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Charismatic Retreat

Natural instinct is needed to see the potential of a dark space with little sunlight. This couple saw just that — “A diamond in the rough,” agrees interior designer Chrissy Howard and design associate Barbara Schwenk of Jinx McDonald Interior Designs.

Howard and Schwenk knew their two-woman design team had a third member when the client came to them with a clear vision of vibrant color, timeless furnishings, and hope, for a bright space with sweet feminine accents for this twenty-year-old property. “Having a client so well prepared with what she wanted elevated our team. Needless to say it was a delight,” says Howard.

Natural light now fills the great room, and the bright collection of colors and timeless details shines. “Using such vivid colors, we all wanted white walls for a balanced design,” says Howard. The apple green chairs in a solid tweed offer a solid color against the Palecek chair done in a citrine and periwinkle ikat fabric.

A large soffit running across the glass doors had cast a shadowy feel on the condo. It is now full of bright, tropical light that illuminates the playful amalgam of intricate ikat patterns and vivid fabrics. Softer interpretations of the lively color palette flow through the private spaces with gentle curves and soft powdery blues and pinks to add a feminine touch.

Matt Mendenhall, president of August General Contracting, shares, “The client, the design team, and myself all wanted to open up the space to allow more light in and offer better views of the Gulf of the Mexico.” Mendenhall transformed the choppy space by reengineering the air conditioning systems, reworking the fire sprinklers, all while contending with the constraints of a condo building.

Howard beautifully articulates the inspiration, “The cream and white pillow fabric, where birds and blooms flourish in aqua, apple green, and sapphire inspired us and gave us permission to use cream and white together.” Colorful expression harmonizes these living, dining, and kitchen areas. The white and aqua kitchen extends the view of this bountiful design and is now open to the great room. Gaby Saad of Real Wood Floors helped the homeowners, Howard, and Schwenk select the perfect finish for the French oak flooring to unify the spaces. “Gaby really understands her products and has excellent design aesthetic,” says Howard. “Ultimately, she narrowed down the options to the perfect floor for this project!”

Minka McDonald, of Jinx McDonald Interior Designs — daughter of founder Jinx McDonald, and now president of the firm — credits the success of this project and others to the firm’s strong, long-standing reputation in the industry, along with their client-centric approach to design. “We create beautiful yet livable spaces,” says McDonald. The firm’s philosophy is to ensure that each project accurately reflects the homeowners’ taste and brings out their personalities.

It takes a natural instinct to see the potential in a client’s strong vision for a space, and the team at Jinx McDonald Interior Designs, alongside August General Contracting, value inspiration and communication. Together they created this light and bright, charismatic, Gulf-front retreat.










Written by Rachel Seekamp

Photography by Amber Frederiksen

Interior Designer

Jinx McDonald Interior Designs

1959 Trade Center Way

Naples, FL 34109

239.598.4800

jinxmcdonald.com

Luxury Home Remodeler

August General Contracting

1915 Trade Center Way, Suite 1

Naples, FL 34109

239.206.2002

augustflorida.com

Resources:

Design Works

2082 Trade Center Way

Naples, FL 34109

239.643.3023

floridadesignworks.com

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

38 Goodlette-Frank Road South

Naples, FL 34102

239.963.0087

fergusonshowrooms.com

International Design Source

6001 Taylor Road

Naples, FL 34109

239.591.1114

ids1.com

Kitchens by Clay

7935 Airport Road, Suite 5

Naples, FL 34109

239.431.5474

kitchensbyclay.com

Naples Lamp Shop

4010 Tamiami Trail North

Naples, FL 34103

239.262.1524

napleslampshoponline.com

Real Wood Floors

2013 Trade Center Way

Naples, FL 34109

239.470.5827

realwoodfloors.com

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