Common area makeovers infuse dated condominiums with new life. South Florida’s waterfront is lined with 70s- and 80s-era luxury high-rises screaming for attention. Common area makeovers spur sales, but it’s not just realtors and those selling residences that love these chic enhancements.

We’ve completed several.  A bit of design finesse – in reception areas, social rooms and on pool pavilions - makes extended stays in Paradise more pleasant.

One of the most interesting things happening in contemporary design is in the realm of fabric where everything imaginable – from natural fibers to plastics - is being used  on comfortable pieces.  As technology paves the way for fabrics made of materials designed to take a beating, upholstery is lasting longer.  New directions in furniture reflect the never-ending push for innovation in the fashion industry. There’s no time like the present for a research trip trip to the world’s fashion centers where  haute couture parading down the runways is usually a good indicator of what  furniture showrooms will showcase  several years down the road.

When life gets hectic and it’s time to retreat and rejuvinate, a natural palette is comforting. The primary color in nature, green is the shade for fresh awakenings.   A two-color scheme of soft green and rich browns with a well-edited selection of furniture is soothing. The subtlety of these tones makes them easy to live with.  Instead of competing with views, enjoy them.

Don’t be shy. Boldly basic is a good way to approach an entryway and establish the tone for what lies ahead. Here space is perceived, not measured, as vibrant color catches the eye and paves the way.  Even when you are not dealing with a lot of square footage, the foyer provides opportunity to add drama while extending a warm welcome.

First impressions are crucial in an elevator foyer, the primary entryway in luxury high-rises.

Here, magnificent stone, exotic wood and a sculptural glass light fixture set the tone.

Is it time to applaud the demise of whole-house wall-to-wall carpeting in Southwest Florida?

OMG, it should be a crime to line an entire home in something that morphs into an allergen-packed haven for sand, insects and mold.

Alright already, in the bedroom,  where wall-to-wall made its first appearance in the 1930s, padding around on carpeting is truely divine. In low-traffic settings, carpeting can add visual interest. For the most part, however, don’t go there! Layer your rooms with tile, stone, wood, glass and metal for any number of reasons, including health!

If you want the kids to come running, pack dens of fun with comfortable chairs, cool murals and vibrant color. If you wanna keep your sanity, plan ahead for  lots of storage!

Resonate with tile, especially in a child’s room where a shower might turn into a wonderful occasion for a geography lesson.

Canadian artist Richard Roblin’s large format, abstract paintings are a celebration of life.  His journey has taken him throughout North America, Europe, the Orient, and India and led to a body of work that embraces many cultures.

Roblin’s creations are in private collections throughout the world and exhibited widely in museums and galleries, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and K2 Design Group’s showroom in Bonita Springs, Florida. www.richardroblin.com

For an early preview of what’s to come in design, visit the runways of London, Milan, New York Paris or Tokoyo. Interior designers and decorators flock to High Point, North Carolina each fall to see what season will bring. For the top tier of the luxury market, the drum roll begins much earlier in the realm of haute coutour. The visual and tactile hits of the world’s top fashion designers usually appear on  furniture showroom floors three or four years after their introduction.

For Southwest Florida interiors, innovative fabrics emulating tweed, velvet, cashmere and chenille are a smart investment. A breeze to clean, they take the wear and tear of ranbunctious children and frequent guests with nary a complaint.

Pull out all the stops in a master bathroom. Imagine the place where you begin and end each day as a tranquil setting that soothes the soul. Besides investing in quality fixtures that will stand the test of time, splurge on stone surfaces – marble and quartz. In The Necessary, natural beauty is revealed in the patterns of stone. If you must have something trendy, which will become dated fast, create glitz with towels or furnishings that won’t cost a pretty penny to change out later.

Powder rooms present the perfect opportunity to make a statement.  The beauty of this intimate space is revealed with natural materials. Wood welcomes and sensible storage puts every square inch to good use. The watery brilliance of glass mosaic tile and the sink’s see-through glass vessel contribute to the visually open feel of the room.

While tropical designs are often ruled by French and English tradition, we’re seeing more interest in the fresh, clean lines of Modern design. Even the design’s period, reflecting a time when people believed in the triumph of technology and the inevitablity of progress, is liberating. Despite a lean, understuffed appearance, its furniture invites lounging. To soften the hard edges of a modern world, wood calls on nature’s emotional, regenerative powers.

K2 Design incorporates creative storage solutions into all projects. Even in the most upscale residences, Florida homes have less storage space. One reason is the lack of a huge basement. Another is the lack of an attic. With square footage at a premium even on the luxury front, today’s home plans no longer devote entire floors for forgotten treasures. Not to worry, innovative storage is a specialty!