As any psychologist will confirm--women love details while men cut to the chase. So when Florida designer Jack Fhillips signed on to complete the redo of Sheldon Ecklund's spacious two-story bachelor pad on Hypoluxo Island near Palm Beach, he dismissed the idea of poring over fabrics, trims, and finishes and made a snap decision to use an old standby--a blue-and-white combo. It works. Enough said.

This strategy didn't mean cutting corners or being blasé about the overall aesthetic of Sheldon's home. Rather, it meant a classic color partnership that impresses with good-looking appointments that reflect the owner's tasteful yet fuss-free sense of style.

"My whole life has been about blue and white," Fhillips explains. "We live in blue jeans, white button-downs, and navy jackets. The look is American classic, and it translates from fashion to interiors so successfully."

Sheldon, a sportsman with a passion for Florida's warm waters, has his own affinity for the color blue. So he was on board with a scheme that started with the laid-back qualities of a white shirt and a pair of Levis but finished with an urbanity that is plenty haute. Involved in the project from the get-go, Sheldon did much of the renovation himself. He reinvented the rooms by adding new appliances, cabinetry, and fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms, adding to the honed marble flooring, and opening up the floor plan so it would exude a younger vibe.

"This house needed character to shed its art gallery appearance," says Sheldon. "I created a canvas, and Jack made it warm with a combination that is never offensive and has simple ease."

After the basics were in place, Fhillips began to pick the accessories for the modern house that departed from the other island- and Mediterranean-style residences in the neighborhood. But even with the simple color palette in place, decorative selections weren't design no-brainers. Fhillips made a special effort to get fabrics and furniture that expressed the fact that the occupant was a bachelor. The designer was also careful to stick to a masculine delivery. Cobalt and Wedgwood blue, commonly paired with white, were set aside for heartier values of indigo and navy. And instead of a stark, bright white, Fhillips bathed the house in a creamier neutral that emanated warmth and welcomed the infusion of Florida sunlight.

The symmetry of the home leads to a natural progression from foyer to formal living room to casual family room to outside and the water beyond without missing a beat, making the continuity of the palette extra-important. "I don't like houses with beautiful views when you don't know which is more important--interior or exterior," explains Fhillips. "For a serene, relaxed feel, I wanted the color flow between spaces to be effortless."

In the living room, the central seating arrangement was basic--a sofa faces a pair of armchairs, all covered in textured ivory linen, with a silver-leaf table between. Anything "pretty" was avoided. Striped throw pillows offer a handsome glimpse of the different blues to come in other spaces.

To extend a subtle change of tone that doesn't interrupt the scheme, texture was introduced in the family room. A caned bench and a coffee table with a woven top are softened by graphic fabrics, including a windowpane cotton-linen on the sofa and a printed leaf pattern on a pair of armchairs.

Fhillips didn't want any conflict in his blue-and-white game plan, but he didn't want the design to be monotonous either. The dining room reversed the color treatment of the other rooms, with blue stripes reminiscent of men's suiting covering the walls and the upholstered pieces left solid. Because of the limited sunlight in this space, a lighter shade of blue allowed Fhillips to continue his use of dark woods. "Stained woods are so much richer, and the grains are honest," he says. "And changing the tone of blue allowed us to shake things up a bit without being too dramatic."

The bedrooms stay on track while maintaining their dapper identities. Headboards that marry dark turned-wood silhouettes with caning or rush textures anchor each space. Stripes on the floor and the bed coverings in the guest room suggest order, while in the master suite, a quilt gives the room a personal touch and an American flair. "I love the warmth of quilts, and try to use them as often as I can," says Fhillips. "We've been duveted to death, and duvets are not appropriate for every job, especially in Florida where it gets so hot."

Sheldon is more than pleased with his home that honors a classic color partnership. "Jack is at the top of his game, and we collaborated well," explains Sheldon. "The interiors don't sacrifice polish for comfort, and they nod to a simple way of life that sooner or later becomes appealing to everyone."

Design: Jack Fhillips Jack Fhillips Inc., 2611 Mercer Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33401-7415; 561/659-4459, jfhillipsdesign.com.

Photography: Robert Brantley

BEFORE

The living room before the makeover.

AFTER

The living room is awash in the beauty of natural sunlight. Dark turned pieces are sturdy and have heft but their presence is not overbearing. The color blue, seen here mainly on the pillows, will become considerably more prominent in the rooms to come.

Sources:
Sofa ("Cavendish Looseback Sofa"): Brunschwig & Fils, 800/538-1880, brunschwig.com.
Sofa fabric ("Solo"/Ivory #7084-01): Romo, 800/338-2783, romo.com.
Paisley pillow on sofa ("Proust Paisley"/Blue, White #LCF22067F); trim on paisley pillow ("Thoroughbred"); navy pillow ("Basketweave"/Indigo); white trim on navy pillow ("Coastline Ticking") Ralph Lauren Home, 888/475-7674, ralphlaurenhome.com.
Pair of club chairs ("Bedford" #44931.08); chair fabric ("Bosporus Ottoman Texture" #83806): Brunschwig & Fils, 800/538-1880, brunschwig.com.
Pillow on club chairs ("Eastcliff Stripe"/Navy #LFY21673F): Ralph Lauren Home, 888/475-7674, ralphlaurenhome.com.
Table between club chairs ("Morley Drink Table" #AT9998, by Lewis Mittman): Edward Ferrell-Lewis Mittman, 212/888-5580, ef-lm.com.
Coffee table ("Dumont"): Nancy Corzine, 212/223-8340, nancycorzine.com.
Crystal obelisks: TD Gallery, 917/349-2006.
Sisal rug: owner's collection.
Flooring: Travertine marble.
Paint ("White Dove"): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
Drapery and Roman shades ("Antwerp" #2273): Pindler & Pindler, 805/531-9090, pindler.com.
Long table: Turner Greenberg Assoc. Inc., 954/925-8303.
Bench ("Louis XIV-style Bench" #161A): Agostino Antiques, agostinoantiques.com.
Bench fabric ("Eastcliff Stripe"/Navy #LFY21673F): Ralph Lauren Home, 888/475-7674, ralphlaurenhome.com.
Spindle chairs; hutch; demilune table: Ray Hawkins Antiques, 561/804-6700.
Chair fabric ("Solo"/Ivory #7084-01): Romo, 800/338-2783, romo.com.
Sconces: Visual Comfort & Co., 713/686-5999, visualcomfort.com.

Jacobean antiques--an oak bookcase and library table--anchor one end of the living room with their dark finishes. Reproduction benches are covered in Ralph Lauren fabric, its blue stripes nodding to the undulating blues of the water.

Sources:
Library table: Turner Greenberg Assoc. Inc., 954/925-8303.
Bench ("Louis XIV-style Bench" #161A): Agostino Antiques, agostinoantiques.com.
Bench fabric ("Eastcliff Stripe"/Navy #LFY21673F): Ralph Lauren Home, 888/475-7674, ralphlaurenhome.com.
Spindle chair; hutch: Ray Hawkins Antiques, 561/804-6700.
Chair fabric ("Solo"/Ivory #7084-01): Romo, 800/338-2783, romo.com.
Sisal rug: owner's collection.
Flooring: Travertine marble.

BEFORE

The family room before the makeover.

AFTER

In the family room, ivory linen drapery panels are edged in blue grosgrain ribbon, a device that designer Jack Fhillips used to emphasize the blues in the room's Ralph Lauren and Brunschwig & Fils fabrics.

Sources:
Sofa ("Claridge" ): Brunschwig & Fils, 800/538-1880, brunschwig.com.
Sofa fabric ("Ribbon Check" by Jane Churchill, discontinued): Cowtan & Tout, 212/647-6900, cowtan.com.
Sofa trim (#977-30988-090): Samuel & Sons, 212/704-8000, samuelandsons.com.
Pair of chairs ("Sherwood Chair"); chair fabric ("Talavera Cotton and Linen Print"/Blue #79204-222): Brunschwig & Fils, 800/538-1880, brunschwig.com.
Coffee table (Tanjour Collection); bench: Jack Fhillips Collection, 561/659-4459, jfhillipsdesign.com.
Bench fabric ("Maya"/Marine #4525-18, by Manuel Canovas): Cowtan & Tout, 212/647-6900, cowtan.com.
Throw (cashmere): owner's collection.
Daybed ("Lady Birdwood Daybed" #455 by British Khaki): Robert Lighton, 212/343-2299, britishkhaki.com.
Daybed fabric ("Linara"/Porcelain #2494-91): Romo, 800/338-2783, romo.com.
Table beside daybed, table beside sofa("Tanjour Tea End Table"): Jack Fhillips Collection, 561/659-4459, jfhillipsdesign.com.
Drapery ("Antwerp" #2273): Pindler & Pindler, 805/531-9090, pindler.com.
Drapery trim ("Dorsett Tape"/Indigo #39045-282): Brunschwig & Fils, 800/538-1880, brunschwig.com.
Area rug ("Voyages"): Platino International, 561/417-9700.
Paint ("White Dove"): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.

Built-in bookshelves in the family room pop with natural raffia insets affixed to the wall.

The shapely Queen Anne dining room chairs are upholstered in white linen and edged with contrasting brown piping.

Sources:
Striped wallpaper ("Pritchett Stripe"/Blue, discontinued): Ralph Lauren Home, 888/475-7674, ralphlaurenhome.com.
Ceiling and trim paint ("White Dove"): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
Table (walnut volute): through Holly Hunt, 312/661-1900, hollyhunt.com.
Dining chairs (Queen Anne): Agostino Antiques, agostinoantiques.com.
Chair fabric ("Bosporus Ottoman Texture" #83806): Brunschwig & Fils, 800/538-1880, brunschwig.com.
Hanging lantern (#DLC-008D, by Diospri): Paragon Collection, 954/924-8122.
China hutch: Ray Hawkins Antiques, 561/804-6700.
Drapery ("Antwerp" #2273): Pindler & Pindler, 805/531-9090, pindler.com.
Architectural drawings: Trowbridge Gallery, 404/816-8612, trowbridgegallery.com.
Area rug ("Protege"): Platino International, 561/417-9700.
Pedestal-style table; round black sculpture; art behind sculpture: Jack Fhillips Collection, 561/659-4459, jfhillipsdesign.com.

Although it's from the English Regency period, the straight lines of an antique mahogany cellarette make it a fitting spot to display a modern metal sculpture.

Sources:
Cellarette, art: Ray Hawkins Antiques, 561/804-6700.

In the master bedroom, and for that matter throughout the home, the Anglo-Caribbean pieces offer a breezy island feel without using literal tropical prints.

Sources:
Bed: owner's collection.
Quilt: Jack Fhillips Collection, 561/659-4459, jfhillipsdesign.com.
Prints above bed: Vintage Print Gallery, 201/501-0505, vintageprintgallery.com.
Sofa at end of bed ("Egerton Sofa" #H4261-7): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Sofa fabric ("Slubby Basket"/Oyster): Arabel Fabrics Inc., 800/759-9808, arabelfabrics.com.
Sofa trim ("Thoroughbred Cord"): Ralph Lauren Home, 888/475-7674, ralphlaurenhome.com.
Plaid chair: The Charles Stewart Co., 828/322-9464, charlesstewartcompany.com.
Plaid-chair fabric ("Taylor"/China Blue, discontinued): Nautica, nautica.com.
Striped chair: Ray Hawkins Antiques, 561/804-6700.
Fabric on striped chair ("Medford Stripe"): Ralph Lauren Home, 888/475-7674, ralphlaurenhome.com.
Coffee table: Vaughan Designs, 212/319-7070, vaughandesigns.com.
Garden stool: Jack Fhillips Collection, 561/659-4459, jfhillipsdesign.com.
Drapery ("Antwerp" #2273): Pindler & Pindler, 805/531-9090, pindler.com.
Area rug: Platino International, 561/417-9700.
Flooring: Travertine marble.
Paint ("White Dove"): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.

In the master bedroom, a formal English chair is paired with a rustic reclaimed desk.

Sources:
Desk: Jack Fhillips Collection, 561/659-4459, jfhillipsdesign.com.
Desk chair: Ray Hawkins Antiques, 561/804-6700.
Chair-seat fabric; striped chair fabric on chair by desk ("Medford Stripe"): Ralph Lauren Home, 888/475-7674, ralphlaurenhome.com.
Flooring: Travertine marble.
Paint ("White Dove"): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.

BEFORE

The master bath before the makeover.

AFTER

In the master bathroom, designer Fhillips added a teak-and-cane chaise from Indonesia and a Moroccan side table. Sapurnia marble was positioned in a checkerboard pattern on the shower wall.

Sources:
Vanity and mirror; rain shower: existing.
Wall, shower and floor tile: Travertine marble.
Sconces: Visual Comfort & Co., 713/686-5999, visualcomfort.com.
Chaise: Jack Fhillips Collection, 561/659-4459, jfhillipsdesign.com.
Octagonal table (Tanjour Collection): Jack Fhillips Collection, 561/659-4459, jfhillipsdesign.com.
Striped rug ("Mattress Ticking Woven Cotton"): Dash & Albert Rug Co., 800/658-5035, dashandalbert.com.
Sheers ("Antwerp" #2273): Pindler & Pindler, 805/531-9090, pindler.com.

Natural light softens dark colors, like the indigo matelassé on the guest room bench and armchair.

Sources:
Bed (Tanjour Collection): Jack Fhillips Collection, 561/659-4459, jfhillipsdesign.com.
Bedding ("Regatta"/Navy, discontinued): Matouk, matouk.com.
Pillows on bed ("Wainscott"/China Blue, discontinued): Nautica, nautica.com.
Bench ("Barley Twist-Leg Bench"): The Charles Stewart Co., 828/322-9464, charlesstewartcompany.com.
Bench fabric ("McGarity Matelassé): Ralph Lauren Home, 888/475-7674, ralphlaurenhome.com.
Art over bed: Jack Fhillips Collection, 561/659-4459, jfhillipsdesign.com.
Bedside chest: Ray Hawkins Antiques, 561/804-6700.
Ginger jar lamps: owner's collection.
Bedside table ("Burra Kahna" by British Khaki): Robert Lighton, 212/343-2299, britishkhaki.com.
Blue chair: Jack Fhillips Collection, 561/659-4459, jfhillipsdesign.com.
Chair fabric ("McGarrety Matelassé): Ralph Lauren Home, 888/475-7674, ralphlaurenhome.com.
Striped rug ("Blue Awning Stripe Woven Cotton"): Dash & Albert Rug Co., 800/658-5035, dashandalbert.com.
Drapery ("Wainscott"/China Blue): Nautica, nautica.com.
Paint ("White Dove"): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.

The pool and hot tub overlook Florida's Intracoastal Waterway.

Homeowner Sheldon Ecklund