Sherbet Hues Infuse This Palm Beach House With Whimsy

A fresh perspective is often warranted to transcend the predictable, and that’s exactly what designer Michele Plachter possessed when imagining the interiors of this South Florida property. Presenting a front-row seat to one of the neighborhood’s golf courses, the house would serve as a winter escape for repeat clients from Philadelphia, who sought a lighthearted take on the traditional style of their northern residence—classic with a tropical twist. “It gave us the opportunity to explore things we haven’t thought of or used before,” the designer says.

Set in an exclusive community in John’s Island, the newly constructed home—developed by Stillwater Management Group—offered plenty of gathering space for the residents, empty nesters with a growing family who were expanding from a nearby condo. They desired a colorful, happy environment that wasn’t too serious, and Plachter instantly envisioned sugary hues inspired by a beloved cold treat: sherbet. “I call it the ‘pastel paradise,’” she says with a laugh. Like a refreshing scoop on a sweltering day, the interior is dripping in shades of mint and sweet pinks, carefully executed in a manner that leans sophisticated and tranquil. “It’s serene with surprises,” the designer notes.

Those unexpected moments begin at the front door—which, deceivingly, resembles a discreet side access framed by a tropical courtyard brought to life by landscape architect Mark Sartain. “It creates a discovery to the entrance, a bit of whimsy,” he explains. When producing the H-shaped structure, architect Scott Merrill crafted the entry this way to maintain coveted views elsewhere. “To prevent the front hall from blocking views from the main wing, it had to be set off to the side,” he explains. This thoughtful decision grants stunning garden sights from primary areas such as the great room and den. “Every square inch of this house is a showpiece,” builder Wayne Bradford says.

Once inside, it’s tempting to forsake those floral scenes for what’s ahead. “You enter into this cozy vestibule,” Plachter describes, noting the darling foyer wrapped in a modern botanical wallpaper, “but then you turn the corner and are met with a grand hallway.” It’s here she created the first big color moment, coating the lofty walls in a high-gloss mint. Paired with a checkerboard marble tile, the combination elicits nostalgic images of 1950s Florida. “Although the house is new, it also feels like it’s been here for years,” the designer observes. The other fantastical element: a gaggle of matte- metal palm light fixtures that hang at varying heights and positions, like a parade of indoor fronds floating overhead. “I had this vision of chandeliers dancing on the ceiling,” she muses.

Traveling through the fanciful hallway leads to the soaring great room, where the living and dining areas vaunt expansive windows that embrace the outdoors. Plachter grounded the space in warm creams, then reintroduced minty blue through cascading curtains that outline the views and call to the sofa and pillows swathed in similar hues. “The draperies finish the room and foster a serene environment,” she says. While maintaining the room’s neutral base, the designer seized another opportunity for drama by papering the ceiling in a diamond-patterned grass cloth. “With all the windows, there was no way to make an impact with artwork,” she points out. “It was all about having fun with that fifth wall.”

Like a sundae topping, Plachter sprinkled other playful shades throughout the home, such as the bubblegum-hued quartz on the living area’s sconces that coordinates with the kitchen island’s overhead pendants and basket-weave chairs. In the guest suites, she daringly matched each bathroom vanity with the primary color of its adjoining bedroom, including lavender and blush. “It’s committing to a color for a long time,” the designer admits, “but this makes the space feel special.”

A dramatic shade-shift transpires in the den, which deserved its own moment off the main hallway. “This is the room where we were able to take risks,” says Plachter, who infused the setting with chartreuse drapes, a patterned periwinkle couch and artwork depicting pelicans for a quirky touch.

What the team didn’t risk: the couple’s goal to spend as much time as possible outside during Florida’s coveted winter months. Multiple zones, including a covered dining area and poolside living space around a fire pit, were created outdoors to achieve an inviting home where elegance meets leisure—a whimsical retreat that’s just as darling as its cheery pigments.