Within an established, private condominium residence in Bella Baia on Gulf Shore Boulevard N, Romanza Interior Design’s Senior Design Director Jennifer Stevens breathed new life into the space with an approach that is contemporary, yet timeless.
Working alongside London Bay Renovation, a division of London Bay Homes that specializes in renovating luxury residences in some of Southwest Florida’s most exclusive neighborhoods, Stevens was part of the team that transformed the 16-year-old Mediterranean-style residence into a light-filled, coastal contemporary Naples retreat.
The team met with the homeowners, who divide their time between their Pennsylvania and Florida homes, to learn more about their goals for the renovation – from opening up compartmentalized spaces to adding more storage. Working within a six-month window, they updated rounded arches with crisp lines and removed walls and columns to clear the view into the living space.
“The entrance into the home features a wide, expansive view to the formal and family living areas through a kitchen,” said Stevens. “I think that the openness of the home – from the formal living with a long view through to the family room French doors off a terrace – is very dramatic and a huge change from the congested column-laden interior that existed previously.
Stevens worked with the homeowners to create an inspired interior that combines an elegant palette of blues, soft grays and multiple finishes of metallics, lacquers, crystal, and metallic and textured wallcoverings. Floors of wide-plank, cerused oak flooring in a medium grey tone unify living spaces.
One of the biggest changes in the home involved completely reconfiguring the kitchen. Maple cabinets were replaced with a fresh combination of shiny white lacquer and grey-finished rift oak flat panel doors, paired with a Porcelanosa shiny textured tile backsplash. For countertops, a Pompeii statuario was selected for the island and pure white on the perimeter. Functionality was improved as well.
“The island is large and T-shaped, featuring a “work” end and an extended family eating area with comfortable counter height seating.
In the great room, Stevens created a simple geometric built-in with lighted shelving for collectable glass pieces. Lighting selections offered an opportunity to add interest along with illumination. One of her favorite accents is the lighting choice in the great room.
“It’s a dramatic ceiling treatment accented with an elegant, branching chandelier with hundreds of glass leaves.”
The kitchen island features a long rectangular fixture loaded with smooth, angular crystals. She also selected a show-stopping chandelier in the owner’s suite with layered, smooth crystal spheres.
A dramatic bath redesign replaced a dated built-in tub with an elegant freestanding version paired with an oversize walk-in shower and a new linen closet. New porcelain statuario- style tile was used for the floor and shower walls, paired with gray toned cabinets and lots of mirror. The look of a formal crystal chandelier was kept as a contrast with the contemporary crystal sconces.
“It brings a touch of classic Swarovski to what’s now a new, clean-lined and modern bath,” she said.
The homeowners are extremely pleased with an updated, unique residence that looks brand new – and lives much larger than its already ample 3,500 square feet. Romanza Interior Design helped the homeowners successfully achieve a stylishly re-envisioned residence that captures the “wow” factor they were seeking.
Romanza Interior Design is a full-service, boutique firm with an award-winning team of interior design experts who use innovative ideas and the latest trends in design to capture the spirit of each homeowner. Whether creating a new dream home, updating or customizing an existing residence or simply adding finishing touches, Romanza Interior Design can bring creative visions to life today.
