Multifaceted layers bring metropolitan vibe to chic, desirable downtown Naples condo
Interior Designer David Fruscione of Republic of Decor is passionate about wallpaper. “I love specifying wallpaper!” he exclaims. He credits the medium with the unique ability to bring texture to a room and personalize the space. Nowhere is this more evident than in “Urban Retreat,” a design project he undertook for clients who wanted their Naples condominium – a second residence – to capture a bit of the downtown vibe. Familiar with his design aesthetic from previous work and numerous referrals, the clients gave Fruscione a great deal of creative freedom, saying, “You know what we like, just make it cool.”
Fruscione proceeded to do just that, giving the space a sophisticated, edgy environment by grounding it in neutrals with subtle pops of color and embellished with unusual wallpaper. A layered mixture of materials and finishes provided the contrast needed to give the rooms an urban atmosphere, creating the chic getaway the clients desired.
Using the choices provided by BCBE Construction as a starting point, Fruscione upgraded the finishes to include wide plank wood floors made with European white oak in an ultra-matte finish from The Vintage Loft Collection – with a majority of the planks being eight feet long – from Real Wood Floors. he also turned to a local company to bring special tile for the kitchen backsplash and primary bath walls and floor. Even the closets received special attentions, with Empire Closets building out every closet to the owners’ specifications. “I have worked with both companies before on several different projects and they ave been great partners. I knew we would find materials that would elevate this space,” Fruscione explains.
In total, the customization achieved Fruscione’s goal for this unit in the MHK Architecture master-designed building – to avoid a predictable coastal aesthetic.
“As a designer, you must be able to understand your client. When you design their home, you are embarking on a project with people, building a relationship. Some projects can last a year or longer. You ask questions, provide inspiration, you learn to read your client. You also inspire them and educate them. You expose them to out-of-the-box thinking. That’s when the magic happens!” Fruscione enthuses. “A dream client will trust you entirely, they like your point of view. This client was one. For example, they trusted me to create a beautiful, cohesive environment for their pre-teen daughter’s room. I hade to make sure that the room would grow with her, would not feel too juvenile or youthful. For the headboard wall, we spent hundreds of hours choosing sophisticated, timeless images with a Bohemian, organic feel; saying that were empowering and feminine and elicited confidence.” Fruscione created a digital file with the chosen images, then sent it to a California company that created the custom wallpaper.
“We spent the longest amount of time to get this one room right,” he says. The daughter’s reaction? “She loved the room, was obsessed with it, so much so that she wanted to create a version of it for her room in the family’s primary residence, so we’re doing it!”
