|
Magazines:
Florida Design
(Volume
5 Number 3)
A
Geometric Inspiration
TEXT
Joan McIver
PHOTOGRAPHY Kim Sargent
Back
Inspired
by geometry's crisp lines, designer Louis Shuster used squares,
triangles and octagons as building blocks to shape the classic,
yet contemporary, interior for a new Jupiter home. Warmed
by rich woods and muted shades, the 4,700 square-foot, waterfront
home in Admiral's Cove exudes an easy elegance while fulfilling
the priorities of the owners.
"They definitely wanted the home to have a light, clean look," says Shuster,
who worked with the architect and builder in order to develop a cohesive style. "And
they wanted the home to be a showcase for their extensive collection of glass
art."
Since entertaining plays a major role in the couple's lifestyle, they asked
for an open plan that flowed smoothly from one area to another. With those
imperatives in mind, Shuster chose clean-lined contemporary furnishings,
sleek accessories and customized cabinetry to exhibit the owners' collections
of artglass, music and books. "Louis captured what we wanted," says the
wife. "He planned the whole thing from scratch. He put it all together.
We've already had two parties with more than 70 guests at each one."
The striking result is visible in every area of living space, from the
welcoming front entrance, to the book-filled study. At the entryway, wrought
iron gates feature a pattern of interlocking, black squares that open into
a landscaped courtyard. In the center, water from a small fountain splashes
a pair of sculpted bronze herons, then falls gently into a small reflecting
pool. It's one of their favorite areas. "The house is extremely symmetrical," says
Shuster. "I used the gates to emphasize a neo-classic feel."
 |
| Lean
yet dramatic, the foyer strikes a modernist theme.
Furnished sparsely with only a table mirror and
sculpted torso, the room's impact builds on strong
lines and contrasting wood tones. |
Inside,
the foyer's spare yet dramatic furnishings announce the home's
stylistic theme with uncanny grace. A rectangular mirror
framed and latticed in matte lacquer hangs in stark contrast
above a triangular table of pale, natural maple.
Seemingly a slim table is actually formed in two layers of light maple
and a black ebony slice in between. Shuster describes the table as an updated
and contemporary interpretation of the Biedermeier style. Triangular wall
sconces illuminate the space and cast the shadowy reflection of a wire
mesh (of a torso by David Begie) onto the mirror. Art and architecture,
color and shape come together in serene style in the great room. Taking
geometry at hand, Shuster balances the room's domed octagonal ceiling with
an eight-sided carpet resting on the French limestone floor below. Yet
even the light beige rug is a subtle tone-on-tone patchwork of squares,
triangles and rectangles.
More
than the sum of its angles, the great room serves as a grand
display case for the owners important collection of art glass.
On either side of the French doors, recessed floor-to-ceiling étagères
showcase the eye-catching art against a mirrored background.
A hidden ceiling light brings out the sparkle of the square-shaped
glass piece balanced on the glass-topped cocktail table.
 |
| Geometry
shapes the striking character of the great room by
pairing the octagonal ceiling with an eight-sided
carpet below. Natural maple used as molding on windows,
French doors and built-in étagères,
emphasizes a pattern of squares and rectangles. In
contrast to the strong lines, the plump and curvaceous
shapes of the couches and club chairs make this a
warm and inviting room. |
"The
additional lighting on that piece casts a crystal light
and bounces a prism of colors all over the room," Shuster
says. The off-white covering on the sofas and plump club
chairs provide a quiet background for the play of light
and color. Shuster introduces subtle shadings of purple
and lilac colors, favored by the lady of the house, into
the accessories. The sofa's scatter pillows are splashed
with lilac, while the ottoman cover of stamped suede
is shaded in mauve and thick piping outlines the club
chair in rich eggplant.
When
home in Jupiter, the couple entertains often. In fact,
Shuster says they built the large and open home specifically
to accommodate their many guests and parties.
And my, how the dinner parties must sparkle within the dining room's
vivid setting. Except for the brilliant colors and humor in 'The Innocent
Party,' an eight-foot painting by English artist David Remfrey, little
adornment detracts from striking table and chairs fashioned with an oriental
flair in black and golden woods.
Comfort and style make a happy marriage - in the softly rounded sofa
covered in off-white suede. Chocolate and gold accent pillows add sophisticated
panache. Lamps of brushed nickel with triangular shades add a slick sophistication
to the scene. "These are the same lamps that are used in the Armani shops," Shuster
says. "The hanging lamp over the table looks so minimal but it has
a halogen light that illuminates the whole area."
The nearby breakfast table is simply formed by placing a glass top on
legs of metallic cylinders. It is paired with chrome side chairs covered
in black. The chairs are on casters and easy to roll to the media center
when additional seating is needed.
 |
| |
A
built-in, custom-designed entertainment center of natural
maple forms the room's centerpiece. The comfort of the media
center flows easily into the breakfast area. adornment detracts
from striking table and chairs fashioned with an oriental
flair in black and golden woods.
The table is a stunner, an ebony top supported by four bentwood legs in
golden maple with silver-leaf inserts. The legs end in webbed feet. Shuster
says his design for the table base was inspired by Grecian urns. Squarely-shaped
chairs framed in black ash and covered in white chenille fabric carved
in geometric forms surround the table. A buffet of contrasting maple and
ebony stands beneath a Palladian window left undraped. The hanging chandelier
is simply shaped of wire mesh while the triangular wall sconces match those
in the foyer.
Since entertainment is important to this family, Shuster paid special attention
to the combined media and family room. The spacious area surrounded by
views of the patio and canal beyond is dominated by a 15-foot tall entertainment
unit designed in natural maple. Along with the state of the art audio/visual
equipment, the unit provides storage space for the owners' collection of
classical music and a roomy display shelf currently occupied by two large
urns.
At the end, of a busy day, the owners' library and den invites quiet meditation
or perhaps a browse through the collection of books arranged in orderly
fashion on rows and rows of built in shelving. For the husband, the library
and den does double duty as a functioning office with desk and computer
and as a well-organized library. Shelves of natural maple bearing his vast
book collection climb the walls in orderly fashion. But even the topmost
book is within reach thanks to the rolling library ladder.
"This room took months of planning. We had to design the shelves to accommodate
volumes of different sizes," the designer explains. Shuster extended the room's
height with a domed ceiling, then gave it a geometric form with exaggerated black
beams. The lean lounge chairs covered in dove gray with a sprinkling of blue
dots helps transform the functional workspace into a relaxing den.
Shuster says he designed the house with a 'less is more attitude.' The
result is timeless style.
|
"They definitely wanted the home to have a light, clean look, and they wanted
the home to be a showcase for their extensive collection of glass art."
LOUIS
SHUSTER
"It's
the same principles in design as in any business. You must
be consistent at what you do. You must continually turn out
good, creative work. You must provide good service. You must
carefully watch the business by keeping in close. contact with
your clients, your suppliers, and all of your vendors. It's
that simple."
LOUIS
SHUSTER
|
