Design Talk
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That’s My Cue
When you’re telling a color story, artwork is a great prologue. Art is so personal and important that it’s not uncommon for designers to take color cues from their clients’ existing collections. “I often preview a client’s art before we start,” says Mitchell Brown of David Mitchell Brown, who placed an edgy photograph just outside the entrance to the living room of this chic penthouse. “I pulled the red and blue from the art and used them in my design. Then, I threw in some yellow to complete the primary color scheme.” Brown does offer this caveat: “If the colors are exactly the same, it’s too matchy-matchy.” Instead, opt for variations of a color to achieve a “layered” look. 209 Phipps Plaza, Palm Beach; 561.309.4839
It’s Not All White
When we think of contemporary design, we often envision an ocean of white. But Vincenzo Avanzato, who founded his eponymous firm Avanzato Design in 1999, doesn’t see it that way. “Color and contemporary can be synonymous,” he says, adding that it’s OK to be daring with color, just as long as the bold hues don’t overpower the linear silhouettes. The palette for the room shown here was inspired by his client’s interesting, colorful necklaces. Steering away from patterns, he used solid splashes of color like indigo and wisteria to add excitement without minimizing the modern elements in the room. 3692 SW 24th St., Miami; 305.774.1078; avanzatodesign.com
Make Your Bed
When it comes to selecting bedroom furniture, consider going the custom route. “It can be nearly impossible to find a tall-enough headboard or a wide-enough nightstand on a showroom floor,” says Leanne Yarn, founder and principal of Yarn Design Associates, who frequently customizes furniture to her clients’ individual requirements and aesthetics. For this master bedroom, she custom-designed a bed frame using dark walnut, then upholstered its body and ceiling-high headboard with suede for a softer feel. She also added a pullout tray to the nightstand so that her client could set a laptop on it when needed. 2901 Clint Moore Road, #214, Boca Raton; 561.757.8577; yarndesignassociates.com
In Plain Sight
Wine cellars have not only come out of hiding, they’ve become an integral part of a home’s overall design, thanks to Dragon Cellars, a designer, manufacturer and installer of custom wine cellars for discerning clientele who own prized wine collections they want to display. “We get numerous requests for transitional and modern designs,” says founder Al Fuentes. “Clients want an elegant effect, where bottles ‘float’ on racks and special lighting creates a warm, unique ambiance.” Placing a dynamic cellar like this at the heart of your decor allows you to enjoy your wine collection in a whole new way. 1615 S. Congress Ave., Suite 103, Delray Beach; 561.900.3668; dragoncellars.com
