Design moves to the beat of its own drum. Many years after owning a prime parcel of land in The Moorings, one of Naples’ most exclusive residential communities, a Polish couple decided the time was finally right to build a vacation house on the site.
“This project became an opportunity to honor the emotional connection the homeowners have with the land,” says Eva Starzomski, the designer charged with the 4,700-square-foot property’s interiors who had met the owners when she designed their penthouse in Krakow. “I collaborated with Chicago architect Thomas Roszak on the structural framework, and together we listened to what the land wanted to become.”
The end result is a residence rooted in clarity, intention, and a strong dialogue with nature. Throughout the process, Starzomski’s methodology was guided by one simple concept: to create a living environment where structure, light, and landscape form a seamless conversation. “I approached the design through five mythological anchors—the hearth, the threshold, the axis mundi, the ‘guardian’ palm trees, and the house as a vessel,” she notes. “A central hearth forms the emotional core of the home, and the entry becomes a threshold between the outer world and inner calm. Vertical lines create an axis mundi that connects earth and sky through shifting light and structure, and the backyard’s landscaping is organized around the various palm trees, which are living witnesses to the land’s memories, their presence shaping the home’s orientation.”
Clean lines, open volumes, and a restrained palette, punctuated by original artwork, form the foundation of the aesthetic. Tactile materials, including wood, glass, steel, and stone, create a sense of warmth and quiet luxury, allowing the architecture to feel both modern and timeless, while keeping the focus on proportion, natural light, and the surrounding environment. Nearly all cabinetry and millwork is custom-designed, each piece crafted to integrate seamlessly into the architecture, reinforcing the home’s sense of cohesion and intentionality. At the center of the residence lies an expansive open‑concept space where the great room, kitchen, and dining area flow together as one continuous volume. “This is the heart of the home—a place where daily life unfolds in a rhythm shaped by light and connection to the outdoors,” Starzomski notes.
The outdoor living area extends the heart of the home into the open air. Sliding glass walls dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior, allowing the living spaces to flow effortlessly into the terrace. The surrounding landscape shapes the outdoor environment—lush greens, natural textures, and the soft movement of Florida light. This connection to nature was essential to the owners, who have always felt a strong bond with this coastal setting.
“The highlight of this project was witnessing how deeply the homeowners cared about honoring the spirit of the site,” says Starzomski. “Every decision—from the orientation of the rooms to the choice of materials—was guided by their desire to preserve the energy, memories, and natural beauty of the land.”
Story Credits:
Interior Design by Eva Starzomski, Eva Star Design, Naples, FL & Chicago, IL
Architecture by Thomas Roszak, Thomas Roszak Architecture, Chicago, IL
Text by Jeanne de Lathouder
Photography by Mark Trela, Chicago, IL
Open to see Interior Design Sources:
Sources
Living Room
Seating – Roche Bobois, Naples, FL
Cocktail table – Designed by Eva Star Design, Chicago, IL, and Naples, FL, and fabricated by Stone Express, Naples, FL
Gold table lamp – Lightology
Wicker chairs and area rug – Homeowners’ collection
Entry
Gold sculpture chair and art – Oskar Zieta, Zieta Studio
Pendants – Flos, Lightology
Elevator – Designed by Eva Star Design, Chicago, IL, and Naples, FL, and fabricated by Gulfside Elevator, Naples, FL
Dining Room
Table – Homeowners’ collection
Chairs – Arhaus, Naples, FL
Lighting – Lightology
Wine wall – Designed by Eva Star Design, Chicago, IL, and Naples, FL, and fabricated by Coastal Custom Wine Rooms, Naples, FL
Area rug – Homeowners’ collection
Kitchen
Stools – Homeowners’ collection
Lineal lighting – Lightology
Primary Bathroom
Tub – Luca Lanzetta Group
Primary Bedroom
Bed and bedside chests – Homeowners’ collection
Pendant lighting – Sonora, Lightology
Ottoman – Blu Dot
Area rug – Ralph Lauren Home
Back Exterior
Seating, lounges, dining table, and chairs – Duo Furniture + Lighting, Naples, FL
Throughout
Flooring – Porcelanosa, Naples FL, and Naples Flooring Company, Naples, FL
Countertops – Stone Express, Naples, FL
Facebook Comments