Every corner of our city has a story. Step Inside St. Pete is inspired by the impressive architecture & interior design within our beautiful, blooming city of St. Petersburg, Florida. Whether you live in Uptown, Downtown or any district in between, we love every style of St. Pete. Each month, we’ll show you our city up close and like never before.
For the first edition of Step Inside St. Pete, we’re stepping into Mark Naugle’s space at Mirror Lake Condominiums. Mark makes a living as a contractor for Terrazzo Flooring. You can walk on his work inside the Tampa International Airport and the new Publix on First Avenue South. Now, he’s letting us all step inside his mid-century modern St. Pete condo, his home away from home.
More Than Mid-Century
Most of Mark’s furniture consists of pieces from the mid-60s, but they take on new life in his cool, modern space. His appreciation for the prior decades comes from his parents, who were sophisticated orchid growers and minimalists. Mark’s favorite item in his home is a large orchid painting by a family friend, originally hung in his childhood home in Brandon, Florida. It is displayed perfectly on Mark’s white, soaring walls — reminiscent of an art gallery.
Just like Mark’s décor, the building itself is a modern interpretation of days past. His condominium was once a classroom in the St. Pete High School of the early 1920s. The pilasters in the front of his home are all from the original school structure, so he’s wrapped them both in a graphic teal wallpaper to accentuate them. Each room is finished with smart light fixtures that allow for adjustments to the color temperature to accommodate different moods. By fusing history, retro furniture, minimalism and technology into one space, Mark’s finished result is timeless.
Living the Local Life
Having a spot in Mirror Lake means you can walk to Il Ritorno for dinner, swing by the Emerald for cocktails and then call it a night or keep the party going at Mark’s place. With friends visiting from Tampa and Safety Harbor, Mark adds, “We’ve shut down The Bends a few times, and then come back here for a late night.”
Mark’s home is filled with art that reflects his passion for the local community with treasures from Wax & Hive, Print Farm, and Nightshift Candle Co., to name a few. The featured art up near his huge, paper-thin television was made by his daughter, Simona Naugle. While some modern, minimal spaces could be described as lifeless or cold, Mark’s version is warm, inviting and thoughtful. By showing less, Mark and his guests are able to enjoy more of the details. The plants, orchid motifs and vintage ceramics have room to breathe and shine. Quality over quantity!
Stepping into someone’s home is a step into their truest self. Mark’s open, spacious energy of his home reflected his demeanor when giving us the tour as well. He’s mature yet youthful, old-school yet hip, just like his place. Thanks to Absolutely Beautiful Flowers on Central Ave., we were able to leave behind a bouquet as grateful guests. Thank you, Mark, for letting us all inside to see your take on a minimal, mid-century, modern-day man cave. See you around town soon!
[…] thank-you to all who shared your homes, workspaces, and labors of love with us for our new column Step Inside St. Pete. We look forward to sharing each unique space with all of you, but first let’s talk about the […]