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Magazines:
Florida Design
(Volume 3 Number 4)
Manhattan
Mystique in Boca
TEXT
Barbara Dinerman
PHOTOGRAPHY Kim Sargent, Juno Beach
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When
Louis Shuster was asked to create interiors for a brand-new
beachfront condominium in Boca Raton, he was given carte
blanche on the design and budget. The only constraint
was time. The work had to be completed in four months!
"This
Manhattan couple already had homes in Manhattan and on
the Jersey shore," says Shuster. "The wife came to me
without knowing exactly the look she wanted. I knew they
were world travelers and when I met her I could see that
she favored extremely tailored clothing. So I felt that
they would want a clean, unobtrusive look in this apartment."
During the renovation of the elevator lobby, Shuster had all the commercial
elements removed - the printed carpet, the vinyl wallcovering - and transformed
the lobby into a striking minimalist environment.
"Two architectural marble columns were designed to hold a 'floating' shelf and
are flanked by two austere Giocometti-iron figures, a subtle prelude to what
is behind the double-door entry," notes Shuster. "I used full slabs of travertine
marble for a dramatic, yet clean, look."
And
beyond that entry, the drama builds immediately in a
foyer that suggests a Manhattan penthouse, though instead
of skyscrapers all around, panoramic ocean views lie
beyond the sliding glass terrace doors. "After an initial
interview and a single consultation, my clients left
on a yachting trip and I was left to create the design
scheme as I had envisioned it, using a timeless look
and lots of textures, such as chenille leathers and ubby
fabrics." says Shuster. "Even the sleek entry in the
foyer has an intricate floor of marble, granite and stainless
steel."
Amidst
the glow of candle-light, chilled champagne and soft music,
the curious couple stepped off the elevator into a transformed
environment. The entry foyer became an exquisite architectural
element when Shuster eliminated a walk-in storage closet
off the foyer and created a bi-level dining bar. He emphasized
the symmetry of this dramatic entry space with duplicate
consoles, sconces and fine art. An antique French clock rests
on one of these consoles - one of the few antique pieces
in this worldly contemporary scheme.
"For a less-is-more approach, I chose a soft palette of neutrals - crème,
taupe, khaki, beige - and used hand-painted, faux-stone wallcoverings throughout.
The real color comes from the art. which I also selected myself working with
the excellent Margaret Lipworth Gallery."
A bi-level dining bar provides a
focal point for the entertainment area.
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At
first glance, the living room offers the harmony of a symmetrical
space. But look again. The room's sophisticated beauty stems
from the balancing of different objects d'art. The play on
contrasting geometric shapes assures that the more you look,
the more interesting it becomes. It is as plush as it is
pristine, as comfortable as it is dramatic.
In the dining bar, a four-seat card table opens up to seat eight. The four
comfortable bar chairs can be pulled up to the extended table, thus giving
great flexibility to the room. The adjacent living room boasts expanses
of windows overlooking the ocean through special innovative shades with
adjustable blades that can be regulated (rather than having to raise and
lower the shades). "The more you look at the living room the more interesting
it becomes," says designer Shuster. The play on various geometric shapes
and textures assures a sophistication amidst a neutral color scheme.
Since functionalism was paramount in this home, Shuster also eliminated
a guest bedroom adjacent to the living room and turned it into an open
media area, where friends can gather to watch sports events. State-of-the-art
audio/video equipment includes three TV monitors and surround sound capability.
"Guest quarters were inconsequential to the couple," says Shuster, "so I elected
to provide about 2,200 square feet of entertainment space, a great proportion
of the 4,000 square feet of total interior space.
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The
club chairs on either side of the circle table
match exactly, while the torchiére on
one side of the sofa, is not the exact duplicate
of the table lamp on the other side. |
'Puzzle-like'
angled seating in neutral tones provides
a showcase for fine art in this state-of-the-art
home theater center. |
The media room also highlights Shuster's use of lean lines, neutral tones
and varying textures, which in turn showcase the contemporary art. The
angled, or 'puzzle-like' configuration of the furniture becomes an exciting
backdrop for Allen Jones' painted steel dancers.
Cabinetmakers wire-brushed the painted ash veneers throughout, to intensify
the grain and add mote textural interest. "My clients love the mix of art
- watercolors, acrylics, metal sculpture and pop art - from England," he
says. They wanted an education; they're involved in so many things, but
not in the art world. I was happy to select works for them."
With all these furnishings and artworks ordered sight-unseen by the clients,
Shuster was understandably on edge the day the couple arrived at their
new home, fresh from their yachting trip. But he had set the stage with
finesse. Amidst the glow of candle light, chilled champagne and soft music,
the curious couple stepped off the elevator into a transformed environment.
Awe-struck and delighted, they were compelled to check that, indeed, they
had gotten off on the eleventh floor!
"For
a less-is-more approach, I chose a soft palette of neutrals
- crème, taupe, khaki, beige - and used hand-painted,
faux-stone wallcoverings throughout. The real color comes
from the art"
LOUIS
SHUSTER
A
pared-down, tailored approach to furnishings
gives significance to artworks selected by
the designer. |
The
symmetric entry foyer provides a dramatic
introduction to the residence - with its
intricate floor of travertine, black granite
and stainless steel. Faux-stone wallcoverings
add to the worldly ambience. |
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