The Rural Voice, 2006-07, Page 45Patti
Robertson
operates
Classic
Interiors in
Wingham.
By Patti Robertson
Their home is a multimillion -
dollar penthouse condo on the 9th
floor of Oleander Point in Cocoa,
Florida.
He is 88 years young and for the
third consecutive year has been asked
to sit on the board of directors for
Disney. His latest accolade is a
Humanitarian Award for his efforts at
single-handedly quelling a race riot
during the American Civil Rights
Movement. He has been mayor of
Cocoa, Florida and the Commissioner
of Hotels, Motels and Restaurants for
the State.
She is his biggest fan and
cheerleader, while he was out and
about she managed their historic
hotel, "The Brevard" and lovingly
entertained literally hundreds of
"Snowbird" relatives as they winged
their way south. Each will never tell
you about himself/herself — you hear
about what they are up to through the
opposite partner!
So let me take you on a whirlwind
tour through their intriguing home.
We arrive in the central lobby with its
soft adobe peach walls, plush
furnishings in sage, plum and coral,
accessories including old earthen
pots, antique mirrors and 18th
century paintings. The elegant
elevator arrives and we whoosh up to
the ninth floor.
Doors open onto the penthouse
floor lounge with its antique wicker
furnishing deeply cushioned in wine
and gold. The area carpet is gold with
a Greek key motif. Palms in wicker
planters, soft room lighting and
paintings set a relaxed atmosphere.
Down an open air hallway and we
arrive at the "Ninos" entrance. Here
we come to the home's first delight —
a 3'x8' stained glass sidelight
Home Decorating
How the other 1 % lives
featuring a Flamingo and Everglades
scenic. We step into the creme,
marble -floored foyer featuring a
Moroccan area carpet; an Italian
mirror hangs above an Italian
Commode (marble topped chest of
drawers), a lovely French settee
inherited from a dear friend and a
17th century painting.
To the left is his office in tone -on -
tone creme and caramel shades.
Walls, floors and furnishings all take
on a relaxed mood, wrapped in these
tonal values.
This is the computer hub of the
home. This is also where his many
awards and accolades are lovingly
displayed. Amongst his prize
possessions is one of hubby Ward's
award winning photographic images.
The main bath is next door. All
fixtures are of a creme champagne
hue and the walls feature a soft faux
marbling to rival all that I have seen.
Even the towels and accessories take
on a soft silken hue.
Down the halls, which are
wrapped in a tone -on -tone creme and
French white hued texture, we pass
marble columns from Italy, stately
holding Capodemonte lamps with silk
and fringed printed shades. There are
copious oil paintings and water
colours and here, once again, you
discover one of Ward's photographs,
this time it's his Kodak Gallery
award winner which was on display
at the Epcot center at Disney.
To the right we come to the guest
bedroom. The walls are a subtle
textural combo of peach and blush
rose. The bed dressing and balcony
window treatment are in a ground of
sage green with an overall floral
design in wine, peach and rose. The
many accessories and oil painting are
of the Florida Everglades and its
animals. On the bedside tables are
historical books about Florida. The
guest bedroom's en -suite features
creme fixtures with medium sage
walls. There is every amenity a guest
may require while visiting.
The hallway opens onto a massive
double living room with the walls
wrapped in a subtle, pearlized,
French -white -and -creme textural
motif. A double sectional divides the
space into two conversational group-
ings. The front exposure is all glass
draped in a textured French -white
semi -sheer with hard case valances
with an Arabesque lower edge.
The "view" is breathtaking. Below
is the Indian River, straight -ahead is
the Hubert Humphrey Bridge to
Merritt Island and you can see clearly
18 miles away to Cocoa Beach! To
the left you see the parklands along
the river. You are also afforded a
ringside seat to NASA's shuttle and
rocket launches... WOW !
The walls are adorned with gilded
mirrors from France, Italy, and Spain.
There is a notable oil painting
collection from the 17th and 18th
centuries along with marble busts,
incredible figurine lamps from
Vienna featuring silk shades and
glass beaded fringes, and everywhere
are collections of ornaments lovingly
received from their many nieces,
nephews and Godchildren.
The dining room, with walls and
window treatments co-ordinated to
the living room, features a hexagonal
PATTI ROBERTSON'S
r,.
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135 Victoria .Si., it I NGH,L 1
357-2872
• Custom-made Window
Fashions, Bedspreads
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• Fine Domestic &
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• Select Wallcoverings
• Furnishings, Lighting
& Artwork to suit
any interior...
JULY 2006 41