Florida Home Style - The Rise of the Florida Room!
Whimsical and fresh retro Florida!
“There is a way to live in Florida – a way of turning a house inside out, so there is no real transition between outdoors and indoors. Glass and vistas and the good breeze coming through.” John D. MacDonald Dead Low Tide (1953)
The Edgewater Beach Hotel in Naples Florida encapsulates old Florida Charm and is now located on the famous “Millionaire’s Mile.”
Trellis ceilings, rattan everything, shades of pastels from drinks to rugs and all things golf, tennis and pickleball! That is the essence of Florida lifestyle from tee to court from 5th Avenue South to the spicy hot buzz of Miami to brunching at The Colony Hotel! How does one sum up Florida décor with such a vast realm of influences and historical references. From a design aspect, Florida is an interesting case study to understand not only regionality and its various nuances, but how history plays into each of those regions and has influenced a certain design aesthetic.
Outdoor rooms were the foundational element that gave birth to the “Florida room.” Being able to pursue the warmth and enjoyment of the outdoor elements for lodging, lounging and even sleeping gave rise to the indoor-outdoor concept that builders were eager to experiment with.
Louvered windows and shutters were introduced in order to keep air flowing through structures and today is evident with the lanai systems you see as part of condos and residences throughout any area of Florida. These Florida rooms were best positioned in a south east direction to take advantage of trade winds.
Post war architects began to focus on not only building materials but also creating spaces conducive to living in the tropics that would allow a connection to nature. With an interest in sunrooms, patios, terraces and other structural designs, the modernist movement took hold and it soon became evident that any material could lend itself to a modern aesthetic. Brick, glass and stone were all fair game in creating homes that would best optimize ventilation and solve other specific challenges of living in the tropics. Having connected spaces and projecting a futuristic and positive mood was paramount and post war design accomplished exactly that. The economy expanded, the population grew and Florida’s new settlers propelled construction and architectural style forward over two decades of booming industry.
Ultimately, 5 distinct types of homes would end up forming the majority of the Florida home landscape and are apparent in most regions of the state today: Ranch Style, Coastal, Contemporary, Victorian and Spanish Colonial. All of this goes to say that Florida is a plethora of style and decorating tastes. All have embedded the use of materials like tile, stone and rattan to withstand humidity. Climate has induced design and as a result the decades have given rise to innovative approaches to both exterior and interior design.
Florida pastels and cane chairs in my own Naples living room bring Florida style to life with a hit of subtle coastal neutrals.
It was the 1960’s Lily Pulitzer fashion craze that brought coastal colour and style to Palm Beach in particular. That upbeat, colourful and vibrant palette spilled over into South Florida. Today that same iconic style has evolved and continues to bejewel homes filled with a mix of both modern and antique elements. Natural textures like rattan, wicker, caning and bamboo are also popular and can be found woven into design, spanning furniture, ottoman trays, lighting and rugs. This mix of coastal flair with colour is what designates Florida as its own design mecca. Emblems, ornaments and motifs are also popular design accessories prominent in Florida design. These include pineapples, palm fronds, monkeys, elephants, topiaries, orchids and other such embellishments that give rooms character and flair. There is a sophistication to how these items are used in Florida décor and restraint is often the secret to adding just the right amount of personality and whimsy.
A flamingo motif in wallpaper lends Florida influence to our new primary bath. A coral inspired mirror in white provides a coastal feel.
A rattan flower holder and blue hydrangea add Florida touches to our main powder room!
Wallpaper in stripes, florals, chintz, trellis patterns or chinoiserie to name a few designs or textured grass cloth are all ways to incorporate Florida design into interiors. Rugs and shell framed mirrors are all reminiscent of a subtle glamour that Florida rooms exude. Lacquer is popular for dressers, sideboards, table trays and in shots of soft or vibrant colours. There doesn’t seem to be a limit to texture and pattern. Mixing all of the above is the challenge and Florida sees some of the most talented interior designers hail from its humble grounds. Curating the right balance of colour is important, along with pattern to create drama. There is often a maximalism to Florida design that can be overwhelming but so beautiful and impactful when executed correctly!
Florida design touches in my living room include a mix of blue ginger jar designs with creamy subtle accessories.