Fort Lauderdale Home Boasts Fresh Modern Elements

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on an inlet in Fort Lauderdale called the “The Isles,” a new home emerges after a long-awaited project that took more than two years to complete. With nearly 6,000 square feet of living space, the homeowners have found their happy place — giving kudos to the creative team at Affiniti Architects, joined by interior designers Michele Osborn and Heidi Maya, and builder Vincent Mish. Coming from a Mediterranean-style home, the couple’s goal was a fresh new look with a contemporary feel and clean lines. “We wanted the home to speak from the inside out,” the homeowner says.

Both aesthetic and functional, the architectural footprint of the house is designed with purpose: multi-layers without balconies take full advantage of unobstructed views from the front entry straight through to the rear. “It was a Bauhaus thought process throughout,” architect Mitch Kunik says. And the interior scheme does not disappoint with a modern essence, extraordinary artwork and striking furnishings, along with dollops of color that pervade the space. “We wanted the home to be intimate and cozy in complement to the clean, modern architecture,” Osborn says.

This philosophy is defined upon entry with a foyer that stuns as its stairway with limestone treads, glass railings and brushed nickel embellishments appears to float. “We purposely created an open area that is very minimalistic and architectural to embrace the outdoors from the first step inside,” Maya says. Like a museum, the landing causes pause as a feature wall lined with a repertoire of framed photography comes into focus. “Living with art is important to us, it fills the space with what we love so much,” the owner says.

With a conscious effort to create that seamless   indoor-outdoor experience throughout, the family room rises to the occasion with retracting walls that fully open to tropical vistas. The interior palette is subdued with neutral shades and whispers of soft colors that permeate the space. “With the pool just steps away, we found it necessary to incorporate ‘family-proof’ elements,” the owner says. Outfitted for relaxation, a custom, two-sided channel-tufted sofa with chaise is covered in off-white leather and a performance fabric that wraps the seat cushions. “It was designed for watching TV on one side, and gazing at the spectacular pool and grounds from the other,” Osborn says. An acrylic-topped cocktail table based in polished chrome keeps things light and airy, while Roll & Hill’s abstract “Modo” chandelier bespeaks versatility with its spoke-and-hub system.

In the center of it all, the foyer with its soaring ceiling gives way to the dining room, a space where there is warmth and a wealth of natural light. Here, a freestanding metal console not only acts as a unique sculptural piece of art, it becomes a divider to separate the spaces. “It’s very aesthetic and architectural,” Osborn says. Designed for large gatherings, an oversized black oak table with sculpturally twisted lacquer legs interplays with the black metal chairs that envelop it. In perfect complement, tall metal cabinetry edges the nearby kitchen to create a sense of symmetry. “It’s the focal feature,” Maya says.

A sanctuary all its own, the master suite is a delightful space that emanates serenity throughout its bed chamber and spa-like master bath. To avoid obstruction, the team decided not to include a terrace. “The room looks like it is floating from the outside,”  Maya says. With a neutral palette, color is infused with a bountiful floral photo by artist Ben Schonzeit, while the teal blue pattern of Tai Ping’s area rug synchronizes harmoniously with nature’s blue water and green foliage.

Whether spiraling to third-floor social spaces or reclining poolside, the home becomes a recreational playground for family and friends to soak up the sun. The covered summer kitchen with a seating area provides resort-style respite from the tropical elements. A labor of love for the creative team, the home delivers on a surreal way of life — and a happy ending for this couple. “We were all on the same page,” the homeowner says. “We all understood each other and the end result is gorgeous.”

Story Credits: 

Interior Design by Michele Osborn and Heidi Maya, Michele Osborn Design, LLC, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL

Design Consultant Margaret Costello Design, Palm Beach, FL

Architecture by Mitch Kunik and Benjamin Schrier, Affiniti Architects, Boca Raton, FL

Builder Vincent Mish, AVI Contractors, Inc., Weston, FL

Landscape Architecture by Joe Peterson, Peterson Design Group, Boca Raton, FL

Text by Regina Semeraro

Photography by Ibi Designs, Boca Raton, FL

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