Executing captivating spaces for couples whose individual tastes are at opposite ends of the spectrum can present numerous challenges for even the most accomplished of interior designers. Whether a couple has been together for a relatively short period of time or has shared decades together, balancing his and her personal preferences can be akin to having a Yin-Yang conversation. The degree to which the designer is successful is a function of their ability to create an environment that fosters a positive, harmonious interaction between disparate elements.
Vogue Interiors’ design in a 3,800 square feet, three bedroom condominium at the Tavira high rise in Bonita Bay provides a strong example of how opposing individual tastes can be blended in a way that is both satisfying to the senses and extremely livable. Owned by Udo and Ingrid Petersen, a Canadian couple who have been together for 47 years, the residence offers Tavira’s signature views of Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The couple has traveled the world and shares a fascination with Africa. As Vogue quickly discovered, the shared taste ends there.
“Ingrid’s design tastes are decidedly traditional and she enjoys incorporating elements that have a bit of glitz,” said Vogue’s Janice Maskell, a State of Florida Licensed Interior Designer. “Udo’s tastes are very contemporary. The one common element was their love of African art and African themed collected items purchased during their travels. Their art collection also includes colorful, more contemporary works. I wanted to take their very special art pieces and incorporate them in a transitional design that is upbeat, clean-lined and warm while allowing the art to blend with their new furnishings. To allow both the traditional and the contemporary elements to work together, I chose to use a neutral color palette with taupes, a bit of black and splashes of red, citron and chartreuse. Much of the color in the home comes from the art pieces. The flooring is stone accented with washed-wood that has an organic feeling.”
Maskell establishes the wood flooring accent in the home’s elevator lobby where two original pieces of African art provide a prelude for the works presented inside the residence. The African theme is continued with two chairs finished with a zebra print. A distressed console with a medium brown mahogany finish is set against a rich pebble-textured wall treatment done in a metallic bronze. To bring that hint of glitz to the space, the coffered ceiling is finished in silver leaf with a gold glaze. A contemporary chandelier provides additional sparkle.
A double-door entry opens to a spacious foyer that offers Tavira’s hallmark “million dollar view.” Maskell presents additional African art pieces and reinforces the theme with an animal skin rug set over a washed-wood inlay. A traditional settee is positioned in a niche created specifically for the piece and plays against a console with a mirrored front. The foyer has a coffered ceiling with an espresso finish that matches custom designed pillars that announce the entry to the living room. Another sparkling contemporary chandelier completes the foyer’s engaging look.
The home’s original floor plan provided a large space typically used for a living room and dining area. Because the couple enjoys entertaining, Maskell chose to eliminate the dining area and make the entire space a venue for sunset gatherings and cocktail parties. Espresso finished applied molding wall details and crown molding match the tone of a uniquely angled fireplace mantle that includes a surround executed with a textured silver floor covering material.
“The entertainment area continues the mix of traditional and contemporary elements,” said Maskell. “Light taupe matching sofas have an organic texture accented by citron and chartreuse pillows. One of the sofas anchors a grouping with a contemporary oval-shaped espresso coffee table, a pair of side chairs with taupe finished frames and fabric with a metallic leather look, and more traditional scoop-seat benches that have an African feeling. A one-of-a-kind antiqued area rug has a faint pattern that picks up the citron color. The second sofa is in what was originally the dining area. It’s flanked by side chairs with a leopard print and faces a large wall-mounted television. An interesting cocktail table has a sliding tray with a mirrored top. The ends of the table are upholstered so the tray can be moved from side to side to reveal a foot rest.”
The home’s open kitchen is adjacent to the entertainment area. Nutmeg finished raised-panel cabinetry, black granite countertops, a large island set over a washed-wood floor inlay and a Wolfe appliance package combine to provide an inviting, highly functional space. Maskell brings a touch of glitter to the kitchen with a metallic bronze-toned glass tile backsplash. A peninsula countertop is equipped with a double stainless steel sink and three barstools.
Maskell has transformed what was intended to be a family room area into a dining room and sitting area overlooking a golf course. A circular all wood dining table hosts four upholstered chairs with a contemporary print featuring citron tones and a bit of silver sparkle. A free-standing velvet settee provides additional seating. The sitting area includes an espresso finished computer desk, espresso floating shelves and a pair of comfortable arm chairs done in a textured taupe fabric.
A vestibule with washed-wood flooring leads to the master suite’s double-door entry. The master bedroom incorporates a sitting area with a pair of light taupe, washable linen oversized chairs, a traditional espresso finished console with parchment linen doors and a large television. The bed’s soft green, silver sparkled upholstered headboard extends all the way to the ceiling to provide a “wow” factor. Glamorous linens are presented in a citron, chartreuse and taupe color scheme. Matching espresso chests with lighter toned burled wood door fronts and circular nickel pulls are used as nightstands. Large contemporary art pieces bring additional color to the space. In the master bath, the stone and washed-wood flooring and stone tub surround are accented by a grey and bronze chicklet inlay. Nutmeg finished vanities are topped by soft cream marble countertops. Contemporary sconces draped with silver beads provide a glitzy punctuation mark.
“The finished design maintains the character of the different furniture styles,” said Maskell. “One does not overwhelm the other. They blend together beautifully to create a setting where the vibrant colors of the art pieces fit very naturally and unify the finished look rather than dominating the space. The interaction of the various styles and colors creates a harmony that makes the home very engaging and comfortable.”
Founded in 1979, Vogue Interiors has earned numerous national, regional and local awards, including three consecutive Aurora Awards, the highest award presented by the 12-state Southeast Builders Conference. From corporate offices at 24520 Production Circle in Bonita Springs, Florida, Vogue Interiors provides design services and model merchandising to residential and commercial clients in the United States and abroad. Visit Vogue Interiors online at vogueinteriors.com.