IN LIVING COLOR
It’s both a blessing and a curse, the constant flow of concepting and implementing designs. On one hand, it keeps business going strong, but there is little reprieve from the nonstop flurry of ideas. That’s why Wilfredo Emanuel’s home serves as both a blockade from the outside world and place for quiet reflection.
It’s no wonder that there was a time when Emanuel preferred an expanse of white space in his home, where
he could effectively turn off those creative juices and be surrounded by the soothing nothingness. But as he evolved as an artist, life began to mirror art. And today, Emanuel’s home décor is a reflection of the designs he loves, paying homage to a life well-lived.
Often asked about his own favorite space, design influences, and meaningful items in his home, Emanuel says it’s a question he has often challenged himself
to answer.
“As a designer, you get to a point in your professional life where you can see your past immaturity, and for me, it was those years of that white canvas in my home,” says Emanuel. “I loved it, but still discovering who I was and what I could bring to the table.”
Determined to succeed and be inspirational to others, Emanuel grew into his own space. Eventually he began applying the same principles to his home that he brings to his clients.
“The home reflects where you are going, what you are doing, and today I am a deeper person than I was before, and my home has changed along with me,” says Emanuel, who was influenced by the architectural style of the house. “Our style is a midcentury and contemporary vibe.”
Emanuel chose to make changes that didn’t require permits. It was a wise choice, since, as he says, a designer is his own worst client.
“I remember when we were making changes to the house, thinking, ‘What if I paint a trending color for this year and next year it’s not trending?,” Emanuel chuckles. “So, we went with classic and timeless.”
There are perhaps no two better words to describe the home he shares with partner and beauty guru Gary Harlan of N.color Salon. Both Emanuel and Harlan are leading men in every sense of the term, fashionable with the confidence and poise of classic film stars, true gentlemen. Making their different tastes work under the same roof was no simple feat, but Emanuel and Harlan can agree on the most important component of a well-loved home: their canine companions.
“Our dogs Ella and Hermes are our family, so they are very important and in those times when you need to relax, there is nothing more beautiful,” says Emanuel. “Every night we unwind over a bite to eat and some television with our dogs in our laps before bed, and that’s how we regenerate for work the next day.”
Emanuel treasures such precious moments. Fridays also are especially fulfilling, when Ella and Hermes have both of their parents all to themselves.
“The doggies know on Friday that it’s the weekend, so they’ll jump up and down with excitement, knowing they will have us for 24 hours and we will do everything all together,” says Emanuel. “Being in our home with my partner and doggies, having those silent moments are very special.” Most of the artwork in the home is courtesy of Gary’s expert eye, but there is one area of the home that is distinctly Wilfredo Emanuel: his closet. Though he and Harlan are known for their wardrobes, the one area Emanuel designed solely to his own tastes houses his fashion secrets.
It wouldn’t be home to Naples’ own go-to tabletop designer without a beautiful, ageless wood table, which Emanuel decorates for Valentine’s Day, Christmas and an array of holidays, using that as his showcase.
The exterior of Emanuel and Harlan’s home is where they love to pass the time. The stunning outdoor space is very manicured and sophisticated, with a Beverly Hills feel in the black and white striped awnings. Everywhere in and around the house Emanuel has created artful vignettes, just as he is famous for doing for his clients. In each room, each scene has a beginning, middle and end—all tiny productions that tell the tale of its inhabitants.
“A house can tell a story in a thousand beautiful moments, unique to its owner and in my case, I really enjoy being at home,” says Emanuel.
