
10 Oct Creating a Classic
By Lauren Wicks
Gil Walsh Gives an Old-World Mediterranean Home a Colorful New Chapter in Palm Beach Gardens


A couple was dealing with a bit of a buyer’s conundrum: they had fallen in love with a Palm Beach Gardens neighborhood but weren’t exactly smitten with the style of their new winter retreat that felt too dark and dated for their liking. They teamed up with Shoreline Builders Group to begin turning their Mediterranean-inspired abode into a breezier, brighter reflection of their personal design sensibility and style.
The team at Shoreline Builders Group suggested interior designer Gil Walsh and senior principal designer, Ashleigh Wilson, come over for a site visit, and the conversation immediately began flowing about everything from color palettes and coffered ceilings. Eventually what started as a kitchen and bathroom renovation evolved into a complete, to-the-studs reimagination of what this house could be in terms of both design and livability.
“The clients had an initial vision for the home as far as color palette, but walking through the house sparked all kinds of ideas, and the project took on a new life,” Walsh says. “It was a Mediterranean-style home that ‘transitioned’ into a classic home that is very proportional with simple, straight lines and beautiful coffered ceilings instead of all the curves and arches that were there before. It doesn’t even look like the same house anymore.”


As Walsh and Wilson began wildly reimagining the home, changing up the floor plan for more open-concept living areas and more private sleeping quarters, eliminating the heavy stone and woodwork, and lowering the ceilings for a more contemporary ambiance. The team had to keep HOA requirements in mind to honor the home’s exterior which meant that their classic-meets-contemporary aim had to still feel contextual to the Old World-inspired structure, as the facade really couldn’t be altered.
Part of ensuring a seamless transition from indoors and out was creating an entirely new layout for the pool deck and backyard area. Walsh and the team replaced everything from the pool to the landscaping, created the gorgeous cypress patio ceiling, and brought in colors and patterns that would speak the language of the home’s interiors. As this home is a winter retreat for the couple that is often filled with grandchildren, the fabrics on both the indoor and outdoor furniture are built to handle wet swimsuits, drink spills, and everything in between.
The living and dining areas saw some of the most significant changes inside, as these areas were opened up and the heights were lowered to create a greater sense of laid-back luxury that feels more in line with modern living. The kitchen was enlarged and integrated into the formal living and family rooms to become the true heart of this home, with plenty of room for all ages to gather.
“The light level of the home wasn’t great, so when we took over, we brightened it up so much that it just feels so happy and open,” Wilson says. “We lowered all the ceilings and enabled them to pop up in different areas to define certain spaces. The living areas are now in harmony together while still having their own details, and it all flows really well.”



As Walsh and Wilson began wildly reimagining the home, changing up the floor plan for more open-concept living areas and more private sleeping quarters, eliminating the heavy stone and woodwork, and lowering the ceilings for a more contemporary ambiance. The team had to keep HOA requirements in mind to honor the home’s exterior which meant that their classic-meets-contemporary aim had to still feel contextual to the Old World-inspired structure, as the facade really couldn’t be altered.
Part of ensuring a seamless transition from indoors and out was creating an entirely new layout for the pool deck and backyard area. Walsh and the team replaced everything from the pool to the landscaping, created the gorgeous cypress patio ceiling, and brought in colors and patterns that would speak the language of the home’s interiors. As this home is a winter retreat for the couple that is often filled with grandchildren, the fabrics on both the indoor and outdoor furniture are built to handle wet swimsuits, drink spills, and everything in between.
The living and dining areas saw some of the most significant changes inside, as these areas were opened up and the heights were lowered to create a greater sense of laid-back luxury that feels more in line with modern living. The kitchen was enlarged and integrated into the formal living and family rooms to become the true heart of this home, with plenty of room for all ages to gather.
“The light level of the home wasn’t great, so when we took over, we brightened it up so much that it just feels so happy and open,” Wilson says. “We lowered all the ceilings and enabled them to pop up in different areas to define certain spaces. The living areas are now in harmony together while still having their own details, and it all flows really well.”

Resource Guide
Foyer
• Patterson Flynn Martin natural Abaca area rug
• Ralph Lauren iron lantern
• Wood flooring: engineered European White Oak: Grato; / Absolute Hardwood Flooring
• “Bentley” (ceramic dalmatian): from a prominent Palm Beach estate; found at Massimo Frank Lighting
Living Room
• Custom built-in fireplace wall and vaulted ceiling with shiplap: designed by Gil Walsh Interiors
• Custom pale blue with sand colored geometric pattern area rug by Gil Walsh Interiors
• Century Furniture Sofas in Kravet indoor/outdoor fabric
• Bright blue and white damask throw pillows in Vervain fabric
• Custom antiqued silver finished iron and glass cocktail table: Iatesta Studio
• Black side tables: Lee Jofa
• Wing chairs: Thibault
• Woven shade: Hartmann & Forbes with Stroheim sheer side fabric side panels
• Chandelier and art lights: Visual Comfort
• Original oil painting by Carol Calicchio
Dining Room
• Built-in China cabinet: custom Gil Walsh Interiors design, Edgar Berebi hardware
• Dining table: Custom Old Biscayne
• Dining chairs: Chaddock with Fabricut fabrics
• Chandelier: Visual Comfort
• Candelabras: Michael Aram
• Framed art and hand painted plates: Devonshire
• Placemats, napkins and rings: Juliska
• Woven shade: Hartmann & Forbes with Stroheim sheer side panels
Kitchen
• Cabinetry: The Kitchen Strand
• Backsplash tile: Walker Zanger
• Counter and bar stools: Lexington with Thibaut indoor/outdoor fabric.
Primary Bedroom
• Vaulted ceiling detail with shiplap designed by Gil Walsh Interiors in pale blue to accent the white plaster coral branch chandelier by Visual Comfort. Custom Bed, side tables, and dresser by Hickory White
• Bedding: Custom design by Gil Walsh Interiors in Stroheim & Roman, Lee Jofa, Pindler, Schumacher, Brunschwig and Fils fabrics
• Hand knotted wool rug: Kravet
• Lounge chairs: Lee Industries in Cowtan & Tout blue & white damask fabric
• Window treatments: Colefax & Fowler, embroidered tape trim by Osborne & Little
• Woven shades: Hartmann & Forbes
Primary Bathroom
• Vanities with antique mirror: custom design by Gil Walsh Interiors
• Bathtub: Waterworks
• Plumbing fixtures: Kohler
• Window treatment: custom by Gil Walsh Interiors in Lee Jofa fabric with Schumacher tape trim
• Chandelier: blown glass by Currey and Co.
• Wall sconces: solid crystal, Decorative Crafts
• Tile: Celeste blue and Thasos marble mosaic inlaid into a border of celeste blue and mystery white marble
Visit Luxury Home Magazine of The Palm Beaches to discover more features of the Palm Beach area.
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