After closing on a home in Palm Beach Gardens’ sought-after Ballen Isles Country Club, a New York-based couple called on dear friend and designer Barbara Lewis of The Lewis Group to begin dreaming up the ultimate destination for not only themselves but their children, grandchildren, and close friends as well. However, Lewis had quite the task ahead of her, as the couple was working against a very tight deadline.

After months of working with contractors from the Northeast to sort out the gutting and remodeling of two bathrooms, as well as creating cohesive wood flooring throughout, it was time for Lewis to get decorating, but it was already July and the couple had their sights set on everything being ready in September. They hoped their daughter and son-in-law could break in the house by celebrating his 40th birthday with their closest friends at the end of that month. This meant Lewis and her team had 70 days to finish the bathrooms and flooring, decorate the home, and have all items delivered, which she ended up finding to be a very rewarding challenge.

After establishing the clients’ vision for the home as a sunny place to host the people they love most, the family envisioned a quiet, serene color palette that was heavy on the blues and would be a soothing backdrop to the day’s events, whether hosting another couple for a leisurely long weekend away from snowy New York or for gathering all four grandchildren for a busy week of activity.

It was important to the couple that the home would lend a coastal vibe without feeling overly beachy, and Lewis began scheming up a sophisticated design that would feel appropriate in its environs while feeling elevated and representative of the family’s lifestyle. The initial spark for the interiors came while Lewis was attending a Design Social Studio pop-up event at the Norton Museum of Art last winter which hosted an array of boutique textile and wallpaper vendors. She fell in love with a wallpaper from Victoria Larson that offered the subtle, sophisticated nod to South Florida that she was looking for and everything started to fall into place from there.

In fact, wallpaper became an important part of the home’s design, from the classic stripe in the family room to the floral Lee Jofa pattern, the star of the show in the primary bedroom. While Lewis kept in line with the desired tranquil color palette, she brought in pops of visual interest through pattern and texture, such as the chic and cheeky palm tree floor lamp and rattan chair from local-favorite Devonshire in the family room.

“This space really reflects what the clients were looking for because you have the simple yet elegant elements of the sisal rug and Century Furniture sectional mixed with these interesting pieces,” says Lewis. “The banquette area has become a favorite of the kids, too.”

Since the couple both work and only get down to the home one week each month, Lewis created a breezy, light-drenched office space that would allow the husband to still feel like he was in paradise even while conducting business. While the home is suited for hosting, it was important to the designer to create some rooms of respite that would ensure the house could serve whatever purpose it needed in the moment.

“The family felt like we really nailed what they were looking for, and it made me so happy how thrilled they were with how the house turned out, especially given such a short time frame,” says Lewis. “Under the right circumstances, you really can work with your best friends on something and still end up with a friendship when it’s all over.”

One of the most rewarding parts of this project is that being so close to the clients, Lewis is really able to see how they live and enjoy the home. It’s versatile enough to suit the couple for a welcome change of scenery while working from home, while spacious and not-too-precious to accommodate three generations enjoying a sunny holiday getaway together in a place that is sure to create lasting memories of all kinds for years to come.

Entry hall
• Skirted table: Cowtan and Tout Fabric/Samuel and Sons Trim
• Rattan Stools: Devonshire

Dining Room
• Dining Room Table and Chairs: Palm Beach Regency

Living Room
• Sofa: Century
• Coffee Table: Made Goods
• Chairs: Provided by client

Office
• Carpet: Stark
• Sofa: Century
• Fabrics: Kravet
• Art: Devonshire
• End tables: Bungalow Palm Beach
• Floor Lamp: Visual Comfort

Primary bedroom
• Wallpaper and Fabric: Lee Jofa
• Bed: Custom with Kravet fabric
• Trim: Samuel And Sons
• Nightstands: Philip Scott
• Lamps: Serena And Lily

Family Room
• Sofa: Century
• Coffee Table: Custom
• Rattan Chair & Palm Leaf Lamp: Devonshire
• Fabrics: Kravet, and Lee Jofa
• Wallpaper: Schumacher
• Dining chairs and Counter Stool: Serena And Lily