A Bal Harbor
Penthouse that is
Truly Above the Rest
DECORATORS Odile Rodriguez of Odile's Designer Furniture, Miami, Florida. 305-685-6065 Fax 305-685-6088
PHOTOGRAPHY Mel Englander
From their very first meeting, Robert and Odile Rodriguez inspired the owners of this magnificent penthouse to create a private sanctuary far, far away from the sub-zero temperatures they live in throughout the year. The clients are a husband and wife from the Midwest who own several properties throughout the United States.
They wanted a "romantic getaway" which would envelop them in the rich, saturated colors and sleek style of Miami. Because their homes up north are all traditional in style, they wanted to go in the complete opposite direction for their beachfront penthouse.They first addressed the shell of the apartment. Every single wall, light, molding, door, and finish was stripped and refinished or replaced completely. Once the architectural details were resolved, the fun began!
The clients were drawn into the deep sea blues, aqua, and purples of the setting sun on the stunning ocean which is the full expanse of their rotunda view. The husband gave Robert and Odile "carte blanche" to create their retreat with just one requirement…"it has to be everything my wife ever dreamed of!" The budget was set and when all was said and done, Robert and Odile were able to
deliver the project UNDER BUDGET by several thousand dollars!
The living/ family room (previous page) of the penthouse is a huge open area which had to be divided into 2 spaces that although separate, needed to "speak" to each other.
This was accomplished by employin two oversized sectionals covered in dove grey suede that mirror each other. These 2 seating areas were then divided by a pair of contemporary swivel chairs in a deep purple suede. The chairs can face the "formal" area or turn for conversation in the family room. Both areas face an 18' custom wall unit which is divided by three massive columns with contrasting woods and an inlay of stainless steel behind three torch wall sconces. The left side of the unit participates with the formal setting and houses a bar, small refrigerator and plenty of storage. The right side relates to the "family room" and sports a plasma t.v. mounted on a faux stone backdrop. The shimmery crinkled silk window treatments were strictly used for framing the breathtaking views.
In the formal dining room, the clients wanted to preserve a custom made boat- shaped glass top, as well as their 8 Swedish- made dining chairs. The chairs were refinished in an espresso finish and reupholstered in a beautiful Robert Allen striped fabric that pulled together the entire color scheme. The Century Furniture buffet anchored the dining room with it's strong presence and large scale. The Italian lighting fixtures added whimsy without obstructing the magnificent views. Fine Art sconces cast a warm glow on the custom finished feature wall by artist Luis Puig.
The minimalist approach to the master bedroom was exactly what the client was seeking. Their time in South Florida is so very limited and it is all about their enjoyment and relaxation…not fuss and formality. Only the very finest of materials were utilized in every aspect of the design and the clients and design team all agreed that "quality speaks for itself".
The custom Christopher Guy headboard became the center of attention. The silvery white walls gave way to a spa-like atmosphere and the tranquil colors of the furnishings only added to this ambience. The 2 white leather recliners from American Leather are as comfortable as your favorite pair of jeans and perfect for reading the Sunday Herald or nothing at all.
While discussing the plans for the guest bedroom, Robert and Odile probed the clients for hints about their lifestyle and what really "makes them tick".
The clients are avid boat enthusiasts who make it a point to be here for the Boat Show every year and dock their yacht within view of their apartment. Even when they're not on board, they can still enjoy their "baby".
As soon as Robert and Odile learned this, their collective "light bulb" went off! "Then we will fashion this room after the sleeping quarters on a ship!" Robert and Odile's team jumped right in and crafted the horizontal maple walls with the espresso striping which immediately identified this design as "nautical". The matching custom-sized beds and desk were all built to further the theme. There are hidden storage compartments throughout and the "invisible" doors of the closet system are a work of art.
Upon seeing the results of this magnificent Miami make-over the clients had one final comment for Robert and Odile…"Our ship has come in! It's all smooth sailing, now." -END-
