DESIGN DECOR +

What happens when a couple from New York renovates a sprawling transitional home in Sarasota, FL? They end up with the perfect combination of New York cool and the Sunshine State’s barefoot luxury, bringing together the best of both worlds to create a perfect family setting. And what happens when one of the owners is a former competitive body builder and life model to the stars? Things get really interesting!

Built in 1981, this exceptionally lovely brick and wood-frame house is located in a gated community in which the homes are anything but cookie-cutter—each one is architecturally unique and visually stunning. Sited on nearly an acre, this singlestory, 6,500-square-foot home features five en suite bedrooms with walk-in closets, a large common area with a gracious open floor plan, a well-equipped gym, and an enormous outdoor living room, summer kitchen and swimming pool.

The Perfect Designer for a Unique Project

The owners of the house travelled in the same social circles as interior designer Leili Fatemi, the founder of Leili Design Studio in Bonita Springs, FL. The wife was such a fan of Leili’s that she regularly followed her on social media, saying, “When we renovate our home, Leili will be the one to do the design.” That opportunity came when the couple decided to take the plunge and remodel their home once the COVID-induced restrictions were lifted.

Leili Design Studio has been creating high-end residential interior design in the U.S. and internationally for nearly two decades. The award-winning firm is a full-service boutique specializing in luxury interiors, and operates its own 4,000-square-foot showroom and design center. “When we work with clients,” Leili explains, “we do all selections here. We have a large sample library with different materials, wallcoverings, finishing touches, accessories and furniture, all under one roof. I handle all my projects from A to Z.”

Leili Design Studio specializes in unique interiors that reflect its clients’ lifestyle and personality, whether their taste leans towards traditional, transitional, contemporary or modern. Leili’s eye for sculptural furnishings and ability to select pieces that are both artistic and functional, combined with her European educational background, made her the perfect choice of designer for this project.

Bold but Soft Interiors

When Leili got to work on the full home renovation, she noted that the house had an interesting layout, but its decor did not represent who the clients were or reflect their personalities. “I wanted to learn more about the family before I got going on the design,” Leili explains. After spending some time with Adam and Megan Heller, their sons Jordan and Zach, and their dog Yoshi, Leili learned that Megan had a career as a professional bodybuilder and as a live model for several well-known artists.

As a bodybuilder, Megan competed in competitions in the figure and physique categories. The figure category is ideal for women with a naturally athletic physique, good muscle shape and tone. In the physique category, judges look for competitors who are more feminine and athletic than their bodybuilding counterparts. “That image became the key for my interior design selections,” Leili says. “I wanted everything to match the house’s transitional architecture, while letting the owners’ personalities shine through.” The basis of her design scheme certainly makes sense; after all, what better captures the look of a female bodybuilder than the compelling combination of a strong and bold presence softened by curvy and feminine lines? “The soft lines also represent my clients’ kind and gentle personalities!” Leili exclaims.

And so the idea for the entire home was based on bold, dark colors combined with soft, feminine shapes and curves. Leili accomplished the desired look by incorporating wavy lines and earthy colors to contrast with the dark hues, colorful art and bright metallic finishes. She says, “I carried that concept throughout the house, from the entry to all the rooms.”

A Few Challenges

Large jobs always come with their own special challenges. In this case, the team discovered at the beginning of the project that the entire concrete foundation of the house had to be sealed with epoxy. “That changed the whole process for us,” Leili recalls. “We ended up being delayed for five to six weeks because we had to pull up all the old flooring, right down to the ground, and rebuild from the ground up.” After the work was completed, the rest of the renovations followed on schedule, with the entire job taking less than eight months.

A Complete Makeover

The project involved several structural changes, such as removing some accent walls, but the work was essentially about redesigning the entire interior of the home, including the colors, materials, furniture, lighting, flooring and wallpaper. All the selections were conveniently made in Leili Design Studio’s showroom.

“The home had a very nice open floor plan,” says Leili, “but each room offers its own sense of privacy, too. For example, the dining room and great room are separate from the family room.” She describes the architecture as “transitional, not super modern and not traditional. When we worked on the plan, we tried to stay true to the architecture of the house.” What is noticeable about the design scheme, which is consistent throughout all the rooms, is the abundant use of dark colors—blacks along with charcoal, graphite and gunmetal grays— softened by calming neutrals.

The design details of the foyer set the tone for the rest of the house. In the entryway are a pair of fur poufs, with a bright brass band placed under a console finished in a charcoalcolored fabric. The asymmetrical mirror framed in gold leaf that hangs on a wall covered in natural metallic wallcovering is emblematic of the entire design scheme, with its bold metallic color accenting a wavy, feminine shape.

The kitchen abounds with drama, and it is clear that no detail was overlooked. Its black cabinetry catches the eye, while the off-white Cambria quartz countertop and matching hood with a striking, tiger-like wavy pattern are a tasteful mix of bold and soft. This theme is echoed in the hardware: the manufacturer of the undulating bright metallic handles describes the cabinet and drawer pulls as “refined organic shapes, subtle curves, and overall sense of fluidity.” An octagonal breakfast room is a soothing combination of a white palette and gentle curves, offsetting the daring kitchen. The table’s brass base picks up on the use of metallic accents.

Another example of the bold but soft design concept can be found in the great room, with its black console, shimmering chandelier, gold picture frame, and shagreen black vase with metallic base. Leili selected a largescale porcelain tile for the fireplace wall because of its mixture of colors in graphite and goldish brown on a white background, which pick up the same tones used throughout the dining and great rooms. “I chose it because it’s perfect for the room,” she explains. “It creates a nice touch without being overwhelming.”

A tour of the rest of the home reveals artwork, accessories and decorative objects crafted from different combinations of black and brass, as well as dramatic but soft gold and silver pendant lighting.

The Artwork is the Star Attraction

The owners already had a valuable art collection, with some of the pieces acquired during Megan’s career as a life model. The balance of the artwork was selected by Leili. “All the pieces represent their personality and their artistic New York sensibilities,” Leili says. “What’s hanging on the walls is who they are.

One of the more prominent pieces is a portrait of Megan by the visual artist Carmelo Blandino. The work of this well-known Italian artist is celebrated for its intensity and use of color. He is noted for his ability to adapt classic techniques to a modern audience, and for making the time-honored subjects of his painting—still life and the human figure—appear to be both flat and sculptural at the same time.

Also on display are classic live figure drawings, another representation of the owners’ style and aesthetic.

A Job Well Done

The clients couldn’t be more thrilled with the results of Leili Design Stu- dio’s full home renovation. It is a reflection of who they are and what they love, and a showcase for their stellar art collection. This Florida home is a place where a sophisticated New York couple and their family can kick off their shoes and relax in southern style.

Resource:

Leili Design Studio

8800 Bernwood Parkway, Unit 1

Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Phone 1: 239.319.0944

Phone 2: 239.676.1994 leilidesignstudio.com