European Elegance Meets Waterfront Contemporary
Inside a Gables Estates Home Designed by Hillary Littlejohn Scurtis
By Mallory Evans Jacobson // Photography by Mark Roskams
February 2020
When the owner of this sweeping Gables Estates home decided to make the move from Key Biscayne to the mainland, living on the water was paramount. And with three young children in tow, having sufficient spaces to live and play both indoors and outdoors was also non-negotiable.
Upon purchasing the property, the family recruited Miami and Dallas-based interior designer Hillary Littlejohn Scurtis to transform this palatial eight bedroom estate into their dream home. Garnering inspiration from the posh Kensington neighborhood of London, she worked to create spaces that highlight the owner’s taste for historic elements and also call attention to the home’s stunning coastal views.
At first glance, it’s clear that Littlejohn Scurtis’ intent was to create spaces that evoke elegance yet are still warm and comfortable. “This client adores antiques and has an affinity for workmanship and artisan goods,” says Littlejohn Scurtis, who sourced many of the furnishings and decorative pieces from Europe, principally from England and France. “But he also appreciates contemporary design, so I was able to blend both old and new.”
For instance, the foyer at the entryway of the home is illuminated by a trio of gold hanging pendants from the Charleston-based lighting company Urban Electric, and at the foot of a winding wrought iron staircase, a tufted leather settee from English designer George Smith awaits tired feet.
As for the family room, which is enjoyed on a daily basis, vibrant artwork, plush pillows, and other decorative pieces lend a sort of Bohemian feel to the otherwise traditional space 
The obvious centerpiece of the room is a playful beaded and needlepointed chandelier, which had originally been hung in one of the children’s room
“This home is not your typical white box that people seem so frenzied about these days,” says Littlejohn Scurtis. “Instead, it’s a residence that is layered and serves to honor quality craftsmanship.”
While many interior designers are doing away with formal dining rooms as of late, the dining room in this home is an immediate focal point. It features remarkable design details such as an opulent crystal chandelier, a gilded mirror and antique console, and a striking emerald green area rug designed by Diane von Furstenberg for The Rug Company 
Although such tony design elements could come off as stuffy, this room is anything but, as it’s frequently used for entertaining and lounging, and exudes major coziness, particularly when a fire is lit in the French chateau-inspired fireplace, an original feature of the home.
Hillary Littlejohn Studio Design | Miami & Dallas | 214.775.0898