Anyone who loves horses knows that Wellington, Florida, transforms into an equestrian epicenter during the winter months, when serious riders, trainers, and enthusiasts converge from around the world to take part in its top tier show festivals. So, as longstanding owners of the legendary equestrian apparel line Tailored Sportsman, it’s no surprise that New Yorkers Susan and Van Isaacs are among the regulars who visit the affluent village at this time each year.
After making treks to Wellington for over two decades, it’s also little wonder that the Isaacs would eventually want to plant roots here, too. And when they recently bought this charming dwelling as a winter getaway in the oldest com- munity in the village, an equestrian friend referred them to designer Heather Weisz to furnish it in a style befitting the pair. “Quality was super important to them, down to the placement and type of stitches on accent pieces,” says Weisz, principal designer of Wellington-based HW Interiors, which she runs with business partner, Lisa Hynes. “They have a keen eye for beauty and were all about craftsmanship.”
A well-edited yet relaxed modern air permeates the house with a California-meets-Hamptons vibe. Atop a custom wool and silk rug from Art & Loom, clean-lined neutral furnishings let a lively work of art by Cara Tomlinson from the owners’ own collection take center stage.
A custom console from WUD Furniture both separates and unifies the dining area with the living room. A collection of sculptural totems from Global Views contrast with the sleek lines of the table and chairs.
A massive stone desk by Kelly Wearstler anchors an office/TV room.
A photograph by Todd Murphy hangs over a Mies van der Rohe daybed in the den.
A custom bed from Shelby Parker brings understated comfort to the primary bedroom while a neutral rug of wool and silk adds softness underfoot.
The designers created a brand-new pool in the home’s front yard and extended the interior black-and-white palette to the patio with comfy outdoor furniture from Minotti.
The two-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot home was originally built in the 1970s, but it had just been renovated when the Isaacs purchased it, with new ebony-stained wide-plank wood flooring and fresh coats of white paint on its original shiplap walls and vaulted ceiling. So, the designer started with the bonus of a clean slate. Another plus was the owners’ inherent sense of style. “The Isaacs are mature, but they’re also edgy and cool, with experience in the art world, so they always pushed the envelope,” says Weisz, who designed many of the clean-lined custom furnishings herself and wove in accents and art for splashes of color and zing.
“It had to be modern and timeless and not look like any home in the polo club or Wellington. We did not want any horsey stuff in the house,” says Susan. “We were interested in a more chilled version of New York City in Welly world, nothing cookie cutter,” adds Van.
The only existing piece the Isaacs brought to the home was a lively work of art, which they wanted to place over the sofa in the living room. “They recognized, however, that the painting was a bit too small to hold its own there,” explains Weisz. So, the designer introduced a grandly scaled fig tree, potted in an antique mortar rice vessel, to complement the painting and fill in some of the extra wall space. Another challenge was creating a distinction between living and dining spaces in the open-plan living area, while keeping the spirit of the great room unified. “To address this concern, I designed the custom credenza placed in the center to bridge the two parts of the room, yet separate them,” Weiss says. She also installed a dramatic pendant over the credenza, while connecting and enlivening the two parts of the room with a sculptural grace note.
Since quality was the top demand, a substantial stone desk by Kelly Wearstler anchors an office space/TV room, while a classic Mies van der Rohe daybed stands as the centerpiece of the den overlooking the outdoors. Another priority was comfort. So plush materials—wool and silk rugs, a bouclé upholstered bench, and leather-covered sofas and chairs—along with sumptuous accents and luxe bed linens, finish the home with fine tailored touches that elevate its relaxed atmosphere with the performance and polish of a bespoke riding jacket.
