Some of us are counting on our media rooms this summer to catch the NBA playoffs, the Olympics or The Big Game, whatever it may be, coming up next. Others are quick to switch to movies, cooking shows or Mad Men the moment the remote changes hands.

South Florida interior designers are prepared to keep the peace – from creating a sports-centric “Man Cave” in a large closet to designing an elaborate home theater perfect for watching anything but The Big Game.

Whatever our tastes, we want our media rooms to be comfortable and designed so we can enjoy the experience to the max. On this point, at least, we can all keep our
media-room cool.

BY CHARLYNE VARKONYI SCHAUB

A change in course turned Beverly Raphael into an award-winning entrepreneur

BY CHARLYNE VARKONYI SCHAUB

When Beverly Raphael’s husband, Richard, died in 1998 at 53 of a brain tumor, she had a difficult decision to make. He had devoted his life to building his business, RCC Associates, a general contracting firm in Deerfield Beach that constructs high-end retail stores and restaurants. Should she sell it? Allow others to run it? Or run it herself?

Raphael had co-owned a sales rep business that sold to boutique clothing stores, but she had no experience in construction. Her daughter, Lindsay, who was working at RCC Associates when attending college, said: “You need to go in there. You know how to run a business.” Employees also urged her to try it for a year and pledged to teach her what she needed to know.

Fourteen years later, the business is thriving and so is she. Raphael, president and CEO, was recognized as Ernst & Young Florida Entrepreneur of the Year in the Real Estate and Construction category. She received the Sun Sentinel’s Excalibur Award and was inducted into the Nova Southeastern University’s Huizenga Business School’s Hall of Fame.

RCC Associates has built restaurants such as Piñon Grill and Racks Downtown Eatery + Tavern in Boca Raton, chains such as Cheesecake Factory and Morton’s along with retailers such as Louis Vuitton and Tiffany’s.

Are you treated differently because you are a woman in what is perceived as a man’s business?

In the beginning, people didn’t know how to respond. Our competitors tried to take advantage. They would refer to us as a girls’ club and said, ‘She has no experience in running the company.’ I would hear that and it fueled a fire in me. The more I heard that nonsense, the more I wanted to make sure to prove them wrong and succeed.

How did you cope with the building turndown?

Our restaurant business didn’t slide a bit. It stayed very strong. Maybe it’s because even when times are tough people want to go out and escape and be in a wonderful environment.

What did it mean to you when you got the award from Nova?

It was surreal. It was the culmination of everything I had been through in the past 13 years – losing my husband, making sure I was making the right decision, getting my daughters [Lindsay Raphael and Robyn Dynam] through college.

Anything else help you?

I was fortunate seven years ago to marry Joel Altman, a residential developer whose niche is high-end rental communities. He understands the ups and downs and we have been a great help to each other.

RCC Associates, 255 Jim Moran Blvd., Deerfield Beach, 954-429-3700, www.rccassociates.com

A hotel today should be more than a place to stay, the design guru behind the W Fort Lauderdale says. A hotel should also wow

Entering the W Fort Lauderdale through the porte-cochère, your senses are awakened with the sweet scent of Confederate jasmine. Your eyes are attracted inside to a dramatic waterfall in a steel frame filled with black river rocks. Above the water-filled base is a mobile of LED lights, doing double duty as lighting and sculpture.

The W’s contemporary design, which incorporates the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui as well as eco-friendly techniques, was created by Clodagh, the New York design guru famous enough to earn single-name status. Recently Clodagh, who says she loves to stay at the W, was in South Florida to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Design Center of the Americas in Dania Beach.

Clodagh says the ante has been upped on hotel design recently because clients have become more sophisticated. They want the simplicity of the hotels they visited translated to their homes. At the W, her inspiration was the colors of the beach and the ocean to create an urban resort with the elements of earth and stone, water sounds, a fire pit, the natural feel of wood and the edge of metal.

“For a while, spas and restaurants were the great leaders in design,” she says. “But then the leaders were the boutique hotels. We are international nomads. People see fantastic things and they want them in their homes.” For example, many of her clients are now sleeping on the Heavenly Beds, which are used at the W and Westin.

The Irish-born designer says she is not about “design.” She is about creating experiences.

“Mies van der Rohe once said: ‘God is in the details.’ In hotels, God is in the wows and the ahhs. I want someone to walk into the hotel and say: ‘Isn’t that great.’ I want them to walk into the bedroom and say, ‘Ahh.’

“A hotel should not be a one-note Johnny,” she adds. “It should be a nest of experiences.”

—Charlyne Varkonyi Schaub

W Fort Lauderdale, 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 33304, 954-414-8200, www.wfortlauderdalehotel.com.

Boca Beach Club has a high-flying concierge, with strings attached

Step off Boca Beach Club’s grand pool deck onto the warm sand and look skyward to encounter the resort’s loftiest attraction – a collection of gargantuan show kites anchored by Kite Concierge Randy Lowe, aka Randy the Kiteman. A one-man kite festival, Lowe fills the air with 30- to 150-foot sea creatures or cartoon characters or other wind-filled delights each weekend.

A former Boston math teacher who retired to Delray Beach last year, 60-year-old Lowe considers kite flying an art, but he also throws in a little science – geometry in particular. When he was teaching, he would challenge his students to figure out the height of a kite using the Pythagorean Theorem. “First one to figure it out got a free kite,” says Lowe, who volunteers teaching math at the Wayne Barton Study Center in Boca Raton. He says he would like to share his kites with local school children, to teach math plus a few other lessons. “It’s green, it’s inexpensive, and it gets kids exercising,” he says.

As with his teaching, Lowe works to engage his viewing audience. “You’ve got to have something to catch their interest. I gauge the interest of spectators while I’m putting different kites up. I’ll put 10 or 12 kites up there,” he says, adding that he can take them down in minutes if weather threatens.

The beachfront kite fest is part of Boca Beach Club’s guest programming for each Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting), which includes sand-castle building, poolside hair braiding, massage and a new Random House Children’s Library with character appearances.

In addition to Randy the Kiteman’s weekend gig at the resort, he will populate the sky for parties and special events. On Fridays he and his kites often can be found on Delray Beach, where he also flies air banners, such as his recent message, “I love Delray Beach.” He sells kites at the Boca Beach Club and also through his website, but mostly he flies them for the love of it.

“I don’t drink. I don’t do drugs. I do kites,” he says.

—Elizabeth Rahe

Boca Beach Club, 900 S. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton, 888-564-1312, www.bocabeachclub.com. Randy Lowe, 781-799-9261, www.randythekiteman.com.

Forget “one size fits all” in media-room décor. Our options vary according to space, budget and how many will be watching. These ideas range from simple to elaborate.

BY CHARLYNE VARKONYI SCHAUB

1. Tradition reigns

The 134-inch wide Cortina Grand Entertainment Wall by Aspenhome has room for a 60-inch television, a display shelf with three-way touch lighting, a gamer drawer, storage drawers and a component area with glass so the remote can be used without opening the doors. Suggested retail is $8,999. Available at Baer’s (see www.baers.com for locations) and El Dorado (see www.eldoradofurniture.com for locations).

2. Lighting your fire

Not all of us are lucky enough to have a real fireplace. (And, if you do have one, you can void your warranty if you hang your flat-screen television over it). The Palisades Home Theater Electric Fireplace by ClassicFlame, a Delray Beach-based company, provides a safe alternative. It features a poplar wood frame with hand-rubbed aging details and brushed nickel pulls. Suggested retail is $999. Available at El Dorado (see www.eldoradofurniture.com for locations).

3. Clean contemporary

If you are one of those folks who prefers clean lines, this open entertainment unit does the trick. It has space for books and objet d’art and provides a contrast with plain panels. Price upon request. Available at Sklar Furnishings, 6300 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 33487, 561-862-0800, www.sklarfurnishings.com.

4. Surround seating

Who says beauty can’t be functional? This Surround sectional from Natuzzi Italia is great for watching television or just listening to music. It features an MP3 docking station and audio kit with router. It starts at $8,000. Available at Natuzzi Italia, The Galleria, 2568 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 33304, 954-561-6999; and 18167 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, 33160, 305-932-8007. Also Ensemble Collection, 1900 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 33304, 954-467-8353; and The Design Center of The Americas,1855 Griffin Road, Dania Beach, 33004, 954-922-2004.

5. Recline in style

Forget the stereotype of ugly, old-school recliners. The Drew Comfort Recliner combines form with function. This chair not only looks good, it offers several positions, independent back and footrest operation, an adjustable headrest and a height adjustable base. It is available in more than 200 leathers, fabrics and Ultrasuedes and starts at $2,795. Available at Sklar Furnishings, 6300 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 33487, 561-862-0800, www.sklarfurnishings.com.

6. Wall candy

One of the best ways to decorate the walls in your media room is to hang posters of your favorite movies. How about a poster of Titanic to mark the 100^th anniversary of the ship’s sinking? Other options run the gamut from Casablanca to Pirates of the Caribbean. The 28-by-40 inch posters are high-quality giclée (fine art digital prints) on canvas and sell for $125 each. Image size can be customized. Available at Art Connection, 2860 Center Port Circle, Pompano Beach, 33064, 954 977-8177, www.artconnectionusa.com.

A $50 million, 15,000-square foot penthouse unit to crown a new 47-story Sunny Isles Beach condominium

The Trump Group, the Aventura-based developer of the five-diamond Acqualina Resort & Spa, has announced plans to build The Mansions at Acqualina, a 79-unit luxury condominium at 17749 Collins Ave. in Sunny Isles Beach that will include a $50 million, 15,000-square-foot penthouse unit.

Plans for the new project were unveiled recently at The Mansions’ new 9,000-square-foot oceanfront sales pavilion, which includes a 4,000-square-foot model residence furnished by Fendi Casa.

“There is nothing like this that has ever been done in South Florida,” said Michael Goldstein, president of The Mansions at Acqualina.

Goldstein said that 42 of the 79 units have been sold, totaling over $200 million in pre-sales. Prices range from $5 million to $50 million for units that are 4,600 to 15,000 square feet.

The unique penthouse unit, called “Palazzo di Oro,” will feature eight bedrooms, a private pool and a salon area complete with barber and pedicure stations.

Other unit amenities include vent-less fireplaces, custom cabinets, Miele appliances, Franke and Dornbracht fixtures, onyx countertops in the master suite and unique leather-clad cabinetry in the his and hers dressing rooms.

The condominium project features include a virtual game room, private cinema, cigar lounge, wine cellar, an oceanfront infinity-edged pool, cabanas, a fire pit and a Turkish sauna. Unit owners have access to Acqualina’s ESPA Spa and restaurants. Construction is slated to begin this summer, with completion estimated in 2015.

–Robyn A. Friedman

For more information about The Mansions at Acqualina, call 305-933-6666 or visit www.mansionsatacqualina.com.

Buying one piece of fine jewelry? Go for a one-of-a-kind, signature piece, says Neiman Marcus Fort Lauderdale VP and GM Rusty Smith. Trends may come and go, he says, but great design and quality endure.

BY ELYSE RANART, FASHION & STYLE DIRECTOR

As Vice President & General Manager of Neiman Marcus Fort Lauderdale, Rusty Smith always has had his finger on the pulse of fashion. As the former Merchandise Manager for both the Boca Raton and Bal Harbour Neiman Marcus stores, as well as a buyer for their Contemporary Sportswear division, he’s always had a keen sense of what women are looking for, too. Luckily for women who love fashion but agree with Marilyn Monroe, Rusty agrees that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. His love and knowledge of fine jewelry brings a very special treasure trove to Fort Lauderdale for those of us looking for something truly unique.

C&S I know that you have a penchant for fine jewelry, where does that come from?

R.S. As a young boy, my mother would take me to gem and mineral shows. I would love to watch as the rocks and minerals were placed in a tumbler to be poished. It was so amazing to see the once dull pebbles come out so shiny and beautiful!

C&S How did you conceive and create the exclusive trunk shows for your store?

R.S. The idea behind the exclusivity of our new collections is to show our South Florida clientele the wide selection of rare jewels and new designers whose merchandise cannot be found anywhere else in the southeast, except Neiman Marcus Fort Lauderdale.

C&S Are there trends when it comes to fine jewelry? If so, what are they now?

R.S. Personal adornment from jewelry has been around for over a millennium, and there have been trends over the years. However, great design and quality transcends trends and the timelessness and beauty is what creates individual style.

C&S Why are women in particular so passionate about jewels?

R.S. Women are just naturally drawn to beautiful objects, and nothing is as beautiful as something created by nature.

C&S What one piece of jewelry should
a woman invest in?

R.S. One fabulous signature, one-of-a-kind special piece that truly reflects her lifestyle. A piece that can be worn from day into evening and one that becomes uniquely hers, and no one else’s.

On the road to work last summer, we could watch the HOLLYWOOD sign going up in 20-foot letters on the (only) hill in the distance. There was buzz we might bump into Tom Cruise at a certain restaurant, Alec Baldwin on the street, Julianne Hough at the beach. We could put the top down on the way home and cruise the famous Sunset Strip, Miami-style, imagine shopping at a faux Frederick’s of Hollywood, or dream of cutting an album at Tower Records.

For a few days last summer, we were all sharing director Adam Shankman’s California dream. We were all part of the backdrop for his musical, Rock of Ages – a movie about young love and rock-star dreams in Southern California in the ’80s, shot on location in South Florida in the 2010s – which we’ll all get to see in theaters come June 15.

Some of us – and some of our landmarks – had bigger parts in the dream than others. In a towering performance, Broward County’s Monarch Hill landfill – the (only) hill in the distance – played the Hollywood Hills. The Broadwalk in Hollywood, Fla., stood in for Venice Beach, Calif. Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin and Julianne Hough starred on our stage – as themselves, of course – when they weren’t playing characters on sets built at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale or on North Miami Avenue or the old Hirschfeld Theatre in Miami Beach.

I loved having them all here, loved the flashes of movie-making magic behind the yellow warning tape, loved seeing South Florida cast convincingly as another place in another time. We may not be on Hollywood’s A list, but we are the Meryl Streep of locations.

Would we want all of that here all the time? Would the fantasy begin to fray, would the dream start to seem more like work in a company town the longer it went on?

“After the first night it was one of the most boring things, seeing Tom Cruise ride his motorcycle back and forth on the block like 1,000 times,’’ one store owner tells writer Elizabeth Rahe in our cover story, pg. 76 “And that song, We’re Not Gonna Take It. I was so traumatized by that song by the end of it.”

We are gonna take it, apparently, just not 1,000 times.

On the road to work now, we only see the (only) hill in the distance. The HOLLYWOOD sign has come down. There’s little chance we’ll bump into Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin or Julianne Hough any more. The sets have been struck. The crew, and the spotlight, has moved on.

We are left with the stage the way it was before they came on. We fill it with our own stars now: 100 Outstanding Women of Broward County (pg. 23); doctors on the shining edge of medical treatments (pg. 109); interior designers on the cutting edge of media room style (pg. 94). As always, we enjoy the stage itself, including our sparkling waterfront restaurants (pg. 135), even our own Hollywood, all to ourselves (pg. 86) again.

It may not be Rock of Ages. But it rocks.

—Mark Gauert

mgauert@cityandshore.com

Ivanka envisions a luxurious reincarnation

Ivanka Trump says she’s planning to keep her hand in the expected $200 million reinvention of Doral Golf Resort & Spa after the Trump Organization takes over June 1. “I was very much involved in the acquisition and will remain involved throughout the execution of the renovation and beyond,” says Trump, executive vice president of development and acquisitions.

City & Shore recently caught up with The Donald’s design-savvy daughter to ask her about the Trump stamp on the historic property.

What most impressed you about Doral?

It’s extraordinary. There’s no way anyone could build something like this in the middle of Miami today. Doral was unbelievable when it first opened 50 years ago, and we will bring it back to its former grandeur. It has spectacular golf courses – especially The Blue Monster, which has been played by many of golf’s greatest legends. Doral is an American icon.

Beyond the golf courses, what would you most like to renovate on the property?

Everything! We will bring the entire resort up to Trump Hotel Collection standards. The nearly 700 guest rooms will be consistently luxurious. We will enhance all of the public spaces to set a new, elegant tone – transforming the lobbies, reception areas, restaurants, retail space, spa and corridors with new flooring, wall treatments, lighting, décor and furniture. The food and beverage will better serve the tastes of the resort’s high-end clientele. And the members’ clubhouse will receive a brand-new design that will enlarge the space and improve the finishes. It’s a very comprehensive renovation that will dramatically reposition Doral.

Can you speak about the Doral you envision five years hence?

Much sooner than five years from now, we will have restored Doral to the grandeur of old, bringing it to new heights and making it one of the world’s very best golf resorts once again.

—Elizabeth Rahe