THE MAGAZINE FOR FINE INTERIOR DESIGN & FURNISHINGS

VENUS WILLIAMS DESIGNS AT ONE THOUSAND OCEANVENUS WILLIAMS DESIGNS AT ONE THOUSAND OCEAN

Award-winningArchitecture

Caribbean Style

www.f loridadesign.com

ABSOLUTELY WHITEOnce Partial To Traditional Decor, A Couple Embraces Cool, Contemporary Design ... And In Their Miami Penthouse,A Canvas Of White Feels Just Right

INTERIOR DESIGN Renata Pfuner, Pfuner Design, Inc., Miami, FLTEXT Robin HodesPHOTOGRAPHY Craig Denis, Miami, FL

Smoke and mirrors are all part of the magic in thestairway and dining area, where gray shadesappear from the stainless steel on the stairwayrailings, to the silver leaf finish and velvet upholsteryon an elegant set of dining chairs by Christopher Guy.

FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 22 NO. 2

THERE WAS A TIMEMILENA BIROV AND HERhusband couldn’t possibly haveimagined living in an ultra-modernresidence. Not only had theyveered toward the traditional intheir own home, but their fondnessfor a more conventional look tran-scended into business as well. “Weare the developers of upscale luxu-ry homes on the North Shore ofChicago, and most of the houseswe build are traditional,” Birovsays. “We needed somebody whocould help us transition to themore contemporary style ofMiami.” When they worked on aprevious penthouse with interiordesigner Renata Pfuner, the Birovs“dipped their toes” so to speak,bringing some transitional elementsinto the mix and experimentingwith the contrast between lightstones and dark woods. However,on their second project withPfuner, a 5,150-square-foot pent-house in the spectacular JadeOcean condominium in SunnyIsles Beach, Fla., all traces of tradi-tional fade away.

RIGHT: High gloss white-lacquer surroundssimulate the ocean at its calmest and mostreflective, while the textured pattern on thebar base and cabinetry suggests a wave-like movement beneath shimmering pen-dants from Luxe Cable & Light.

000 FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 22 NO. 1

LEFT: A white-lacquer Italian table with a mirrored inset, and chairs from Judith Norman shaped with anairy and festive cutout design, suggest a bit of fun and whimsy in the breakfast area.

With all systems go on the journey to a lighter look, the homeowners were infavor of Pfuner’s interior scheme in white — who’d have ever guessed that theabsence of color itself would be the one that most moved them? That said, Birovmomentarily tapped her foot on the brake when she feared things might look toosterile. As Pfuner started to work her magic, adding luxurious chandeliers, plusharea rugs, and occasional bursts of color to the predominantly white, silver andgray palette, her comfort level was restored. “I am a minimalist designer, but whena client comes from a traditional background as they do, I always bring in someelements to detract from the minimalism and make it more approachable forthem,” Pfuner says.

The designer did not hold back at the entry, where she uses two magnificentlight sources to captivate the eye. The first, by Artglass International, veritablydrips white Murano glass down the stairway that sets the tone of translucency fromthe start. “I really wanted them to have the Atlantis chandelier,” says Pfuner of the

A mother-of-pearl backsplash adds an iridescent glow in the spacious kitchen equipped with state-of-the-art Míele

appliances, black granite countertops and a quartzite island.

FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 22 NO. 2

Neoclassical Details And An Eclectic Mix Of Furnishings Imbue A Hom Neocla ssical Details And An

Eclectic Mix Of Fbsbhugs Imbu A Hcla s

The cool, contemporary style with luxurious influences is a true collaboration between Pfuner,

who has a flair for drama and knows how to showcaseit, and homeowner Milena Birov, who understands

design and appreciates high quality pieces.

second, a stunning and unusual Terzani fixture comprised of acanopy of draped chain links that illuminates the dining area. “Itreally adds sparkle to the space and bespeaks luxury.” Calacattamarble flooring augments the elegance factor, while lacqueredwall panels add a high-gloss sheen. Alongside, a segment of whitequartz stone creates textural interest.

Not one to shy away from bling, Pfuner chose a pair of whiteleather sofas tufted with Swarovski crystals for the living area.Though the furnishings may be sleek and jeweled, the family lovesto cozy up in this favorite gathering spot and watch television.The nearby bar offers that same opportunity, with a custom built-inunit that utilizes quartzite countertops and walnut insets for anattractive setting in which to enjoy drinks and conversation amidglorious ocean vistas. “You feel like you’re on a ship surrounded bywater,” Birov says.

The water theme extends into the breakfast area, where yetanother eye-popping chandelier bursts with effervescent “bubbles”of Murano glass. “I loved the playfulness of this piece,” Pfunersays. Streamlined white cabinetry with stainless accents runs theexpanse of the kitchen, where Pfuner raised the ceilings to bring asense of height to the space.

ABOVE: Murano glass undulates like floating sea creatures on the Italian chandelier and sconces fromLeucos in the master bedroom. The headboard wall is recessed, with high gloss white lacquer panelsbringing glamour to the bed from Artglass International and beside chests from Neiman Marcus.

ABOVE LEFT: Swirls of mosaic glass tiles from Sicis adorn the flooring in the master bath. Whetherrelaxing in the roomy Hydrology bathtub or resting in the body hugging, white leather chair by Longhi,the oceanic panorama is virtually endless.

Artwork - Owners’ CollectionLiving AreaSofa and ottoman - Longhi, Artglass InternationalLLC, Naples, FL Accent pillow fabric - Donghia, Inc., DCOTA,Dania Beach, FL Cocktail table and centerpiece - Judith Norman,DCOTA, Dania Beach, FLFlorals - Emilio Robba, Miami, FL

Cabinetry and wood wall treatment - Customdesigned by Pfuner Design, Inc., Miami, FLFabricated by WK Custom Design & Cabinetry,Chicago, ILArtwork - Yelena Klairmont, Chicago, ILBar AreaCabinetry and bar - Custom designed by PfunerDesign, Inc., Miami, FLBar fabricated by WK Custom Design & Cabinetry,Chicago, IL

Barstools - Judith Norman, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FLPendants - Luxe Cable & Light, Miami, FLSamsung TV, pear accessories and glassware - Owners’ CollectionDrapery fabric - D & L Rainbow Verticals, Dania Beach, FL Window blinds - Rollingshield, Miami, FL Breakfast AreaDining table - Elite Light & Living, North Miami Beach, FL Chairs - Judith Norman, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL

Cabinetry fabricated by WK Custom Design & Cabinetry,Chicago, IL Samsung TV - Owners’ CollectionAccessories on shelving - BrittoCentral, Inc., Miami, Beach, FL Chandelier - Artglass InternationalLLC, Naples, FLKitchenCounter stools - Judith Norman,DCOTA, Dania Beach, FLAccessories, clock and artwork - Owners’ CollectionDouble oven, cooktop, hood andrefrigerator - Míele, The DrimmerGroup, Miami, FLFaucet - Dornbracht, Farrey’sWholesale Hardware Co., Inc.,North Miami, FLLight fixture and pendants - LuxeCable + Light, Miami, FLMaster BathTub - Hydrology, Advantage Kitchen & Bath, Niles, ILChair - Longhi, ArtglassInternational LLC, Naples, FLLight fixture and wall sconces - LBL Lighting, supplierIdlewood Electric Supply, Inc., Highland Park, ILCorner vases - Emilio Robba,Miami, FLFlooring - Sicis The Art MosaicFactory, New York, NYMaster BedroomBed - Bretz, Artglass InternationalLLC, Naples, FL Bed coverings, accessories andartwork - Owners’ Collection Bedside chests - Neiman Marcus,Coral Gables, FLSofa - Longhi, ArtglassInternational LLC, Naples, FLChandelier and sconces - LeucosUSA, Inc., Edison, NJGlass wall fabricated by PH Glass,Miami, FLHeadboard wall panels fabricatedby WK Custom Design & Cabinetry,Chicago, ILDrapery fabric - D & L RainbowVerticals, Dania Beach, FLThroughout Ceiling treatments - Customdesigned by Pfuner Design, Inc.,Miami, FLFabricated by IBC Construction,Inc., Miami, FLFlooring - Opustone, Miami, FL

FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 22 NO. 3FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 22 NO. 3

. . . continued on page 194

Using the sea for inspiration,the master bedroom is tingedwith silver and blue-gray, fromthe shimmery bedding on awhite-leather tufted bed, to theglamorous pair of mirroredbedside chests from NeimanMarcus. A vaulted ceiling isembellished with a lustrouspaper from Innovations, whichfeatures hundreds of silveryglass beads. “When you are inMiami, especially on the beach,you want to capitalize on theview,” Pfuner says. With this inmind, she and the Birovsdemolished the half-walls inthe master bedroom and bath,replacing them with floor toceiling walls of glass — slantedwindows characteristic to thatportion of the building.

“Ever since we first visitedSunny Isles, we fell in love withit,” Birov says. “The beautifulsandy beaches, numerous finerestaurants, the stretch ofstately condo buildings … theJade Ocean is the one thatstands out like a gem.” Andwith Pfuner’s influence, thispenthouse sparkles with theclarity of white diamonds.

. . . continued from page 190

SOURCESDining AreaDining table and chairs - ChristopherGuy, Judith Norman, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FLCabinetry - Longhi, Artglass InternationalLLC, Naples, FLOrchid centerpiece - Emilio Robba,Miami, FLChandelier and wall sconces - Terzani,Artglass International LLC, Naples, FLMirrored wall treatment fabricated byPH Glass, Miami, FLQuartz-stone wall treatment - IBCConstruction, Inc., Miami, FLStairwayCalacatta marble stairway - Customdesigned by Pfuner Design, Inc., Miami, FL Fabricated by IBC Construction, Inc.,Miami, FLLacquered wall panels fabricated by WK Custom Design & Cabinetry,Chicago, ILMurano glass chandelier - ArtglassInternational LLC, Naples, FL

. . . continued from page 192

SUBSCRIBE NOW!SAVE 50%*

OFF THE COVER PRICE

1 Year $19.99 (4 issues)2 Years $27.99 (8 issues) BEST BUY - SAVE 50%

1-800-523-3327 or for faster service go towww.floridadesign.com

Save 50% off the cover price on a 2-year subscription. OUTSIDE U.S.A. (Canada, all foreign countries) add $29.99 per year. Payable onlyin U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank. Payment must accompany all foreign orders. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first issue.*For U.S. subscriptions only. Photography by Daniel Newcomb, Palm Beach Gardens, FL FD213

Enjoying the Summer South Beach Style

Contemporaryat the Viceroy

Spectacular Waterfront Homes

THE MAGAZINE FOR FINE INTERIOR DESIGN & FURNISHINGS VOLUME 21#2

www.f loridadesign.com

FLORIDA DESIGN NOW SOLD

THROUGHOUT BRAZIL IN PORTUGUESE

A SUA REVISTA SOBRE DESIGN DE LUXO, DECORAÇÃO E ESTILO DE VIDA ANO 1 NO 1

Os Melhores Designs da Flórida,

Hotéis e Imóveis

EDIÇÃO BRASILEIRA

Showcase your business

to affluent Brazilians,

contact us at:

(561) 997-1660 ext. 200

www.floridadesign.com/brazil

Cover photography: Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental, Miami, Florida