DIVINE DESIGN: Living space infused with old-world charm

The amphora vessel, an ancient Greek and Roman jar with two handles and a narrow neck, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity in home decor. Interior designers attribute this trend to a renewed desire for balance, historical connection, and artisanal craftsmanship in modern living spaces. These vessels, historically used for storing and transporting liquids like wine and olive oil, are now being embraced for their aesthetic appeal and versatility as decorative elements. Linda Allen, an interior and lighting designer, highlights the amphora's symmetrical shape and geometric handles as symbols of poise and stability, resonating with a contemporary yearning for harmony. She also emphasizes the historical significance, noting that amphorae tell stories of cultural values and wisdom, which adds to their allure. Eilyn Jimenez, founder and creative director of Sire Design, echoes this sentiment, observing a high demand from clients for pieces with a rich cultural or historical narrative. Everick Brown, principal of Everick Brown Design, connects the amphora's rise to the pandemic-induced shift towards organic expression, handmade items, and a holistic approach to living. He explains that people are seeking simplicity and pieces that offer both functionality and a sense of history, aligning with the amphora's inherent characteristics. These vessels, whether ancient terracotta urns, hand-thrown ceramic designs, or minimalist interpretations, can seamlessly transition between various functional and decorative roles. Designers offer numerous suggestions for incorporating amphorae into home decor. Brown suggests using them in unexpected places such as outside the front door, on kitchen countertops, or as decorative items on bookshelves to add warmth and a historical touch. Jimenez recommends them for layering accessories, providing height and introducing an old-world charm to modern interiors. Large amphorae can serve as striking centerpieces on dining tables or side tables, adorned with flowers or greenery. Allen proposes using them to flank doorways and portals in landscape design, while Brown suggests a collection of various sizes and colors at the front door. Smaller amphorae are even more versatile; Allen uses them as compositional pieces in foyers, on mantels, as planters, or even converted into table lamps. Jimenez advises incorporating them into bookshelves as a layered element with other items. Brown also suggests using amphorae in the kitchen to store water or display fruits like avocados and citrus. The overarching advice from designers is to select pieces that personally appeal to you and to mix and match them within both modern and classic environments, fostering a unique and balanced aesthetic. #AmphoraVessel #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #VintageDecor #HomeAccessories #BalanceInDesign #CeramicVessels #HistoricalDecor #ArtisanalCraftsmanship

This blog post features a unique custom-built home located at 3482 Flamingo Ave. on Siesta Key, currently on the market for $5.8 million. Completed in 2019, the residence seamlessly blends Old World architectural elements with modern design aesthetics. The owner, Gary McDermott, who had no prior experience in architecture or home design, custom-built the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom house with personal touches that also appeal to a broader market. McDermott is selling the home due to a relocation to Raleigh for work. The exterior of the home showcases more than 24 feet of hand-carved Cantera stone framing the double front doors, which are 10-foot-tall mahogany. These carvings include frangipani, his wife’s favorite flower, and a flamingo, a nod to the home's address. Wall-climbing vines and a water fountain contribute to a regal entrance, while wrought-iron balconies overlook a Roman-style pool. The property sits on an acre of land on the north end of Siesta Key and includes a three-car garage. Inside the 4,152 square-foot residence, the fusion of styles continues. An interior courtyard houses a 45-foot lap pool, surrounded by stone pillars. This five-foot-deep pool not only serves as a focal point but also functions to cool the house, reportedly lowering the temperature by 10-15 degrees and creating a natural draft. The pool area also offers views of a large backyard and canal access to Sarasota Bay. McDermott sourced the hand-carved stone from Mexico, emphasizing his preference for Old World styles while maintaining a clean, modern look. The interior features extensive tiling throughout, with traditional furniture pieces and light fixtures complementing updated bathroom and kitchen cabinetry. The kitchen boasts blue azul granite countertops, a material also used around the pool. The owner noted that delays in finding specific tiles provided ample time to refine their vision for the home. A notable amenity for contemporary living is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom guest house equipped with a full kitchen and a luxury office, catering to remote workers. Looking ahead, the roof was intended for further development, with plans for a greenhouse, a day bed, a putting green, and a bocce ball court, adorned with cacti and bromeliads. These future projects are now available for the next homeowner to undertake. Steve Abbe of the Abbe Ross Team with Coldwell Banker Realty in Florida is the contact for inquiries regarding the property. #SiestaKey #CustomHome #LuxuryRealEstate #MediterraneanArchitecture #OldWorldDesign #ModernDesign #SarasotaHomes #HomeForSale #ArchitecturalFeatures

The "old money aesthetic" is a prominent decorating trend characterized by a departure from new and flashy decor in favor of classic, enduring pieces. This style is rooted in quiet luxury, emphasizing craftsmanship, quality, and originality. It can be identified by layers of curiosities and objects that suggest a life of travel and hobbies, moving away from the minimalist designs and open-concept living prevalent in recent years. Instead, it celebrates traditional layouts and decorates every corner, often drawing parallels to "grandmillennial style" for its embrace of tastefully filled spaces. This aesthetic reflects a desire for familiarity and nostalgia, moving away from transient trends towards a timeless, chic taste. Several factors contribute to the resurgence of old money decor. A significant reason is the public's growing weariness with constantly changing design trends. There's an increasing preference for timeless looks that symbolize enduring taste and lasting style, rather than styles that quickly become outdated. This trend also marks a shift away from the open-concept living spaces that have dominated home design for the past decade, with a renewed interest in more traditional, layered rooms that offer cozy and meaningful decor choices. Key characteristics of the old money aesthetic include specific color palettes, patterns, antique elements, and textures. The color schemes often feature historic blues, burgundies, blushes, and deep greens, balanced with warm neutrals or classic black and white to provide breathing room within the layered design. Patterns frequently seen are florals, botanicals, stripes, and plaids, sometimes accented with animal print or hide for an edgy touch, all balanced with solid colors to maintain a well-thought-out appearance. Antiques and collected items are crucial to achieving this look. Starting with small, portable items like antique books and boxes allows individuals to gradually introduce antiques into their home before investing in larger pieces such as commodes or chests, which can serve as versatile statement pieces. Thrift stores and antique shops are recommended sources for acquiring well-loved artifacts, enabling the creation of a collected-over-time appearance, even on a budget. The emphasis is on acquiring pieces with history and character. Texture plays an equally vital role in this aesthetic, complementing the layering of color, pattern, and objects. Materials such as brass, crystal, mirrors, marble, and rich, dark woods are incorporated to add depth and a sense of history, without necessarily requiring a high cost, but rather a varnished and aged appearance. To effectively decorate with the old money aesthetic, curation is key. Every element, from furniture to accessories, should have a purpose that enhances the room's overall aesthetic or function, ensuring that the chosen pieces are beloved by the homeowner. Maintaining a cohesive flow between rooms is also important, often achieved through consistent color schemes or recurring collections. For those new to this layered approach, it involves balancing ornate elements with streamlined ones, and bold statements with understated pieces, requiring a discerning eye. The goal is to create a fresh and exciting feel by weaving various textures and tones throughout the home, resulting in an aesthetic that is both on-trend and timeless for years to come. This style emphasizes patience and attention to detail in building a rich, historically-inspired interior. In essence, the old money aesthetic provides a refuge from the ephemeral nature of modern trends, offering a return to classic elegance and enduring quality in home decor. It champions a thoughtfully assembled environment over a stark or transient one. The trend signifies a broader cultural movement towards valuing heritage and craftsmanship in design. This approach transforms living spaces into curated exhibitions of personal history and sophisticated taste, celebrating depth and character over minimalist simplicity. The careful selection of each item contributes to a narrative of refinement and stability, reflecting a deeper appreciation for the beauty of permanence in a fast-changing world. It is a style that speaks to a desire for rootedness and an appreciation for items that tell a story, embodying a quiet confidence that transcends fleeting fads. This decorative style subtly communicates a lifestyle of understated luxury, prioritizing substance and enduring charm over overt displays of wealth. It cultivates an atmosphere of warmth and welcome, inviting inhabitants and guests to explore a rich tapestry of textures, colors, and historical objects. The deliberate layering creates a sense of discovery, ensuring that each glance reveals a new detail or a forgotten memory, transforming a house into a home with a soul. Ultimately, the old money aesthetic is about creating an environment that feels authentically lived-in and deeply personal, echoing the comfort and continuity of generations past while remaining refreshingly relevant today. #OldMoneyAesthetic #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #TimelessStyle #Antiques #TraditionalDecor #QuietLuxury #DecorTrends #LayeredDecor

Vintage eclectic style combines elements from various eras, patterns, and colors to create a unique and timeless home aesthetic. This approach celebrates individuality, allowing homeowners to blend furniture and decor from different periods to craft a personalized narrative within their living spaces. Unlike traditional vintage decor that aims to replicate a specific era, vintage eclectic draws from any time period that appeals to the decorator, resulting in a rich, layered look. Experts emphasize that the essence of vintage eclectic design lies in its versatility and emphasis on personal expression. It encourages mixing design periods through careful consideration of pattern, scale, and color, ensuring a harmonious balance between old and new elements. For instance, a contemporary sofa might be paired with a vintage coffee table, or modern art could be framed in antique settings. The key is to avoid restricting selections to a single era, embracing a mix-and-match philosophy that builds visual interest and reflects the homeowner's journey and tastes. To successfully implement this style, several strategies can be employed. Firstly, mixing and matching pieces from different eras is paramount. This can involve combining furniture, lighting fixtures, and decorative items that span various timeframes. The goal is to create a dynamic interplay of styles without adhering to rigid rules, allowing for a space that feels curated and authentic. Incorporating diverse patterns and textures, such as layering rugs or combining striped wallpaper with floral upholstery, further enhances the eclectic feel. Secondly, establishing a unifying theme can provide a cohesive framework for disparate elements. This theme could be a specific aesthetic, like coastal decor, where items from different time periods are brought together to evoke the feeling of a long-established family beach house. Alternatively, a color scheme can serve as a powerful unifying element; selecting accessories that share a common hue can create visual harmony even amidst a variety of patterns and styles. This thematic approach helps to ensure that the diverse components of a vintage eclectic space do not appear chaotic but rather thoughtfully assembled. Finally, the process often begins with existing beloved possessions. Homeowners are encouraged to build upon what they already own, allowing cherished items to inspire the broader design. For example, the color of a favorite vintage couch might influence the choice of throw blankets for new chairs or the repaint color of a vintage mirror. Echoing shapes or motifs found in existing pieces, such as matching the curve of a sofa with a light fixture, can create subtle connections that tie the room together. Ultimately, vintage eclectic design is about crafting an environment that is deeply personal, filled with objects that resonate with the individual's story and passions, resulting in a home that is both unique and enduring. #VintageEclectic #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #DecorStyles #PersonalizedHome #MixingEras #TimelessDesign #EclecticStyle #DesignTips

Traditional home decor, a style emphasizing classic furniture, layered textures, and rich materials, is experiencing a significant resurgence. While it has never entirely faded from popularity, its current comeback is driven by a collective desire for warmth, personality, and timeless character in living spaces. This aesthetic also inherently lends an expensive and elevated feel to any room, contributing to its growing appeal. According to interior designers, several factors contribute to this renewed interest in traditional decor. One primary reason is a shift away from decades of minimalism, with clients now seeking spaces that feel more layered, personal, and grounded. This style reintroduces craftsmanship, intricate textures, and enduring silhouettes, creating a sense of a lived-in and meaningful home. Furthermore, the traditional approach offers an alternative to fast-moving, trend-driven aesthetics, encouraging homeowners to invest in classic elements that can be built upon and cherished over many years. The recent pandemic also played a role in this shift, as prolonged time spent indoors fostered a yearning for comfortable, nostalgia-fueled environments. Traditional decor, with its emphasis on coziness and grounding elements, effectively meets these desires, providing a sense of contentment and stability within the home. Decorating a home in the traditional style involves specific considerations for different rooms. In the bedroom, the focus is on creating softness, symmetry, and thoughtful details. This can be achieved through classic furnishings such as upholstered headboards, matching nightstands, and layered bedding. For the living room, the key is layering and incorporating a diverse mix of colors and textures. Designers recommend using rolled-arm sofas and skirted chairs, complemented by patterned rugs. Built-in shelving and warm wood tones further enhance the cozy, lived-in ambiance. In the kitchen and bathroom, implementing traditional design involves selecting timeless elements. These include inset cabinetry, classic hardware in materials like brass or bronze, farmhouse sinks, and polished nickel or brass fixtures. To add character, warm paint colors, vintage dishware, and classic lighting details are suggested. The use of marble is also prominent in traditional kitchens and bathrooms, with its natural patina over time contributing to the space's history and unique character. For bathrooms, incorporating wainscoting and monogrammed towels can further elevate the traditional aesthetic. Beyond traditional decor, other trending styles that designers are embracing include quiet luxury, characterized by natural materials and subtle elegance; European rustic, which draws inspiration from old-world styles with textural touches and warm neutrals; warm minimalism, blending clean lines with organic shapes and soft wood tones; and earthy vibrancy, which utilizes saturated versions of natural and neutral colors. #HomeDecor #TraditionalStyle #InteriorDesignTrends #TimelessDesign #ClassicFurnishings #DesignComeback #CozyInteriors #ExpensiveLook #LayeredTextures