Florida Design Magazine Vol. 13, No. 2
Page 1-2
"ISLAND IN THE SUN"
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ISLAND IN
THE SUN
A Key West Vacation
Home Reflects An
Elegant Blend Of Nautical Wit And Antique Wisdom
INTERIOR DESIGN
Phyllis Taylor, The Taylor & Taylor Partnership,
Miami Beach, FL
TEXT Joan McIver
PHOTOGRAPHY Dan Forer, Miami, FL
Surrounded by the Gulf
of Mexico’s turquoise blue waters, Sunset Key
floats on the horizon like a dreamy tropical paradise.
A short boat ride from the docks of Key West, this
small island community provides an idyllic setting
away from city life.
Drawn to Sunset’s Key’s beauty and peaceful
isolation, Tampa residents Don and Erika Wallace saw
it as an ideal location for their family vacation
retreat. “This is the nicest area with a beach
in Key West,” Erika says. “And we have a
great vantage point for viewing the fabulous sunsets.”
Inspired by the maritime setting, designer Phyllis
Taylor used a seafaring theme and splashes of aquamarine
blue, citrus yellow and lime green to shape a lively
interior. “Don and Erika have two young children,
so they wanted something casual, colorful and easy,”
says Taylor, who also designed the couple’s Tampa
home.
The home’s open floor plan centers around the
living and dining areas on the first floor. For the
living area, Taylor selected casual furnishings for
comfort, antique pieces for character
ABOVE: The living area opens to
a view of the Gulf of Mexico. Canvas draperies with
starfish tassels and rope tiebacks allude to the home’s
nautical theme. “I wanted to give the room the
feel of a sea captain’s cottage,” says designer
Phyllis Taylor.
