Designing a coastal home means taking nature into consideration first and foremost in one’s design process.  The views, the natural light and, the cross breezes – all of these elements will inform the furniture placement, lightning plan, the durability of materials and finishes used throughout and, of course, the color scheme.

Living rooms and family rooms would often be furnished with light colored sofas and chairs.  We prefer pure white or off-white fabrics designed to be stain resistant for easy cleaning.  We accessorized those coastal home sofas with lots of colorful pillows and soft patterned throws.

For those happy moments  after the beach, when families and friends gather around an oversized coffee table, we love using floor cushions for casual feel and endless seating opportunities.

Beach house floors  are often  natural stone or tile (practical for sand-covered bare foot experience) or light natural woods for a more relaxed beach house look.  We love layering natural floor coverings, especially sisal, seagrass and wool for living areas.

As always, dramatic ceiling light fixtures are a must!  We love using chandeliers and pendants made out of natural materials such as glass, capiz or coconut shells.

Here are some basic tips for designing a beautiful and functional living room:

• Your lighting plan should include variety of  light sources and all of them should be adjustable – dimmers are a must!
• Add softness to a room by using fabrics and upholstery.
• Living room should always have atleast two smaller conversation areas.
• Comfort is key in a living room – furniture arangement should be flexible, accessible and guest-friendly.
• Make your living room as personal as possible with unique accessories, travel mementos and custom throw pillows.
• Use several smaller side and end tables instead of a large coffee table – they will create instant interest.
• Or, opt for an oversized coffee table that will make a dramatic impact in a room.
• Find lighting that complements your space an design style.

A great dining table is a centerpiece of any dining room, whether it’s a Parson’s table with its simple square design, a pedestal table with a dramatic base, or a trestle table on a criss-cross base.  Is the shape square, rectangular, round, or oval?  Is the top wood, metal, concrete, or glass?  The options are almost unlimited.

Next come the chairs with even more opportunity to make a dramatic design statement with shapes and materials.  Wood, fabric upholstery, leather, metal, acrylic – and that’s before we even get to the color!

We used fabric and leather chairs most frequently, with Parsons chairs upholstered in performance linen or leather for ultimate durability and easy cleaning being our go-to-choices. If possible we like to add a side-board or a console table which offers ample space for buffet-style dining while grounding the space and offering ample surface for displaying decorative accessories when not in use.

As in many Olga Adler’s designs, dining rooms are illuminated by spectacular chandeliers or pendants.

Never an afterthought, original art can set the stage for fascinating dinner time conversations.

“I enjoy creating spaces where people congregate naturally – family and friends gathering together over delicious food can create the most precious memories and that’s what my dining room designs are all about”.

Here are some basic tips for designing a beautiful and functional dining room:

• Round tables are the best dining tables – they promote great conversation as everybody can see everybody!
• Pedestal tables are the most flexible ones as there are no table legs to get in a way of chairs.
• A 48″ round table can seat four, 54″ will seat six, 60″ will be perfect for eight and you can have up to 10 guests at a 72″ table.
• A standard dining table height is 29″ to 30″ but make sure to factor in the thickness of the top or an apron when choosing your dining chairs.

If a bedroom was a room used exclusively for sleeping it would be the easiest room to decorate – wouldn’t it? You come in and you doze off. You wake up and you are out of there. Well, for most of us this is not the case. It is the moments before we fall asleep and the time after we wake up that make the bedroom décor so important. Dreamy and sexy, calming and invigorating. How to achieve the balance? It is all in the mix.

Bed First

The size and shape of your bedroom should be the main factors in influencing your decorating decisions. How big a bed can you squeeze in and where to place it?  The style of the bed will help determine the style of the whole room, so choose carefully between poster, sleigh, platform, wood or upholstered headboards, etc.  As with any other room, it is important to create a focal point.  In a master bedroom there should really be only one – the bed.  That’s why the bed placement is so critical.  It is important that you feel “safe” in your bed.  Ideally the bed should not be in line with any doors, but you should be able to see the door when you are in bed.

Night stands should have at least one drawer or door – a place where you can put away personal items that could create a feeling of clutter if left out in the open.

Is there enough room for a sitting area?  If so, choose a love seat rather than a bigger sofa or opt for two chairs and a little table.  Add an upholstered bench at the foot of the bed – practical and beautiful.

Light Under Control

Is your master bedroom light and bright? Can you change the mood of your bedroom when you feel like it?  Good lighting is like being well dressed – it is all about layers.  Like any other room, the bedroom should have general overhead lighting, preferably small recessed cans.  The next layer would be ambiance lighting in the form of sconces or floor lamps.  And finally, a good reading light is a must in a bedroom but make sure that the size of the shades and the height of the lamps are right.  All lights should be dim-able.  Ideally you should also be able to control all the lights from your bed.  Some bedrooms get too much light at night, making it difficult to get a good night’s sleep.  Light intake can be controlled by installing shades or by lining the drapes with special light-blocking material.

Color – Pattern – Texture

Your bedroom is the most private space in your home, so color choices are very personal. It should not only have a color you love, but also one that looks great both at night and at sunrise. Bring in some contrast by either varying the depth of your favorite hew or by using other colors that complement each other. Vary patterns and textures of fabrics and finishes to add interest.

A monochromatic scheme can be stunning if the interplay of materials is just right.  Juxtapose silk and sateen with mohair and velvet, add some herringbone wool and grass cloth wallpaper, and you have an exciting and sophisticated mix. Set delicate fabrics against a striking bed frame, hardwood floors and a great rug, and you’ve
created a perfect balance of feminine and masculine.

Something Extra

A feature I like to include in master suites is a morning bar – it may include a coffee machine and hot water dispenser as well as an undercounter beverage cooler for water, juices, champagne, or anything else that helps you get going.

So what does it take to create a perfect master bedroom? Like in a good hotel suite: super comfy bed, luxurious bedding, just the right temperature and perfect lighting – all soft and soothing while beautiful and functional. Add a sitting area, a writing desk that doubles as a makeup table, ample closets and dressing space plus a little bar.

Wouldn’t it be nice?

Boca Raton Home Office Design

When our clients in Boca Raton asked for a European style elegant home office they mentioned something that defined the design we provided. “We really like black and white” – said our client and it was all we needed to hear to come up with a striking design scheme that feels modern, masculine and timeless.

The black and white color scheme complements the home’s Calacatta Gold marble floors, volume ceilings and walls of windows. It simply feels right.

A large space to which the builder of this custom home referred as Club Room but my clients wished to be a multi functional space and a bit of a “man cave” became a fully functional home office, bar, library and a media room.

Luxurious sofa coupled with a set of 2 smaller black and white coffee tables creates a perfect spot for watching TV.

An Eames lounge chair with a matching ottoman and a drink table make for a dream reading or napping spot.

A sleek desk and a modern bookcase can carry books, binders and decorative accessories depending on need.

A small desk coupled with Hermann Miller Executive desk chair are not just great looking but also a lesson in ergonomic design.

The custom built bar accommodates four Bottega Piston Stools, a favorite feature of which is the adjustable height – a perfect solution for adults of all sizes and kids alike.

And finally, a striking chandelier sets the tone for this black + white + chrome color scheme. It’s chic, it’s modern and it’s what we call Boca Raton premier decorating.

European Interior Design in Boca Raton

When our client in Boca Raton asked for a European style elegant open space dining and living room, the options seemed to be endless. We decided to go with an elegant monochromatic color scheme to complement their Calacatta Gold marble floors, volume ceilings and walls of windows overlooking the pool.

Luxurious velvet sofa on a dark oak base by RH, striking upholstered armchairs by Sisli featuring Moroccan inspired back detail and grey Only Studio waterfall coffee table all look sleek and sharp but this coffee table is especially stunning.

Washing over the clean silhouette of a waterfall, grey tones feel cool and fluid – versatile and neutral, yet still, a standout piece to complement all the other pieces. A beautiful area rug by Stark Carpet grounds the living room. Hovering over both living and dining spaces is a pair of striking matching Oly Studio chandeliers adding dramatic architectural detail at day and projecting soft glow in this spectacular space at night.

Taking advantage of ample space we decided to go with a large, 72” round black oak dining table on a stunning metal antique pewter base. The table is complemented by acrylic chairs with performance fabric seats. The clear acrylic allows the elegant table base to be fully visible. The dining arrangement is set against an accent wall covered in sparkling Phillip Jeffries mica wallpaper.

One of the reasons we love monochromatic color schemes is that they open endless possibilities for artwork and accessories selections and we can’t wait to finish this space. It feels effervescent elegant and indeed very European.

Beach House Color Palette

Beach house design is all about light and color. We love designing beach homes with light, muted color palette and lots of texture only accented with brighter colors. Blue, aqua and turquoise all come to mind when thinking about a beach house accent colors.

Beach House Finishes and Fixtures

The walls are painted in Olga’s favorite Benjamin Moore “super white” to create a clean and crisp background for muted furnishings and colorful art. Choosing the right paint finish is key – we prefer “matte” finish for walls and ceilings.

Beautiful wood look plank porcelain tile runs through out the first floor of the house creating visual flow. It’s also a hard working material designed to withstand sandy feet and muddy paws – great looking and easy to clean.

White shaker kitchen cabinets are a beach house classic. Together with white quartz countertops they create a perfect background for a striking bright turquoise backsplash by Sonoma Tilemakers, while striking seagrass pendant evokes a beach palapa and completes this dreamy beach house look for an everyday vacation look.

Beach House Furniture

White sofa might seem like not a good idea but this great piece is super comfortable and even though it doesn’t look it, it’s slipcovered for easy, worry free upkeep.

Surf board-shaped coffee table sets the tone in the living room for our client who happens to be a surfer. Comfortable arm chairs are perfect for watching TV and hanging out with friends, although it’s the island stools that get the most action as family and guests hang out in the kitchen.

INTERVIEW WITH MIRYAM FOSSATI – WINE EXPERT AND CONSULTANT

2. How long have you lived in South Florida, where are you from originally and where did you live before?

3. Tell me about your work and passion:

4. Why do clients seek your advice? 

5. What is your specialty? 

6. Who is your typical client?

7. What’s the most rewarding thing about what you do?

8. What’s your favorite thing about Delray Beach? 

9. How would you describe your personal style?

Thank you so much, Miryam!

Check out Miryam’s website to learn more about services she offers: https://journeythruflavors.com/  and follow her IG for musings on food and wine pairings: https://www.instagram.com/journeythruflavors/?hl=en

Westport, CT – August 6, 2014: Home of Olga Adler in Westport, Connecticut. Credit: Photography by Bruce Buck.

There is one thing that all beach house interior designs have in common – they try to bring the outside in and they extend the inside out. It is especially obvious in beach house bedroom design. How wonderful is it to wake up to a beautiful water view, to feel and smell the salty breeze, to hear the waves?

In beach house bedrooms design you will often find furniture made out of natural materials – naturally acting as an extension of the natural world outside. A bed frame or headboard made out of teak, raffia or rattan paired with white bedding – often in soft linen or crisp cotton – make for a perfect respite after a sun-filled day.

Typically, light, flowing drapery will perform a decorative function and will be supported by solar or blackout shades (often motorized) to assure not only the inhabitants undisturbed sleep but also to protect the furnishings from the sun’s harmful rays.

We love using natural plants in bedrooms for extra layer of interest and subtle color during the day, and for their air-purifying qualities at night. Place the plants in oversize planters and position them by the window.

We prefer to use light colors (white, ivory, cream, light grey), natural fabrics (linen and cotton) and uncomplicated color schemes when designing beach house bedrooms. I believe that a beach view should do most of the talking. That’s where mirrors come in – strategically placed mirror can act as beach view multiplier and magnifier, and can add additional interest to an otherwise neutral beach bedroom decor.

Beach house floors are often made out of natural stone or tile – very practical for sand-covered feet but not very friendly for a bare foot morning experience. That’s why we love layering these cold floors with natural floor coverings, especially light wool, silk and soft sisal.

As always, dramatic ceiling light fixtures are a must! We love using chandeliers and pendants made out of natural materials such as glass, capiz or coconut shells.

No segment of the home building industry changes faster than bathroom design trends. Each year or even season brings new ideas, materials and finishes and nowhere is it more visible than in the European bathroom design. Let’s review the most important elements of European bathroom design and see how they fit in the modern coastal bathrooms in South Florida.

Tile
Large scale tile are the most requested item when it comes to floor and wall materials. They allow for a more seamless installation and for creating an illusion of a continuous surface resembling of natural stone slabs or concrete. From the practical standpoint, the fewer the grout lines, the less grout exposure to water, dirt and mildew.

Another trend we see in European bathroom design are simple bathrooms with very neutral tile accented with small areas of decorative tile, especially in South Florida spec homes. It’s a nice trend towards understated look rather than over the top finishes Florida is known for.

Cabinetry
European bathroom design favors wall mounted bathroom vanities and modular bathroom storage furniture. They are very popular with homeowners in Palm Beach County. Wall mounted cabinets give the feeling of lightness that works great in large master bathrooms but especially in small bathrooms even though those vanities offer less storage. The finishes vary from classic white (in either high gloss or low sheen), to light and dark woods with exposed grain.

Countertops and Sinks
A lot of European bathroom vanities offer seamless counters with integrated sinks. It’s a favorite option of mine as it accomplishes the following design objectives: seamless counters offer perfect fit (no need to template a custom material and no need to wait for fabrication), integrated sinks guarantee easy cleaning with no sealer lines where mildew tends to develop. Also worth noting is the popularity of off center sink placement in single sink vanities.

Plumbing fixtures and hardware
In high end European bathrooms you will most likely see polished nickel or brushed nickel as well as matte brass and black matte finishes in faucets and other fixtures. Single lever faucets and wall mounted faucets can give any bathroom a sophisticated European look. Wall mounted toilets with concealed water tanks and integrated wall flush controls are very much en vogue. Japanese style toilets by Toto (or regular toilets with washlet seats, which are much less expensive, such as by Duravit) are quickly becoming a must in high end European bathroom designs.

Lighting
Of course no European style bathroom would be complete without stylish lighting designed for both function and good looks.

INTERVIEW WITH DEBRA SOMERVILLE – A COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER AND OWNER OF DEBRA SOMERVILLE PHOTOGRAPHY

1. Where do you live?
   

   Delray Beach

2. How long have you lived in South Florida, where are you from originally and where did you live before?
   

   My husband and I bought our house in East Delray in 2014. We moved here full time 4 years ago. I grew up on the shores on Long Island, moved to NYC and went to school there. I developed my business and lived in CT for many years before finally landing in Delray.

3. Tell me about your business: Why do clients seek your products/services? What is your specialty? Who is your typical client?
   

   I’m a commercial photographer specializing in personal branding imagery for websites and social media.

4. What’s the most rewarding thing about what you do?
   

   What I love the most about my job is the amazing people I get to meet and work with every day. Each business brings about another adventure and a unique set of challenges. I especially love helping your entrepreneurs with their brand and creating content that best represents who they are. I believe what sets me apart is my background in modeling and fashion photography. My skill set is very versatile though – in addition to fashion I’m comfortable shooting portraiture, lifestyle, products and interiors. You will also see me shooting some of Delray’s many amazing events, which I love to do, especially Delray Beach Fashion Week.

5. What’s your favorite thing about Delray Beach?
   

   Being a Long Island girl I had spent most of my summers at the beach. It was always my dream to live in a place where I can enjoy the ocean 365 days a year. My favorite thing about Delray is accessibility to its beautiful beaches. Delray Beach restricts buildings over a certain height so there are few high risers obstructing the view. I love walking my dog along A1A, enjoying our fabulous weather and taunting my friends back in CT! But what I love most about Delray Beach is the people. It still feels like a small town even with all the new businesses springing up. I’m especially grateful to the warm welcome of the Downtown Development Authority and Delray Chamber of Commerce, who have embraced me and supported me from the beginning.

    

   Check out Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority: https://downtowndelraybeach.com/ and Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce: https://delraybeach.com/
   

6. How would you describe your personal style?
   

   For work you’ll often see me squatting or bending down in some awkward position to get that perfect shot so my personal style reflects the need to be stylish yet comfortable. I typically wear a pair of cool joggers with a t-shirt and sneakers, and I’m currently obsessed with camo! For evening I love wearing all white, which I accessorize with a beautiful necklace or belt. I never fuss with my hair and makeup although I probably should be using more product. I like a natural look so I use a little base, blush, mascara and a natural lip. My go-to is Chanel.

Thank you, Debra!

To see Debra’s beautiful and versatile portfolio visit her website: https://debrasomervillephoto.com/ and IG: https://www.instagram.com/debrasomerville/