Although they never outright specified that they wanted bold, contrasting moments within otherwise understated spaces, interior designers Kim Collins and Alina Dolan surmised that is exactly what the new homeowners of a lakefront home in Mediterra wanted after just one conversation with them. The couple did express a wish to incorporate many of their existing furnishings and artworks, however, so that the team from Collins DuPont Design Group in Bonita Springs had a good foundation to work with. And although the 16-year-old, 4,700-square-foot property had good bones, the designers knew some reconstruction would be needed to get it current.
“We considered the clients’ personalities, likes, interests, and needs,” says Collins, “and we decided that a soft Zen undertone was the best design approach for the house.”
Once the design direction was established, the designers settled on a palette of light neutrals and stone shades, with accents of walnut, taupe, charcoal gray, and black for impactful contrast. The home’s color story starts to unfold in the foyer after stepping through the front door, a stunning piece of arched metal and glass with a large-scale lattice design that the previous owners left behind. Collins and Dolan softened the space with a light oak parquet floor and placed a round custom Jacques dining table directly in the center of the room. Black accessories, including a vase, sculpture, and overhead light fixture, provide the aforementioned contrast.
The dark accents continue in the living room, starting up high with a collection of angular ink-colored stones that outline the Volterra chandelier from Hubbardton Forge. The clients’ existing black coffee table anchors the space, connecting with the dark edges of a contemporary custom rug and a linear fireplace. Because the homeowners wanted an area to display meaningful mementos, Collins and Dolan designed a custom wall and had it fabricated with carved stone. Dark stained wood trim surrounds the pop-out and matches the sides of the niches.
The clients also wished to use their existing wood table in the formal dining room, so the designers complied, adding lighter shades around it. They paired a light wood credenza (also previously owned) with angular Kukio chairs by Baker that were upholstered in eggshell leather. A geometric area rug livens the palette with taupe, blush, and amethyst shades, colors that are repeated on the abstract painting, Next Time Around by Megumi Akiyama, that hangs above the credenza.
An opening from this formal dining room connects to the kitchen, so the designers wisely suggested trimming a bank of glass cabinets in dark wood, visually tying the two rooms together. The wood accent also complements a large, polished kitchen island made of Pulpis Brown Infinity porcelain slabs. In keeping with the light-meets-dark theme, the designers opted for pearlized lacquer white cabinets and Skara Brae Cambria countertops.
Similar materials were used in the primary bathroom, where large-format porcelain tiles climb a wall from floor to ceiling next to a black Japanese soaking tub from Aquatica. Ruffino Cabinetry, the company behind the kitchen cabinets, also fabricated this room’s dark wood storage vanity.
When it came to the homeowners’ primary bedroom, the design team was unbounded by convention. The space is unexpectedly ebullient with deep colors. The room’s unmistakable focal point is the textured headboard wall. Made up of two wallcoverings, it features imagery of night water in the center with a profusion of moody florals to the right and left. Velvet-covered club chairs from Baker are positioned at the foot of the ample bed, inviting the homeowners to sit and enjoy the scenery inside and out.
“We incorporated contemporary touches balanced with organic undertones in both structure, pattern, and colors,” says Dolan. “That beautiful balance of light and dark created the impactful contrast the home needed.”
Story Credits:
Interior Design by Kim Collins & Alina Dolan, Collins Dupont Design Group, Bonita Springs, FL
Text by Riki Altman-Yee
Photography by Venjhamin Reyes, Miami, FL
Open to see Interior Design Sources:
Sources
Back Exterior
Square table – Century, Hickory, NC
Chairs and lounges – Homeowners’ collection
Entry
Round entry table – EJ Victor, Morgantown, NC
Chandelier – Homeowners’ collection
Dining Room
Chairs – Baker Furniture, Connelly Springs, NC
Buffet – Homeowners’ collection
Artwork – Megumi Akiyama, Framing Wholesalers, Fort Myers, FL
Chandelier – Hubbardton Forge, Castleton, VT
Drapery designed by Collins DuPont Design Group, Bonita Springs, FL, and fabricated by Michael Schmidt Custom Interiors, Naples, FL
Area rug – F.J. Kashanian, Plainview, NY
Living Room
Sofa, chairs, and ottoman – Homeowners’ collection
Cocktail, drink, and nesting tables – Homeowners’ collection
Fireplace designed by Collins DuPont Design Group, Bonita Springs, FL, and fabricated by Watermark Redevelopment, Estero, FL
Fireplace wall surface – Syros Hedonism Line, Trinity Tile Group, Ocala, FL
Chandelier – Hubbardton Forge, Castleton, VT
Area rug – F.J. Kashanian, Plainview, NY
Family Room
Sofa – Baker Furniture, Connelly Springs, NC
Club chairs – Homeowners’ collection
Double cocktail tables – Baker, Connelly Springs, NC
Side table and lamp – Homeowners’ collection
Cabinetry – Old Biscayne Designs, Americus, GA
Area rug – F.J. Kashanian, Plainview, NY
Hallway
Console table – Homeowners’ collection
Sconces – Hubbardton Forge, Castleton, VT
Artwork – Homeowners’ collection
Flooring designed by Collins DuPont Design Group, Bonita Springs, FL, and fabricated by Floorcrafters, Fort Myers, FL
Kitchen
Cabinetry and island designed by Collins DuPont Design Group, Bonita Springs, FL, and fabricated by Ruffino Cabinetry, Fort Myers, FL
Stools – Homeowners’ collection
Lighting – Hubbardton Forge, Castleton, VT
Breakfast Area
Table and chairs – Homeowners’ collection
Lighting – Hubbardton Forge, Castleton, VT
Primary Bathroom
Cabinetry designed by Collins DuPont Design Group, Bonita Springs, FL, and fabricated by Ruffino Cabinetry, Fort Myers, FL
Mirror – Howard Elliott Collection, Addison, IL
Sconces – Hubbardton Forge, Castleton, VT
Tub – Aquatica, Watermark Redevelopment, Estero, FL
Stool – Aquatica, Watermark Redevelopment, Estero, FL
Wallcovering – Aesthetics Wallcovering, Elitis, Long Island City, NY
Primary Bedroom
Bed – Baker Furniture, Connelly Springs, NC
Bedside chests – Baker Furniture, Connelly Springs, NC
Club chairs and cocktail table – Baker Furniture, Connelly Springs, NC
Wall designed by Collins DuPont Design Group, Bonita Springs, FL
Blue wallcovering – MDC Wallcoverings, Glendale Heights, IL
Floral wallcovering – Arte Wallcovering, Jeffrey Michaels Showroom, Hollywood, FL
Area rug – Creative Touch, Fairfield, NJ
Throughout
Builder – Watermark Redevelopment, Estero, FL
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