10 minute read
Home Trends
Light It Up!
By Ronda M. Parag
Forget the pastels and robins eggs, Spring at Clayton Gray Home is all about texture. From tapered chandeliers to handcrafted fixtures made of exquisite natural materials, these are some of our favorite must-have items for Spring.
A concentric canopy of creamy coconut shells creates the gorgeous Juliet
Chandelier from Palecek. Suspended from an off-white chain, this coastal- inspired fixture adds incredible height and drama to any room whether it be the grand foyer or the formal dining room. Each tier of this five-tiered design captures light beautifully to create a truly stunning effect.
Looking for something more casual yet equally exciting? The Veranda Woven Pendant features braided and hand-wrapped Lampakanai Rope in a whitewashed finish that is ideal for any Florida home. Hang this captivating chandelier in a bedroom or breakfast nook to instantly refresh the design.
Every powder room and pool house bath should feel like a spa retreat. Flank a pair of Patricia Sconces from Made Goods above your vanity for a dreamy coastal vibe. Made of hand-strung coco beads in three distinct colors and two metallic finishes, these new wall fixtures help round out this best-selling lighting series from Made Goods, which also includes an array of stunning chandeliers and pedants.
Visit the South Tampa Shop to see a selection of these pieces, or shop online at www.ClaytonGrayHome.com. M
AT HOME
West Indies Inspired Bayshore Estate With Modern-Eclectic Flair
By Mary Lou Janson | Photograhy by Tony Sica Photography
The South Tampa mansion boasting spectacular front porch views of Bayshore Boulevard’s sparkling waterfront and bustling promenade seemed an ideal fit for the family of five.
However, less than two years after moving in, a nearby residence with similar picturesque, panoramic vantage points suddenly became available. McCord and Katie Christensen moved quickly and, before long, the couple and their three children moved to another Bayshore address that featured more square footage, 7,161 vs. 5,304, ample room for both parents to work from home during the pandemic and a layout perfect for entertaining.
“We just realized how much we loved Bayshore and this was a significantly better home for our family and our lifestyle. We had all of the views and all of the privacy, space for entertaining and also for out-of-town guests,” said McCord. “We also had two nice offices where we work from home. We both work, and both have significant jobs, so that office space became very important to us.”
He is the founder, chairman and CEO of a publicly traded company, PETIQ. Katie, whose background is in investor relations and corporate communications, was a partner with a large New York firm before launching her own business, Acadia Investor Relations.
Homeowners, Katie and McCord Christensen
While the two homes were only doors apart, the contrasting floor plans inspired interior designs that were worlds apart.
The previous dwelling featured an elegant, but traditional, style of décor. In comparison, the current residence reflects a more flamboyant style defined by bold, bright colors, dramatic, custom-designed light fixtures and metallic features such as surfaces gilded in gold leaf.
The West Indies-inspired home created by the noted architectural firm Cooper Johnson Smith, met several practical needs for the couple, such as an above the garage guest suite for overnight visitors, but also provided the perfect canvas for the couple’s youthful, creative and artistic aesthetic.
Wide walls, 12-foot high ceilings and rooms blending seamlessly together created areas capable of accommodating large-scale works of art, a panel of faux greenery displaying neon letters proclaiming “This Must Be The Place,” and a multi-piece sectional covered in Missoni-patterned fabrics that comfortably accommodates several people.
Collaborating with design professionals Andrea Lundy and Christina Harcar, partners at A. Label Interiors, the Christensen’s commissioned various components, including paintings scaled for the space, and created specifically for them, by local artist Ron Francis. Two depict their relationship, from dating or “Takeoff” to matrimony or “Landing.”
“Andrea was an incredible resource in terms of listening. The ideas she would bring to us were excellent,” said Katie.
Tiles imported from an Italian quarry, a solid marble bench by luxury designer Kelly Wearstler, distinctive light fixtures configured specifically for each space and walls coated with Venetian plaster strikingly combined sophisticated materials with playful elements from floor to ceiling.
“They (McCord and Katie) are always accessible which really helped to expedite the process and they gave us so much creative liberty,” said Lundy. “This is all next level. We even took a trip to the Miami design district so they could see some of the fabrics and materials that we were using in their homes and sit test things before they made it to their house.”
The collaboration continues with A. Label Interiors overseeing the interior design for the new 60,000-square-foot Boise headquarters of PETIQ, plus the couple’s second home that’s also in Boise.
“Making this house right is important to us. We wanted people to come in and say ‘Wow, that was really cool,’ ” McCord added. M
HOME TOUR
Channelside Condo Inspired By Clean Lines, Modern Shapes, Sculptural Metals, and Cool Colors
By Amy Lamb | Photography by Amy Lamb, Native House Photography
When interior designer Chelsea Potthast of Potthast Design and her business partner and Realtor Craig Kincheloe met in high school, they never would have imagined that they would work together to complete a full renovation for a client twenty years later.
Kincheloe, based in Tampa, who focuses on selling and sometimes “flipping,” lost touch with Potthast during the years she was honing her design practice in Los Angeles. They reconnected on social media in 2017, when Craig discovered that Potthast had opened her own interior design firm in her hometown of Saint Petersburg. At the time, he was in the middle of a renovation on an investment property, and needed some design consulting. “I actually never set foot in the space, and I was able to assist him virtually to complete much of his project,” says Potthast.
Fast forward to 2020, Kincheloe reached out to Potthast again when buyers asked him to administrate construction on their newly purchased condo at Towers of Channelside. “Craig has a matchless way of connecting with clients and has great taste, but he knew he needed me to work with him to select all the finishes and fixtures,” Potthast recalls. “This particular client also needed every piece of furniture for their new place, as he had sold their prior home furnished. I jumped at the opportunity.”
From prior consulting with Kincheloe, Potthast knew that they worked well together. “We both have excellent communication skills, except when Craig is too busy selling property to take my calls,” she laughs. While both maintain a high level of taste, and balance each other in design aesthetic, they sharpen one another by talking through challenges, laughing at themselves, and taking time to celebrate their wins. “We have obvious professional chemistry,” Potthast says. “I believe our success is rooted in our individual passion for our professions, our collective commitment to pursuit of excellence, dedication to personal and professional growth, and desire to have fun with clients amidst the pressures and challenges our industries bring.”
Interior designer, Chelsea Potthast of Potthast Design, and her business partner, Realtor Craig Kincheloe.
This project was no exception. The high in the sky residence on the twenty-fifth floor, is one that Potthast and Kincheloe completely transformed from a nondescript stark interior, into a home that their clients absolutely love. Their clients’ previous residence was a beach house with a very coastal aesthetic, and they literally wanted everything nearly opposite of what they had, a home that felt clean, light, white, bright, modern, and rich. “Chelsea is extremely detail oriented,” says Kincheloe. “She took the space planning into account first and foremost, to ensure that each design element on our clients’ wish list would fit properly in the space.”
Potthast took cues from the gorgeous vistas the unit provided, and sought inspiration from her time spent in Miami and Los Angeles. She saw an amazing opportunity to inject a sense of place into the design, utilizing blues from sky, aqua from water, and flashes of colors from sunrise and sunset. While she employed clean lines, modern shapes, sculptural metals, and a cool color palette, she wanted to strike a balance with the contemporaneity and ensure a feel of warmth. “We cozied it up through a curation of sumptuous rugs, luxurious fabrics, and bespoke furnishings, and utilizing a myriad of wood species,” says Potthast. The space is enhanced through layering in whimsical artwork, distinguished objects, and electrified lighting she refers to as ‘jewelry.’
Both Kincheloe and Potthast agree that their biggest challenges throughout the duration of the project were, of course, the effects of the pandemic. “We experienced delays galore, oversold construction finishes and fixtures, transit-damaged items; honestly, you name it, and we had the issue,” says both Kincheloe and Potthast. “We did not anticipate encountering the supply chain issues as were also faced with a tight timeline.” Nonetheless, they managed to complete the project with a beautiful, functional space, and most importantly, delighted clients. M
Amy Lamb - www.nativehousephotography.com Chelsea Potthast - www.potthastdesign.com The Kincheloe Group - 813.336.5835
