Five-star living in the Caribbean

10.05.22

Interior design consultancy IDG transforms a luxury residence within an exclusive waterfront community, The DeckHouses at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, into a stunningly fresh, airy island home, winning a top gong at the Americas Property Awards.

Grand Cayman, the largest of the Caribbean’s Cayman Islands, is a paradise accessible by direct flight from major cities such as Miami, New York and London. Home to magnificent white-sand beaches and warm, crystal-blue waters, plus culinary delights and all the conveniences, it’s a favourite haven for sunseekers and jet-setters. It’s also a popular location for island homes with renovation potential, as interior design firm IDG knows all too well.

Resort-style living comes in a range of guises in Grand Cayman, but none more iconic than The Ritz-Carlton Residences. The DeckHouses at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, is an exclusive gated community of sprawling waterfront villas overlooking the resort’s Greg Norman-designed golf course, complete with five-star amenities nearby the world-famous Seven Mile Beach.

An early owner at The DeckHouses tasked the IDG team with updating their villa while maintaining its craftsmanship and classic style. “For this project, the client wanted to breathe new life into the space by brightening up the colour palette and editing the floor plan. They sought a timeless, elegant look and were confident IDG would deliver based on its portfolio – even though they were off-island during the process,” IDG senior designer Justin Szigeti explains.

The original space featured dark wood tones and a tight kitchen – too small for more than one person to cook comfortably – separate from the living and dining areas. Justin and fellow IDG designer Poly Lougiakis quickly realised reconfiguring the floor plan was essential to this renovation, delivering beyond what was first thought possible by removing a concrete wall while maintaining structural integrity. This update resulted in an open-concept kitchen, dining and living area with improved overall flow and functionality, creating more ease in the space and opportunities to gather and entertain.

The previous entryway was also sealed, which helped create a statement foyer. In addition, the rich wood palette was offset with fresh whites and polished metals, adding a glamour befitting the resort surroundings, and the IDG team custom-designed a statement display cabinet inspired by the existing details.

On completion in 2021, IDG presented the reimagined villa to the owners, who had recently returned to the island, revealing a bright, inviting space with all its original charm.

As a turnkey interior design business, IDG handles every aspect from concept to design and build. To learn more, visit idgcayman.com