Behind the Scenes: Designer Details at the Caribbean’s Most Exclusive Villa

Aerial view of Villa Embrace and its two infinity pools. Photo: Laurent Benoit

Situated in an idyllic location, set against a lush emerald hillside with spectacular views of Port Gustavia, Villa Embrace evokes the best of Caribbean luxury, drenched in European florals that pay homage to the rich heritage of St. Barth.

Each room at Villa Embrace has a story to tell, and each custom-made piece of furniture, iridescent tiles, handmade silk carpet and light installation is unique. The villa – a passion project of Vancouver-based Marty and Michelle Weinberg – was designed by a team of carefully selected international architects, designers and engineers.

This extraordinary villa has gained worldwide recognition and is among the leading ultra-luxurious villas in the world. Here are some of the amazing design features that came together to create an amazing final product.

Glass elevator

Upon arrival through Villa Embrace’s ultra-private entrance, guests are led to a stunning feat of engineering by Otis Design Group – the island’s only four-story glass elevator. Entering one of the five designer suites from the impressive 10-car underground garage, guests can glimpse the villa’s waterfall, a breathtaking feature that alludes to the countless sensory experiences that await.

Waterfall, topiary gardens and living wall

A four-story-tall waterfall located next to the elevator cascades along the Living Wall, providing a tranquil atmosphere and visual focal point for guests. Additionally, you can admire the beautiful topiary gardens while relaxing on the expansive terrace or soaking in the Japanese bathtubs on the private terraces of the Gouveneur and Saline guest suites.

Mixed interior and exterior windows

Highly sustainable floor-to-ceiling Sky-Frame windows and sliding doors provide 90% UV protection, high solar gain and insulation, reducing the need for air conditioning. Multi-pane, frameless argon windows appear to disappear into the neutrally colored walls, allowing rooms to be bathed in natural sunlight while highlighting views of Gustavia Harbor and beyond.

Custom-made furniture

Villa Embrace features a wide selection of enviable pieces made to order by an array of talented craftsmen from around the world, from Bernhardt and Roche Bobois Credenza to Casa Fendi stools and bar tables. In The Great Room and Family Room, B&B Italia and Minotti sofas elevate the space with flowing lines, versatility and luxurious, tactile fabrics. The floors are decorated with handmade Indian silk and custom Stark rugs. The master suites will feature Barbarini & Gunnell white onyx and mother of pearl headboards, Cassini Utrecht chairs and colorful Reda Amalou tables. The Walter Knoll black walnut and leather desk in the top floor study offers an elegant workspace with stunning harbor views.

A unique collection of works of art

The elegant yet modern spaces are intentionally decorated with white walls and gray/taupe eucalyptus accents to highlight individual works of art. Evocative pop art paintings from Roy Lichtenstein’s “Nude” series and 10 rare works by Andy Warhol from his “Jews of the 20th Century” series were selected from the owner’s personal art collection to give each room a distinct dynamic. They are complemented by non-standard poured glass elements in ocean colors.

Barbarini & Gunnell dining table inspired by maritime cuisine

A custom-made, nautical-inspired Barbarini & Gunnell dining table takes center stage in the dining room. The maritime design was inspired by the superyachts moored in the port of Gustavia. The table has been crafted with mathematical precision – steel chain links act as the base of the table, ensuring the stability of the polished rectangular glass top, creating the final finish.

LED installation of rustle in the moonlight

Suspended above the dining room table, Moonlight Murmuration mesmerizes with a cluster of 52 solid glass drops that glow with delicate LED light. A personalized light installation, custom-designed by Ocher, brings a romantic and reflective atmosphere to every meal.

Barbarini & Gunnell dining table, Moonlight Murmuration LED installation, Roy Lichtenstein painting and Gustavia’s view from Villa Embrace. Photo: Laurent Benoit

Custom-made TT Trunks gaming table

Marty and Michelle Weinberg chose exclusive French brand TT Trunks to create a bespoke gaming table. A beautiful, hand-sewn cowhide table, made of Okoume plywood, with accessories in solid nickel-plated brass and eucalyptus wood veneer. The game room table has hidden compartments and double-sided boards with games ranging from chess, poker and backgammon to Scrabble and Monopoly.

Vladimir Kagan’s avant-garde armchairs

While enjoying a game on the TT Trunks gaming table, relax with a glass of wine in Vladimir Kagan’s avant-garde, sensually shaped armchair. Each chair is upholstered in the owner’s choice of fabric and features a polished chrome swivel base, combining refined aesthetics with modern sensibilities and luxurious comfort.

Custom-made TT Trunks gaming table and Vladimir Kagan Avant Garde armchairs at Villa Embrace. Photo: Laurent Benoit

Pools with infinity edges

Two heated infinity pools are set on expansive decks with refined CocoWolf loungers and sofas for relaxation. The main pool is 30 meters long – almost 30 meters, making it one of the longest on the island. Each infinity pool is tiled with hand-selected opalescent tiles in a cobalt blue hue – chosen to mimic the colors of the Caribbean Sea at dusk.

The construction of Villa Embrace, from concept to completion, took 12 years. The incredible attention to detail and enormous depth of artistic talent required to create such an impressive structure make it stand out on the world stage. As proof of this, Villa Embrace was honored with the award for the best luxury villa in St. Barths in the Luxury Lifestyle Awards for 2024. A unique expression of contemporary architecture and design, Villa Embrace continues to set new standards of excellence for vacation property owners across the Caribbean and the world.