By Brian French
In the sun-drenched luxury towers and waterfront estates of South Florida, where contemporary design meets coastal sophistication, Harvey Probber (1922-2003) has found his perfect modern context. While collectors worldwide have long appreciated this mid-century master, South Florida’s design-conscious residents are discovering what interior designers have known for years: Probber’s refined aesthetic seamlessly complements the region’s distinctive blend of modern luxury, indoor-outdoor living, and cosmopolitan elegance.
From Brickell’s glass-and-steel condominiums to Miami Beach’s Art Deco-meets-modern residences, from Bal Harbour’s ultra-luxury penthouses to Naples’ refined Gulf Coast estates, Harvey Probber’s furniture provides the sophisticated foundation that South Florida’s most discerning homeowners seek. His clean lines echo the architectural modernism defining the region’s premier addresses, while his rich walnut tones provide organic warmth against the cool marble, glass, and limestone that characterize South Florida luxury interiors.
Probber’s five-decade career produced furniture that anticipated exactly the kind of flexible, refined living that defines contemporary South Florida lifestyles—spaces that transition effortlessly from intimate family moments to elegant entertaining, from casual coastal living to black-tie sophistication.
The Probber Aesthetic: Coastal Sophistication Meets Timeless Design
Probber’s design philosophy centered on an elegant trinity of principles perfectly suited to South Florida living: clean lines that complement modern architecture, superior craftsmanship that withstands scrutiny in the most luxurious settings, and intelligent modularity that adapts to how South Floridians actually live.
His signature use of rich walnut combined with contrasting dark wood tones creates visual depth without competing with the spectacular views that define luxury South Florida real estate. Whether your windows frame Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, or meticulously landscaped golf courses, Probber’s furniture enhances rather than distracts from these million-dollar vistas.
Each piece was meticulously engineered as both a functional solution and a refined statement—furniture that enhances the South Florida lifestyle without demanding attention from the natural beauty and architectural drama that make the region so desirable. This philosophy of “quiet luxury” resonates powerfully in a market where true connoisseurs appreciate restraint over ostentation, quality over flash.
Discovering Probber in South Florida: The Wondrous-Things Collection
For South Florida collectors and design enthusiasts seeking authentic Harvey Probber pieces, Wondrous-Things.com offers an invaluable local resource. Founded and operated by Brian French near Tampa—perfectly positioned to serve Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts—Wondrous-Things specializes in finding, preserving, and researching exceptional objects of art and design that meet the exacting standards of luxury Florida living.
French’s commitment to authenticity and quality has made his gallery a trusted source for discerning South Florida buyers who understand the difference between genuine mid-century masterpieces and the reproductions flooding furniture showrooms. His current collection includes two exceptional examples of Probber’s work, each perfectly suited to contemporary South Florida interiors.
The Two-Part Luxury Apparel Cabinet: Brickell Meets Mid-Century
The Harvey Probber Two-Part Luxury Apparel Cabinet exemplifies the kind of sophisticated storage that luxury South Florida condominiums demand. In high-rise residences where closet space comes at a premium despite seven-figure price tags, this piece offers an elegant solution that rivals custom millwork.
Standing at an impressive 81 inches high by 65.5 inches wide and 18 inches deep, this modular cabinet makes a statement worthy of a Sunny Isles Beach penthouse or a Coconut Grove waterfront estate. The two-part construction reflects Probber’s innovative modular approach—practical for buildings where elevator dimensions matter and flexibility is essential.
The upper section features four tall cabinet doors with inset panels accented by light wood banding—refined detailing that complements the clean lines of contemporary South Florida architecture without competing with spectacular water views or dramatic ceiling heights. Behind these doors lies generous concealed storage perfect for the diverse wardrobe South Florida living demands—resort wear, evening attire, business wardrobes, and everything in between.
The lower portion cleverly combines three sliding doors with a vertical stack of five drawers, each fitted with integrated rectangular pulls that echo the hardware aesthetics found in the region’s most expensive custom kitchens and baths. Crafted in rich walnut with contrasting dark wood accents, the cabinet provides organic warmth that balances the cool marble, quartz, and porcelain surfaces prevalent in luxury South Florida interiors.
This piece retains its original maker’s plaque—authentication that matters in a market where provenance and authenticity command premium prices. In master suites with walls of glass overlooking the ocean or bay, this cabinet transforms a bedroom into the kind of sophisticated dressing space expected in five-star resorts, providing both practical storage and museum-quality design.
The Dining Table with Six Chairs: Where Gulf Coast Elegance Meets Entertaining Excellence
The Harvey Probber Dining Table with Six Chairs captures the essence of South Florida entertaining—sophisticated yet approachable, elegant yet comfortable, ready for everything from casual Sunday brunches with ocean breezes flowing through open terraces to formal dinner parties where Miami’s social elite gather.
This complete dining suite represents mid-century design perfectly adapted to South Florida’s unique lifestyle. The rectangular walnut table showcases Probber’s understanding of how South Floridians live and entertain through its brilliant extension capability. At 60 inches in its compact form, it’s ideal for intimate dinners on weeknights or morning coffee overlooking the Intracoastal. But when hosting demands more—whether it’s a gathering after a charity gala, a family celebration, or dinner with visiting friends from the North—the table extends to 96 inches with three leaves, comfortably seating eight to ten guests in the kind of relaxed luxury that defines the South Florida lifestyle.
At 29 inches high and 38 inches wide, the table follows proportions that work beautifully in the open-plan living areas characteristic of luxury South Florida residences. It’s substantial enough to anchor a dining space with floor-to-ceiling windows but not so massive that it overwhelms—a critical balance in homes where views and natural light are paramount design considerations.
The accompanying six chairs exemplify the kind of understated elegance South Florida’s most sophisticated buyers seek. The set includes two armchairs—perfect for hosts—and four side chairs, all crafted with walnut frames that echo the warm tones prized in high-end South Florida interiors. The gray upholstered seats and backs strike that perfect note of refined neutrality that works equally well with the whites, creams, and soft grays of coastal contemporary design or the richer palettes of more traditional luxury interiors.
At 36 inches high with comfortable 18-inch seat heights, these chairs welcome lingering—essential for the South Florida lifestyle where dinner parties stretch into the evening, where conversation flows as freely as the wine, where meals transition seamlessly from dining room to terrace and back. The gray upholstery resists showing wear while maintaining that sophisticated resort aesthetic that makes South Florida homes feel like permanent vacation retreats.
This suite solves one of South Florida luxury living’s central challenges: creating spaces that feel both polished and livable, sophisticated yet comfortable enough for daily life. The warm walnut provides organic beauty against the cool whites and soft grays that define contemporary coastal design, while the clean lines complement the modern architecture that characterizes the region’s most prestigious addresses from Fisher Island to Port Royal.
Why Probber Defines South Florida Luxury Living
Harvey Probber’s designs have found their ideal contemporary setting in South Florida’s luxury residential market. From the sophisticated high-rises of Brickell and Sunny Isles to the waterfront estates of Coral Gables and Palm Beach, Probber’s aesthetic perfectly complements the region’s distinctive approach to luxury living—where modern architecture meets tropical elegance, where indoor and outdoor spaces flow seamlessly, where yacht club sophistication meets beach resort casualness.
His furniture doesn’t compete with the spectacular views that command premium prices in South Florida real estate. A Probber piece doesn’t shout for attention when floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay, or manicured fairways. Instead, it provides the sophisticated anchor that luxury spaces require—furniture substantial enough to balance dramatic architecture yet refined enough to complement million-dollar views.
The clean lines that characterize Probber’s work echo the contemporary modernism defining South Florida’s most prestigious new developments. In buildings designed by architectural firms like Arquitectonica, ODP, and Revuelta Architecture, where glass, steel, and limestone create stunning contemporary statements, Probber furniture provides the organic warmth and human scale that prevent these spaces from feeling cold or austere despite their grandeur.
The rich walnut tones offer critical balance against the cool whites, soft grays, and pale stones that dominate South Florida luxury interiors. In residences with Italian Calacatta marble, polished limestone, and yards of glass, Probber’s wood furniture introduces essential warmth without compromising the clean contemporary aesthetic that makes South Florida design so distinctive. The walnut develops deeper patina in Florida’s abundant natural light, actually improving with age in ways that resonate with buyers who appreciate fine materials and enduring quality.
Probber’s modular flexibility addresses practical realities of luxury South Florida living. High-rise residents value furniture that navigated building elevators and can adapt as needs change. Seasonal residents appreciate pieces that work in multiple configurations. Families who entertain frequently need dining solutions that expand for gatherings but don’t overwhelm spaces during daily use. Probber anticipated all these needs decades ago, creating furniture systems that feel custom-designed for contemporary South Florida lifestyles.
The restraint characteristic of Probber’s work aligns perfectly with the “quiet luxury” increasingly defining South Florida’s ultra-premium market. In buildings like Residences by Armani/Casa, Una Residences, and Ritz-Carlton Residences, where buyers seek sophistication over ostentation and quality over flash, Probber provides exactly the right note—furniture that announces connoisseurship without shouting, that demonstrates refined taste without trying too hard.
Investment Value in the South Florida Luxury Market
For South Florida collectors and design-conscious buyers, authentic Harvey Probber pieces represent strategic investments that combine aesthetic excellence with financial intelligence. In a luxury market where provenance, authenticity, and quality command premium prices—whether in art, automobiles, or real estate—genuine mid-century masterpieces from authenticated sources appreciate consistently while mass-market furniture depreciates from the moment of purchase.
Estate-fresh pieces like those at Wondrous-Things.com offer South Florida buyers museum-quality examples with documented provenance. These aren’t the reproductions filling design district showrooms or the knockoffs marketed to first-time buyers—they’re authentic pieces bearing original maker’s plaques, showing the honest patina of decades of careful use, and representing actual design history rather than styling exercises.
Brian French’s expertise in authenticating and preserving these pieces provides critical value in a market where sophisticated buyers demand verification. Each Probber piece at Wondrous-Things comes estate-fresh to market, meaning they’ve been preserved in private collections rather than passed through countless dealers or subjected to inappropriate restoration. For South Florida buyers accustomed to due diligence in luxury purchases—whether Art Basel acquisitions or waterfront property—this careful curation protects both investment value and historical integrity.
Furnishing South Florida’s Luxury Lifestyle: The Probber Advantage
Harvey Probber’s work addresses the specific challenges and opportunities of luxury South Florida living with remarkable precision. In high-rise residences where every piece must justify its presence both aesthetically and functionally, Probber furniture succeeds on both counts. In waterfront estates where entertaining is essential but spaces must remain livable for daily family life, Probber’s flexible designs adapt seamlessly.
The two pieces available through Brian French at Wondrous-Things.com demonstrate this versatility perfectly. The apparel cabinet transforms master suites in luxury towers from mere bedrooms into sophisticated dressing environments worthy of the premium commanded by waterfront addresses. The dining set creates the kind of entertaining spaces expected in homes where social calendars rival business schedules—furniture ready for charity gala after-parties, family celebrations, or intimate dinners where business and pleasure blend in the South Florida tradition.
For design-conscious South Florida residents furnishing luxury residences—whether a new Brickell penthouse, a renovated Coral Gables estate, or a Naples Gulf-front property—Probber pieces provide the sophisticated foundation upon which entire interior concepts can be built. They establish a standard of quality and restraint that elevates everything around them, creating environments that feel both cosmopolitan and comfortable, historically informed yet thoroughly contemporary.
Your Connection to Authentic Probber: Wondrous-Things
For South Florida buyers seeking these exceptional Harvey Probber pieces, Brian French at Wondrous-Things.com welcomes inquiries from serious collectors and discerning homeowners. Located near Tampa with deep knowledge of Florida’s luxury residential market, Wondrous-Things provides both the expertise to properly authenticate significant mid-century pieces and the white-glove service expected by luxury buyers throughout the Sunshine State.
For South Florida buyers on the East Coast—from Palm Beach to Miami to the Keys—making purchases of $5,000 or more, Wondrous-Things provides complimentary white glove home delivery. Your Probber pieces arrive safely, professionally installed exactly where you want them, ready to anchor your luxury interior. West Coast Florida buyers from Naples to Sarasota to Tampa receive the same exceptional service for purchases of $10,000 or more.
For international buyers with South Florida properties or those with specific delivery requirements, Brian French’s team arranges shipping solutions that protect these important investments while meeting individual needs. Whether your luxury residence is a Bal Harbour oceanfront tower, a Star Island estate, or a Naples beachfront villa, Wondrous-Things ensures your Probber pieces arrive ready to transform your space.
To discuss these exceptional pieces, explore other available inventory, or learn more about acquiring specific Probber designs for your South Florida residence, contact Brian French directly at (813) 409-4683. As someone whose mission centers on finding and preserving wondrous objects while building lasting relationships with collectors and connoisseurs, French brings both deep expertise and genuine passion to every conversation about mid-century design excellence.
In South Florida’s competitive luxury market, where discerning buyers demand the authentic, the exceptional, and the enduring, Harvey Probber’s legacy provides exactly what sophisticated homeowners seek—furniture that enhances spectacular architecture, complements million-dollar views, and grows more valuable with each passing year. These pieces don’t just furnish South Florida luxury residences; they define them, establishing the kind of quiet authority that distinguishes truly exceptional interiors from merely expensive ones.
View These Exceptional Harvey Probber Pieces:
- Two-Part Luxury Apparel Cabinet – $5,999
- Dining Table with Six Chairs – $6,499
Contact Wondrous-Things: Brian French, Owner
Tel: (813) 409-4683
Wondrous-Things.com
Serving South Florida’s luxury residential market from Tampa
Both pieces are estate fresh to the market with authentic maker’s plaques. Complimentary white glove delivery: East Coast Florida $5,000+, West Coast Florida $10,000+.
About the Author
