American designer Jonathan Adler – who has just launched his first ever UK collection of window dressings with Hillarys – doesn’t do things by halves. His British colonial home – designed in the early 20th century by Swiss architect Maurice Fatio along with over 200 other buildings in Palm Beach, Florida – is a temple to maximalism.
‘My best friend Liz Lange [the fashion designer] lives 30 seconds down the road,’ Jonathan explains. ‘We were in New York and she was in Palm Beach. She called us to say this was house was for sale and that we should buy it. We bought it in 2020 without even seeing it – and guess what? She was right – we love it!’
As luck would have it, the charming property – all white pillars and turquoise shutters – was newly-renovated, so Jonathan was able to concentrate on his favourite thing once the couple moved in: decorating.
He says: ‘Fatio’s extreme architectural heterogeneity gave us license to let loose!’ And let loose the designer certainly did with a delicious colour palette of ice-cream shades – befitting of the prime location just 100ft from the beach – statement furniture from his eponymous brand, vintage treasures, and quirky artworks at every turn. Jonathan sources from everywhere – ‘I keep my eyes and my mind open’ – from flea markets in Paris to 1stDibs online. The one thing the couple did build from scratch, however, was the pool – ‘because Florida,’ he says.
‘This house is a portrait of me and my much better half,’ explains Jonathan. ‘If we were a house, this would be us. Every item you see carries meaning and has a story to tell. I like to surround myself with things that trigger an emotion or reaction.’
Arguably, the jewel in the crown of the flamboyant home is the living space, painted a shade that husband Simon calls ‘Prada green.’ Seating centres a statement coffee table to create a convivial vibe with an oversized and textural rug anchoring the whole room. Jonathan says: ‘I wanted to make each room slightly different tones of green and blue for freshness. This is a sun-drenched place, so everything needs to be that little bit extra.’
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A self-confessed anglophile, the kitchen is an ode to England with a ‘Carnaby corner’ at one end featuring a collection of framed British tea towels and motifs to ensure ‘Simon always feels at home.’
Jonathan says: ‘Our dining room is a faux dining room. Usually, it’s covered in books and the room acts like a library. I made two pieces of art for this space – one that reads "Tchotchkes" and the other ‘Schmattas’. The former is Yiddish for a small decorative object and the latter means garment. I’ve built my career selling tchotchkes and Simon styling schmattas in Barney’s New York.’ Simon’s office is an exception to the home’s sorbet hues with dark blue on the walls. Jonathan explains: ‘It’s where Simon does all his writing – it’s got a trippy feel with a touch of Brit-rock psychedelia.’
Upstairs, the guest room dazzles with an eye-catching chrome bed by mid-century designer Paul Evans – the mirrored four-poster is like your very own disco after dark.
Outside, the pool area the couple installed is playfully referred to as ‘Lemon Alley’ complete with sun loungers, dining chairs, umbrellas and banana trees – ‘a nod to the iconic Kaufmann House in Palm Springs,’ says Jonathan.
His design philosophy? ‘Start with a foundation that’s 99 per cent chic and add one per cent humour. The truth is, we live in an "anything goes" world and I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you love it, it will work!’
• Hillarys' new collection of Roman blinds and curtains designed in collaboration with Jonathan Adler is available to shop now.
