By Naomi Izen
Palm Beach is a major hub for opulence and design, especially during the Winter high season. For a taste, try a visit to the American International Fine Art Fair or the American Red Cross Show House for design inspiration and a chance to buy the most unique decor items.
The Palm Beach Convention Center hosted the 16th American International Fine Art Fair February 3-12, which took a more modern spin than it had in previous years. The Fair boasted art galleries such as the Rudolf Budja Gallerie, home to Andy Warhol and Ling Jian Peter Anton; Arcature Fine Art, where delectable sculptures by Peter Anton were front and center. Avant Gallery held classics such as Marcel Wanders' Original Knotted chair. All of these items were quite available for purchase.
Above: Art by Peter Anton, Paraiba tourmaline by Buccellati
This year there were even cars on display, including a 1912 Oldsmobile Limited Tournabout, that definitely delighted the fellows. Taking this fair to it's most modern extreme was the showing of the Alpha XXI wind power car, designed by Investec XXI.
Fine art was still in abundance as well as Modern Masters: Renoirs, Monets and Picassos, lined the walls in such galleries as Gladwell and Company. Cartier bobbles from the 1920's sat gleaming in their cases and David Webb jewels shined not to far away in their own glass homes as part of the collections of haute and period jewelry. The museum aesthetic of the fair made the fact that it was all available for purchase feel all too surreal. The range of showings of art indeed was an amalgamation of tastes, styles and interests, and yet it all came together in one impressive showing. Full schedules of daily activities coincided with the main Art Fair event, such as lectures from museum curators and art experts. The show also held cocktail parties and other social events.
From January 19 - February 18, Traditional Home Magazine and the American Red Cross of Greater Palm Beach Area presented the 36th American Red Cross Designers' Show House. Nestled in between old Florida ranches, this show house was held at the the mansion on 3001 Spruce Avenue in West Palm Beach. Local design firms—18 in total—took this home as their own as they reinvented each room with artistic flair and opulence.
The living room, designed by William R. Eubanks and D. Mitchell Brown of William R. Eubanks Interior Design, Inc., was packed with delightful treasures from the past and one of a kind pieces from travels near and far, as was such with many of the rooms in the Show House. The dining room was designed by Joseph Pubillones, who stated that his entire room was designed around his table, as a good dining room always is. The stream of sun from the sunroom designed by Jennifer Garrigues filtered into the dining room. The sunroom held vibrant hues of tangerine against a wholly white room in a globally inspired room that filled the whole house with a glow. Among the designers to style the home were Joseph Cortes and Kevin Marnell of HomeLife Interiors who designed the Den with light Asian flourishes. The Powder Room and Foyer were designed by Melissa Ziober and Noe Guerra of NXG Studio who added a hand painted floral mural to the Foyer's wall.
Allan Reyes of Decorations of Palm Beach designed the library and added a color punch of neon green in this kick-of-a-room. The southeast master suite was designed by Joseph Cook Fava, with blue lucite and silver velvet accents, this room was quite a futuristic take on classic Palm Beach decor. The master suite overlooking the pool was decorated by Katherine Shenaman who used a carved bed as a focal point. The Nursery by Mimi Masri was a highlight with a hanging crib with copper lotus flowers and an overall ethnic feel. The Northeast bedroom was designed by Nancy Pearson who created a 1950's glam bedroom with pink and silver accents. Lastly, the Kitchen designed by Melody Smith was a stark white one which opened up the space and let the sun pour through.
A fitting boutique and an outdoor café completed the scene to this 2012 Show House. The detail in each of the rooms was quite visible and it had a cohesion to the entire home that made it feel less like a show house and more like a visit to a dear friend's home. All of the designers created a unique experience in which their expression of this Mansion on Spruce Avenue came to life.
