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Show House Features Tropical Island Living

This year’s show house features a bird’s eye view of the intracoastal waterway
This year’s show house features a bird’s eye view of the intracoastal waterway

I hope all you peeps up north survived the blizzard without too much hardship.  As a public service to you I thought I’d serve up so toasty tropical visions to thaw you out.  Read on!  Here in South Florida we’re currently experiencing a phenomenon called “The Season”.  November through April can be referred to as the season.  Our population swells with snowbirds, the weather is usually beautiful and it’s when all the big events seem to happen.  One annual tradition is our very own Red Cross Designer’s Show House.  Both local and national design talent converge to show us their creative skill.  This year’s house is located in the historical West Palm Beach neighborhood known as SoSo (South of Southern Blvd) The theme this year is Tropical Island Living.  Each designer, or design firm, is given a room.  They can do whatever they want as long as it fits the theme.  Brendan Donovan Furniture & Cabinet Co. was asked to build some custom cabinetry for the Master Bedroom Suite by Gary McBournie Inc.  We were thrilled with what we were able to contribute and to be a part of this high profile and worthwhile event.  I recently had the pleasure of exploring the completed house and I’m so excited to share my favorites!  Without further ado, Kitchens for Living does the 2013 American Red Cross  Designer’s Show House.

This is the master bedroom by Gary McBournie, Inc. The cute corner dressing table is by Brendan Donovan Furniture & Cabinet Co.
This is the master bedroom by Gary McBournie, Inc. The cute corner dressing table is by Brendan Donovan Furniture & Cabinet Co.

This custom built vanity, also by Brendan Donovan Furniture & Cabinet Co. conceals a steam shower unit!  Master bath suite by Gary McBournie, Inc.
This custom built vanity, also by Brendan Donovan Furniture & Cabinet Co. conceals a steam shower unit!  Master bath suite by Gary McBournie, Inc.

 

The living room had a definite global vibe which is a hallmark of Jennifer Garrigues Interior Design
The living room had a definite global vibe which is a hallmark of Jennifer Garrigues Interior Design

Kitchen cabinets were a stylish taupe gray color. I really liked the horizontal bead board on the island. I think this detail makes the bead board look “island” rather than “country”. The kitchen was by NXG Studio
Kitchen cabinets were a stylish taupe gray color. I really liked the horizontal bead board on the island. I think this detail makes the bead board look “island” rather than “country”. The kitchen was by NXG Studio

Beverage center in the kitchen with perfectly coordinated glass tile ALL THE WAY UP!
Beverage center in the kitchen with perfectly coordinated glass tile ALL THE WAY UP!

 

Close up of those backsplash tiles I love in the kitchen!
Close up of those backsplash tiles I love in the kitchen!

I spy the dining room! This is the view from the kitchen.
I spy the dining room! This is the view from the kitchen.

 

The dining room was an under-the-sea dream. Check out those bubbles! This room was by Mary Masri, MMDesigns, LLC
The dining room was an under-the-sea dream. Check out those bubbles! This room was by Mary Masri, MMDesigns, LLC

In island living the outside is just as important as what’s indoors. This outdoor pool area is by Daryl McCann, Gregory Lombardi Design, Inc.
In island living the outside is just as important as what’s indoors. This outdoor pool area is by Daryl McCann, Gregory Lombardi Design, Inc.

Back to the master bedroom because I just had to show you this highly original fireplace surround. Reminds me of Gilligan’s Island, no?
Back to the master bedroom because I just had to show you this highly original fireplace surround. Reminds me of Gilligan’s Island, no?

 

 

I love this chest of drawers located in the artist/writer’s studio by Joseph Pubillones Interiors, Inc. It’s actually made from recycled wood flooring samples. How clever!
I love this chest of drawers located in the artist/writer’s studio by Joseph Pubillones Interiors, Inc. It’s actually made from recycled wood flooring samples. How clever!

Here’s how those drawers fit into the landscape of the room.
Here’s how those drawers fit into the landscape of the room.

 

This fun art was located in my favorite of all the rooms, the guest suite. Alas, I do not know who the artist is but the room was beautifully executed by Kevin Marnell and Joseph Cortes of Homelife Interiors here in West Palm Beach.
This fun art was located in my favorite of all the rooms, the guest suite. Alas, I do not know who the artist is but the room was beautifully executed by Kevin Marnell and Joseph Cortes of Homelife Interiors here in West Palm Beach.

I love the earthy tones accented by peachy corals. Oh, and look, some more fun art over the bed!
I love the earthy tones accented by peachy corals. Oh, and look, some more fun art over the bed!

 

Another view ( I told you I love it) I want the rug too, by the way.
Another view ( I told you I love it) I want the rug too, by the way.

This cute corner is a closet transformed to a martini bar! It’s located in the study by Lisa Erdmann and Associates That wallpaper has me shaken AND stirred!
This cute corner is a closet transformed to a martini bar! It’s located in the study by Lisa Erdmann and Associates That wallpaper has me shaken AND stirred!

This is a nifty area is the cocktail cabana by Melody Smith Interiors. It’s a cozy room in which to relax and it opens out to a deck with intracoastal water views.
This is a nifty area is the cocktail cabana by Melody Smith Interiors. It’s a cozy room in which to relax and it opens out to a deck with intracoastal water views.

 

Melody Smith, in situ. I’d say she goes with her room.
Melody Smith, in situ. I’d say she goes with her room.

 

This stunning mirror is a focal point in the cocktail cabana.
This stunning mirror is a focal point in the cocktail cabana.

On the deck we were surrounded by lush tropical foliage and a backdrop of the intracoastal.
On the deck we were surrounded by lush tropical foliage and a backdrop of the intracoastal.

The Designer Show House is open to the public through Saturday February 23rd, so there’s still time to catch it.  General admission tickets are $30 (for a good cause) and you can get them on line here.

Gloria Graham

Gloria is a kitchen and bath cabinetry designer with AKBD certification from the National Kitchen & Bath Association. She has also served on the Florida Treasure Coast Chapter's Board of Directors as the VP of Communications. Her work has appeared on This Old House as well as in Florida Design Magazine, K+BB Magazine and the Palm Beach Post. She is co-author of The Complete Idiots Guide to Remodeling Your Kitchen, Illustrated, as well as a freelanced writer contributing occasionally to the Sun Sentinel in the area of kitchen design. She is a proud member of the Blanco Design Council and the illustrious Brizo Blogger 19.

Comments

christine davis
• Reply

I loved your corner dressing table with the wraparound mirror! Very nice….

Gloria Graham
• Reply

Thanks, Christine. We have just heard from the designer that it has been sold so we’re working on a similar version to be offered
through Brendan Donovan Furniture & Cabinet Co.

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