A TROPICAL PARADISESophisticated Clients And Their Design Team Collaborate To Create A

Beautiful John’s Island Vacation Home With A Fresh Take On Tropical Design

ARCHITECTURE Clemens Bruns Schaub, Clemens Bruns Schaub Architect andAssociates, P. A., Vero Beach, FLDESIGN James K. Gauthier and Susan Stacy, Gauthier-Stacy, Inc., Boston, MABUILDER John Huryn Construction, Inc., Vero Beach, FLLANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Neil Sickterman, Clemens Bruns Schaub Architectand Associates, P.A., Vero Beach, FLTEXT De SchofieldPHOTOGRAPHY Francis Gray, Boston, MA

In the courtyard, the clean-lined façade features a simplestucco finish with exposed rafter tails and Alaskan Cedartrim. The entire footprint is only one room deep, which addsto the openness and flow centered by a shimmering lap pool.

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WHEN OWNERS OF THIS COMPLETELY NEW, CUSTOM-BUILT6,500-square-foot home decided to return to John’s Island in Vero Beach, Fla., an idyllicbarrier island that offers well-appointed residences with stunning ocean and riverfront views, they enlisted the help of interior design experts and their long-termfriends of nearly two decades, Jim Gauthier and Susan Stacy.

Gauthier and Stacy first met the homeowners in the 1990s when the couple maintaineda full-time residence on John’s Island. When they decided to return as seasonal residents,they invited the designers to search for potential homesites. As fate would have it, all of

their selections were the work of Vero Beach-based architect Clemens Bruns Schaub.“We were well aware of Clem’s work throughout the Island, but had not yet had thepleasure of working with him,” Gauthier says. “Once we met, we all agreed that he wasthe perfect architect for the project.”

After narrowing the search to a handful of possibilities, Schaub and his clients wereof one mind about a desirable site that overlooked the Intracoastal Waterway from amangrove cove. They loved the privacy and solitude, and envisioned a residence thattook maximum advantage of its unique, natural beauty,” the architect says.

ABOVE AND RIGHT: In the hallway, Paul Marra’santique gold-leafed lamp poses on an eclecticconsole table beside a raffia-cushioned-carvedchair by Erika Brunson. Nearby in the livingroom, graceful silk taupe draperies by F.Schumacher lend a classic and timeless touch.

154 FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 23 NO. 1

ABOVE: In the dining room, a rock crystal chandelier lends an opulent feel, while a centerpieceof porcelain votives evoke the look and feel of coral in homage to the seaside locale.

Aptly named “Tropical Modern”by Schaub, the home’s style is a blendof features designed specifically tomaximize the benefits of a hot, sultryclimate. “Tropical homes are a passionof mine,” Schaub says. “The key isits orientation — a sensitivity to theenvironment and an awareness ofclimate, light and shade.”

Centering a courtyard and lappool, a two-story area is composedof one sprawling master suite andbalcony that serves to block thewind in winter, yet affords welcomebreezes off the Intracoastal in thesummer. “Clem has a really greatunderstanding of how design flowworks, and always knows the bestlocation for breezes, views, sunlightand how to take advantage of themall,” Gauthier says.

Tall ceilings convey a greenhouseeffect in the living room, while theupper clerestory adds lightness andverticality. A signature palette ofneutrals that focus more on texturethan color are defined in shades ofwhite, cream and taupe with splashesof bright fuchsia and turquoise. Pale

“We like to create somethingthat is unexpected for ourclients — a juxtaposition thatwill delight with surprise andexcitement,” designer Jim

Gauthier says.

156 FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 23 NO. 1

Cut out of a wall, the custom-designed fireplace in the outdoor-livingpavilion features a mantel shelf that lends itself to added seating.The louvered doors are specially crafted for tropical climates,inspired by ones found in Jamaica and reinvented by Schaub.

158 FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 23 NO. 1

beige travertine flooring initiates in the elegant entryway, and continues throughout themain living areas and covered outdoor spaces. “We were going for colors and materials thatwere sophisticated, casual and appropriate to the area,” Gauthier says.

A centerpiece conversation grouping in the light-filled living space signifies thehome’s eclectic, personalized decor. A pair of deep-seated, white linen-clad sofas byHolly Hunt borders an antique-mirror-finished cocktail table, while the clean lines ofthe custom-built fireplace counter the ornate Venetian mirror displayed above.

The eclectic theme continues in the dining room. Subtle architectural detailing addsa relaxed edge to a modernized version of classic millwork with pale taupe-painted wallsbordered with a white, distressed finish. Gauthier-Stacy’s custom limed-oak dining tableand Klismos-style chairs by Michael Taylor center the space. Close by, a buffet beneathan ebony and gold leaf-framed mirror by Ralph Lauren lends extra storage.

The spacious outdoor living pavilion expresses the home’s indoor-outdoor versatilitywith furnishings designed to withstand the elements. A social grouping of two teak sofasand a pair of armchairs imported from Bali are in perfect complement to the two iron-based

IN THE BUNK ROOM, PLAYFUL COLORED HUES ABOUND IN A YELLOW ARMCHAIR FROM WEST ELM AND A PASTEL BLUE BEANBAG CHAIR THAT ADDS TO THE FUN.

Noir Furniture’s rustic, yet femininefour-poster bed in the guest room isdressed with accent pillows by JohnRobshaw and complemented by aclean-lined bedside table from West Elm.

ABOVE: The sculptural hammock base that is positioned at the far end of the pool, entitled Trunk Monks, isa unique, specially made piece that architect Clemens Bruns Schaub commissioned. Made of cast bronze,the piece is designed to be viewed as stand-alone art without the hammock in place.

tables with aged teak tabletops. The room’s focal point, a nod to nature itself, is afour-paneled painting entitled Ubiquity, custom designed by Schaub, to represent thefour elements of earth, wind, water and fire.

The homeowners’ wish for relaxed, informal living prevails in a user-friendlyenvironment and with two charming children’s guest rooms designed with theirgrandchildren in mind. In the bunk room, custom-built beds with center drawersthat serve as a ladder lines one wall, while patterned fish artwork cleverly derivedfrom fence pickets adorns the other. The guest bedroom — fresh in white with popsof Tiffany blue and bright pink – highlights a rustic-finished four-poster bed withwhimsical bedposts nearby a clean-lined bedside chest.

With team members that all shared the same vision, the process was harmoniousfrom the start to completion. “In order to create a great house you need a greatclient, and that was certainly the case here,” Schaub says. “The designers did a wonderfuljob to create a real sense of indoor-outdoor casual elegance that is reinforced throughoutthe home with furnishings.” The final result — a home that is truly beyond expectation.

A casual teak table from Stoneyard is paired with director’s chairs fromSummit to offer a relaxing venue for patio dining. An oversized rustic iron

lantern by Paul Ferrante adds simple elegance to the space.

Chair fabric, lamp and chandelier - Webster &Company, BDC, Boston, MAVotives and accessories - Atlantic ACK, EasyStreet Fine Art & Antiques, Nantucket, MAMirror - Ralph Lauren Home, New York, NYFloral arrangement - William Bainbridge Steele Floral Designs, Vero Beach, FLConsole table - John Himmel Decorative Arts,Webster & Company, BDC, Boston, MA

White box on console - John Rosselli & Assoc.,DCOTA, Dania Beach, FLCandleholders - Pottery Barn, San Francisco, CAWindow treatment - Custom designed by Gauthier-Stacy, Inc., Boston, MA,Fabricated by Finelines Drapery, Peabody, MADrapery fabric - Jerry Pair & Assoc., D&DBuilding, New York, NYArea rug - Stark Carpet Corp., Boston DesignCenter, Boston, MA

Artwork - Owner’s CollectionOutdoor Living PavilionSofas - Warisan, Bali, Indonesia Cushions - Miracle Upholstery, Vero Beach, FLFabric - Henry Calvin Fabrics, BDC, Boston, MAAccent pillow fabrics - F. Schumacher & Co.,BDC, Boston, MAFabricated by Ciocco’s Upholstery, Peabody, MABlack and green accent pillow fabric - RodMickely, Vero Beach, FLChair - Warisan, Bali, Indonesia

Cushion fabric - Miracle Upholstery,Vero Beach, FL Cocktail tables - Bobo IntriguingObjects, Atlanta, GAAccessories on table - HamptonsAntique Galleries, Stamford, CTTray - West Elm, New York, NYFireplace - Custom designed byClemens Bruns Schaub Architects& Assoc., Vero Beach, FL Fabricated by Country Tile, Vero Beach, FLArtwork - Owners’ CollectionBunk RoomBunk beds - Custom designed by Clemens Bruns SchaubArchitects & Assoc., Vero Beach, FLFabricated by LaCorte Enterprises,Inc., Vero Beach, FL Bedding, accent pillow fabric andbeanbag chair - Pottery Barn, San Francisco, CAArtwork - M. Maison, Vero Beach, FLYellow chair - West Elm, New York, NYGuest RoomBed - Noir Furniture, Gardena, CABed coverings - Very Fitting, Vero Beach, FLAccent pillow fabrics - JohnRobshaw Textiles, Rod MickleyInteriors, Vero Beach, FLMirror - Made Goods, Baldwin Park, CATable - West Elm, New York, NYLamp - Rod Mickley Interiors, Vero Beach, FLFloral - New England Silks &Accessories, Needham, MACarpet - Stark Carpet Corp., BDC, Boston, MAPatioTable - Stoneyard, Inc., Walters Wicker, D&D Building, New York, NYChairs - Summit, Monterey, CAFloral - Owners’ CollectionChandelier - John Rosselli & Assoc.,D&D Building, New York, NYHammock base - Custom designedby Clemens Bruns Schaub Architect & Assoc., Vero Beach, FL Fabricated by Shadetree Studios, Fort Pierce, FL ThroughoutDoors - HBS, Inc., Vero Beach, FLWindows - Weather Shield Windowsand Doors, Medford, WIFlooring - Country Tile, Vero Beach, FL

164 FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 23 NO. 1

SOURCESExterior patio Pool - Custom designed by ClemensBruns Schaub Architect & Assoc., Vero Beach, FL, and Aquatic Consultants,Inc., Miami, FLFabricated by Aquatic Consultants, Inc.,Miami, FLChaise lounges - Warisan, Bali, Indonesia Cushions - Miracle Upholstery, Vero Beach, FLDining table - Stoneyard, Inc., WaltersWicker Showroom, D&D Building, New York, NY Chairs - Summit Furniture, Inc.,Monterey, CATaborettes - Wisteria, Dallas, TXHallway/Sitting Area Chair - John Rosselli & Assoc., DCOTA,Dania Beach, FLTable - David Sutherland Showroom,DCOTA, Dania Beach, FLLamp - Paul Marra Design, Los Angeles, CAArtwork - Owners’ CollectionLiving RoomSofas - Holly Hunt, Webster & Company,BDC, Boston, MAArmchair - Donghia, Inc., BDC, Boston, MACushion and armchair fabric - Zimmer &Rohde, Studio 534, BDC, Boston, MAAccent pillow fabrics - Scalamandré, New York, NYFabricated by Ciocco’s Upholstery, Peabody, MAFabric - Zimmer & Rodhe, Studio 534,Boston Design Center, Boston, MATable - Mecox Gardens, New York, NYRound occasional tables - TuckerRobbins, New York, NYFireplace - Custom designed byClemens Bruns Schaub Architect &Assoc., Vero Beach, FLFabricated by Country Tile, Vero Beach, FLMirror - Michael Taylor Designs, New York, NYDrapery fabric - F. Schumacher & Co.,BDC, Boston, MAWindow treatment - Custom designedby Gauthier-Stacy, Inc., Boston, MAFabricated by Finelines Drapery, Peabody, MASculpture on cocktail table - Studio A, AGlobal Views Company, High Point, NCVintage arrows - Andrew Martin, D&DBuilding, New York, NYFloral arrangement - William Steele, Vero Beach, FLFloor lamp - Pottery Barn, New York, NYChandelier - Webster & Company, BDC,Boston, MAArea rug - Steven King, BDC, Boston, MADining RoomDining table and buffet - Custom designedby Gauthier-Stacy, Inc., Boston, MAFabricated by Robert Lamboy, New England Center For Antiques,Medford, MADining chairs - Michael Taylor Designs, New York, NY

162 FLORIDA DESIGN VOL. 23 NO. 1

. . . continued on page 164

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