Home FEATURE METROHome Tour: Modern, Eclectic, Elegance With A View

METROHome Tour: Modern, Eclectic, Elegance With A View

By Mary Lou Janson | Photography by Greg Dean, Owner/Photographer, Real Pro Media LLC

Spectacular views of the downtown Tampa waterfront and cityscape from the comfort and privacy of a spacious condominium balcony, convinced Sam Maybrook that she had found her new home.

While the surroundings and setting were mesmerizing, the actual living space within the 11th floor residence was lacking. So, prior to moving in, Maybrook opted for a total renovation and redesign of the residential space to better reflect her personal lifestyle.

Previously, the original foyer and main living area were lined with bookcases and bookshelves that disrupted the flow and confined the space. Rooms were dimly lit and floors covered in outdated ceramic tile, creating dark spaces and hard surfaces.

Re-imaging interiors has been a constant throughout Maybrook’s life. A mother and grandmother, she previously was vice president of business development for a national interior design firm in Chicago, and was married to a partner in a large homebuilding company.

“I want to change everything in every place I have ever lived,” Maybrook said. Currently she stays busy volunteering with local non-profits like the ALS Association Florida Chapter, Tampa Museum of Art and Trinity Cafe.

The creative homeowner, Sam Maybrook

After collaborating with Kristen McKinlay and Melanie Rose, owners/designers of Tampa’s McKinlay Rose Interiors, Maybrook now enjoys a much lighter, brighter environment, that makes the most of the natural light flowing in from floor-to-ceiling windows and wall-to-wall sliding glass doors.

One of the many striking features found throughout her home, are original works of art discovered during world travels, gallery visits and art festivals. Pieces from her private collection beautifully displayed against grey walls include a large scale metal sculpture, handblown glass, vibrant paintings and a commissioned portrait by artist Cora Waterhouse, who currently lives in Tampa.

Modern light fixtures, textured wallpapers and mirrored furnishings, provide further evidence of Maybrook’s elegant and eclectic tastes.

Kristen McKinlay explains the full service design firm follows a two-step process that creates a foundation for the final look. First, neutral tones are applied to walls. A native of Sarasota, McKinlay refers to that base color as “the beach.”

Once beautiful, yet functional, core pieces are in place, rooms are ready for the finishing touches, bejeweled elements that add glamour. This second phase, or “the sunset,” selectively infuses bold accents into each setting. The end result exudes class, quality and color. Antique smoked mirrors, crystal chandeliers and champagne gold furnishings, polish this Harbour Island Plaza Condominium home.

From start to finish, the designers oversaw installations and transformations that included white and grey slate hammered floors, Pompeii quartz countertops and custom window treatments, within this two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath condo. This project marks the third time McKinlay Rose has worked on a Maybrook residence.

“When we first met with Sam we really clicked with her,” said Melanie Rose. “She is very artsy, she knows what she wants and she likes beautiful design and décor. Basically, we get inside a client’s head to figure out what they want. It is like an artist who has a canvas and just starts painting. You don’t know exactly where it’s going until you move it along. She knows we can give her the look she likes.”

Appointments at the firm’s South Tampa design studio to review sample fabrics, plus proposed wall and floor treatments, furnishings and light fixtures, enable clients to grasp what their places and spaces will look like when completed, but there are no sneak peeks along the way.

Rather than piecemeal a project together by incorporating individual items over time, the design partners prefer to have clients vacate the premises long enough to allow them to put everything in its place. It allows them to “put the icing on the cake,” prior to unveiling the final look for the first time.

“Once we finish an installation, we get a lot of oohs and ahhs,” said McKinlay. “We have the client leave the house for the day and then come back home for the big reveal. We really have a ‘move that bus moment.’ We live for that day.” M