Table of contents for Volume 33-4 in Florida Design – Digital Edition

New year, new holiday. So goes the mindset at Baker-McGuire. The company’s two new collections, The Baker Resort Collection and The Baker Resort Collection for McGuire, are inspired by coastal getaways and brought to life by naturalistic materials, clean lines, touch-me textures, and elegant forms. Together, the lines offer 93 pieces, and just about every room in the home is covered. “This marks the first-ever joint collection between our two legacy brands,” says company rep Erica Wingo. “Our team was inspired by recent trips to South Florida, New York, California, and Italy, so this launch is a celebration of the environments and hospitality experiences we encountered there.” bakerfurniture.com PALM BEACH CHIC After participating in the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach in 2018 and 2023, Jennifer Mabley and Austin…

Because the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024, senior curator Ylva Rouse decided it was the right time to reminisce about an extraordinary period of creative experimentation in one of the most dynamic art capitals of the world. The result? A Walk on the Wild Side: ’70s New York in the Norman E. Fisher Collection. “The way societal concerns are expressed in today’s art, and the exploration of how we inhabit, perceive, and negotiate space as information, owe much to the development of art and exhibitions as a critical form that took place during this time,” explains Rouse. The aforementioned Fisher, who grew up in Jacksonville, became a supporter of the arts and a friend to many celebrated creatives after being introduced…

It is entirely logical to presume that Sarasota Art Museum’s Judy Pfaff: Picking up the Pieces will hit close to home for any Floridian. After all, Pfaff got the idea for the massive installation after watching news coverage of Hurricane Ian in 2022. “Seeing with my own eyes the major impact Ian had on the land and homes completely shook me,” she says. “This exhibition is the result of that experience.” As a carpenter, welder, printer, painter, designer and glassblower, Pfaff expertly employs myriad materials to create her works, which range from hand-painted and digitally manipulated images to sculptural environments with surreal themes. For this solo show, her first since 2017, the artist has fashioned two- and three-dimensional works complementing the Sarasota Art Museum’s unique architecture and 30-foot ceiling. “I…

THE DESIGN DIRECTIVE When two homeowners tasked Jennifer Mehditash with the interior design of their steps-from-the-ocean, 4,350-square-foot residence, they told her they wanted a family-friendly home that allowed for entertaining as well as lazy weekends with a chic but casual vibe. Mehditash’s solution? “We ensured that a lot of natural light filtered into every room with the addition of large open windows and an open floor plan in the main living space,” she says. “This allowed for a true indoor/outdoor living experience year-round.” THE FURNISHINGS When it came to furniture, Mehditash and her team ensured there were the necessary staple pieces to provide ample seating and lounging in the living, dining, and bedroom areas. “The selection was not about quantity, but more about quality and design,” says the designer. “A…

In downtown St. Louis, a museum of twenty-first century artists is open 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. There’s no charge for admission, the place is amiable to business meetings and coffee dates, and those who want can even spend the night. The 21c Museum Hotel is the brainchild of Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson, avid art collectors and historic preservationists from Louisville, Kentucky, who opened the first 21c Museum Hotel in 2006. Their goal, according to Alice Gray Stites, the company’s chief curator and museum director, was “to make contemporary art more accessible to the public and help revitalize the economy” of the urban cores where the museum hotels are located. True to that mission, the 21c St. Louis (the eighth such venue)…

IT WOULD NOT BE hyperbole to say that the owners of this splendid Orlando home live a charmed life. From their glorious rooftop terrace, they can enjoy Disney World’s spectacular evening fireworks every night if they choose—just one of the exclusive amenities that inspired the creation of their enchanting third-floor alfresco perch. Tucked within the Golden Oak community, the 7,367-square-foot residence is part of the Four Seasons Private Residences Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort and overlooks a sprawling golf course dotted with lush tropical foliage. Originally designed as a spec home on a pie-shaped lot by architect Phil Kean, the lavish courtyard vacation residence wraps around a pool to create privacy from its surrounding neighbors. Inspired by Disney lore, Kean, the CEO of Phil Kean Design Group in Winter…

Florida Design and Just Tile and Marble recently hosted a lunch to reveal the company’s latest collections of large-slab porcelain designs from Italy. The gathering brought together a select number of interior designers, architects, and builders. Together with owner Mike Hummel, FD Publisher Terry Duffy, Editorial Director Daphne Nikolopoulos, and Editor-in-Chief Luis R. Rigual welcomed the crowd to the Delray Beach showroom, which was completely transformed for the occasion with a gigantic dining setup decorated with exotic stones from the brand’s superior inventory.…

Newly launched in the United States, the Fly lighting collection by Massimiliano Raggi for Contardi has been described with words such as “elegant” and “lightness,” which is exactly what its designer was going for. Raggi wanted products “with a strong yet delicate expressive force” and that’s just what he created. As slim as a slender Italian suit that’s been expertly tailored, each Fly floor lamp, sconce, and hanging fixture is enhanced by refined finishes such as satin golden nickel, brushed bronze nickel, and anthracite, making them ideal for both residential and commercial spaces. contardi-usa.com VINTAGE CHARM Lovers of antiques have been tuned into Sekt for a while now. The Swedish design brand based in Malmo is beloved for its small-batch products (in bronze, mouthblown glass, steel, and porcelain), which are…

In November, Miami-born brothers Elliot and Erick Jiménez hopped a plane to the Dominican Republic to attend the inaugural Latin American Fashion Awards. They’d been nominated, but weren’t sure what to expect. Then, their names were called. The identical twins and fine art photographers were recognized with one of the top prizes of the night for their photo of Puerto Rican rap artist Bad Bunny for the cover of Time’s first Spanish-language edition. That wasn’t the only time Elliot and Erick were honored last year, however. In fact, 2023 sent significant attention their way. In October, they took home an Ellie from Oolite Arts for a commissioned mural they created for the Miami Design District titled Reclining Mermaid, which represents the “shadow self” they’ve experienced as bi-racial, first-generation Cuban Americans.…

For the exhibition Tamara Kostianovsky: Botanical Revolution at The Baker Museum/Artis—Naples, Kostianovsky’s first exhibition in the Southeastern United States, the Brooklyn-based artist worked with The Baker’s museum director and chief curator, Courtney McNeil, to select a broad representation of her body of work. What resulted is a collection of pastel tree stumps, dangling farm animal carcasses, and embroidered tapestries, which were created in the wake of an inspiring visit to Naples Botanical Garden and Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. All the aforementioned works are made of discarded fabrics and layered with intrigue. Among the fibers are questions of how we violently treat Mother Nature and promote consumption. As the artist puts it: “When things are both beautiful and horrific, that’s what I’m after.” Through April 7, 2024, artisnaples.org.…

THE DESIGN DIRECTIVE “Connection.” That was the word two homeowners emphasized when they charged designer Sophia Passerini with the look of their new 6,274 waterfront property. “They wanted to connect with the house’s magnificent ocean views,” says Passerini, “and bring the vibrant colors of the Atlantic indoors.” THE FURNISHINGS “All the furnishings and accessories were extremely customized and made in Italy,” says Passerini. “They were designed as statement pieces with impeccable craftsmanship, strong functional qualities, and timeless design.” An example of this is the sofa in the living room, which was created with the openness of the space in mind and to ensure the ocean view could be enjoyed to its fullest. “It’s made with a very soft and comfortable fabric by Kohro that is completely removable, so it can…

SOMETIMES, OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS TWICE. A recent project involving a townhouse complex in Palm Beach played out as a dual endeavor for interior designer Caitlin Kah. First, she was directed by the Frisbie Group’s development team to decorate all four townhomes in the community in a coastal-modern style that would entice potential buyers. A month later, a new owner commissioned her to redecorate one of them to his specifications and style tastes. “It was cool to look at it with fresh eyes,” says Kah. “I had envisioned it one way for the developers, and then, I immediately had to put the new owner’s stamp on it and make it special. It was interesting to tackle the same space twice for two different situations.” To achieve the client’s desired new look, the…

WHEN A CHIC COUPLE with young children stepped out of their suburban Chicago home base to look for a second residence in Florida, they hoped to put their own signature on a family retreat. The four-bedroom Tampa home they purchased is a roomy 6,200 square feet, giving them plenty of space for living and entertaining, but the vibe left something to desire. “The wife’s only directive was that she wanted it to feel like a spa retreat,” says Crystal Blackshaw, the Chicago designer tasked with the residence’s overhaul. “She gave me free reign to accomplish that goal.” Blackshaw had designed the couple’s primary home in Illinois, and, as such, she had a good feel for their aesthetic—what she calls contemporary wabi sabi—so she set out to add light and life…

Interior design certainly got its due at the 2023 Fall Market at South Florida Design Park in Hollywood, a day of events and activations at many of the center’s showrooms. Among the highlights were a Florida Design-sponsored panel on remote projects at Jerry Pair, a conversation with designer Allison Paladino at Judith Norman, a presentation of the Stark x Fanny Haim collection at Stark, a panel on making deals at InsideOut, a talk on metal at J Nelson, a pop-up gallery at Pindler, a coffee tasting at Adriana Hoyos, a meet-and-greet with photographer Greg Lotus at Nisi B Home, a JF Fabrics showcase at Window Designs by Sonia, a Benjamin Moore presentation at The Shade Store at Kravet, a panel on vintage and modern styles at Newel, a presentation by…

Founded by Herman Häcker in 1898, Häcker knows kitchens. The fourth-generation family-owned company, which supplies more than 60 countries around the world, recently opened its first North American flagship in the Miami Design District. The 3,600-square-foot showroom serves as a showcase for five inspirational vignettes featuring the brand’s most popular styles: oak, black and eucalyptus, walnut, crystal white, light gray and velvet blue, and natural vintage oak. A full-service staff walks customers through everything from delivery to installation, while a sample area is equipped with everything from cabinet fronts to surface materials for viewing before selections are made. hackerkitchens.us FABRIC FONDNESS When asked to define the new Aurora line of rugs, draperies, and upholstery for Rosemary Hallgarten, its designer and namesake doesn’t mince words. “The new collection was inspired by…

“It always made me sad when great art went into someone’s house never to be seen again,” says art collector John Marquez. “I’ve always been very pro sharing your art collection, and this is something I wanted to do for the city.” “This” is an 8,000-square-foot shoe warehouse in Allapattah now reborn as Marquez Art Projects (MAP), a privately funded exhibition space that showcases its namesake’s personal art acquisitions since he began collecting in earnest in 2016. “At the beginning it was KAWS and Banksy, then it expanded to Robert Nava and Robin F. Williams, and it just kept growing from there,” says Marquez. “For me, collecting is more than just [acquiring] a particular piece. It’s about the artists, whom I become obsessed with and want to know more about.”…

The person who gave us life has been represented in many different ways since the beginning of recorded history yet defining her is a complicated endeavor. To that end, the Orlando Museum of Art presents A Mother, Possibly, a collection of works in a variety of mediums from eclectic artists worldwide that invites visitors to explore how mothers have been portrayed through the ages. Partially curated in a salon style, wherein the artworks are grouped together on a single wall, the exhibition illustrates mothers as symbols of creation, compassionate companions, and parents struggling with the burdens of domestic duties. “As viewers navigate this exhibition, they are encouraged to consider their own expectations, reflect on images that are familiar or challenging to them, and contemplate what may be missing,” says OMA…

THE DESIGN DIRECTIVE For his own residence by the water, Workshop/APD founding principal Andrew Kotchen wanted a “cozy, modern getaway for his family” that made the best use of limited space. The residence also had to do double duty as a showcase for his firm’s furnishings line, Workshop Collection. “I envisioned something beachy but more refined,” says Kotchen. “Elevated with a ‘found’ aspect to it.” THE FURNISHINGS In addition to favorite Workshop Collection designs, Kotchen incorporated vintage pieces to make the space more personal. “The mid-century modern feel comes through in the furniture selections,” he says. “Those simple yet subversive forms harmonize with the rest of the home.” THE PALETTE Warm wood and sandy tones subtly nod to the nearby beach without making an overt nautical statement. The sunny hues…

The opulence is otherworldly. Furniture embellished with intricate gold rope detailing and honey onyx. Wall panels of flame mahogany and burl sycamore lacquered to a high-gloss mirror finish. Ornate staircases made of book-matched oak and walnut with delicate gold inlays. And, both inside and out, a focus on the color turquoise, which appears on everything from the upholstery and soft furnishings to carpets, curtains, and even the hull of this majestic, 173-foot superyacht. Welcome aboard the Jewels, a bijou box of a vessel from the mind of nautical designer (and Miami-based creative) Luiz De Basto and manufacturer Turquoise Yachts from Istanbul. Delivered in May 2023 to a European bon vivant who lives by the more-is-more mantra, the Jewels’ interiors, executed by Britain’s H2 Yacht Design, buck the trend of laid-back…

ONE OF THE FIRST of what has become an evolving chain of utopian communities along Florida’s iconic 30-A Highway, Rosemary Beach has been drawing residents to its idyllic coastline for years. Designed by renowned architects Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, the area’s dwellings recall the quaint architectural styles of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Charleston, and New Orleans. Neighborhoods interconnect by boardwalks, footpaths, and pedestrian lanes, and secret pathways lead to tennis courts, swimming pools, the beach, and a charming town center. Here, many of the homes have been refreshed, remodeled, and given new life for new generations. Such was the case with a three-story, 2,324-square-foot residence in the heart of the city thanks to the talents of award-winning interior designer Ashley Gilbreath, who purchased the property as an investment…

Florida Design partnered with Anima Domus to commemorate the showroom’s 25th anniversary in South Florida at the company’s location in Aventura. The evening also served as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Fiam, the Italian brand that’s such an integral part of Anima Domus’ inventory. The gathering brought out a select number of interior designers and tastemakers who enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a preview of Fiam’s latest offerings.…