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objective for the client was to have a fun and comfortable placeto entertain. ogether we strived to create a space where guestswould be drawn in and want to linger.

Since this is a second home, there werent any existing items toincorporate into the design, which provided a blank canvas forCravotta to fill with thoughtfully selected pieces.

We cast a wide net, scouring the world for beautiful andinteresting pieces and then composed those pieces into anenvironment that felt right for the client, says Cravotta. Te greatroom is an example of a space where almost everything is new.

Wilkes, who has a 20-year history of successful collaborationswith award-winning architects and interior designers, worked

closely with Cravotta to remove walls dur ing theexpansive space, enlarging the hallway and accomcustom furniture pieces and designs.

Te wine room was created using part of a halof the master closet, says Wilkes of the striking wine wall featuring custom mahogany wood she

A warm red- and brown-toned brick wall rhallway, against the wine wall and continues throarea, furthering the rustic, masculine loo k that diresidential high-rise.

In order to add the wall without the weight, Wbricks which resemble full bricks and furred ou

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added thickness to achieve the authentic look.Our stone mason did an amazing job with the installation,

making it look as if it had been there for many, many years,says Wilkes. I think the brick work gave it such a unique look.

In the kitchen, Wilkes reinforced the ceiling and hung a

custom-lighted pot rack in the center. Stainless steel pots floatabove the island, providing a shimmering focal point in the clean-lined culinary space while cleverly creating additional storage.

Troughout the house, there is a clever weaving of old andnew. Gravitating toward some of his favorites, Cravotta handselected pieces from Flexform, Holly Hunt, Jean de Merry, Rosearlow, Jim Zivic Design a nd Blackman Cruz.

Most items found throughout the home are new purchaseswith the exception of certain vintage elements the 1950s

German oak and stainless steel night stands; the Gio Ponticocktail table in the master lounge, the sculptural bronze andglass side table in the study and the 100-year-old Moroccan rug.

But a surprising number of items found throughout theremodel are custom-designed by Cravotta himself. For example,

the Austin-based designer created both the dry bar and the diningtable seen in the great room; the overhead planters and cocktailtable on the terrace; the leather-wrapped steel bed and teak dresserin the guest room; the small bronze side table in the media room;and the distinctive bed and bench in the master bedroom.

Upon entering, an ageless charm captivates you. Cravottaespecially loves the entry featuring a spectacular 1940s Italianbreakfront thought to be by Ico Parisi as well as the customtouches like the handmade drapery seen in both the master

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bedroom and lounge crafted by a talented Brooklyn-based artist.Unexpected specialty finishes command attention throughoutthe home, from the hand-made gray-on-gray square papercovering the master bedroom wall and unique ceiling treatmentsto the impressive wine wall and entry walls covered in soft linen.

We used a lot of specialty finishes, says Cravotta citingeye-catching selections such as the handmade plaster wallpaperimprinted with a shagreen pattern on the great room ceiling andhand-painted wallpaper in the media room made to resemble astarry night sky.

Decorative art lighting, sconces and suspended fixturesprovide a playful and effective glow throughout each room from the pendants floating above the bar made of bronze castingsof hand-turned burl wood bowls to the bronze sputnik-inspired

chandelier in the master bedroom designed by Jean de Merry.Te entry chandelier is a rare example of an early 20th centuryart deco lighting by the legendary Swedish maker Orrefors whilethe dining room chandelier is a one-of-a-kind vintage brass andglass fixture from the 1960s that Cravotta found in Los Angeles.

In this home, the decorative lighting provides both warmthand intimacy, says Cravotta. Tey also play dual roles in andof themselves as both furnishing and a rt.v

BUILDER David Wilkes Builders512.328.9888 | Davidwilkesbuilders.comDESIGNER Cravotta Interiors512.499.0400 | Cravottainteriors.com

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