Interior designer Michele Safra

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CHANDELIERS: These matching chandeliers mirror the geometric shapes of the Art Deco period and add a touch of whimsy to the stark dining tables.

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BUFFET: “Everything we were looking for, we saw in this piece,” says Safra of the buffet. “It fit the color scheme, it was the perfect proportion, the perfect size, and the wood we liked.” Its turquoise interior is what first caught her eye.

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SIDE TABLE: Look for rich woods. Safra favors Art Deco’s popular ebony macassar wood and high-gloss finishes.

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Art Deco Done Right

Wednesday, February 6th, 2013

By Sarah Cason

“The hunt was the most exciting part, to tell you the truth,” says Michele Safra, designer of this Miami vacation home with Art Deco style. Safra scoured a local Art Deco warehouse for original pieces and then paired them with contemporary furniture done in bright colors. “I think it works to mix,” she says. “It breaks the monotony.” We asked her for a few pointers on how to pull off the look. 

 

Safra’s keen eye for detail stretches beyond sourcing quality pieces. The designer often oversees entire renovations and works with Liebhaber Construction to ensure that her designs are precisely constructed. For her East End apartment, Liebhaber helped Safra rework the solarium. “The original structure was in poor condition and had been leaking, so we had to rebuild the entire glass enclose,” says Chris McGilvray, Liebhaber’s senior project manager. They repaired the solarium just as Safra instructed, upholding her whimsical yet sophisticated touch within the space.

When Safra can’t find the perfect piece, she sometimes turns to Jay Cunningham to craft one instead. Passion and an eye for detail are especially evident in his work. “I pride myself on having the eye for the details to create beautiful complementary pieces,” Cunningham says. “It feels really great when the owner recognizes that I put my soul into every piece I build.”

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