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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!
Even
the elevator lobby was transformed into a minimalist
space of travertine marble and Giacometti-like sculpture.
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"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."
A
pared-down, tailored approach to furnishings gives significance
to artworks selected by the designer.
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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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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.
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.
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'Puzzle-like' angled seating in neutral tones provides
a showcase for fine art in this state-of-the-art home
theater center.
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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
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