Leaf through any Florida-based designer’s portfolio and chances are you’ll see just as many seasonal residences as permanent homes. That’s because the state’s worldwide appeal as a vacation destination continuously draws thousands of visitors every year, many of whom end up buying their own slice of paradise.

Working with overseas clients comes with the territory, as Tony Ferchak and Lorenzo B. Mollicone know full well. This talented duo was retained by a British couple to design their stateside retreat in Aventura. Even though their clients were on the other side of the Atlantic during the process, Ferchak and Mollicone perfectly captured the informal ambiance they desired.

Like most people with demanding careers, New York residents Carole and Michael Newman wanted a relaxing getaway. After buying a home in Palm Beach Gardens, they turned to Lorraine Rogers-Bolton and Loralie Tumulty to create a contemporary aesthetic with Asian accents. The result is “a look in tune with their urban style,” Rogers-Bolton says.

Not only do clients hail from New York, but also designers such as Sissy Eagan who went into a “sunshine state of mind” to conceive a seasonal home in North Palm Beach. Drawing inspiration from the scenic views, she composed a tropical-inspired interior. “It made sense to bring the outdoors inside,” Eagan says.

After testing the waters as part-time residents, many take the next logical step: live here year-round. That’s what brought designers Alice Lawrence and Mary-Jo Mantz to Bonita Springs, where their clients permanently relocated. For this house, the owners wanted a West Indies influence — “a classic interior that would stand the test of time,” Lawrence says.

Whether permanent or part-time, Florida is a great place to live.

Barbara Lichtenstein

Vol. 14 No. 3