PDF - Tom Stringer

AN APPRECIATION FOR
FINE ART AND ANTIQUES
Various Cultures And Styles Articulate
The Eclecticism Of A Grand Tour Experience
INTERIOR DESIGN Thomas D. Stringer with Paul VanKampen and Elizabeth Knapp,
Tom Stringer, Inc., Chicago, IL
ARCHITECTURE Scott Blakeslee Disher & Associates, Boynton Beach, FL
TEXT Katharine Kaye McMillan
PHOTOGRAPHY Dan Forer, Miami, FL
Corinthian columns separate the living room from
the gallery, where a 19th-century Italian table is the
centerpiece. In the living room, a hand-tufted wool
area rug draws together two conversation groupings.
O
n Gem Island, a secluded haven near
Vero Beach, Fla., a Bahamian Georgianstyle home captures the owner’s penchant for exquisite art and antiques. Given
carte blanche by the owner, designer Thomas
D. Stringer conceived a refined interior, drawing inspiration from the “grand tours” young
aristocrats used to take around the world.
“The grand tour was an international trip
that every young gentleman took to complete
his education in centuries past,” says Stringer,
who has previously worked with the owner.
“My mandate was to create a house from the
point of view of a traveler who collects along
the way and deposits those precious objects in
his home.” In addition, the owner wanted it to
be different from his East Coast shingle-style
home, horse ranch, yacht and other properties.
ABOVE & LEFT: Tang Dynasty camels and Otto
Brandt’s oil painting of Egyptian pyramids add an
aura of mystique to the dining room. The hallway
beyond displays “Hindoos,” a series of rare, 18thcentury hand-colored prints.
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Crisp white bed coverings and linens, apricot-colored draperies, and orange-gold
grass-cloth wall covering instill the guestroom with a tropical air. The 19th-century
English desk and cane-back chair are positioned to take advantage of the view.
For assistance in acquiring the art and accessories, Stringer turned to art consultant Joanna
Burke. Together, they selected paintings, prints,
sculpture and other objets d’art from the 18th and
19th centuries.
Opting for a palette of neutrals and muted jewel
tones, Stringer coated the living room walls with
an “English milk” color that suggests the passage
of time. White molding lends subtle contrast.
Furnishings from the past to the present comprise the conversation areas in the living room. In
the main grouping, twin wood-framed sofas covered in beige-patterned cotton face each other in
front of the fireplace. Joining the sofas are two
armless rolled-back chairs. Nineteenth-century
Italian candelabras grace the mantel, above which
hangs a 19th-century mirror. Hand-painted Italian
panels from the 1930s flank the fireplace, adding
rich color to the setting.
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A striped-silk sofa anchors the grouping at the
opposite end of the room. Coral-toned fabrics on a
barrel chair and tufted lounge chair “perk up the
scheme with a tropical note,” Stringer says.
Corinthian columns separate the living room
from the adjoining gallery, where a 19th-century
Italian center table is the focal point. At the end of
the gallery, a hand-carved, 18th-century door from
India serves as a work of art above an English-style
chest. “The home’s eclectic décor combines a variety of cultures and styles,” Stringer says.
In the formal dining room, the theme of the
grand tour continues with Otto Brandt’s painting
FACING: In the library, 18th-century English prints of
tropical fish line up above the sofa. In keeping with the
room’s masculine theme, designer Thomas D. Stringer
covered the lounge chairs in hunter green velvet.
of Egyptian pyramids — a piece the artist painted
during his own journey around the world. Taking
his cues from the painting, Stringer wrapped the
walls in tobacco-toned shagreen wall covering,
instilling the space with an aura of warmth. A
lantern fixture glows above a circular table surrounded by wood-framed armchairs covered in
wide stripes of wine red, aubergine and cocoa.
As for the library’s design, “the client’s only
specific request was to have it done in the English
tradition,” says Stringer, who chose cherry wood
for the paneling and coffered ceiling. A velvetpatterned sofa and hunter green velvet lounge
chairs further the gentleman’s club look.
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In contrast to the library’s dark palette, the guestroom’s color scheme is light and airy. Orange-gold
grass-cloth wall covering, apricot cotton draperies
and reed blinds instill a plantation feel. Near the
windows, a 19th-century desk and cane-back chair
impart a touch of English formality.
This casual island atmosphere drifts into the
family room, where mahogany cabinetry with raffia accents conceals media equipment. Instead of a
cocktail table, an oversized ottoman functions as a
footrest or serving table.
Draperies in pineapple, pomegranate and persimmon hues add tropical punch to the adjoining
breakfast area. In the space formed by a bay win-
dow, dark wood chairs encircle a 19th-century
rosewood table.
French doors in the family and living rooms, as
well as in the master bedroom, open to a series of
loggias. White tiebacks distinguish the central loggia off the living room, creating a sense of privacy
for back-to-back conversation areas.
British Colonial influences, such as the mahogany canopy bed, imbue the master bedroom
with character and warmth. An elephant-motif fabric drapes the canopy, while crisp white bed coverings envelop the bed. A striped-cotton window
treatment in hues of ivory, coral and cocoa frames
French doors that open to the loggia.
ABOVE: Stringer designed this
cocktail table and an identical one
for the two groupings in the central
loggia. “If I can’t find exactly what
I have in mind, I draw it and build
it,” he says.
ABOVE LEFT: Also designed by
Stringer, the cabinetry in the family
room features shelves that display
colorful porcelain vases. The cabinetry’s X motif carries over to the
British Khaki chairs in the sunny
breakfast area.
From the indoor areas, saturnia marble flooring flows out to the patio and pool area, establishing a sense of continuity.
“The owner wanted a home that would function as his personal five-star resort, and this
home is truly a ‘Four Seasons’ experience,”
Stringer says.
ABOVE & LEFT: The vignette in the hallway to the
master bedroom comprises “Bathers,” a 19th-century
oil painting, an Italian Empire chest and a Victorian
chair that converts into a step stool. In the master bedroom, Fonthill’s elephant print drapes the canopy bed.
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SOURCES
Gallery
Center table - Robuck & Co. Antiques, Atlanta, GA
Chest - Joseph Konrad Antiques, Atlanta, GA
Living Room
Sofas and floor lamps - Dessin Fournir,
Kneedler-Fauchère, Pacific Design Center,
West Hollywood, CA
Tufted lounge and barrel chairs - Monte Allen
Interiors, West Hollywood, CA
Armless rolled-back chairs - Zambrano Custom
Upholsterers, Los Angeles, CA
Tray cocktail table - Baker Furniture, Baker
Knapp & Tubbs, Pacific Design Center,
West Hollywood, CA
Occasional table in foreground - Tod Carson, Inc.,
West Hollywood, CA
Table lamp - Gina B, West Hollywood, CA
Fireplace - Custom designed by Tom Stringer, Inc.,
Chicago, IL
Fireplace and columns fabricated by Shaver
Millwork, Vero Beach, FL
Mirror - Parc Monceau Antiques, Ltd., Atlanta, GA
Urn planter and pedestal in foreground Michael Taylor Designs, Inc., Pacific Design
Center, West Hollywood, CA
Painted floral panels - Joanna Burke Art
Consultant, Venice, CA
Dining Room
Table - Baker Furniture, Baker Knapp & Tubbs,
Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, CA
Chairs - Dessin Fournir, Kneedler-Fauchère,
Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, CA
Buffet - Randall Tysinger Antiques, Thomasville, NC
Chandelier and sconces - Paul Ferrante, Inc.,
Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, CA
Lamps - Vaughan, Hinson & Co., Pacific Design
Center, West Hollywood, CA
Painting and framed prints - Joanna Burke Art
Consultant, Venice, CA
Camel sculpture - The Golden Triangle, Chicago, IL
Dinnerware, flatware and stemware - Gearys of
Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, CA
Library
Sofa, lounge chairs and ottoman - Monte Allen
Interiors, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA
Cocktail table - British Khaki, Tui Pranich &
Associates, The Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
Trunk occasional table - Joseph Konrad Antiques,
Atlanta, GA
Cabinetry, ceiling, fireplace and millwork - Custom
designed by Tom Stringer, Inc., Chicago, IL
Fabricated by Shaver Millwork, Vero Beach, FL
Fish prints - The Gables Antiques, Atlanta, GA
Guestroom
Upholstered bed, lounge chair and ottoman Monte Allen Interiors, West Hollywood, CA
Desk - Walker McIntyre Antiques, Atlanta, GA
Desk chair - Joseph Konrad Antiques, Atlanta, GA
Family Room/Breakfast Area/Kitchen
Sofas and ottoman - Monte Allen Interiors,
West Hollywood, CA
Cane armchair and breakfast chairs - British
Khaki, Tui Pranich & Associates, The
Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
Breakfast table - Joseph Konrad Antiques,
Atlanta, GA
Family room and kitchen cabinetry - Custom
designed by Tom Stringer, Inc., Chicago, IL
Family room cabinetry fabricated by Thomas
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Chaises from Brown Jordan and a camelback
settee from McKinnon & Harris provide casual
seating in the patio and pool area. Market umbrellas shade Sutherland teak tables.
Lavin, Inc., Pacific Design Center,
West Hollywood, CA
Kitchen cabinetry, countertops and backsplash
fabricated by Indian River Design Concepts,
Vero Beach, FL
Vases - J.F. Chen, Pacific Design Center,
West Hollywood, CA
Loggia
Sofa - David Sutherland, Inc., Pacific Design
Center, West Hollywood, CA
Wicker chairs - Donghia Showrooms, Pacific
Design Center, West Hollywood, CA
Cocktail table - Custom designed by Tom
Stringer, Inc., Chicago, IL
Fabricated by Dixon Design Source, San Pedro, CA
Teak occasional table - Baker Furniture, Baker
Knapp & Tubbs, Pacific Design Center,
West Hollywood, CA
Master Bedroom
Canopy bed and floor lamp - Dessin Fournir,
Kneedler-Fauchère, Pacific Design Center,
West Hollywood, CA
Canopy fabric - Fonthill, Ltd., Hinson & Co.,
Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, CA
Canopy fabricated by Zirlin Interiors, Chicago, IL
Bed covering and pillow fabrics - Schweitzer
Linens, New York, NY, and Brahms/Mount
Textiles, Inc., Hallowell, ME
Lounge chair and ottoman - Monte Allen Interiors,
West Hollywood, CA
Leather armchair - Dearing Antiques, Atlanta, GA
Round occasional table, desk and desk chair Joseph Konrad Antiques, Atlanta, GA
Desk lamp - The Wicker Works, Giati Designs, Inc.,
Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, CA
Bed lamps - Vaughan, Tod Carson, Inc., West
Hollywood, CA
Master Bedroom Hallway
Chest - Tompkins & Robandt, Chicago, IL
Chair - Parc Monceau Antiques, Atlanta, GA
Lamp - Michelle C. Antiques, Los Angeles, CA
Painting - Joanna Burke Art Consultant, Venice, CA
Patio and Pool Area
Chaises - Brown Jordan, Pacific Design Center,
West Hollywood, CA
Tables - Sutherland Teak Collection/David
Sutherland, Inc., Pacific Design Center, West
Hollywood, CA
Chairs and settee - McKinnon & Harris, Inc.,
Richmond, VA
Pool contractor - Crystal Pools, Vero Beach, FL
Pool surround - Island Building Co., Vero Beach, FL
Throughout
Builder - Island Building Co., Vero Beach, FL
Landscape architect - Howard F. Ostrout Jr. &
Associates, Jupiter, FL
Florals and greenery - Accent Interiors,
Vero Beach, FL
Area rug and carpet - Decorative Carpets, Inc.,
Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood, CA