The Gasparilla Inn was featured in the Fall Winter edition of Midwest Living Magazine.
In the article, “Take a Winter Jaunt Down South to These 8 Beach Resorts,” the Inn was featured as a top destination for snowbirds looking to escape the cold of winter.
From rooms with beach facing balconies to private cottages and sumptuous breakfasts, the Inn offers the ultimate resort experience, modern amenities and a dash of Old Florida decor that is not to be missed.
Read the entire article from Midwest Living by clicking here.
ENTERPRISING COLLECTORS ARE CREATING LUXURIOUS LOCATIONS WHERE LOVERS OF ART, ARCHITECTURE, WINE, AND FINE FOOD CAN EXPERIENCE THEM ALL, SAYS CHRISTINA MAKRIS
People who love art usually enjoy the other finer things in life, such as good food, wine, picturesque landscapes, and elegant architecture. Now it is increasingly possible to enjoy these pleasures all at once. Across the world, owners of historic buildings and vineyards are boosting their potential as tourism destinations by using them as a backdrop for their art collections. From wineries in Chile, Tuscany, and California, to castles in Ireland and Italy, a former monastery in Croatia and a coaching inn in Scotland, they have created immersive spaces where a range of cultural and culinary offerings meet in beautiful surroundings. Some provide luxury accommodation and spas, others are the perfect spot for a day trip. All eight are a feast for the senses.
The Fife Arms’ Drawing Room with Pablo Picasso’s Femme assise dans un fauteuil (Woman seated in an armchair), 1953, on show
THE FIFE ARMS, SCOTLAND
Hidden in the Scottish Highlands in Braemar, close to the Balmoral Estate—which was bought by Queen Victoria in 1852 and is beloved by the British royal family—the 46 sumptuously decorated bedrooms and suites of this 19th-century coaching inn are inspired by local places and famous visitors to the town. Among them were novelist, poet, and essayist Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote parts of Treasure Island while on holiday in Braemar, and fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, who is now commemorated in the art deco Elsa’s cocktail bar.
The Fife Arms belongs to the art dealers and philanthropists Iwan and Manuela Wirth, co-founders of the international gallery Hauser & Wirth. The hotel incorporates 14,000 antiques and artworks, ranging from the 16th century to modern masterpieces and contemporary commissions. There is a self-playing Steinway piano decorated by Mark Bradford, portraits by Picasso and Lucian Freud, photographs by Man Ray and Hans Bellmer, and a ceiling painted by Zhang Enli. The main restaurant is the Clunie Dining Room, which features a mural by the Argentinian artist Guillermo Kuitca that was inspired by the local landscape. thefifearms.com
The Viña Vik winery, Chile
VIK, CHILE AND URUGUAY
Norwegian financier, investor and art collector Alexander Vik and his wife Carrie founded their 11,000-acre Chilean winery, Viña Vik, in central Chile in 2004. Guests can enjoy award-winning wines while dining on a seasonal organic menu devised by executive chef Rodrigo Acuña Bravo.
A visit to the vineyard and adjacent hotel, Vik Chile, involves an extensive encounter with art. The 22 rooms and seven glass-walled bungalows were each designed in collaboration with architect Marcelo Daglio, enabling guests to stay in an immersive artwork while enjoying 360-degree panoramic views of the spectacular landscape. The futuristic winery building was designed by the Chilean-Croatian architect Smiljan Radic, who designed the 2014 Serpentine Pavilion in London, and the couple’s art collection is spread throughout the building. Works include paintings by Roberto Matta, a light work by James Turrell, and a diptych by Anselm Kiefer.
There are three other Vik hotels on the Atlantic coast of Uruguay, in José Ignacio near Punta del Este: Estancia Vik, Playa Vik, and Bahia Vik. vikwine.com
Daniel Buren’s installation Sulle Vigne: punti di vista, 2001, on the grounds of Castello di Ama
CASTELLO DI AMA, ITALY
A visit to the Castello di Ama vineyard, between Siena and Florence in the Chianti region of Italy, is a sensory feast. Since 1999, the estate’s proprietors, Lorenza Sebasti and Marco Pallanti, have commissioned sculptures and installations as an offering of thanks to the land and its spirit, which also infuses the philosophy of their wine-making. Artists who have made works include Michelangelo Pistoletto, Daniel Buren, Giulio Paolini, Anish Kapoor, Carlos Garaicoa, Cristina Iglesias, Louise Bourgeois, Pascale Marthine Tayou, Chen Zhen, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Lee Ufan, and Roni Horn.
The latest work to be unveiled is a garden installation by Jenny Holzer, which features heavily scented helichrysum flowers and excerpts of poetry by Patrizia Cavalli and WS Merwin.
There are five bedrooms in the 18th-century manor house, allowing guests to stay and experience the sculptures at different times of the day in different light. The main restaurant is headed by the family’s personal chef. castellodiama.com
Lopud 1483
LOPUD 1483, CROATIA
The history of this former Franciscan monastery on the small island of Lopud, just off the coast of Dubrovnik, is a little hazy. It was built in 1483, but many of its records were lost in the massive earthquake that hit the area in 1667, which largely destroyed the city. The monastery fell into disuse, and while there was still a functioning church on the site in the 1990s, the surrounding buildings were becoming increasingly dilapidated, a situation highlighted by the World Monuments Fund in 1996.
The following year, the collector and philanthropist Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza began what would become a 20-year project to restore the monastery buildings. The 13 monks’ cells have been sympathetically transformed into five suites that fuse ancient and modern. Traditional plaster walls and woodwork are combined with handmade furniture by the Italian designer Paola Lenti and carefully curated works from Thyssen-Bornemisza’s extensive TBA21 contemporary art collection.
Lopud 1483 offers a variety of locations that can be tailored to every taste, from private gatherings to high-profile events, as well as seminars, performances, and concerts. lopud1483.com
The Drawing Room at Lismore Castle
LISMORE CASTLE, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
The Anglo-Norman Castle was built in County Waterford in 1185, on the site of a seventh-century monastery within sight of the imposing Knockmealdown Mountains. In the late-16th century the statesman and adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh bought the castle, but had to sell it after he was imprisoned for high treason in 1602. It later became the Irish home of the dukes of Devonshire, who acquired it in the mid-18th century. William Cavendish, the sixth duke, commissioned the Gothic revival architect Augustus Pugin to add a medieval hall, and asked Sir Joseph Paxton, the designer of the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, to create the lower garden.
The castle is still owned by the family, and their 15-bedroom residential wing is available for hire, but only in its entirety, rather than as individual rooms. The castle is an ideal venue for a celebration as it can accommodate up to 27 guests. One wing has been converted to house Lismore Castle Arts, which promotes contemporary Irish art and stages temporary exhibitions.
The seven-acre gardens, which are open to the public between March and October, are divided into upper and lower areas. The upper garden dates from the early 17th century and is considered by many to be the oldest cultivated garden in Ireland. The flower borders and lawns coexist with sculptures by Antony Gormley, Franz West, Bridget McCrum, and Eilis O’Connell. The lower garden has an impressive collection of plants that love its acidic soil, including magnolia and camellias. lismorecastlegardens.com; lismorecastlearts.ie; thehallandlismorecastle.com
Gao Weigang, Maze, 2017, Donum Estate
THE DONUM ESTATE, CALIFORNIA, USA
Founded in 2001, the Donum Estate in Sonoma, northern California, is a leader in single-vineyard pinot noir and chardonnay wines. Spread over 200 acres of hillside, it also includes groves of olive and eucalyptus trees and lavender fields.
The estate was acquired by the Danish entrepreneur and businessman Allan Warburg and his wife Mei in 2010, and the collectors have spent the past 13 years transforming the landscape with sculptures from their personal collection. Their taste is broad: artists whose work they have acquired include Ai Weiwei, Lynda Benglis, Anselm Kiefer, Louise Bourgeois, Gao Weigang, Ugo Rondinone, Zhan Wang, Keith Haring, Jaume Plensa, Elmgreen & Dragset, Fernando Botero, Richard Hudson, and Yue Minjun.
Warburg first went to China as student, and by the 1990s had set up a joint venture there with the Danish fashion company Bestseller, importing and selling western fashion into a fast-growing emerging market. Bestseller Fashion Group now has about 7,000 stores in the Far East. Warburg now resides in Hong Kong with his wife Mei. There isn’t a hotel at the Donum Estate as yet, but there are daily tours for visitors to taste the wines in a specially commissioned pavilion designed by the artist Olafur Eliasson and the architect Sebastian Behmann. thedonumestate.com
Michele Mathison, Everything and Nothing, 2019, San Basilio, Basilicata
CASTELLO SAN BASILIO, ITALY
This fortress, near Matera in the southern Italian region of Basilicata, was built to protect a monastic community in the seventh century. It is now owned by the Berlingieri family, who have housed their art collection throughout the property for the past five decades. In 2019 the young collector Aloisia Leopardi was invited to start a program dedicated to artistic research, experimentation, and collaboration. The castle is now a project space for cultural exchange between artists, curators, collectors, and arts professionals, which aims to encourage the local communities in the surrounding villages to experience contemporary art.
Visiting the artists in residence and exhibitions is by appointment only; it is also possible to book a suite or room at the nearby agriturismo, Il Filaro del Castello del Castello San Basilio. Basilio alumni include the emerging artists Oren Pinhassi, Lucy Henshall, Michele Mathison, and Sheida Soleimani. The artists for 2023 are Kat Lyons and Anna Perach. castellosanbasilio.com
Photos: Andrea Bosio; Sim Cannetty-Clark; Alessandro Moggi; Lucy Henshall; Robert Berg; courtesy of @vik_wine and @vikchile, The Fife Arms, Lismore Castle and Lopud 1483
Axel Vervoordt is a man with many hats: art and antiques dealer, interior designer, initiator of groundbreaking exhibitions and an impresario of musical, artistic and architectural experiences. Central to all this activity is his long marriage to his wife, May. Their evolving interests have been the guiding thread in their esteemed family business. Whether in their private home, the 12th-century Kasteel van ‘s-Gravenwezel, outside Antwerp, or in their impressive business headquarters, Kanaal—a restored late-19th-century distillery and malting complex on the nearby Albert Canal—their shared aesthetic and philosophical values are expressed in every atmospheric interior and the juxtaposition of carefully selected artworks. It is appropriate, therefore, that as Axel and May celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this spring, they have created a book about their collecting.
Axel and May Vervoordt in their home near Antwerp
What has interested them above all on this journey has been a dialogue between traditions—the exchange between east and west—which is reflected throughout their home and in their exhibition-making. It is also expressed in this new book, which celebrates artworks from contrasting traditions to emphasize continuities of thought and feeling. For Axel, his touchstones include works by Kazuo Shiraga and the numinous Fontana sculpture Concetto Spaziale, Natura, 1959–60. May has a favorite painting—Urbino, 1978, by Belgian artist Jef Verheyen, known for his exploration of light, color and geometry. She also loves the Japanese Head of a Lohan, or Buddhist monk on the edge of enlightenment, in their library: “Every time I see them, I learn something new.”
This interest in Asian art can be traced to their friendship with Dr Jos Macken, a neurologist who was a great friend of Verheyen and a passionate collector of eastern art. Through Macken, Axel became interested in eastern philosophy, especially the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi: the wisdom of imperfection. Axel explains that his mother instilled in him a feeling for “the beauty of simplicity—she liked very humble things”.
A collection of figurines in the library
Axel and May had visited Japan before they married and, from their late twenties, traveled through Thailand, China and Japan, developing a passionate understanding of Zen philosophy, ceramics, sculpture and calligraphy. Furthermore, Axel eagerly discovered the East Asian idea of the “void”—a potent emptiness; a latent creative energy beyond human comprehension.
Through Verheyen, the couple discovered the broad network of European artists connected to the Zero movement in Germany, including the Argentine-Italian Lucio Fontana and the German Günther Uecker, who were exploring similar ideas. Axel remarks: “After the terrible destruction of the Second World War, the idea of starting again from nothing was very appealing.”
The “Oriental Salon” at Kasteel van ‘s-Gravenwezel, with a 17th-century Japanese folding screen by Tan’yu Kano (left) and Fusta i Marró Forodat by Antoni Tàpies, 1972 (right)
These ideas were all percolating in the Vervoordts from the beginning of their relationship. They met when they were very young. May reports that Axel, then aged 21, “was a young antiques dealer,” while her interests, as a student of graphic design aged 18 or 19, “were more contemporary.” One of Axel’s early purchases—an oil painting by René Magritte of his famous motif, La Mémoire, 1948—suggests that he was always looking for a sense of “timelessness, the universal”. In addition, what was evident in their shared preferences was that, “the things we loved and bought, they had a sense of silence. They were never aggressive,” says May.
Axel Vervoordt seized upon dealing as a means of exploring his own interests in art. What he bought was always something that he and May loved: “I had to feel it in my breast,” he says.
The loft in the outer buildings of the castle. An Artempo disc by Axel Vervoordt hangs above painted works by Gutai artist Sadaharu Horio. Signal by Takis, 1958, is on the table.
In 2005, Axel discovered the Gutai artists in Japan. Alongside Fontana, Shiraga in particular is an essential reference for them both. May comments: “You feel strength in this art, but with that, a meditative feeling. You see the movement in a Shiraga painting, but recognize the stillness that came before.”
Both agree that they will never stop collecting. May refers to one of her favorite works, a six-fold Japanese screen from the 17th century, decorated with round stepping stones, black and white, with the motto: “By this way, bring you luck.” Collecting has become a series of steps, May explains. “There is an evolution. You continue to look and to buy.”
Welcome to Sotheby’s YouTube, where we bring you inside the world’s premier auction house for art and luxury. Hear from our world-renown specialists, experts in their fields, and watch the bidding action live from the auction room. We’ll take you behind the scenes in artist studios and into the living rooms of some of the greatest collectors around the world.
Landscape painters are telling stories that reach far beyond stars, sky, and sea; backyard barns are playing host to elaborate get-togethers; and custom cocktail bars are serving drinks in style at home.
Here are the latest trends in art, architecture, and design.
Amy Bennett’s Camp, 18 by 24 inches, oil on panel, 2020.
Photo Credit: Chris Snook Photography
ART
In the hands of contemporary artists, landscapes—which for centuries have served as voyeuristic travelogues of exotic locales—are pushing traditional boundaries.
From edgy scenes to outright abstractions, these new works have become settings for imaginative interpretations and narratives that allow viewers to see the world in a vastly different way.
Amy Bennett, whose studio is in Cold Spring, N.Y., sees herself as an omniscient narrator, an explorer not of the geographic terrain but of inner themes such as “isolation, family, time, and the difficulty of knowing and relating to one another.”
Her works, which she says offer a “God’s eye view,” start with a realistic miniature 3-D model that serves as a still life as well as a stage set.
For Small Changes Every Day, a 48-inch by 60-inch agrarian-themed oil painting, she created an eight-square-foot model that ultimately featured over 500 structures that she cut out of wood and painted by hand.
The models, which she often takes apart so she can reuse pieces for future works, allow her to control everything from lighting and poses to colors and to remove walls and “peer into places I don’t belong.”
Bennett’s inspiration, for the most part, comes from her own life and observations, including things she has read and watched. “The scenes usually percolate in my imagination,” she says.
She’s more interested in depicting a scene that makes viewers wonder than in painting a setting purely for its aesthetic appeal. A cocktail bar by Emma Green Design
Photo Credits: Galleri Magnus Karlsson, Stockholm
ARCHITECTURE
Bespoke backyard barns, which are being built to host big events as well as private parties in primary residences, are expanding the concept and physical boundaries of the traditional family room.
“They serve multiple uses,” says Daniel K. Glick, founder and partner of B&D Builders, an award-winning barn-building company based in Paradise, Pa. “People are drawn to spending time in a barn structure because of the inherent feelings of comfort and relaxation the atmosphere naturally provides.”
He notes that the company’s barns, which typically are made of Douglas fir, include accent beams, wall paneling, and furniture crafted from reclaimed wood. They also feature hand-forged hardware, and are used for everything from large-scale charity events to family reunions and weddings to yoga studios, basketball and tennis courts, and art studios.
In some cases, existing barns are renovated. For a private historic estate in Chester Springs, Pa., B&D Builders was commissioned to reimagine a working barn as an events space that features heated floors, a full kitchen, restrooms fashioned out of old horse stalls, a guest suite, a bar, several seating areas, and fireplaces.
The trend for party barns, Glick adds, took off in high gear when people were forced to stay home during the pandemic.
“Typically, they are a labor of love for the owners,” he says. “And we end up being invited to the first big event, which is always fun.”
DESIGN
Sophisticated and glamorous, the bespoke cocktail bar has taken up residence in the private abode.
“Clients want the option to entertain more from home without forgoing the fun or luxury of a night out,” says Emma Green, whose namesake interior design firm is based in London. “They are using them to reward themselves with a drink at the end of a stressful day or busy week and as a reason to have their guests in their best room, which is often the living room, and to create something of a spectacle.”
The cocktail bars offer sparkle power to new and old homes alike. Outfitted with illuminated mirrors and glass shelves that showcase glittering collections of cut-crystal bottles and drinks glasses, they are comfortably inhabiting alcoves, including those on each side of the fireplace, and hallways adjacent to public rooms.
“I tend to design the bars to be a feature in themselves,” Green says. “Who wants to hide a gorgeous cocktail cabinet away?”
Called into action for before-dinner aperitifs and after-dinner cocktails, they often feature a refrigerator/freezer that promptly produces ice cubes as well as a small sink for washing all those lemons
From a USD $99 million dollar sale in Florida to a HKD $375,046,000 sale in Hong Kong, here are 10 highlighted sales represented by Sotheby’s International Realty in 2021.
Color can set the tone for an entire room, whether you want to ramp up the energy for lively dinner conversation, or create a zen-like sanctuary for relaxation.
Pantone, the world’s foremost authority on color trends, has released their predictions for the top shades for 2022. Their palette brings together comforting neutrals and delightful pops of bold colors in unexpected ways. Pantone’s report showcases a diverse collection of color to reflect a global desire for calm combined with a sense of optimism, joy, and adventure.
Upholstery that pairs hot Poinciana red-orange with cool Spun Sugar blue creates a focal point in this seating area that practically vibrates with energy. The tailored piping ties the colors together in a joyful pairing, while the soothing ceiling shade of Basil adds a sophisticated touch that balances the entire scene. Walls are reminiscent of Perfectly Pale, an updated beige that creates the perfect backdrop for playing with bolder colors.
The ombre carpet runner on the stairs is a sumptuous addition to this Parisian-style residence in San Francisco. It cascades in rich jewel tones that include trending Skydiver and Harbor Blue. The inviting accent chair with its nod to Gossamer Pink provides a truly unexpected contrast and proves that the pastels of 2022 can deliver rich context within a modern color scheme.
If there was ever a color that injected both fun and regality into a room, it’s Dahlia. The deep violet-plum provides a refreshing focus in this inviting living room. Lush velvet pillows offer both comfort and luxury with a splash of Innuendo when the light hits just right, while the wood tones on the grand double-door keep everything grounded with the right balance of warmth and welcome.
In contrast to high-energy primary colors and jewel tones, the other half of this year’s color palette focuses on restful neutrals for timeless sophistication. In this chic kitchen, the Snow White wallpops against cabinets painted the pale gray of Northern Droplet. This shade is matched in the bar stools and dining chair upholstery, where it plays against the deeper tones of the Poppy Seed-inspired island and cool metallic frames of the dining furniture.
This charming estate takes a cue from Pantone’s warm Coca Mocha for a natural exterior that harmoniously complements the property’s lush landscape. The earthy tone lends itself beautifully to contemporary Moroccan architecture and the front door’s impressive wooden carving. Whether strolling through the courtyards or relaxing poolside, the home’s espresso hue offers a welcome sense of calm, and proves that color trends aren’t just a consideration for interior design.
Snow White shines in this bright living room, which gains interest from its playful use of geometry: diamonds on the ceiling, mod patterning on the tub chairs, and the hexagonal coffee table at the center. That pièce de résistance is decked out in this season’s best pastel, Gossamer Pink. The whole result is a mesmerizing study in texture and color that’s also highly livable.
Pantone’s color trend predictions for spring 2022 highlight what’s best about the current design moment: the timeless comfort of neutrals and the irrepressible joy of bright, bold hues. Taken together, the possibilities for creating a unique living space are endless.
Mediterranean-style architecture is the original indoor-outdoor living.
With their terra-cotta-tiled roofs, stucco or stone facades, columns, ironwork, and arched doorways, these residences are designed to let the sea breezes in and bring the Mediterranean to mind.
Extensive gardens, landscaped with native flora and fauna; pools and water features; vaulted ceilings for air circulation; and plenty of terraces, loggias, and balconies are also hallmarks of these houses. Many have the feel and amenities of resorts, but their natural materials and muted colors blend into the surroundings.
“For years architects have been respecting the environment and they build and design their properties by integrating them into the landscape,” says agent Alejandra Vanoli of Mallorca Sotheby’s International Realty. “The design of these houses helps control the temperature inside and is focused on spending time in the outdoor areas.”
One classic example of the style can be found at an 18th-century stone villa at the foot of the Tramuntana mountain range on the Spanish island of Mallorca.
The property is surrounded by almond plantations and citrus, fig, and olive trees, and the grounds feature palm trees, bougainvillea, hibiscus, and roses, according to the listing. There’s also a pool and a spa, lounging areas and pavilion, plus a small church, a painter’s studio, tennis courts, horse stables, and a riding arena on the estate.
On the interior, which is about 6,500 square feet, features include arched doorways, exposed ceiling beams, fireplaces, and hardwood or tile floors. A loggia allows for outdoor dining, and there’s a courtyard as well. Sotheby’s is offering the property for €3.49 million.
Although Mediterranean-style homes still put a premium on outdoor space, newer builds also take full advantage of technologies, such as integrated systems that monitor temperature. And many have more open-floor plans.
“As some of the more modern trends are open spaces with abundant light, this is now applied in Mediterranean-style homes, too,” Vanoli says. “This is possible thanks to modern technologies to control the temperature inside.”
That’s certainly the case at another five-bedroom, five-bathroom home Mallorca Sotheby’s International Realty is currently representing. The residence boasts a more open layout, extensive windows, and fewer arches inside the home.
Outside, there’s ample patio space surrounding an infinity pool that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, plus a covered dining area and lounge and a garden. There’s even a private staircase from the primary bedroom suite to the pool area, according to the listing. It’s currently on the market for €6.25 million.
Not surprisingly, the style has been adopted far outside Spain, Italy, and the other European countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. That’s the case at Casa de Cascadas in San José del Cabo, a city on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.
Overlooking the Sea of Cortez, the 8,210-square-foot residence also features an infinity pool hovering over the water, and views from nearly everywhere on the property. It’s listed at just under US$6 million.
“Every room in Casa de Cascadas features massive sparkling blue water views,” according to listing agent Katie Mariscal of Los Cabos Sotheby’s International Realty. “It has Mediterranean-style rounded windows and doorways, traditional columns, and original ceramic tile. Intimate areas and viewing terraces are scattered throughout the property.”
The home also has wraparound terraces, 250 feet of water frontage that includes two beaches, two pools, four en-suite bedrooms, a gym, an office, and a separate two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment adjacent to the three-car garage.
Mediterranean-style architecture has even migrated to areas without water views, notes Susie Langford of Colorado-based LIV Sotheby’s International Realty. “In Colorado, there is a surplus of homes that are contemporary, Mid-Century Modern, and that have more rustic mountain aesthetics,” she says. “To have a Tuscan or Mediterranean-style home stands out and makes every day feel like a vacation with its more coastal design.”
Langford recently listed a six-bedroom, 10-bathroom Mediterranean-style home in Parker, Colo. Its stone facade, terra-cotta roof, arched door frames, vaulted ceilings, and outdoor spaces—including a heated courtyard and elevated balcony space with an outdoor fireplace, hot tub, kitchenette, and lounge area—give that old Italian feel, she explains.
But instead of azure seas, it has views of Rocky Mountain National Park, Pikes Peak, and the Colorado Golf Club on which it sits.
Located at Colorado Golf Club in Parker, Colo., this 16,000-square-foot home is reminiscent of some of the most beautiful Italian estates.
Other features include an open layout, two custom-designed offices, a gourmet eat-in kitchen, a two-bedroom guesthouse, and a four-car garage. There’s also a party room with two fireplaces, a marble-and-mahogany bar, and, of course, views of the greens and Pikes Peak in the distance. Meanwhile, in Florida, the Mediterranean style has had several incarnations, according to Dennis Carvajal of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty.
“It was very prevalent around here in the 1920s and 1930s, inspired by Spanish and Italian villas and things like that,” he explains. “It made a big comeback in the late 1990s to 2008 or 2009. And then I think it was overdone.”
The residences of the early aughts were darker, more formal, and compartmentalized, according to Carvajal. But when those properties are updated with open space and lighter color palettes, they are as popular as ever.
“A lot of those homes sat on the market because people didn’t like the style. For a while there, I thought they were actually incredibly undervalued,” he says. “You take those homes and you give them a more contemporary twist—paint them white, make the interiors much more light and bright—and they’re a huge hit. I mean, people see them and they love them.”
One of Carvajal’s current listings is a villa dating to the 1920s located on nearly three acres, one of the largest non-waterfront plots in Miami’s Coconut Grove. The home has been modernized, but retains the classic roof, arched doorways, and indoor-outdoor living indicative of Mediterranean-style architecture.
Offered at US$17.5 million, it includes eight bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, plus two offices, a gym, and a loggia leading to the four-car garage.
The estate also features a reflection pool surrounded by thousands of native trees and plants in its botanical garden by landscape architect Raymond Jungles.
“The grounds are incredible,” Carvajal says. “There are waterfalls, koi ponds, observation decks. It’s just amazing, for lack of a better word.”
When you think “minimalism,” chances are, in the literal sense, very little comes to mind. And what you do see may be a sterile picture. While the idea of minimalism in décor certainly has its merits (freedom from clutter, simplicity, a spacious feel), for many the concept—and achieving it—may seem unapproachable. But what if you could evoke a minimalist feel that was also inviting?
“Many people have a misconception that minimalism and starkness are the same thing. That’s not true,” says Ximena Rodriguez, principal and director of interior design at CetraRuddy in New York. “Minimalism and warmth do not have to be contradictory principles. For us, a neutral color palette, materials, and textures are the building blocks of warm minimalism,” she says.
At its core, and when designed well, a minimalist home offers a calming environment and a sense of serenity, Rodriguez says. “A cleaner environment creates more space for your mind to concentrate on positive ideas, goals, or tasks.”
Making it feel warm and welcoming is a matter of thoughtful restraint. As Michael Rath, CEO, owner, and director of design services at Trilogy Partners in Frisco, Colo., says, “The path to simplicity is a careful inventory of what is most important and what is not, and that which is becomes the place, and that which is not has no place.”
Nina Magon sticks to complementary hues and textures to create interesting minimalism.
Carefully Select the Color Palette
While it seems standard practice, minimalist spaces needn’t be stark white. “Color has a big impact on mood, and we’re seeing a movement away from brighter whites and toward warmer neutral tones that offer a soothing effect,” Rodriguez says.
Similarly, architect Elisabeth Post-Marner, principal at Spacesmith in New York, prefers to use quiet colors and textured neutrals, which instill a sense of calm. “Keeping the palette ‘quiet’ allows you to combine different colors,” she says.
Minimalist spaces don’t need to be monochromatic, either. Post-Marner opts for a tonal vibe or uses colors in the same family. For furniture, this might mean using cherry and walnut finishes, which live in the same midbrown family or a range of neutral tones and textures that complement one another.
Rath also goes for neutrals but adds in a burst of color here and there. He looks to calming contrasts as well, such as lighter straight-grained wood finishes with a charcoal gray backdrop.
To maintain a sleek and consistent vibe, and promote a cohesive flow, Nina Magon, of Nina Magon Studio in Houston, uses a trio of hues that are similar in shade and tone and incorporates a range of tonal textures. “To create visual layering that adds warmth and subtle richness, stick to a certain group of complementary hues and bring in a range of different textures and fabrics for visual interest,” Magon says.
Add Dimension
Texture is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make a space feel more inviting. “Mixing texture is essential to creating a warm and interesting space,” says Samantha Gallacher, co-founder of IG Workshop, a Miami-based interior design lab and founder of Art+Loom, a line of handcrafted rugs. Think textiles, such as rugs and window treatments, and layered textures (textured wallpaper, chunkier weaves on furniture), she says.
Rugs in particular add visual interest, dimensionality, warmth, and texture without cluttering a space or taking away from the bare beauty of minimalism, Magon says. Incorporating a few different textures can help keep a space varied and welcoming—especially if the colors are neutral and complementary, Rodriguez says. “This is where materials play a role. For kitchens and bathrooms, there’s interest now in stones that feature unique patterns and colors, such as blue and green tones, which bring a much warmer feel than a standard white marble,” Rodriguez says.
Gallacher brings the color palette to life using a gradation of neutrals throughout a space by way of natural elements such as wood, marble, and concrete. Lighting also comes into play. “Lighting that’s concealed or integrated into millwork, for instance, can be very minimalist, but it can also adjust over the course of the day to match circadian rhythms and have a positive influence on mood,” Rodriguez says.
Rath recommends organics such as wood and leather. “Wood and other organics introduce subtle natural patterns that are interesting to behold. Sheen is relaxed, not shiny, and warmer in appearance. Simpler straight grain woods in cabinetry are the way to go,” he says.
Artwork can also bring a sense of dimension, interest, and texture. “Featuring your favorite artwork, or a few curated accessories displayed in smaller moments, can go a long way toward adding style and warmth,” Rodriguez says. And when well-placed, art adds personality and makes a space feel like home, says Anne Carr of Anne Carr Design in Los Angeles. “While you don’t want to over-accessorize, make sure to incorporate personal touches such as vases, framed photos, and coffee table books,” she says.
Go Green
“Plants bring life and energy, and their rich colors are wonderfully contrasted against a simple neutral palette,” Rath says. They also lend a sense of tranquility and a connection to nature that has proven health benefits like air purification, Rodriguez says. “If your home offers great views of a natural green landscape, you might not need much greenery within your interior spaces. Even so, it only takes a few strategically placed plantings to bring that feeling of nature into your home in a way that contributes to a warm minimalist mood,” she says.
Rodriguez also prefers to incorporate greenery on balconies or other indoor/outdoor spaces. “Landscaping or adding plantings to these areas visually integrates nature into your living space without crowding and cluttering the home,” she says.
Post-Marner loves to incorporate philodendrons, in particular, but with restraint. “When purchasing plants, a minimalist philosophy should be used as well. One five-foot-high philodendron in a living room as opposed to five smaller plants,” she says.
If you don’t have a green thumb, Carr suggests using fresh, rotating arrangements. “They’re a great way to keep things interesting while bringing some life to the room.”
A contemporary home designed by Nina Magon Studio
Clear Clutter
The first principle of minimalism is a clutter-free space. For that, storage is essential. “It should be everywhere and yet not obvious,” Rath says. “I recommend incorporating flush-mounted surfaces that hide everything with an option to open and grab whenever you may need it.”
“The beauty of minimalist design is the ‘less is more aesthetic,’ so the less clutter that is visible, the better,” Magon says. She suggests hidden storage elements such as benches, ottomans, furniture pieces with drawers, and flush push-to-open millwork.
Getting creative with storage is key to successful minimalist design, Rodriguez says. “We like to find ways to conceal storage within our designs for a room by integrating closets into wall paneling, for instance.”
A dining room with pops of color by Ximena Rodriguez.
A lounge area by New York-based Elisabeth Post-Marner.
