The casual dining room is positioned perfectly for entertaining. Sliding French
doors lead to the outdoor living area, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow
for guests.
Written by Maresa Giovannini
Photography by Nicole Pereira Photography
Nestled on a canal off the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, an exceptionally designed home exists that appreciates the proximity to endless
water, sunshine, and sand. Geographically and stylistically caught between the
relaxed fashion of the Florida Keys and the traditional presentation of the Old
South, this home borrows from the best of both worlds for a remarkable
waterfront retreat.
Lending her expertise to the project was Barbara Murtagh Nash, owner and lead
designer of Blue Sky Environments Interior Decor. Based in Coral Springs,
Florida, the firm specializes in Florida decor, positioning its designs to
consider the landscape and indoor-outdoor lifestyle. “I love interiors that are relaxed even when they are formal,” says Nash. “This [style] is not unique to Florida, but, because our lifestyle is so
outside-focused, it is important that the transition be smooth from outside to
inside.”
Abandoning the Mediterranean style of her previous house, the homeowner
acknowledged it was time for rebirth in all areas of her life. Newly single and
with two older teenagers, she yearned for this new home to be comfortable for
her family yet prioritize her style and long-term needs. “I needed a change and a fresh start and realized it wasn’t going to happen staying in the same home,” she explains. So, with Nash, architect Mark Budd, and builder Mrachek Bros.
Inc., she completely remodeled, redesigned, and dressed the 2,400-square-foot,
1960s ranch home with an eclectic combination of styles to create a welcoming,
lived-in Florida oasis.
LEFT: The relaxed and welcoming style of the home is enhanced by the open floor
plan, which unites the kitchen, dining room, and living room.
ABOVE: The rich marble countertops and backsplash of the kitchen are highlighted
by recessed lighting.
Clockwise from left: Antique garden statues converted into lamps add a touch of whimsy to the master
bedroom, creating a luxurious space to relax for both the homeowner and her
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The home office's design is a more intense and
dramatic version of the rest of the home. A functioning hammock was a special
request from the homeowner’s son for his bedroom.
“We try to always use natural fabrics because they have more breathability,” says Nash. “Those fabrics live better in a more humid climate than more sensitive fabrics
like silk.” Raffia rugs, natural cotton, and linen make the spaces lighter, while their
varied weaves add a stylish complexity. The kitchen and bathrooms feature rich
marble surfaces, and the dark hardwood floors throughout most of the home are
juxtaposed by a space-defining black-and-white harlequin marble inlay in the
foyer.
The colors and materials utilized indoors continue through the sliding French
doors onto the lanai. Unlike a traditional patio with folding chairs and an
oversized umbrella, this seating area acts as a true outdoor extension of the
home. The wraparound space is covered with a white vinyl awning trimmed with
black scalloped edges that expands from the home to create a poolside cabana.
Hanging abstract floral artwork, pendant lamps, and chic Sunbrella fabrics
create a luxurious fresh-air escape from rain showers or the blazing sun.
Regardless of the weather, this waterfront property remains an eternal oasis
with lush foliage, coconut palm trees, and bougainvillea shielding the pool and outdoor
entertainment areas from the rest of the world. This homeowner has discovered
her personal piece of buried treasure: the perfect balance of Old World and
New, indoors and out, land and sea. It’s a truly dynamic Fort Lauderdale design. 
With hints of breezy Key West decor, Asian-inspired furniture, formal
chandeliers, modern lines, and whimsical accents, the combination works
brilliantly in application but is practically impossible to define. Described
by Nash as British Colonial with a twist of Nantucket and a dash of SoHo, the
eclectic mix truly leaves identity to individual interpretation. To achieve the
sophisticated look and purpose of relaxed living for the client, the designer
employed her keen eye for detail. “You walk a very fine line of looking eclectic versus looking like a hodgepodge,
so you have to have unity in your fabrics and your textures,” explains Nash. “If you’re going to mix your styles like that, there has to be some continuity.”
Here, continuity was achieved by using the same minimal color palette throughout
the entire home. Aqua, yellow, cream, and other neutrals found in nature appear
in fabric, surfaces, and furniture in every room. Chic pops of black and white
add a modern touch. “Something we do often is run with the same color palette all over the house but
incorporate it with different strengths and weaknesses in each room,” says Nash. She enriched the colors in the office for an artsy style,
highlighted warm neutrals for the feminine boudoir, and mimicked the tones of
wood and water to enhance the family room’s tranquil view.
Whether incorporated indoors or out, the materials account for the year-round
humid climate.
