In the heart of Jupiter Inlet, interior designer Katherine Shenaman reimagines a coastal home into a breezy yet sophisticated retreat, where Palm Beach elegance meets island-inspired design. Known for her mastery of balancing tropical whimsy with timeless refinement, Shenaman brings her signature touch to every corner of this South Florida gem. The result is a curated sanctuary that celebrates luxury interior design, artful craftsmanship, and a deep connection to the relaxed, sun-soaked spirit of coastal living in Jupiter, Florida.

Designing homes in Palm Beach, and the surrounding areas, without falling into stereotypes can prove difficult. However, Katherine Shenaman has mastered the art of balancing context and individuality to create paradisal spaces that feel one-of-a-kind. In the case of this breezy, elegant home on the Jupiter Inlet, Shenaman found inspiration with the client himself, who she says is the embodiment of an island-loving character straight out of an adventure novel.

“He was the perfect client in that he knows what he likes and has a good sense of design, but he really allowed me to create a vision and bring it to life,” says Shenaman. “It’s definitely an ‘island chic’ home but with a more relaxed feel for a mature gentleman who enjoys being on the water and hosting those close to him.”

However, before she could even contemplate design schemes and color palettes, Shenaman had to tackle some tricky architectural challenges in order to update remnants of bad design from 20 years prior. The entry into the home had to be properly defined, and then the multi-level ceiling details in the living room had to be removed. Next, the dining room and kitchen were reconfigured, which included eliminating an unnecessary entrance, and then changing the layout of the kitchen cabinetry and appliances. Additional counter space allowed everything to feel more open, and once the layout in the adjoining family room increased, this room eventually became the client’s favorite space in the home.

When it came time to decorate, Shenaman leaned into richer and more masculine shades of a tropical color palette, balanced with earth tones in order to create spaces that exuded island elegance. A custom hexagon limestone pattern was chosen to run throughout the home, creating a uniquely sophisticated foundation for more casual decorating. Each of the four bedrooms, and their adjoining bathrooms, allowed the designer to play with different schemes that appeased the client’s need for color and sense of whimsy. She relied on woven materials, particularly in the main living room to add in some island flair. She then balanced the sculptural furnishings with a host of collected objects to give each space the feeling of being in a breezy, dream-like home on the water, created intentionally to give the clients, and his guests, the feeling of being on vacation.

Carefully selected works of decorative art also enhance the design and help keep the spaces from being stereotypically “coastal” or “beachy.” Bold abstract pieces can be found in vignettes across the home (including an etching by Picasso), although some of the most picturesque vignettes can be found through the windows, particularly in the breakfast room. The client thoroughly enjoyed re-working the exterior spaces and took great care to create an oasis in the backyard, full of sea grapes and other lushly tropical plantings.

A deGournay silk mural in the dining room and an artisanal-style wallpaper by F. Schumacher in the family room help give a layered and artful feel to the home, as does the hand-painted kitchen backsplash tile from Morocco. Unique lighting and vintage pieces also add elements that create a sense of longevity, as though the home has been curated over time. Both pattern and texture add liveliness to each space without teetering into the “busy” territory, and consequently, Shenaman was able to construct a fresh but elegant feel that the client ended up loving. A combination of sophisticated architectural elements, a nature-inspired color palette, and the right touch of restraint, Shenaman has created a veritable retreat indoors and out that is perfect for a Chicagoan by geography yet an islander at heart.