DONALD AND ANN BROWN For Ann Brown, a former U.S. Consumer Product Safety commissioner in the Clinton Administration, and her husband real estate developer and lawyer Donald Brown, the priorities of selecting a residence in Palm Beach Garden’s elegant Frenchman’s Creek were very specific. “Lots of walls for the art, lots of space for entertaining, plus glass and light,” Ann Brown says, adding a requirement for separate offices for each and separate guest quarters on the grounds. While the house had good bones, it was in need of renovation to suit their requirements. “Lots to work with and lots of work,” she adds. It only took eight months to achieve the required specifications: a beautiful expanse of space, bleached floors, dramatic floor-toceiling windows, comfortable furniture, and a white-and-cream color scheme providing a perfect backdrop for the couple’s extensive art collection. In the living room, works by Robert Longo, Sam Gilliam and Richard Artschwager display well alongside a red wall sculpture by Jack Youngerman and a Gina Porten sculpture, “Perfect Pairs,” atop a glass cocktail table. The dining room’s large contemporary glass table surrounded by antique Chippendale chairs inherited from Ann’s mother form an interesting juxtaposition with two works by African-American painter Jacob Lawrence. The Browns have strong communityoriented sensibilities and have long been involved in Democratic Party politics. As a result, they entertain frequently and with great ease both indoors and out – 30 at dinner and several hundred for receptions. In the garden, Roy De Forrest’s whimsical “Dog Bench” sculpture and Washington artist Di Gina and Herman Porten photographed in the Stovall’s oversized Florida-themed mural are drawing room of their 1920’s Palm Beach home. centered around an amorphous pool. Masses of bougainvilleas and other flowers indigenous supervising a meticulous renovation. to Florida complete a “sculptural effect” that, Gina, an artist and interior-designer-turnedlike the house, are a beauty to behold. sculptor, had a good eye, plenty of imagination and all the sensibilities necessary to move and panel walls, vault ceilings and add columns and HERMAN AND GINA PORTEN Nestled on a quiet palm-lined street half a arches to create a jewel of a residence, replete block from the ocean, is the 1920’s pre-Mizner with European antiques, fine paintings, and of home of real estate developer Herman Porten course her own bronze sculptures. Antique stone flooring throughout sets and his Dutch-born wife, Gina. After purchasing it in 1998, the couple spent the next two years the stage for the arched entrance hall leading
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to the drawing room on the left and a cozy Fortuny-upholstered-and-paneled dining room on the right. The former features an oversized tufted ottoman easily seating ten in the center of the room – wonderful and as useful when hosting a cocktail buffet. Neutral color walls are anchored by Old Dutch Masters nicely complemented by a Gobelin tapestry above a plush settee. Soft glows from antique Murano chandeliers in both of the main rooms unify
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