European Renaissance with A

ABODE interiors European Renaissance with a BY FRANCESCA CRUZ Trop i cal TwistPHOTOS COURTESY OF BILL SUMNER VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS A meandering narrow road ensconced in lush greenery and native tropical rockland hammocks leads to a South Florida gem and National Historic Landmark: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Entrance of Vizcaya of Entrance n 1910 Industrial businessman and favoured, and although engineered to have the Basque region of Spain. While the naturist, James Deering purchased all the vanguard modern conveniences of main structure only took two years to build, 180 acres of wild subtropical land the early 20th century—including central Suarez did not complete the formal gardens and commissioned designer Paul heating, an automatic electric telephone until 1922, due to the outbreak of World War IChalfin, architect F. Burrall Hoffman and switchboard, two elevators, and the first I. The two-story home has the Biscayne landscape architect Diego Suarez to refrigerator of its time—Deering wanted Bay as its backdrop and its 34 main rooms build the estate as his winter home. Built the estate’s appearance to be that of a contain Deering’s vast collection of 16th- between 1914 and 1916 and constructed centuries old Baroque villa. 19th-century European art—including of steel-reinforced concrete stucco and antique furnishings, lighting fixtures, doors limestone, it was designed in the style He christened the residence after the and fireplaces purchased by the family on of the Italian Renaissance Deering so northern province of Vizcaya, located in shopping expeditions throughout Europe. 14 ABODE interiors European Renaissance with a The Banquet Hall THE ESTATE Upon arrival a massive marble statue of the Roman god of wine, Bacchus, stands over a 2nd century marble basin that welcomes guests entering the main loggia. The design of this section of the home ranges from Neoclassical to Rococo with hand coloured wallpaper panels made in 1814 in the Parisian workshop of Joseph Dufour. The ceremonial 2,000- year old Roman marble tripod, and the Hispano-Moresque rug depicting Hercules slaying the Nemean Lion—one of the few remaining 15th-century Spanish heraldic Music Room carpets in the world—once owned by the grandfather of King Ferdinand of Spain gallantly sits in the largest room in the home, the living room. In the Rococo dell’Arte incorporates Venetian influences. to the French taste for Spanish fashion in decorated music room you will find a The Manin room, named after the Austro- the 1700s. The Galleon, Caraval, Goyesca harpsichord signed and dated, 1619, by its Hungarian politician, Ludovico Manin, is (named after Spanish painter Francisco maker Giovanni Battista Boni of Cortona, decorated in the simple Biedermeier style. de Goya) and the Giudecca rooms all with Italy. Displayed in the dining room are Antique silks and 19th-century oil paintings French, Spanish and Italian Neoclassical tapestries that once belonged to English cover the walls of the Belgioioso room influences allowed Deering’s guest to poet Robert Browning. A reoccurring named in honour of the beautiful Countess indulge in European luxury while looking theme that appears in a variety of forms of Belgioioso. The Lady Hamilton room, out onto tropical frondescence to the west throughout the home, and considered with its Neoclassical design, is named and a sun-swept bay to the east. symbols of Vizcaya, are the caravel after prominent ancient art collector (voyage ships used by explorers) and the and wife of the English ambassador to Sadly, Deering only lived in his beloved seahorse. Naples. The Cathay room, the medieval home nine years; he passed away in 1925, anglicized name for China, incorporates leaving the estate to two nieces, who Historical and fanciful names along with Chinoiserie—a reinterpretation of Chinese by 1952 had sold part of it off. The 50 different design periods were used to themes in European art made popular in acres that were left, including the villa and incorporate the décor of the second the 17th-century that had resurgence in gardens, were sold to Miami Dade County floor guest rooms. The Pantaloon room the early 20th-century. The Espagnolette, under the condition that the estate would named after characters of the Commedia an opulent room with Rococo décor, refers be kept as a museum in perpetuity. Today, 15 ABODE interiors Garden View III (credit Francesca Cruz) Bacchus Fountain Vizcaya plays lady host to countless galas; she is the View of Barge setting for many a Hollywood movie; is an ideal place for blushing brides to celebrate nuptials, but most importantly is a key destination for the worldly tourist to take in the beauty of the estate and gardens, appreciating the dream home of an art connoisseur and early conservationist of South Florida’s native eco-region. THE GARDENS While the design of the gardens is based on French and Italian principals, native plants such as Live Oak, Jasmine, Philodendron and Palms were incorporated into the layout. The main garden features Italian inspired architecture with fountain basins, ornamental urns and obelisks carved from Cuban limestone and Florida Coral. Semi circular lily pools and ornate vine-clad gazebos adorn the landscape; the walkways are beset with Italian sculptures depicting Greek and Roman mythical characters. The Fountain Garden, originally named the Rose Garden leads to the Maze—a familiar feature in European Renaissance gardens providing a delightful diversion for guests. Traveling past the lily pool, and through the small vine-covered gazebo, visitors come upon the Secret Garden, a place to rest and meditate. An arched doorway leads guests to the bay front where the commanding Stone Barge, a breakwater for small boats, stands erect with sculptures by A. Stirling Calder outlining its borders; a place that held many a roaring dinner party, al fresco, during Deering’s time. • 16.

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