Seaglass Tones Inspire In Bonita Springs Penthouse

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although interior designers  Diana Hall and Elizabeth Manchego created a 2,889-square-foot residence in a relaxing and soothing aesthetic, their workdays in Seaglass at Bonita Bay were anything but calm and cool. Since they were asked to design the interior of this sixth-floor Bonita Springs condominium before the rest of the high-rise building was completed, the team either walked upstairs or took an outside elevator. “As part of the install, we had to wear hard hats and ride the temporary elevator that went up the outside of the building with the construction team. This was before there was running water in the building!” Hall says. “It was a nerve-racking process. But we still had a wonderful time because we created the residence in a contemporary yet transitional design that we love.”

Selecting a cool palette of varying blues and whites inspired by the Seaglass name and the panoramic views of the sky, Gulf of Mexico and Estero Bay, the designers created an interior that would appeal to European customers who favor a contemporary home. “We brought an aesthetic that was simple and modern with clean lines, yet was warm and inviting,” Manchego says.

One of the project’s main challenges was to create immediate visual interest in the foyer leading to the living, dining and kitchen spaces. Since the large ceiling needed to be defined in a way that would catch the eye, the designers came up with a creative idea. “We designed floating squares that glow from behind which brings architectural detail into the space,” Hall says. “We wanted a dramatic, lobby-inspired feeling.”

The dining room presented yet another challenge as its niche and the chandelier were not centered. It was too late to move anything, so we kept drywall in the niche but closed off part of it. Then for symmetry, the custom silver laminate top dining room table and Eurofase crystal-polished chrome chandelier were centered. This served a dual purpose. “We wanted to display the wine collection as well as line up everything perfectly along the deep-gray wall while making sure the chandelier felt like it was floating in the room and not blocking the water views,” Hall says.

With beautiful countertops, a matching waterfall edge island and backsplash that echo the movement of sand, the kitchen is organic and natural, dreamy and contemporary like an island in the Caribbean. Together, the recessed lighting and porcelain flooring make a seamless transition to the living areas to create a grand entertaining space.

In the living room, which was so long it had to be divided into two separate areas, the larger space is dominated by boxy white furnishings and a center square glass cocktail table with a floating glass shelf. A shag area rug offers pops of blue and gray which add texture and a retro feel to the sleekness of the white porcelain flooring. In the rear, a smaller area with oversized chairs is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a glass of wine.

Designed to maximize space, the master bedroom is all about the drama with a custom headboard wall. It goes to the soffit with a custom sandbox for the bed. “We love the headboard because it creates interest and adds detail with the softness of the upholstered panels,” Hall says. Wall-to-wall mirrors on either side add to the open aura that flows through to the master bath wrapped in marbled porcelain to create spa-like comfort. The contemporary motif continues with the glitz of a chandelier glowing in rivets of cut glass.

“We were so happy with this residence when we completed the design,” Hall says. “Adding fresh architectural detail, we created a sleek contemporary home that is also transitional, soothing, warm and inviting.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Diana Hall and Elizabeth Manchego, Diana Hall Design, LLC, Naples, FL

Builder BCBE Construction, LLC, Naples, FL

Text by Linda Marx

Photography by Rick Bethem, Naples, FL

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