Next-Level Style Wows in Naples Penthouse

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No matter how tired or busy she may be, interior designer and W Design owner Wendy Berry instantly gets recharged when talking shop. Case in point: When asked for details about a recent project in North Naples’ Kalea Bay community, she energetically unravels a descriptive story filled with interesting anecdotes about an oceanside penthouse where the homeowners are still discovering details months after its completion.

“The clients are an active Midwestern couple who wanted their second home to feel very unlike their home up north,” says Berry. “They wanted clean, modern, and beach-friendly, but not coastal; a residence that [would be just as appropriate] in New York City or Chicago.”

Located 23 floors up, the 3,800-square-foot condominium is the pinnacle property in one of Kalea Bay’s five high-rises, and, like all apartments in these towers, primely situated to take advantage of the Gulf Coast’s legendary sunsets.

“The clients were hands-off and gave us a ton of latitude,” says Berry. “The design and overall feel were birthed from natural wood tones—white oak, bleached walnut, natural teak, and driftwood. We created contrast with a cool, ocean-inspired palette, natural marbles, and a mix of metal tones.”

Since all the condo units throughout the building have identical shells, the W Design team worked to incorporate distinctive design features that would give the space its own identity. For the penthouse especially, Berry was insistent on a luxurious feel with a cozy, comfortable vibe. Thus, she opted for a neutral, monochromatic color scheme with a montage of light wood tones mixed with splashes of ocean blue and green. She then layered rich materials, including leather, natural stone, lustrous metals, and nubby textiles, to create depth and texture in every space. Antiques, artifacts, special accessories, and custom artwork by celebrated artists all contributed to the home’s well-curated demeanor.

“The clients live here seasonally, so they wanted this place to make them feel like they were on vacation,” says Berry. “We strategically designed a sophisticated residence that would befit their active Naples lifestyle.”

Providing a knockout first impression is a white high-gloss ceiling treatment throughout that balances the wood tones and imparts brightness and reflection. The only exceptions are a striking wood-beamed ceiling in the entrance foyer, a suspended wood ceiling feature in the dining area, and the principal bedroom’s bleached walnut ceiling, which wraps the space with warmth.

Another striking focal point as one steps off the elevator is the kitchen. With flawless slabs of Calacatta Lincoln marble and an unexpected marble-wrapped hood over the stove, the space is ethereal and serene.

For a creative transition from the foyer to the living area, the design crew incorporated a wood wrap to bring a notable design feature to the TV wall and balance out the primary suite’s double entry doors. The built-in TV was framed with black-stained and natural-stained oak, while the console table was covered in cream leather to create contrast. “It was the perfect answer for color and texture,” notes the designer, “and it gave us a more subtle distinction between the dark and light woods.”

Prominent metal accents include the dining room’s gleaming brass pendant light, a polished brass vanity front in the powder room, and dark metal bases on the sleek living room club chairs accented with a round hammered-metal side table.

From the living room, glass doors open onto a breezy lanai, where a three-dimensional limestone tile wall with undulating lines emulates the movement of the water. Pale blue-green marble walls in the principal bathroom and the soft, fluctuating shades of blue in the primary bedroom rug also embrace the ocean aesthetic.

“I loved that these clients allowed us to be creative with custom details that define separate spaces all within one huge space,” says Berry. “They were blown away with the end result and couldn’t believe the outcome.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Wendy Berry, W Design, Naples, FL & Chagrin Falls, OH

Builder CR Smith, Naples, FL

Text by Jean De Lathouder

Photography by Sean Murphy, Neptune Beach, FL

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