The Fishels’ Refreshed Bridgehampton Residence Exudes Charm

Entering Maria and Kenneth Fishel’s Bridgehampton residence presents an immediate sense of purified hospitality.

Visitors are instantly drawn to the circular table centered in the foyer dressed in a vibrant blue table drape. Lavish pink cherry blossoms take flight in a space that calls for character. With a nuanced charisma ignited by a marriage of pink and blue, the colors play off each other while maintaining their own entity. With this whimsical selection of colors, Toronto and Palm Beach interior designer Alexandra Naranjo displays an elevated understanding of balance and proportion in the recent refresh the property has just undergone.

Devoting their time to West Palm Beach, New York City and the Hamptons, Maria and Kenneth’s search for an “ethical and responsible” designer resulted in a serendipitous meeting with Naranjo in Florida sparking an instant rapport and magnetic friendship.

With the Fishels’ new West Palm Beach residence seeking a decorator, this swiftly resulted in a two-week design period executing the house’s interior from start to finish. The next task was for Naranjo to bring a new glimmer and zest to their Hamptons residence, which had not been revivified for 14 years. During this six-week revitalization period, the wheels were rapidly turning and resulted in a dazzling rebirth of their front foyer, living room, dining room and expansive backyard.

Known for her use of color, Naranjo talked about her aim for the cosmetic facelift. “Some of the major things were being able to open the doors and not worry about florals and accessories and always look perfect, which we were able to achieve,” she said.

The home was built in 2008 by McDonough and Conroy Architects with interiors originally designed by Wendy Valliere of Seldom Scene Interiors.

“I painted the entrance blue to give it more of a punchier and fresher look, allowing the paneling to come to life and emphasizing the height of the room, coordinating and breaking up the existing carpet,” Naranjo said. “Additionally, I painted the living room ceiling pink, bringing the architectural details to life.”

Four limited edition Art Deco framed works by the artist Erté bring a strong temperament, encompassing blue, pink and red, enhancing the foyer and reminiscent of an earlier time. Monochromatic pink vases give volume to the center table, creating a flirtatious dialog with the blue and white zebra print rug.

Venturing further into the house, the living room summons a verifiable ethereal beauty with inviting furniture accompanied by an array of decorative pillows while adamantly continuing the color scheme of pink and blue. Timeless and elegant, this room is designed to entertain and demonstrates the ability to function as a practical space for any time of day.

“The house was very monochromatic, so by adding the pink tones, you were able to bring the beauty of the garden into the interiors which made it more attuned to its surroundings. I added a touch of chic with animal prints and more expressive fabrics,” Naranjo said.

Maria, who is originally from Ecuador, found this project particularly enjoyable as both designer and client have a native language of Spanish, bringing a harmonious joy to the journey as this was the first client Naranjo could converse with in her native tongue.

Maria has an innate passion for hosting dinners and designing tablescapes, therefore the dining room is the most sacred to her in the house. A collector of Royal Copenhagen china, comparable blue and white works of pottery grace the textured wall of the room as dramatic drapes frame the far windows. The inviting circular table that is generously dressed is accompanied by chairs upholstered in intricate and stimulating blue and white leopard print fabric.

Out of the broad wall of windows in the sitting room the eye gravitates to the bountiful backyard where the luscious hydrangea-consumed garden surrounds the expansive plot. The terrace displays a variety of inviting entertaining areas boasting light blue upholstered furniture that was a new touch in the recent redesign. With the pool as a focal point, the simplistic and dynamic choice of red for the furniture grounds its frame, bringing not just an accent but true dignified depth. The color choice is an homage to the fashion house Valentino, after the Fishel’s hosted a “Summer Escape” soirée for the company in 2023 with the takeover injecting an iconic red redecoration of the grounds. Naranjo being innovative and resourceful, customized the cushions and umbrellas to the Brown Jordan furniture to replicate the former event’s vernacular.

Devotedly charitable, the Fishels use and activate the large reserve on which the property is situated to host many events that all contribute to a cause including the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation and French Heritage Society. The Hamptons is where they find joy and relaxation, allowing generous amounts of time to unwind and recharge.

Kenneth exuded his appreciation for their newly enhanced abode, stating, “It has been an absolute blessing working with Alexandra. It was meant to be, and everybody is a winner.”