THE GROUND FLOOR IS COMPOSED OF A SERIES OF INDOOR-OUTDOOR
living spaces that open to decks and terraces overlooking an
idyllic bay. “It was important for the client to enjoy the gentle
trade winds while being sheltered from the sun and rain,”
explains Raffeneau. The central dining area features a large
custom-made dining table with wenge and lacquered-larch
tripod legs. The dining chairs surrounding the table are from the
Campana brothers’ collection for Edra. Visible through a virtine
on one side of the room is a cantilevered wenge-wood staircase
that leads to the second floor, while an imposing Lady Jane floor
lamp from Serralunga and a branch-like coat rack from Driade
accent the space.
The living room, an indoor-outdoor space adjacent to the
dining area, lets in light but not the elements. White Philippe
Starck sofas from Cassina, Flos lamps and custom coffee tables
designed by Raffeneau reinforce a crisp modernity, set off by the
gray-washed ipe wood flooring, which continues into the ample
outdoor living areas. The outdoor kitchen/bar has enameled
metal bar stools from Blue, and another playful outdoor sitting
area features slouchy Paola Lenti chairs and driftwood side
tables from Blue Sea arranged as if around a beach bonfire.
B&B Italia outdoor chaise lounges and tables are set near the
house’s two pools.
Perhaps the most fascinating space in the house is the
otherworldly guest bedroom. “This is the one room that’s
different from the others,” says Raffeneau. “It’s located in the
center of the house, and it’s made with unique materials that
cannot be found in the rest of the house. The idea is a space
shuttle or a UFO that strikes a completely traditional house.
The shuttle enters the roof diagonally to optimize the view of
the beach. The interior of this bedroom is completely different
from the rustic chic aesthetic. It’s a futuristic interior where the
white resin floor turns into a bed, the Corian covering the walls
morphs into curves to create the opening to the room and the
wardrobe doors. The TV comes out of the end of the bed, and
night tables are retractable to avoid the look of cumbersome
bedside tables.” Rosewood slats rise from either side of the
bed in an undulating form that becomes the back wall of the
dressing room and leads seamlessly to his and hers Duravit sinks
tucked away at the rear of the room.
Two other guest bedrooms on the second floor follow more
of the rustic chic design mandate. The woodwork there is
more traditional, exposed and painted white, while the floor
is white-painted wood. At the center of each room sits a large
volume that hides the shower and the entrance. Cantilevered
desktops are made of wenge, as are the drawers in the dressing
rooms. Closet doors are larch wood that has been brushed,
sanded and painted white. In each room, the base of the bed
is recessed to enhance the sensation of floating on a cloud high
above the tropical treetops of St. Barts.
Patrick Raffeneau Design +590 590 292 114