Proof that change can be good is on display at an 11,000-square-foot home in Stuart that had once been a 1930s Dorothy Draper-inspired palace of bright pinks and deep greens. Over the years, the maximalist touches that had defined the residence as a classic beauty in its heyday became antiquated, and its closed-off interiors, outdated technology, and lack of connection with the outdoors made it unsuitable for modern living. Then, interior designer Gloria Black stepped into the picture.
This home was very much a shrine to its time when you first visited it, wasn’t it?
Yes. You could tell the house had been all the rage when it was built; it featured the bold design choices that you see in classic films. It had been lived and loved for many years by the previous owners. You had to admire that.
Did you immediately know what design direction you were going to take with the renovation?
When I entered the space, I knew it could be transitioned to French Moderne. The house has great bones, and there were beautiful millwork details I wanted to keep. With historic structures like this one, the classic architecture can create a beautiful backdrop for the latest furnishings, and that allows for a wonderful fusion of classic and modern.
What did your client ask for?
He wanted the house to be relatively neutral and to ensure the vast space would not feel bare or empty. And he wanted furnishings and finishes that would engage the eye.
What was your approach to textures?
Those were essential as without the right ones the space would feel cavernous. I opted for fabrics that were supple and comfortable to the touch, and because the space receives such gorgeous sun,
I used fabrics that reflect light.
There is so much furniture throughout this home. What guided your selections?
Furnishings were very important because without the right ones, the space would have felt cluttered or out of proportion. Most of the items were customized for size, and I sourced from craftsmen all over the world. I’m talking from South Florida and California to Canada and Indonesia.
What is the flooring we see throughout most of the residence?
It’s a beautiful, marine-grade French white oak. The client was torn between stone and wood, but we ultimately went with wood to warm up the space.
The lighting selections are all so distinct. What can you tell us about them?
We call those the jewelry of the home. Since most of our design choices were clean-lined and neutral, I opted for unique and elegant pieces to show off the beauty of the spaces.
What was the most challenging aspect of this project?
The ever-changing scope of the work. This started out as a simple renovation, and it turned into a full design build. Because the home is so old, the original handcrafted blueprints had to be redone in a digital format, and each and every change required reviews by the engineer, the architect, the review board … it was a labor of love.
Story Credits:
Text by Christopher Day
Interior Photography by Lori Hamilton
Designer photo courtesy of Gloria Black Design
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