FEATURED IN
HARMONIZING STYLES
EARTHY AND ORGANIC CONVERGE WITH GLAMOROUS ELEMENTS FOR COASTAL SOPHISTICATION
IInterior Designer Stephanie Nolan, Principal of Distinctive Interiors, embraces creative challenges with enthusiasm and expertise. “Creating something from nothing and seeing the client’s reaction — it’s gratifying,” Nolan expresses. Nolan transforms their contrasting preferences into a harmonious dream home for this couple with opposing tastes.
Nolan describes the couple’s styles as “earthy, tropical, and organic” for the husband and “sparkle and bling” for the wife. Yet their shared vision of a modern, elevated tropical retreat became the foundation for a unified design. Nolan calls the result “a good mixture of what they both wanted,” though she admits, “It was a tall order to be very naturalistic and earthy with bling and crystal.” Early in the process, she finds a dazzling chandelier that combines the opulence of gold and crystal with the organic appeal of Capiz shells — a discovery that perfectly illustrates how these two distinct styles can converge elegantly. u
Living Room: Surrounding the fireplace, a stunning mother-of-pearl tile from MIR Mosaic serves as the centerpiece for the stained maple built-in. The console from Hooker Furniture provides a strong visual for the natural inspiration, which Nolan tops with accessories that reflect the softer side of the design. The lighting in this space exudes character, from the large palm frond motif chandelier to the ethereal table lamp in soft blue, both from Currey & Company.
Dining Room: A mural wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries, resembling a billowing sky, adds a touch of color, framed by elegant gold lamps from Regina Andrew. Custom drapery from Greenhouse Fabrics, crafted with shimmering metallic-threaded fabric, transforms the architectural space into a warm and ethereal sanctuary. Suspended above the table, the blown glass bubble-like orb chandelier from Visual Comfort draws the eye with its delicate texture and luminous presence, echoing the couple’s desire for a fish tank in the dining room.
Kitchen: Nolan’s white-glove approach ensures every detail is considered, down to fresh lemons in a Capiz shell bowl. The white shakerstyle cabinetry establishes a crisp, coastal foundation for the kitchen, complemented by the collage of blue abstract art. Counter stools from Modern History introduce natural cane textures, while gold pendants by Visual Comfort and pearlized vinyl on the nook chairs by Fairfield Chair bring subtle glamour and practical durability.
The kitchen’s crisp white shaker-style cabinetry creates a clean, coastal backdrop where Nolan curates a thoughtful dialogue between the two styles. Instead of placing opposing elements side-by-side, she blends them through varied forms and finishes. Pearlized vinyl upholstery and crystal finials on a gold drapery rod subtly balance opulence with the organic textures of the cane-backed counter stools and rattan chandelier. u
Primary Bedroom: A wallcovering from York Wallcoverings with a delicate gold stipple catches the light, creating a subtle yet striking shimmer that serves as a backdrop for the dramatic satin gold four-poster bed from Wesley Allen. Oversized chests with brass hardware flank the bed, adding balance and enhancing the room’s proportions. Nolan’s white-glove service shines in the thoughtful selection of bedding, combining soft, cooling lyocell fabric from HiEND Accents with glitzy additions from Eastern Accents.
Her Bathroom: Nolan emphasizes functionality and form, selecting water-resistant finishes for an enchanted spa-like atmosphere. Nestled near a delicate blue Thibaut vinyl grasscloth wallpaper, the Universal Furniture ottoman rests elegantly atop a 100% polyester Feizy rug, creating an atmosphere of luxurious comfort near the bathtub. Even though this is her bathroom, the artwork skillfully portrays natural elements, seamlessly blending two distinct design styles into a harmonious and visually appealing composition.
Interior Designer Stephanie Nolan, Principal of Distinctive Interiors calls the result “a good mixture of what they both wanted,” though she admits, “It was a tall order to be very naturalistic and earthy with bling and crystal.”
This harmonious blend carries over to the living room, where Nolan ensures the design tells a story through its focal point. “A house of this size needs a feature wall,” Nolan reflects, highlighting the custom built-in with a fireplace framed in motherof-pearl tiles — an earthy material with a luminous shimmer that beautifully symbolizes the union of organic and glamorous styles. Fresh-cut fronds, white coral, and branches on the console table evoke nature’s strength and beauty. At the same time, a delicate fretwork vase and majestic blue-seeded glass lamps bring a refined, sparkling femininity, creating a living room that feels both grounded and glitzy. u
Bonus Room: This color scheme of blue, cream, and white captures the charm of the beach and perfectly embodies the resort-style atmosphere the clients desired. Reflecting the imagery of water on a sandy beach, this area rug from Surya complements the oceanside artwork from Leftbank Art. The Bernhardt power reclining sectional features a soft, textured white boucle fabric that beckons you to relax. A muted blue hue punctuates the vertical space on the mock Roman shades and the cornice above the slider door that leads to the outdoor retreat.
Her Study: The niche is an existing architectural feature thoughtfully outfitted by Nolan with pieces that balance femininity and functionality. To complement the space, she selects two hutches and a lateral file console from Lexington Home Brands’ Sligh collection. A radiant gold sunburst mirror from Global Views adds a reflective focal point, while the gold chandelier from Wildwood with teardrop crystals serves as a crowning jewel. Grounding the palette, a glacier-hued area rug by Jaunty ties together white, gold, and periwinkle blue touches.
The bonus room connects to the tropical outdoor spaces, creating a harmonious indoor-outdoor flow with a color palette and accents that highlight the coastal aesthetic. “My clients love it so much they’ve said: ‘We don’t need to travel anymore because our home feels like a vacation resort!’” Throughout the home, wood ceilings add natural warmth, particularly in the dining room, where pale neutral finishes offset the richness of the wood, ensuring the design satisfies both clients’ preferences. In contrast, the study reflects the wife’s affinity for sparkle, with gold and crystal accents adding a sophisticated shimmer to a soft blue and white palette that carries gracefully into her primary bathroom.
In the primary bedroom, Nolan perfectly balances glamour and nature-inspired design. Glitzy table lamps and chic new ottoman legs add sparkle, while the warmth of the wood ceiling and a live palm tree in a travertine pot bring natural elements. From the lanai, the couple enjoys a relaxed resort vibe, gazing back into their home at the chandelier in the foyer — a piece that inspired the design and underscores Nolan’s success in harmonizing opposing styles into a dream home. n
Outdoor Living: To enhance coastal sophistication, Nolan selects dining chairs and counter stools from Azzurro Living, featuring a bold woven design that adds a striking framework and a coastal aesthetic. The weatherized teak dining table from Tommy Bahama is styled with bamboo leaf placemats, turquoise and sky-blue accents, and a Capiz shell bowl that adds glamour. Above the outdoor island, a woven chandelier from Palecek creates warmth, while a nautical blue area rug from Surya anchors the space with a coastal-inspired foundation.
Lanai: From this vantage point, the Kalani chandelier by Varaluz emerges magnificently, its exquisite composition of French gold, crystal, and shell radiantly illuminating the foyer’s elegant space. “This chandelier was my starting point for the design and the inspiration for melding glamorous bling with organic elements,” Nolan shares. Poolside, the furniture arrangement creates an inviting lounge area, blending tropical-inspired sofas from Southern Home Outdoor Furniture with a resin coffee table by Summer Classics, offering a relaxed yet refined setting.
Written by Rachel Seekamp
Photography by Jimmy White Photography
Interior Designer
Distinctive Interiors
232 Cosmopolitan Court Sarasota, FL 34236 941.224.8889 www.distinctiveinteriorsdesign.com
