A Fresh Take on a Florida Home with Meg Braff Designs

WRITTEN BY Bek Mitchell-Kidd
INTERIOR DESIGN BY Meg Braff Designs
PHOTOGRAPHY BY J. Savage Gibson

Meg Braff’s clients are New Yorkers with a teenage daughter who decided to make the move south. They enjoy entertaining and wanted to really embrace the Florida lifestyle.

The home is located in Vero Beach, a barrier island with Atlantic-facing beaches and the Indian River Lagoon to the west. It is a charming, family-friendly community, brimming with natural beauty and gorgeous beaches.

A definitive Vero bungalow, the home is gracious and spacious without being ostentatious. The house was in great shape and did not require any major renovations. Meg did open up the walls separating the dining room from the main living spaces, and she added French doors to lead out to the garden. The rooms are nicely proportioned and the floor plan now works well.

The color palette is bright and airy. The primary spaces on the first floor are all white, the dining room is differentiated with a pale faux wood paneling by Nobilis, and the entryway is papered in a sisal wall covering from Meg’s own collection. The living room and master bedroom have stylish floral prints, a nod to old Florida but recolored and freshened-up for today.

There are a lot of layers with woven materials: rattan, wicker, and jute. “I love using rattan and wicker, especially in coastal projects and locales like Florida and the Caribbean. Wicker can feel right in just about any location. Jute carpets have a wonderful natural look, feel great underfoot, and do a wonderful job grounding a space,” says Meg.

The family room is light-filled with upholstery pieces in blue and green fabrics to create a comfortable and classic vibe. The kitchen, dining room, breakfast room, and screened porch all adjoin the family room—making it feel like an important destination. Touches of blue and white porcelain keep the space from feeling too casual, even when the three sets of French doors are open.

Since the dining room is open to the family room and the kitchen, Meg opted for a white table, credenza, and chairs to blend in with all of the spaces. This room was originally enclosed. “I don’t normally like an open plan, but for this house it works fabulously. The white palm tree sculptures from Chelsea House are just so fun—they feel like old Florida and reference the Clarence House Las Palmas curtain fabric which they flank,” says Meg.

The living room mixes historical elements, art prints, and accents: “Our client purchased the art in the living room and foyer herself; she has a wonderful eye! When she showed me the four Yayoi Kusama pieces and Chinese silk medallions, I was thrilled,” says Meg. “They fit the space perfectly, and I am always in favor of adding a touch of Chinoiserie.”

The master bedroom is made up of timeless patterns in cool colors including celadon, apricot, and teal, and custom Bob Collins & Sons Inc. pillows in Tulip Garden fabric add just the right amount of chic.

In the guest room, Meg continued the serene color palette and fluid patterns covering the walls and the furniture in her own collection’s pattern Menton. To keep everything from feeling too “one-note,” Meg added vibrant sky-blue shades and curtains. “It’s a restful space for a valued guest—I’d love a visit in this room!” says Meg.

The daughter’s bedroom met her specific requirements for “purple and flowers.” The settee is a trundle bed allowing for extra space for visiting friends, and the swing chair is a fun touch. In addition to the daughter’s suite, the second floor also includes a large playroom.

The playroom has a table for play or homework, a huge sectional and swivel chairs, and even a karaoke machine. “The playroom is situated over the garages, and there were some architectural irregularities that we wanted to mask. Using the bold wallpaper by Manuel Canovas (Malfa in Emeraude) made a huge difference, and made the large space feel less expansive, and a lot more fun,” explains Meg.

Meg kept things sophisticated and thoughtful, and not at all flamboyant. Bright whites, clear true colors, a dash of wicker, and forgiving cotton fabrics provided this home with a great Florida style. “Each space has its own personality, while visually connecting in a nice way. We used some of my favorite patterns and colors in this house, and it feels inviting, relaxed, and like the perfect Florida getaway,” says Meg.

A SPECIAL NOTE FROM MEG:
Meg Braff Designs Showroom and Antiques will open in West Palm Beach this Fall!

Experience the showroom for my wallpaper and fabric brand, and shop a curated selection of antiques, contemporary furniture, lighting and accessories. We will also have a private garden designed by Fernando Wong, which will allow us to showcase outdoor furniture and accessories in a beautiful setting. Stay tuned for more details: @megbraffdesigns.