Palm Beach, Florida
Cocktail dresses and formally arranged table settings are one way to throw a party, but sometimes entertaining is about inviting your guests to kick their feet up on the ottoman, throwing open the French doors to welcome in the breeze, and sharing wine and conversation while you chop vegetables on the kitchen island.
“That laid-back — yet still elegant — approach to entertaining is exactly what interior designer Jennifer Knowles envisioned when she outfitted the interiors of this waterfront home. The inviting atmosphere begins at the front entrance, where guests are greeted by a “welcoming arms” staircase, a hallmark of the Bermuda architectural style that defines the home’s exterior. Inside, lengthy rooms, such as the 32-foot-long formal living room, are divided into intimate groupings to facilitate conversation. Generous windows, French doors, and balconies offer remarkable views of the Intracoastal Waterway on three sides and welcome the Florida sunshine into every room. Rich millwork details and intricate ceiling treatments draw the eye upward to visually expand relatively low ceilings, a height requirement set by Palm Beach‘s architectural review board. In fact, the first-floor ceilings top off at just under 10 feet, but exquisite millwork — such as the Art-Deco inspired pattern on the living room ceiling — stretches the visual height of rooms. Though the details are elaborate, Knowles achieved a crisp, clean look by painting each ceiling white. Walnut herringbone floors and tailored furnishings reinforce the home's classic sensibility, while dashes of modern flair, supplied by abstract art and polished nickel accents, prevent the home from feeling too traditional. Mixing contemporary touches with classic lines keeps it fresh and timeless. The result is a home that effortlessly toggles between black-tie events and impromptu gatherings with friends.”
— Elegant Homes