LEVEL Taking It To New Heights

A two-story penthouse on the top floor of The Vue got the royal treatment in more ways than one last month.

First, a team of five local designers invaded the stylish downtown high-rise and revamped the 36th-floor unit for a designer showcase benefiting the Hope & Help Center.

A few days later, Orlando Home & Leisure took over the spectacular space to stage a showcase of holiday looks combining high-fashion fabrics, furs and statement jewelry.  See: A Room With a Vue.

The designers: Julie Koran; Jose Cabrera; Michael Duval; Ted Maines, SteTed Interiors; and Hattie Wolfe and Abigail Rizor, Wolfe-Rizor Interiors.

Michael Duval Interiors

Michael Duval Interiors

Designer's Statement: Michael Duval Interiors dining room wanders down a hidden path created by often overlooked organic elements, forged into custom, bespoke art pieces. The commitment to organic, fowing lines creates a modern environment housed within a timeless framework punctuated by shots of color, shape and light. Electrifying hues merge with natural fabrics for an inviting, yet stirring experience illuminated by the iridescent glow of glass and chrome chandeliers. The reclaimed magnolia and copper sculpture forged and colored by fire and hand-made bamboo urchins take you on a journey through artistic expression.

Michael Duval used a thoughtful strategy in his approach to decorating the dining room. "Visually, dining rooms are boring," he said. So he turned the room into anything but boring by using arresting, locally-produced artwork, vivid colors, and an ingeniously wrought, custom-made dining room table with a dramatic, magnolia wood surface. —Michael McLeod

C L Studio, Inc.

C L Studio, Inc.

Designer's Statement: The Grand Salon of our magnificent penthouse offers a million dollar VUE of The City Beautiful. Within the dramatic floor to ceiling glass walls designer Jose J Cabrera of C L Studio, Inc. combines a modern aesthetic with his signature cutting edge style. Jose makes a bold statement in, “the whole is indeed refective of the sum of its parts.”  The unique juxtaposition of fine objects seamlessly working together to compliment the entire room, blurring the lines of furniture and sculpture. The contrast of a bold color palate blended with warm neutral tones serves to stimulate the senses befitting this amazing space. Jose dedicates this space to all the Mad Hatters of the world. Remember, you’re not late, your right on time!

Jose Cabrera contributed touches to the living room or grand salon,that brought both continuity and a sense of the great outdoors to the space. He chose a table made from the roots of a tree for the space, and hung a dramatic, ingeniously colorized photo of a Joshua tree on the wall to create a dramatic interplay of elements. —Michael McLeod

C L Studio, Inc.

C L Studio, Inc.

C L Studio, Inc.

Designer's Statement: Our kitchen and wet bar become a study in refinement and ease. Painted to match cabinets and walls highlighted with stainless steel appliances and fixtures transform both of these spaces into warm, yet elegant areas for casual dining and entertaining.   The latest in faucet design becomes sculpture. Our Jeffrey Court vein cut marble in Global Gray is stacked high and tight to add a more than dramatic effect to the back splash while beautifully complimenting the strong and elegant counter tops. Two Italian spun glass pendants suspended in mid air complete our beautiful vision. Martinis at 5:00. You'll love the VUE.

stéted INTERIORS

stéted INTERIORS

Designer's Statement: stéted INTERIORS’ classically modern Library features USM - Haller Modular Furniture from Switzerland and ergonomically friendly Herman Miller chairs suitable for the home or office, all representing modern, timeless design. The hauntingly beautiful Zeppelin chandelier hanging over the elegant Steel Blue Glass Haller table was designed by Marcel Wanders, the Dutch design master who is also represented by the subtle, yet dramatic wallpaper on display in our Library.The Lounge Gun Lamp is part of “Domestic Violence”, a special exhibition of lamps designed by Philippe Starck for Flos. In the Library’s bathroom, you will find a dazzling Swarovski light fixture, glamorous Phillip Jeffries wallpaper and Kohler’s new Honed White Revé plumbing fixtures.

Ted Maines, of Steted Interiors, is passionate not only about home design but about social issues. He infused the library/home office of the penthouse with both a lighthearted touch and a strong sense of social consciousness. "The home office is a room that reflects the owner's personality," he reasoned. So he filled the room with evidence of an imaginary owner's sense of humor by including a drawing of dinosaurs on a field trip. But he also included an artistically rendered lamp that had been made from a gun as an ironic reminder of the issue of domestic violence. —Michael McLeod

stéted INTERIORS

Julie Koran Interior Design

Julie Koran Interior Design

Designer's Statement: Thoroughly modern, refined and ever evolving Julie Koran Interior Design has sculpted the Guest Suite and 2nd Floor Bar with a variety of complimentary textures and materials. The monochromatic blue palette reflects the incredible views creating an all encompassing experience. The spaces are organized by a consistent and harmonic vision relying on purity of material and an uncomplicated sense of proportion. Passionate, dynamic and engaging art is integral to the spirit of the space and reveals the style of a genuine traveler, inventor and philosopher.

Julie Koran decorated two bathrooms, a stairwell and a guest bedroom, using colors, textures and ingenuity to accentuate high ceilings and bring warmth to each space. She used a deft touch in the bedroom, for example, to turn an ugly concrete support column into an attractive architectural element, and she did so economically. She asked carpenters to give her unused scraps of finishing woods and turned the column into an aesthetically pleasing, vertical patchwork that not only gave the room an organic feel but emphasized its high ceiling. —Michael McLeod

Wolfe-Rizor Interiors

Wolfe-Rizor Interiors

Wolfe-Rizor Interiors

Designer's Statement: Wolfe-Rizor Interiors has created an oasis above the city. There is no reason cutting edge cannot be comfortable, and WRI excels in creating both aspects in perfect balance for upscale, modern penthouse living. Like a perfectly tailored shirt, the grey flannel upholstery is both handsome and functional. The deep stained woods and substantial furniture choices add a sense of organic richness and depth to the space, allowing warmth and comfort to infiltrate the industrial structure of the room. Experience state of the art video systems cleverly concealed behind the beautiful translucent mirrored panels. All of these choices, both subtle and overt, make the space a perfect locale for secluded contemplation and conjuring dreams as you peer out over the City Beautiful.

Hattie Wolfe and Abigail Rizor reasoned that their design assignment, the penthouse bedroom, would double as a living room. So they worked with a soothing, contemporary but cozy approach in mind. One canny usage of space was a bookcase/wine bottle rack in the room. —Michael McLeod

Wolfe-Rizor Interiors

Wolfe-Rizor Interiors

Lukas Nursery

Lukas Nursery

Designer's Statement: Lukas Nursery has captured the excitement of the most spectacular open air view in Orlando with a sleek ensemble of flora and planters that exemplify elegant outdoor living with a modern style. The views speak for themselves and we have provided the setting to allow your fantasies to come to life while gathered with friends or flying solo on a soothing breeze in your personal retreat. The striking lines and excitement of the plantings create an experience and opportunity that everyone will enjoy.