Rick and Cheryl Cieri are not Floridians by birth, but after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, they realized that Naples and, more specifically, the oceanfront paradise that is Pelican Bay, is the place they want to call their permanent home. “We’re originally from Buffalo, we raised our children in Cleveland, and then spent several years in Ann Arbor,” says Cheryl. “Basically, we’ve circled Lake Erie.”
In 2008, after spending a spring break holiday in Naples, they were captivated by the relaxed lifestyle and the friendly, small-town feel of the area. After that initial trip, a friend predicted that scores of baby boomers would soon be scooping up the waterfront property in Naples, and that’s when the couple decided to take the plunge and purchase their home in a newly constructed building of luxury condos overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. “I have memories of visiting my grandparents at their home in nearby Cape Coral when I was a child in the 1970s, so this region of Florida has always been special to me,” says Cheryl.
The plan was to spend a few weeks out of the year at their Florida Gulf Coast hideaway; the couple never imagined that it would one day become their primary residence—or that a global pandemic would influence them to do so. In the summer of 2019, they began a conversation with interior designer Carrie Brigham, who is revered for her elegant take on transitional design. “We were spending more and more time at our condo, and realized that the home had become completely dated; it was too stuffy and too dark, and the views of the water were being restricted by heavy draperies as well as several walls,” says Cheryl. For Brigham, opening up the layout was the first order of business: “When I initially visited the home and stepped out onto the balcony off the living room, I was struck by the uninterrupted vista past mangroves and the Intracoastal to the ocean. But from the inside of the home, the view was totally compromised.”
To allow for a fresh start, the Cieris engaged New Haven Builders to handle the gut renovation of the unit, a 3,650-square-foot home with three bedrooms, a den, and four bathrooms. “They helped us maximize the efficiency of the spaces and were hands-on in helping to execute our vision,” explains Brigham, who oversaw the entirety of the revamp. “In condos, it’s difficult to relocate mechanicals, and we had to be careful with redesigning the kitchen, which was completely overhauled and opened up to face the living room.”
For the interiors, Brigham worked closely with the homeowners to evoke what she describes as a “Palm Beach vibe with a Naples twist.”
“We started with a muted palette, and, as we progressed, we realized that Cheryl enjoys brighter tones,” says the designer. “So, it evolved to more cheerful and vibrant [colors].”
Turquoise is the thread throughout the home, and serves as a focal point in each room. Whereas the previous iteration of the house was unapproachable and masculine, in its current state, with the help of layered textures in the form of grass cloth wallcoverings, oversized area rugs, and impactful light fixtures, it’s cozy and inviting. “Every single piece of furniture, every light fixture, and every accessory inside the home is new, but carefully curated,” says Brigham. “From the fabrics on the sofa to the artwork—all in tranquil hues of blue, green, and cream—each item was selected to mimic the sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean.”
The pièce de résistance? “Years ago, I saw a high-gloss green lacquered library and desk in a storefront in Palm Beach, and ever since, I have wanted to design one for one of my projects,” recalls Brigham. Towards the end of the design process, the designer floated this bold idea by Cheryl, who was immediately on board. “Carrie is incredibly passionate about her career and, in turn, about her design decisions,” says the satisfied homeowner. “It was so easy to trust her.”
Story Credits:
Interior Design by Carrie Brigham, Carrie Brigham Design, Naples, FL
Builder New Haven Builders, Naples, FL
Text by Mallory Jacobson
Photography by Sean Murphy, Neptune Beach, FL
Open to see Interior Design Sources:
Sources
Living Room
Sofas – Hickory Chair, High Point, NC
Fabric – Cowtan & Tout, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL
Accent chair – Vanguard Furniture, High Point, NC
Fabric – Lee Jofa, Bethpage, NY
Wicker stools – Century Furniture, High Point, NC
Cocktail table – Thibaut, High Point, NC
Side tables – Century Furniture, High Point, NC
Table lamps – Visual Comfort & Co, High Point, NC
Glass art on wall – Kristine Daniels, Outline Design, Woodbridge, Ontario CN
Chandelier – Currey & Company, High Point, NC
Area rug – Designers Rug Center, Naples, FL
Dining Room
Table – Baker Furniture, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL
Chairs – Bungalow 5, High Point, NC
Hanging lighting – David Sutherland, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL
Cabinetry designed by Carrie Brigham Design, Naples, FL and fabricated by Ruffino Cabinetry, Fort Myers, FL
Sconces – Arteriors Home, High Point, NC
Artwork – Gardner Colby Galleries, Naples, FL
Wallcovering – Phillip Jeffries, SFDP, Hollywood, FL
Loggia
Sofa and side chairs – Summer Classics, High Point, NC
Fabric – Thibaut, High Point, NC
Pillows – ROMO, Zinc Textile, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL
Cocktail table – Castelle, High Point, NC
Round side table – Emissary, High Point, NC
Mirror – Owner’s collection
Lamp – Wildwood Lamps and Accents, High Point, NC
Area rug – Dash & Albert Rugs, Pittsfield, MA
Kitchen
Cabinetry and island designed by Carrie Brigham Design,
Naples, FL and fabricated by Ruffino Cabinetry, Fort Myers, FL
Stools – Vanguard Furniture, High Point, NC
Pendant lighting – Visual Comfort & Co., High Point, NC
Den
Sofa and ottoman – Vanguard Furniture, High Point, NC
Mirror – Carver’s Guild, High Point, NC
Sconces – Visual Comfort & Co, High Point, NC
Chandelier – etsy.com
Desk chair – Palecek, High Point, NC
Family Room
Sofa – Hickory Chair, High Point, NC
Armchair – David Francis Furniture, Vero Beach, FL
Club chair – Vanguard Furniture, High Point, NC
Ottoman/cocktail table – Century Furniture, High Point, NC
Side tables – Hickory Chair, High Point, NC
Table lamps – Visual Comfort & Co, High Point, NC
Decorative drink table – Vanguard Furniture, High Point, NC
Artwork above sofa – Robert Kent Galleries, Marietta, GA
Wallcovering – Cowtan & Tout, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL
Console – Interlude Home, High Point, NC
Floor sculpture – Ed Koehler, Naples, FL
Area rug – Designers Rug Center, Naples, FL
Primary Bedroom
Bed, headboard and bench – Vanguard Furniture, High Point, NC
Bed side chests – Hickory White, High Point, NC
Table lamps – Jamie Young, High Point, NC
Reading lamps – Visual Comfort & Co., High Point, NC
Area rug – Designers Rug Center, Naples, FL
Primary Bathroom
Chair – Hickory Chair, High Point, NC
Sconces – Wilson Lighting, Naples, FL
Artwork – Owner’s collection
Flooring – Ruben Sorhegui Tile, Naples, FL
Throughout
Flooring – Legno Bastone, Naples Flooring Co., Naples, FL
Cabinetry – Ruffino Cabinetry, Fort Myers, FL
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