Contemporary and Chic

Garnering the Collier Building Industry Association’s Perfect Score Award, the Leonardo Fiore model home by Bordeaux Homes by Vision Builders incorporates all of the exacting standards for which Bordeaux Homes are noted. From the outside, the 5,440 total square foot home, designed by Rich Guzman of RG Designs in Bonita Springs, offers traditional influences, while inside, the fabulous four - bedroom, four-and-a-half bath floor plan and the stunning interiors by Interior Elements by Valentine & Stone are anything but typical.

Interior designer Michael Valentine of Interior Elements likens the interiors to a cross between high-end contemporary Central Park and South Beach chic. In a departure from the expected, Valentine’s interior theme is minimalist and uses a black, white, grey and silver palette to lend a dramatic flair to the design of each room.

In the foyer, the walls have been faux finished in a combination of various stucco textures applied over a silver leaf base. The white marble floors incorporate 12x12 black Galaxy granite squares and provide a visual line through to living room. The space is furnished with a rectangular starburst mirror placed on the wall above a stunning silver leafed side table.

In the parlor, a black baby grand piano provides a perfect contrast to the tray ceiling, which is done in a tone-on-tone white and pearl essence Venetian plaster. The traditional furniture lines of the sofa and two French arm chairs have been brought up-to-date by the use of grey suede upholstery on the sofa and silver leaf on the frame of the chairs. The unique cocktail table consists of grey concrete inserts laid under glass and features ebony legs. Black silk Tussa draperies complement the original abstract painting above the sofa, which was executed by Michael Valentine and is one of the seven original pieces he created for the home. The finishing touch to the room are the eight cube chandeliers which create a further focal point in the room.

The dining room is a commanding space where the white black marble floor boasts a circle of white marble and gives the illusion of a floating disk, upon which a round ebony dining table stands with sleigh chairs covered in grey linen fabric.

Three striking, six-foot-tall ebony sculptures sit in the bay window and the sixteen-foot tray ceiling is covered in a black foil wallpaper that features silver squares. Dramatic spotlights were used in place of a chandelier.

The well-planned kitchen, a signature of Bordeaux Homes, boasts traditional raised panel cabinets in a black painted finish with a high sheen and feature two-inch ball crystal knobs on the drawers and doors. The kitchen boasts many decorative highlights, including a mirrored vaulted ceiling framed in black wood and a stainless steel multi-tiered chandelier. The space includes a center island and a breakfast bar complete with white framed bar stools covered in a striped black fabric. The traditional range hood was replaced with a down draft vent that raises with the touch of button, which allowed Valentine to place one of his contemporary abstract artworks, called Ling, in the space between the stove and the ceiling.

Style is key in the family room with its impressive tray ceiling featuring a hammered silver metal finish. A large L-shaped sectional and lounge chair are both covered in a sumptuous creamy leather and complemented by a round silver leather ottoman. A large screen television hangs on one wall with a crackle finish, with an antique chest beneath.

The drama continues in the master bedroom with its elegant fluted Corinthian columns and tray ceiling from which hang four unique stainless steel chandeliers with crystal shades. On the bed, the floor-to-ceiling headboard is upholstered in a contemporary pattern and features wooden accent pieces. A tone-on-tone grey carpet and black sheers at the windows create an elegant backdrop for the two oversized bachelor chests and an armoire that have been given a silver and black finish and entirely covered in pieces of beveled mirror. In the sitting area, a Duncan Fife sofa features an ebony finish and coffee-colored silk upholstery.

Luxurious master baths are another hallmark of Bordeaux Homes and this one is no exception. The grey cabinets feature black Galaxy countertops, while the floor lends further visual interest with its black and white stripes. The large walk-in shower features black Galaxy marble, a built-in seat and multiple showerheads, while the jetted soaking tub displays a beveled glass surround. Above the tub, a large painting has been placed between two five-foot-tall antique mirrored Egyptian obelisks. The bathroom is finished in grand fashion by the chandelier set into the tray ceiling that features eighteen separate crystal lights.

The first guest bedroom contains a circular ceiling detail that is mirrored by the black circular area rug that has been set into the white marble floor. A mirror framed in black is placed above a black ebony dresser with mirror inserts.

Grey sheer iridescent draperies hang at the windows. The headboard is faux stone and above it hangs a stone torso relief that adds further interest to the space.

A second guest bedroom offers a wooden sleigh bed with a black leather insert on the headboard and a black silk bedspread. Plants were placed behind the headboard, while the two sidewalls feature abstract artwork by Michael Valentine.

Bordeaux Homes has included a bonus fourth room in the Leonardo Fiore floor plan that can be used as either a fourth bedroom or a bonus room. Here, the space has been designed as a leisure room and contains a glass-topped game table with a black lacquer base that features black lacquered chairs upholstered in grey silk. The loveseats have been covered in grey silk and the room also offers a built-in buffet and entertainment unit. At the windows are black shutters, while a line of mirrors surrounds the room and lends a dramatic finish to the room.

The walls of the adjacent pool bath are covered in black wallpaper accented with taupe circles, which lends the perfect backdrop to the circular sunburst mirror hung above the vanity. The black counters feature black Galaxy granite counter tops.

The large outdoor entertainment area offers a full summer kitchen with a custom stucco range hood and built-in bar with black bar stools. The eye-catching ceiling boasts a painted drag finish in silver leaf and black. The dining table and chairs feature bamboo elements and provide the perfect spot from which to appreciate the pool views displayed through decorative stone arches.

The large geometric pool has a brick paver pool deck, a swim-out ledge and raised spa with a cascading spillover. Large decorative brass shell fountains provide further water features and an added touch of luxury to the pool area.

In the Leonardo Fiore, Bordeaux Homes has provided another unique home with distinctive architectural elements and design details. With both its spacious floor plan and dramatic interiors, the Leonardo Fiore is visually stunning, while at the same time offering every appointment needed for gracious day-to-day living.

Courtesy of BORDEAUX HOMES
Vanderbilt Galleria
9010 Strada Stell Court, Suite 108,
Naples, FL 34109
239 598-3138
www.visionbuildersinc.com

Written by Kate Pakenham

Photography by Ron Blakeley