Drawn to a sprawling Palm Beach property for its generous double lot, a Florida couple sought to maximize the open space and garden areas around a new build while maintaining a modest architectural scale. Their vision of a house that grows and changes over time informed the design approach initiated by their architect, Daniel Kahan, a partner at Smith and Moore Architects based in West Palm Beach.
“A traditionally inspired Palm Beach Colonial-style dwelling, the project is designed to feel rooted in American architectural history while remaining relaxed and timeless in character,” says Kahan. “The owners wanted a home that felt quintessentially American, but not overly formal, large, or imposing.”
Conceptualizing the structure to appear as a historic house that had been gradually renovated and added on to by a family that was growing and acquiring property around them, Kahan’s 10,000-square-foot design includes an “original” five-bay Federal-style mass that starts to ramble into “additions,” allowing the architectural style to morph and loosen as it would have in the ensuing decades of the property’s evolution. “People often ask when the original house was built, not knowing that it all came together at once,” notes the architect.
A long gallery connects the wings of the house and showcases the clients’ superior art collection. At the far end, the dining room offers a formal space with architecturally defined alcoves and views of the gardens in the front and back of the house. A whimsical bay window with latticed grille work looks out to the front yard, and large steel-and-glass windows offer expansive views of the rear gardens.
Central to the home’s design are its alfresco living spaces, as the architecture prioritizes natural light, garden views, and fluid transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, making the house well-suited to the Palm Beach lifestyle. To enhance this vision, the owners collaborated with landscape architect Keith Williams to shape the outdoor aesthetic. The layered architecture and garden spaces allow the home to feel as though it has evolved naturally over time, giving it a sense of history while still meeting the needs of contemporary living. “The owners expressed how they wanted to use their gardens, with spaces that provide different functions—from entertaining to relaxing and lounging in the sun,” says Williams. “The landscape layout applauds the home’s rambling architectural style, which gave us a lot of flexibility in our design, including a fun folly structure on axis with the pool.”
The interior spaces pay homage to both gardens and architecture, with Washington, D.C. designer Lavinia Lemon at the helm. This being the third residence she has designed for this couple, Lemon and her team, including Megan Stinson and Abigail Blades, moved fluently into the creative process, refining the details together. “The homeowners are passionate art collectors, which played an important role in shaping the aesthetic,” says Lemon. “We approached the interiors with the goal of creating spaces that would feel both sophisticated and livable.”
Integrating the homeowners’ preferred palette of subdued greens and blues, the design team layered in textiles, rugs, and decorative lighting to create a calm, welcoming atmosphere. The colors also complement the lush landscape surrounding the home, helping blur the line between inside and out. Throughout, they incorporated custom furnishings and cabinetry to ensure the scale and materials felt appropriate to the architecture.
“The bespoke elements that define this project enabled us to tailor the spaces precisely to the owners’ needs while creating a cohesive design language that flows from room to room, and I think that’s true for everyone who had their part in bringing this spectacular residence to life,” adds Lemon. “The finished home, a glorious statement to interior design, architecture, and landscaping, speaks to the spirit of collaboration.”
Story Credits:
Interior Design by Lavinia Lemon, Abigail Blades & Megan Stinson, Lavinia Lemon Interiors, Washington, D.C.
Architecture by Daniel Kahan, Smith and Moore Architects, West Palm Beach, FL
Landscape Architecture by Keith Williams, Nievera Williams Design, West Palm Beach, FL
Text by Jeanne de Lathouder
Photography by Mike Stavaridis, Miami, FL
Open to see Interior Design Sources:
Sources
Entry
Bench – BK Antiques & Home
Chandelier – Ironware International
Dining Room
Table – Dakota Jackson
Chairs – John Rosselli & Associates
Buffet – Roman Thomas
Chandelier – Homeowners’ collection
Area rug – Matt Camron
Living Room
Sofas – Jaydan Interiors, Long Island City, NY
Club chairs – BK Antiques & Home
Cocktail table – Holly Hunt
Chandelier – The Urban Electric Co.
Area rug – Holland & Sherry Interiors
Kitchen and Breakfast Area
Island stools – Hollywood at Home
Pendant lighting – The Urban Electric Co.
Breakfast table – Holly Hunt
Chairs – Poltrona Frau
Chandelier – O’Lampia
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