The Cape Dutch-style architecture by GE Architecture, and builder MJR Custom Homes, pairs a curvilinear façade with crisp white stucco, punctuated by shutters and gates in Farrow & Ball’s Red Earth.
In the living room, a custom rug from Artistic Looms grounds the Dmitriy & Co sofa in a Pierre Frey fabric and pillows along with a pair of vintage reeded swivel chairs.
In the games area of the living room, a boldly colored banquette is placed near the sun-drenched windows, and the main seating area features a pendent orb light fixture that doubles as sculpture, unifying the entire space.
The airy and bright kitchen includes woods of varying tones, Balineum handpainted tile on the walls, and cabinets in Farrow & Ball’s Castle Gray. A long, curved island in walnut balances the organic elements and the client’s collection of ceramics assembled on their travels.
Cabinet hardware is Rejuvenation’s Ansel Collection in aged brass.
The custom Keith Fritz “Edward” table with an octagonal base offers a view of the pool, with shapely Baker’s Grande Aegean chairs with seat backs upholstered in Voutsa’s Maude Linen.
In the primary bedroom, a Mr. & Mrs. Howard bedframe is upholstered in Quadrille’s Mandarin Moire fabric, with bedding from Matouk from Pioneer Linens. Side table lamps are vintage Murano glass from Jean Marc Fray with shades in a Pierre Frey fabric. The two‑tone custom valences are designed with Cowtan & Tout fabrics.
A curved brass chandelier from Massimo Frank Lighting hangs above a soaking tub with Waterworks fixtures in polished nickel.
The patterned mosaic tile from New Ravenna is paired with a geometric beige silk wallcovering from Jeffrey Michaels.
The custom arched niche and wardrobes in Benjamin Moore’s Feather Green have insets with Holly Hunt wallpaper and antique mirrors. The brass pulls are from LO & Co. The coverlet is from Via Coquina, with bedding from Matouk from Pioneer Linens. An Made Goods Isla bench sits at the foot of the custom bed from E.J. Schraders with headboard in a Harlequin abstract geometric fabric.
A Brown Jordan dining table and chairs provide poolside seating. The climbing jasmine in a lattice pattern softens the surrounding white stucco walls.
True to Ellen Kavanaugh’s design DNA—and the fresh Palm Beach aesthetic she’s helping to define—the designer has crafted a coastal retreat in Delray Beach that encapsulates the ease of living on the water. Designed for a Chicago couple as their full-time residence, the three-bedroom home is across from the beach, mere steps from the ocean. The interiors incorporate vintage pieces with modern lines, striking a balance between Palm Beach nostalgia and contemporary verve. Kavanaugh has infused every room with comfort, bold color, and a sense of fun. “We always begin with the client—how they live, what they love,” she says. “These clients adore travel and were open and trusting, which allowed us to push beyond their comfort zone.”
A new build in the Cape Dutch style—with a high-pitch gabled roof and whitewashed stucco exterior—the house orients around the pool. Inside, Kavanaugh and Liv Toone from her team, layered in warmth with custom millwork, lime-washed ceilings, and light finishes. A coral, green, and blue palette flows through the home and is its connective thread. An arched entryway leads to a sunlit living room. In the primary seating area, a neutral sofa comes with pillows in a painterly print. Underfoot, a natural fiber geometric pattern rug grounds the space, while cerused wood and acrylic accent tables add light touches. And an orange-striped banquette and matching curvaceous chairs surround a sculptural Knoll table, creating a playful vibe.
In the open kitchen, Kavanaugh deftly balances organic and modern elements. Pale green cabinets are set against beige and white patterned tiles that mimic the texture of grass cloth; a streamlined light fixture stretches across the island made from walnut; and open shelves display sea fans and ceramic collections gathered from the clients’ travels.
The primary bedroom is enhanced with a limewashed cypress tray ceiling that crowns grass cloth walls in pale shell pink. A silk chinoiserie headboard brings a whisper of old Palm Beach glamour and is complemented by modern nightstands and sea-glass–hued lamps. The two guest bedrooms have distinct personalities—one awash in coral, the other in aqua—their built-in closets with demilune mirrors adding architectural symmetry. Punchy prints on the headboards and Indian quilts contribute a fiesta of color.
The bathroom evokes the serenity of a Grecian spa. To take advantage of the view beyond, an arched entryway with intricate tilework leads to a tub alcove. Aqua blue tiles surround the bath and extend to a chair rail, with a neutral silk wallpaper in a subtle geometric motif. Prints of tropical botanicals and a vintage shell chandelier complete the scene.
Drawing inspiration from a classic poolside cabana, the den, which is also the client’s office, blends Art Deco sophistication with a touch of whimsy. A bohemian ikat-printed sofa grounds the space; gold leaf wallpaper on the ceiling adds sparkle; pencil reed pod chairs provide natural texture; and a brass coffee table lends old-style Palm Beach glamour.
Balancing vintage and modern, surprise and restraint, Kavanaugh has created a relaxed home that captures the evolving spirit of Palm Beach style.
