An
intricately wrought iron gate frames the classic
courtyard of a Jupiter home. The entrance presents
a charming facade that incorporates lush landscaping
with the gentle sound of water as it splashes from
a fountain into a tiny reflecting pool. |
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."
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| 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.
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| 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.
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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.
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