SoFlo HABITAT Spring/Summer 2022

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ZOLTAN PRESENT

FLORIDA

2370 NE Ocean Blvd # C-105 Stuart, FL 34996 (203) 722-1447

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

With an average of 205 sunny days a year, its chic beach-centric lifestyle and incredible water views at every turn, it is hard not to know that South Florida has a style and sensibility all its own.

Marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols said that humans have a blue mind when around water. This means we enter a mildly meditative state characterized by calm and peacefulness with a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life.

Combine this with the plethora of superyachts, extra shiny speed boats, beautifully designed and furnished homes & estates and luxuriously crafted automobiles, you have the perfect definition for what it means to live in South Florida.

SoFLo HABITAT calls this LIFE.STYLED.

As the ultimate champion for this grand, desirable and coveted way of living, the pages of SoFLo HABITAT celebrate the interior designers, architects, artisans and craftsman who use SoFlo as their muse to create the most breathtaking and lavish spaces that encapsulate the splendors of the region’s lifestyle.

As you leaf through the pages of SoFLo HABITAT not only will your imagination be sparked, your creative engine revved and your lust heightened, but also your shopping list will lengthen with all you desire from the magazine’s pages you have earmarked.

SoFLo HABITAT is a well-crafted modern approach and highly curated source of South Florida’s style of living.

Sherry Goodman-Ash

SoFLo HABITAT Publisher

Chairs and accessories are from Gervasoni 1882’s Ghost collection. Available at Casamareinteriors.com.

SERENDIPITY BY DESIGN

SKY HOMES

MODITERRANEAN

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SPRING/SUMMER 2022 soflohabitat.com

Sherry Goodman-Ash Publisher bocaadlady@aol.com

Sara Fiedelholtz Editor-in-Chief sfiedelholtz@soflohabitat.com

Joanna Gazzaneo Art Director Maria Romero Graphic Designer/Production

Alyssa Morlacci

Contributing Writer

Cover Image: 22 Star Island, Miami Beach

Interior Designer: Dunagan Diverio Design Group Photo: Paul Stoppi

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Jaime Blomquist Interior Architect JaimeBlomquist.com

Dawn Causa Principal Designer Causa Design Group Causadesigngroup.com

Christopher Cawley Landscape Architect Christopher Cawley Landscape Christophercawley.com

LuAnn Warner-Prokos Portraiture Photography Warner-Prokos Photography Wpportraiture.com

Andrea Halley-Wright Founder Design Sense Public Relations Designsensepr.com

Sara Fiedelholtz chief content strategist Publishing Director/SoFLo HABITAT 102 west superior street Suite 414 fort wayne IN 46802

sfiedelholtz@thinkboxstrategies.com call/text: 847.736.1387

For advertising information contact: Sherry Goodman-Ash bocaadlady@aol.com call/text: 561.809.5124

©2022 SoFLo HABITAT is a quarterly publication published by thinkbox strategies llc. Any views expressed in advertisements do not necessarily reflect the position of thinkbox strategies or SoFLo HABITAT. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission.

INSPIRE

The Abstra Collection by Kohler WasteLAB of bespoke brushed and matte tiles are handcrafted by Kohler WasteLAB from 99.5 percent recycled wastewater sludge and glaze overspray and entirely procured from the Kohler pottery factory located in Wisconsin. Also shown, Kohler Statement Multifunction Handshower and Ceric freestanding bathtub.

SUSTAINABLE STYLE

Kohler recently debuted its Abstra Collection by Kohler WasteLAB, a collection of bespoke brushed and matte tiles.

This is the second tile collection by Kohler WasteLAB created from the company’s pottery refuse to create sustainable products for the home. The Abstra Collection evokes the appearance of carved or sculpted clay with two different styles. It showcases Kohler’s avant garde approach to design.

Abstra Feature is a series of abstract patterned tiled with raised and relief designs and an undulating surface.

Abstra Standard an unadorned field tile with the same undulating surface detail.

The collection offers an organic palette of natural colors with both matte and slate-brushed finishes.

Ann Sacks Tile and Stone 61 NE 40th Street, Miami 305.572.1212 annsacks.com

Above: The Abstra Collection by Kohler WasteLAB in Storm

Below: The Abstra Collection by Kohler WasteLAB in Linen

BEACH STILE

Combine a curated collection and SoFlo’s beach style and you have the making for a great destination.

Bettina Schonweitz took her international background and love of travel to create the well-edited interiors concept store Casamare (Italian for beach house).

“I felt that South Florida was missing the opportunity to experience European craftsmanship. I wanted to offer Italian furniture, Greek textiles, lighting from the Czech Republic and rugs from Turkey,” she said. “I take South Florida’s beach lifestyle and infuse it with Mediterranean style.”

Casamare elevates beach living with its high-quality Italian furnishings and accessories from Greece, Hungary, Spain and Portugal.

Schonweitz loves the designs of Paola Navone, the artistic director and creator of some of the most iconic furnishings from the thirdgeneration Italian furnishing company Gervasoni.

Casamare is an exclusive retailer for Gervasoni and gives a large portion of its floor space to the cohesive interior collections that creatively capture other cultures in contemporary designs.

With its curated offerings, Casamare gives new meaning to a stay vacation -- never wanting to leave -- as the environment is able to send you to such exotic locales as the Mediterranean or Greek Islands.

84 SE 4th Avenue, Delray Beach 561.213.6518 casamareinteriors.com

Gervasoni 1882’s Ghost chair is inviting with its voluminous cushions and textural fabric.

Photo by PHOTOPRO

BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS

Lauder recently added the fourth brick-and-mortar location for the Aerin brand, Aerin Miami. The other stores are in geographic locations that perfectly compliment Lauder’s sensibility – Palm Beach, Florida and New York’s Southampton and East Hampton.

Aerin Lauder serves as the style and image director for the eponymous cosmetics company founded in 1946 by her grandmother Estée Lauder.

Lauder’s incredible eye and love for beautiful things combined with her passion for art, travel, fashion and design inspired her, in 2012, to launch her eponymous brand, Aerin.

Her lifestyle serves as the inspirational focal point for the brand – classic, but with a modern point-of-view – and its collection of well-edited and curated items are most definitely inspired by her signature style.

LIFE.STYLED.

The interiors for Aerin Miami were created by the preeminent French interior designer Jacques Grange, who partnered with Palm Beach architect Jeff Smith to create the store. Looking to the Mediterranean in the 1960s and 1970s for inspiration, the space has a sun-kissed feel with an understated glamour from the vintage pieces and pops of color used to add some splash to its beach-inspired backdrop.

The store is well edited and beautifully presents Lauder’s seasonal selection of everything from bar and bath accessories to fashion and home furnishings. The curated collection also highlights the brand’s collaboration with such well-known brands and designers as Colefax and Fowler, Diane James, The Shade Store, Casa Lopez, Tommy Mitchell and The Colony Palm Beach.

Everything is beautifully designed and will easily make any counter, vanity table or dresser perfectly coiffed.

Living the SoFlo life for Aerin Lauder includes a morning walk on the boardwalk, breakfast at Sadelles, shopping in Miami’s Design District, a frozen treat from Frohzen, dinner at Thomas Keller’s Surf Club Restaurant, followed by late night martinis at the club’s Lido Restaurant and Champagne Bar.

“Never underestimate any woman’s desire for beauty.”

-Estée Lauder

INTELLIGENT INTERIORS

Convenience is no longer a luxury—it’s an expectation.

With the use of technology, we can buy groceries, order everything and anything, and even go to the doctor without ever leaving our living-room couch.

While we might not be able to buy time in a literal sense, technology streamlines our lives and affords us the opportunity to make better use of the time we have and when we add technological advancements to our homes, we may even be saved from some of the more menial tasks.

Everything from preheating the oven to 350° to filling the dog’s water bowl can be done with a phone app or voice command.

“There’s no appliance you can’t remotely or electronically operate,” said Bill Feinberg, president of Allied Kitchen & Bath

Over the past 40 years Feinberg has seen the evolution of kitchens and baths. His Fort Lauderdalebased team of designers and technicians have assisted

homeowners with updating their kitchens and baths to reflect the most modern standards and latest features.

Feinberg founded Allied Kitchen & Bath, in 1984, alongside his brother, Joe. Today, it continues to be family-owned and operated.

And don’t let the company’s long-standing history allow you to think that it isn’t privy to the most cutting-edge trends and innovations.

“Technology is a big part of the design when we are looking at remodeling a space,” said Feinberg.

He pointed out how even the smallest changes, like swapping LED lights for incandescent bulbs improves energy efficiency.

Allied Kitchen & Bath is a South Florida fixture. It’s commitment to forward thinking assists homeowners with improving their carbon footprint as well as effectively incorporating technology into some of their least favorite chores. Allowing them the luxury to spend time doing more important things.

- Alyssa Morlacci

SPLURGE-WORTHY SANCTUARY

Feinberg offered a few of his favorite features to transform a bathroom into a high-tech, spa-like sanctuary.

“If you do your bathroom properly, you can create an environment that will allow you to truly relax,” he said. “It’s no longer just a place to shower or bathe—it’s an escape.”

Splurge-Worthy Items:

Handheld Shower-Head

Air Tub

Integrated LED Lighting

Ample Storage Space Mirror With Built-In TV Toilet With Integrated Bidet

Above: This Allied Kitchen & Bath designed bathroom has heated floors and features a slab of agate located behind the freestanding tub backlit with LED lighting.

Below: This Allied Kitchen & Bath’s kitchen seamlessly integrates appliances and uses a high-top table with a striking stone slab that takes center stage.

616 W. Oakland Park Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale 954.564.1611

Alliedkitchenandbath.com

For this Deborah Wecselman designed space interior, Le Jeune Upholstery created a bespoke ecofriendly sofa. It is made with soy-based foam and poplar wood from the rapidly regenerating green species. The timeless design features blocked arms and clean lines. This chameleon-like sofa silhouette blend perfectly with any style of room.

A STITCH IN TIME

For the past 50 years, the Alvarez family has been making and renovating bespoke upholstered furniture. In 1971, Osmundo and Consuelo Alvarez started Le Jeune Upholstery by reupholstering and restoring fine antiques. Their three sons who grew up in the business and learned the art of reupholstery. They are now overseeing the business.

The company has always been located in Miami and is one of the country’s best and largest workrooms. And now, it has gained recognition for the design of its own collection of high-end custom furniture.

Le Jeune Studio is where Fernando Alvarez the company's director of design works directly with designers and architects to create and manufacture bespoke upholstered furniture. And from these collaborations, Alvarez has created Le Jeune’s own collection of midcentury modern upholstered furnishings from its most popular contemporary styles and classic designs. These upholstered pieces are custom made with the same techniques, craftsmanship and attention to detail upon which the company was founded.

Le Jeune is planning to offer its collection of custom-designed upholstered chairs, sofas, ottomans, beds and benches directly to consumers in 2023.

And although Le Jeune’s designs appear to be sleek and simple with crisp clean lines, there is nothing simple about the focus and attention given to every detail.

“From day one, my dad taught us that you have to pay attention to every detail even how you finish the bottom of the piece,” said Alvarez, “He said that it is critical that the underside of the sofa be prperly finished; because, when the sofa is delivered, it is turned on its side to fit through the door and the client sees the bottom of the sofa.

“The customer needs to see the furniture is so well made because of the amount of attention given to the parts that are going to be hidden from view.” We even paint the upholstered staples on the bottom black so the underside of the upholstered furniture’s frame looks well finished.

Kris Tamburello

Quartz is one of the hardest minerals on earth. And because of its strength and abundance, quartz is a popular choice for countertops. Quartz is sometimes referred to as man made, but it is in fact a natural stone. However, the amount of natural quartz included in a slab depends on the specifications of the quartz manufacturer.

BENEFITS OF QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS

Extremely durable Don’t need to be sealed Nonabsorbent

Come in versatile designs, colors and patterns

QUARTZ VS GRANITE

Quartz countertops are stronger than granite countertops. Quartz is an extremely hard mineral while granite easily absorbs liquids and stains. Granite countertops also need to be sealed and polished regularly.

QUARTZ VS MARBLE

Quartz is much more durable than marble. Marble easily scratches and stains. Marble countertops require frequent maintenance. Acidic foods, like lemons may cause etching on marble countertops.

QUARTZ VS CONCRETE

Unlike quartz, concrete isn’t a natural stone. It is a mixture of water, cement and an aggregate of sand or gravel. Concrete countertops are porous, susceptible to stains and require sealing. They are also extremely heavy and difficult to install.

QUARTZ VS SOAPSTONE

Soapstone countertops scratch easily and must be regularly oiled to maintain their appearance. Their appearance may also change or darken over time.

TEXTURED PAST

The Venice factory of Spanish artist and textile designer Mariano Fortuny just celebrated its 100th birthday. And for the past 34 years, this inspirational Italian textile house has been overseen by Maged Riad and his sons Mickey and Maury. They are constantly working to blend the past with the present by not only updating Fortuny’s classic designs but also creating new collections that are shepherding the brand into its next century.

Although it seems like it would be new and on the cutting edge, Fortuny’s Camo Isole is actually one of Fortuny’s original designs. It uses tonal layering and natural forms to create a uniquely Venetian camouflage, complete with island forms rendered in its metallic stampa. The fabric is 100% long staple cotton and perfect for use as upholstery, wallcoverings, window treatments, pillows and other home accessories.

clivedaniel.com

FRENCH

STYLE MEETS SoFlo LIVING

For more than a century Brunschwig & Fils fabrics, wallcoverings and furnishings have appeared for more than a century in the world’s most beautiful and iconic interiors, from grand rooms in the White House and the Palace of Versailles to romantic country retreats in cottages and seaside homes.

The company has always maintained its connection to French style and its second indoor/outdoor collection of fabric, En Vacances II continues along this tradition. This collection continues to explore the essence of being on vacation with its assortment of multipurpose prints and weaves that are made to withstand the elements while maintaining a luxurious hand.

Kravet.com/brunschwig-fils

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.

GLASS ACT

Who doesn’t like making an entrance? And when it comes to the home, there is no better dramatic entrance (literally) then a handmade artisanal-glass front door.

For 44 years, McMow Art Glass has been dressing homes with its expertise and talent of designing, creating and installing works of glass art from front doors, kitchen cabinets, unusually sized windows, patio doors, ceiling domes and unique custom-designed projects including architectural decorative glass and public art projects.

Under the direction of Shanon Materio and her husband Phil, McMow is giving one of the world's oldest art forms a modern take.

“Glass is the perfect design element,” said Materio. “It is simple yet sophisticated.”

Materio loves that glass is naturally made, sustainable and environmentally friendly. She also loves how the colors and textures of glass changes with the reflection of natural light. “I think glass is so powerful and can go from subdued to fiery all by adding texture and depth when working with it," she said.

McMow is one of the few remaining glass studios in Florida and one of the largest in the U.S. It is also one of the only art glass studios that has an in-house glass painter, as well as a team of well-trained and educated European artisans, etchers and journeymen. These craftsmen not only understand the artistry of making custom-glass pieces but also know the properties of glass and how different manufacturers use the raw materials in their glass-making recipes.

And despite glass making being one of the oldest crafts, technology has allowed manufacturers to create glass that is more energy efficient and impact resistant.

“Every glass manufacturer’s glass looks very different. The look of the glass is driven by the proprietary recipe and unique techniques used to make the glass,” said Materio.

Materio and her team take the sheets of glass and through their expert craftsmanship and artistic abilities in stained glass, etching, carved glass, laminate glass, mosaic and fusing to design works of art.

Materio is currently seeing an increased demand for front entryway designs that are more contemporary.

Stained glass design is also being updated and incorporated in master bathrooms to add to homeowners’ desire to create spaces that are elegant and sensual.

Glass panels, half walls and different shaped dividers hung from the ceiling are being used as room dividers in open spaces.

“There is a desire to create an area for a home office or other ways to segregate parts of these open floorplans,” said Materio.

“I love seeing all that is happening with glass and how we are finding new ways to use it for both utility and art.”

811 N. Dixie Highway, Lake Worth Beach 561.585.9011

Mcmow.com

Daniel Newcomb

ken golen ken golen

(954) 388-7261 kengolendesign.com 1290 Weston Rd, Suite 314, Weston

Photo by Steve L. Romero

HOMERUN

SoFlo’s residential real estate market is definitely a grand slam.

Below are some info & stats that are noteworthy.

EXPENSIVELY RANKED

According to a new report from Zillow, three of SoFlo’s communities rank among the top 10-most expensive housing spots in the U.S.

in Miami Beach is number one on the list and far away the most-expensive home value in the country at $28.3 million. The 300-acre community in Biscayne Bay has fewer than 100 residents.

is fourth on the list, with a typical home value of $6.8 million.

on the Miami-Dade/Broward County line with a typical home value of $5.1 million is eighth on the list.

And like the limited number of residents in Indian Creek, Jupiter Island and Golden Beach have less than 1,000 residents combined.

Nationwide, there are 481 million-dollar cities on Zillow’s list, meaning towns with a typical home value of $1 million or more. Record-setting home appreciations in 2021 added 146 cities to the list; but a decade ago, there were only 126 million-dollar cities in the U.S.

According to Zillow, most of the million-dollar cities are clustered around eight large metro areas: New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, Boston, Seattle, Miami and Washington, D.C.

ASK AND YOU WILL RECEIVE ... MORE

In the first six weeks of 2022, a near-record number of homes sold for more than $100,000 above asking price.

Nationally 5,897 homes sold for at least $100,000 over asking price from January 1 – February 15, 2022, up from 2,241 during the same time last year, according to a new Redfin report.

In Miami, 28 homes sold for at least $100,000 over asking price, up from four in 2021. West Palm Beach had 34 compared to eight last year. And Fort Lauderdale had 16 this year, but just one during the same period in 2021.

Homebuyer competition continues to intensify, as many pay well above the list price to beat out other bidders. This competition drove median home-sale prices up 14% year-over-year to $376,000, just shy of an all-time high, according to the report.

Aerial view from West Palm Beach Kariochi

Florida added more newcomers in the 12 months ending July 1, 2021 than any other state but Texas. And estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Sunshine State added 211,305 residents through both migration and immigration during that one-year period.

This population surge hugely benefited SoFlo’s real estate, which profited from the incoming wave of home buyers and employers.

Forecasters are predicting Florida will again witness double-digit growth in 2022. Real estate pricing will continue to be propelled upward, with an already tight inventory and pent-up demand and foreign buyers will continue to add fuel to this on-fire market.

Lifestyle trends that are likely to push the development and design of SoFLo’s residential market include lifestyle, branded residences and up-and-coming areas.

Miami is the destination where brand names resonate with upscale buyers seeking a label to elevate their status. Thus, from Midtown to Miami Beach to Sunny Isles there are buildings with well-known and coveted brand names from luxury cars, leading hoteliers and cutting-edge fashion houses on their exteriors. The residential buildings of Porsche, Armani, Waldorf Astoria, Ritz Carlton, Cipriani, Fendi

FUTURE CONSTRUCTS

Anew study conducted by StorageCafe found that with construction in the 50 largest metros, Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach ranked ninth for growth.

The analysis of construction in U.S. cities was across six sectors (single-family, multifamily, office, industrial, retail and self-storage) over the past decade to determine the list.

In Miami, expansion was powered by the residential sector, especially in multifamily construction. Permits for nearly 130,000 apartments were issued in the past decade, compared to just 68,000 permits for houses. This type of demand is in line with Miami’s tourismbased economy and steady influx of retirees and people leaving the Northeast.

and Missoni are being joined by Bentley, The Standard and Baccarat.

Most recently the list of status named building was enhanced with the opening of the St. Regis Residences Miami from the Related Group. The build was designed by Robert A.M. Stern and features the iconic St. Regis cache in every facet of the building from its signature butler service to its tearoom.

With the opportunity to live and work anywhere, developers are creating turnkey, fully furnished residences purposely designed, built and licensed to be shared. Among SoFlo’s fully furnished ready-to-occupy residences are Lofty Brickell, District 225 and Natiivo.

And if you are looking to know where to move to next, it easy to find the fast-rising Miami neighborhoods. One of the more coveted will likely be the $1 billion Magic City Innovation District slated to break ground in late 2022/early 2023.

Other areas gaining attention are Midtown wedged between Wynwood and The Design District and the Brickell Financial District, which is attracting young, tony entrepreneurs with residential developments including Lofty, Waldorf Astoria Residences, Major and 1 Southside Park.

PROPERTY VALUES

According to the 2022 forecast by Knight Frank, Miami is set to reign as the most prosperous high-end housing market of the year. This SoFlo metropolis leads the estate agency and property consultant’s global cities rankings, with its luxury property prices expected to grow on average 10% in 2022. The other cities in the top five rankings are Sydney, Australia; Los Angeles, California; Auckland, New Zealand; and London, England.

Across the board, key growth drivers for 2022 are expected to come in the form of easing travel restrictions, limited supply, the demand for second homes and the increased wealth among high-end buyers.

Brickell Avenue skyline Gang Liu

DONE DEALS

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY 2021

The top 42 condo sales totaled $243 million in December 2021, with the average sale price just under $5.8 million. The demand for luxury housing in SoFlo is reflected in the sales price range of $1.9 million to $15.9 million The average price per square foot topped $1,700 and ranged between $512/square foot and $3,742/ square foot.

Number One Sale: Palazzo Del Mare, Fisher Island, Miami Beach, $15.9 million, $2,263/square foot

Number Two Sale: Ocean House, Miami Beach, $12 million, $2,900/square foot

Other Sales: Arte Surfside, $10.9 million, $2,791/square foot; Porsche Design Tower, Sunny Isles, $5.7 million, $1,813/square foot; Monad Terrace, Miami Beach, $11.8 million, $2,426/square foot.

BROWARD COUNTY 2021

Broward County established an all-time annual record for total home sales, total dollar volume, single-family home sales and condo transactions that pushed year-end 2021 marks to new heights.

Broward finished 2021 with 40,423 total home sales, which is 28.4% more than last year and is 19.3% higher than Broward’s previous annual record of 33,891 transactions in 2016.

Broward also set new all -time annual marks for singlefamily homes sold (21,858) and a total sales volume of $18.9 billion, 53.7% higher than in 2020.

The single-family luxury market ($1 million and up) sales rose 31.3% year over year to 168 sales in December 2021. Its existing condo luxury market ($1 million and up) sales increased 12.2% year-over-year to 46 transactions.

PALM BEACH COUNTY 2021

Palm Beach finished 2021 with 37,447 total home sales, which is 18.8% higher than 202 and is 16.7% higher than Palm Beach’s previous annual record of 32,083 in 2015.

The county set all-time records for single-family home sales (19,495) and its total sales volume in 2021 was $25.4 billion, which is 50.3% higher than 2020.

Its single-family luxury home sales ($1 million and up) rose 19.6% to 281 sales in December 2021. Palm Beach’s existing condo luxury sales ($1 million and up) increased 39.2% year-over-year to 110 transactions.

NOTEWORTHY NAPLES

A $49.5 million Naples real estate sale at the end of 2021 was one of the region’s top residential deals of the year. The home in Naples’ Port Royal neighborhood, where the most expensive home, 2700 Gordon Drive, ever sold in Naples sold in early 2020 for $52 million.

IT’S ALL RELATED

Luxury brokerage RelatedISG Realty recently opened a new office in Fort Lauderdale. With this location, the company expands its presence in Broward County joining its sister location in Weston. RelatedISG has more than 375 agents in six offices across Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. In addition to Fort Lauderdale and Weston, it has residential offices in Aventura, Edgewater and Coral Gables. 701 E. Broward Boulevard, 305.932.6365, relatedisgrealty.com

Reimagine Modern Living

6300 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL Open Mon–Sat 10–6, Sun 12–6 Evening hours by appointment Telephone 561-862-0800

sklarfurnishings.com

SOLD!

The list of the 20 most expensive homes sold in the U.S. in 2021 included several in SoFlo:

County Road, Palm Beach : $122.7 million

Sits on two acres with 21,066-square-feet of living space in the main house including 9 bedrooms, 12 full baths and 7 half-baths. Amenities include a cabana, six car garage and separate guest cottage.

South Ocean Boulevard, Palm Beach: $109 million

Located on three acres at the south end of Billionaire’s row the L-shaped house has beach and intracoastal views and offer 29,422-feet of living space with 9 bedrooms and 10-and-a-half baths, a 4-car garage and guesthouse.

Pietra Mare, Palm Beach: $95 million

This 7-bedroom European villa was built in 2003. Designed by Smith Structural Group, Petra Mare, which is Italian for stone and sea, has a coquina exterior and features oak wood floors from France, hand-painted tiles from Portugal and fireplaces from Italy.

Gemini, Palm Beach: $94 million

The waterfront estate’s main residence offers 62,000-square-feet of living space with 7 bedrooms. It also includes several beachside cottages each with 4 bedrooms, the 7-bedroom Mango House and staff accommodations. Its amenities include a golf area, tennis court and half-basketball court.

Manalapan Home, Palm Beach: $90 million

The 16,000-square-foot home offers 200 feet of ocean and a private dock. It sits on two acres with 5 bedrooms in the main house. The land stretches from the Intracoastal Waterway all the way to the Atlantic ocean.

Tarpon Island, Palm Beach: $85 million

This entire man-made rectangle private island – only accessible via private bridge, boat or seaplane – has 1,300-square-feet of water frontage on all sides. The 2.3 acre island includes a 5 bedroom 12,321-squarefoot residence.

Larry Ellison Home, Palm Beach: $80 million

Larry Ellison, the co-founder and former CEO of Oracle purchased a property. The mansion is 15,514-squarefeet with 7 bedrooms and 520-feet of ocean frontage. Amenities include a tennis court and a landing pad for a helicopter.

Star Island Home, Miami Beach: $75 million

This 15,000-square-foot home is situated on 1.8 acres and includes 9 bedrooms and a 4-car garage.

Manophoto

Aerial view of Miami Beach

PERIMETER

PLANT POWER

Ahome’s landscape is for more than just curb appeal.

A landscape architect uses flora and foliage as his tools to create both design elements and practical solutions for shade and privacy.

Miami-based landscape architect Christopher Cawley uses his design talents to turn plants and trees into living sculptures that add drama to the outdoor spaces he creates.

780 NE 69th Street, Miami 786.536.2961

christophercawley.com

For this contemporary estate designed by Choeff Levy Fischman located on Miami Beach’s Sunset Island III, Cawley created an inviting tropical garden with big leaf plantings used as structural elements.

Native Sabal Palm trees and lush native plantings soften the home’s modern design. The property features a unique garden oasis created by palms and an assortment of large leaf philodendrons.

Leaning Coconut Palm trees frame the waterway and provide privacy. The water feature anchors the front of the garden. It is lined with river rocks that add a polished textural element to the luscious outdoor environment.

DESIGN DETAILS

The benefit of living in a gated community is the opportunity to have privacy with your single-family home or villa, but being able to take advantage of its communal amenities.

For many of SoFlo’s gated communities, the most important amenity is the clubhouse. And for the past three years, Interior Architect Jaime Blomquist has been working on the renovation of Venetian Isles’ clubhouse.

Venetian Isles is an age 55+ gated community located in West Boynton Beach. The community includes over 1,000 homes nestled within six distinct neighborhoods. And at the center of its active lifestyle is its clubhouse.

The goal was to create a clubhouse that made better use of its 24,000-square-foot interior and offer a more extensive array of amenities. The project required renovating the theater with a larger footprint; expanding the poker and card room to hold more players; redesigning the ballroom and library; and adding a full-service restaurant. And all of this had to be done without altering the building’s exterior architecture.

When thinking about the clubhouse’s interior design, Blomquist wanted to create a space that gave the residents

the feeling that when they leave their homes, they are going somewhere special.

“To me the clubhouse must be grander and more luxurious,” she said. “So, I played it up a bit by adding a little funk with such things as crocodile-imprinted vinyl for the barstools.”

But when it comes to designing a commercial space, Blomquist explained that there are many elements that need to be specifically considered, especially when it comes to material selections.

“Choosing commercial materials are very different than when making choices for a residential project because everything must meet specific standards and codes. For instance, the flooring must have an ADA slip coefficient and the wallpaper and foam used in furniture must be fire rated,” said Blomquist. “I also use wallpaper much more in commercial projects because it can make a space feel very contemporary, even a little edgy.”

Blomquist also pointed out that in commercial spaces it is very common to use wallpaper even with a design where walls are suppose to look like dry wall because it is more durable than just the blank walls.

The inspiration board Jaime Blomquist created before starting the Venetian Isles’ clubhouse remodel.

BLUEPRINT

And when it comes to public spaces, it is important to invest in higher quality wallpaper products because, as Blomquist explained, it protects the walls while giving a luxurious feel and making a stylish statement.

Blomquist also loves using lighting to enhance a space’s design style.

“Light fixtures are like jewelry. You can be wearing a simple neutral-colored dress, but when you put on a great pair of earrings, it really makes the outfit,” she said.

“To me lighting finishes a room’s look. I probably spend more time finding lighting than other furnishings.”

Another important aspect of the clubhouse’s design that Blomquist had to consider is the layout of the seating areas.

“Before the renovation, the clubhouse had several segregated seating areas, but I wanted to create one large area with big and inviting sofas that encourage people to interact,” she said.

The clubhouse’s custom-made furniture, including the sofas, were specifically designed to play with dimension and height.

“I believe the foundation of design is scale. But for this project, I also had to think about the ergonomics so the residents would be able to easily get up,” she said.

“I am keenly aware of the important scale of furniture for humans but in this case it also had to be proportionate to the space’s 30-foot ceilings.”

Another aspect of the clubhouse project required specific knowledge of ADA requirements and materials wear-and-tear.

“For the bathroom, I picked darker hues of gray for the flooring as I knew it would wear better. I did the walls in Calcutta porcelain with gold veining to create a cohesiveness with the lobby,” said Blomquist. “For the partitions between the toilet stalls, I used a laminate with a wood grain texture and elevated the doors off the ground to allow the air to circulate.”

Like the lobby, Blomquist used neutral colors for the bathrooms’ built-in items.

“I believe you can create interiors that are timeless if use a foundation of neutral colors. And then when design styles change you can easily update the space with new and/or reupholstered furniture,” she said. “For instance, Calcutta marble has been used since the dawn of time. It is a classic and never goes out of style.”

Computer renderings of Blomquist’s ideas for the renovation of Venetian Isles’ clubhouse.

Walk-in closet custom designed by California Closets

The home is located on a piece of land the clients’ purchased on Puerto Rico’s Bahia Beach. And although it has a formal living room, the clients didn’t want the house to have a feeling of formality. Causa selected extremely tactile indoor/ outdoor fabrics for a more casual lifestyle. All the furnishings also had to be durable to endure the sea air. The flooring throughout the house is a large format porcelain tile. Its color has a soft sheen and light texture to add a little traction.

The bar area is custom designed. The cabinetry was made by a local cabinet shop. The bar’s countertop is made from natural granite that was given a soft texture through sandblasting.

One of the challenges with this project is the fact that the rooms are huge – think the size of hotel lobbies.

“We had to think how to keep the furniture to scale but also create a level of intimacy,” said Causa. All the furnishings had to be custom-sized and made.

The main room’s area rug is massive, 25-feet by 30-feet. It is hand loomed and is onepiece. It took 16-months to manufacture in India.

The staircase designed by the architect is a feat of structural engineering and is made from poured concrete.

The three chandeliers are from Donghia. All the loose furnishings, decorative items and light fixtures had to be shipped to the island. This required very detailed record keeping and organization.

Architect: Jorge Hernandez, JL Architect, Coral Gables

PLACE MAKING

Every design project has a culture of its own. This could be defined by the clients’ cultural influences, the designer’s desire to integrate international trends and styles or from the project’s geographic location.

The design of this home in Puerto Rico was for a client who Dawn Causa of Causa Design has worked with for 25 years and who she has collaborated on several homes. The client wanted a modern home on the beach to serve as a getaway property.

The home has a very sleek style, but what made this project unique was the logistics required to design a home on an island outside the U.S. (Of course, we all know that Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory.)

“The goal was to create a home where it functions in a way that is natural and easy but looks beautiful,” said Causa. “But this type of project requires me to also serve as the project manager and handle the logistics of not only the shipping of the materials and furnishings but also all the details with insurance, import taxes and making sure that when shipped everything was complete with all that was required for installation.”

Causa pointed out that there are some fundamental differences in building a home in Puerto Rico. For instance, unlike in the U.S. where concrete blocks are used, in Puerto Rico most of the concrete is poured.

This requires very detailed planning because plumbing and other elements cannot be easily moved. This required the strategic placement of interior bathrooms and windows.

In the U.S. this type of construction would be cost prohibitive, but in Puerto Rico it is the standard for home construction and makes for much sounder structures.

And Causa tried to find as many local craftsmen as possible to work on the home. She was able to find a general contractor and plumber in Puerto Rico as well as being able to purchase the flooring, ledger stone and countertops from suppliers located on the island.

DESIGN CULTURE: PLACE MAKING

However, when it came to installing the large number and very expensive light fixtures Causa brought over her own lighting expert who would assisted the local electricians.

“Lighting today is very complicated with LEDs and lighting system transformers, as well as the fact this project had very complicated forms of lighting,” said Causa.

“I also had to get a plumbing specialist, because when you are installing $3,000 faucets with static control and no fog mirrors it takes a very different level of expertise to properly install them.”

For this project, Causa had to make several trips to Puerto Rico just to get to know the local sources, interview workrooms and find the best marble and stone yards as well as for meetings with the architect, tradesmen and site inspections.

“I had to have a lot of conversations with my clients on the front end of this project to get a clear understanding of their expectations. When I started this project, I didn’t think I was going to be creating a 9,000-square-foot beach house that also included a standalone gym, casita (guest house) and an outdoor structure with a cabana, bathroom and complete outdoor kitchen” said Causa.

The kitchen’s focal point is the island with the wood cabinetry and Cambria quartz countertop. The other countertops are made of white quartz.

The cabinet doors are made with mirrored glass and the backsplash is a mosaic of small octangle stainless-steel tiles.

Because these companies had showrooms on the island, Poliform was used for the kitchen cabinets, vanity cabinets and closets while Porcelanosa was used for the kitchen countertops.

For the outdoor space the table looks like it is made from wood, but it is concrete that was embossed with wood to give a natural wood feel. Concrete planks were embossed with a wood texture and then stained a weathered gray color. In Puerto Rico, outdoor areas have to be extremely durable because of the driving wind and rain.

CHAIRman

It isn’t always about having a seat at the table, but rather the seat you sit in. These chairs are all about commanding attention.

CREATIVE THINKER: This upholstered chair’s contemporary design is inspired by the shape of a Caribbean sailboat, and comes in several different wood finishes.

WORK-FROM-HOME

PERFECT: This lambskin lounge chair with a contrasting wood frame in a brown finish with genuine lambskin.

FOR THE HEAD

HONCHO: Made with a double-wall back and side of hand-woven core rattan accented with wood feet in a whitewash finish. Chairs available at Clive Daniel Home 2777 Tamiami Trail North, Naples 239.261.4663 clivedaniel.com

MAKE A STATEMENT: With its curved back and generous seat, wooden frame and gold-finished metal studs, this upholstered chair combines comfort, craftsmanship and design.

WELL DRESSED

Abeautifully designed bathroom and/or bedroom deserves the best accessories. And nothing dresses a bed or bath better than the most luxurious towels and bedding.

Using his background as a manufacturer and his passion for the best world has to offer, Mark Lorberbaum established Elegant Strand to satisfy his desire to make the ultimate luxury goods – Italian-inspired design and craftsmanship using the world’s best raw materials.

And he doesn’t disappoint. Elegant Strand’s towels are made from 100% Giza Egyptian cotton with extra high pile height for maximum absorption and hand-finished rounded corners.

The key to a luscious towel is its thickness and the way the cotton is looped. The goal is to create a towel that has a perfect balance of weight, thirstiness (to absorb the water), softness and durability. Elegant Strand’s towels are specifically engineered to properly weave the long-stable fibers to enhance both the cotton’s suppleness and softness.

Lorberbaum knows that not all Egyptian cotton is the same. He searched tirelessly to source the perfect Egyptian cotton that when grown using specific techniques, it will feel just like silk.

And when it comes to making a beautiful bed, Elegant Strand strives to offer the opulence we have come to know from the world’s most luxurious hotels.

Its designer bedding is also made from 100% extra-long, extra-fine combed cotton and features such beautiful details as hand-guided embroidery and mother of pearl closures.

Ski resorts, an iconic lake and the mountains that take you to the top of the world serve as the inspiration for Elegant Strand’s St. Moritz collection.

Whether you are getting ready for a good night’s sleep or stepping out of a warm bath, Elegant Strand makes it easy to wrap yourself in luxury.

Elegantstrand.com

WALL ART

For this living room, Clive Daniel Home’s designer Nubia Rosa selected a vivid crystalline mural print custom-created by Clive Daniel Home. But because of the design’s impact, she decided to scale the wallpaper down and use it as an artistic statement. “My client loved this print, but it was a bit too large for the space. So, we had it made as artwork. People don’t realize wallpaper can be customized in almost any way,” she said.

For much of the past decade the focus has been to remove wallpaper, but now with innovations to customize, and make it more like artwork … wallpaper is back with a vengeance.

It is a quick and easy way to reinvent a space, make bold statements with colors and patterns or to give a space a more subdued and textural feel.

“Wallpaper has been around for centuries, but the materials and patterns now available are technically advanced and visually striking,” said Nubia Rosa, an interior design for Clive Daniel Home. “From textural grass cloths to digital murals and custom prints, the options are endless.”

Today, wallpaper, with its offering of more geometric, textural and intricate designs, can give any interior an extra dose of panache.

And although painted walls may be rich and beautiful, wallpaper tells a story that paint can’t.

Wallpaper is what gives the space its polish.

Matt Steeves

Clive Daniel Home’s Encinitas wall paper.

FLORAL GALLERY

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

IN A FIX

When it comes to making a fashion statement, we all know that it is the accessories from the jewelry to the handbag and shoes that complete the outfit.

The same can be said for the home. It is the accessories – light fixtures, window treatments, hardware and faucets -- that add the exclamation point to a room’s design.

And there is no better way to emphasize the style of a kitchen or bath than with the selection of the faucets. Kohler, a leading designer and manufacturer of kitchen and bath products recently launched Tone, a bathroom faucet collection rooted in clean, transitional form, stunning finish combinations and industry-leading functionality.

Like its corresponding kitchen collection, Tone’s bathroom fixtures offer a fresh take on mid-century modern style with their clean lines and soft teardrop shape.

Kohler knows the importance of a cohesive design style. It also has launched the Riff bathroom faucet collection to correspond with the existing kitchen collection. The Riff faucets are inspired by the grandeur of French Creole and Spanish Colonial architecture and capture the distinct beauty and style of New Orleans. The Riff collection has angular shapes paired with bold detailing.

Although it is the sleek design and style of the bathroom’s faucets that catch the eye, it is the subtler pieces of hardware that add the finishing touches. It is the design style selected for the towel bars and rings, bathrobe hook, toilet paper holder, shower/bath organizer, shelves and drawer knobs/pulls that complete the bath’s polished statement.

Twenty years ago with its stainless-steel bath accessories and decorative hardware, Cool Lines was at the forefront of creating the chic minimalist design style which has become the go-to-style-of-choice for today’s architects and interior designers.

Cool Lines’ accessories are crafted to the highest of European standards and are the ultimate accessory … modern jewelry for the bath

Kohler Signature Store 10025 S. Dixie Highway, Pinecrest 786.220.9665 Kohler.com

Cool Lines USA 954.283.1049 Coollinesusa.com

Kohler’s modern Tone bathroom sink faucet Silver

ON POINT

The Spring 2022 High Point Market was on point showcasing the latest design trends.

MOTHER IS ALWAYS RIGHT

Mother Nature’s splendors have come indoors and serve as inspiration for the latest home furnishing offerings.

The Egg Design sideboard for Ngala Trading features a lush African wildlife scene. Ngalatrading.com

The lacy artistry in the Black Flower is the latest wall art collection from the Phillips Collection. Phillipscollection.com

Artist Allison Eden brings her customprinted textiles to a new furniture collection for Zuo. Zuomod.com

GLOBALLY SPEAKING

New design ideas from the world over.

Japanese designer Hiroshi Koshitaka created the Saisei Grande chandelier, hand-wrapped rattan around a wrought iron frame for Currey & Co. Curreyandcompany.com

Condor captures the emerald-green trend in Jungle and Ferns, its latest coordinated collection of handmade linen throw pillows. Condor.co.in

Mixing modern and traditional elements while addressing the proper scale for smaller spaces, Mr. Brown London debuts its Cornette arm chair. Mrbrownhome.com

Bespoke Nepalese rugs are hand-knotted designs from French Accents, Rugs & Tapestries. Farugs.com

MAKE A STATEMENT

Highpoint Market tapped six Black creatives for its Spring 2022 The Voice Collection.

One of the six, interior designer Carmeon Hamilton conceived of this modern Etta Coffee Table for TOV Furniture. Tovfurniture.com

life.styled

Where there is water there is boating. And since South Florida is a peninsula, there is an entire lifestyle centered around boating. But like most things in SoFlo there is an aspect of the boating lifestyle that is taken to the nth degree – superyachts.

Yacht Designer Marty Lowe’s talent, craftsmanship, style & substance is what puts the super in superyachts

Superyachts are defined as large and luxurious pleasure vessels. They are professionally crewed motor or sailing yachts, ranging from 40 metres (130 feet) to more than 180 metres (590 feet) in length; and those 60 metres (200 feet) or more are typically built to individual specifications, and cost tens of millions of dollars.

And this is where Lowe comes in. Since the early 1980s, she has been collaborating with clients and the world’s top yacht manufacturers to customize and create these respites on the sea.

A yacht interior created by yacht designer Marty Lowe showcases the use of neutral colors and full-size windows to create a luxurious floatable house.

Throughout her career, Lowe has has collaborated with the best yacht builders including Ferretti, Custom Line, Broward Yachts, Benetti, Azimut, Bertram, Marquis, Horizon and Maritimo.

Lowe is known for both being one of the first women in the industry and as one of the first to bring Italian-made yachts to America. She continues to be on the cutting edge of Americanizing these European-crafted yachts and popularizing the superyacht lifestyle within the U.S.

“There is definitely a yachting lifestyle. It is both elegant and casual,” said Lowe, owner of the Fort Lauderdale-based eponymous yacht design and interiors company. “You may get dressed for dinner, but you are barefoot.”

One of Lowe’s more significant projects was working with world-class yacht manufacturer Sanlorenzo to design versions of its yachts tailored specifically for the US market. This included its SL86, tagged the Marble of the Sea.

Lowe has the ability to blend the technicalities of building megayachts that also provide high style and causal living requires both extensive technical knowledge and well-developed design skills and sensibility.

When she starts on a custom yacht build, she begins with the layout of the systems that need to be placed behind the walls including pipes, fan coils, electrical and technical systems. Then, after the nuts and bolts are finalized, she can begin to think about how the owner’s want to use the yacht and design the interior spaces, ensuring they are both fashionable and functionable.

“Yachts have become floatable houses. They have full-size bathrooms and televisions in every state room,” said Lowe. And as the yachts get bigger and bigger, you have more space to create new areas for entertaining.” And these megayachts are not for the faint of heart, they cost anywhere from $500,000 - $ 1 million per foot to design, build and furnish.

Laiacona Photography

The concept that yachts are homes on the ocean has definitely influenced their design now and they include full-size windows and spaces that are open and light-filled. Another aspect critical to designing and furnishing yachts is the need to consider the effects sea air, salt water, and according to Lowe, the interior’s ultimate nemesis ... sunscreen.

“We have to find new ways to define luxury when you need Italian furniture to have zip cover cushions that are easy to clean and bed linens are machine washable,” said Lowe. “You also have to keep in mind how the sun will fade everything from wall coverings to artwork.”

When it comes to art selections, Lowe likes abstract works including the unique patina panels created by her sister Mary Pat Wallen. “I like abstracts because they aren’t offensive

to anyone,” she said. “I like Mary Pat’s panels because I can have them customized for a yacht’s oddly shaped and sized walls.”

According to Lowe, owners of megayachts are active, athletic and adventurous and want even more opportunities to play in the water. So now, many yachts are designed with a beach club on a lower level that is on level with the ocean. This allows for easier access to the water. And these beach club levels are custom designed to also house bars, lounging areas, steam showers and gyms.

Other trends for the yachting lifestyle include the return of the Jacuzzi, the demand for organic fabrics and neutral-colored interiors.

“I do a lot of neutral colors and then bring in color accents with accessories. I am also fanatical about texture. I keep the colors light but give them texture,” said Lowe. “It makes me happy when people walk through the boat and are touching everything, including the walls.”

She likes to mix textures like using high-gloss lacquer paint on the ceiling. “I love the contradiction of the smooth, rough and glossy,” she said.

And because the design for a yacht’s living area is driven by comfort and usability, Lowe likes to add drama with avant-garde fixtures with dramatic finishes in the bathrooms.

“Most important, you need to think about how to make the best use of finite amount of space,” said Lowe. “I am constantly coming up with clever ways to create more space.”

Sanlorenzo Yacht SL86

Mary Pat Wallen’s panels feature aluminum sheets that are patinated. Each panel has at least 25 layers of patina.

Bertram Yacht 39CC

Home Design Store is a family run business with a passion for high-quality, well-designed furniture. We travel the globe to find handmade, one-of-a-kind furniture that is sure to resonate throughout the home. We also have a huge 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

For the past 20 years, MAC Art Galleries has been transforming spaces for collectors. In its three South Florida galleries located in Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Jupiter, MAC Art represents many of the world’s most accomplished artists.

Visit the galleries or explore the website as MAC Art is constantly updating collections and its exhibition schedule.

390 SE 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach 954.990.5420, Macfineart.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

Set to launch in spring 2022, CRN M/Y 142 is a masterpiece of nautical art that marries the finest Italian craftsmanship with in-depth design and construction know-how.

Another trend Lowe is seeing is with the yachts themselves. She said the focus is now on building huge explorer yachts with greater range. This type of battleship-explorer must also be full of new types of toys to be used while exploring such adventurous locales as Antarctica.

“These explorer yachts must have more capabilities for fuel storage and really be able to be lived on when you are far from any ports,” she said. “These yachts also require larger helipads for the bigger helicopters that are used far beyond just going from the yacht to the destination.”

A JEWEL IN THE CROWN

And according to Lowe, these superyachts continue to be in great demand. In part she believes this is fueled by the pandemic and the desire to be out on the open sea; but it is also likely because of the desire to experience the splendors of the superyacht lifestyle.

330 SW 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale 954.462.9756 Martylowe.com

SoFlo is very much involved in fueling the demand for superyachts, thanks to Fort Lauderdale. This beach-front city on the coast of the Atlantic ocean with 300plus miles of inland waterways and the famed Intracoastal Waterway with its close and scenic proximity to the ocean makes it a hub for the yachting industry.

This fact is punctuated by Fort Lauderdale’s Marina Mile on State Road 84 that houses world-class shipyards, as well as serving as the home port for two of the world’s largest cruise ships.

And to see the world’s best and most beautiful superyachts, mark your calendar for the 63rd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, October 26-30, 2022. Flibs.com

J. Alexander Interiors is a luxury full-service residential and commercial interior design firm. We believe the design of your home or business is a reflection of you; thus, it should fit within your personal narrative. That’s why our approach to design is to always keep the client’s needs, style and preferences priority.

2700 W Cypress Creek Road, Ft. Lauderdale 954.366.1817, jai.design

Specialized in kitchens, bathrooms, wall units, and libraries, with a high attention to detail and efficiency, Kitchen Renovations Perfected is your source for design, cabinetry, granite, natural stone, porcelain flooring, and more.

Kitchen Renovations Perfected’s goal is to create an all-encompassing “everything under one roof” service where clients can find everything they need for their home remodeling projects, ranging from design of the space to the physical materials to the day-today coordination of the project.

5250 Town Center Circle #109, Boca Raton 561.372.9044, kitchenrenovationsperfected.com

Find the perfect beautifully crafted piece from Fifthroom.com. Whether you choose a grand gazebo or a simple yet elegant garden bench, Fifthroom.com provides excellent customer service, expertly crafted products and thoughtful attention to detail. With a varied selection of modern and classic indoor and outdoor furniture and décor, it is sure to have the perfect piece to match any personal style and taste. From pergolas and pavilions to picnic tables and garden bridges, Fifthroom.com has everything you need to make your home perfect for the season.

Fifthroom.com

The Bon Vivant fabricated tub serves as a sculptural element in this expansive spa-like bathroom. The custom cabinetry and bathroom interior is designed by Dunagan Diverio.

Fanfare With GRAND

by Paul Stoppi

Their innovative and sophisticated style combined with new smart technologies and innovations, it easy to understand why there has been a revolution in the design of kitchens and baths – rooms that were traditionally considered utilitarian.

With their scale, grandeur and bold style, kitchens and baths are center stage.

Photos

DESIGN DOSSIER: KITCHEN & BATH

BATHING BEAUTIES

The glass surrounding the walk-in shower and the placement of the soaking tub allow for the enjoyment of the breathtaking vistas. Opustone is used for the walls and countertops. The cabinetry is custom made by Dunagan Diverio.

The round mirror offers the perfect picture frame to reflect the view. The vanity has a marble countertop and cabinetry is custom-made by Dunagan Diverio.

There is no doubt that when it comes to bathrooms there is a major architectural shift,” said Charlotte Dunagan, founding partner of Dunagan Diverio Design Group.

“They are becoming a priority and the level of their importance is increasing. In architectural floor plans, we are making sure there is a beautiful view from the bathroom – this is an enormous shift.”

It used to be that bathrooms were tucked away in the back of the house or considered a secondary space, but now there is a desire to give the main bathroom prime real estate within the home.

“Bathrooms are more than just a place to take a shower,” said Tom Diverio, named partner of Dunagan Diverio Design Group.

“They are becoming extensions of the master bedroom rather than a separate space. And in many cases the design of the master bath is even more important than that of the master bedroom.”

This focus on the bathroom is in part due to their becoming large spa-like spaces to provide homeowners with a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

DESIGN DOSSIER: KITCHEN & BATH

The Boffi bathtub and 19th century French mirror create an extravagant modern-designed retreat from which the waterfront view can be enjoyed.

And a big part of this experience is taking advantage of a home’s spectacular views.

With many of Dunagan Diverio’s projects, the bathroom is designed to seamlessly connect with the outside. This can be achieved with giant glass sliding walls that connect the bathroom to the pool area, garden and/or backyard.

“We can make the bathroom an extension of the home’s pool area or design a garden with planters and greens to create a private cocoon,” said Dunagan.

Another big change Dunagan Diverio is seeing is that couples no longer want separate his-and-her bathrooms. They now want a very large-shared space, but still have separate vanities and toilet rooms.

“In the last few years, we’ve seen that couples really want to be together when getting ready; because, it offers a moment when they can connect,” said Dunagan.

And when it comes to tubs the bigger the better. They are becoming the sculptural focal point of these spa-like bathrooms.

In many cases, the bathrooms are literally designed around the tub.

“Today, tubs are much more important, especially when it comes to resale,” said Dunagan.

And now with innovations in materials, technology and craftsmanship, there is so much beauty with these standalone tubs.

KITCHEN KING

With the opening of the West Palm Beach showroom for Jim Dove Exquisite Kitchens, Baths and Bars, Jim Dove brings his expertise for kitchen design to the sunshine state on a more permanent basis.

Dove has over 25-years’ experience designing kitchens that reflect how this utilitarian room has evolved and how we think about our homes has changed.

SoFlo HABITAT: What are the most important things to think about when designing/renovating a kitchen?

JIM DOVE: It is about function and aesthetic. First you must figure out what are the needs of the homeowners and how they will use the kitchen. Once you understand the function, you can then begin to think about style. And when thinking about the style, you must consider where in the home the kitchen is located and the home’s overall architectural style.

From the beginning, you need to take an inventory of what the homeowner owns so you can think about storage needs and the cabinetry that will work the best. When it comes to kitchen items, everyone has some similar things, but not everyone has the same number of small appliances, sets of dishes, collections of cookbooks and/or a large array of antique teapots.

One important thing to remember is that the kitchen doesn’t have to be everything. You don’t have to put the TV, comfortable seating and a home office in the kitchen. The kitchen first and foremost must be a functioning space to cook and prepare food.

SFH: What do you like about designing/renovating kitchens?

JD: I like to mix the kitchen’s utilitarian function with high style to make it a beautiful space. I also like working with architects. Many of my clients bring me in when they are starting to work with the architect to draft the preliminary plans. I can discuss with the architect if we need to move walls, windows and doors, as well as to explain what will be required for the kitchen we are looking to design.

SFH: What are some of the latest trends in kitchen design?

JD: One of the biggest trends is that people don’t want anything on their kitchen counters. They want to hide everything including the coffeemaker. Thus, we are designing lots of cabinets with pocket doors.

Although this was once considered a trend, the kitchen having two sinks is becoming more standard. Two sinks are essential. One sink should be used for cleanup, and one should be used for prep. I, myself, am a cook so I am very aware about the placement of appliances and sinks to make sure the kitchen has the right flow and properly functions.

Technology is also having a big influence on home design and requires rethinking how the kitchen is wired. There is technology in everything. However, I believe that a lot of the technology isn’t necessary. I love using technology in the kitchen, but 80% of kitchen technology is really just added gimmicks.

SFH: How do you see the “idea” of the kitchen change over the years?

JD: Several things are happening with kitchens. The architect Frank Lloyd Wright use to design homes around the hearth, now they are designed around the kitchen.

Thirty years ago, the kitchen and its function was kept behind closed doors and located at the back of the house. Now, kitchens are front and center and are super glamourous.

Homeowners want beautiful and functional kitchens, especially if they are no longer having formal dining and/or living rooms.

SFH: How else has kitchen design evolved?

JD: One of the biggest conversations I am currently having with my clients is about countertops. Many of my clients love marble, as do I, but they don’t realize that it gets easily scratched and stained. Thus, we are talking more and more about quartz.

There is no doubt that stainless steel is here to stay. It is a good neutral and adds texture in the kitchen. When it comes to choosing appliances, it is most important to select the sink then the refrigerator.

There also seems to be a move away from the white kitchen. Kitchen colors are getting more sophisticated. I recently did a high-gloss black kitchen. It was fantastic and so modern. In South Florida, I think there is an opportunity to mix the traditional soft white with other colors. Color makes the kitchen much more interesting, brings in more design elements and a higher degree of style.

SFH: Are there specific things about your client’s lifestyle that you take into consideration when designing and creating the kitchen?

JD: An important change in my clients’ lifestyles is the use of their homes’ outdoor space. Homeowners not only want these outdoor kitchens to be perfect for grilling, but also want them designed to be fully functioning Outdoor living spaces are becoming more elaborate and extravagant.

The Jim Dove Design Palm Beach showroom features luxury home goods from luxurious resources including Aerin, Arteriors, Cambria, Chaddock, Chesneys, Christopher Spitzmiller, Degournay, Hickory Chair, L’Atelier Paris Ranges, Luxe Cable + Light and Jim Dove’s own bespoke cabinetry

3414 S. Dixie Highway West Palm Beach 561.268.2647 jimdovedesign.com

KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

There is no doubt that certified kitchen and bath designer and owner of The Place for Kitchens and Baths, Barbara Geller knows how to utilize her skills and creativity to design kitchens that become the focal point of the home.

According to Geller, kitchen design trends have evolved over the years. We have gotten away from the heavier Tuscan look and moved towards cleaner looking kitchens.

But, she is quick to point out that white is still the kitchen color of choice.

And with her unique approach to space planning and design, Geller creates kitchens that focus on the details and represent how she defines the three most popular styles:

Contemporary Kitchens have a modern, minimalistic and geometric approach and makes use of the latest design trends with an emphasis on bright, open spaces and clean lines. Common characteristics of contemporary kitchens include asymmetrical layouts, clean lines and a lack of molding. They may also incorporate stainless steel and other man-made materials in their designs.

Traditional Kitchens recall the formal and elegant homes of the 19th and early 20th centuries. With an emphasis on comfort and warmth, these spaces often consist of soft edges dignified colors to create a classic appeal.

Transitional Kitchens blend contemporary and traditional elements together to establish timeless design. Natural and man-made materials, finishes and textures are utilized to bridge contemporary and traditional design in a balanced and cohesive way.

As a kitchen designer, Geller works to understand her client’s needs in order to create a space that functions beautifully.

An interesting area that Geller has extensive experience is the designing of Kosher kitchens.

Kosher kitchens can create design challenges with the need for separate preparation, cooking and storage areas for both meat and dairy. Adequate dish and cutlery storage is also essential as is dual appliances, refrigerators, ovens and dishwashers. Geller has very specific solutions that can maximize functionality and space utilization even with the most challenging of projects.

Geller embraces her clients’ desire for products and materials that are sustainable and protect the planet. She looks for materials that are considered green and furniture that uses the smallest amounts of our natural resources when being made.

Geller routinely makes use of the best practices of green design including utilizing reclaimed materials; the placement of heating and cooling appliances to conserve the maximum amount of energy; use of non-toxic paints, finishes and flooring materials; and the selection of energy-efficient appliances and energy-preserving lighting methods.

Needing to work around the challenges of the condo’s structural floorplan Geller created a peninsula that has an island as well as lower breakfast table area. She utilized the space's former pantry to create a space that holds a 30” deep refrigerator but makes it look like it is flushed with the cabinets and other appliances. The kitchen’s design includes a quartzite natural stone countertops. The countertops are strategically placed so that it is easier to set things down and get items from the refrigerator. The cabinets from NDF Doors are acrylic and have a frameless construction. The lighting includes small LED puck lights and tape lights under the cabinets. Three pendant lights were placed over the peninsula.

For this kitchen, the client reached out to Geller because she wasn’t happy with its architectural layout. Geller placed the peninsula, with nch-and-a-quarter quartz countertop, directly opposite the Sub-Zero panel refrigerator and Miele appliances. The focal point of the kitchen is the backsplash. Geller created a mosaic with glass Italian titles (that are larger than usual). The apartment couldn’t have a chimney hood, so this architecturally designed hood by Zephyr becomes another strong design element. The ultimate goal with this contemporary kitchen was to use design to create a better spacial plan.

For the breakfast table's backsplash, glass subway titles are used. Geller’s goal with this area was to make it flow with the rest of the kitchen and not have a free-standing table which then allowed for additional cabinetry.

CUCINA FABULOSA

Virginia Perez of Creative Kitchens of South Florida understands that although food will naturally bring people together in the kitchen, the space must be designed to be both functional and fashionable.

“I start my space planning from the inside out,” she said. “A well-designed kitchen really can change the way you live.”

Thus, Perez begins her projects with a focus on the kitchen’s function.

“I like to educate my clients about how small things can have big pay offs. For instance, I would rather encourage a client to buy less expensive cabinets so that we can redo the plumbing underneath the kitchen floor in order to get an island sink,” said Perez.

For this project, Perez was challenged to create a more functional kitchen with a Cuban flair.

And like with all her projects, Perez started with the kitchen’s function and flow. When it came to this kitchen, the space was small and poorly laid out. She also focused on lightening up the kitchen, creating proper storage and ensuring its floorplan has the right flow.

The original kitchen had an informal dining table, arched entry way and built in pantry – all of which were removed. Then a wall was extended to square out the space an allow for the placement of a 5-foot by 7-foot island. The base of the island was painted blue and the countertop is silestone by Cosentino. A large format porcelain Calcutta tile flooring is used throughout the home.

Perez also extended the kitchen counter and wrapped it around the wall and continued it to create the buffet area in the dining room. Different depths and transitions were created with the cabinetry and glass doors.

Because Cuban design is greatly influenced by Spanish Colonial and Moorish design, the backsplash's porcelain tiles have a retro feel and serve as the perfect accent to pull the entire space together.

Perez likes to use beautiful materials as architectural details. “I like the rich look of marble. So, we covered the walls up to the ceiling and created a backsplash of porcelain subway tiles that look like marble. I love how it creates an exciting architectural detail and gives the room such richness. You couldn’t have created this this with just painted walls.”

Ultimately, Perez sees her role as a kitchen designer to assist clients with maximizing what they have and empowering them to make good choices in order to create a space they want to come home to everyday.

“I assist with the picking and choosing, pay attention to the details, understand materials and care about both the function and fashion of the finished product. I want my clients to select things that are beautiful, but I don’t want them to compromise function,” she said.

SERENDIPITY BY DESIGN

Escaping a winter storm in Greenwich, Connecticut, Olga Adler flew to Florida to do a walkthrough of her clients’ second home. “I fell in love with Delray Beach,” said interior designer Olga Adler.

She and her husband, William Adler, started looking for a full-time Florida residence and found an idyllic 1940s cottage in the Del Ida Park Historic District. But, they lost the property in a bidding war; it’s lucky they did. Not long after, Adler’s realtor called about a house that was just about to go on the market one door down.

Appropriately named Serendipity, the historic home became a labor of love. It took two years to gut and reconstruct the 1925 Spanish Mission Revival house, following strict rules for Delray’s preservation of historic homes.

Refurbishing the property was no easy feat, but Adler maintained the original footprint of the property with such integrity that she was honored with two awards from the Delray Beach Historic Preservation Trust and the Historic Preservation Board.

Interior designer Olga Adler refurbished a historic home in Delray Beach to create her desired spaces.

Carmel Brantley of Brantley

Photo.

Interior Designer and Builder: Olga Adler/Olga Adler Interiors.

Architect: Roger Cope Architects. Construction Consultant: Sopra Group.

Upon completion, the one-bedroom and one-bath home was transformed into a three-bedroom and 2.5-bathroom residence with a private lap pool in the backyard hidden by a wall of palm trees.

Adler displays Moroccan hanging mirrors, Mexican pottery and bookcases filled with literature she and her husband have acquired over the past decades. But of all the places she has traveled, one of her favorite destinations in the world is Southern California.

When designing Serendipity, she wanted to capture the essence of a home in Malibu or Montecito.

“I wanted to have white walls, natural oak, oak flooring, bronze window frames, a lot of play between light and dark, white and black,” said Adler.

That sensibility, which is reflected throughout the home’s interiors, especially in the kitchen and master bath, gives Adler a much needed departure from the bright shades and patterns she often works with on behalf of her clients in her design firm Olga Adler Interiors.

Adler admitted the master suite was the hardest part of the home to address. “It had a normal-size master bedroom, but it didn’t have walk-in closets and the bathroom was the size of a powder room,” she said.

During the reconstruction phase, she moved walls in order to carve out enough space for what’s now a viable master bathroom with double vanity, walk-in shower and private toilet area.

“I wanted to follow the black and white, and the wood tone color scheme—it was very important to me that it’s consistent throughout the house, including the bathrooms,” said Adler. One way this was accomplished was by incorporating throughout the space three white tiles with varying textures—including a pebble-like tile below the vanity and in the shower.

Bathroom Sources:

Plumbing Fixtures: Brizo from Ferguson

Tiles: Porcelanosa; Sonoma Tilemakers from Ceramic Matrix

Mirrors: Kohler from Ferguson

Hanging Pendants: Tech Lighting from Lumens

Countertops: Centrali Marble

Vanity Cabinets: Kohler from Ferguson

“Sometimes you find elements that you know you must use because you are just drawn to them,” said Adler. The pieces she’s referring to are the two pendant lights woven out of brass, each measuring three feet wide, which she hung from the 11-foot-tall ceiling over the kitchen’s island.

“It’s a major statement, but they’re appropriate to the scale of the space and I just loved them,” she said.

The kitchen is part of the new structure that Adler built to connect the original main house with the guest houses.

She used white cabinetry and custom panels designed to hide the stainless steel appliances. She created contrast with dark, textured African wood for the island, floating shelves and bottom of the hood. A creamy, off-white backsplash with a matte finish is meant to continue the Moroccan- and Spanishinspired aesthetic.

Kitchen

- Alyssa Morlacci

Backsplash

MODiterranean

This historic estate on MIami Beach’s Pinetree Drive had to be torn down because the concrete structure was no longer viable. But because it was a historic home that showcased Miami Beach’s Mediterranean style, it had to be rebuilt in a similar fashion. “The owner really wanted a modern house, but because there were limitations in how it could be rebuilt, there were things we couldn’t change,” said Tom Diverio, named partner of Dunagan Diverio Design Group, the firm that designed the home’s interiors. “The architect did create more clean lines and we integrated the classic Mediterranean style with a more contemporary feel.”

Photos by Paul Stoppi

The Mediterranean architecture popular in Miami Beach during the 1920s and 1930s gets updated with a modern approach ripe for the 21st century.

Architect: Thomas Weber, The Weber Studio, Key Biscayne, Fl. Interior Designers: Charlotte Dunagan and Thomas Diverio, Dunagan Diverio Design Group, Coral Gables, Fl. Landscape Architect: Michael Sapusek, Intuitive Design Group, Palm City, Fl

This home sits on four very large lots. The expansive living room has a custom bar on one end and a fireplace on the other; this allowed for various seating areas. And because the owners are major art collectors, the artwork throughout the home provides pops of color while the furnishings give the right balance between traditional architecture and a modern feel.

“The owners have young children, so everything had to be approachable and comfortable. Nothing could be too fragile,” said Charlotte Dunagan, Dunagan Diverio’s founding principal partner.

For instance, the club chairs have slip covers for easy cleaning. But with the bar stools a more sophisticated look was created as they are designed in metal with woven leather and serve to punctuate the home’s modern aesthetic.

The custom bar’s countertop is made of quartzite and has a natural stone appearance. The walnut wood with a satin finish is used for the bar’s striking backdrop and works to integrate the entrance to the home’s movie theatre.

Diverio explained that the redesign of this historic Miami Beach home was very exciting because of the challenges it presented.

“We wanted to create a more modern home but because of the circumstances of having to maintain many of the traditional Mediterranean-style design elements, we had to think about ways in which we could create clean lines and make the archways and moldings more modern,” he said.

Typical to these Mediterranean-styled homes built on Miami Beach in the 1920s and 1930s were also influenced by the MiMo design movement. Thus, the house also has art deco elements that needed to be respected when it was rebuilt.

In addition to the challenges, Diverio found the home very refreshing because it wasn’t a typical modern house. Due to the requirements, components and different styles needed to be incorporated to create a modern home, Diverio found it amazing to see how all these elements came together.

One example of this more modern approach is the home’s exterior that is associated with the traditional Mediterranean style. The home is made of concrete with an overlay of stucco. But, by giving the stucco a smoother sleek finish, rather than the typical Mediterranean heavy texture, the home has a more contemporary feel.

But because a more traditional approach was required for the ceilings, Dunagan used very modern light fixtures throughout the home, while also using the lights to soften its overall feel. Delta Lighting was the partner on both the indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures.

Other elements that offer a more modern design approach are the floating crown molding and walnut-cased doorways on the main floor.

To keep the style consistent and cohesive, rich cream off-white marble flooring was used throughout the home.

Because the homeowners have three young children, they wanted a big kitchen that was designed to be both kid-friendly and good for entertaining. The design team created one island near the cooktop for prep and another banquette-style island with a bench to be used as the breakfast table. The islands were custom designed to allow for the varying seating heights.

The kitchen ceilings are very high so to keep the cabinetry to human scale, little cubbies were created out of the dry wall with recessed LED lighting. Another interesting element introduced into the kitchen is the ceiling detail. Instead of having a very flat white ceiling, decorative molding was added as were pendant lights hung at different heights. A tubular light fixture from Rowman Hill was hung above the breakfast table.

The focal point of the master bath is the floating tub by Brand Wet Style. According to Diverio, this tub was specifically selected because the goal was to create a very modern tropical feel which meant the incorporation of warm woods. Brand Wet Style has created a water-resistant wood that is used to wrap the tub and creates the perfect platform to hold soaps, shampoos and wine glasses. The wood platform has LED lights underneath and the tub sits on a stoned pedestal.

The bathroom’s back area has windows that look out to the canal and is designed to enhance this resort-like oasis. The two custom-made wooden towers create ample room for storage and the daybed with cushions made of terry cloth automatically adjusts.

“The bathroom has a spa-like feel. When sitting on the day bed, it is possible to see the water. These elements give this bathroom the perfect details to create the ultimate restorative space,” said Diverio.

Although the owners have small children, they wanted a formal dining room. And with the dining room’s arched entry being immediately off the home’s foyer, Dunagan didn’t want to create a separate and walled-off room. “We wanted to have transparency, but still have a separate dining room,” said Dunagan.

“So, we created a glass wall with black frames to keep the transparency and natural light, but still have a separate space.”

This was important because the dining room is in view from the front door and it is possible to see all the way through the house and out to the water. The dining room’s glass wall creates an intimate space but makes the space feel open.

Zohar wasn’t able to remove the two weight bearing columns in the main living space, so she used them to create a separation between the dining and living areas. The columns were covered in rough cristallo stone. At the top of each column, Zohar created a ceiling around each and added cold lighting to allow them to appear as if they are floating. And a floating console table was created to maintain the open-concept floor plan. The columns presented a design challenge was met with creating a splendid architectural element that was used to frame the formal dining room’s agate stone wall.

The formal dining room is designed to sit 14 people. Zohar explained the agate wall plays on the organized complexity of forms found in nature. The panels are a mix of blue and gray hues that offered the perfect shades from which to create the condo’s overall color pallet.

The breakfront is designed from lacquered goat skin enhanced with Austrian precious stones and gold hardware. It is topped with a cristallo stone slab.

Palace Perfect

For this 8,700-square-foot Bal Harbour sky palace – created from the combination of two condominiums, interior designer Sarah Zohar of Sarah Z Designs used her selection of color pallets, space planning and fabric choices as ways to incorporate the proven benefits of biophilic design.

This design concept increases the connectivity to nature by incorporating directly and indirectly natural elements which helps to create a feeling of calm and serenity.

Although Zohar had a clear vision for the design of the living space she wanted to create, like with all condos, much of what she ultimately designed was determined by the structural limitations presented including not being able to move walls, reroute plumbing, adjust ceiling heights, adapt sprinkler systems and alter other mechanical requirements. But, despite the limitations, the space was completely gutted except for its two weight bearing columns.

With their expansive square footage and beautiful vistas, homes in the sky continue to have grand appeal.

Architect: Debora Fields, managing principal, DL Fields Consultants

Photos by Paul Stoppi

The dining table is made from rift oak stained in gray and its base is made of Calcutta marble with a brass base that goes from one side of the table to the other. The chairs are white leather from Adriana Hoyos.

The chandelier is from Lux Lighting and is 60-inches in length. It is made from bronze metal with handblown one-inch-thick glass pendants.

The fixture weighted almost 700 pounds and Zohar worked with the architect and an engineer to reinforce the ceiling with a heavy-gauge metal tic-tac-toe frame to ensure the ceiling would be able to hold the fixture’s weight.

SKY HOMES: PALACE PERFECT

The large great room is separated into several areas through the ceiling design. The ceilings are designed to appear as if they are floating. The room is large enough that a special space for the piano was created.

In this area, the L-shaped Holly Hunt sofa worked to define the space. Patina brass elements are used in each of the spaces’ seating areas to create a consistent look and feel. The coffee table is made of patina brass designed to resemble a tree trunk. The vibrant deep blue chairs with individual ottomans are in a poly-velvet fabric and were imported from Italy.

SKY HOMES: PALACE PERFECT

To ensure a cohesive design, the other seating area has the same L-shaped Holly Hunt couch and the wall panels for the television are made from the same high-laquered goatskin used for the dining’s room breakfront. It also features an overlay piece at the base in cristallo stone. And to ensure the connection between the two seating areas, the same silk, viscose, wool and bamboo rugs are used.

SKY HOMES: PALACE PERFECT

The home theatre/office ceiling is covered in a Phillip Jeffries’ wallcovering. The textures and color pallet Zohar selected for this room are intentional in order to enhance the condo’s biophilic design. The use of shades of blues and golds, eucalyptus cabinetry and gray wood-plank flooring ensure the media room has a serene feeling. The wall surrounding the television is made from melamine.

SKY HOMES: PALACE PERFECT

Textural elements and the influence of nature are used to successfully create a biophilic design.

“I love nature” said Zohar.

“I pulled in accent colors, textured fabrics and agate stone.

But I wanted to keep the home’s interiors clean and light, so I used white as its foundational color. I added exciting details to everything from the walls to the ceilings.”

The master suite is created to be a little apartment with a separate seating area and a television that comes down from the ceiling. This design technique is used because the room offers little wall space due to its expansive windows. The design of the headboard mimics dolphin tales and is created from a white veneer screen placed over an artemore silk wall covering.

The headboard’s design travels up to the ceiling frame the bed and provide a romantic setting. The bed’s sideboards are made from upholstered metallic leather and the hues of the ocean are also incorporated in the color of the nightstands.

Instead of the typical kitchen passthrough, Lichi created a bar. The color purple and use of light are incorporated with the extra thick frosted glass countertop with LED lights underneath and the purple colored glossy chrome bar stools. The owners like to be unique and encouraged Lichi to be daring with her design.

Despite its size, Lichi created a multi-functional space by focusing her attention on designing the bar and dining area. On the wall across from the kitchen that is also the hallway to the condo’s entrance, Lichi added her signature use of artwork and lighting to create a gallery-like feel. White porcelain was used for the flooring throughout the apartment.

OCEANFRONT OPULENCE

Sabbia Beach with its 72 residences is the newest addition to the Pompano Beach skyline. And for one of its residents, interior designer Perla Lichi of Perla Lichi Design was asked to create a space that draws in their love of purple and creative lighting.

When it came to the kitchen, Lichi used the standard builder’s kitchen and added splash. Her goal was to make a small space multi-functional through the use of integrated design.

Craig Denis Creative

Although the living room had a small footprint, the owner’s wanted to be able to entertain.

Thus, a white lacquered table that folded accordion-style was selected. It can easily open to its full size of nine feet.

And by using a bench as part of its seating, the area immediately becomes more versatile as the bench offers table seating and/or additional seating in the living room.

A mirrored wall was used to differentiate the dining area from the living room.

With clever planning and integrated design, this small space became the perfect haven for entertaining with its expandable dining table, roomy sectional sofa and bar.

This condo demonstrates how a multi-functional space can be designed.

OCEANFRONT OPULENCE

Craig Denis Creative

SKY

Craig Denis Creative

ViewS& HUES

Developer: Alco International Group Architect: Garcia Strombrerg Interiors: Interiors By Steven G.

Photos by Michael Stavaridis

In Fort Lauderdale’s North Beach Village sits the boutique-building Adagio, with its 31 residences offering sweeping views of the Intracoastal. It is the perfect setting for modern waterfront living.

To take advantage of the views but create a living space that is on par with a single-family home, Toby Zack of her eponymous design firm worked to enhance the classically modern space with the client’s desire for a more eclectic look.

The owners wanted to create a space that also incorporated their art collection, thus the ceilings were painted white and the walls off-white.

The overall design of the space is driven by the design principles Zack has perfected over her 40 years in the industry. She believes that when it comes to designing a space it is most important to understand scale and proportion.

The main living area was very large and the design style is modern with pops of color. A lacquered wood table with a stone base is placed to separate the dining area from the living space. Several of Zack’s design principles are incorporated throughout the space from her love of recessed lighting and focus on scale and proportion. Because the condo’s ceilings were only nine-and-half feet high, all the furnishings had to be lower to maintain the proper scale. The L-shaped sectional couch with a linen fabric is from Minotti.

The spaces drama comes from the plum velvet swivel chairs with gold bases by Rove Concept furniture. The space also allows for the placement of two coffee tables made of brown glass and stainless-steel frames painted with a bronze finish.

This condo’s incredible vistas and large amount of space offered the perfect backdrop for the design of a modern interior with an eclectic look.

SKY HOMES: HUES & VIEWS

The other seating is designed as a cocktail area. With its five chairs, Zack incorporated her design principle of having an odd number of chairs within a cocktail-type seating area. “If there are only four chairs then there is typically a lot of space between the chairs, but with five the seating area becomes more private and brings everyone closer together,” said Zack.

The blue velvet swivel chairs with black bases are also from Rove Concept. The 48-inch round low coffee table is made of wood with a black matte base and a thin gold finished top also by Rove Concept.

To maximize the condo’s incredible view, the floor to ceiling glass wall was extended but due to structural issues there is a part of the wall that had to remain.

The dining room table seats 12 and was custom made from a dark-brown birch veneer with a clear high-gloss lacquered finish with an oak and stainless-steel frame. The chairs are from Fortuna Prowl and made from leather that is laser cut to look like woven mesh with polished chrome bases and stainless-steel frames. Ochre’s handblown crystal fixture was designed to look like big drops of water.

The condo’s owner wanted a very clean minimalist bathroom that is also timeless. Thus, no trendy colors were used to create its spa feel. The floating vanity in a taupe gray made by Scavolini, the company that also made the condo’s kitchen cabinets. And all the electrical outlets are placed in the drawers to avoid having to place outlets on the bathroom’s walls or mirror. The antique-polished chrome faucets are from Waterview. The tub is a freestanding jet and air bubble acrylic tub from Aquaviva. The glass rain shower is located behind the tub and has his and her side entrances.

Zack pointed out two important design elements that are dictated by the demand for materials that are easy to clean and maintain. And this is now possible with the advancements and innovations with so many man-made materials.

“Before, I would use marble for everything; but I haven’t done a marble kitchen in over 10 years,” she said.

“We are using many more man-made materials because they are easy maintain and look just like marble.” The desire for ease also influenced the design decision to use much larger tiles that allow for less grout in the main bath.

SKY HOMES: HUES & VIEWS

The owners wanted a Moroccan room to be designed around two pieces from their art collection. The use of a variety of colors and fabrics on the wrap-around sofa works to create the desired eclectic look. Like all the rugs in the apartment, the owner, who has been purchasing rugs for years, had this one made of silk and Tencel.

Another of Zack’s design principles is apparent in the layout of the room’s furniture -- the furniture must be completely on the rug or completely off.

“When you place the furniture completely on the rug it envelopes and makes the room appear larger,” she said.

50 SHADES OF GRAY

The hues used throughout the home were all different shades of cool gray. But, when it came to the bathroom the owner wanted anything but cool.

The focal point is the bathtub, strategically placed on a pedestal to highlight its sculptural elements.

And the mosaic stainless steel and marble basketweave tile backdrop adds to the drama as well as hiding the shower.

But according Perla Lichi the home’s interior designer the shower really shouldn’t be hidden, “The oversized walk-in shower with its jets and rain shower features makes it more like a car wash,” she said.

“The size of the bathroom is really what gives it the wow factor, but the red tub is the cherry on top.”

Craig Denis Creative

AERIN MIAMI (home fashion retailer) 151 NE 41st Street, Miami 786.536.7830 aerin.com

ALEXANDRIA GLASS DESIGNS (showroom) 954.200.3212 alexglassdesigns.com

ALLIED KITCHEN AND BATH (showroom) 616 W. Oakland Park Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale 954.564.1611 alliedktichenandbath.com

ANNIE SANTULLI DESIGNS (interior design) anniesantullidesigns.com

ANN SACKS TILE AND STONE (showroom) 61 NE 40th Street, Miami 305.572.1212 annsacks.com

ANTONINI MODERN LIVING (home fashion retailer) 9465 Glades Road, Boca Raton 561.757.6988 antoninimodernliving.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

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

CREATIVE KITCHENS (showroom) 954.340.2121 mycreativekitchens.com

CUSTOM DOOR SHOP (showroom) 4900 Linton Boulevard, Delray Beach 561.494.0820 126 Center Street, Jupiter 561.741.0603 customerdoorshop.com

DELRAY ART (art gallery) 151 NE 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach 561.212.8041 delrayart.com

DESIGN A RUG (home fashion retailer) 200 N. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach 954.949.3025 design-a-rug.com

DESIGN NS (showroom) 1080 NW 1st Ave. Boca Raton 561.338.5545 designns.com

DUNAGAN DIVERIO DESIGN GROUP (interior design) 2100 Ponce de Leon, Coral Gables 305.438.0130 dunagandiverio.com

ELEGANT STRAND (home fashion retailer) 7606 NW 6th Ave, Boca Raton 833.695.1500 elegantstrand.com

FIFTHROOM.COM (home fashion retailer)

HOME DESIGN STORE (home fashion retailer) 3750 NW 46th Street, Miami 305.633.1355 homedesignstoreflorida.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

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) 2370 NE Ocean Boulevard, Stuart 203.722.1447 jodyfierz.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

KOHLER SIGNATURE STORE (showroom) 10025 S. Dixie Highway, Pinecrest 786.220.9665 stores.kohler.com

LE JEUNE (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

MARTY LOWE INTERIOR DESIGN (interior design) 330 SW 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale 954.462.9756 martylowe.com

MARY PAT WALLEN, SCULPTURAL ARTIST (art gallery) marypatwallen.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

110 soflohabitat.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

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

SKLAR FURNISHINGS (home fashion retailer) 6300 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton 561.862.0800 sklarfurnishings.com

THE PLACE FOR KITCHENS AND BATHS (showroom) 285 SE Mizner Boulevard, Royal Palm Place, Boca Raton 561.338.7171 theplaceforkitchensandbaths.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 tub’s faucet is Kallista’s Floor-Mounted Tub Filler made in brass and allows for single-handle operation. The brass fixtures complement the use of the color throughout the home.

& CLEAN DIRTY

The sex appeal of this sleek freestanding black granite chiseled stone tub makes it perfect for bathtub play … adult style.

Interior designer Sarah Zohar likes to create dark, dramatic and textured bathrooms. The wall of the walk-in shower also acts as the tub’s backdrop is accented smokey black tiles from Ceramic Matrix.

Now, all that is required are bubbles for the bath and glasses of bubbly for the bathers, and getting clean will never be so dirty!

Paul Stoppi

a decade of interior design

award-winning interior design

SARASOTA, FL - COMING SOON! 3075 FRUITVILLE COMMONS BLVD. 941.900.HOME (4663)

NAPLES

2777 TAMIAMI TRAIL N 239.261.HOME (4663)

BOCA RATON 1351 NW BOCA RATON BLVD 239.261.HOME (4663)