The barrage of decisions that have to be made during a residential renovation can make even seasoned designers the worst clients when it comes to their own homes. Luckily, that wasn’t the case with Valerie Grant. Before she even began the overhaul of her seasonal residence at Naples’ Grey Oaks Country Club, the designer knew exactly what she wanted and how she wanted it done.
“The goal was to create a warm, sophisticated house with a clean, modern sensibility, layered with natural textures, meaningful artwork, and a thoughtful mix of contemporary, vintage, and custom furnishings,” says Grant. “I didn’t want the expected Florida coastal aesthetic but rather a home that would reflect my personal style as well as that of my husband.”
The designer’s background in fashion (working for brands such as Prada, Ralph Lauren, and Coach) consistently influences the way she approaches interiors, and this time was no different. “Textiles were the natural starting point for this project,” says Grant. “They established the palette, interplay of textures, and overall mood of the home. After that, I layered in contemporary furnishings, collected antiques, custom details, and our art collection to create spaces that feel warm, comfortable, and timeless.”
Said art collection includes a series of abstract paintings that complement the architecture and overall mood of the house. “Art always plays an essential role in my projects,” says Grant. “It brings personality, emotion, and individuality to a space, while helping to tell the story of the home.”
The story here is certainly Grant’s own, a fact made evident by the objects and mementos that populate shelves and surfaces. “Mixing old and new is an essential aspect of my design language,” she says. “Pairing contemporary pieces with collected antiques and one-of-a-kind objects creates a sense of history and balance, allowing the home to feel curated, meaningful, and uniquely personal.”
Just as distinctive is the designer’s layering method. “My approach to texture and materials is rooted in creating spaces that bring those elements together in a way that feels authentic,” says Grant. “From textiles and furnishings to finishes, and accessories, it’s about allowing each layer to add warmth, depth, and character.”
Adding to those layers are the home’s furnishings, which were selected with both style and comfort in mind. From room to room, a mix of tailored furniture pieces and accessories creates spaces that are timeless, sophisticated, and welcoming, achieving Grant’s desired balance of refinement and livability.
Of course, all this wouldn’t work without the proper anchor underfoot. In this home’s case, it’s engineered oak flooring that creates a consistent foundation for the interiors. Outside, marble tile offers a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor settings.
“Beyond the design itself, what makes this house special is the way it supports the life my husband and I have envisioned for this chapter of our lives,” says Grant, who also has homes in Summit, New Jersey and (soon) Park City, Utah. “We enjoy not only the beauty and comfort of the home but the lifestyle that comes with it. Both reflect who we are and how we want to live now: comfortable, connected, and surrounded by the things and people we love.”
Story Credits:
Interior Design by Valerie Grant, Valerie Grant Interiors, Naples, FL
Interior Architecture by Thomas Borello Design, South Orange, NJ
Construction by Jeppessen Building, Naples, FL
Text by Florian Jouin
Photography by Carmel Brantley, Delray Beach, FL
Open to see Interior Design Sources:
Sources
Dining Room
Table, chairs, and buffet – Schwartz Design Showrooms
Chandelier – Jamie Young Co.
Lamps – Danny Kaplan Studio
Hanging art sculpture – Akari E
Area rug – Woven Floors
Foyer
Console and ottoman – Schwartz Design Showrooms
Sconces – Apparatus
Bar Area
Cabinetry – Designed by Valerie Grant Interiors, Naples, FL, and Thomas Borello Design, South Orange, NJ, and fabricated by Heartland Woodworks
Wall surface and area rug – Virtue Tile
Living Room
Sofa and chair – Schwartz Design Showrooms
Cocktail table – Bradley
Black side table – CB2
Accent table – Four Hands
Media cabinet and chandelier – RH
Kitchen
Cabinetry and island – Designed by Valerie Grant Interiors, Naples, FL, and Thomas Borello Design, South Orange, NJ, and fabricated by Heartland Woodworks
Coffee Bar
Cabinetry – Designed by Valerie Grant Interiors, Naples, FL, and Thomas Borello Design, South Orange, NJ, and fabricated by Heartland Woodworks
Wall surface – Ann Sacks, Virtue Tile
Sconces – Vault Light
Den
Sofa and ottoman – Schwartz Design Showrooms
Chandelier and sconce – Visual Comfort & Co.
Wallcovering – Phillip Jeffries
Primary Bathroom
Cabinetry – Designed by Valerie Grant Interiors, Naples, FL, and Thomas Borello Design, South Orange, NJ, and fabricated by Heartland Woodworks
Sconces – Visual Comfort & Co.
Tub – Victoria + Albert
Primary Bedroom
Bed and headboard – RH
Bench – Crate & Barrel
Nightstands – Schwartz Design Showrooms
Lighting – Visual Comfort & Co.
Family Room
Sofa and ottomans – Schwartz Design Showrooms
Chairs and console table – Four Hands
Chandelier – Dunes & Duchess
Sconces – Arteriors
Outdoor Living Area
Outdoor kitchen – Chadwick Outdoor Kitchens, Naples, FL
Sectional, armchairs, stools, and pool lounges – RH
Fire pit – Montana Fire Pits
Umbrella – Safavieh Home
Planters – Campania
Pergola – DBS Outdoors Consulting, Naples, FL
Pool resurfacing and tile – Clear Flow Pools, Naples, FL
Patio hardscape – CPL Landscape & Hardscape, Naples, FL
Throughout
Appliances – Ferguson Home, Naples, FL
Tile & wood flooring installation – ProContracting, Naples, FL
Engineered wood flooring – Ray Barrows Wood Floors, Naples, FL
Stone countertops – Natural Stone Concepts, Naples, FL
Metal stair railing – Naples Decorative Metalworks, Naples, FL
Facebook Comments