The wealthy enclave of Palm Beach has become synonymous with opulence, but down a quiet road in the Florida town one historic house suggests a freer, less formal vision of life. In fact, that was the only brief for Celerie Kemble and Elizabeth Graziolo of Yellow House Architects, who were hired by a young couple they worked for once before: heavy on the ease and comfort, light on the formality and excess. “They are so openhearted, open-housed, open-minded,” says Kemble about the homeowners. “They are smart, and they aren’t caught up in the pretense.”
That first project was a Manhattan townhouse, bought by their client whose then girlfriend (and later wife) suggested he hire Kemble to decorate the home. Graziolo was soon brought on as well to refine the building’s interior architecture. The project was one of Graziolo’s first after leaving Peter Pennoyer Architects to establish her own New York–based firm. The homeowner’s mother had worked with Kemble’s own mother on a prior project—a realization that came out when work was underway.
This was to be a family home: It was the venue for the homeowners’ wedding and now the dream house of their young son. Friends join family on many occasions at the over 15,000-square-foot house, celebrating birthdays, holidays, and charitable causes in one of the many entertainment areas. The living room and library both lend themselves well to guests. The dining room has flexibility to serve as both an indoor and outdoor space. And of course there is the pool, surrounded by native trees and shrubs and anchored by an octagonal folly-cum-poolhouse at its far end. Nathan Browning of Island Planning did the landscape design, which plays a vital role in maintaining the calm, magical oasis the property’s original owner intended. “Across from the house there is this mangrove island, and behind that is the sunset and the sky,” says Kemble. “The house has a relationship to Florida that is rare.”
Serena & Lily Ives Tray
Nickey Kehoe Fireplace Pull-Up Chair
The wood-paneled bar was a must for the music-obsessed husband and took cues from the couple’s favorite pub in London, Chiltern Firehouse. Graziolo made sure to hide the speakers and DJ booth, while Kemble employed woven blinds and wicker furniture to give the impression of a far away fantasyland where music and magic meld. To add to the ambience, she had the custom mirror above the bar properly antiqued.
Vintage Longchamp Majolica Oyster Plate…