Tour This Eclectic Jupiter Home By Interior Designer H. Allen Holmes

Never one to shy away from risk, Holmes embraced the challenge. “I didn’t have any qualms about whitewashing the house,” he reflects. Immediately, he started painting the walls and existing neoclassical columns and moldings “decorators’ white.” Holmes broke free from the norms, allowing furnishings from various time periods to share a single space. His methodology was to “keep the bones” of the classical, and “sprinkle in” the contemporary. Using his refined eye while fearlessly throwing caution to the wind, he let 18th century-inspired pieces coexist with midcentury modern ones and allowed traditional columns and arches to harmonize with contemporary LED lighting and ceiling fans. Leaving few epochs and regions unturned, he created an eclectic style, which he calls “international modern.”

ENTRANCE GATE

The tone of grandeur is set with the impressive entryway, which leads to the motor court beyond. Understated classic archways supporting a Spanish-tiled rooftop are adorned by an abundance of lush greenery and flanked by manicured hedges and verdant lawns. Tall palm trees stand proudly to welcome visitors as they pass through. Little do newcomers know what eclectic surprises are in store.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

From the moment the front façade comes into view, a subtle transformation begins. A series of simple columns and arched windows and doors, plus corbel detailing beneath the roofline, speak a neoclassical vernacular, but in lieu of the carriage lanterns, unconventional LED sconces made of matte steel and frosted glass light the way, suggesting change is on the horizon.

FOYER

Once inside the elegant foyer, little doubt remains—this is going to be different. A loveseat that references the Baroque period is unexpectedly upholstered in sleek black leather. A four-legged center table boasts a high-lacquer sheen, and a massive light fixture, comprised of pale wood strips rolled into the shape of a “gift bow,” hangs down from a two-tiered, hexagonal niched ceiling.

STAIRCASE

To perpetuate the “whitewash” theme, Holmes decided to take the thick wood handrail, previously stained dark, and slender balusters that once were black iron, and paint them white. To complement the foliage motif, he treated the treads with a black and white needlepoint runner in a leaf pattern. A tall chandelier dripping with polished ebony metal tubes injects a dose of modernity.

LIVING ROOM

Working in a mostly neutral palette of white and cream, Holmes invigorates the room with throw pillows in a primary colored pattern, an ode to Mondrian. They are strategically placed on the pair of gently sloped, low-profile contemporary sofas that sit on either side of the neoclassical fireplace painted white. Cocktail tables shine like wet stones, and to complement their silvery finish, the designer set a sizeable geometric stainless-steel sculpture upon the mantel. “I felt there should be something tall and 3D to create a ‘relief,’” says Holmes of his audacious design choice.

MEETING FOR MEALS

Midcentury modern is in full swing in the family room and breakfast room, as well as the adjoining dining room, where distinguishing artwork is displayed throughout. Bent glass tables, minimal sofas, low-slung lounge chairs and a saarinen breakfast table complete the family room. A separate room includes a dining table made of glass and metal for more formal get-togethers.

KITCHEN

To meet the demand for the crisp, bright kitchen so many crave nowadays, Holmes painted the kitchen cabinets white. He selected a massive slab of white marble defined by dramatic black veining. The designer had the idea to finish the countertops with a laminated white monolithic sculpture he compares to a carved bar of Ivory soap. It took some ingenuity to fabricate, but the job got done. To amplify the dichotomy of styles, Holmes incorporated an enormous and ultramodern domed light fixture he’d always wanted to use.

MASTER BEDROOM

The eclectic momentum continues into the master bedroom, where a geometric console sits below a mounted flat screen T.V. and a round banquette, like one might see in a historic European hotel lobby, adorns the sitting area. The streamlined, fully upholstered bed features a tall, button-tufted headboard, while glass and gloss nightstands end the design statement with modern punctuation.

MASTER BATH

Taking the beige Saturnia marble tile into consideration, Holmes continued that shade on the walls of the oversized shower, and then treated the tops of the protruding tub and his-and-her vanities with quartzite material, thus achieving a flawless “greige” color scheme in the master bath. The custom LED-lit mirrors are cutting-edge.