Florida International Magazine
August 2007 Home & Design

Design Visionaries

From miles of coastline dotted by premium penthouses and beachside bungalows to urban cores filled with mansions and estates, Florida’s definition of home is as varied as they come. On exhibit inside these abodes is the work of the state’s leading creative minds - the designer’s, decorators and architects defining the state’s design esthetic. FIM’s design directory gives these 100-plus professionals the opportunity to share insight on their mission, Florida style and, most importantly, what design means to them.

LOFTY AMBITIONS
A wall-free renovation transforms a dowdy 1973 condo
into a very-now, very-wow vacation retreat

Design by Stephen Shields
Text By Luis R. Rigual

When Stephen Shields took on the task of modernizing a 1973 condominium, he knew the key lay in the flow of the space. “My desire was to achieve a sense of sophistication paired with simplicity,” he says in his polite baritone. “I wanted the place to serve as both a vibrant area to display art and be a welcome respite from the pace of South Beach.” His solution was to go loft.

To ensure the project would go exactly as planned, Shields was able to inspect the residence with an architect before the homeowner purchased it to ensure that the structure could withstand his ambitious, wall-free plans for it. Once he was given the green light, Shields and his team got down to business. They tore down walls - most of them in fact - to completely open up the 800-square-foot residence. “We ripped just about everything out,” says Shields. “The main goal was to create openness. Now you look at the space, which is relatively small, and you’d swear it’s twice as large as before.” Once the bones were up to par, Shields began the design phase of the renovation - a selective process to say the least.

The designer drew inspiration from a color palette that nods to nature. To that end, light beige travertine floors,(in 24-inch slabs) mimic the color of the sandy beaches. Small blue glass mosaic tiles in the bath are a reflection of clear blue skies. Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White paint on the walls echoes the crispness of sunny day clouds. And exposed concrete ceiling beams recall the dove gray of a stormy afternoon.

Once the tone of the residence was set with color, the next step was to delineate the different areas by function. Shield’s wall-less, see-through environment meant each piece of furniture and art had to be meticulously second-guessed - no walls meant no room for mistakes. This prejudiced selection process is particularly evident in the living area of the loft. Here, a sculptural chair designed by Shields titled The Tsunami gives the space its edge. Viewed from certain angles, the piece appears to resemble the letters “A” and “L”, which represent the chemical symbol for aluminum, from which the chair is constructed. “The homeowners saw it in my office and had to have it,” says Shields. “The rest of the furniture is significantly less severe. A seating area with a white linen sofa, a reading chair reupholstered in a candy stripe pattern fabric and a red lacquer coffee table boasts myriad styles and textures. Anchoring the space with bold colors is a striking, two-canvas diptych by Henry Callahan titled Cumberland Falls.

To establish uniformity on varying windows and sliding glass doors that couldn’t be changed due to building codes, Shields opted for full-length draperies that provide total blackout if so desired. Lighting was also installed to ensure flawless illumination: “We dropped the ceiling six inches between each concrete beam and then added low voltage dimmable halogen every four feet,” explains Shields. The arduous task was well worth the effort. At night, with the right turn of a switch, the space glows with warm light.

The kitchen is yet another testament to Shields’ approach to stylish function. The designer laid out the room expertly to ensure a smooth traffic flow. The Florense cabinetry fools the eye into believing they’re made of wood, but it’s actually melamine, a material that’s both green-friendly and moisture-resistant. The countertops and island station were made with quartz from Schwaben Stone. “The new kitchen occupies what was once both the old kitchen and dining room,” says Shields. “Now it’s the first thing you see when you enter the residence.” A sure sign of good things to come.