s Director of Design Works Fernando Alvarez.
“It is the perfect statement sofa and is perfect for larger homes with grand open floorplans. It works with most architecture styles and the oversized and rounded design fill the space in a beautiful and playful way.”
Alvarez said the demand for rounded sofas is also due to the current offering of high-quality textured fabrics.
“Bouclé fabrics have more stretch in both directions and are a bit nubby which makes any required hand-stitching that can’t be done in a straight line to be less noticeable.”
Although velvet is a popular fabric for curved sofas, Alvarez said it isn’t the best material because it doesn’t have much stretch and requires more seams. He also mentioned it can get color variances due to continual sun exposure to sunlight.
And as a design statement the curved sofa is a bit more daring as it pushes away from the more traditional square construction. And the sofa’s curved lines spark conversation about how it is a beautiful piece of art.
The term conversational piece was coined from how these curved sofas encourage socializing without having to bend, twist or turn.
LeJeuneUpholstery.com
The elegance of the Hannah sofa is showcased through its curves. It was crafted by Le Jeune Upholstery in blush-rose velvet and constructed in solid hardwood. The sofa’s design acts as the perfect centerpiece for any living room.
True SoFlo living pushes the boundaries of what it means to have outdoor space. It is not just about having a relaxing pool area but also about creating a complete outdoor living space with all the necessary accoutrements.
And when it comes to the furnishings, Belamo Design with its European aesthetic takes the design and craftsmanship of indoor furniture and adds the necessary durability to create beautiful, comfortable and easy to maintain outdoor furniture collections.
“Our designers strive to create complete collections of contemporary-styled furniture with the same sophistication, luxury and attention to detail as furnishings made for indoor use,” said Tom de Keersmaecker, president of Belamo USA.
The materials used by Belamo are the best when it comes to withstanding the area’s tropical conditions. Its aluminum is powder-coated and its teak is certified to ensure it is of the highest quality and 100% durable.
“Teak is very strong. It also has natural oils and resin that makes it naturally water repellant,” said de Keersmaecker. Its fabric offerings are from the well-known outdoor fabric and upholstery company Sunbrella but Belamo only offers Sunbrella’s European collection because its fabrics are softer and thicker.
There is also a great deal of engineering incorporated into Belamo’s design – its club chair reclines, its coffee table automatically raises to dining height and its dining table extends from seating 6 -8 people to room for a dozen diners.
This versatility isn’t just built into specific pieces, Belamo has complete collections like its Abruzzo Collection in which every piece is modular and has a variety of arrangements including connecting two chairs and two ottomans to make a bed.
And as the indoors go outdoors, many Belamo customers have purchased its dining tables and sectional seating to use indoors. Belamo-Design.com
With over 40 years as an interior designer, Toby Zack has developed an arsenal of ideas and philosophies that punctuate her definition of good design.
Although her personal aesthetic leans more towards classic, clean and contemporary design, much of her insights are prudent, practical and applicable to most interior design projects. TobyZackDesigns.com
“When designing a room, it is important to understand the room's architectural shape. Then you can think about placing the furniture in a way that complements the space.”
“When all the furniture is on the rug it frames the furniture and makes the room appear bigger. When the furniture is on and off the rug it looks awkward.”
“I don’t place a rug under a dining table because it makes it difficult to move the chairs. I also find that the table and chairs frame the space. You typically use a rug in the living room because you need to frame and define the space.”
In the master bedroom, if the space allows, Zack said it is important to have at least a chair, ottoman and table. “It helps to finish the room and gives a different focal point besides the bed and headboard. It is important for the furniture to be both pretty and comfortable. You never do things just because it looks nice.”
“In the living room, you want to have a mix of couches and chairs and always a coffee table. When seated people rarely sit next to each other and it is rare to have three people seated together on a couch. The idea is to create a comfortable area for people. The coffee table serves to define the seating area. But it can’t be too far from the seating; people must be able to easily reach the table. The sofa and chairs should not be more than 18” away from the table. And as living rooms get bigger, two coffee tables may be required because everyone must be able to reach the coffee table from where they are seated.”
“It is so important, especially in condos with lower ceiling heights to think about the profile of the furniture. It is much better to have chairs without high arms or tall backs. It is critical to have low-profile furniture, so it doesn’t block the view.”
From their fashions to their love of butter to the mandatory 35-hour workweek and national law that forbids eating lunch at your desk, the French certainly know how to live life to the fullest.
And although Americans aren’t ready to completely embrace the French’s joie de vivre, there are many aspects of French style including its haute couture and haute cuisine that have become mainstays in the United States.
And with purveyors of handcrafted custom-made French ranges companies like L’Atelier Paris and La Cornue are bringing haute design to American kitchens.
These made-to-measure professional-grade ranges inspired by the French culinary arts and artisan traditions integrate time-honored, sophisticated craftsmanship with the latest technology.
L’Atelier Paris’ range is designed to have a work surface on each side for comfortable and efficient prep, followed by burners, a French plat, a BBQ all designed in a continuous uninterrupted surface.
Finished in beautiful hues, the company recently expanded its color options with the addition of 15 limited edition bright hues, continuing a trend to bring more color and personal touches to U.S. kitchen design. The range of colors includes sky blue, turquoise, dusty rose, pink, pastel orange, muted yellow, medium-tone blue and chartreuse. The decorative trim for the ranges is a brushed gunmetal finish.
The centerpiece of this Palm Beach-styled kitchen is the classic La Provençal range from L'Atelier Paris.
Referred to as the crown jewel, La Cornue’s Château represents the culmination of over a century of craftmanship.
Since 1908 when in the heart of Paris, Albert Dupuy ignited the flame of elite cuisine when he premiered the world’s first convection oven.
At that time, most ovens were flat-topped cavities that held racks suspended over a fire. Dupuy wondered what it would be like to cook rather than to just heat food. He developed an oven with a vaulted ceiling to usher heat around the food, rather than trapping it to burn beneath.
This enabled optimum precision, the oven received gas from the city’s gas lines that were winding their way to the homes and streetlamps in the City of Lights.
Dupuy named the oven La Cornue, after the French term cornue – the system for refining the gas that warmed his creation.
Still handcrafted in France at a workshop outside Paris, La Cornue ranges are exclusively made to order, and each is numbered by the craftsmen, who are experts in steel, copper and brass.
Its crown jewel is the Château Series available in an unrivaled 8,000 configurations, colors, finishes and measurements. And each Château range features La Cornue’s patented signature – the vaulted oven.
For those who want high culinary standards, but don’t need the size and customization of the Château Series, La Cornue’s CornuFe offers a choice of 12 colorful finishes and three trim options with both gas burner or ceramic glass induction rangetop options.
The baby of the CornuFe family, the CornuFe 90 Albertine, a single oven range, is designed especially for the U.S. market. With one large multi-function convection oven and seven unqiue cooking modes.
These handcrafted French ranges bring both style and elegance and are often cherished as much as a commissioned piece of art. They are truly objects of beauty and serve as the kitchen’s masterpiece.
L’Atelier Miami 6151 Biscayne Boulevard 800.792.3550 leatelierparis.com
Jim Dove Design 3414 S. Dixie Highway 561.268.2647 West Palm Beach jimdovedesign.com
ken golen ken golen
(954) 629-9062 kengolendesign.com 1290 Weston Rd, Suite 314, Weston
Photo by Steve L. Romero
if it is high-quality. She
42” (better is 48”)
When it comes to redoing kitchens, many think Barbara Geller owner of The Place for Kitchens and Baths is a miracle worker.
It is hard to understand how she gets a space from there to here. Her mind’s eye visualizes the possibilities and potential without being limited by the kitchen’s "before" state.
“In 37 years, I have never done the same kitchen twice. When starting a project, I go to the home and begin to understand what I can do with the space. I look to see if I will be able to take down walls, change the existing space’s footprint, explore the possibility of moving plumbing, see the limitations presented by a condo’s construction and floorplan. Then I start to design,” she said.
“I apply my creativity to find solutions to any structural restrictions and/or limitations, but I never compromise the design or function.”
For this historic home, Geller didn’t just remodel the kitchen, she also put back its original windows.
“From the home's outside I saw where the windows were blocked. I put them back ensuring the home's historic integrity,” she said.
The goal for this kitchen was to make it lighter, brighter and prettier while offering all the necessary functionalities.
She added counters between the cooktop and the sink and placed the refrigerator opposite the dishwasher as well as adding tall cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen despite it not having a very large footprint.
FLORIDA
2370 NE Ocean Blvd # C-105 Stuart, FL 34996 (203) 722-1447
TEL: 203-722-1447 | JODY@JODYFIERZ.COM
MASSACHUSSETS
76 Griggs Road, #1 Sutton, MA 01590 (781) 860-3907
NEW HAMPSHIRE
466 Central Avenue, #7 Dover, NH 03820 (781) 860-3907
CONNECTICUT
158 Danbury Road, #10 Ridgefield, CT 06877 (203) 722-1447
For this project, Geller had to create a space that could easily be used by two cooks who like to be in the kitchen at the same time. Her goal was to create a space that would be a joy to work in.
“The clients wanted an updated kitchen. I listened to each of them as they both cook and tried to incorporate the specific things, they each wanted,” she said.
“I also put a coffee bar in the breakfast seating area with an undercounter refrigerator drawer. This way the husband wouldn’t get in his wife’s way as he went to grab the milk for his coffee while she was cooking breakfast.”
Another of the couple's requirements was a microwave at counter height that was easily accessible from the cooktop and refrigerator.
In her kitchen remodels, Geller creates a space that has what her clients need on a regular basis is easily accessible.
“I strive to create a layout that works for how my clients live,” she said.
ThePlaceForKitchensAndBaths.com
This kitchen remodel certainly had its challenges. Because Geller was changing the kitchen’s footprint, she had to find new marble that would work with the existing floors.
She also had to rework the gas line and take out the range. But she was able to use the same blower and put in a new mantle hood.
She opened the space around the sink and strategically placed the island so it could serve as a prep area for the cooktop.
The La Gorce Island waterfront compound of the late activist investor and doctor M. Lee Pearce is on the market for $170 millions. And if the home is sold or at near the ask it would set a record for Florida home sales. But there is some good to this asking price, the proceeds from the sale will go to Pearce’s nonprofit foundation.
La Gorce Island is one of the Miami Beach's neighborhoods that are seeing a jump in sales.
The high-end market of waterfront single-family homes has experienced a huge boom in activity but it has recently slowed due to limited inventory.
Last year, the record for single-family home sales in SoFlo was when private equity billionaire Scott Shleifer’s $122.7 million purchase of an oceanfront Palm Beach mansion.
The oceanfront Miami Beach house at 7737 Atlantic Way in Altos Del Mar, a gated oceanfront neighborhood south of North Beach Oceanside Park between 77th and 79th streets, was sold for $20.5 million.
Altos Del Mar is Miami Beach’s only neighborhood where houses front the beach.
SoFlo's limited inventory has caused waterfront property prices to surge to new heights.
Matthew Whitman Lazenby, owner of the Bal Harbour Shops, sold his oceanfront Altos Del Mar mansion for $21 million.
Meanwhile, Victor Ciardelli, CEO of Chicagobased Guaranteed Rate, bought an Altos Del Mar oceanfront home and adjacent lot for $37.5 million.
A waterfront home recently sold for $16 million, a record for the Normandy Isle neighborhood.
Former baseball star A-Rod just purchased a waterfront home on Star Island for $18.5 million.
Rapper Lil Wayne just listed his waterfront home on Allison Island for $29.5 million. He is asking almost $13 million more than its 2018 purchase price.
Although it had an asking price of $150 million, the Coconut Grove estate owned by Miami businesswoman and philanthropist Adrienne Arsht was sold at a record $106.9 million.
It is Miami-Dade County’s first residential sale to surpass the $100 million mark.
The estate consists of two two-story homes at 3031 and 3115 Brickell Avenue. The 25,000-square-foot property includes a total of 12 bedrooms and 13-and-a-half bathrooms. It spans four acres and overlooks Biscayne Bay with 400 feet of water frontage.
This deal beat the previous Miami-Dade residential sale price of $93 million when technology company InterSystems founder Phillip Ragon paid for a three-home purchase in Golden Beach
In 2021, billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin set a countywide record with his $75 million purchase of a tear down on Miami Beach’s Star Island.
When it comes to South Florida real estate there are no limits to how high the prices will go nor how many new projects will be developed.Felix Mizioznikov
A property purchasing spree over the past year has developers spending $300 million for property in Wynwood. And with a focus on residential projects, this money, according to The Real Deal, will be used to add over 2,200 apartments/condos to the neighborhood. Here is a look at what’s to come:
26 NE 27th Street: Ironstate Development, led by David and Michael Barry, and Brookfield Proprieties are looking to create a 289-unit apartment complex on the former Art by God site.
2825 Northwest 2nd Avenue: Gamma Real Estate took control of the site from The Collective and plans to create a property with 180 units ranging from studios to six-bedroom apartments.
2000 & 2001 North Miami Avenue: Jenny Bernell’s Clearline plans a mixed-use project, likely including 300 rentals.
37 Northeast 27th Street: Fifield plans an eight-story 210-unit apartment building with 10,000 square feet of retail.
31 Northwest 29th Plaza: L&L Holding Company and Carpe Real Estate Partners plan a mixed-use project that will span over one-million square feet and include 509 units.
94 Northeast 29th Street: Rilea Group and Promana Group plan to build a 12-story building with 127 rentals, rooftop restaurant and pool bar.
2700 Northwest 2nd Avenue: This 1.3-acre site will be home to more than 300 units by TriStar Capital, Related Group, Landmark Development and Tricera Capital.
2431 Northwest Second Avenue: PMG and Greybrook Realty Partners plan a 318-unit 10-story mixed use project.
2130 North Miami Avenue & 38 Northwest 22nd Street: Related Group plans to build a pair of 12-story mixed-use project with 317 apartments and 534 parking spaces.
127 Northwest 27th Street: This project by Kushner Companies and Block Capital Group will have 152 apartments and 232 parking spaces.
It isn’t just about how it is planted but what is planted that is important when it comes to creating lush landscapes. Landscape Architect Christopher Cawley offers a primer to plants native to Florida and those that grow well in SoFlo’s tropical climate.
This modern landscape captures the spirit of the contemporary estate located on Allison Island. The framework for the primary garden is created with natural limestone paving bands and steppingstones that surround the formal open lawn. Tropical palms located throughout the property were relocated and grouped to reinforce the landscape’s geometric design.
by Landscape Architect Christopher Cawley
The goal for this contemporary residence was to create a sub-tropical environment. Pygmy Date Palms were placed at the corner of the garage. A mixture of Lady Palms and Swiss Cheese plants are at the base. The entry door was framed by Sabal Palmetto trees and the auto-court entry was planted with Dioons.
Native to Florida, Cabbage Palms can add an interesting feature given that their trunks lean. The official Florida state tree is very slow growing, so it is typically collected in the wild and is not grown in a nursery.
Although not native to Florida, Coconut Palms thrive in the state’s climate. And like the Cabbage Palms, their leaning trunks can frame views and add interest.
The Swiss Cheese plant is a shade tolerant tropical plant that thrives in the region’s climate. It also does well as an indoor plant.
The Pygmy Date Palm is a smaller scale palm that may be used as an accent or to create interest in front of a window or entry.
The Elephant Ear and the low evergreen Lilyturf are good for ground cover.
The Powderpuff Tree is not native to Florida however it grows quickly in the sun. It creates beauty and interest with its soft fuzzy flowers.
The worlds of fine art and interior design have long been intertwined. The world’s major style movements have seen no boundaries between art and design – painters working alongside furniture designers, architects and textile artists.
Artists who have designed for the home represent every imaginable form and style, from Picasso’s unique ceramics to sculptor Isamu Noguchi’s minimalist coffee tables. Today’s thriving trend for design-art – pieces that fuse functional furniture with sculpture, ensures that the art world continues to influence how modern interiors look.
What’s more, many contemporary interior designers use fine art as a starting point for their creations, whether it’s a color palette inspired by the hues in an abstract painting or a piece of fine art that is to be the focal point for a space.
As fine artworks continue to become ever more important muses for interior design, it only makes sense to see a new collaboration between curators/gallery owners, interior designers and homeowners.
Residential art curation has been born.
The time of filling a home with decorative art is over. And although many homeowners do not view themselves as art collectors, they are thinking about what art to buy, setting aside a significant part of their interior design budget to purchase art and are now intimately involved with the selection of the art that will hang on their walls.
“Many more homeowners are designing spaces around specific pieces of art and as such we are doing much more residential curation. People are having the foresight to think about what art and how they want to present it in their homes,” said Mary Ann Cohen who is celebrating MAC ART Galleries 25th anniversary.
“We are collaborating with interior designers because they know how important fine art is and what it means for their projects. Designers know unless the project is finished with high-quality art pieces the space will never have the gravitas that warrants appearance in a design magazine.”
Redwood Art Group’s President Eric Smith, who also owns and owner of the Spectrum Miami and Red Dot Miami art fairs, recognized the growing trend of homeowners seeking assistance with specifically purchasing fine art for their homes.
Thus, he recently launched Redwood’s art advisory service. He utilizes his extensive knowledge of the art market to select pieces that work with the homeowner’s vision and budget. He offers expert curation and advisory services free of charge.
“Whether you want to furnish a guest house or make a collection of art flow seamlessly through your home’s hallways or find that great statement piece to serve as the focal point for your open-concept great room, we can assist you with finding art you will love,” said Smith.
Recognizing how a piece of quality art added to an interior instantly changes the room and regardless of the artwork’s style projects elegance and class, Dmitry Prut owner of Avant Gallery which represents both established as well as early- to midcareer contemporary artists has just launched Artmosphere.
Artmosphere by Avant Gallery is based on Prut’s belief that the time has come for the worlds of contemporary art and bespoke interior design to converge.
For such projects, Prut offers interior design services, selective sourcing of luxury furnishings, inspirational décor and accessories and world-class fine art.
Incorporating fine art into any space instantly changes the surroundings. It’s special by definition. It elevates the style, projects elegance and completes a room.
Redwood Art Group’s President Eric Smith believes the best way to see and experience original pieces of art is up close face-to-face with the artists.
But he knows when looking for art, many homeowners head to the digital landscape to seek, find and buy pieces of art. However, many of these sites do not offer the benefits of having a residential art curator. Too often these sites try to turn to consumers into ill-informed buyers and collectors.
To satisfy the desire to buy art from the online marketplace, Smith suggested the online gallery Saatchi Art (SaatchiArt.com) and its free art advisory service. Its expert curators offer personal service to guide buyers through its portal housing over 60,000 paintings, photography, sculpture and drawings from around the world.
The site also offers the opportunity to browse its curators’ well-edited favorite artists in the most popular styles and mediums as well as aggregated collections of trendy artists, rising stars and emerging artists.
“Whether you are looking to discover a new artist or add a statement piece to your home, we are on a mission to build a connected community for those who want to browse, discover and buy original works by today’s top artists,” said Chief Curator & Vice President, Art Advisory Rebecca Wilson.
“Fine art placed throughout the home is becoming more important,” said Judy Ferrara owner of her eponymous gallery in Three Oaks, Michigan who works with many of her Midwest clients to place original artwork in their second or third homes on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
“The benefit of working with a gallery owner is you get their expertise, industry contacts, artistic eye and skills as a curator,” said Ferrara.
MAC Art Galleries’ next exhibition is Power Painters, featuring an exclusive collection of its most explosive and bold painters including Jason Myers, Ed Nash, Esteban Leyva and Harouna Ouedraogo. Opening Night, Saturday, November 12, 2022, 6-9 pm, 390 SE 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach, 561.332.3352, MACFineArt.com
how the painting would look in her home.
A good way to see a wide array of art, meet gallery owners and artists is at art fairs. “Art fairs are a fun and fantastic way to see and shop for art,” said Eric Smith, president of Redwood Art Group, who operates over 40 art fairs across the country including the Miami’s Spectrum and Red Dot Fairs. “Shopping for art is way more fun than shopping for furniture. It is an adventure.”
Spectrum isn’t the typical art air. It is a curated showcase of more than 150 independent artists, studios and young galleries.
RED DOT MIAMI
Red Dot Miami, the sister art fair to Spectrum Miami, is a curated showcase of the top 75 galleries representing modern and contemporary art.
November 30 – December 4
Mana Wynwood Convention Center 2217 NW 5th Avenue, Miami RedwoodArtFair.com
Dmitry Prut
Artmosphere by Avant Gallery
19501 Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura 305.747.7717
AvantGallery.com
Judy Ferrara
Judy Ferrara Gallery 16 S. Elm Street Three Oaks, MI 269.756.9338
JudyFerraraGallery.com
Mary Ann Cohen
MAC Art Galleries
Mac Fort Lauderdale 833 NE 4th Avenue, 954.990.5420
MAC Delray 390 SE 2nd Avenue, 561.332.3352
MAC Jupiter 4601 Military Trail, 561.429.4829
MACFineArt.com
Eric Smith
Redwood Art Group 216.225.0962
RedwoodArtGroup.com
www.silkfloralgallery.com
4 W Hallandale Beach Blvd, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009 (954) 457-7477 | silkfloralgallery@gmail.com
Hours: Monday - Friday 10 - 6 Saturday 10 - 5
Many geographical locations are known as the birthplace for certain genres of music … punk rock in New York City, jazz in New Orleans and the blues in Memphis.
But what city can claim a music genre that offers the perfect playlist for its lifestyle?
Yacht Rock refers to the soft rock that dominated FM radio airwaves in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It is characterized by glossy production, breezy vocals and bouncy rhythms – all elements thought to evoke relaxing bay cruises in Southern California and South Florida.
Although Yacht Rock originated in Southern California, it is easy to understand how with its abundance of
mega yachts and boats on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean has become the music genre associated with SoFlo’s water lifestyle.
So, go ahead and enjoy the soundtrack of SoFlo with its lovely elements of smooth soul, smooth jazz and R&B. And if you begin to imagine you are in an episode of the very popular late 1980s TV drama Miami Vice … even better.
20 Baby Come Back by Player
FM by Steely Dan
Summer (The First Time) by Bobby Goldsboro
Heart to Heart by Kenny Loggins
Nothing You Can Do About It by Airplay
Lowdown by Boz Scaggs
Valerie by Steve Winwood
Rosanna by Toto
Hard to Say I’m Sorry by Chicago
Human Nature by Michael Jackson
What a Fool Believes by The Doobie Brothers
Sailing by Christopher Cross
The Boys of Summer by Don Henley
I’d Really Like to See You Tonight by England Dan and John Cord Foley
Summer Breeze by Seals & Crofts
Ride Like the Wind by Christopher Cross
I Can’t Tell You Why by the Eagles
Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty
Sweet Freedom by Michael McDonald
I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do) by Hall & Oates Source:
SoFLo HABITAT captures South Florida living in the grandest of style. It incorporates the best in interior design, home décor & furnishings and high-end residential real estate.
magazine showcases the captivating and rich SoFlo environs in which to live, and the luxury lifestyle to be had when residing in such an incredible locale. SoFlo HABITAT calls this Life.Styled.
There is nothing better to stir the imagination than photos.
This is especially true when it comes to interior design as photos inspire the potential and excite the possibilities.
And when it comes to remodeling there is nothing better than images of a well-designed remodeled kitchen to whet the appetite.
These photos allow us to believe that there are cabinets where the correct lid for every plastic container is easily at hand and the very oversized chili pot, only used for the annual pot luck, has the most perfect storage spot. FloridaLuxuryCabinets.com
Today’s homes are not only places designed to keep us safe and secure, they are also environments that can enhance our wellness.
Crypton Home and Kravet have formed an exclusive collaboration to create a luxury upholstery fabric line that incorporates aspects of wellness. The Wellness Textures collection features Crypton Home Celliant fabric and is exclusively made by Kravet.
Celliant technology works by reflecting the user’s natural body heat back to them as infrared energy, which may improve cellular oxygenation and local circulation. Its wellness benefits range from faster recovery times to improved sleep and increased energy.
Three years in the making, Celliant is the first and only woven residential fabric to combine Crypton performance (spill repellent, stain resistant, high endurance) with Celliant’s radiant infrared technology.
After Crypton and Hologenix, the company that developed Celliant, collaborated on the technology, Kravet created the styles, colors and textured fabrics that are perfect for the luxury residential design market.
Both the Celliant and Crypton technologies are permanently embedded in the fibers of the Wellness Textures collection and can never wash or wear away.
The collection is woven in North Carolina and includes a soft, textural chenille; a boucle chenille; a textured weave with a subtle nod to linen; and a fabric with a chevron tweed look.
The fabrics are available in a color palette of warm and cool neutrals along with blues and greens (and of course white).
Kravet.com
Wellness Textures collection includes chenille, weave & tweed fabrics.
Kravet’s
With its new kitchen and bath collections, Brizo, a luxury fittings company, is crafting fashionable functionality through inspired silhouettes and striking contrasts.
It continues to create artfully crafted pieces that add the finishing touch to any kitchen or bath. Rooted in fashion and design, Brizo’s new collections offer distinctive design while pushing material and finish boundaries.
The Allaria Bath Collection begins with simple forms and inviting curves to create a soft modern style with geometric shapes and clear handles to cast a modern illusory touch. With contemporary details that include a streamlined ribbon spout and split finishes offers a clear distinction of what is modernism.
Grandeur has been reinvented with Brizo’s Tulham Kitchen Collection with its combination of the traditional and the avant-garde. It is a refreshing alternative to minimalism. The lavish fluting on the handles, vintageinspired details and the new tone-ontone split finishes create a deliberate variation on a traditional theme.
With its fashion-forward approach, Brizo is now offering its coveted matte black finish in two additional kitchen collections.
The Artesso collection takes on a modern look as its time-honored architecture combines with this sleek finish. The Rock Collection offers a refined minimalist feel which brings distinction to its craftsmanship. Brizo.com
Artesso Kitchen Single Handle Articulating Kitchen Faucet in matte black.
Allaria Lavatory Faucet in luxe gold.
The family run Home Design Store offers high-quality well-designed furniture. It travels the globe to find handmade, one-of-a-kind furniture that resonates with its customers.
It has a large selection of Buddhas and handpicked accessories that bring warmth and good energy to the home.
3750 NW 46th Street, Miami 305.633.1355, homedesignstoreflorida.com
The Crystal Steel Collection featuring Swarovski Crystals, is exclusively from Cool Lines USA It offers the ultimate in luxurious bath and powder room accessories and hardware. Imported from Denmark and crafted with the highest grade of stainless steel in polished, satin and matte black finishes. Cool Lines USA, contemporary jewelry for the bath. CoolLinesUSA.com
Cool Lines USA 954.283.1049, CoolLinesUSA.com
Find the perfect beautifully crafted piece from Fifthroom.com. Whether you select a grand gazebo or a simple yet elegant garden bench, Fifthroom.com provides expertly crafted items with thoughtful attention to detail. With a varied selection of modern and classic indoor and outdoor furniture and décor, Fifthroom.com is sure to have the perfect piece to match any design style. From pergolas and pavilions to picnic tables and garden bridges, Fifthroom.com has everything necessary to make a home perfect for the season.
Fifthroom.com
Thanks to technology the only thing that limits the use of digitally printed glass is the imagination.
For the past 30 years, Stephen Martucci owner and artisan of Alexandra Glass Design has been spearheading the most sophisticated and innovative processes and designs for custom glass installations and shower doors.
The digital printed laminate glass panels with their bold colors, creative designs and LED lighting give extra sophistication to a living room wall, kitchen backsplash, shower door, glass staircase or bathroom wall.
There is no doubt that the use of artistic glass as an element of interior design is raising the bar for what it is to make a statement. AlexGlassDesigns.com
J. Alexander Interiors is a luxury full-service residential and commercial interior design firm.
It believes the design of your home or business is a reflection of you; thus, it should fit within your personal narrative. That’s why its approach to design is always to make the client’s needs and preferences a priority.
2700 W Cypress Creek Road, Ft. Lauderdale 954.366.1817, jai.design
Ronnie Goresh uses her talent and personal touch to design beautiful living environments. Known for her eclectic style as well as for her expertise in color and space planning, Goresh works to individualize a home’s interiors to suit the style of its owners. Whether doing a single room or an entire home, the team at Ronnie G Designs creates a design that is sure to stand the test of time.
Ronnie G Designs 954.298.6290, RonnieGDesigns.com
With offices in Florida and New York, Vi Design is an award-winning interior design firm that specializes in interiors, construction management as well as offering a large selection of interior fabrics and wallpapers.
The firm’s founder and principal interior designer, Violetta Ustayev has garnered attention for her ability to provide transitional contemporary designs to her mid-to-high-end clientele. With over a decade of industry experience, Vi Design has built a reputation for its strong commitment to service and its quality work from project conception to completion.
2363 N Federal Highway, Boca Raton 954.234.2325, vi-designs.com
The following pages are filled with frame worthy portraits of those who are recognized as the industry’s most talented. It is through their acumen and creativity that these selected few have set an extremely high bar for excellence.
ALLIED KITCHEN AND BATH
ANNIE SANTULLI DESIGNS BELLINI FURNISHINGS
CALIFORNIA CLOSETS
CANAM CABINET CORPORATION CASHMERE & VINE INTERIORS CAUSA DESIGN GROUP
CREATIVE COLLECTION BY PETAL PUSHERS CUSTOM DOOR SHOP DESIGN NS
FRAME WORLD GALLERY
JAIME BLOMQUIST
JODY FIERZ INTERIOR DESIGN
MICHAEL FLAUGH LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
NORDIC GROUP
OLGA ADLER INTERIORS
PERLA LICHI DESIGNS
SARAH Z DESIGNS
STEPHANIE KAUFMAN/LANG REALTY
THE PLACE FOR KITCHENS AND BATHS
TOBY ZACK DESIGNS
WARNER-PROKOS PHOTOGRAPHY
The phrase “I know it when I see it” with a simple change to “You know it when you see it” is the best way to describe a design project by Perla Lichi
With her fusion of different aesthetics, mix of bright hues, combination of patterns, choices for finishes and layers of texture, it easy to identify a Perla Lichi designed interior.
“I am a trend setter. I like to be ahead of the curve. I am setting the trends. I go out of my way not to be like the rest,” she said.
“My clients embrace my style and point-of-view and give me the artistic freedom to design and create what is best for a given space.”
Despite her desire to be unique and challenge the status quo, Lichi’s work is very balanced and harmonious.
“Because I am a worldtraveler and view myself as a multi-cultural designer, I like to go in lots of different directions,” she said.
“But, if a client comes to me and says she wants an all-beige interior, I don’t have a problem working with beige. Because the beige materials I will use have texture and form and I will layer them and work with them to create sculptural effects. I am confident that the client would never have imagined all that beige can be.”
Lichi said she isn’t the right designer for a project if the goal is to have a home that looks like everyone else’s house.
“My clients are confident and willing to step outside the box. They know I am a bit over-the-top. It takes a particular client to want what I offer,” said Lichi.
If the past few years are any indication, living in South Florida requires homeowners to pay serious attention to the type of doors and windows installed in their residential projects whether they are new builds or renovations.
For the past 23 years, Custom Door Shop has been offering custom-designed high-end hurricane impact door systems and windows.
Without having to compromise craftsmanship or quality of materials, Custom Door Shop offers 100s of styles and sizes in a wide variety of materials including Mahogany and Brazilian oak as well as fiberglass and aluminum. It also offers custom-made French doors, sliding doors, pivot doors as well as sidelites and transoms in hurricane impact wood, fiberglass and aluminum.
All of its Mahogany and fiberglass doors are sanded, stained, painted and varnished in its in-house wood shop.
“We offer high-quality end-toend manufacturing. We have our own professional spray booths, so that all of our products have a nice smooth finish,” said James Homer, president of Custom Door Shop.
“We also can customize every aspect of a customer’s entry -- everything from the finish, shape, size, glass and the overall design of her hurricane impact doors.”
In addition to the high-quality wood used, what makes the doors hurricane impact is the way they are constructed with multiple layers of laminated lumber placed in different directions that add to the wood’s rigidity.
In addition to its door offerings, Custom Door Shop is a dealer and installer of hurricane impact windows from a variety of manufacturers including PGT, Marvin, Windoor and CGI.
Custom Door Shop not only services single-family homes but also condo dwellers. It works to ensure the condo association’s requirements and specifications are met and maintained.
“Our products go through rigorous testing and engineering to withstand pressure loads and impact. They are designed to meet the recent changes and updates to our area’s building codes as well as the requirements of many home insurance policies,” said Homer.
“Our doors and windows are designed to withstand the impact of a hurricane but are also made to be beautifully crafted and long lasting,” said Homer.
“We strive to make an impact but at the same time protect the home from any storm impact.”
Although interior designer Olga Adler has an international background and a fondness for travel, she focuses her attention and design skills on working with clients in East Delray Beach, East Boca Raton, Highland Beach and Ocean Ridge.
“Since many of my projects are new construction and require multiple site visits and working closely with builders and architects, I like to remain locally focused in my design work,” she said.
And it is a good thing that local for Adler means Delray Beach. “I love Delray. It has a great history as a quirky small village that overtime has grown into a city,” she said.
Although her focus is close to home, Adler loves to experience different cultures and locales. “I have traveled extensively for the past 30 years, and there is no doubt that my exposure to new experiences has shaped my creativity.
Seeing how color, texture and pattern are intertwined in various cultural settings has had the most influence on my work.”
Adler tends to infuse her designs with her “global chic” sensibility. “In each of my projects I always like to do something that isn’t obvious. It could be a pattern on a tile or a decorative accessory or an unusual light fixture I sourced from the Middle East or South Africa,” she said.
Adler brings international influences and her multi-cultural aesthetic to all of her projects.
“I love to give homes in our area a well-traveled feel. And although I do source items from all over the world, I often do that through local companies. I enjoy being entrenched in the community. It has allowed me to build a great network of local resources.”
It is her creative vision and her ability to execute beautiful interiors that has allowed Adler to become a sought-after designer.
Olga Adler Interiors 561.617.0725 OlgaAdlerInteriors.com
Nordic Group is the sister company of Design NS, the well-respected designer and manufacturer of high-end custom-made leather furniture.
The Makela family who are the owners of Nordic Group mastered the art and craft of woodworking began five generations ago in Scandinavia.
Its Boca Raton-based company has the experience, talent and acumen to create and install everything from custom-designed kitchens, closets, furnishings, bars/game rooms to hand-done architectural millwork and custom woodwork.
But over the years, Nordic Group has established a reputation for building both beautiful and contemporary home theaters.
Not only can it design the home theater with custom-made media cabinetry and the necessary acoustical wall and ceiling treatments, it can also furnish the theater with custom-made high-quality leather home-theater power recliners. Nordic Group also offers and installs complete audio/video technology packages.
The company’s well-crafted theater seating has a similar reputation as does Nordic Group’s carpentry and woodworking abilities.
In the tradition of the family’s artistry and craftsmanship everything—from loveseats, ottomans and sectional sleepers to entertainment centers, bathroom vanities and kitchen cabinetry — is custom designed and built by hand.
Nordic Group’s wood and cabinetry products are made in its 40,000-square-foot facility. The company has combined its traditional woodworking process with state-ofthe-art technology; this includes the use of computer-rendered designs.
The facility also keeps a well-stocked selection of exotic woods, leathers, glass, LED lights, steel types as well as styles.
And its team of architectural draftsmen and wood craftsmen have extensive experience using more uncommon furnishing materials in their cabinetry designs.
Nordic Group’s entire selection of standard cabinetry comes with the ability to hand select the accents and hardware, including handles made with Swarovski Crystals.
Although the company’s showroom is open only to the trade, interior designers are encouraged to bring their clients to see an extensive array of its custom-made home-theatre seating as well as its standard and custom-pieces of cabinetry and furnishings.
Nordic Group designs and installs beautiful home theatres with the highest quality and latest audio/video technology.
Nordic Group Trade Only Showroom 1080 NW 1st Avenue, Boca Raton 561.338.5545
NordicGrp.com
Although the contemporary furniture company Bellini Modern Living is celebrating its 20th anniversary, there is nothing in its upscale European style furniture that is not current, on trend and/or fashion forward.
“Bellini defines modern as a more minimalistic look as cleaner and straighter lines and innovative materials,” said Hossein Azimi, founder of Bellini Modern Living.
Azimi has collaborative partners with Italian factories to beautifully execute the design styles of Bellini’s European and American designers who work with the company.
The global designers who work with Bellini include Americans Louis Lara and Stanley Friedman and Italians Eros Angelini, Fabio Di Bartolomei and Leonard Pfeifer.
Under Azimi’s direction not only does Bellini design fashion forward furnishings but also looks for innovative materials to incorporate in its designs. For example, Bellini’s new dining and occasional table collection offers ceramic tops.
“Marble and granite were always the go to for modern tabletops,” But now the ceramic top is very popular.” he said. “At the recent Milan Furniture Show, marble or granite weren’t even shown, only ceramic. With ceramics, you get rich colors and incredible patterns.”
When it comes to modern design there is the belief that with modern there can’t be classics, but this isn’t true. There is nothing more classic and modern than the leather furniture.
“We are known for our leather furniture. With the use of beautiful nubuck leathers and suedes, contemporary design and high-quality manufacturing, there is no better way to create a modern look than with leather furniture,” said Azimi.
On a regular basis the company also receives accolades from the industry. In October, the International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD) recognized Bellini Modern Living with a 2022 Pinnacle Award for its Enrico entertainment center designed by Eros Angelini.
Bellini Modern Living’s furnishings are sold at luxury furniture showrooms across the country, but what makes the company truly unique is the fact that Bellini maintains a large in-stock inventory of its Italian-made goods; so, an ordered piece will be delivered within a few weeks.
This casual but elegant outdoor living space was designed to enjoy the vistas & views.
Once a dark paneled library, this transformed space is now a casual yet elegant home office. The contrast between the two colors creates an elegant statement.
Trish Beaudet doesn’t just have a passion for interior design; she has an affinity for residential design projects that focus on renovations.
And even more specifically, she loves opportunities to transform homes crafted in the very popular early- to mid-20 th century Mediterranean-style of architecture.
Beaudet is an interior designer whose work defines SoFLo HABITAT’s coined term – Moditerranean – the updating of this outdated residential architectural style with a modern aesthetic.
Her firm Cashmere & Vine has established a reputation for transforming these heavy
“When renovating these Mediterranean homes, it is evident that they have good bones. Thus, it is important to find ways to incorporate and enhance certain existing design elements within a more contemporary style,” she said.
Beaudet works to create an elegant and more modern beach style which may include squaring off of columns, pulling out arches, using opposing elements, updating finishes, and/or adding interesting textures.
“In the end, we want to not only renovate but also transform the space into a well-balanced and well-designed living environment,” she said.
Stephanie Kaufman has a unique approach to her services as a real estate agent; she uses her expertise and experience to not only serve as an agent but also as an advisor and guide to South Florida’s residential real estate market.
As one of the original 50 agents with Lang Realty, Kaufman has established a reputation as a smart, skilled and intuitive real estate agent who works diligently on behalf of her clients.
“I am adept at working with both buyers and sellers. I understand what my buyers are looking for and in turn this benefits my sellers,” said Kaufman.
“Many of my buyers then sell their homes with me. I guide buyers to make the best decisions and work with sellers to prepare their homes for the market in order to maximize profit.”
Throughout her 23-year career, Kaufman is consistently a top producer for both buyers and sellers. Many of her clients come by referral and know she provides her clients with high-touch personal service.
Sellers want Kaufman’s concierge services and acumen on how to best present a home so that it immediately appeals to buyers.
Stephanie Kaufman, PA REALTOR, ABR, CNE, EPRO, GRI, SRES, SRS 561.929.1770 Stephanie@StephanieKaufman.com
“And buyers come to me for guidance on where to live. I take the time to educate them and look for the home that best matches their needs and desires,” she said.
“I am extremely knowledgeable about all of South Florida’s communities, resales and new constructions of both singlefamily homes and condominiums.”
With her extensive experience, Kaufman brings an interesting perspective and insight about South Florida’s real estate scene.
“Right now inventory is tight as there has been a slowdown in new construction,” she said. “There continues to be a shifting
expectations and a growing interest in renovating and refreshing older properties.”
“We have an enviable lifestyle. We attract buyers from all over. Buyers appreciate all this area has to offer. They understand they can’t wheel and deal on the prices.”
With her incredible work ethic and devotion to her clients, Kaufman works tirelessly until she finds the right home in the right community for a buyer or the perfect buyer who appreciates the type of lifestyle offered in her seller’s home.
Nothing says a well-designed home like a masterfully crafted kitchen. And the master of creating fashionable and functional kitchens is Barbara Geller , a certified kitchen and bath designer and owner of The Place for Kitchens and Baths .
Geller uses her skills and talents to design kitchens that rightfully take their place as the focal point of the home.
With an expertise in space planning and an incredible attention to detail, Geller thoughtfully executes a kitchen design that completely incorporates her client’s needs, successfully works around any structural challenges and offers maximum usability and functionality.
With 37 years in the industry, Geller has a knowledge base that she herself takes for granted but ensures her clients will get the most advantageous kitchen floor plan, best designed cabinetry and properly selected appliances.
For instance, when designing a kitchen for a family of four, it is required to have at least 42-inches of prep space. There must be a 2-inch space between the wall and the door of a Sub-Zero refrigerator to allow it to properly open. These are just two of the facts that Geller rattles off when asked what it takes to properly design a kitchen.
She also prefers drawers that roll-out and thinks that a steam oven is much more important than a microwave and the placement of the dishwasher should be determined by the handedness of the client.
“If the person is right-handed then the dishwasher should be on the left of the sink. This is because a right-handed person holds the sponge or dish towel in the right hand and holds the dish in the left,” she said. “And for someone who is left-handed, the dishwasher should go on the right of the sink.”
Geller’s knowledge of how to design a truly functional kitchen is not only based on her extensive professional experience, but also by the extensive amount of time she spends in the kitchen cooking.
“I understand how kitchens function. Builders and architects can design beautiful homes and interior designers can fill them with beautiful things, but they really don’t know how to design a beautiful kitchen,” she said.
“A beautiful kitchen is a space that functions beautifully.”
Through her creative design and technical knowhow Jaime Blomquist realizes her clients’ visions for their living spaces.
When it comes to her aesthetic, Blomquist said her sweet spot is for classic design because if needed she can pull it over to design in more modern or transitional styles.
However, Blomquist is not only known for her design acumen, but also for her interior design construction drawings. As a licensed interior designer, she has extensive experience with down-to-the-studs renovations as well as with new construction of luxury residential and commercial spaces.
An area of focus within her firm Jaime Blomquist Interiors is creating new as well as redesigning clubhouses in gated communities.
“Clubhouses have really changed, especially since the pandemic. The expectation is that they now have to offer an elevated experience,” she said.
Gated communities are realizing if their clubhouses are elevated to be more refined social spaces with upscale dining establishments, theaters and other forms of entertainment, they can not only satisfy their residents but also generate additional revenue. Although in many respects Blomquist sees the design
of a 25,000-squarefoot clubhouse is much like that of a large home, there are many nuances of designing a commercial space that require a specific skill set.
“I have an interior design license in commercial design which makes me knowledgeable and fluent in life, fire and safety codes, egress and the American with Disability Act requirements,” she said.
But when it comes to interior design, Blomquist said many aspects of her residential and commercial projects are similar including the need to blend a variety of design styles.
“There are some clients who want to live like they are always on vacation. They want large outdoor living spaces that incorporate organic materials as well as yoga/meditation areas,” she said.
“Then there are clients who want experiential spaces including wine rooms, in-home gyms, home theaters with game rooms and the latest in smart-home technology.”
For Blomquist, her success is based on her ability to use both her expertise and flexibility to create living environments that reflect the client’s vision -- be it for a single homeowner or for 500 club members.
Jaime Blomquist Interiors
1780 NE 7th Street, Fort Lauderdale 954.999.5601
JaimeBlomquist.com
Kai Makela is the fourth-generation to oversee the family’s custom-made leather furniture manufacturer Design NS. And there is no doubt when it comes to designing and creating luxury leather furniture, Makela learned from the best. His grandfather Tarmo Makela was known as the “Millimeter Makela” because of his meticulous attention to detail.
“We learned to measure three times and cut once,” said Kai Makela. “My grandfather taught me that there is no compromise. If it isn’t done right it must be redone.”
Design NS’s sofas, sectionals, chairs, bar stools and motorized seating is made with the Scandinavian leather. “This is the most high-end leather because the hides are very subtle and clean. The cows are well fed and well treated so they get bigger and thus the hides are bigger,” said Makela.
“And with the bigger hides is a larger single piece that makes it easier to cut from and gives you much more flexibility of how you can use and cut the leather.”
The company’s collection of contemporary furniture is designed with a European aesthetic and is made with the same construction, springs and frames as was used when the company was founded; and its sleeper sofas feature the European sleeper mechanism.
“We make the furniture in the same way as my great-grandfather did. We attach the springs to the frames and the frames are made of hardwood with 1-3/4” staples and we cover all the hardware with glue. We have the strongest frames in the industry,” said Makela.
“Every week, I have interior designers ask me to reupholster furniture that their clients purchased from us 20 years ago. We have a special department that just does reupholstery. After three decades, it is the clients who get tired of the furniture’s color and want a change because the high-quality materials and construction of our furniture never tires or wears out.”
Although the showroom is open only to the trade (homeowners are welcome with their interior designers), It recently had a facelift. The 15,000-square-foot showroom showcases Design NS’s highend materials, craftsmanship and wide selection of furnishings.
Design NS Trade Only Showroom
1080 NW 1st Avenue, Boca Raton 561.338.5545 DesignNS.com
Sarah Zohar can thank her father for her love of architecture. But she must thank Mother Nature for her love of interior design. Zohar believes that bringing nature and natural elements inside will transform the space into an oasis.
For the past 10 years, Zohar’s firm Sarah Z Designs has specialized in modern biophilic design, which connects the outdoors with the indoors. It incorporates organic elements and emphasizes natural light with the goal to enhance the dweller’s mood and health.
“I understand how to play with materials and textures. I know how to mix elements. This is where I put my creative vision to work to transform a room,” said Zohar.
One of Zohar’s design signatures is her love for wall coverings, “I love to mix bold colors, metals and textures. It’s the use of textured wall coverings that not only transform but also finish a room. I will never design a half-covered wall; I love to go from the floor to ceiling.”
Zohar admitted her design aesthetic has changed over time becoming a bit more streamlined. “I like bold colors, but with more straight lines. I love mixing metals and materials. I think great design is conducive to applying many different textures that beautifully blend as they do in nature,” she said.
“And the key to good design is to make things look timeless, not dated.”
Sarah Z Designs
2605 NE 189th Street, Miami 305.906.5500 SarahZDesigns.com
Even modern bold colors are softened when patterns from nature are incorporated into the design. In this bathroom, the stone's natural pattern and the facial imagery of the sculpture are design elements taken from nature.
For close to 45 years, Toby Zack has been a mainstay in South Florida’s interior design scene. Her presence includes opening South Florida’s first Clutter Control franchise, owning a contemporary art gallery and having a Fort Lauderdale storefront that combined her design talents with her late husband’s eye for furnishings.
In 2020, she closed the brick-and-mortar storefront but continues to provide homeowners with sage design advice and services.
Zack’s aesthetic is very contemporary with an emphasis on clean classic lines because they never go out of style. She believes what makes a good designer is a good eye and a comprehensive understanding of scale and proportion.
“It is critical to understand how to work a space and how to use interiors to define it,” she said.
“It is all about your mind’s eye and how you see things,” she said. “You have to walk into a room and be able to only see what is exceptional.”
There is no doubt that we love our stuff. But what we love more is our stuff to be perfectly arranged in well-designed closets, pantries, laundry rooms, garages and home offices.
We all want to believe that there really is a place for everything. And thanks to Lori Hoyt and her team at California Closets this fantasy can become a reality.
For the past 38 years, Hoyt, her parents and siblings have been assisting Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale homeowners with designing practical and pretty custom-storage solutions.
“People not only want more space for their stuff, but they want these spaces to be beautiful and well designed,” said Hoyt.
“Closets have become more like rooms with pieces of furniture that are made with premium materials and hardware.”
With a complete team of designers and installers, California Closets can create functional closets that go from the simple to the sublime.
Top: An example of the beautiful and well-organized Above: California Closets goes beyond closets to create well-designed and organized playrooms, pantries and home offices.
Fort Lauderdale: 1904 N. Federal Highway Boca Raton: 302 S. Federal Highway
No longer considered a decorating no no, the design and arrangement of silk flowers is now a skilled art form used to create beautiful statement floral arrangements.
These artistic floral sculptures combined with the design talent of John Eckhardt owner of Creative Collection by Petal Pushers are the perfect finishing touches to well-designed interiors.
It is the creative and clever way that Eckhardt pairs and stages everything from candlesticks, trays, boxes, bowls and glass vases with sparkling stones that truly makes a house a home.
A custom-made silk floral sculpture adds that something extra to this bedroom.
And with his well-developed design aesthetic and skilled hands, Eckhardt’s silk floral arrangements offer all the splendor, color and textures of real flowers while avoiding the inevitability that all living things die.
Eckhardt studied horticultural and floral design and uses his love and knowledge of fresh flowers to design sculptural décor elements in beautiful vases accompanied by the perfect accessories.
And like with the perfect dress, it is the accessories – the jewelry, shoes, handbag -- that make the outfit, Eckhardt knows how to impeccably dress a room.
John Eckardt’s well-edited accessories serve as the perfect accent to any designed interior.
1200 Clint Moore Road, Boca Raton 561.994.0505
For the past 35 years, Mike Flaugh has combined his passion and experience to build a team of talented designers in the field of Landscape Architecture, a field many struggle to understand.
Too often, people hear the word landscape and just think of mowing and gardening; but the work Flaugh does is far beyond watering the grass and pruning the hedges.
Mike Flaugh Landscape Architect is a client focused boutique firm that designs well-thought out plans for everything imaginable outside of the home.
“Our work includes designing and creating the permit-ready, construction ready plans for landscape, lighting, irrigation, outdoor kitchens, pool, patios, furnishings, pickleball courts, pergolas, water features, retaining walls and driveways” he said.
“For most residential architects and interior designers, their work is concentrated within the walls of the home. We collaborate with them to create a cohesive, functional, beautiful lifestyle experience,” said Flaugh.
“It is puzzling to me how the outdoor space is so often an afterthought. We live in Florida We have the luxury of enjoying our outdoor spaces yearround. The pool, patio and landscape is an asset to be enjoyed. It is also hard for me to understand how beautifully designed homes placed on a property with a landscape that has no aesthetic connection or relevance. The home
should feel visually bonded to the property, with the landscape and the building complimenting each other.”
Outdoor improvements can be a significant expenditure; so, it is prudent to know exactly what you are getting with this investment.
“To protect our clients interest, we have a business model that is different from most designers. We have no financial interests in the installation of a project,” said Flaugh.
“This eliminates any conflict of interest and adds third party accountability. Our only interest is what is best for our clients – the best value, high quality of materials and incredible workmanship.”
Michael Flaugh Landscape Service’s include concept development, construction drawings and bid procurement. It is important for its clients to receive fully specified plans so they can be used for apples-to-apples comparisons of bids from qualified landscape contractors.
“A key word you should always keep in mind when considering home improvement is clarity,” he said.
“I design a home’s exterior spaces so that the project’s vision is realized clearly, prudently and beautifully.”
Center: A clean riverside landscape with a putting green.
Below: Detailed hardscape and planting plan.
Canadian Jacques Normandin received his Bachelor and Master degrees from North Carolina State University. He perfected his art in the field of design and cabinetry with his own company in Canada before moving to Florida in 1993 where he established Canam Cabinet Corporation
Normandin combines his skills as an engineer with his creative artistry to design and manufacture custom cabinets from his Boca Raton-based showroom and factory. The custom designed cabinetry is made to the highest standards of craftsmanship using the latest technological advances.
With his engineering background, Normandin always puts function first and intimately understands how the cabinetry is manufactured; but, he also knows the importance of beautiful design.
Canam Cabinets is known for its signature details including the height of its cabinets, the use of stainless steel with glass, curves and zig zags in its designs. It also creates custom-made cabinetry in a variety of materials including wood, lacquer, steel, acrylic or shiny/matte laminate.
“My goal is to create cabinets that are beautiful and streamlined,” said Normandin. “I see all the pieces we create as pieces of art. And regardless, if it is cabinetry for a kitchen, entertainment center or home office, people want both good storage and the wow factor of great design.”
Canam Cabinets
2880 NW Boca Raton Boulevard Boca Raton 561.750.3177
Canamcabinet.com
With an open entertainment center, the room looks larger. The elegant floating credenza provides framing for a fireplace or storage. The furniture’s two contrasting colors, espresso cherry and concrete, add depth.
The radius bar is made of Mahogany and steel with a Vetrazzo countertop.
Describing Dawn Causa as someone who doesn’t like to cut corners is perfect.
As a licensed interior designer, Causa prides herself on the very hands-on, detailed oriented approach of her boutique firm Causa Design Group
For her it is all about the details. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach when designing a space,” she said.
“Every client’s home is unique. It is essential the house works for the client’s lifestyle. I make sure that no design detail is overlooked, especially the minor things most people do not even notice.”
If you look very closely at a Causa Design home, you will discover such attention to detail. For instance, electrical
outlet plates are placed horizontally rather than vertically. In bathrooms, Causa uses custom-designed medicine cabinets with interior power sources to combat counter clutter.
“The outlets look more visually attractive if they run parallel rather than perpendicular to countertops,” she said. “Eliminating counter clutter not only has a visual appeal but also creates a physically calming effect.”
Speaking of details and small touches, Causa shared that when she completes a design project she loves to leave a little unexpected surprise for her clients such as her signature custom-designed pillow.
“When you marry beauty and functionality, your space will undoubtedly feel like home,” said Causa.
There is a bit of irony to the work of Annie Santulli and her eponymous design firm … she works to take her clients out of their comfort zones to create for them the most comfortable living spaces.
“My passion is to capture the spirit and desire of my clients. Through my experience, I work to present them with a wide variety of interesting and exciting design possibilities,” said Santulli.
“When it comes to design, I like to expose people to new ideas that enrich their style and elevate their confidence to feel comfortable making bold choices. I love it when a client says, ‘I didn’t know so many different options even existed’.”
It is her clients’ individuality that services as the inspiration for Santulli’s creativity, “My favorite projects are those that are not only beautifully designed spaces, but also spaces that reflect the uniqueness of the people who live in the homes.”
When asked what is the thread that is consistent throughout her interior design projects, she admitted it is her love for the glam.
“I love to add a little glam. It may be sprinkled in with textured fabrics or a show stopping fixture, but it always important to have a few hints of razzle dazzle.”
Above: This dining room is full of glitz & glam without having a maximalist feel. Different metallic textures were layered on the upholstery, window coverings and wallpaper.
Below: This project was all about the view. Organic materials that reflect the seascape were used to add a whimsical feel to creating this beachside vacation home.
Left: This expansive living room represents the paradox of cozy and grand. The luxurious tactile textures in a neutral palette creates warmth while sitting and enjoying the view.
Her reputation precedes her. In Boca when anyone asks for a high-quality custom framer or a reputable fine art gallery, the response given is always the same, “Muriel.”
This means the person to see is Muriel the owner of Frame World Gallery.
Muriel understands that a well-designed home has welldressed walls.
Walls hold everything from antique posters to large contemporary works of art and everything in between.
With her artistic ability and trained eye, Muriel assists customers with whatever they may need to give their homes well-styled walls.
In addition to her curated collection of art work in all genres and at all price points, Muriel's expertise includes imaginative custom framing, home staging and interior design.
“I always tell people art doesn’t care where you hang it,” said Muriel. “I only have one rule, frame each piece so it looks its best.”
However, Muriel encourages people to make sure what they put on their walls is interesting; and her gallery’s selection combined with her design skills allows them to be effective in achieving this goal.
“It doesn’t matter how much something costs, it is how it looks," she said.
Muriel mentioned that the Andy Warhol Foundation continues to produce high quality prints of the artist’s work. Other artists whose prints Muriel thinks are good investments include Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein, Frank Stella and Tom Wesselmann.
Other trends more include the mixing of metals, lively colors, and the return of classic elegance.
No matter the type of art a person likes, Muriel encourages them to come to the gallery and look around.
“And when people say they aren’t sure what they are looking for, I always say, ‘I have plenty of that’.”
Frame World Gallery 3013 Yamato Road, Ste. B-11, Boca Raton 561.997.0084
Allied Kitchen and Bath is built on a family alliance.
After starting Allied in 1984, the company’s President Bill Feinberg and his brother Executive Vice President/Certified General Contractor Joe Feinberg encouraged their two other brothers and parents to move from Philadelphia to South Florida to get involved in the business.
And for the past 38 years, the brothers have made the business a family affair – Rob Feinberg is a certified kitchen designer and is the company’s head of design and Dave Feinberg serves as Allied’s facilities manager.
But don’t think Allied does only kitchens and baths.
Although Allied has a stellar reputation for its kitchen and bath renovations, the company’s experienced and certified designers, project managers and on-staff construction/installation team can design and/or renovate lots of rooms including laundry, walk-in closets, bars, home offices and of course, complete outdoor kitchens.
“Because the kitchen is the heart of the house and the bathroom is the home’s second most used room and has become a well-needed spa sanctuary. We discovered that with our talents and expertise our greatest impact
is our ability to change people’s lives by creating kitchens and baths that reflect their lifestyles,” said Bill Feinberg.
A cutting-edge design element that Allied offers is its creative use of Thinkglass for countertops and backsplashes. Thinkglass is non-porous, endures high heat without cracking or scorching and is impossible to stain. It is made of 100% recycled glass and the texture and options are endless.
And when it comes to bathrooms, Feinberg said it is all about the shower, “People want large showers with shower systems that offer everything from steam to a rainforest experience.”
A big part of Feinberg’s focus is on his community. This is in response to his upbringing. His parents, who worked for the company for over 20 years, instilled in their sons the importance of paying it forward and giving back.
Allied donates all the retrieved cabinetry and appliances from its remodel projects to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore and over the past 10 years it has raised over $1 million for various nonprofits.
“What sets us apart is not only our high-quality craftsmanship and professionalism but also our commitment and dedication to the community in which we live and work,” said Feinberg.
From Top: Remodeled open white kitchen with gold accents.
Middle: Creative use of Thinkglass countertops with lighting.
Bottom: Sleek marble spa sanctuary.
Allied Kitchen & Bath 616 W. Oakland Park Boulevard Fort Lauderdale
Allied's Design Center Showroom: 3484 NE 12th Avenue Oakland Park 954.564.1611
AlliedKitchenAndBath.com
With her strong educational foundation in conceptual interior design from New York City’s Council of Interior Design Accredited School of Visual Arts, Jody Fierz has built her multi-city interior design firm Jody Fierz Interior Design on her love of space planning and ability to conceptualize how to create original and innovative interiors.
“My team and I all went to concept-driven design schools. This allows us to be versatile in our approach to design; so, we don’t have a certain aesthetic or signature design style,” she said.
“I like to push boundaries by blending unique concepts and mixing simple facets including color, materials and textures, in complex ways to design a space.”
For the past 14 years, Fierz has had the opportunity to design both commercial and residential spaces. In addition to doing several remodels and new constructions throughout Miami and Fisher Island. She also was one of the interior designers that collaborated in designing Ha Salon in South Beach Miami.
“I see my role as being able to read the client and understand the space. I can immediately perceive what the space can be,” she said.
“My clients are relying on me to come up with something different. The most important skill for an interior designer is being able to move through a space and plan what makes sense ergonomically and aesthetically.”
Once she has the space plan, Fierz can dive into her other design passion selecting the materials and how she will customize the design and use the selected elements to add texture, layers and interest.
“It is the many facets within a piece of art that make it appealing and engage spectators to gravitate towards it. The same should occur when looking at interiors. The eye needs to be draw to specific details, within the space,” she said.
“It’s not about designing the space alone, you have to create the layers by strategically incorporating beautiful vignettes.”
When it comes to LuAnn Warner-Prokos’ portraiture, a picture is truly worth a thousand words.
But she doesn’t strive to just capture her subjects, but through masterful use of lighting, scenery and photographic techniques, WP Portraiture creates beautiful pieces of art.
For the past eight years, Warner-Prokos has focused on portrait photography and recently opened a new Boca Raton studio to create the perfect environment to practice her craft of fine art portraiture.
Warner-Prokos believes nothing makes a house a home more than family portraits, “They bring so much warmth and love into the space.”
She is known for her editing and is an expert in the techniques to best create an image be it on hand-made paper, framed perfectly or designed as part of an album, all of which are certain to become treasured family heirlooms.
“I really love in-studio photography as there is more room to be creative and stylize a session,” she said. “I strive to capture a moment in time that becomes timeless.”
When it comes to the stacks and stacks of Assouline's luxurious stylish tomes, they most certainly may be judged by their covers.
Since its start in 1994, Assouline has produced the "ultimate" coffee table books that are as informational as they are beautiful works of art.
Understanding that the past serves as inspiration for the present, Assouline knows the delight of a well-crafted printed page and how books serve not only as matters of intellect and emotions, but also as heritage and innovation.
Every facet of the books it publishes is overseen with great detail — from the paper selected for printing to the use of traditional hand-binding techniques for the covers.
Assouline continues to expand the illustrated book market with its various book collections including the Ultimate Collection of artisan-style crafted books on a
Bal
variety of topics from jewelry and fashion, fine art and its Impossible Collection, the ultimate collection of titles curated by specialists from around the world and across the ages.
With its expanding collection of boutiques around the globe, including its newest location in the Bal Harbour Shops, Assouline has gone beyond beautiful books to become a cultivator of culture. The store’s shelves are lined with a world of good taste just waiting to be discovered.
In addition to offering complete book collections, the boutique is filled with objects that belong in contemporary libraries from scented candles to cabinets of curiosities.
And what Assouline’s luxurious shopping environments make perfectly clear is its books are not just coveted for their content but also as beautiful and artful book-objects.
Choosing to keep existing elements including the banister, front door and limestone flooring, the home’s front living room was transformed into a casual lounging area. With the nice limestone flooring, interior designer Trish Beaudet softened it with a more mutedmatte finish.
And because the owners like to entertain, a modern-styled bar area was placed on the side while the large space was anchored with two bright open-back ottoman benches and two chaise lounges which mirror each other. Beaudet selected more casual seating for this space.
The 84-inch floor lamp gives additional light because the ceilings were so high.
The Mediterranean architecture popular throughout South Florida during the 1920s and 1930s is updated for the 21st century
Over the past six years, interior designer Trish Beaudet and her firm Cashmere & Vine have found themselves remodeling classic Mediterranean style homes into elegant residences with a casual beach vibe.
Photos by Perfect Real Estate Visuals
When she started doing this type of renovation project, Beaudet researched why this architectural style was so popular.
It turns out because of South Florida’s weather, the concrete used to build Mediterranean-styled architecture was well suited for the region.
Plus, with Latin America and the Caribbean being Florida’s neighbors, they influenced the area’s residential architectural styles.
“Today, when a real estate agent is showing a client one of these Mediterranean-styled homes, I will come along, because too often the client is discouraged by the home’s current décor and can’t see the potential,” said Beaudet.
“Often buyers of these Mediterraneanstyled residences don’t want to do a full-blown renovation, so they need to be shown the property’s assets and what can be kept and what needs to be changed. I love showing how we can easily modernize the space.”
These Mediterranean-styled homes have good architecture with usable floor plans and high ceilings.
“When working on this type of remodel, I’ve noticed in many cases we just need to clean them up,” said Beaudet.
But what is different about Beaudet’s designs is her love for mixing opposing elements, like a concrete table with a crystal chandelier. She also understands how to edit a space.
When starting a project Beaudet likes to have conversations with her clients and asks about what metals they like, how they like to live, how they feel about glass, wood and color.
“I always ask my clients to show me some of their favorite outfits. This gives me a sense of their style. I also like clients to show me pictures of designs they like to give me a good visual understanding,” she said.
Beaudet believes that paint, color and texture can transform a room. “Another good way to change a space is by updating the finishes. This is especially true with kitchen cabinetry and countertops.”
For the kitchen, Beaudet turned the pass thru into a wine cellar. She opened it up by using two glass doors and removing the dark cherry wood wine racks.
She also changed the color of the island to a soft gray and added new three-inch white quartz countertops. Over the island she hung two 50-inch Vanderpump Alain chandeliers made with black beads and crystals. The Feizy ombre rug serves to soften the space.
“I like when things don’t match, and everything is different. I mix metals, stone, wood, iron, crystals and fabrics,” she said.
“I love to use a textured fabric on a couch and pair it with velvet-covered chairs. You can mix it up and still create a well-balanced and well-designed room.”
When it comes to transitioning from the traditional Mediterranean look to the Moditerranean style, Beaudet may sometimes square off the columns and pull out the arches, but she always uses paint as part of her plan.
“Paint really goes a long way. It is basically the least expensive way to create a dramatic effect in a room. Paint offers depth and warmth in an interior space. And there is no need to be afraid of colored paint, it is a great design element,” she said.
Beaudet’s Moditerranean design aesthetic is contemporary with a good amount of beach thrown in.
Being able to entertain was very important to the home’s owners.
“My goal with every project is to create interiors that represent the way my clients want to live. For these clients I wanted to create grand entertainment spaces,” said Beaudet.
In the dining room, she wanted something creative on the backwall. So, she selected a graphic-patterned wallpaper and found from Uttermost mirrors with metal backing and gold rivets and hung them as a series.
“I wanted to go beyond just hanging one or two large mirrors. I thought the series of mirrors really opened the space. Also, the mirrors reflect the water which works to bring the outside in,” she said.
The Branch home soapstone dining table is elliptical so not to overcrowd the room. The chairs and the server with a white chalk-like finish are from Mr. Brown London. CashmereAndVine.com
Throughout the home, Golen placed a waterproof ¾-inch laminate. It isn’t a wood-composite material so it doesn’t scratch. “When I first went to the house, the owner and his son were playing badminton in the living room and the dog was running around. The floors definitely had to be durable,” said interior designer Ken Golen.
In the family room, he turned the curtain fabric on its side to create an interesting detail that continues throughout the space.
In the area between the living and family rooms, that now serves as the bar, two arched columns were removed to make the space more open.
Golen also likes to use furniture that when it is moved from one room to another everything is well coordinated. “I used black and white and red accents for the interiors. This way you always see something that connects be it the white stone, black and white curtains or the rugs,” he said.
When it came time to create the interiors for his Davie home, the owner, a former Miami Dolphin player, appropriately told interior designer Ken Golen to just do it
Golen got to work taking the Tuscan-styled home down to the studs and removing arches, columns, walls and the raw iron used throughout the house. There was nothing left not even the lighting or furnishings.
His goal was to create a home that was open, light and modern. Golen incorporated his favorite color black because he feels it adds elegance and works to ground the space. He selected a darker red to serve as the home’s accent color.
“I opened up the floorplan. I wanted to create defined spaces but create an open concept,” he said.
Throughout the home, Golen incorporated his signature textured walls created with plaster, faux-finish hand-painting, stenciling and tiling.
“I like to subtly use various elements to bring the design together. The design may look simple, but it is very complex. There is a lot that goes into the visual plan to make the design balanced,” he said.
“I like to have different things that work off each other to make people interested in the space.
I don’t like blank walls, but I never overdo it. Sometimes less is more because that is what draws people to what is there.”
The master bedroom’s headboard was designed to go from the floor to the ceiling. It has upholstered pieces at different levels. Behind the headboard are LED lights to give it a warm glow. The side cabinets are made from black-stained oak.
The facing drawers are vinyl created to look like stainless steel. The walls were given a textured pattern with plaster and then hand-painted with a gold-leaf faux-finish.
“The furnishings are like a beautiful dress, but the fixtures are the jewelry that complete the look,” said Golen. “The fixtures give the house a little bling.”
For the master bath, located in the front of the house, Golen was focused on dressing up the space.
He put in a freestanding tub and placed a his-and-her shower behind it.
The shower was custom made with hand-helds, jets and a two-foot rainforest showerhead.
The rug was custom made. Golen explained that the room looked to stark, and it needed something to warm it up.
The light fixture above the tub looks like water droplets. The vanity and sinks are traditional in design but the lacquered-looking material and quartz countertops work to give the bathroom a more contemporary design. KenGolenDesigns.com
The home’s waterfront location served as the project’s muse for interior designer Annie Santulli.
Photos By Brantley PhotographyAs you walk into this newly built home in Delray Beach, it is easy to see the pool and intracoastal waterway from the entryway.
It was these coastal hues that influenced interior designer Annie Santulli’s color palette for this project.
With the home’s open floorplan, Santulli had to define areas for sitting, dining and entertaining while creating a cohesive look.
To execute her desired concept, hues of teal and brown served as the threads that were woven throughout the home’s design.
“When you have such great architecture, you have to make the furnishings special,” said Santulli.
This space, within the open floorplan, was originally supposed to be the dining area. But Santulli felt its location and odd elongated shape would not work as a dining area. Instead, she created a beautiful and welcoming conversation area. The glass coffee table’s chrome base is designed to look like the ocean’s bubbles.
The entryway’s chandelie r and front doors were changed to better coordinate with the design. Santulli wanted to keep the area relatively clean because of its water views. Texture was added with the sculptural light fixture made with chipped glass.
When it comes to light fixtures, Santulli believes the bigger the better. “I would rather go bigger and make a statement. Fixtures are a lot like jewelry, if they are too small they will get lost,” she said.
The kitchen is very clean and contemporary with quartz countertops. But, Santulli funked it up with low-back faux leather and chrome chairs.
The glass dining table is made with a shiny wood veneer and chrome base.
Santulli never puts a rug in the dining area not only because it constantly gets caught on the chairs but also because it delineates the design.
The drama of the living room is created with the wall of teal grass cloth. Santulli explained this design decision as the room’s niche area needed something to make it appear more important.
With her keen eye for space planning, Santulli doesn’t like to fill every spot and knows it is the use of layering and texture not accessories that makes a space special.
AnnieSantulliDesigns.com
This Gulf Coast home showcases interior designer Eilyn Jimenez’s modern coastal style. It is the seventh project the homeowner has designed with Sire Design. The monochromatic interior focuses on functionality.
The serenity of the home’s surroundings gives the space a calm and cool atmosphere. The interiors are complemented by a black and white scheme with subtle hints of blue. The custom millwork, statement chandelier and array of seating options make the living room the perfect anchor for the home’s openfloor concept. The room’s checkered silk wallpaper is from Twill & Texture.
The piano room’s argyle wallpaper is also from Twill & Texture and serves as a lovely complimentary pattern and texture.
“Wallpaper use to be just an accent, but now it has become an important finish,” said Jimenez.
“Wallcoverings have evolved and allow for so much creativity.”
From the interior design projects they have completed since launching their firms in 2021 along with their new Netflix reality show Designing Miami, Eilyn and Ray Jimenez have arrived on SoFlo’s design scene.
by Kris Tamburello
Photos
With their Netflix reality show Designing Miami, the husband-and-wife interior design team, Eilyn and Ray Jimenez are making SoFlo chicer one interior design project at time. She, with a minimalist aesthetic and he with a more maximalist approach, the show captures what this talented and stylish duo create for their deeppocketed and demanding clients. Currently streaming on Netflix.com
The husband-and-wife duo each have their own interior design studios – his Raymond Nicolas; hers Sire Design.
Eilyn Jimenez described her design approach as rooted in modernist principles. “Although I am known for my innovative modern interiors, I like to reinvent South Florida’s coastal aesthetic and infuse it in my projects,” she said.
“I like to blend coastal elements with moderncontemporary elements. This is how you can play with highs and lows and merge different styles. I like to create a color palette that is modern but has a coastal feeling … and the palette doesn’t have to be shades of blue. I have created a new design aesthetic -- coastal modern.”
Many of Sire Design’s clients are in love with monochromatic furnishings, so Eilyn likes to play with the finishes.
“I make sure the furniture will stand the test of time, but the accents and hardware can easily be updated to maintain a modern design aesthetic,” she said.
A big part of Eilyn’s reputation is for her creative use of wallpaper and wall coverings.
“I play heavily with wallpapers. I look for what is going to be a showstopper,” she said.
“But I always make sure there is a balance. If I incorporate a heavy textured wallpaper, then I make sure the furnishings are much more muted. I like to add layers of texture rather than layers of color.”
And with the selection of wallpapers available today, Eilyn has her pick of silk, tulle, textured, woven and linen to create dramatic room settings.
“Wallpaper has evolved and has become so modern. Today’s offerings allow you to be so creative You can do everything from a wood veneer to hand-woven papers. You can take a wall from flat to a surface filled with layers of depth and texture,” she said.
“Wallpaper adds so much dimension and create an added layer to interior design. Wallpaper used to be an accent, but now it is an important finish.”
The master bedroom is dressed in a darker gray and brown color palette, which adds warmth to the space.
Modern nightstands, flexible wall sconces and stone table lamps serve as nice accents. The patterned rug works to complete the space.
The clever use of mixed materials – stone, wood, metal and textiles –with layered patterns and light tones create a contemporary space that also embraces the home’s coastal location.
A dining room table ready to seat eight is situated in a fully windowed alcove adjacent to the kitchen provides a direct view of the home’s coastal setting.
The kitchen features different hues of white for the cabinets, countertops and ceiling. This allows the large pendant fixtures to attract attention.
“I like to fuse different elements together. In this case, it allows for reinvention and reinterpretation of the coastal aesthetic into something fresh and modern,” said Jimenez SireDesign.com
Raymond Jimenez’s interior design firm Raymond Nicolas has launched a limited-edition capsule collection of lids inspired by vintage 1980s and 1990s Formula One Grand Prix racing podium hats.
This is his first foray into men’s streetwear accessories. And as a real limited-edition collection each hat is numbered. $115, RaymondNicolas.com
A colorful patterned wallpaper is one of Jackie Armour’s design signatures.
“My sweetspot is color and pattern,” she said.
Interior designer Jackie Armour is celebrating her company’s silver anniversary, but it is her bold and creative use of color from which she has made her mark in the interior design industry.
Photos by Brantley PhotographyUnder Armour’s tutelage her team at JMA Interior Design understands the power of the palette and how to use a mix of color and pattern to push the envelope with great style and finesse.
But when starting a new design project, it is the textiles that serve as Armour’s inspiration.
“Many designers start with the artwork, but I always start with the textiles,” she said.
“My sweet spot is when a project allows me to move in a direction where I can use color and pattern as the drivers of the project.”
Over her career, Armour has established an instinctual understanding of color. “Colors are either warm or cool, so pairing them in similar temperatures always results in harmonious combinations,” she said.
In addition to her use of bold hues and dramatic patterns, Armour’s extensive experience working directly with builders, architects and contractors, skills for space planning and interior design and eye for the architectural details has allowed her to become a sought-after designer who has the talent to create award worthy interiors with the perfect balance of form and function.
So, in honor of her 25th anniversary as an interior designer, Armour shares her top 10 form and function principles that guarantee the design of beautiful spaces.
When color is used well it can work anywhere including on a home’s front door. “People are getting much more comfortable using color,” said Armour.
1The most important aspect of good design is to have a good floorplan.
2Whatever the design, selecting the right color is a priority. There is tremendous power in color. It grabs the attention. It plays a vital role in design. It can draw the eye to a specific place in a space. Color often triggers feelings and certain hues can evoke specific emotional responses.
3Blending the old with the new makes a space feel layered. The old and new belong together. The mix of modern/ contemporary furnishings with antiques never gets old.
4If someone entertains a lot, the home must have a great bar.
5Think of the ceiling as the fifth wall. Ceilings define the lines and beauty of a space. Whether in lush lacquer, with real or faux wooden beams or wallpaper, the ceiling offers a great way to add the wow factor
The dining room has pink faux-silk linen covering the chairs with lucite legs and antique brass details. They are paired with a contemporary glass table. The backdrop of the built-in was painted lime green to add some drama. The Visual Comfort chandelier is antique brass with crystals made to look like feathers.
Armour will always find a spot for a bar, even under a staircase, but it did require modifications to the staircase design. The home’s floors were made with large porcelain 36” x 36” porcelain tiles that look like concrete but are a better option because they don’t crack.
An open space floorplan requires a well-proportioned coffee table not only to make a statement but also to give the space a sense of place.
There is no substitute for great lighting and beautiful fixtures.
Embrace a classic white kitchen. Classics never go out of style.
Don’t underestimate the importance of a space that serves as a personal sanctuary.
Have fun! There is nothing more fun than designing beautiful interiors.
This project’s client wasn’t afraid of color or bold patterns. The home’s design started with Armour’s selection of the textiles.
“This was one of my most fun and most challenging projects,” she said. “It was really the first time a client and I connected on a color level,” she said.
The playful mix of color and style of furniture was inspired by the drapery fabric. Armour noted that in this project every room has custom-made window treatments.
JMAInteriorDesign.com
ALEXANDRA GLASS DESIGNS (showroom) 954.200.3212 alexglassdesigns.com
ALLIED KITCHEN AND BATH (showroom) 616 W. Oakland Park Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale 954.564.1611 alliedkitchenandbath.com
ANNIE SANTULLI DESIGNS (interior design) AnnieSantulliDesigns.com
ANTONINI MODERN LIVING (home fashion retailer) 9465 Glades Road, Boca Raton 561.757.6988 antoninimodernliving.com
AVANT GALLERY (art gallery) 270 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami 786.220.8600 avantgallery.com
CALIFORNIA CLOSETS (home fashion retailer) 302 S. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale 1904 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton 954.946.2218 californiaclosets.com
CANAM CABINET CORPORATION (showroom) 2880 NW Boca Raton Boulevard, Boca Raton 561.750.3177 canamcabinet.com
CASAMARE (home fashion retailer) 84 SE 4th Avenue, Delray Beach 561.213.6518 casamareinteriors.com
CASHMERE & VINE INTERIORS (interior design) 248.760.5037 cashmereandvine.com
CAUSA DESIGN (interior design) 954.652.1714 causadesigngroup.com
CHRISTOPHER CAWLEY LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE (landscape architect) 780 NE 69th Street, Miami 786.536.2961 christophercawley.com
CLIVE DANIEL HOME (interior design/home fashion retailer) 1351 NW Boca Raton Boulevard, Boca Raton 561.440.4663 2777 Tamiami Trail North, Naples 239.261.4663 clivedanielhome.com
COOL LINES USA (showroom) 954.283.1049 coollineusa.com
CREATIVE COLLECTIONS (showroom) 1200 Clint Moore Road, Suite 4, Boca Raton 561.994.0505 creativecollectiononline.com
CUSTOM DOOR SHOP (showroom) 4900 Linton Boulevard, Delray Beach 561.494.0820 126 Center Street, Jupiter 561.741.0603 customdoorshop.com
DESIGN NS (showroom) 1080 NW 1st Ave. Boca Raton 561.338.5545 designns.com
HUBLEY DESIGN INTERIORS (interior design) 6600 W. Rogers Circle, Boca Raton 561.961.4696 hubleydesigninteriors.com
J ALEXANDER INTERIORS (interior design) 2700 W. Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale 954.366.1817 jai-design.com
BELAMO DESIGN (home fashion retailer) 7301 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton 561.617.1118 2756 N. Dixie Highway, Fort Lauderdale 954.530.3683 661 9th Street North, South Naples 407.837.5667 belamo-design.com
BELLINI MODERN LIVING (home furnishing company) BelliniModernLiving.com
110 soflohabitat.com
FIFTHROOM.COM (home fashion retailer)
FLORIDA LUXURY CABINETS (showroom) 2621 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton 561.933.4471 floridaluxurycabinets.com
HOME DESIGN STORE (home fashion retailer) 3750 NW 46th Street, Miami 305.633.1355 homedesignstoreflorida.com
JACKIE M ARMOUR INTERIOR DESIGN (interior design) 1907 Commerce Lane, Jupiter 561.743.9668 jmainteriordesign.com
JAIME BLOMQUIST INTERIORS (interior design) 954.999.5601 jamieblomquist.com
JIM DOVE DESIGN (interior design) 3414 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach 561.268.2647 jimdovedesign.com
JODY FIERZ INTERIOR DESIGN (interior design) 781.860.3907 jodyfierz.com
JUDY FERRARA GALLERY (interior design) 16 S. Elm Street, Three Oaks, Michigan 269.756.9338 judyferraragallery.com
KENDALL MARCELLE DESIGN ASSOCIATES (interior design) 1241 Stirling Road, Dania Beach 954.367.6170 kendallmarcelle.com
KEN GOLEN DESIGNS (interior design) 1290 Weston Road, Weston 954.388.7261 kengolendesign.com
KITCHEN RENOVATIONS PERFECTED (interior design) 5250 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton 561.372.9044 kitchenrenovationsperfected.com
LE JEUNE UPHOLSTERY (showroom) 7270 SW 42nd Street, Miami 305.261.4009 lejeuneupholstery.com
MAC ART GALLERIES (interior design)
390 SE 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach 954.990.5420 macfineart.com
MCMOW ART GLASS (showroom) 811 N Dixie Highway, Lake Worth Beach 561.585.9011 mcmow.com
NATURALLY CREATIVE (showroom) 1141 NE 45th Street, Oakland Park 954.772.7979 naturallycreativeinc.com
NORDIC GROUP (interior design) 1080 NW 1st Ave. Boca Raton 561.338.5545 nordicgrp.com
OLGA ADLER INTERIORS (interior design) 561.617.0725 olgaadlerinteriors.com
THE PATIO SHOPPE (home fashion retailer) 7355 Sample Road, Coral Springs 954.752.0161 11268 Legacy Avenue, Palm Beach Garden 561.776.9980 patioshoppes.com
PERLA LICHI DESIGN (interior design) 2101 NW 33rd Street, Pompano Beach 954.726.0899 perlalichi.com
THE PLACE FOR KITCHENS AND BATHS (showroom)
285 SE Mizner Boulevard, Royal Palm Place, Boca Raton 561.338.7171 theplaceforkitchensandbaths.com
RONNIE G DESIGNS (interior design) 954.298.6290 rdgdesigns@aol.com
SARAH Z DESIGNS (interior design) 305.906.5500 sarahzdesigns.com
SILK FLORAL GALLERY (home fashion retailer) 4 W. Hallandale Beach Boulevard, Hallandale Beach 954.457.7477 silkfloralgallery.com
SIMPLITFY (showroom) 561.425.6100 simplitfy.com
SIRE DESIGN (interior design) 7500 NE 4th Court, Miami 305.402.4202 siredesign.com
SKLAR FURNISHINGS (home fashion retailer) 6300 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton 561.862.0800 sklarfurnishings.com
TOBY ZACK DESIGNS (interior design) 5940 SW 19th Street, Plantation 954.967.8629 tobyzackdesigns.houzz.com
VI DESIGN (interior design) 2363 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton 954.234.2325 vi-designs.com
WARNER-PROKOS PHOTOGRAPHY
LuAnn Warner-Prokos (portrait photographer) 561.271.7954 wpportraiture.com
The desire for a fashionable and functional kitchen continues to be in demand, but it seems the kitchen must-have continues to evolve and change.
It is no longer about the kitchen island with its separate sink. Now, it is all about the wellorganized walk-in pantry.
The growing demand for this separate kitchen space may be the result of the pandemic and the emphasis on doing more cooking and eating at home, and thus the need for extra storage.
Or it could be because of Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, founders of The Home Edit, and their Emmy-nominated Netflix show Get Organized with The Home Edit where they showcase the reorganizing of walk-in pantries in the kitchen of both celebs and lay people. Their redesigns include open-shelving, working areas for small appliances and snack stations that make any homeowner salivate.
But for those who don’t follow the trends, but rather make them, there is the walk-in pantry on steroids … the scullery.
Known as the place where Cinderella spent her days, the scullery is not only used for storing food and dishes, but also as the spot for the most mundane activities associated with meal preparation.
A scullery offers more workspace and serves to perfectly conceal the necessary aspects of cooking.
“Think of the scullery as where the sous chef does the work, and the kitchen as the place where the chef prepares the meal,” said kitchen designer Jim Dove.
Be it known as a scullery or by any of its other names —mess kitchen, caterer’s kitchen, refrigerator pantry, prep kitchen or butler’s pantry — this staple of Victorian homes and English manors has gotten an extreme makeover for the 21st century.
Jim Dove designed this residential stainless-steel scullery, a fully functional kitchen workroom
Paul Stoppi
Nickolas Sargent
