Art and Vibrant Colors Speak Volumes in Gulf Stream Home

1 of 10

Lauren McCauley and Peyton Urbanek of Kemble Interiors knew they had the clients all designers dream about when they told them they wanted bright blue lacquer cabinetry for the kitchen of their new home in Gulf Stream.

“They were game when it came to palette, and that’s always a good sign,” says McCauley. “Blue became the anchor color throughout the home, with pops of yellow and pink in the main living spaces. We also decided that specific shades were needed for the guest rooms, one in green and another in blue, to give each space its own personality.”

Come to think of it, personality is the first word that comes to mind when encountering the 3,000-square-foot residence. Upon first meeting with them, the owners told McCauley and Urbanek  exactly what they wanted: “a transitional design that would highlight and complement their art collection.” And that’s what they delivered.

Said art collection, a smartly curated mix of contemporary paintings, photography, and black-and-white sketches, becomes the focal point of each room in the house thanks to the design team’s astute layering. “The art collection drove the entire design,” says Urbanek. “We pulled key colors like blue, yellow, and pink from the artworks and carried them throughout the home.”

Integral to the design was the furniture selection. “We kept the furniture pieces neutral and transitional, allowing the art and accent pieces to bring in visual interest,” says McCauley. “We relied on amazing brands such as Artemest, Rebecca Atwood for fabrics, Stark for area rugs, Phillip Jeffries for wallcoverings, Urban Electric for lighting, and many others.”

As smooth as the design process was, the project did have its minor challenges. The home’s modern layout meant the kitchen, living room, and dining area were open to one another, so the design team had to ensure each space was clearly delineated. This was done by carefully choosing which artworks went where, a process that was purely instinctual. Case in point: In the living room, a foursome of ink sketches by William Kentridge is perfectly juxtaposed with pink and blue cushions and bulbous lamps in bright yellow. Why do Kentridge’s images of a man with birds work so well here? Who knows, but they do, so why question it?

“The art proved to be the driving force of this project time and again,” says McCauley. “Our goal was to let those pieces shine without overwhelming them with too many competing elements. It was thrilling to see this vision of a home come to life.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Lauren McCauley & Peyton Urbanek, Kemble Interiors, Palm Beach, FL

Architecture by Michael J. Johnson, Tequesta, FL

Construction by Curtis Meade, Boynton Beach, FL

Text by Florian Jouin

Photography by Carmel Brantley, Delray Beach, FL

Open to see Interior Design Sources: