Homes

Thomas Melhorn in collaboration with Betsy Brown curates a lavish South Florida estate which marries contemporary and conventional elements

JUN 21, 2021 | By Urvika Barua
Authenticity which instills serenity to the ambience is Brown’s design philosophy which reflects throughout the estate; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
Cascading sloping rooftops, established by thin curving beams to produce the magnificent sweeping arches, is a distinct feature to the residence; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
The goal was to nourish an estate that linked and flowed seamlessly from one space to another; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
Featuring Custom dining table by Demiurge, bespoke steel floating credenza by Thomas Melhorn, a painting by Corinne Wes and Branching Disc chandeliers by Lindsey Adelman in the dining space; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
Stairs leading up to the glass front entrance opens up to a view of the ocean followed by a sighting of the backyard; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
Outdoor deck furniture is dressed in Link Aspen Cobblestone by Link; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
The hues of South Florida sand, shells, ocean, sky, cypress, and limestone served as an inspiration for the colour palette; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
The kitchen is elegant yet minimal with French stools from W. Gardner Ltd. and Twig 5 chandelier by Apparatus and lastly, a Cambodian water jar lamp from W. Gardner Ltd; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
The living space has an amalgamation of varying textures and colours; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
The residence features a French 19th c. farm table from Provenance Antiques followed by a stunning Antique Papua New Guinea carved wood figure along with Roman shades by Jonas Workroom; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
Brown aimed to create a classic, century old Florida beach house rooted in classical proportions yet distinct from traditional architecture; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
Featuring Scissor Lounge Chair by Pierre Jeanneret for Knoll from Galerie Bachmann, vintage Paul Mayen Wicker lights from Orange Furniture, artwork by Jean Marc Louis, antique Papua New Guinea carved wood figure,handwoven jute rug by TibeTano and drapery by Jonas Workroom; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
This corner is decked with 17th c. Spanish Console from Provenance Antiques and white stoneware glazed lamp from BK Antiques; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
The bathroom is adorned in a French plane wood Table from W. Gardner Ltd, Halo Circle Pendant by Roll & Hill, Beach Pebble Wall Light by Ochre, a Vintage Hemp Kilim Rug from Eliko Oriental Rugs; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
The serenity of white has been seen throughout the space; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

Melhorn Architecture and Construction designed this remarkable winter retreat located on Jupiter Island, Florida. The designers, Christian Thomas and John Melhorn curated a space infused with wabi-sabi elements along with a blend of contemporary functionality.

This 9,000 sq ft space was a home away from home for the Schumans and is particularly fashioned as a vacation retreat. It provides an unparalleled view of the Atlantic from every corner of the house. Betsy Brown and the Schumans collaborated closely to fill the house with serene earth tones and antique elements.

Inspired by a wabi-sabi lifestyle, the house embraces a play of light and shadow from dawn to sunset. The material palette comprises white plaster, local shell stone, limed plaster and organic fabrics that have been extracted in their most natural state. 

Betsy Brown and the Schumans collaborated closely to fill the house with serene earth tones and antique elements; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

Concealed away from the main street, a narrow driveway leads one to the property. Stairs leading up to the glass front entrance opens up to a view of the ocean followed by a visual of the backyard as well as the ocean through the foyer along with another glass door.

Waxed plaster and lime cypress wall panelling make up the walls. The plaster has a really distinctive character that varies with the lighting in the space. It’s used in its natural, unprocessed state; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

From here, one is guided through a constricted ‘slip’ of lime cypress with nothing but a tiny octagonal window, brilliantly capturing the ocean view. The ceiling extends to the two-story Great Room, including the fireplace, dramatic stair and bridge, and the dining room.

The lush outdoors offer a view of the ocean; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

The Ocean Terrace is accessible from the family room, a wide covered patio built for al fresco dining and leisure. One of the many attractions of the residence is the outdoor stairway that flows from the ocean terrace to an open-air terrace with an uncovered timber roof encompassing the estate and the ocean.

The property ensures a phenomenal view of the Atlantic ocean from every corner; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

The use of materials takes into account their natural features and weathering over time. The copper hardware on the exteriors will rust gradually to yield a magnificent blue patina that mirrors the ocean’s colour palette.

The living space is flooded with light and has a diverse range of artefacts; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

The wood and wood beams are tinted and treated organically, with minimum paint to draw the uniqueness of wood in every facet. Wood has been treated but not stained to enable the wood to age naturally. Such elements were adopted for their longevity and practicality, lending the residence a higher significance.

Brown aimed to create a classic, century-old Florida beach house rooted in classical proportions yet distinct from traditional architecture; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

Cascading sloping rooftops, established by thin curving beams to produce the magnificent sweeping arches, is a distinct feature of the residence. The slopes serve as a barrier between the interior and outdoor spaces, maximising one’s access to and views of nature.

The residence features the ultimate oak floor, with a fumed, living finish that would age gracefully alongside the unrestored wood pieces ; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

Authenticity which instils serenity to the ambience is Brown’s design philosophy which reflects throughout the estate. The hues of South Florida sand, shells, ocean, sky, cypress, and limestone served as an inspiration for the colour palette. It maintains the authenticity of the materials and establishes harmony with its surroundings. 

The counter tops are Romanian limestone that has been brushed to give a worn feel with Kolom Pendants by Kevin Reilly; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

“The Living Room was a great experience to create since we have had so much space and light, so we were able to implement a great assortment of artefacts. The pleasure of collaborating with skilled, compassionate architects was that neither of the interiors was too complex” Brown adds.

The hues of whites and sand have been captured throughout the decor of the beach house; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

Brown aimed to create a classic, century-old Florida beach house rooted in classical proportions yet distinct from traditional architecture. The goal was to nourish an estate that linked and flowed seamlessly from one space to another!

Hidden away from the main street, a narrow driveway leads to the property; Photographs by Nicole Franzen