By Sarah Zohar
Do you love your home? If you could change anything about it, what would that be?
These are some of the questions that need to be answered before starting the design process. Thank G-d, I’ve been blessed to design some of the most exquisite properties in the United States. In my career, I’ve seen patterns in construction projects that I’d like to share in this design column in order to assist you in transforming your home design into something spectacular.
Customization is by far the most important item you need to look for when designing your new space. Most designers and architects have style preferences that they incorporate into their designs. But in order to make your property your own, you have to ensure that your lifestyle and culture are addressed properly and incorporated into the overall design. Case in point: Kosher kitchens. It’s not about just adding an extra sink and a double oven. For example, it’s important to take into account how you entertain and what type of entertaining you do. Addressing all of your needs properly will ensure that your property will have the warmth of a well-designed property.
As you can see in the accompanying pictures of one of my latest projects in Bal Harbour, Florida, art, religion, family, and culture are brought to life throughout the home, with something to see at every turn. The entire color scheme of the living room, with pops of blue on the chairs and pillows that sit atop the off-white Modloft sectional, was inspired by the large painting of the Rebbe flanked by a blue background. The room now seems to easily float on top of the turquoise Atlantic Ocean seen through the glass windows and doors.
Extra work went into designing an elaborate kosher kitchen, where every detail, from separate dairy and meat cooktops and the double sink, was on point. White Shaker cabinets and white quartz Neolith countertops contrast with a silver backsplash from Susan Jablon, all brought to life with the ceiling of LED lights. A butler’s pantry made of glass shows off a collection of beautiful dishes and serving ware; it faces a baby-blue tumbled stone backsplash, which holds a Judaic art piece made of Rubik’s cubes.
Family and friends visiting for Shabbat dinner can also gather around a custom formal dining table with a brass base from Morada-Haute Furniture Boutique in the Miami Design District. Behind it is a trio of paintings that are a collection of the state of Israel, and we swathed the concrete corners in Jerusalem stone.