Modern Contemporary Style
with Zen and Balinese Influences
at
333 Poincianna Drive, Las Olas Isles
Fort Lauderdale Beach 33301

From “Mediterranean Italian Villa” to “Zen Balinese Contemporary”

Below you can follow the journey and creative process

My coming to terms with the interior design of Contemporary Style Architecture -

This project continues the design of my client's traditional interior design Italian Villa vacation home on the Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal waterway. We finished the architectural drawings and submitted them to the city when the client informed us that his realtor had sold the property. Therefore, he proceeded with the purchase of this Modern Contemporary home. This new house is located just off East Las Olas Boulevard with a dock on the Intercoastal, and across the bridge is Fort Lauderdale beach.

Please click the link to my blog "Mediterranean Italian Villa Style" to learn more about working with my client on his previous project and all of the architectural drawings, details, and plans for the traditional interior design of a Mediterranean vacation home.

At first, I was disappointed to give up the Mediterranean Italian Villa. However, growing up in Fort Lauderdale and being an interior designer in South Florida, I was surrounded by both the architecture and interior design influenced by the Spanish-Mediterranean architecture and British Colonial-Bahamas style.

But as I say, the Universe always provides for me, and what I first perceived as a loss grew into one of my most creative projects. This was my first modern interior design and home remodeling project on this scale. My biggest blessing was my wonderful clients, who were very trusting and open to my interior design ideas, architectural interior details, and installation art.

I do not think of myself as a minimalist interior designer - I need to be careful of "Gilding the Lilly" I live more by the philosophy of "More is Less" However, I like to think being a Libra, I am attracted to balance. My design philosophy is to see the entire home as one space, and all areas subliminally relate to one another. I will create unity with color, texture, pattern, and furnishings within the architectural interiors to give a refined Modern Interior design. The Modern home design will also balance all architectural elements and art installations; I call this the sublingual Yin & Yang of Zen Interior Design.

I believe that modern architecture and interior design can be very unimaginative. For this reason, I love to use large-scale built-in furnishing and textures such as stone, glass, and metal on the custom-built architectural elements and art installations. I also don't understand why everything has to be white and gray. The south Florida tropical lifestyle inspires me as an interior designer and my selection of color pallets.

With this being said, My clients, the first question is, "Why can't we keep all of the walls white?"

Let the Modern Interior Design process begin -

Below are the before pictures or as I like to think of it as my blank canvas -

Above are the before pictures of the living and dining area. You can see the following Contemporary architectural elements such as the cove with LED lights - but only on two walls - I would have designed it on all four walls. Architects rarely consider interior design details, such as the cove not being quite wide enough for the drapery and LED lighting.

Everyone was soon to ask what my plans were for what we called "The upside-down pool table," and the bar niche seemed like an area for improvement.

Living in South Florida and just across the bridge from Fort Lauderdale beach we want to incorporate the exterior architecture with the interior design

This will create a seamless living environment

My Inspiration to warm up this Contemporary Style Architecture -

Installation artwork is a must within Contemporary Architecture and Interior Design

As with every project, I need my inspiration to begin, and I prefer it coming from my clients. It is also essential that I bond with my clients as we build our trust, and this way, I can be much more creative. Upon meeting John and Veronica, I felt immediately at ease. I like when laughter comes easily, and I learned that Veronica was a highly trained therapeutic masseuse and owned a popular retreat throughout our conversations. At the same time, some of John's side hobbies included raising thoroughbred horses and a Lavender farm - massage retreats, horses, lavender farms plus their first purchase was this Reclining Buddha (link) 

That all creates great karma to me.

Now that we have Buddha lying poolside, I am inspired to create a Zen Contemporary style interior design for my client's vacation home. Being next to the Fort Lauderdale beach, I may want to bring in some elements from Bali, British Colonel - Bahamas.

The next thing that John was very excited about was purchasing some artwork. To my surprise, during my first visit, he had a local Las Olas art gallery meeting us there with a large truck loaded with lots of artwork. The art curator from the gallery suggested pieces throughout the main rooms and then got to the staircase. The staircase wall was 10 Ft. by 20 Ft. tall, and she was trying to sell him a painting about 3 Ft By 3 Ft. which was entirely out of scale with the wall. John and I were watched from above, and he asked me my opinion. First, I told him that a small square in a large rectangle was not working for me, and then he said to me that the price was $30,000.

I reminded him of the artwork we saw online during our first meeting. John told me that he liked Picasso-style paintings, and truthfully, it is not my style, but I pride myself on designing within my client's vision. I finally found a Picasso that I liked because the artwork also incorporated furniture, architecture, and of course, a nude woman titled "Nude Woman in the Red Armchair."

I immediately saw that artwork sparkling in Italian glass mosaic surrounded by a black glass mosaic and silver frame highlighted with recessed LED lights making it a grand contemporary architectural statement.

Presentation Board for this Zen Balinese Contemporary Style Vacation Home -

I always work from a presentation board, and it allows me and my clients to see how all of the interior design and architectural elements are working together. In addition, the presentation board is an evolving design tool that allows me to illustrate different options and ensures my client's vision and personality are represented in their home design and remodel.

As the presentation board evolves, you can see the wall color (Not white! LOL) sofa options, drapery fabric, and most importantly, the large scale installation artwork being the Italian glass mosaic, as well as the coordinating purchased artwork.

As for the artwork in the staircase, foyer, living room, and dining area, we have a fully nude woman, a woman's face, a woman diving into a pool, and an angel representing the homes' address being 333 Poinciana Drive.

I love to see continuity through interior design. Therefore, John and I purposely integrated the artwork between the color scheme, images, scale, and architecture.

Zen Balinese Contemporary Style Living Room & Dining Room

Quality of custom designed sofa, chairs and barstools to complete the interior designer vision -

Please note the matching custom made rich aqua custom sofa and 5 foot tall dining room Captain’s chairs as well as the unique style of the swivel bar chairs - My workroom is of the highest quality and made to my specifications and custom fabric choices to insure a beautiful and cohesive interior design.

Philosophy of artwork and the interior design style of your home -

Many times, clients ask me if the artwork should match the interior design of your room or does it matter - My thoughts on what to consider when it comes to artwork is as follows:

First - What is your relationship with art? Do you just like the image, or do you have a sentimental attachment.

Some people are attracted to specific images, such as flowers or foliage, landscapes or architecture, Birds, and wildlife. The artwork should speak to the client; however, I like to keep it regionally correct when possible. Some people are attracted to specific images, such as flowers or foliage, landscapes and architecture, Birds and wildlife. I believe that the artwork should speak to the client; however, I like to keep it regionally correct when possible.

This client seemed to lean to images of women, from the twenty-foot tall nude Picasso "Nude Women in Red Chair," the woman’s face over the piano, to the photo of the naked women jumping in the pool.

My clients John and Veronica explained that their address being 333, was the sign of the angle. Hence they purchased these beautiful pieces of artwork representing angels.

As for the two statues, the more prominent white angel sits atop a black pedestal with the appearance that it just flew in from across the ocean. The small kneeling angel sits at the entry, and my clients tell me that each time they leave or enter the home, they give her a gentle caress.

It’s all in the details when Modern Interior Design and Interior Architectural come together

Please note that some of this room's details are the large custom black lacquered dining cabinet with a backlit LED panel. The cabinet is sitting on a chrome base with angled legs that match the dining chairs and the chrome inset half-circle design that will be repeated throughout the home -
Also, I have converted the ceiling detail that looked like an upside-down pool table. It now features a black frame around hand laid silver leaf panel showcasing a custom black Fine Art Lamps (Link) chandelier with its iconic beveled arches that match the Foyer sconces.
Finally, My custom drapery workroom has manufactured draperies and side panels with this large-scale pattern in shimmering rich beige and silvery aqua blue medallions, all trimmed with pearly beads.

Modern Interior Design throughout the Great Room & Kitchen Design

All of the elements of this Modern Great room
are Custom Made Furinture

Starting with a custom-made sofa with chaise, swivel club chairs and six bar stools for the Kitchen Island with seating. Next, the TV area features custom cabinetry encasing the doors with a reveille for LED lights to illuminate the scored natural stone tiles. Finally, the floating credenza with LED under lights is custom-made furniture to match the Modern Kitchen.

Modern Kitchen with Custom Cabinets

This Modern Interior Architecture incorporates custom cabinetry with a partial dark bridge with Hi-hats over the island and a complete bridge over the cooktop. We will duplicate this detail in the Wine / Coffee Bar.

This being a vacation home off Fort Lauderdale Beach, my client was concerned about plenty of seating in the Great Room and Kitchen design. So I was glad to see our Kitchen island seating would accommodate six custom-made swivel chairs.

Modern Interior Design Bar with Stained Glass Window

I matched the dark wood bridges from the Modern Kitchen within the custom cabinetry. Then, I incorporated it around the Sub-Zero wine cooler, framing the stained glass window, and at the Coffee Bar.

Details of this Zen Contemporary Kitchen and Home Bar

Modern Zen Garden

Our Zen garden needed some natural elements to give it warmth and serenity. The addition of the Oceania Bluestone was the perfect choice to bring much-needed architectural texture to the three columns. In addition, the quartz countertops were under-lit to illuminate the columns and create an architectural accent.

Flanking the pool are custom-made planters to match the planters that line Las Olas Boulevard for a genuinely regional feeling.

Outdoor Shower

As per my client, this outdoor shower was a must-have, especially since the guest quarters off the pool had no shower (an odd choice for the architect)
I was inspired by this dimensional tile that gave me the feeling of bamboo, and the glass liner tile was reminiscent of beach glass, all enclosed by large sheets of Rain Glass.

Modern Zen Garden and Patio’s Elements

Of course, it all starts with our Reclining Buddha statue joined by the wall of custom artwork featuring a Buddha head painted with textural resins and silver flakes.

Beware, as in the jungles of Bali, we may come across the three wise monkeys.

The chandelier is made with stones and shells, and four custom-made bubble light sconces give the patio a Modern Zen feeling.

The Chagall Guest Room goes Dramatically Red

with a Contemporary-Balinese-British Colonial-Bahamas Style

This guest room is located off the family room and is the last room I designed. I kept seeing the client's existing print of a Chagall painting (Link). It just did not seem to fit anywhere in our Zen Balinese Contemporary style.

John informed me that he was attached to the artwork and please find a space for it. My response was, what do you think of an all-red room? John was excited about the idea, and the watercolors and renderings had a place in their vacation home.

Gone was the artwork's gold frame and replaced it with a new contemporary black frame, then I extended the frame onto the wall with moldings and incorporated the yellow from the artwork. I found this perfect fabric with a deep indigo blue Bali Batik flower print outlined with creamy beige stitching, all on a white background.

I know my client loves to take their yacht to the Bahamas, so in comes the British Colonial four-poster bed and armoire. It was a universal gift that the house's existing mirror nightstands fit perfectly and gave us a touch of Eclectic Contemporary.

I love how we took a mismatched piece of artwork and created a room that incorporated all of the design elements we used throughout the home.

Please note how we transformed the Chagall print into a contemporary architectural element. The distressed hanging metal chandeliers relate to the hammered silver vases on top of the armoire. The large creamy white vases relate to the Batik fabric and flank the dark armoire, while the mirror end tables add a sparkle of contemporary flair.

John and Veronica tell me that their guest all request to stay in the Chagall Room,
So book early, Ha!

Zen Balinese Contemporary Master Bedroom Presentation

When I show my clients the presentation boards and review the many elements included in their interior design and home remodeling, I am always eager for their response; however, this one was the most unique.

I need to start from when I first met John and Veronica. Veronica told me that she does not have much interest in interior design and leaves it up to John and their daughter Alice. However, when I arrived at the house, John told me that he wanted Veronica to be more active in the design choices for their new Las Olas vacation home and wanted me to engage with her during the presentation.

We started downstairs, and I showed them the presentation board, fabrics, and renderings while explaining everything to Veronica. I understand that for most people, it is tough to draw and see it in a 3-dimensional room. That's why I will create a color rendering when possible.

We finally made it to the master bedroom, and I could see that Veronica was overwhelmed.

Sometimes I can over-design a room, and this is the perfect example.

I went crazy with the LED back-lit panels over the bed and LED ledge moldings going around the room's perimeter and the center cut-out panel. Afterward, I looked at the interior design concept, and all I could see was a cruise ship casino; I could picture a roulette wheel in place of the bed.

Well, all of this sent poor Veronica over the edge - rightly so - She exclaims, why do we need that coming down from the ceiling? Why do we need everything built-in? Why can't we leave the white walls and existing furniture?

Veronica has officially overdosed on interior design and all it has to offer. I understand entirely, but what I love so much is John's reaction - he put his arm around her and whispered in her ear, "It's ok, we can keep the room as is and just as you want" Yes, John has talked Veronica down from her interior design overdose.

The revised presentation has clean Contemporary lines
that even brings Buddha peace and serenity

Zen Balinese Contemporary Master Bedroom

No white walls or Casinos here

The clients and I love how this room has come together, even Veronica. Some of the details of the room are the silvery-beige wallpaper with its wave pattern reminiscent of the ocean.
The custom cabinetry has a soft two-tone grain finish with a silver wash that gives it a beautiful contemporary coastal driftwood feeling.
The flanking windows are incorporated into the contemporary interior design with panels cut out to match the fabric's interlocking pattern and framed in chrome.
The two window panels, chrome backed toe-kicks, and side reveal on the TV unit are all LED lights.

I am happy to say that there are no white walls or Casinos here - I love how this Contemporary master bedroom has come together - some of the details are the walls covered with a silvery grayed down beige wallpaper with a horizontal wave pattern that is representative of the near by ocean. The custom cabinetry has a soft two-tone grain finish with a silver wash that gives it a beautiful contemporary, coastal driftwood feeling. I love how we hid the two windows behind wood screens with matching the interlocking circles relating to the fabric and lined with a gray silver sheer that is all backlit with LED lights, then framed with silver metal that matches the toe kicks with LED lights to give the illusion that the Funiture is floating.

Contemporary Zen Office & Gallery of Family Photos

Zen Balinese Contemporary Style
meets
Modern British Colonial / Bahamas Style

We know what happened to the Chagall -
Now, what am I going to do with four-poster beds and antiques
in a Contemporary Style vacation home?

My only choice was to create a Modern British Colonial / Bahamas Style all unto its own. This room overlooks the Fort Lauderdale beach, and the Aqua-Teal colors from the ocean can be found in the coordinating fabrics and matching trims.

Grasscloth wallpapers are not the same as we knew in the 70"s. Today, Grasscloth wallpaper is clean and sleek and gives great warmth and texture to Contemporary Decor. I chose this paper for its tone-on-tone pallet that reminds me of driftwood with a hint of silver. I framed the windows and designed custom blinds, drapery, and bedding. The Tommy Bahama nightstands and desk helped me bring back in balance with the British Colonial / Caribbean Islands feeling.

Modern British Colonial / Bahamas Style with a Twist
on Fort Lauderdale Beach