Natural Selection
Interior Designer Ben Small of Bittners revamps a John’s Island condo to take advantage of the enviable views Written by Bridget Williams Photography by Eric Williams It is little wonder that interior designer Ben Small - who recently celebrated his 40th anniversary with Bittners - gets recruited to lend his keen eye to his Louisville clients’ second homes in various locales. Such is the case for this condominium on John’s Island, a 1650-acre, membership-only community located in the quaint town of Indian River Shores. Small reworked the entire floor plan of the oceanfront unit so that there are water views from every room. “Everyone lives in the kitchen, so we opened up the floor plan to reflect a more casual way of living and entertaining,” said Small. A pine chest, antiqued mirror and unique troweled plaster wall finish over the striped wallpaper decorate the foyer. As you move down the hall, the wall covering transitions to 92 slmag.net
a textured grass cloth. Small took creative liberty in the powder room, selecting a palm leaf wallpaper, toile sconces, a rectangular mirror accented by mother-of-pearl mosaic tiles and an altar table furniture-style vanity topped with a glass upside-down pyramid vessel sink. The walls are decorated with hand-colored lithographs and sea grass mats. The living and dining rooms, kitchen and lanai function as a cohesive space, further united by gleaming marble floors and a shared color palette of coral, sunny yellow and tropical green. In the living room, a mirrored wet bar with a black granite top is juxtaposed against a coffee table with an antique mirrored top and a knotty pine armoire. Walls have a Venetian plaster finish. Upholstered chairs are Clarence House.
