COVER HOME: LA MAISON TRÉS JOLIE. Article reprinted from Open House Magazine, Volume 36

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Rosemary Barker
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The Jerusalem-stone floor medallion is a striking feature at the main entry foyer. Article reprinted from Open House Magazine, Volume 36 www.openhousemagazineinc.

French, la maison trés jolie means the very happy home and, indeed, this 8,300-square-foot condominium residence overlooking the Gulf of Mexico is a very happy home.

1 The Jerusalem-stone floor medallion is a striking feature at the main entry foyer. Article reprinted from Open House Magazine, Volume 36 COVER HOME: LA MAISON TRÉS JOLIE The living room is a beautiful mix of MIMI JOLIE MAISON,INTERIOR DESIGN/INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE MIMI GABR, ASID, IDS, INTERIOR DESIGNER TOM HARPER,PHOTOGRAPHER In French, la maison trés jolie means the very happy home and, indeed, this 8,300-square-foot condominium residence overlooking the Gulf of Mexico is a very happy home. Interior designer Mimi Gabr, ASID, IDS, whose company is named Mimi Jolie Maison - Mimi s Happy Home - had previously worked with the owners and knew that their decision to purchase a condo, rather than a single-family house, was based on a desire for easy living and the relative freedom of condo life. With another home in the Midwest, the clients wanted this Florida residence to be worry free. The clients 2

2 neo-classical, as seen in the graceful swirl design in the rug, with contemporary elements such as the chaises and chairs by the window. are very active in the Naples community, involved with charity work, and entertain frequently. This home clearly provides ample space for living and entertaining while affording gorgeous, uninterrupted views of white, sandy beach and the Gulf. Mimi and the clients recognized that they wanted to establish an elegant look while avoiding anything heavy. What evolved was a neo-classical style mixed with contemporary elements. While contemporary is basically clean lines, neo-classic lends a smoothness and movement to those lines. Together, they provide an extremely sophisticated look that is comfortable and easy on the eyes without the severity normally associated with contemporary. This residence features two entrances. The one pictured is the foyer entryway where an exquisite floor medallion in Jerusalem stone sets a tone both elegant and welcoming. The foyer leads directly into the living room. Here, a sweeping panorama of water views through floorcontinued 3

3 The wood, glass, and wrought iron passageway was designed to give the dining room its own identity while remaining an airy space. to-ceiling windows provides a breathtaking backdrop to the comfortable sophistication of the decor. The custom-designed living room rug features black swirls that are typical of neoclassical style. The background of the rug perfectly matches the very soft gray, almost silvery, color of the two chenille sofas. Silk pillows in both silvery and bronzy tones were hand pleated in a basketweave pattern. Window treatments are in silk and carry a darker silvery-gray tone. They were custom designed with the intention of dressing the windows without disturbing the views. The chaises and chairs closer to the windows are contemporary. The fabric on the chaises is in taupe while the chairs are in off-white with a small design in silver. The fabric is hand woven and a reproduction of a fabric made in the 18th century, reflecting the interior designer s penchant for taking something old like that and beautifully incorporating it into something very new. Floor lamps are contemporary with their steel bases but softened by the alabaster shades. Open but visually separated from the living room is the dining room. Embracing her architectural 4

COVER HOME: LA MAISON TRÉS JOLIE The kitchen includes commercial-grade appliances, a wine cellar, a separate section for wine cooling, and a full butler s pantry.

Now open and airier, the entry made a statement with its handsome combination of wood, glass, and wrought iron.

4 COVER HOME: LA MAISON TRÉS JOLIE The kitchen includes commercial-grade appliances, a wine cellar, a separate section for wine cooling, and a full butler s pantry. skills, the interior designer removed existing doors and knocked out the wall in order to completely redesign the dining room entry. Now open and airier, the entry made a statement with its handsome combination of wood, glass, and wrought iron. The dining room itself features a very contemporary laminate breakfront from Italy which displays the homeowners pieces. The dining table has a glass top on a stone base. Fabric on the chairs is in a basketweave pattern with electric blue velvet and silver-gray silk to echo the look in the living room. A very important space is the kitchen. The clients entertain frequently and lavishly, so it was essential that the kitchen be spacious and very well equipped. Featuring stateof-the-art commercial appliances, it also includes a wine cellar with a separate cooling section for wine and champagne, a full butler s pantry, and just about two of everything from dishwashers to garbage disposals. Custom cabinetry is in maple with granite countertops. Leather-covered barstools at the breakfast bar are contemporary with an oversized, multi-toned tassel softening the look. A kitchen door leads to the butler s pantry where another door leads to the dining room which, in turn, leads back to the kitchen, so it is an optimal design plan for entertaining convenience. For casual entertaining and relaxation, the family continued 5

COVER HOME: LA MAISON TRÉS JOLIE Earth tones with colorful accents here and there create a relaxing palette in the family room. The custom fireplace is solid marble. room is a favorite.

5 COVER HOME: LA MAISON TRÉS JOLIE Earth tones with colorful accents here and there create a relaxing palette in the family room. The custom fireplace is solid marble. room is a favorite. Colors are basically earth tones with bright mixes here and there. Seating is arranged in front of a fireplace which was custom designed in solid marble. Weighing over a half ton, the fireplace was so heavy that it required four men to install it. Comfortable seating includes a contemporary sectional in chenille with handpainted silk pillows in a combination of rust and gold tones. Two wing chairs are in a silk fabric that beautifully combines all the beige, rust, and maroon colors in the room. All of the fabrics in this home are European with the major suppliers in Switzerland, Italy, and Germany. The master bedroom suite was designed for complete privacy, and includes a full-service kitchen and bar area. The overall feel is contemporary with walls faux finished in light taupe and gray. Flooring is bamboo which provides a clean but warm look. The bed was custom made with the headboard and platform in a very pale yellow washable suede. The bedspread is silk velvet so it is lusciously soft. Accenting the bedding are pillows in a color mixture of canary yellow, silver gray, and a touch of black. Overlooking the water is a sitting area with facing his-and-hers chaise longues. It is no surprise that this has become a favorite spot for the homeowners to wind down and relax in the evenings. The master bathroom features a shower 6 continued

6 The master bedroom includes a suede bed and headboard with a silk velvet bedspread. His-and-hers chaises overlook the water. Separating his and her sides in the master bath is a stone shower with curved glass enclosure and bench seating.

The shower was custom made in Jerusalem stone to match the flooring and tub surround. It features beautiful curving glass doors and no hardware.

7 Leaning more towards a Key West look, this bedroom features a ceiling painted to resemble bamboo. Flooring is actual bamboo. The guest suite contains a full kitchen and sweeping views from the bed area. 8 in the middle of the room with his vanity and closet on one side and hers on the other. The shower was custom made in Jerusalem stone to match the flooring and tub surround. It features beautiful curving glass doors and no hardware. Conveniently located inside the stall is bench seating. This magnificent residence contains the master bedroom suite and a guest suite with a full kitchen, two other bedrooms, the living and dining rooms, the kitchen with butler s pantry, a study with a fireplace, four bathrooms, two powder rooms, and the family room with adjacent breakfast and

8 COVER HOME: LA MAISON TRÉS JOLIE The lanai wraps around the living, family, and dining rooms, and master bedroom. Screened windows overlook the gulf waters. The back door leads directly to white, sandy beaches and blue waters. game rooms. Wrapping around the outside of the living and family rooms, dining room, and master bedroom suite is an outdoor lanai with screened windows. Sweeping views encompass Naples, the gorgeous beach, and the Gulf of Mexico. There are several sitting areas on the lanai as well as a wet bar with sink and refrigerator, and a television. The windows all have electronic shutters in the event of inclement weather. Nothing has been left out of this magnificent residence. We are pleased to present this as our Cover Home because the outstanding design accommodates the clients lifestyle and needs while embracing a comfortable but refined elegance. 9

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