01/07/2026
An award-winning project from the hands of Cinzia and Marco Tedeschi of Smart Renovation, the client brief was both personal and precise. A five-month, top-to-toe renovation of their Shoreline penthouse, it needed to reflect two very different homelands - the azure coastal essence of Barbados and Ireland’s open, welcoming environment - while functioning beautifully for a young family of five.
Blue was non-negotiable. And, more specifically, the home needed to feature what Cinzia calls “Barbados blue” – to represent the colour of the sea, the sky and the Barbadian flag. It became the design thread woven through the entire home and paired with other shades in the different spaces.
“By discreetly concealing the sink, we created what reads as a stylish kitchen-meets-breakfast-bar gathering spot that flows seamlessly into the dining area,” Cinzia shares.
The breakfast bar was also purposely angled to create a natural separation between the two zones and to break up a conventionally angled line of sight, amplifying the home’s unique personality.
The powder room, Cinzia’s own statement moment, is where Barbados blue takes full command. A striking wallpaper from Trendies – bold, beautiful and immediately loved by the clients – anchors the space, with crisp white introduced as contrast through the toilet, skirting and floating vanity.
The formal sitting area is reminiscent of a European salon and makes an immediate impression as the first space a visitor encounters. Classic moulding at double height draws the eye upward, while a clean, neutral palette amplifies the grandeur. The client’s own furniture anchors the space, complemented by an SVC herringbone floor in warm honey, with wood accents carrying up the redesigned staircase, crowned by a sparkling chandelier.
“Grey marble was central to the brief, but rather than using it in isolation, we mixed quartz and marble across both the backsplash and countertops - a deliberate pairing that introduces contrast and texture against the bold choice of navy-blue cabinetry.”
The navy is deeply confident, grounding the space with a colour that nods, of course, to the sea. A modern take on a classic dresser softens the sleek
