Design + Decor Florida Winter 2023

DESIGN DECOR +

DESIGN DECOR +

DESIGN KISMET

The homeowners who happened upon this house under construction loved the design just as it was.

CAPTURING THE NAPLES LIFESTYLE

Local designer Jeff Schreier took inspiration from a dock and boat to create a home that is reflective of his clients.

A MODEL DESIGN

Local designers create an eye-catching space to appeal to a variety of buyers.

Story by Heather Shoning Photography by Michael Kaskel

Story by Heather Shoning

Photography by Venjhamin Reyes

Story by Heather Shoning Photography by Venjhamin Reyes

DESIGN +DECOR

WINTER 2023

Editor-in-Chief

Matthew J. Kolk mattkolk@me.com

203-820-1092

Contributing Writers

Deborah Brannon, Lisa Gant, Susan Heller, Pam Gersh, Sean Jarvis, Ross Robinson, Meryl Siegman, Anna von Stelzer-Worth, Kait Shea, Anastasia Storer

Contributing Photographers

Jane Beiles, Michael Biondo, Phillip Ennis, Tria Giovan, John Gruen, John Hannon, Paul Johnson, Neil Landino, Mark La Rosa, Tim Lee, Daniel Milstein, Janice Parker, Durston Saylor, Debra Somerville, Eric Striffler, Jonathan Wallen, Woodruff/Brown Photography

Copy Editor

Elena Serocki

Graphic & Web Design

East Coast Home Publishing

Publisher

Shelley E. McCormick sm@dd-mag.com

203-545-7091

Account Managers

Kelly Ames Smith

Douglas Oddo

Design + Decor

349 Forest Hills Blvd Naples, Florida 34113

Design + Decor is published six issues per year. To subscribe: www.dd-mag.com; Subscriptions: one year, $28; two years, $50. Back issues can be purchased at www.dd-mag.com. For editorial inquiries: Editor, Design + Decor, 349 Forest Hills Blvd Naples, Florida 34113 or e-mail: mattkolk@me.com. For advertising inquiries: Please call Shelley McCormick at 203-545-7091. Reproduction whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All projects described in this publication are for private, noncommercial use only. No rights for commercial use or exploitation are given or implied. The opinions expressed by writers for articles published by Design + Decor are not necessarily those of the magazine.

EAST COAST HOME PUBLISHING

349 Forest Hills Blvd

Naples, Florida 34113

DD-MAG.COM

VISIT OUR DESIGN SHOWROOM

Luxury Carpets & Rugs

Providing a comprehensive design and fabrication service to help create custom carpets and rugs for our clients. At our showroom we carry a selection of Luxury In-Stock Rugs available for immediate delivery. We also have an exclusive collection of our own carpet and rug designs in a variety of luxury fibers and textures. We specialize in custom design and reproduction of fine carpets and rugs, custom fabrication, binding, serging, wall-to-wall and custom stair runner installation.

Massachusetts

International Design Source Designers Choice 2023

International Design Source (IDS) is a to-the-trade showroom exclusively for interior designers. With showrooms in Naples and Sarasota, FL, IDS offers products from Baker, McGuire, John Richards, Christopher Guy and many other brands. Each year IDS Marketing Manager Nicole Sadez Bobek selects several designers to feature in our Mélange, showing products that enhance and elevate their latest projects.

Trade Mark Interiors

Tracee Murphy

Transitional

Mod marble portrait bust

Fresh take on the marble busts of days gone by. A nod to ancient times adding a vintage vibe with a modern flair. The accessory is perfect for styling transitional interiors as it pairs beautifully with a wide array of furnishings. TMI loves adding a little fun into our interiors!

Cuerda Sofa by Laura Kirar

Casper Martini table by Thomas O’Brien

This fluid and unusual chair transcends design and jewelMartini anyone? TMI is always on the lookout for ways to elevate happy hour for our clients. Turning to Century Furniture to look for accents like this is always on our to-do list! The solid brass constructions makes this little gem a perfect future heirloom.

Sigrid Lamp in Robins Egg Glass table lamp in a soothing coastal colorway which is perfect for SW Florida living! We design so many homes on the water and making a nod to the watery color palette helps to create a cohesive design. Our clients love this calming color especially when paired with a sophisticated style.

Outdoor living is a staple in our designs so why not punch up the details by using a scalloped back sofa for your lanai! The McGuire Furniture line of outdoor living adds the next level of sophistication for our discerning clientele.

Bailey Slipcovered Chair Taylor King is a staple upholstery vendor in our lineup for the last 20 years! A tried and true vendor that never disappoints! The perfect combination of quality, comfort, & style!

style with classic elements

Michael Biondo Design Michael Biondo

michaelbiondo.design

Michael Biondo Design’s Inspirations for an Eclectic, Elegant, and Comfortable Space…

This is not just any Bar Cabinet. It’s perfect for pouring a glass of your favorite wine, at the end of the day, or entertaining guests with cocktails before dinner. The reeded frontage is inspired by a staircase wall in London’s Harrods, and featured the signature CG intricately carved knot handles. This bespoke masterpiece brings everything to the next level!

A modern Console table to place adjacent to your sectional. This console features a textural bronze finish interior that will make you want to get on the floor so it can reveal all its curves to you. Perfect for a lamp on one end for reading light, and a stunning pot of white orchids on the other. Functional Artwork at its finest.

This credenza is perfect to sit under your flat screen. In its caviar black finish, it doubles as artwork for your room. I purchased it for a high-end spec home, but then a few of my clients saw it, and wanted it as well. It is truly a well-made, sturdy and gorgeous piece of furniture. Plus, I love the warmth of the tones featured on the doors.

Karlson Credenza

Kelly Console Table

Branched Crystal Twenty Light Chandelier

This is my Go-To Chandelier, but I warn you its only for the brave of heart. It is perfect for an Entry Hall, or as a “Statement” fixture in a larger scale living area. Organically formed brass branches form this three-tiered, twenty-light chandelier, dripping with stunning handblown glass teardrops. Get ready for the compliments when your guests arrive!

Cirque Cocktail Table

There are so many things to love about this table…shown in Obsidian with Bronzino featuring Bronze accents and an inset honed Calacatta Gold marble top with beautiful etched details, it has incredible style and picks up the warm tones of 2023.

Dalton Reed Interiors Margaret Rohr daltonreedinteriors.com

Serene Coastal

Ryan Studio Pillows

2. Ryan Studio has hundreds of ready-made pillows in many designer brand fabrics. All Pillows include down inserts and come in various sizes. The two pillows I picked out to enhance the space and add a touch of color to the coastal serene look are: Baturi (Chambray) size 22x22 and Kaya (Sky) Size 20x20

Hewitt Table Lamp

For all things natural, Palecek is the go-to brand for me. Known for high end indoor and outdoor furniture, accessories, lighting and wall décor The Hewitt table lamp tall in antique is a favorite. Made of natural rattan and topped with a soft linen drum shade.

Cora Bench Seat Sofa

Vanguard has an extensive line of custom-made upholstery including this beautiful Cora Bench seat sofa in performance, white fabric. The bench seat and slim arm profile updates the look.

Baron Wall Sconce by Currey & Company

This sconce evokes the Art Deco designs used throughout architecture and objects of art during that time period. I recently sourced these fixtures for a condominium lobby, functioning as sculptural wall art elements and as a secondary light source for residents as they come and go.

Chair

The criss-cross legs are one of Christopher Guy’s signature looks, and this occasional chair beautifully showcases it. This chair is sleek, elegant, and becomes a conversation piece in a formal dining room.

Monte-Carlo

Maria Charmaine Designs

Maria Price

mariacharmainedesigns.com

Posh Picks for the Perfect Space

A luxe statement to any space, Caracole delivers this stunning bar cabinet with extraordinary craftsmanship and style. The rhythmic flow design on it’s door fronts framed in a Chocolate Truffle lacquer include a tactile mix of faux shagreen and Cafe Latte hand-printed resin with Brushed Gold overlay offering warm tones and contrast. Clients appreciate the mirrored interior, adjustable shelf and single drawer for ample space to store essentials.

A clear winner, the sophisticated glass top Pyrenees Cocktail table showcases a modern mix of gold and silver finishes. It features a circular base with an outer edge finished in textural Burnished Silver Leaf and a contrasting inner surface in smooth, Valyrian Gold Leaf.

This functional yet highly impressive cocktail table makes a strong contemporary statement with it’s design and asymmetrical lines. It features a cantile vered top over a wooden base, with decorative metal supports in Calais brass finish that bridge the two. Stunning, sleek and sensational!

Downtown Bar Cabinet

Sunridge Rectangular Cocktail

Pyrenees Cocktail Table

Inspiration Mirror

Bold and beautiful, the Inspiration Mirror showcases the use of mixed metals which create interest and opulence. The organic free-form frame surrounds a clear, modern beveled mirror with a heavy bevel. makes this little gem a perfect future heirloom.

La Lampe Pose 01

The understated simplicity of this solar, table lamp is a bright addition to any home. It is weather resistant making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use and is offered in a variety of fun colors to choose from. It features a 10cm high-conversion solar module and can work for up to five hours with a full battery providing warm and focused light. My client’s can’t seem to get enough of this wireless wonder.

On 3 Lounge Chair

This mid-century beauty allows my client’s to lounge in luxury and comfort. It’s curvilinear frame is carved to form three, stout legs that support a supple upholstered seat in any of Thayer Coggin’s in-house curated fabrics or leathers to choose from.

THE LOST ART OF PARTI

THE ARCHITECTS ISSUE

In architecture, a parti is a design concept or organizing principle for a building. It should show, usually in the form of a clear and simple diagram, what your building is all about. A parti is produced in the early stages of the design process, before the plan, section and elevation.

Stories by Kathleen E. Syron

In the new world order of living and homeownership, branded residences have become increasingly popular. People continue to be driven to homeownership, but now with all the luxury and amenities of a hotel. In Lake Buena Vista, FL, The Walt Disney Company has partnered with the Four Seasons to offer custom single-family homes with luxury full-service hotel amenities. The Golden Oak neighborhood features exclusive Four Seasons private residences and is designed to feel like an extension of the Four Seasons Resort, complete with a private entry and access to a multitude of amenities and personalized services.

The Phil Kean Design Group (PKDG) was invited as one of an elite group of design/ build companies to create a spec house for the neighborhood. PKDG was specifically chosen for its modern design sensibility and success as a developer/design/build company in the area. The group chose a site overlooking a conservation area and set about creating an approximately 8,000-square-foot house inspired by mid-century modern design. Most homes in the surrounding area are the Tuscan or old-world style, so Phil’s design was a breath of fresh air.

Phil’s first step in the process is to walk the site. At this time, he is making mental notes

of views, features, obstacles and light. He hasn’t begun to sketch yet, but he takes many photos to remind himself of the topography and key elements of the site. Back at the office, Phil starts laying out bubble diagrams focusing on room placement to take advantage of views and light. He will do hundreds of sketches before he is satisfied with the layout of the site plan.

Phil then works on graph paper to solidify the floor plan in exact dimensions. “It is easier and quicker to hand draw designs on graph paper— which are proportionally accurate—than to try and bring in computerassisted design at this point,” notes Phil.

Only when the floor plan has been finalized does Phil begin to think

about the exterior look of the home. Phil believes the floor plan is the most important feature of the home, as any floor plan can be made into any architectural style. The massing exercise begins by hand sketching elevations while deciding the look of the house, and then massaging the floor plan to create the that look. Once the hand sketches are approved, they are brought to the computer for a 3D rendering. From there, textures and finishes are added. “The site guides the floor plan, which creates the parti drawing,” explains Phil. “The architectural style of the house is achieved by tweaking elevations to fit the parti.”

Most architects agree the design process never stops. Constant tweaks to the plan and material choices are being made well into the build stage. Although this was a spec house, designs had to be approved by both Disney and the Four Seasons and were mandated to include a list of upgrades, such as a catering kitchen. PKDG went the extra mile by adding 50 hidden Mickeys and naming their home Nyumbani (Swahili for home), inspired by the Disney movie The Lion King.

The house took two years to complete and sold before the build was finished. PKDG invested in a second spec house and sold that home before the firm acquired permits—all on the basis of the PKDG designs and its reputation as a quality builder.

Resource:

Phil Kean Design Group

Phil Kean

912 West Fairbanks Avenue

Winter Park, FL 32789 407.599.3922

philkeandesigns.com

Colorado was hit by the worst wildfire in the state’s history on December 30, 2021. The Marshall Fire burned over 6,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Louisville, leaving survivors to rebuild their homes and lives. Luckily, one family—an older couple with grown children—had a second home in Naples, FL, where they could stay while they regained their footing in Colorado. The couple’s house was completely leveled by the Marshall Fire, and though they were safe in Naples, they were anxious to rebuild their Colorado home. A house in their Florida neighborhood had the look and feel they were after, so they approached Naples architect John Orgren at MHK Architecture to design something similar for them in Colorado.

MHK is a large firm with offices all over Florida, North Carolina and Denver. The company is well known in the Naples area, having completed more than 3,000 homes during its 13 years in business. The homeowners were attracted to MHK’s signature coastal design, and hoped it could be restyled for them in Colorado. After receiving all the necessary site surveys and information, John set about designing their new residence. The previous structure was the reference point for the new build, but every room was reconsidered and altered to fit the homeowners’ current lifestyle.

John started with the main cardinal points and aligned rooms with views. The Colorado sunsets were a favorite feature of the property that the couple wanted to incorporate into their home. John set the front of the house facing west, and created a two-story living room on that side to take advantage of the sunsets. He also added an open trellis gazebo off the living room, where the couple would also be able to view the sunset. The architect worked through several different floor plans before the homeowners settled on one. In all his projects, John makes sure the floor plan is set before massing the structure, but realistically he is doing both at the same time.

During the schematic drawing phase of any project, John uses both hand sketching and the computer. “The computer is great for get-

ting the exact dimensions, but the drawings look very dry at the beginning before we have added any material or fittings,” he says. “So I usually draw on top of the computer printout. Hand sketching really brings the building to life, and you can try out a lot of different styles and layouts quickly.” He adds, “Communication from the brain to the hand to the page is a lot quicker than from the brain to the computer.”

While working on the front elevation, John tried several different looks (see options 1 and 2 in the images) before settling on the final design. An interesting change was made while designing the front elevation. Initially—and like the previous house—the front door was a single-height entry, flanked by large windows, which the clients had requested. John thought it best to match the entry with the large windows, and created a two-story entrance, which meant more floor space on the second floor. The homeowners decided to include a study on the second floor to take advantage of the afternoon sun, and John added a balcony to further enhance the views.

During their first few meetings, John presented his clients with a PDF presentation of the floor plan and front elevation. Usually, it takes a couple of rounds for clients to settle on the layout; once they have a comfort level with the floor plan, they consider the elevations. There is some more back and forth until the homeowners are happy with the style. Currently, this house has been transferred to MHK’s Denver office. The clients have finalized the design with John and will now work with the Denver office for the building phase.

Resource:

MHK Architecture

John Orgren

2059 Tamiami Trail East

Naples, FL 34112

239.331.7092

goto mhkarchitecture.com for more locations

JKing Designs architecture firm offers high-quality rendering services to all its clients. The incredible power of 3D software allows the architects and designers to give new home buyers exactly what they want: photo-realistic renderings of their project, every step of the way. “Most of our clients want to see a 3D rendering as soon as possible,” explains Justin King, founder of the firm. “That’s what gets them excited.”

Justin King designed a home in Longboat Key, FL, for a couple who had been referred to his firm. The clients were impressed with other houses in the area that Justin had designed, as well as his

use of state-of-the-art 3D software. These particular homeowners wanted to be very involved in the design process and, in order to make decisions, requested a precise representation of the build in Justin’s drawings. The 3D software provided the exact level of detail the clients needed.

The process started with a visit to the stunning lot, which sits between the Sarasota bayfront and the canal, to determine the orientation of the home. Justin’s parti begins with bubble diagrams based on principles of orientation, views and information gleaned from the client until he has a general sense of the layout. He then turns immediately to the computer. In this case, the owners pro -

vided hand-drawn sketches of the layout and design elements they wanted to be incorporated into the design. This was highly unusual for Justin—and a pleasant surprise. “The owners constantly pushed us to think through everything thoroughly and find the best possible outcome in all our design decisions,” he says. Even when clients are not as precise in their requirements, J King Designs’ standard operating procedure is to forego any hand-drawn schematics and instead go directly to the computer. His firm focuses on 2D floor plans first, and then begins to consider the elevations. Here, when designing the floor plan, Justin was also thinking about the exterior projections of the West Indies-style home, and how those features might affect the design in terms of materials, colors, beams and structural columns.

The first schematic design presentation includes the floor plan and elevations of every angle of the home sitting on the exact lot, showing specific views. Justin notes that being able to see precisely how the house will sit on the property is very important to his clients. “They are not as concerned about whether the designs are hand drawn or not,” he says. “They want you to be able to walk them through the design and communicate it to them as clearly as possible.”

It usually takes two to three rounds of edits to the schematics to get confirmation from the clients to proceed. On this project, Jus -

tin went through 20 rounds with his clients, due to the high level of detail requested in the initial elevations, which the firm doesn’t usually provide. Normally, for J King Designs, the intricate details are drawn during the construction documentation stage. In this case, the schematic stage ended up taking longer, but the construction documentation stage went very quickly.

With all the technology available to designers and architects today to create and communicate complex designs, it is easy to see how hand drawing has been pushed to the side. The architects and designers at J King Designs are all well versed in 3D design software, and a few still hand draw ideas. Justin would like to see more hand drawing done in the firm but, ultimately, he understands that how easily ideas can be communicated to the clients is most important.

Resource:

J King Designs

Justin King 1383 Fifth Street Sarasota, FL 34236 941.465.0036

jkingdesigns.com

MARK SULTANA SCOTT GROSS

Mark Sultana and Scott Gross of DSDG Architects in Sarasota, FL, have just finished working on a third modern home design for one particular client, and are well on their way to house number four. Initially referred by a previous client who loved Mark’s designs, this homeowner was a developer in Austria who retired to Florida, where his passion for modern architecture has run wild. Although he is having these homes built for himself, he builds often and moves frequently. The home he occupies now was originally on an empty lot a few doors down from the previous residence, also done by DSDG Architects. It is a larger lot,

better oriented toward the water, and also on the widest portion of Sarasota Bay, approximately two miles across. Both lots sit on the bay, but the original didn’t have the unobstructed views as the newer one does. For this house design, capturing that view in as many spaces as possible was the most important aspect of the project. Mark and Scott succeeded in designing the home with views from every room of the house except the powder room, elevator and a small TV viewing room.

Mark describes his design process as “transforming words into pictures.” He begins by reading the clients’ wish list and conducting a lengthy question-and-answer session to get to know the clients and how they live. “I don’t believe you can design a house for a client unless you really know that client,” explains Mark. This skill of interpreting the words of his clients dictates the first floor plan. “When I am drawing a second plan,” says Mark, “I can see what the exterior is going to look like. It is like a hologram

that happens. The clients can’t really see the finished product from the floor plan, so I don’t introduce the elevations until they are comfortable with and approve the floor plan.”

Mark does all the drawings in his office, though he will doodle ideas onsite to clarify certain concepts, if necessary. For Mark, the floor plan is like a puzzle. He compiles all the information from the clients and the site surveys, and sets about solving the puzzle. It doesn’t take many drafts because he is so well informed upfront. The challenges usually come from the property and government regulations, not the clients.

This is the first step—layout and floor plan. “Most clients like to see the floor plans hand drawn,” says Mark. “It gives the air that it is ‘a work in progress,’ and they can make changes as needed. If I present a floor plan in computer-aided design that is very professional-looking, they tend to be more hesitant about making changes.”

During the second meeting in the design process, Mark presents the front and back elevation. These are actually computer-generated 3D renderings made to look like they are hand drawn. For this project, he presented the elevations to his client who, as a former developer, appreciates the art and emotions the building evokes in him.

Only about one in 10 clients appreciate the hand-drawn nature of these elevations; the others want the photo-realistic renders. “We made the decision a long time ago to lean into the software as opposed to hand drawing,” notes Mark. “Most of our drawings are done on the computer because that is what our clients want and expect.”

As you can see from the final photos of the finished product, very few changes were made from the original drawings. Computer-generated 3D rendering has changed the architecture game considerably. Clients now have a greater sense of what the completed project will look like, so they don’t need to make so many changes during the construction process.

Resource:

DSDG Architects

Mark Sultana

Scott Gross

1348 Fruitville Road, Suite 204

Sarasota, FL 34236

941.955.5645

dsdgarchitects.com

JOYCE OWENS ARCHITECTUREJOYCEOWENS.COM

Joyce Owens is a well-seasoned architect, but her design process has not changed much since her early days. She still relies on paper and pencil to develop her parti for any project, but she now also incorporates computeraided design (CAD) software. Earlier in her career, when Joyce worked for another company, a real estate developer hired her to design a high-end spa in the Bahamas. The spa was meant to feel subtly luxurious with nature at the forefront. The idea was not just to emphasize nature in the academic sense, but more about holistically integrating the spa into nature. The clients wanted the spa to come from the earth, possibly even creating treatment rooms over the water, as if they had just gurgled to the surface.

With this in mind, Joyce set out to design the spa, starting with the parti. Joyce explains that “parti means something very particular for an architect—it is the big idea behind what you are building. The parti is not a drawing; instead, it is the architect’s perception of a project. The drawing is the way the architect communicates their parti, and whether it is hand drawn or computer generated is immaterial, as those are merely tools. And, like everything, if you have a strong parti, then all the subsequent decisions will reinforce that concept.” Joyce’s initial hand-drawn sketch is a result of her parti, and as the design develops her sketches get more detailed.

Joyce created an eco-spa oasis by designing a series of smaller structures with adjoining courtyards, instead of housing all the treatment

rooms in one building. The single-story bungalows had big sliding-glass doors, designed to be opened all the time, that led to the outside. Although Joyce could not bring the spa into the water due to environmental regulations, she was able to bring the water to the spa by creating little man-made lagoons that surrounded the treatment rooms.

Joyce’s parti process entails multiple sketches until she has a strong and clear idea about the layout. She is designing in 3D even when she is drawing the site plan. Conceptually, everything is in her head, but she still needs to draw it out to make sure it works within the required dimensions. “I am already beginning to see the layout as I look at the land,” she explains, “and once I get a handle on that phase, I can move on to the more complicated drawings.” Her design/drawing process uses a combination of tools. She starts with hand drawing because it allows her to design while she sketches. She then inputs the design to the computer for scale, and draws on top of the printout for more detail and animation. Today’s younger architects are well versed in CAD and use it as their tool of choice. But Joyce encourages her designers to keep up with hand sketching. It is quicker and far more encompassing than the computer when trying to generate ideas.

Rosource:

Architecture Joyce Owens

Joyce Owens

1520 Royal Palm Square Boulevard

Suite 300 Fort Myers, FL 33919 239.425.5773

architecturejoyceowens.com

JOHN COONEY RANDALL STOFT STOFFT.COM

Stofft Cooney Architects partnered with a resident and developer in Naples, FL, to design a premier residential Gulf-front property. The developer owns multiple high-profile properties in Naples and has successfully completed several projects with Stofft Cooney. He chose the architectural firm because it designs most of the luxury custom houses on the Gulf, so its team is fully aware of what a potential homeowner wants and requires in a custom home. The home is in the documentation stage, but when he is ready to build, the developer will choose one of several local companies he has worked with before.

In starting the design process and parti, firm partners Randall Stofft and John Cooney first walk the property with their client, listening to what he wants and thinks is important. In this case, the client was very familiar with the property, near Gordon’s Pass, and wanted to make sure John and Randall took advantage of the views and orientation. Neither partner is sketching at this stage, just taking notes and photographs.

Back at the office, the partners collect site studies showing the setbacks, sun angles, height criteria, and grade changes. Just by looking at the site, John and Randall get a general idea of the organization of the house based on views and sunlight. So, even before sketching, they start the design process by imagining bubble diagrams. Then they do hundreds of sketches on an overlay of the site plan, trying all iterations and alternatives. At first the sketches are vague and general, but quickly become more refined.

Stofft Cooney’s first presentation of schematics to the clients are all hand drawn and colored. The drawings include a site plan, a floor/furniture plan for each level, and a front elevation. The goal of the presentation is to communicate the design concept without too much distracting detail. The furniture is added to the floor plan just to show scale, not as a design element. Once the clients sign off on the basic concept, the project enters the primary design stage, which is also all hand drawn. Successive presentations of hand-drawn schematics are given until the client signs off on the design. Then the drawing is input to the computer for more fine-tuning, material selection, and 3D renderings. Randall and John do all the designs for the firm, and then assign a project architect for development.

Stofft Cooney Architects has noticed a change in the architectural industry, with many practitioners now preferring computer-aided design (CAD) software to hand-drawn work. Indeed, some young architects use only computers and haven’t been taught how to draw. The prevailing reliance on technology and

the need to stay current have overshadowed the basics of drawing. CAD software has had a profound impact on the profession by streamlining the documentation and revision process. It takes the same time to design on the computer as it does by hand, but the revisions have become incredibly easy and quick to make. John and Randall believe it is important that the design process be done by hand, however. “The computer is a great drafting tool and 3D rendering tool, but not a design tool at all,” says John. “The creative part of the process should be drawing multiple renditions and tweaking and massaging the designs.”

Resource:

Stofft Cooney

John Cooney

Randall Stofft

111 10th Street South, Suite 308 Naples, FL 34102 239.262.7677

100 North Washington Boulevard Sarasota, FL 34236 941.316.0936

42 North Swinton Avenue

Delray Beach, FL 33444 561.243.0799

stofft.com

Problem Solving and Longevity

The inspiration and the solution to great kitchen design

Stories by Kathleen E. Syron

Design + Decor chats with Jenny Provost, CEO and design principal of K2 Interior Design Group, about what inspires her kitchen designs.

Design + Decor: Where do you find inspiration, and how does that translate into your designs?

Jenny Provost: I am a problem solver. The “needs”—aka criteria—that my clients share with me inspire me first, to fix the problems: The kitchen is too small; it’s outdated; it’s closed in, making it hard to enjoy guests; and my favorite— it’s ugly. Other tools I employ are common sense using alignments, ergonomics and accessibility, and, as an avid home chef myself, knowledge of how a kitchen functions best.

In terms of the aesthetics of the kitchens I design, I look for longevity. A new kitchen is a big investment that produces sticker shock in even some of the most experienced remodeling clients—especially after the supply chain problems with subsequent massive price increases we have endured recently. So, a kitchen has to have “legs”—it must go on and on. Although many industry professionals will suggest changing a kitchen every 10 to 15 years, I work to create kitchens that live long after that. I designed a modern kitchen in 2003 that has not been changed. Honestly, if the criteria from the current owners of the condominium were the same as the previous owner, I would design it exactly the same now.

I travel frequently, and I’ve worked abroad in many countries, such as Canada, England, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Panama, South Africa, Qatar and so on. Travel provides a treasure trove of rich ideas, a resource from which to mine ideas that may be new to American kitchens. For example, working in Israel for Orthodox Jewish clients helped me appreciate the separation of meat, dairy and parve (pasta, fish, vegetables, grains). I set up separate prep areas for clients who follow a kosher lifestyle, but it all made sense to me in terms of the products and prep equipment used. It’s helped me design better organized work areas in the

kitchens I design. I’ve learned to love the very English notion of a scullery, which comes from the Latin word scutella, meaning a tray or platter. Today, sculleries are secondary kitchens where cleaning and storing dishes is separate from the main kitchen. I’ve taken it to another level by combining the secondary kitchen with laundry and utility storage to create a real home work space that is not in full view of visitors, but has everything that homeowners or their staff would need.

D+D: Explain the process you use from getting the brief from the client to delivering your design presentation.

Jenny: My field is an intensely personal one. I conduct a long interview in which I want to know all about my clients. I ask not just about how they want to operate in their kitchen—that comes naturally in the conversation—but more often about lifestyle. Do they entertain frequently? Large parties or small? Dinner or hors d’oeuvres? Cocktails or mocktails? Big TV viewers while dining at the kitchen island, or sitting at a table in the dining room? After 35 years of designing kitchens, I’ve learned

the questions to ask—and the ones not to ask! This part of the job takes intense investigation combined with sensitivity.

D+D: How do you interact with your clients during the creative process?

Jenny: I watch the reaction of my clients when discussing possible ideas, especially when I am showing them images of kitchens from our vast archives that relate to those ideas. One look can tell a lot! My favorite clients are the ones who challenge me on design. I relish the interaction and a good intelligent discussion over the benefits or drawbacks of layouts, finish materials, appliances, accessories, etc. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and opinions with my clients, who can then make well-informed decisions.

D+D: Have you ever been asked to deliver a concept you weren’t comfortable with?

Jenny: Gosh, yes! People come into our showroom all the time with great ideas. However, there are clients who have an idea that

DESIGN DECOR +

DESIGN KISMET

The homeowners who happened upon this house under construction loved the design just as it was.

Story by Heather Shoning | Photography by Venjhamin Reyes

While working on a speculative home without the design preferences and aesthetics of a specific buyer, a design team has more flexibility to be creative. The biggest challenge with this particular build was the narrow, pie-shaped lot, which inspired residential designer Rich Guzman of R.G. Designs Inc. to be imaginative in capturing the views and giving the home a sense of scale. This house in the Aqualane Shores neighborhood of Naples, FL, explains Rich, appears much larger than it is. “What we lacked in width, we made up in height,” he says. “The elongated shelf with three windows gives the sense of a two-and-a-half-story home instead of two.”

In every residence he designs, Rich says, he focuses on maximizing the views. Although the lot was narrow, it tapered to the rear of the house, essentially driving everything from the centered front door to the back of the home—toward the water, which is precisely what he would do no matter the size or shape of the lot.

Taking on the interior design, Alex Thies and Emily Schlimm of Adelyn Charles Interiors demonstrated their understanding of buyers when they designed a home that was perfect for an Ohio couple who bought it during construction to be their vacation home. The couple loved the design so much they requested only minor changes.

Alex, the owner and lead interior designer of Adelyn Charles, says she met the homeowners about halfway through the

construction process to present the completed design. The wife chose a slightly different color for one bathroom tile, and the couple requested a change to the study design theme. “We had come up with a theme of classic cars for the study, and we had this great art piece of an old collector’s Mercedes,” Alex says. “Then we found out the people who bought the home were third-generation owners of Chevrolet dealerships.”

Other than those small requests, the homeowners loved Alex’s design concept, California Coastal. The home is located in the heart of Naples, where many homes are being transformed from the original Mediterranean style to a new contemporary coastal. But Alex wanted this home to be different. Living in California introduced her to a more sophisticated version of coastal. “Instead of everything being white and blue, there are elements of black, which can scare some people when they think ‘coastal,’” she says. “But I think that little pops of black can really be impactful in an otherwise crisp white environment. And a lot of organic tones and textures speak to the coastal influence. You still feel like you’re in a coastal home, but it doesn’t have to be as kitschy.”

To ensure a casual living feel in this vacation home, Alex chose a large, comfortable sectional from Century Furniture for the living room and a pair of coffee tables from Noir that feature puzzled-together pieces of live-edge wood.

To achieve the sophisticated style in this vacation home, Alex incorporated touches of black in lighting, hardware, plumbing fixtures and small pieces of furniture. She included warm, earthy textural elements throughout the house in the furnishings, artwork, cabinetry and flooring selections.

The open floor plan segues from the kitchen to the beverage station, the living and dining rooms and the outdoor living area. “We always try to open up the kitchen to the living and dining areas,” says Craig Willbrett of Willbrett Construction. “We added pocketed sliding glass doors to connect indoors to outdoors, essentially increasing the living space by 700 square feet. The home feels much bigger than the land would have allowed.”

Many kitchens—especially those in coastal design homes— feature white cabinetry. And, while Alex wanted to retain that light, bright look, she sought a slightly elevated aesthetic. So she selected cabinetry in a warm white tone, accented by the range hood, island and beverage station cabinetry in a whitewashed walnut finish. Black metal accent straps on the hood and black fixtures and cabinet hardware add a touch of elegance. The black and gold pendant lights complete the palette.

Because the home includes four bedrooms and plenty of space for guests, Alex wanted to be sure that all areas of the

Alex introduced natural colors and textures into a bright, airy kitchen using warm white and whitewashed walnut cabinetry by Ruffino Cabinetry. Barstools from Brownstone Furniture add rich character to the space.

home would be comfortable. She designed the kitchen island to act as a de facto dining table with seating on one side and at each end, creating a better layout for conversation. The barstools provide a warm, textural element to the space.

The adjoining beverage station with the whitewashed walnut cabinetry creates cohesion throughout the open floor plan living space, tying in both the kitchen and the living room with its matching floating cabinet and warm wood tones in the coffee tables and ceiling beams.

Because this is a large home on the water, Alex wanted to create an intimate feel with casual living spaces. She selected an oversized sectional— the largest she’s ever ordered, she says—and two armchairs that swivel so they can face indoors or out. “All the fabrics are light,” she says, “but they’re all performance fabrics for indoors and outdoors, because of the giant sliders that pocket into the walls to create this sense of seamless indoor-outdoor living.”

The outdoor living and dining areas feature weathered teak furniture with rope detailing for rich texture, but the silhouettes are clean with graceful curves. The space is designed for the ultimate outdoor living experience, complete with a grill, refrigerator, ice maker, cabinetry and sink. “Most of these homes are seasonal; the indoor-outdoor lifestyle is why people are here,” Craig says. “Every home we build caters to this. We pump up those outdoor features—in this one, there is a zero-edge pool. The house faces southwest, so the homeowners get nice sunsets.”

The main-floor primary suite looks out to the pool, capturing the views. The palette is neutral, with small details in a soft blue, mimicking the water and the sky outdoors. The bedding, nightstands and draperies are all soft white, while the walls are painted a creamy beige. Alex kept the focus on texture in this space. The ceiling beams are the same tone as the floor and accentuate the vault of the ceilings. “We repeated wood details in the chairs in the sitting area and the wall art,” she says. “For the dresser, we went with a little bit deeper wood tone with woven abaca rope detailing on the doors.”

Alex selected large-format stone slabs for the primary bathroom shower and half-wall behind the soaking tub. She kept the palette neutral, just drawing out hints of color from the stone. Wood-like floor tile inlay creates a dramatic look while mimicking the wood tones in the bedroom and throughout the rest of the home. Again, taking a color cue from the deepest tone in the tile, Alex selected a rich chocolate color for the cabinetry on two facing walls. Polished nickel fixtures add a soft touch of bling to the room.

Upstairs, the home features three guest bedrooms and bathrooms, including one VIP suite used by the homeowners’ adult daughter, and a family room with a connected breakfast bar. The suite and family room connect to the outdoor living space overlooking

The VIP suite, used by the homeowners’ adult daughter when she visits, has its own outdoor living space overlooking the pool area. An upholstered bed by Vanguard Furniture is a beautiful soft element. Alex specified a bench from Brownstone Furniture for the foot of the bed and floral-print draperies. “We accented the room with soft blues,” she says, “and tried to make it a very warm and cozy but still elevated room for their daughter.”

the pool area for maximum indooroutdoor living.

“The whole house intentionally feels like it flows from one space to the next,” Alex says. “Nothing was meant to be startling to the eye, from one room to the other. Each space has its own personality, but each also feels like it’s still part of the same home.”

Resources:

Residential Designer

Rich Guzman

R.G. Designs Inc.

28071 Vanderbilt Drive Bonita Springs, FL 34134

239.949.2929

rgdesignsinc.com

Interior Designer

Alex Thies and Emily Schlimm

Adelyn Charles Interiors

3920 Via Del Rey, Suite 3 Bonita Springs, FL 34134

239.734.0449 adelyncharles.com

Builder/Contractor

Craig Wilbrett

Wilbrett Construction

1400 Gulf Shore Boulevard North, Suite 134

Naples, FL 34102

239.491.0020 wilbrettconstruction.com

Kitchen Designer

Stephen Ruffino

Ruffino Cabinetry

7947 Drew Circle Fort Myers, FL 33967

239.939.1313 ruffinocabinetry.com

Landscape Architect

Christian Andrea

Architectural Land Design, Inc.

2780 S. Horseshoe Drive, Suite 5

Naples, FL 34104

239.430.1661

aldinc.net

This vacation home is designed to maximize the indoor-outdoor living experience with a hot tub, infinity-style pool, fire features flanking the pool, and complete dining and living spaces with Restoration Hardware outdoor furnishings.

CAPTURING THE NAPLES LIFESTYLE

Local designer Jeff Schreier took inspiration from a dock and boat to create a home that is reflective of his clients.

Story by Heather Shoning | Photography by Michael Kaskel

People design boats and jets to be as comfortable and detailed as a home—it’s usually not the other way around. But when Jeff Schreier met Steve and Cindy, who wanted to remodel their “Tuscan nightmare,” as Jeff calls it, he quickly got to know the couple and what’s important in their lives—two of those things being water and boating. “We are from Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes,” Cindy says. “So, water is a big deal from our birthright.” After having the home on the water in Naples, FL, for more than 10 years, the couple realized they’d never brought the water indoors, which was important to them.

Initially, the couple wanted to do a refresh—upgrading the dated design but keeping many of the materials. After spending six weeks on the design, Jeff returned the couple’s retainer. His message was simple: Because of the dated materials and design elements, a refresh was not going to do the home justice. Unless they undertook a complete renovation, it would be a waste of money and time, and no one would be happy with the outcome. After further discussion, Steve refused to accept the retainer and told Jeff to work his magic. And magic he made.

In discussions with the clients, specifically with Cindy, Jeff discovered that the couple’s other homes are designed and filled with high-end furnishings. They wanted this home to be high-end as well, but very different from the others— completely custom. The couple didn’t

The original interior was dark, and the homeowners were especially concerned about the new design feeling bright and airy, so they were concerned when Jeff presented a plan to lower some of the ceilings and use dark cabinetry. Jeff recalls, “I said, ‘You just have to trust me on this because I need the contrast to make this stunning.’” They did. And with the public areas of the home, including the kitchen, dining and living rooms, all facing the water with large windows inviting the outdoors in, the look is anything but dark.

Jeff says he initially struggled with the redesign of the kitchen. “And then I had the idea to remove the crank-out windows and put the glass-backed art display in the bar area over those windows,” he says. “So the kitchen actually extended the entire space and created the everyday simplicity the client desired.”

want to feel like they were in any other home; they wanted to feel like they were in Naples. Steve also loves blue, so Jeff selected shades of rich, stunning azure that hearkened to the water but didn’t feel like the typical coastal palette. Jeff took the opportunity to transform the home into an interpretation of water, a study in light and dark, and an expression of the Naples luxury boating lifestyle.

Playing With Shadows

Inside, Jeff started by gutting the house, removing a two-sided fireplace that disrupted the flow and openness of the main living areas, and eliminating the heavy shutters that had been on all the windows. Then he spent time in the house, morning and night, studying how the light falls through the windows, even marking the light patterns on the floors and walls. “I would go there in the morning with my coffee and my dog, and I would just sit and

As the whole house is sculptural and artwork in itself, minimal accessories were needed and would have only cluttered the space. Instead, Schreier chose to set up the home to represent an exotic dinner party taking place and also illustrate the homeowner’s love of the water and entertaining.

understand and study how the light would filter into this house in the morning,” he says. “I’d go back in the evening to understand how the light filtered in then. That became really artistic.” The information he gathered later translated into elements of the surfaces throughout the space. Today, Steve says one of his favorite things is the way the light comes into main living area. “I come downstairs and smile,” he says. “There’s such freshness, lightness and happiness in that space.”

Entering through the front door, you walk up a short flight of stairs to the family room, and you’re immediately met by the back of the large custom-designed sectional. Jeff chose an indoor-outdoor velvet—solid on the sitting areas, while a pattern on the back gives the feeling of waves. It immediately sets the tone for the home.

Derived from Jeff’s light study, two shades of blue repeat throughout the home. “It was a study to understand how the light works on this house that was never intended to be a design element,” he says. “But if you look at all the designs, the kitchen back-painted glass has a split on color where the top is darker, and the bottom is lighter, and the carpets in the living room have a split.” He repeated the same design on the carpets in the primary bedroom and the staircase. “Those splits between the two colors were derived from how the sun filtered into the house day and night. I ended up taking the darker shade to fill in the night shade, and the lighter ones to fill in the day shade. And that design became the pattern in the house.”

Dockside Design

“Steve has this huge, beautiful boat, and he put a lot of mental energy into this amazing dock system, which is attached to the house,” Jeff says. So he took his furniture design cues from the boat and the pier, which has posts with a battened look. Each piece of furniture is custom-designed, and they include luxu -

Because he didn’t want to over-furnish the sleek, modern-styled home, Jeff used the same chair design for the dining room and dinette eating area. “There are eight of them, but we positioned them as three at the dinette and five in the dining room,” he says. “They can be wheeled into the living room, they can be pushed anywhere, and it’s a perfect environment.”

rious blue velvet with dark, cerused wood with warm ash-toned wood. Many pieces also feature a unique design element using dark bronzed leather specially molded to follow the grooved wood, creating a battened look like the pier posts. The dining table, for example, features a heavy battened base, and through the glass—or water-like—top, the “posts” protrude in both battened and smooth designs. It is the interior translation of the beloved boat dock. To provide additional flexibility, and at the

Cindy’s request, Jeff designed the top pieces of the “posts” to be separate from the table so they can be removed, rearranged or used in other areas, such as the kitchen island.

The battened design element appears in the dining chairs, custom sofa, side tables and more. Other features that hearken back to the boating lifestyle include the dining and living room light fixtures, which resemble collections of barnacles you might see

As the homeowner was an avid fishing person, using Bronzino and other fresh fish captured the overall design and atmosphere of the home.

on a dock, and sea-inspired artwork throughout the home. Jeff worked with Miami artist Alex Turco to commission a backlit reproduction of an egret image by one of the homeowner’s favorite photographers, and used one of his other pieces with jellyfish in the dining room. For a sea turtle sculpture, Jeff designed an angled wall-mounted cabinet with an antiqued blue mirrored top and back, specifically to highlight the homes’ angles and intricate detail of the underside of the sculpture.

In the office, Steve’s desk features a battened base and glass top

in a shape that mimics the bow of a boat, and on the wall is a nautical chart of Florida’s western coast. Jeff wanted, once again, to capture the homeowner’s love of boating and create something memorable for the client. He originally thought about designing a bespoke wallcovering on which the homeowner could use tacks and strings to delineate his favorite fishing spots, but Steve ultimately decided he could not punch holes in his beautiful new walls, so Jeff reconceptualized his designs. “This is a map of the entire area, including where his house and favorite fishing spots are,” Jeff says. “I talked with our manufacturers and found one

that would produce a very high-quality, beautiful wallpaper that was magnetic.” In the end, however, Steve decided to abandon the magnetic wallpaper concept and go with a metallic finished varnished wallcovering. The end result is a stunning focal point of the room.

The primary bedroom incorporates blue and wood tones. The battened pattern is turned horizontal in the massive bed-toceiling headboard treatment. Italian-made glass slabs with warm silver- and gold-leaf patterns fit between the headboard and custom cabinets, reflecting the soft light of the wall sconces. Jeff suggested eliminating the visual clutter of double doors leading into the bathroom and leaving it open like a suite. The bathroom cabinetry and countertops are the same as those in the kitchen and follow a similar angular contour. The shapely bathtub, with its delicate lines, sits in a niche surrounded by the same glass panels and custom sconces that are in the bedroom. The makeup table chair boasts a design similar to that of the dining chairs; the repetition of patterns and materials again creates a calm serenity that echoes throughout the entire home.

An Entertaining Aspect

Although this home design is incredibly personal, the couple wanted a comfortable and inviting place for entertaining. Jeff reimagined the layout of the kitchen

to open what was once a compartmentalized space into one with a unique layout and gracious flow to the adjoining areas. The dark cabinetry recedes, even obfuscating the blue doors. And Jeff’s study of light translated into the angular pattern of dark versus light blue on the glass doors—so much so you might think they’re just reflections, which is precisely what Jeff was going for. The space is so arresting in its simplicity and form that it’s a lovely backdrop for the open floor plan dining and living spaces.

Views from the public areas of the home inspired the exterior treatments. Jeff opted to keep the architectural elements but give the house an updated palette. “I do think there’s such an opportunity with this architecture, and I’m not a fan of always just scraping and starting over,” he says. “I think that’s kind of the easy way out on design. I don’t necessarily like that.” So he whitewashed the terra-cotta tones. To create an interior-exterior connection, he highlighted the architectural features with a dark bronzed caviar color, which repeats in the furnishings inside the home. He also replaced the brick staircase with shell-stone slabs. The existing modern-design iron railings took on a new feel with a coat of white paint. Jeff made it a priority to highlight the water views that are beautifully framed by palm trees; strategically placed lighting on the trees did exactly that.

“With any design project, we insert the

Because the furnishings are all custom throughout the home, they all have a built-in feel, including the bed, bench, nightstands and cabinetry in the primary bedroom. Here, as well as in other areas of the home, power outlets and all the technology gadgets are hidden inside drawers or under cabinets to keep the look clean and clutter-free.

Having a statement bathtub in the primary bathroom was important to Cindy. The original architecture with the angled niche was the perfect attention-getting spot for it, and surrounding it with glass panels in warm metallic tones provides a soothing background.

clients’ personalities, and in a remodel like this one, it’s especially rewarding because we are able to turn a structure they already love into something even greater,” Jeff says. “That’s what it is: taking the space and turning it into a reflection of the client. There’s an art to that.”

Resource:

Interior Design - Jeff Schreier - Schreier Interior Custom upholstery, lighting, wallcoverings - Jeff Schreier 26th Tenth Street South Naples, Fl 34102 651.442.6879

schreierinterior.com

A MODEL DESIGN

Local designers create an eye-catching space to appeal to a variety of buyers.

Story by Heather Shoning | Photography by Venjhamin Reyes

Omega at Bonita Bay, a magnificent high-rise just minutes from Naples, FL, offers its residents a luxury lifestyle. A model condominium within the building needed to appeal to potential buyers, conveying through every design selection the opulence and affluence these homes provide. Once the background selections were made for features such as countertops, bathroom tiles and cabinetry finishes, interior designers Rebekah Errett-Pikosky and Charlie Hansen of Clive Daniel Home took over, choosing every design detail, including wallpapers, fabrics, furnishings and accessories for this highend model unit.

The design team set out to make the four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom, 4,646-square-foot condo overlooking a golf course and mangroves feel personalized and plush. “Within a spec or a model, we like to have signature looks or memory points in each space,” says Rebekah. “We try to make each space have a unique feel.” Although the individual rooms indeed feel unique, there are elements of design that repeat throughout the unit, creating a thread of uniformity. Those elements include open shelving, with groupings of open niches for displaying art, and maple wood in a rich porcini stain color, with stainless-steel channels used to wrap a structural pillar in the open concept living area and as an accent in the primary bedroom. “Our repetition in different elements throughout a unit—you almost don’t realize you’re doing it until you start to look at all the drawings together,” says Rebekah. “And then

The bidirectional Thayer Coggin sectional offers seating facing both indoors and outdoors, each with a pair of Rene Cazares chairs, creating two conversation areas.

A table from Casabianca Home anchors the dining space and is surrounded by six upholstered chairs on castors from Planum Furniture. The sleek Eurofase chandelier appears to hover above the table.

The open-concept and designed-for-entertaining kitchen features cabinetry by Irpinia Kitchens. The counter-height seating area, topped with pendants by Eurofase, provides an additional gathering space for entertaining and dining.

A pair of side chairs from Lazar Industries and a sofa by Clive Daniel Home are gathered intimately around the fireplace in the family room. The Eurofase chandelier plays off the circular fixture across the room in the dining area.

it makes sense.”

As you enter the condo, you’re greeted by a custom-designed architectural wall with built-in lighting. “This is a great stopping point as you walk into the unit,” Rebekah says. “It encourages you to pause and look at it before you turn around and see the vastness of all these entertainment spaces.” It matches the porcini-stained wood cabinetry throughout the home and contrasts with the creamy white walls.

In the kitchen, the working island stands out with its white cabinetry and heavy waterfall countertop, while a second island for seating is counter height and meets the wrapped pillar at one end. The team selected sleek, upholstered stools from Fairfield Chair. The dining room, on the opposite side of the kitchen, includes a bar area

The design of the desk by Huppé works well in this space with its architectural asymmetry and the geometric labyrinth of built-in shelves.

highlighted with a stunning dark wallpaper with metallic-flecked emerald tones. A column of three stacked niches provides a transition from the kitchen to the dining area. Full-scale armchairs on castors surround the dining table, and the seating pattern mimics that of the countertop seating—chairs down the sides of the table and none at the ends. “They’re all about the comfort and the view, and being able to sit there for a long meal with family and enjoy the space for entertaining,” says Charlie.

Anchored by a rug from Harounian Rugs International with an oversized geometric print, the primary bed from Clive Daniel Home rests against a custom wall detail.

The Fabricut Maximo Splash Pottery drapery fabric incorporates the red from the feature wall in this guest bedroom. The upholstered bed by Lazar Industries features a heavily textured fabric.

Because the open floor plan includes a variety of seating and separate areas, Rebekah and Charlie were careful about delineating the spaces. They used the same wallpaper across the room from the dining area in the family room on the fireplace wall to create cohesion and give the area a focal point. There’s also a wet bar to ensure easy entertaining throughout all the public spaces. Again, three open display niches provide a place for artwork while adding interesting architectural detail to the room.

Blending seamlessly between the dining area and the cozy family room, the living room is light and bright and designed for exceptional conversation spaces. A Thayer Coggin sectional provides two-directional seating, with one section facing the window wall while the other faces into the room, each flanked by a pair of armchairs. Both sections enjoy a nesting of crisp white hexagonal tables. The adjoining terrace with stunning views of the golf course and the bay follows the undulating lines of the exterior of the building, offering the feel of a graceful ocean wave. It includes an outdoor kitchen and seating areas. The terrace also wraps around for private outdoor space off the primary bedroom.

The primary bedroom, like the home’s public spaces, is on the front side of the condo, taking advantage of the views toward the bay. The backlit wall detail with rich wood contrasted by stainless-steel channels creates a considerable backdrop for the bed. Warm gold pillows play off the dramatic wall sconces. “They’re very unique—instead of hav-

ing typical table lamps or pendants dropping from the ceiling,” says Rebekah. The nightstands add texture warmth, featuring a champagne finish with brushed gold hardware.

Departing from many of the square-edged furnishings, the design duo, who has been with Clive Daniel Home for 11 years, opted for a fun round chair in the primary bedroom. “We needed a little moment of softness in that space,” Charlie says, adding that this area with the chair and contemporary artwork is one of his favorites. “It feels like something you would see in a shelter magazine, and it looks inviting.”

While the primary bedroom has a warm overtone, the primary bathroom with floor-to-ceiling windows is a lesson in light and dark. The daylight filters through the wet room into the vanity area with cabinetry on opposite walls in a dark wood, as seen throughout the home. The simplicity of the square inset cabinet style contrasted with the heavily veined Calacatta Vecchia tile provides a pleasing-to-the-eye result.

The backside of the condo includes three guest bedrooms, adjoining bathrooms, a powder bath and a den. The design plan to include a unique look for each space is especially apparent in this wing. One guest room has a ravishing red wall offset by gold and other warm metallic tones in the window coverings, rug and framed mirrors flanking the bed. Another guest room captures a moody vibe with a dark charcoal rug grounding the space and showy sheens of gold and bronze in the

bedding and decor. The third guest room is fresh and light, with soft grays and touches of silver and pink. Each room has an adjoining bathroom adhering to the same design palette.

The den is a rectangular space with an offset area that provided a design challenge. But by adding another stack of three display niches, the team was able to make it feel balanced. “We wanted to play with the architecture by creating these floating shelves that accentuate the design instead of trying to cover it up,” Charlie says. “So, we offset it with the niches. That allowed us to center that desk on that back credenza area.” The combination of niches and floating shelves creates a dynamic geometric design that contrasts beautifully with the globe chandelier. “When Charlie and I do design work, we think about how multiple different types of buyers could use the space,” Rebekah says. “We try to make it so that when somebody walks in, they can see themselves living there—not just appreciating the beauty—and that it functions well.”

Resource:

Interior Design

Clive Daniel Home Rebekah Errett-Pikosky

Charlie Hansen

2777 Tamiami Trail North Naples, FL 34103

239.261.4663

3055 Fruitville Commons Boulevard Sarasota, FL 34240

941.900.4663

1351 NW Boca Raton Boulevard

Boca Raton, Florida 33432

561.440.4663

clivedaniel.com

Kurtz Homes Naples

Celebrating their 40th milestone anniversary

Kurtz Homes Naples, an award-winning luxury custom home builder in Southwest Florida, recently announced the appointment of David Gordon as its new President on the heels of their 40th milestone anniversary.

As a family business with the next generation stepping up to continue the legacy in the community, Kurtz Homes Naples is passing along the reins to a new generation of the Kurtz Family. David Gordon, son-in-law of Co-Founder Randy Kurtz, will take the helm and continue the legacy of excellence the company founded four decades ago. Randy Kurtz will remain as Chief Executive Officer.

To celebrate this milestone anniversary, Kurtz Homes Naples recently hosted a celebration at The Collective, located in the heart of the Naples Design District.

Story by: Hunter Powell

Carlisle Wide Plank Floors has a legacy of tradition rooted in American craftsmanship. The company originated more than 50 years ago as flooring specialists who worked primarily with old colonial New England homes. Some of these houses would have 200-year-old floors in need of renovation using Carlisle’s trademark wide plank pine floors. Over the years, Carlisle’s signature craftsmanship has evolved to encompass not just residential but commercial and hospitality projects, and a wide range of fine-crafted wood-flooring selections offered all over the world. Design + Decor recently sat down with one of Carlisle’s wide plank specialists, Kelly Drake, to learn the details of Carlisle’s world-class products and services.

Creating legacy flooring meant to last a lifetime takes a certain expertise and time-tested practices. Kelly calls the firm’s work “time-honored craftsmanship we have adhered to through the years, which is deeply rooted in American traditions.” The deep appreciation for the tradition of the firm’s flooring is felt not just by the company, but by its clients. Indeed, Kelly notes, “Carlisle looks for those special clients who love our story and what we can do for them.”

What makes the difference in the custom-crafted floors, however, is the enthusiasm that the staff puts into every aspect of the company’s work. “What truly makes us special is that our hearts are in every part of what we do,” Kelly explains. “From the craftsmen at the mill, to the salespeople, and all the way up to the president, everyone has a strong belief in what we do, and it shines through in our floors. The total customization of flooring we offer is what makes us unique, and it goes hand in hand with our world-class customer service.”

Best of all, Carlisle now has local representation in the Florida market, and has integrated its flooring expertise with the sensibilities of Florida homeowners and businesses. “Being local is important for our clients, as they have a partner in the state to work closely with them,” says Kelly. “It also allows us to build trust and provide a personalized experience to ensure they have the right Carlisle floor for their design aesthetic as well as how they live.” Being local also means Carlisle is in touch with the trends of Florida design. “I’m seeing a lot of lighter tones and whitewashed floors,” says Kelly about home design trends in the state. “Natural walnut and medium-brown-tone white oak have been trending lately as well. We always launch new collections in the spring, and our new 2023 collections will target these trends.”

While the company is most characterized by its quality hardwood flooring, its custom design process is what truly sets Carlisle apart and makes the firm special in the state of Florida. “Without the client, there is no vision or start to our creative process,” says Kelly. “We take the client’s visions and ideas and translate that to our craftsmen. There is not an American mill out there doing what we do with custom sizes and colors.” Whatever the homeowner’s need might be, Carlisle has a premier wood-flooring option uniquely suited to that client. Its custom design services and collections will make any place feel like home…for a lifetime.

Kelly Drake Carlisle Wide Plank Floors 727.310.2989 wideplankflooring.com

Daltile The Top of the Tile World

The Nation’s Foremost Tile Manufacturer Brings a Fresh, New Look

Story by: Hunter Powell

Founded in Dallas in 1947, Daltile Corporation has a history paved with milestones that have led to its being the largest tile manufacturer in the U.S. and respected around the world. The year 2022 marked the company’s 75th year in business, and over the course of that time, Daltile has risen to become America’s leader in tile manufacturing, with local design studios across North America. The company’s commitment to high-quality work that homeowners and businesses can trust has put the firm on top and made Daltile the go-to tile manufacturer for all these years.

Keeping its reputation as the premier source of quality tile design has also meant staying ahead of the design game with cutting-edge innovation in the products the company offers, and adapting to trends and industry standards. That’s why Daltile is currently rolling out a whole new line of products and services all over the country. The design studio manager of Daltile’s branch in Naples, FL, Jeannette Dera-Seraphin, reports on some impressive new updates about the company heading into 2023. “Daltile has recently undergone a major company refresh, and a lot of the products we’re showing are part of that new initiative,” says Jeannette. “New decorative materials and products manufactured here in the U.S.A. are a big part of those exciting new offerings.”

In Florida, Jeanette notes that “lots of color” is here to stay for 2023. “Color is something that adds personality to any space,” she says, “and we’re seeing that and geometric shapes more and more. People are no longer shocked by it. Specifically in Florida, the vivid blues and greens that people are accustomed to seeing are big.”

While its best-in-class status might explain why the company is the right choice for residential and commercial projects, Jeannette has her own thoughts about why the firm is

ideal. “Daltile has been established in this space for so long that we can get clients anything they need,” she says. “Even if we do not make or specialize in a material, we have the means to get it to exceed our clients’ expectations. We pride ourselves in our ability to use our network of vendors to get exactly what the client needs.”

Indeed, Daltile has always put its clients at the forefront of its creative process. “One thing we do in the studio before booking appointments is to encourage clients to bring in inspiration photos,” says Jeannette. “We use our wide range of products to suit what clients want from the beginning and get inside their headspace. We like to pull out those key things that are aesthetically pleasing to them.”

With a client-focused mindset, it’s no wonder that Daltile has been able to maintain its status in the tile world for so long. Reflecting on the company’s history, Jeanette notes, “What I’m most proud of is Daltile’s response to the people who work for us and the people we service. For me, we’re always listening to people and making sure the people who represent us are inspired to stay on top of new designs. Daltile has evolved throughout its history to be able to do it all. We’re always cooking up new things to exceed what’s expected of us.”

Daltile

Jeanette Dera-Seraphin Design Studio Manager 990 First Avenue South Naples, FL 34102 239.963.0243 daltile.com

GWT Outdoors Partners with Umbrosa to Offer Unique, Contemporary Umbrellas for Residential and Commercial Projects

Featuring Innovative and State-of-the-Art Collections

GWT Outdoors, a one-of-a-kind luxury boutique shop for innovative, custom outdoor solutions, has partnered with Umbrosa, a Belgium-based manufacturer of parasols, to offer a unique, state-ofthe-art umbrellas with a contemporary design and timeless elegance. The new products are available for residential and commercial projects in the United States.

“We are thrilled partner with Umbrosa and provide customers with a stylish and sustainable shading solution for their homes or commercial projects,” said Stuart Sheppard, Founder and President of GWT Outdoors. “Our partnership was a natural fit as our companies share the same brand values and brand essence, as well as the same penchant for transforming outdoor living with custom-made, functional top-quality products. From the Four Seasons Hotel in Lisbon and the

Essence Hotel in Spain, to the LUX Resort in the Maldives and estate homes across the globe, Umbrosa umbrellas are sought out and used by discerning clients with a passion for luxurious products, superior craftsmanship, and an elevated standard of excellence.”

Umbrosa parasols are designed and manufactured in Roeselare, Belgium. Made with durable, anodized aluminum, UV-resistant materials, and the highest quality sustainable fabrics, the parasols are designed with a state-of-the-art technology and an understated simplicity using nature as their source of inspiration. The team at GWT-Outdoors is currently offering the Versa UX, Icarus and Paraflex Collections.

•Versa UX – Comprised of seven exclusive umbrellas, the UX collection by UMBROSA combines an exceptional sleek

design with timeless elegance. Each design has been created with the utmost care resulting in a perfect combination of color (black, gray, white, and cream), shape and ultimate ease of use. The contemporary style of this collection embraces every outdoor setting in a very discreet manner.

•Icarus - The leaf-shaped Icarus UX umbrella is unique due to its shape, elegance and extreme wind resistance. Made with a built-in rotating mechanism, the parasol rotates 360° around its axis, allowing clients to create shadow wherever you want. The canopy can also be positioned vertically to completely shelter them from the wind. The design team has focused on sustainability and ultimate ease of use. The height of the leaf can be easily adjusted and installation is extremely simple.

•Paraflex - Umbrosa launched the Paraflex collection, the first wall mount parasol developed by the company, 15 years ago. It was developed from a purely practical point of view to lose as little space as possible and ensure optimal wind resistance. Meanwhile, the Paraflex parasol has earned its place both in the residential market and in hospitality. In order to better meet the needs of today’s consumers, Umbrosa recently launched a Paraflex UX Full Black, so that the parasol can be easily combined with black windows, furniture, railings, and more.

“We are very excited to introduce our unique umbrella range to the Naples, FL area together with our partner GWT,” said Christophe Haemers, Chief Executive Officer of Umbrosa. “The team at GWT has a

Paraflex

Versa UX

Versa UX

proven track record of satisfying their clients in highend markets and we look forward to being part of their family.” Umbrosa products are available in Southwest Florida and can be shipped across the United States.

In addition to Umbrosa, GWT Outdoors has partnered with the world’s leading outdoor manufacturers to offer a broad suite of outdoor luxury products including custom motorized pergolas, awnings, heating, cooling, and exterior wall-cladding.

GWT Outdoors showcases their portfolio of products in an unparalleled, state-of-the-art experiential showroom, designed for customers and the trade, and located at The Collective in Naples, Florida and Greenwich, Conn. There, clients can meet with a fully certified team of design experts in outdoor luxury solutions who provide a seamless service from the initial consultation and outdoor design recommendations, to the international shipping logistics and white glove delivery and installation.

GWT Outdoors

Stuart Sheppard

The Collective Building

111 10th St S suite 100

Naples, FL 34102 239.330.4838

gwt-outdoors.com

Icarus

Paraflex

Versa UX