The dramatic bar and portions of the living room look towards the ocean view.

back

male on the right. A two-story vaulted foyer leads to the master bedroom suite, two additional bedrooms and the garage. According to Schwartzapfel the first floor is a work in progress including a custom fitted garage. The stairs to the living section of the house features decorative black tubular railings leading to the open living space (great room) to take full advantage of the extraordinary ocean view and the close proximity of the brush strewn sand dunes. The “moderne” look or Art Deco that dominates the overall décor was celebrated in Hollywood movies through the 20s and 30s for its sleek, glamorous appeal. A mid-eighties revival was inspired by the movement's soft pastels, lacquered woods and black and white combinations. The revival was coined the “Florida look” due to its popularity in extravagant beach houses. Schwartzapfel indicated his clients were interested in bright, inviting Miamiesque colors.
Interior parameters called for creating a backdrop for the clients' art work. The use of Venetian plaster (7 coats) wall treatments came into play towards that goal. An oversized framed Jean Picard LeDoux dominates a gallery-length wall in glossy orange finish. This highly decorative color process continues through to the guest powder room where Deco-styling includes contrasting marbleized crown molding and a distinct decorative etched mirror. The Venetian plaster is duplicated in crème, on the upper foyer walls in the kitchen and den, and a more subtle shade in the living room.
The living room's sophisticated elegance could easily be part of a movie set. Aesthetically, sultry movie stars...Garbo, Hepburn, Rogers and Astaire might be expected for cocktails. The Portuguese limestone flooring enveloped the entire space providing a perfect palette for layering crisp pastels and vibrant contrasts. The sleek fireplace, a focal point, was carved from a monolithic-sized piece of Portuguese limestone. A trio of orange glassware ornaments stands sentry next to the Russian artist Oleg Tselkov's painting. An impressive oversized purple lounge and a white fabric piano-shaped lounge with roll pillow with colorful silk throw are both positioned for viewing. The relaxed vignette suggests contemplation…meditation…homage to nature.
A mirrored wall defines a separate yet cohesive seating arrangement under the vigilant gaze of a larger Tselkov painting. Here the color palette includes a lime green sofa and club chair accessorized with geometric patterned green and crème pillows. Contrasting is a pair of Deco-styled chairs in black and white. Accessories include a round glass table-top resting on a trio of ceramic fish and an antique Art Deco framed mirror with matching console that add to the whimsy of the décor.
Surfaces are influenced by the extraordinary light that floods this spacious great room. Iridescent crème Murano glass tiled columns define the dining space where an oblong table in Sycamore veneer with black lacquered legs accommodates eight black Deco chairs with Harlequin-patterned seats. Other decorative elements that bear witness to the clients' eclectic collection include…an antique low-to-the-floor boiserie chair anchoring the head of the table, and a bronzed four-paneled room divider displaying a colorful draping silk scarf. A trio of delicate lights with amber glass shades float above the table. Facing the dining room is the ritzy bar with its distinguished over-sized ceiling soffet, which dramatically launches the vibrant orange Venetian wall color into the living space. In addition, the glistening orange Murano glass tiles are deployed on the base of the bar, background and adjacent walls as well as a decorative column. A black granite top complements the four circular backed bar stools in classy gold frames and upholstered seats in orange silk. Cabinetry replicates the dining room table finish. A pair of ceiling fans and indirect lighting contributes to the interpretation of this stylish milieu designed for elegant entertaining.
Half a story higher, the absolute black and Thassos white marble checkered floor tile welcome one to the kitchen and den area. Working with the existing layout of the kitchen, but wishing to revamp, the client explained how a crushed aluminum with gold wash paint treatment transformed cabinetry and appliance surfaces with a shimmering, unusually attractive finish. The finish was deployed on a soffet with hi-hats above the black granite topped centre isle. The family den nestles into the contours of a semi-circular wall with a row of high windows that flood the room with natural light. The definition between den and kitchen depends on a built-in entertainment wall unit with television and a pair of over-sized taupe ottomans with gold cord trim that establish a subtle divide. A long rattan sofa has pillows in black animal prints on a taupe background. It's paired with matching over-sized arm chairs with chenille cushions. Schwartzapfel created access to the Romeo/Juliet balcony from the kitchen/den by using space garnered from the upper two-story foyer.

back