Art and architecture play a prominent role in any design. In this issue of Florida Design, they take center stage ‹ forming the foundation for the interior schemes of many of our featured homes.

With its whitewashed facade, red-tile roof and outdoor areas, the ambassador to Portugal¹s Casa de Suenos, or "House of Dreams," in Fort Myers, brings to mind palaces in southern Spain. A summer spent visiting palazzi in the countryside and churches in Seville and Cordoba inspired designer Joan Simonsen-Hickok, who teamed with Wendy Klingensmith to authentically capture this aesthetic with 16th- to 19th-century European antiques and furnishings.

On the opposite end of the design spectrum, "a perfectly composed masterpiece'" in Coral Gables appears as a modern sculpture with its putty-colored facade, massive curves and varying rooflines. The ultra-contemporary exterior sets the stage for interior and furniture designer Michael Wolk¹s "Neo-Modern" approach - "a timeless look that marries dynamic American design with European refinement," as he describes it.

 

Oftentimes, the architecture and design of a home are wrapped around an art collection, as in Robert and Anita Legler¹s Vero Beach residence. A prolific artist, Anita worked with designer Marigil Walsh to distinguish the home with a palette as daring in color as her art. When built, the doors and windows were carefully placed to allow ample display space for her paintings in every room.

In a Naples condominium, designer Reese Cumming pays homage to the owners¹ previous home, designed by architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen, by creating an airy space filled with natural light. Colorful art by Jim Dine, Helen Frankenthaler and others adds punches of primary hues to the scheme.