AN APPRECIATION FOR FINE ART AND ANTIQUES

Various Cultures And Styles Articulate The Eclecticism Of A Grand Tour Experience

INTERIOR DESIGN Thomas D. Stringer with Paul VanKampen and Elizabeth Knapp, Tom Stringer, Inc., Chicago, IL

ARCHITECTURE Scott Blakeslee Disher & Associates, Boynton Beach, FLTEXT Katharine Kaye McMillan

PHOTOGRAPHY Dan Forer, Miami, FL

Corinthian columns separate the living room fromthe gallery, where a 19th-century Italian table is thecenterpiece. In the living room, a hand-tufted woolarea rug draws together two conversation groupings.

ABOVE & LEFT: Tang Dynasty camels and OttoBrandt’s oil painting of Egyptian pyramids add anaura of mystique to the dining room. The hallwaybeyond displays “Hindoos,” a series of rare, 18th-century hand-colored prints.

On Gem Island, a secluded haven nearVero Beach, Fla., a Bahamian Georgian-style home captures the owner’s pen-

chant for exquisite art and antiques. Givencarte blanche by the owner, designer ThomasD. Stringer conceived a refined interior, draw-ing inspiration from the “grand tours” youngaristocrats used to take around the world.

“The grand tour was an international tripthat every young gentleman took to completehis education in centuries past,” says Stringer,who has previously worked with the owner.“My mandate was to create a house from thepoint of view of a traveler who collects alongthe way and deposits those precious ob jects inhis home.” In addition, the owner wanted it tobe different from his East Coast shingle-stylehome, horse ranch, yacht and other properties.

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A striped-silk sofa anchors the grouping at theopposite end of the room. Coral-toned fabrics on abarrel chair and tufted lounge chair “perk up thescheme with a tropical note,” Stringer says.

Corinthian columns separate the living roomfrom the adjoining gallery, where a 19th-centuryItalian center table is the focal point. At the end ofthe gallery, a hand-carved, 18th-century door fromIndia serves as a work of art above an English-stylechest. “The home’s eclectic décor combines a vari-ety of cultures and styles,” Stringer says.

In the formal dining room, the theme of thegrand tour continues with Otto Brandt’s painting

For assistance in acquiring the art and acces-sories, Stringer turned to art consultant JoannaBurke. Together, they selected paintings, prints,sculpture and other objets d’art from the 18th and19th centuries.

Opting for a palette of neutrals and muted jeweltones, Stringer coated the living room walls withan “English milk” color that suggests the passageof time. White molding lends subtle contrast.

Furnishings from the past to the present com-prise the conversation areas in the living room. Inthe main grouping, twin wood-framed sofas cov-ered in beige-patterned cotton face each other infront of the fireplace. Joining the sofas are twoarmless rolled-back chairs. Nineteenth-centuryItalian candelabras grace the mantel, above whichhangs a 19th-century mirror. Hand-painted Italianpanels from the 1930s flank the fireplace, addingrich color to the setting.

Crisp white bed coverings and linens, apricot-colored draperies, and orange-goldgrass-cloth wall covering instill the guestroom with a tropical air. The 19th-century

English desk and cane-back chair are positioned to take advantage of the view.

FACING: In the library, 18th-century English prints oftropical fish line up above the sofa. In keeping with theroom’s masculine theme, designer Thomas D. Stringercovered the lounge chairs in hunter green velvet.

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dow, dark wood chairs encircle a 19th-centuryrosewood table.

French doors in the family and living rooms, aswell as in the master bedroom, open to a series ofloggias. White tiebacks distinguish the central log-gia off the living room, creating a sense of privacyfor back-to-back conversation areas.

British Colonial influences, such as the ma -hogany canopy bed, imbue the master bedroomwith character and warmth. An elephant-motif fab-ric drapes the canopy, while crisp white bed cov-erings envelop the bed. A striped-cotton windowtreatment in hues of ivory, coral and cocoa framesFrench doors that open to the loggia.

ABOVE: Stringer designed thiscocktail table and an identical onefor the two groupings in the centralloggia. “If I can’t find exactly whatI have in mind, I draw it and buildit,” he says.

ABOVE LEFT: Also designed byStringer, the cabinetry in the familyroom features shelves that displaycolorful por celain vases. The cabi-netry’s X motif carries over to theBritish Khaki chairs in the sunnybreakfast area.

In contrast to the library’s dark palette, the guest - room’s color scheme is light and airy. Orange-goldgrass-cloth wall covering, apricot cotton draperiesand reed blinds instill a plantation feel. Near thewindows, a 19th-century desk and cane-back chairimpart a touch of English formality.

This casual island atmosphere drifts into thefamily room, where mahogany cabinetry with raf-fia accents conceals media equipment. Instead of acocktail table, an oversized ottoman functions as afootrest or serving table.

Draperies in pineapple, pomegranate and per-simmon hues add tropical punch to the adjoiningbreakfast area. In the space formed by a bay win-

of Egyptian pyramids — a piece the artist paintedduring his own journey around the world. Takinghis cues from the painting, Stringer wrapped thewalls in tobacco-toned shagreen wall covering,instilling the space with an aura of warmth. Alantern fixture glows above a circular table sur-rounded by wood-framed armchairs covered inwide stripes of wine red, aubergine and cocoa.

As for the library’s design, “the client’s onlyspecific request was to have it done in the Englishtradition,” says Stringer, who chose cherry woodfor the paneling and coffered ceiling. A velvet-patterned sofa and hunter green velvet loungechairs further the gentleman’s club look.

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From the indoor areas, saturnia marble floor-ing flows out to the patio and pool area, estab-lishing a sense of continuity.

“The owner wanted a home that would func-tion as his personal five-star resort, and thishome is truly a ‘Four Seasons’ experience,”Stringer says.

ABOVE & LEFT: The vignette in the hallway to themaster bedroom comprises “Bathers,” a 19th-centuryoil painting, an Italian Empire chest and a Victorianchair that converts into a step stool. In the master bed-room, Fonthill’s elephant print drapes the canopy bed.

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SOURCESGalleryCenter table - Robuck & Co. Antiques, Atlanta, GAChest - Joseph Konrad Antiques, Atlanta, GALiving RoomSofas and floor lamps - Dessin Fournir,Kneedler-Fauchère, Pacific Design Center,West Hollywood, CATufted lounge and barrel chairs - Monte AllenInteriors, West Hollywood, CAArmless rolled-back chairs - Zambrano CustomUpholsterers, Los Angeles, CATray cocktail table - Baker Furniture, BakerKnapp & Tubbs, Pacific Design Center,West Hollywood, CAOccasional table in foreground - Tod Carson, Inc.,West Hollywood, CATable lamp - Gina B, West Hollywood, CAFireplace - Custom designed by Tom Stringer, Inc.,Chicago, ILFireplace and columns fabricated by ShaverMillwork, Vero Beach, FLMirror - Parc Monceau Antiques, Ltd., Atlanta, GAUrn planter and pedestal in foreground -Michael Taylor Designs, Inc., Pacific DesignCenter, West Hollywood, CAPainted floral panels - Joanna Burke ArtConsultant, Venice, CADining RoomTable - Baker Furniture, Baker Knapp & Tubbs,Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, CAChairs - Dessin Fournir, Kneedler-Fauchère,Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, CABuffet - Randall Tysinger Antiques, Thomasville, NCChandelier and sconces - Paul Ferrante, Inc.,Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, CALamps - Vaughan, Hinson & Co., Pacific DesignCenter, West Hollywood, CAPainting and framed prints - Joanna Burke ArtConsultant, Venice, CACamel sculpture - The Golden Triangle, Chicago, ILDinnerware, flatware and stemware - Gearys ofBeverly Hills, Beverly Hills, CALibrarySofa, lounge chairs and ottoman - Monte AllenInteriors, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, CACocktail table - British Khaki, Tui Pranich &Associates, The Merchandise Mart, Chicago, ILTrunk occasional table - Joseph Konrad Antiques,Atlanta, GACabinetry, ceiling, fireplace and millwork - Customdesigned by Tom Stringer, Inc., Chicago, ILFabricated by Shaver Millwork, Vero Beach, FLFish prints - The Gables Antiques, Atlanta, GAGuestroomUpholstered bed, lounge chair and ottoman -Monte Allen Interiors, West Hollywood, CADesk - Walker McIntyre Antiques, Atlanta, GADesk chair - Joseph Konrad Antiques, Atlanta, GAFamily Room/Breakfast Area/KitchenSofas and ottoman - Monte Allen Interiors,West Hollywood, CACane armchair and breakfast chairs - BritishKhaki, Tui Pranich & Associates, TheMerchandise Mart, Chicago, ILBreakfast table - Joseph Konrad Antiques,Atlanta, GAFamily room and kitchen cabinetry - Customdesigned by Tom Stringer, Inc., Chicago, ILFamily room cabinetry fabricated by Thomas

Lavin, Inc., Pacific Design Center,West Hollywood, CAKitchen cabinetry, countertops and backsplashfabricated by Indian River Design Concepts,Vero Beach, FLVases - J.F. Chen, Pacific Design Center,West Hollywood, CALoggiaSofa - David Sutherland, Inc., Pacific DesignCenter, West Hollywood, CAWicker chairs - Donghia Showrooms, PacificDesign Center, West Hollywood, CA

Cocktail table - Custom designed by TomStringer, Inc., Chicago, ILFabricated by Dixon Design Source, San Pedro, CATeak occasional table - Baker Furniture, BakerKnapp & Tubbs, Pacific Design Center,West Hollywood, CAMaster BedroomCanopy bed and floor lamp - Dessin Fournir,Kneedler-Fauchère, Pacific Design Center,West Hollywood, CACanopy fabric - Fonthill, Ltd., Hinson & Co.,Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, CA

Canopy fabricated by Zirlin Interiors, Chicago, ILBed covering and pillow fabrics - SchweitzerLinens, New York, NY, and Brahms/MountTextiles, Inc., Hallowell, MELounge chair and ottoman - Monte Allen Interiors,West Hollywood, CALeather armchair - Dearing Antiques, Atlanta, GA Round occasional table, desk and desk chair -Joseph Konrad Antiques, Atlanta, GADesk lamp - The Wicker Works, Giati Designs, Inc.,Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, CABed lamps - Vaughan, Tod Carson, Inc., West

Hollywood, CAMaster Bedroom HallwayChest - Tompkins & Robandt, Chicago, ILChair - Parc Monceau Antiques, Atlanta, GALamp - Michelle C. Antiques, Los Angeles, CAPainting - Joanna Burke Art Consultant, Venice, CAPatio and Pool AreaChaises - Brown Jordan, Pacific Design Center,West Hollywood, CATables - Sutherland Teak Collection/DavidSutherland, Inc., Pacific Design Center, WestHollywood, CA

Chairs and settee - McKinnon & Harris, Inc.,Richmond, VAPool contractor - Crystal Pools, Vero Beach, FLPool surround - Island Building Co., Vero Beach, FLThroughoutBuilder - Island Building Co., Vero Beach, FLLandscape architect - Howard F. Ostrout Jr. &Associates, Jupiter, FLFlorals and greenery - Accent Interiors,Vero Beach, FLArea rug and carpet - Decorative Carpets, Inc.,Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, CA

Chaises from Brown Jordan and a camelbacksettee from McKinnon & Harris provide casualseating in the patio and pool area. Market um -brellas shade Sutherland teak tables.

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