3 min readOne way to make designers pause? Tell them nothing should match. When a West Palm Beach family commissioned a new home, the clients were clear that a fresh start did not equal a blank slate. “We decided there would be almost no white in the house,” designer Cece Bowman of Kemble Interiors says. She quickly became accustomed to calls alerting her that monkey sconces were en route, that navy tile had been ordered for an otherwise teal-and-cream room, and other decorative leaps of faith. “It became a fun competition to see which of us could push the envelope the furthest,” Bowman says.
Admittedly, it was less serendipity and more coordination that brought the house together. “The paints and wallcoverings took three full workdays alone to plan,” the designer says, noting that all elements—from the ceilings to the air-conditioning registers—take the design to the next level. The resulting palette is cohesive but not matchy-matchy, with an architectural layout crafted by Austin DePree of Northworks that emphasizes indoor-outdoor living.
He designed the new build around a central courtyard, turning the house toward its center and minimizing transitional spaces in favor of an open sequence of rooms. Architecturally and thematically, the home flows from one area to another but is always oriented to the courtyard.
It’s all a twist on the South Florida standard, from positioning the home away from the street and opting for pale pink shutters over quotidian blue to putting a cricket table in the family room. “In the end,” Bowman says, “it all works.”
FAST FACTS
Designer:Cece Bowman
Location: Palm Beach, Florida
Architect: Northworks
MUDROOM
A hybrid space offers room for organization and laundry.
Meant to satisfy the needs of a busy household, the mudroom holds space for sports gear, shoes, and more. “This is the first thing you see when you walk into the house, so there were James Bond maneuvers to hide the washer and dryer,” Bowman says.
SITTING ROOM
A patterned ceiling acts as a moment of surprise and delight.
In the sitting room, no surface was left untouched. Schumacher chevron inlay covers the ceiling, while floral vines climb the walls.
FAMILY ROOM
A unified palette connects the space with the nearby kitchen.
A continuation of the kitchen, the living room acts as the home’s main hub. Raw wood ceilings add a touch of tropical rustic charm.
KITCHEN
Gilded counter stools add a touch of glam.
In the kitchen, every appliance is concealed by a panel-front cabinet, lending the kitchen a streamlined appeal.
BREAKFAST NOOK
A built-in bench offers ample seating.
Bowman chose a seafoam green wallcovering and botanical details for the spot where the family enjoys casual meals.
DINING ROOM
Coral details hint at the classic Palm Beach aesthetic.
Perhaps the boldest space in the home, the dining room combines classic Palm Beach aesthetics with modern touches, like a gilded chandelier and abstract art.
BUNK ROOM
Latticework on each bed brings the outdoors in.
Bowman turned a tiny space into a spare bedroom for the children’s friends. Patterned tile grounds the space, while lattice on the sides of each custom bunk lends a country club vibe.
GIRL’S ROOM
Sunhats become clever artwork above the bed.
The room was decorated so that (optimistically) it will last through her teen years.
PRIMARY BATHROOM
A large soaking tub invites relaxation.
Of the primary suite, a light and bright bathroom promotes R&R. Expansive windows near the tub look out to tropical greenery, lending an indoor-outdoor vibe to the space.
CABANA
A colorful, party-ready poolside retreat.
Painted cement tile by Sabine Hill and Perennials' performance fabric can withstand post-pool hangouts.
PATIO
Al fresco dining comes easy in this welcoming loggia.
Outside, an expansive table and plenty of seating act as a hub for hosting. Curved furniture reinforces the arches built into the patio.
About the Designer
After graduating from the New York School of Interior Design, Cece Bowman moved to Palm Beach, Florida, where she worked at a leading design firm for 13 years before starting Cece Bowman Interiors. She is known (and loved) for her fun use of color and her boldness in the homes she designs. Though she has worked across many states, she’s particularly well-known for her projects in Florida.
