PAINTERLY WALLPAPERS, LUSTROUS MATERIALS, AND TREASURES DISCOVERED DURING WORLD TRAVELS CREATE A GLOBAL-INSPIRED APARTMENT IN FORT LAUDERDALE THAT IS EQUAL PARTS OPULENCE AND CHIC BEACH HOUSE.
For easy flow during parties, the formal living room opens up to a chic wraparound terrace overlooking downtown Fort Lauderdale and the ocean in the distance. Furnishings by Vondom can be illuminated from within to create ambiance at night. Interiors Photographed by Kris Tamburello; Exteriors Photographed by Jack Cook
THE PROJECT
Towering over Las Olas Boulevard, with expansive views of downtown Fort Lauderdale and the ocean, there’s a 4,200-square-foot condo with a wraparound terrace that holds a lot of love within its walls. The residence, which grew from one unit into a combined two, belongs to a couple who needed an interior design program that would accommodate indoor-outdoor entertaining for frequent gatherings, reflect their varied sensibilities, and honor the many journeys they’ve embarked on together over the years. So when choosing a designer, it seemed a natural fit to go with someone who already knew them well: Laetitia Laurent, principal and founder of Laure Nell Interiors. “The homeowners are dear friends of mine, and I wanted to design a space that worked for them both,” she says. “One has more of a glam taste while the other likes more comfortable furnishings, so it was about striking that balance. Like any good marriage, there were a lot of compromises and defining clear identities for each space.”
Vahallan wallpaper and a mirror by Uttermost lend a reflective backdrop for Arteriors Home sconces and Phillips Scott chairs. Interiors Photographed by Kris Tamburello
THE PALETTE
Laurent and her team got to work, adding all decorative elements—selecting tile, kitchen finishes, sourcing and procuring wallcoverings—to act as the canvas for a worldly collection of furnishings that are half glamour, half casual-chic. That opulence begins from the moment one enters the residence: A midnight-blue swirl of clouds on a manila hemp wallpaper ground envelops the foyer, where two crushed-velvet gold chairs made a long trek from Portugal to welcome the owners and their guests. They’re a prelude to the open kitchen, living room and dining room, which offer an upscale platform to entertain. Here, floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to flood the apartment and bounce off each surface. “There is a lot of shine, chrome and reflective glass mixed with sumptuous, tactile fabrics,” Laurent says. “It’s very sexy.”
Tom Dixon’s pendants cast a glow in the powder room against the sultry wallcovering from Mahone’s. Interiors Photographed by Kris Tamburello
THE DETAILS
An oversize circular crystal chandelier serves as the centerpiece in the living room, glistening above a conversational setting comprising club chairs, a plush sofa, and several rugs that Laurent had custom-surged together to anchor the entire space. The glitz continues in the formal dining room with silver textured wallpaper and cascading sconces flaunting antique nickel chains as if they were jewelry. The powder room is another metallic masterpiece—“gold and gilded with funky art the owners brought back from a trip to Machu Picchu,” Laurent says, and a sleek black vanity illuminated beneath amber-hued Melt pendants by Tom Dixon. These glamourous moments contrast the other side of the residence, which the designer notes is more about performance and relaxation. Think kicking back and watching football in a luxe-casual family room and a kitchen that Laurent turned into a wet bar. The vibe here is more coastal, and it’s complemented by one of the guest bedrooms, whose nautical color scheme punctuated with a natural woven light fixture nods to the nearby beach.
A chandelier from Elegant Lighting encircles Phillips Scott chairs, cocktail tables by A&B Home, and custom sofas by Pasha Furniture atop Surya rugs. Interiors Photographed by Kris Tamburello
THE BALCONY
But the pièce de résistance is the wraparound terrace that Laurent turned into an outdoor living lounge, complete with several seating areas that invite cocktails, conversation and indulging in an alfresco meal. Just as every room inside has a distinct identity, the boutique hotel-inspired balcony remains its own destination, though sliding doors open from the living room to allow for easy flow whether the owners are hosting large fêtes or intimate get-togethers, or enjoying an evening at home alone. Clusters of crisp white modern furniture gather here, splashed with juicy tropical colors and light grays that speak to the interiors. In between parties, they sit fashionably, taking in the view and waiting for their next RSVP.
Accent pillows splash color to the white Vondom furniture out on the balcony. Exteriors Photographed by Jack Cook
DESIGN DETAILS
TYPE
Condo
LOCATION
Fort Lauderdale
DESIGN
Laure Nell Interiors laurenell.com
The office features Phillip Jeffries wallcovering and bookshelves from Basset Mirror. Interiors Photographed by Kris Tamburello
RESOURCES
A&B HOME
Living room cocktail tables abhomeinc.com
ARTERIORS HOME
Dining room sconces arteriorshome.com
CURREY & COMPANY
Bedroom lighting curreyandcompany.com
JONATHAN ADLER
Accent table in foyer jonathanadler.com
KOKET
Velvet chairs in foyer bykoket.com
An antique rug from India grounds a guest bedroom that has a nautical feel. The lighting is by Currey & Company, and the bedside tables are from Villa & House. Interiors Photographed by Kris Tamburello
PASHA FURNITURE
Living room sofa pashahome.com
PHILLIP JEFFRIES
Wallpaper in foyer, office and guest bedroom phillipjeffries.com
PHILLIPS SCOTT
Dining room chairs and club chairs in living room phillipsscott.com
SURYA
Living room rugs surya.com
Koket’s velvet chairs make an entrance in the foyer along with Phillip Jeffries wallpaper, a table from Jonathan Adler, and Uttermost mirrors. Interiors Photographed by Kris Tamburello
UTTERMOST
Mirrors in foyer and dining room, and dining table uttermost.com
VAHALLAN
Dining room wallpaper vahallan.com
VONDOM
White outdoor furniture vondom.com
Vondom furniture appears again on the balcony in the form of a bar table and stools. Exteriors Photographed by Jack Cook
