Naples Florida Weekly
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Haven. Beauty. Sustainability. Hygge. Balance.




All of the photos accompanying this article are from Leslie Gentry’s projects for Robb & Stucky. This one is on a model home in Burnt Store Isles. COURTESY PHOTOS

All of the photos accompanying this article are from Leslie Gentry’s projects for Robb & Stucky. This one is on a model home in Burnt Store Isles. COURTESY PHOTOS

From the time she was about 12 years old, Leslie Gentry has been rearranging furniture and sketching rooms. It started with her childhood bedroom in St. Louis, Mo. She did it professionally for 17 years in the Midwest, and now she does it for clients of Robb & Stucky throughout Southwest Florida. She’s been with the firm since moving to Naples six years ago, bringing with her an associate’s degree in interior design from St. Louis Community College and accreditation from the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

Describe your approach to interior design in five words or fewer.

Hygge. Haven. Balance. Beauty. Sustainability. Pronounced “HEW-guh, hygge is a Danish concept that cannot be translated to a single word but encompasses a feeling of cozy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life.

Tell us something about a favorite project.

I don’t have favorite projects. Every project is an exciting fresh start. My favorite outcome is when clients tell me we exceeded their expectations. That’s the best.

Ms. Gentry used a mixture of textures, colors, and materials to add interest to a small space in a Collier Preserve residence.

Ms. Gentry used a mixture of textures, colors, and materials to add interest to a small space in a Collier Preserve residence.

What is your favorite room in your own home?

Our bedroom is our sanctuary for escaping the bustle of the outside world. We have taken this notion to heart by maximizing its purpose with cozy seating and a minimalistic approach. We went with a neutral color palette to soften the eye while layering texture to create dimension and depth. We made room for a 7-foot tall, eight-panel black lacquered screen adorned in semi-precious stones. Portraying the story of the Seven Immortals, it is a commissioned piece by an artist in Shanghai.

What things do you consider must-haves for a great room/family room when people gather?

Comfortable pillows and throws, a decorative box for keeping the remote controls, accent stools for extra seating and putting feet up, task lighting, and drink trays/coasters. Form meets function is a must in this space.

GENTRY

GENTRY

What are some of the newest things you’re incorporating in bathrooms and kitchens?

Wallpaper is trending in bathrooms. I like to use more than one wallpaper to encapsulate the space and bring texture to the ceiling. Bright, bold, large-scale patterns add a touch of whimsy, but subtle monochromatic textures and patterns are also very popular. Most commercial brands offer vinyl and washable options for optimal cleaning and durability. In the kitchen, induction cooking is edging up on gas’ lead and is poised to overtake it in coming years. Safety, performance, and ease of use are the main factors driving this trend.

What’s the first thing you do when getting to know a new client?

I get to know them personally. We take time to walk through our showroom and I’ll note what their eye gravitates toward in way of color and style. I find it equally important to bring attention to what items they don’t prefer. Later on in the design process we talk more specifically in regards to finish and fabric options along with other detail work.

Natural fiber wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries creates depth and contrast behind a neutral headboard. COURTESY PHOTOS

Natural fiber wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries creates depth and contrast behind a neutral headboard. COURTESY PHOTOS

For clients who are new to Southwest Florida, what is something you have found that surprises them about having a home here?

Most people are very surprised how harsh our environment is on outdoor furnishings. They aren’t used to the sun fading fabrics, or sea salt eroding metal, or mildew appearing so quickly if outdoor fabrics aren’t properly cared for and maintained.

Is there a trend you especially love today?

I really like seeing a mixture of metals, from bronze to gold and chrome and champagne shades, used throughout a home or room.

Do you have a pet peeve about your job?

An exquisitely crafted freestanding tub is the statement piece in this bathroom in a home in the Fountainhead neighborhood of The Vineyards in Naples.

An exquisitely crafted freestanding tub is the statement piece in this bathroom in a home in the Fountainhead neighborhood of The Vineyards in Naples.

I hate finding out the perfect fabric for a project has been discontinued. But I recover quickly by pivoting and adapting. Most often a more appropriate option manifests!

What do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t an interior designer?

I’d like to be a photographer and/or a life coach. ¦

Ms. Gentry relied on symmetry for every aspect of this dining room in a Burnt Store Isles model for PGI Homes.

Ms. Gentry relied on symmetry for every aspect of this dining room in a Burnt Store Isles model for PGI Homes.

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