The Dream Team

A Look at Cinnabar Design’s Latest Seaglass Projects
Photography by Rick Bethem Photography

Teamwork is the best approach to designing great spaces according to Laurie Walter and Diana Hall of Cinnabar Design. Their dedication to providing an enjoyable design experience has allowed them to create a diverse portfolio, happy clients, and a list of talented contractor partners who enjoy their organized, team player philosophy. “There are a million moving parts to each project and while Diana and I might be the face of Cinnabar, there are so many great people behind the scenes that make it all possible,” says Walter. The “million moving parts” every job involves was multiplied when the pair took on 11 projects, plus a model, in the Ronto Group’s new condominium, Seaglass at Bonita Bay. 
“We were brought into the project thanks to a Realtor partner that called on behalf of a client who wanted incorporate architectural detail in their unit. From there we also received referrals from the on-site Realtor and, because we are able to help potential homeowners envision design schemes for their condos, we partnered with the selection center,” says Walter. Cinnabar’s collaborative spirit extended to contractors and crews to create a cohesive team across all aspects of the projects from the ground up. “We play nice with everyone. This is about creating the best possible design outcome for the client and that happens when you’re organized and everyone leaves their egos at the door.” 
The results are 11 beautiful units, each as unique as the owners enjoying them. From bold colors or serene neutrals, here is a selection of Cinnabar Design’s Seaglass projects. 

This penthouse condo features 4300 square feet of living space complete with expansive views and fantastic natural light. Combining the homeowners’ varied design aesthetics, natural tones are accented with pops of color. “The condo is owned by a wonderful couple and the husband likes bold and bright colors so this wall is the perfect way to blend their two design preferences together,” explains Walter, who was the lead designer on this particular unit. Art by local artist Anna Rac hangs on the brightly colored walls and captures the hues of the Gulf of Mexico and the Southwest Florida sky. The interesting ceiling details were designed pre-construction and are illuminated by recessed lighting. The Bernhardt sofa is covered in a woven faux organic linen and silk blend with silver and blue pillows. The table, a new addition to the Vanguard lineup, is topped with an attractive art glass bowl.

Here, the layout presented a challenge. “We had to work around a curved wall. While it’s beautiful, it meant there was a space issue between the island and the wall. I didn’t want to add another table as there was already a dining room table nearby, but to leave it completely open would have created the feeling of an unfinished room.” Walter explains. Her solution was to create a larger island that curved with the wall creating an attractive and interesting element in the kitchen. Above the island, the pendant lights by Tech Lighting also follow the curve of the island for consistency. The owners now have more functional seating and prep space in an area of the home they frequently use for entertaining. Espresso cabinets topped with quartz are complemented by the artistic backsplash.

In the next unit, the deep blue walls and ceiling in the master bedroom provides a dramatic backdrop. “This room is interesting because it’s long and deep and the focal point is the back wall. We needed to add interest through depth and dimension, so we used color to achieve this,” says Walter. Texture was added to the walls through grasscloth in the niche behind the bed. The custom nightstands from Vanguard with painted drawer fronts add a unique pop. Lighter drapes with a tone on tone embroidered weave enhance the custom faux silk pillows in a graphic print. The modern ceiling fan from Minka Aire is a fun element in this comfortable room.

Diana Hall lent her expert eye to this serene home. “Soft, zen, and transitional, this elevator foyer is a hint of what’s beyond. These elevator lobby rooms are actually very public spaces as other residents will see them when the elevator doors open so I like to make them into little jewelry boxes that give a sense of the person living in the unit beyond,” she says. Applied moldings were used to create decorative panels finished with wall coverings adorned with delicate glass beads. Hand blown plates made by a Florida artisan enhance the tone on tone theme which keeps this foyer light and airy. An elegant credenza offers storage for items that need to be accessed on the way in and out of the home.

This dining room is a wonderful venue for dinner parties both formal and casual. The space easily accommodates the large Vanguard table with driftwood finish. The painting beautifully matches the pale hues of the walls while the cornice, with custom nailhead detail, mimics the pattern on the rug in the living room beyond which ties the two spaces together. It’s also similar to the pattern found in the fabric of the host and hostess chairs. The blown glass plate on the dining table matches the ones found on the wall in the elevator lobby.

Another example of Hall’s creativity can be seen in the way she designed this multifunctional space. “The kitchen is at the front of the home and the large island is directly across from this wall so I knew whatever we did here needed to be special and stand on its own.” Hall decided to use this space for a buffet and wine bar but didn’t want to block the view of the great room as you enter the home. Her solution was a built-in unit with open shelves above. She was also able to create a space for the owner’s two dogs in a nook built into the buffet. The buffet features a waterfall edge Pompeii Quartz counter and cabinets with a grey-stained finish. On the shelves, accessories are kept to a minimum and add an organic element.

The great room in this penthouse is soft, with a neutral palette and contemporary highlights. The owners brought Walter in during the pre-construction phase to help them create their perfect seasonal retreat. “The lighting was very important to get right in this unit. The wife loves jewelry so it reflects her tastes and adds a very special feel to the home,” says Walter. Lighting by Restoration Hardware and Kuzco sparkles against the soft colors of the room. The wet bar features glass mosaics with floating shelves and a wood veneer which enhances faux wood porcelain tile flooring. The sofa by Vanguard is covered in fabric that has the appearance of a woven linen but is actually Crypton, a high performance fabric made specifically for interior rooms.

The floating LED backlit panels in this family room were devised as a clever and elegant way to solve a design flaw outside of Cinnabar Design’s control. “As we got into the unit, we realized these windows were overlooking the elevator stack. The challenge was to obstruct the view but create something that would be visually interesting and in balance with the rest of the room. Sleek panels covered in a textured vinyl were the perfect solution. Walter then added a comfortable motorized sectional with durable Crypton fabric for the perfect lounging experience. The concrete cocktail table and Michael Weiss recliner are complemented by a hand knotted Strie rug in a wool and viscose blend.

“Purple holds a great deal of sentimental value to the couple I worked with in this unit and they always weave it into their home no matter where they are located,” says Hall. Here, she used the color in a comfortable bathroom. Artwork over the tub incorporates the color and creates the base palette for the room. From there, she uses open shelving for a spa-like feel and added glass elements for sparkle and glamour. The espresso cabinets and shelves bring out the purple and warm the space.

If you would like more information on owning a luxury hi-rise condominium in Southwest Florida, call 239.216.9507.