BALANCE OF POWER

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CLEAN LINESAND ROBUSTARCHITECTURALELEMENTS MIXWITH WARMWOODS ANDSUBTLE FABRICSIN A COCONUTGROVE HOMETHAT CONVEYSSOFTNESS ANDSTRENGTH

INTERIOR DESIGN BrettSugerman and Giselle Loor, B+G Design, Inc., Hollywood, FLTEXT Sara LindaPHOTOGRAPHY Barry Grossman, Weston, FL

Artwork leaning against custom-designed cabinetry slides via aconcealed motor to reveal a hometheater in the living room. Sofasdesigned by John Hutton forHolly Hunt and Il Loft armchairsby Giorgio Saporiti combine simplelines with soft curves atop a wooland silk Tibetan area rug.

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Wood paneling surrounds an onyx-topped buffet in the diningroom. “The millwork folds like origami around the architectureand appears spaced off the ceiling and wall,” interior designer

Brett Sugerman says. “They fit together like puzzle pieces.”

A razor-thin, plate-steel basesupports a 4-inch-thick ebonizedwood top to form the table in thedining room. Chairs covered inClassic Cloth silk provide seatingbeneath the glow of Kevin Reilly’s“Altar Hanging Light.” Keith Haring’soriginal on blackboard strikes apose on a wood-paneled wall.

The European beechwood cabinetry from Poggenpohlcontrasts sleek, black granite countertops in the kitchen.Swaim barstools pull up to an island in front of a custom-designed backsplash comprised of stainless-steel miniaturesubway brick tiles. Foscarini’s “Supernova” light fixturecasts a glow above a Syndecrete® table in the foreground.

rom the moment the owners began building this 6,000-square-footcontemporary residence in Coconut Grove’s Hughes Cove, theyhad definitive ideas for its design. “They wanted a stimulating,modern interior that would provide the ideal backdrop for theirextensive art collection while being simultaneously neutral anddetailed,” interior designer Brett Sugerman says. “However, they

also wanted it to be comfortable, warm and relaxed enough for full-time living.”Before they even broke ground, the owners contacted Sugerman and his

wife and partner, Giselle Loor — a team with whom they have worked repeatedlyover the past 12 years. “The owners already had a high level of comfort with us,

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so we jumped right in and worked through the earliest stages ofthe house, and became involved with the interior and exteriorarchitecture,” Sugerman says.

The two began by establishing the proportions of the space.“We were given spaces that we massaged and changed,” Sugermansays. “For example, I devised extra-wide hallways to give a feel-ing of openness.” Next, they designed the millwork, molding,interior doors, ceilings and other interior architectural details.

Recurring materials in the common areas, such as Macassarebony and ebonized birch built-ins, provide consistency and acomplementary contrast throughout. “Warm, richly grainedwoods and soft, supple fabrics temper the hard lines of thearchitecture and furnishings,” Sugerman says. To this end, a clas-sic bronze tufted-leather ottoman slides beneath a clean-linedMacassar ebony cocktail table in the living room. “The juxtapo-sition of these pieces and the warm wood tones create a softercontemporary look that is functional and sculptural,” he says.

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“We created 12-inch-thick window returns forplumbing and added the mirror so guests can’ttell where the mirror stops and glass starts,”interior designer Giselle Loor says of the pow-der room, which features a Chinese altar table.

A CUSTOM-DESIGNED DESK WITH A BLACK GRANITE TOP CANTILEVERS OFF OF ANDES ROSEWOOD

AND EBONIZED BIRCH CABINETRY IN THE DEN. HIS AND HER DESK CHAIRS SIT READY FOR WORKBENEATH A ‘FRISBEE’ LIGHT FIXTURE FROM FLOS.

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For color, Sugerman and Loor developed apalette that incorporates subtle variations of theowners’ requested black, white and gray hues.They also focused on lighting, using a monorailsystem in the living room and recessed lightingin the kitchen and master bedroom. “Lighting isthe most important interior design element,”Sugerman says. “There’s no more powerful toolto create drama and accent the artwork.”

Following a modern but functional scheme,the dining room features floating cubes thatanchor the light fixture and lower the ceiling,adding volume and heightening a feeling ofintimacy while maintaining the formal setting.

The final result is a strong modern statementthat conveys a warm, gentle livability. “Design isall about proportion and balance — cool andwarm, hard and soft, light and dark,” Sugermansays, “and this home embodies these elements.”

A headboard and footboard adorned withSpinneybeck leather lend soft appeal inthe master bedroom beneath an overlap-ping ceiling. “The bed floats off the backwall,” Loor says, “and the combination ofits ebonized birch frame and matchingleather skirt are at once modern and tradi-tional.” A Christian Liaigre chair provides acomfortable reading spot as Classic Clothdrapery sheers filter in natural light.

Limestone-sheathed wallsand floors create a cleanpalette in the master bath,where his and her lacqueredvanities with cedar limestonetops float off the mirror.