Satisfying the design style preferences of couples with divergent lifestyles poses a formidable challenge for even the best of interior designers. When a home’s architectural elements and pre-existing finishes also lean in a direction that is opposite from the homeowner’s desired end result, the designer’s challenge intensifies even further. Vogue Interiors’ Debbie DeMaria, ASID, I.D.S. and Leslie Gebert, ASID were faced with just such a challenge when designing the interior of the magnificent Casa Fiore estate residence at Quail West.
Built by McGarvey Custom Homes, the Casa Fiore was originally intended to be a clean-lined, contemporary model residence. By the time the owners purchased the home, construction was well underway and numerous exterior and interior architectural elements had been completed. A variety of finishes had also been installed, including the kitchen cabinetry. There was one big problem: the laid-back, retired, man of the house who enjoys casual gatherings and the corporate executive lady of the house who entertains high-level executives on a regular basis had agreed on a more traditional interior design approach. Vogue was engaged to satisfy the differing lifestyles and to bring a traditional feeling to a home that was by design more contemporary in nature.
“People don’t understand how hard it is and how challenging it is when you have to make it work,” said DeMaria. “Walking into a situation like that, you have to be a visionary. The Casa Fiore is a beautiful floor plan that is very open, yet cozy. It’s a home you can do a lot with. As a model residence, it would have been fabulous. We needed to transform the space into something conducive to both his relaxed, casual lifestyle and to her more formal, sophisticated approach to entertaining on a corporate executive level. At the same time, the traditional design tastes they share had to be satisfied. We achieved that by bringing a transitional style to the home through the types of fabrics and types of woods we used to allow them to entertain formally or informally while keeping everyone comfortable. It was an interesting, challenging project.”
The Casa Fiore residence encompasses a total of 7,863 square feet. The architectural design includes four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a study, formal living and dining rooms, an airy gourmet island kitchen, a spacious leisure room, an outdoor living area with an outdoor kitchen, pool, spa and fireplace and a five-car garage with a motor court. DeMaria and Gebert used a palette of reds, golds, creams, bronzes and rust colors softened by melon tones against a neutral pale cream background. Lightly textured Travertine marble flooring in the living areas matches the neutral background.
A foyer that is elegant in its simplicity establishes Vogue’s use of textures with coquina shell backgrounds framed by applied moldings that create a niche-like look and flank a grand piano. The foyer opens immediately to a formal living room where Vogue has created a wondrous contemporary floor to ceiling onyx fireplace wall treatment done in browns, off-white, bright white and a bit of gold, bronze, rust and red. The gas ribbon fireplace appears to burn chards of glass rather than logs. Layered linen draperies with embedded crystals frame floor to ceiling windows that soar to twenty feet. The sofa is done in a latte colored velvet that is complimented by side chairs finished in creamy linen. Matching arm chairs are positioned opposite the sofa. The seating surrounds a traditional octagon-shaped cocktail table with contemporary champagne-toned wood and glass finishes. A custom designed rectangular area rug with arched ends reflects the colors of the room. The look is completed by a multi-dimensional coffered ceiling with a metallic deep rusty-bronze finish and an elegant crystal and gold chandelier.
The living room’s coffered ceiling and chandelier are repeated in the dining room and play against original art pieces with champagne-toned frames. The room’s window treatments are coordinated with a highly colored, over-patterned area rug. A two-toned traditional dining table is surrounded by straight-lined chairs with fully upholstered textured fabric in a cream tone.
Remnants of the Casa Fiore’s original contemporary architectural design are found in the open kitchen’s tall, floating beam ceiling. A pergola with recessed lighting floats over both the work area and a squared-off diamond-shaped island that includes a sit-down eating area. The island’s warm walnut base contrasts the medium sage-toned maple perimeter cabinetry. Both the island and the perimeter feature granite countertops with red, gold and cream tones that are also found in the mosaic glass tile backsplash.
An red area rug and an arm chair and ottoman finished in a soft red fabric with gold piping brighten a family room that opens to the outdoors by way of remotely controlled pocketing sliders. The arm chair, a goldenrod sofa, and two red and gold patterned chenille swivel chairs are positioned around a traditional cocktail table with a light brown finish and a glass top. Neutral draperies are done in a sheer upper fabric contrasted by a heavier linen bottom panel that brings texture to the room.
The outdoor living area includes a covered lanai with an outdoor kitchen with teak cabinetry, gas fireplace, a television, a large raised bar and under-counter space that accommodates multiple kegs, a freezer, wine chiller and two ice makers. The bar accommodates eight barstools. To heighten the outdoor living experience, the lanai is equipped with pull down screens.
Vogue brought a warm, traditional feeling to the Casa Fiore’s study. A chair rail separates medium brown-toned wainscoting from a custom taupe colored diamond-studded linen wall covering. Medium-toned hand-scraped hardwood floors blend easily with the room’s custom built-in shelving, credenzas, cabinetry and floating executive desk. An oversized chair and ottoman are positioned in a sitting area adjacent to a gas fireplace.
The home’s exceptionally large master bedroom is a restful, soothing space that Vogue finished in neutral shades of gold and mocha accents and furnishings. An element of drama has been added with a tie-dye striped textured wall covering on the headboard wall done in shades of gold and subtle metallics. The headboard itself is chenille with a gold and mocha print that plays with a latte bench at the foot of the bed. The bed is framed by dark-toned nightstands that offer a note of contrast. A circular coffered ceiling hovers over a sitting area with matching textured silk armchairs and a circular ottoman. Ninety degree pocketing sliders open the bedroom to the outdoor living area and pool.
In the oversized master bath, espresso-toned his and her vanities with marble countertops are separated by a tub with a mosaic marble tile deck. Televisions have been installed to play in the in the vanity mirrors. A double walk-in marble shower is enclosed in glass and features a marble mosaic accent. The room is finished with an over-scaled wall covering done in a stencil texture with a medallion pattern in taupes, bronzes and creams.
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.