Beachfront Elegance
This reimagined park shore condo creates a new footprint of luxury and comfort for a retired couple from the Midwest.
By Florida Design, Article by Kasye Beza
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A stunning Gulf Coast view helped inspire the transitional theme in this 7,000-square-foot condo. “The shape and architecture are traditional by nature, but because it is a beach house the plan was to use a tranquil color palette and clean line furnishings to give it a more transitional feel,” interior designer Wendy Berry says. Berry’s approach to client interaction was one of the key selling points for homeowners Hank and Ann Bernbaum, who are from the Midwest. “She was my first choice,” Ann says. “She came to visit us in Illinois armed with fabric and paint colors … her process was interactive.”
Integrated Technology, Craftsmanship & Coastal Living
Integrated technology solutions designed to complement the home’s architecture while enhancing everyday living was an important factor in this luxury condo. Systems included smart home automation and control, indoor audio and video, lighting control and shading, and robust home networking—each thoughtfully designed to be intuitive, reliable, and unobtrusive. In coastal environments like Florida, systems are carefully planned for long-term performance while maintaining clean, discreet installation throughout residences. Through close collaboration with the design team and attention to detail at every phase, the result is a seamless living experience that enhances comfort, convenience, and entertainment while preserving the home’s refined aesthetic.
To introduce depth in the entry, the W Design team designed an arc ceiling. “Creating spaces architecturally is one of the things we love to do,” says the designer, who uses intricate ceiling details throughout to define the spaces. Beyond the entry, Berry planned two seating areas in the grand salon. The first is a relaxed living space designed for family and friends to gather and enjoy TV or conversation. W Design’s custom sofas from their private label, W Home Collection, a pair of cocktail tables, and a square occasional table in a white hue balance the rustic wood beams and shape of the room.
Ann enjoys water views while preparing meals in an open gourmet kitchen newly created with a center island and custom cabinetry built by Woodworkers. Berry left room for a breakfast bar and a more intimate dining area by the window arranged with a small round table and a pair of patterned chairs from Hickory White.
The grand salon’s second seating area, fashioned with four armchairs, boasts breathtaking water views and is grounded by a custom area rug in a natural hue. The light-filled space is further illuminated by wall sconces from Visual Comfort and a modern fixture from Paul Ferrante. Hank’s office features a custom, open-frame desk that was created to slide easily beneath the credenza. The sofa provides a perfect place to indulge in a novel from bestselling author Robert Ludlum, the condo’s previous owner.
The den is arranged with furnishings in natural hues and textures. A custom sectional by W Design is covered in crosshatch chenille from Zimmer + Rohde, while a woven cocktail table from Ralph Lauren conveys an organic feel. Berry designed the master suite with a regal four-poster bed grounded in comfort by a geometric patterned area rug from Surya. Mary McDonald for Schumacher draperies in a silver bird pattern, open wide to reveal a water view.
In Ann’s elegant office, an intimate sitting area is fashioned with Hickory Chair’s sofa edged with nailheads and accented with a coral pop of color in pillows from Cowtan & Tout. “The owners let me accessorize everything to a T,” Berry says. “I loved adding whimsical touches like paintbrushes in a black and tan basket. The perfect canvas for the designer to display her talents — this newly designed home would become the perfect retirement retreat for the couple. In the den, Beachers, an original collage by Philip Buller offered by the Quidley & Company Gallery in Naples, adds pops of color above W Design’s patterned sectional from its exclusive W Home Collection.
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Credits
Interior Design by Wendy Berry, W Design
Photography by Tricia Shay
