Pelican Bay Condo Radiates Elegant Warmth

1 of 8

After working with Rebel House on the design overhaul of their Chicago residence, a couple called on the firm again for help in an altogether different setting. The husband and wife wanted Marli Jones and her team to spearhead the interior design of a 3,100-square-foot condo unit at the Montenero on Pelican Bay building in Naples.

“The homeowners asked for the residence to feel like Naples but in more subtle ways than they had seen in other homes in the area,” says Jones, Rebel House’s owner and principal designer, who worked on the project with colleague Brooke Kamins. “Water was a big inspiration. We wanted to trigger that feeling of relaxation one experiences at the beach with subtle warmth and layers of sophistication.”

To accomplish that, establishing a palette from the get-go was paramount. Jones didn’t have to look far for clues as to what that should be. Right outside the apartment’s windows, the Gulf of Mexico waters and native mangroves dictated the biophilic colors that would work best inside. “Soft blue and jade green complemented the tones of the kitchen counter quartzite and the bleached oak used throughout the residence,” says Kamins. “And as a way to nod to the area’s sunsets, we incorporated touches of fuchsia and pink.”

Choosing the right textures was also a top priority. Big believers in natural materials, Jones and Kamins opted for bleached oak as a unifying touch throughout the residence. The wood was used to clad various walls, including in the primary bedroom, entry vestibule, and primary bath, as well as for all the cabinetry in the kitchen. A bit darker, engineered version was used for the flooring. When organic stone was called for, marble and quartzite were employed.

After reconfiguring the residence’s layout and maximizing its hosting abilities, the design team sat with the owners to discuss furniture and accessories, and it was decided custom was the only way to go.

“We made sure to use luxurious, durable materials and then complement with a mix of boutique makers and infilling with retail items when appropriate,” says Jones. “The bulk of the custom furnishings came from craftspeople we’ve built relationships with over the years who can achieve the quality of design details we ask for. When it came to lighting, we targeted brands like Andrea Claire for the dining room, Ross Gardam for the kitchen, RBW in the primary bedroom, and Sklo in the guest bath.”

Like most design projects, this one had its challenges. Among them, a hurricane that took out the freight elevator in the building for months and the discovery of a gas line that required modifications in the cabinetry design. Jones, Kamins, and crew worked around the problems to deliver the modern and sophisticated residence we see today, and by now, the chic aesthetics have erased those memories.

“Our clients were incredibly patient with the delays, and the final product exceeded their expectations,” says Jones. “They were over the moon when we revealed the apartment, and we receive messages from them regularly about how much they and their guests have been enjoying the residence.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Marli Jones & Brooke Kamins, Rebel House Interior Design, Winnetka, IL

Text by Florian Jouin

Photography by Mike Schwartz, Overland Park, KS

Stylist by Matthew Kritis

Open to see Interior Design Sources: