Magazines: Broward Design
(Volume 1 Number 2)

Soothing Presence

TEXT Roberta Klein

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From the time he started designing in South Florida some twenty years ago, Louis Shuster has given his clients a special look - a soothing presence with the dignity of restraint.

"Design is an exciting field," says Shuster, whose handsome signature style equates to 'understated.' Nowhere is this signature more evident than in a new home in Delray Beach that Shuster recently completed for New York clients.

Ordinarily, Shuster's clients learn about him by word-of-mouth; this time it was purely serendipity.

Shuster was working on a new project in a neighborhood close to Delray's Addison Reserve when a couple drove by and saw the delivery trucks. Drawn to the activity, they left their car and peeked in the house. When Shuster saw them, he asked if they knew the owners. "No," the wife answered,  "We saw the pretty furniture and were just curious."

A neutral palette repeated throughout the house serves as the backdrop for art. This vibrant painting by contemporary artist Zubas exemplifies how color emanating exclusively from an art can punctuate an understated home. A silk chenille rug anchoring the seating group repeats the easy neutral backdrop.

At that point, Shuster invited them inside. They were openly complimentary about the cabinetry, furnishings and backdrops, which at the time were the extent of the installation. So Shuster suggested they come back the next day when the art and the accessories would be added.

Sure enough, the following day the couple returned to view the completed interior. Duly smitten, they retained Shuster as their interior designer.

During early communications, the clients emphasized the importance of a clean, contemporary interior with minimal maintenance. "They're golfers," Shuster says. "They spend about six months out of the year here. They expressed the fact that when they come to Florida, they don't want to be slaves to heavy window treatments and wallpaper or items that take constant care."

From the onset, the clients assured Shuster that they believe in the 'less is more' philosophy, agreeing that art and accessories should be the dominating source of color, with furnishings and fabrics playing the more passive role.

Given this approach, off-white painted walls and 24 by 24 inch honed Saturnia stone flooring were established as a neutral palette, leaving color to emerge from the art. There were also architectural elements that would be prominent. "The home", says Shuster, "had high ceilings with interesting designs of coffers in several areas. In addition, it is an angular home with angled walls and a very open floor plan."

As such, the foyer is open to the great room and dining room as well as the den and, following the natural path of the floor plan, the den opens up to the kitchen/family room, a singular space divided by an island. Shuster found the 2,800-square-foot plan "atypical and interesting" and a welcome challenge.

Adding to the challenge was the fact that the couple wanted to bring much of their own art into the house. Since they were in their New York residence while the majority of the interior work was in progress, provisions for the placement of the important pieces had to be executed via long distance.

A custom-made dining table of maple with cherry wood chairs reflects the soft theme of wood in conjunction with a neutral palette. Once again, color is reflected through the art with this 'bigger than life' oil painting by artist Brad Brenner.

"In cases like this, where people have their own art and photographs, measurements (of the artworks) are sent so I know exactly where the items will go," Shuster says. "For example, next to the built-in of the family area, I planned a pedestal almost like a niche to hold a sculpture.

"Then further down from the rotunda (foyer) entry there are four niches for displaying other significant pieces," Shuster adds. Measurements of the art for all these places were provided.

In minimizing the backdrop and highlighting the art, there is a soothing consistency of tone and texture throughout the house. Subtly expressed through the non-color palette and soft, natural woods, this consistency wafts its way from room to room like a lovely refrain.

Thus, upon entering the foyer, one's eye is immediately drawn to a cherry wood console topped by a mirror with matching wood frame. Then wood becomes the primary material of one wall in the adjacent great room in a built-in unit of natural maple with black ebony inlay.

The multifunction piece with retractable doors holds a large screen television in the center. Flanking the cabinet on one side is a custom bar with temperature controlled wine storage, and advanced sound and visual components on the other. Topping the cabinetry, with almost a bold defiance, are three speakers.

"I didn't want to hide or disguise anything. That's why I made the speakers an integral structural part of the cabinetry," Shuster says.

Also in the great room, the theme of color by art dominates the main wall. Here, it is exemplified by an abstract painting by the artist Zubas. At the same time, the vibrant painting sits above one of three seating groups in the great room, this one arranged for television viewing as well as conversation.

Elegant in its simplicity, the master bedroom continues the theme of neutral palette with color from art as it showcases Donghia seating and ottoman with lines harkening to architectural geometry.

Nearby, a custom table and buffer of maple and cherry woods reiterate the interior's softness in the dining room. Once again, it is art that adds the color - this time with a little assistance from the room's adjacent garden.

Softness prevails where Shuster removed a linear closet in a den/office/guest room to provide necessary storage and functional space in a cabinet of maple. Counteracting the fact the room only had one solid wall, the unit offers areas for guests' hanging and folded clothing and shoes in one section.

Another houses electronic office equipment and a filing section, while the desk holds court in the center. The result leaves a solid wall for a sleeper sofa and a prominent painting reflecting, of course, color.

The master bedroom echoes the very livable theme with a simple upholstered bed, Donghia chairs and ottoman and an armoire housing a television and drawers. It is the only room where draperies are utilized along with shades to shut out the intense light.

Because of the absolute accord between Shuster and his clients, the design was completed in five short months.

"I knew immediately that they were extremely definite about look and consistent in what they liked," Shuster says. "They had no doubts."

"They were terrific clients."

(Above) This natural maple wall unit spreads across the entire wall of the great room, concealing the main audio/visual entertainment components, a bar and refrigerated wine cooler and large television. The seating arrangement, one of three in the great room, is dual purpose for television viewing and conversation.

(Below) In a multifunctional room that serves as a den, office and guest room, designer Shuster continues his soothing theme by reintroducing subtle colors. A sleeper sofa accommodates house guests, while also providing a quiet place for reading. 'Tea Time,' a painting by Ned Bittenger, adds an element of color.

"From the onset, the clients assured Shuster that they believe in the 'less is more' philosophy, agreeing that art and accessories should be the dominating source of color, with furnishings and fabrics playing the more passive role."

ROBERTA KLEIN
Broward Design

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