Vogue Interiors’ licensed interior designer Christie Heeb has completed the extensive remodeling of the outdated interior of a 16-year-old, 5,076 square-foot under air residence in Shadow Wood at The Brooks. After working with the client on two prior projects, Christie was familiar with the clients’ lifestyle preferences and design desires. The objective for this project was to transform the home’s dated, dark, and heavy spaces into a lighter, cleaner, coastal transitional style that is more appropriate for the enjoyment of their growing family. The home’s large upstairs space was transformed into a space especially perfect for their grandchildren.
To begin the process of instilling a lighter look, Christie replaced the dark floors in the common areas, powder bath, den, and guest bath with large format alabaster honed marble. The new flooring served as the inspiration and backdrop for a color palette that includes light heron plume wall tones as well as indigo blue and coral accents that are especially evident in the home’s new furnishings and accessories. Outdated lighting fixtures and coral stone capitals and trim were eliminated for a cleaner, updated look throughout the home. Soaring, glass and wooden entry doors open to a foyer with a 20-foot indigo blue coffered ceiling. The ceiling and a dramatic ebony and gold open lantern chandelier are balanced by the foyer’s twin chests that feature blue agate and gold accented hardware. Artwork in bright abstract blues and corals completes the inviting entry.
The home’s cozy conversation area is now grounded by a three-tiered undulating open chandelier. Four swivel chairs upholstered in an indigo and alabaster ombre are grouped around a circular coral colored upholstered cocktail ottoman. The space is further enhanced by a large wool and recycled denim alabaster and indigo area rug. An existing floor to ceiling coral stone fireplace was refreshed and painted a lighter heron plume. The original sconces on the fireplace wall were replaced with an updated, clean line design to compliment the chandeliers in the entry and living room. Alabaster toned drapery panels with a wide tape finished with an indigo and coral geometric design on the leading edge flank a large stationary glass window with an open view to the outdoor living area. On an inset wall, overkill sconces were removed entirely. A clean lined metal and stone parson style console table features a pair of tall gold and alabaster toned stone lamps as well as artwork stacked on the inset wall. Upholstered zig-zag style ottomans with casters are finished in an indigo and alabaster fretwork fabric with brushed brass nail head trim and nestled beneath the console table to provide additional pull-up seating in the conversation area. In the living room hallway, an outdated overly embellished mirror on an inset wall was replaced with a clean lined mirror encompassing the entire area above a new upholstered bench seat and pillows in alabaster with indigo and coral accents.
The home originally included two largescale dining areas separated by a wall. Based on the owners’ lifestyle and needs, one of the dining areas was transformed into a billiards room that is more conducive to the family’s penchant for having fun. Three large outdoor shuttered doorways were repainted in the heron plume tone. A custom billiard table with indigo blue felt and a double pedestal walnut base provides a striking contrast to the alabaster marble flooring. Whimsical artwork and an open iron elongated light fixture above the billiard table completes the look.
One of Christie’s major spatial re-directives was the decision to remove a long wall between the kitchen and the new billiards room. The open space allows more light to flow into an entirely new kitchen and allows engagement between the kitchen and new billiards room. A new pub table for two floats in the spacious area between the billiard room and kitchen. A butler’s pantry was completely redone with new lighting and clean lined cabinetry. The entire kitchen was redesigned to provide enhanced functionality and updated finishes. The existing ornate cabinetry and island, as well as a bulky hutch, were removed. A bar-height counter surface was lowered to counter height to offer a more open view of the adjoining great room. The perimeter now features clean lined cabinetry in a light alabaster finish, neutral quartz countertops, and a diagonal glossy alabaster backsplash. Square cabinets with glass fronts and lighting line the top of the perimeter cabinets and provide a perfect place to display collected items. The contrasting island base cabinet is a rich dark walnut against a quartz counter surface with a bit more color and movement than the calmer perimeter countertops. An orangey-knotty pine tray ceiling over the redesigned island was also redone to emulate a taupe cerused white oak look. Three hand-blown glass pendants are suspended over the island. The new design also includes six counter height swivel barstools with indigo and alabaster performance fabric.
The great room and dining room’s knotty pine tray ceilings were also refinished to emulate the taupe white oak look. A lightly distressed walnut finished dining table includes fully upholstered chairs with a coordinating indigo and alabaster print performance fabric. An open iron chandelier with sea glass accents complements the pendant lighting over the island in the kitchen. Stationary indigo drapery panels soften the dining room window that overlooks an expansive outdoor living area. A textured taupe area rug and an indigo sea turtle art piece that is presented as a triptych complete the look.
Christie made an additional major decision that allowed enhanced space planning in the adjoining great room. An existing heavy and ornate entertainment built-in engulfed the corner of the only long wall in the room. To transform the long wall into a true focal point, Christie removed the built-in and replaced it with a brushed taupe entertainment console with circular antique brass pulls. The console’s brushed taupe finish was inspired by the great room’s refinished tray ceiling that emulates a taupe toned white oak look. A pair of sofas that are inviting and comfortable, as well as practical, are finished with a lightly textured taupe fabric. A linen look occasional chair features a coordinating taupe fabric. Accent pillows in a radiating indigo design and separate pillows that offer pops of coral are accompanied by a coral colored ottoman. An amplified cocktail table includes drawers for additional storage and a finish that was also inspired by the ceiling detail. A sofa table features a top with a matching finish. Stationary indigo drapery panels that match the panels in the dining room flank a pocketing slider that opens to the outdoor living area. The beautiful room’s focal point, however, is a custom designed wool area rug that is a showstopper. The rug’s wave like design draws the eye into the seating area with shades of indigo and coral on a light taupe background. The room’s sea life indigo art was inspired by the area rug.
Christie also refreshed four of the home’s five bathrooms with new cabinetry, countertops, and flooring, completed an extensive refreshment of the outdoor living area, and masterfully updated the stairway to the second floor in dark walnut wood in lieu of carpet.
Founded in 1979, Vogue Interiors has earned numerous national, regional and local awards. From corporate offices at 24520 Production Circle in Bonita Springs, Florida, Vogue Interiors provides design services to residential and commercial clients in the United States and abroad. Visit Vogue Interiors online at vogueinteriors.com.
