Design Overhaul: French Moderne Transformation Featured in Florida Design
"When historic architecture provides the stage, modern design should dance with it, not against it. The result is a home that feels both rooted in its heritage and utterly alive in the present."
Gloria Black
Breathing New Life into a Stuart Treasure
Florida Design magazine featured GBD’s comprehensive transformation of an 11,000-square-foot Stuart residence in their latest issue. Originally built in the 1930s style as a Deco-inspired palace with dramatic arches and rich millwork, this home had become a shrine to its era—beautiful in bones but disconnected from modern living.
The renovation evolved from a simple refresh into a full design build, honoring the home's classic architecture while introducing French Moderne elements and contemporary comfort. I preserved the historic millwork and architectural details that gave the home its character, using them as a stunning backdrop for clean-lined, sophisticated furnishings.
Key design decisions included sourcing custom furniture from artisans across South Florida, California, Canada, and Indonesia, selecting marine-grade French white oak flooring to warm the expansive spaces, and choosing elegant, jewelry-like lighting fixtures that complement rather than compete with the architecture.
One of my favorite elements is the breakfast nook featuring reissued Pierre Jeanneret chairs from 1947 and an Art Deco-inspired chandelier with hundreds of glass rods. For the outdoor living area, I designed a striking 3D green wall that brings biophilic design to the alfresco kitchen and dining space.
The project was a labor of love, requiring original handcrafted blueprints to be digitally redrawn and countless reviews with engineers, architects, and the review board. The result is a seamless fusion of classic and modern that honors the home's heritage while meeting today's lifestyle needs.
