Keleidoscope
of Color
Osirys
Mendez Creates a Working Canvas in an Aventura Home
Story by Debra Kronowitz
Photos by Simon Hare
Osirys Mendez’s clients knew what they wanted in a vacation home when
they came down from Long Island, NY,
two years ago to look. The couple shares a passion for abstract,
contemporary art and knew they wanted a home that could accommodate
their art. “We wanted a contemporary home that was clean, fun, colorful
and comfortable,” said
Michelle Kapson.
The couple found a 4,000-square-foot luxurious waterfront condo
in Aventura with four bedrooms/baths and a theatre. “We fell in love
with the view – we have absolutely breathtaking views of the ocean. We
also really like the building,” said Kapson.
The couple knew they would have to renovate. The apartment was
previously done in heavy woods, orange and yellow. Mendez oversaw the
entire project from concept to completion. The Kapsons were very much
involved in the project, offering input on everything. “Osirys really
listened to us. She took the time to understand what we envisioned for
this home and what we liked,” said Kapson.
Mendez brought construction company Sergatti Corp. on board, as
the two have collaborated on previous projects. The design team removed
arches, columns and walls to open up the space and incorporated ceiling
and architectural features. “We enhanced and removed structure to open
the space throughout,” said Mendez. Throughout
color comes alive in a range of hues, from white to lavender to lime to
blue to orange to yellow. “We essentially played off the primary colors
to create the palette. The client wanted a white canvas with a little
glamour,” said Mendez.
The effect is modern and spacious, as the open floor plan creates an
effortless flow. “They wanted a home that was fun, bright and airy, with
a functional layout and a welcoming ambiance,” Mendez said.
Mendez primarily focused on redesigning the living room, dining room and
a hallway gallery. Light accessorizing was done in the remaining rooms,
including a stainless-steel tile backsplash in the kitchen, painting of
guest rooms and office, and window treatments throughout. In addition,
Mendez furnished the terrace.
In the living room, colorful artwork pops against white Venetian-stucco
walls [throughout the condo] created by Art Design. The walls appear
like large canvases towering over marble flooring. A handmade circular
ceiling infused with recessed lighting draws attention above. Below, a
spectacular purple and lavender leather sofa with matching leather
lavender chairs from Campaniello serve as the focal point of the room. |
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A glass top chrome side table by
Brueton from E.G. Cody sits in between, while glass art
titled Space Bird
from Oggetti by Hanne Dreutler sits on top. A large,
colorful whimsy area rug by Della Robbia from Oggetti was
designed by Mendez. A mixed media painting made up of three
panels titled Soi
Disant by William Braemer hangs on the wall; David
Gonya’s Levitation V
– a red aluminum powder coated 3-D sculpture
– stands on a pedestal in the corner.
In the dining room, minimalism is the tone. Six
white leather chairs and a glass, marble and chrome dining
table all by Cattelan Italia from Italian Pavillion add
visual interest. A custom-designed white buffet by Mendez
sits on a wall below a silver leaf mirror from Oggetti. The
lighting is from Lunatika. Window treatments are all
motorized and fabricated by Saday Inc., fabric from Jeffrey
Michaels in DCOTA.
Off the living room and dining room, a custom-built
white leather bar with stainless-steel accents and quartz
counter designed by Mendez and fabricated by Deco World
Design fits nicely in an old alcove space. The bar’s leather
is by Edelman Leather and a custom mosaic blend in the front
is by Trends. Mendez added three white swivel bar stools
from Fasem, a double Sub-Zero, wine cooler and refrigerator
with icemaker from Caronell. Lighting is from Lunatika.
“We absolutely love the bar and
use it often. We love how it lights up at the bottom,” said
Kapson.
Like the dining room, minimalism also plays in the
master bedroom. The eye is automatically drawn to the custom
white leather platform bed with a tall back by Cattelan
Italia from Italian Pavilion, and the deep purple chaise
lounge from Jolo at DCOTA. On the wall, a flat screen TV
floats effortlessly while colorful custom-designed cubes in
purple, lime and blue sit atop a console designed by Mendez
and fabricated by Deco World. The cubes store CDs and DVDs
and can be turned on to provide a soft light at night. A
glass and wood closet by Ornare also draws attention. The
window treatments are motorized, fabric from Jeffrey
Michaels and fabricated by Saday Inc. A chandelier and
sconces from Luxe Cable + Light serve as the light source.
From the bedrooms, a gallery-like hallway leads to a
nine-seat theatre, complete with a built-in theatre system.
Dubbed “The Art Gallery,” the hallway showcases a collection
of paintings and sculptures by local artists Mari Carmen
Fernandez and David Gonya, and vintage movie posters from
the Kapson’s private collection. The theatre’s nine
motorized seats feature supple red leather with black trim
by Leathercraft and stainless-steel cup holders. The walls
also showcase the posters.
Inspired by color, this ultra-modern vacation home
showcases what great design and minimalism can do. “I like
things that are different. I wanted something that you
wouldn’t see in every home. Osirys came forward with ideas
that achieved our goal. We absolutely love the place!”
exclaimed Kapson. “It feels like we are on some island, not
in Florida.” |
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