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Naples Chic Together, Steve Cantera and Greg Griffin of Foresite Homes bring over 45 years in construction and real estate experience to their clients. Cantera facilitates the design and development tasks while Griffin manages the construction processes. Their combined efforts have garnered the firm numerous national and regional awards throughout the years, and their product speaks for itself. Their latest project, a newly built home in Olde Naples, speaks to their combined talents. Designed by John Cooney of Stofft Cooney Architects, the residence was influenced by the homeowners’ request for a concept that would combine the very best of Florida living with the influences of the British West Indies. The result is a home that features unique details at every turn, beginning at the front of the home, where a water feature illuminated by LED lighting greets visitors. Approached via a driveway constructed from Turkish Olympic marble, the home also features a metal roof, Spanish cedar garage doors, and mahogany entrance doors. “Our clients on this project had very definite ideas about their goals for this home,” explains Griffin. “They own several properties in various parts of the world, and therefore wanted their Southwest Florida residence to embrace their favorite features from each home. Steve Cantera and I worked closely with the homeowners in order to design a residence that would not only do so, but that would also make a unique design statement in its own right.”
Lush landscaping and unique design details greet visitors to the residence, who will no doubt be surprised to find an illuminated pool at the entrance. Further unexpected touches can be found throughout the home, which is approached via a Turkish Olympic marble entry drive. Home & Design
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The entrance foyer boasts painted tongue-and-groove Cypress ceilings which extend throughout the house, while the floors are white oak throughout. The stunning space also features a gallery that extends around the second floor. The residence was designed around an interior courtyard to mimic the owners’ property in Portugal. His and hers studies, each with a courtyard view, stand on either side of the front door. Across the hallway, directly opposite the entrance doors, are collapsible mahogany doors manufactured in Germany that allow the entire space to be opened to the courtyard beyond. A study in elegance, the living room includes a post and beam ceiling that incorporates, while disguising, the air-conditioning vents. This same detail can be found throughout the home. A feature wall has been covered in padded squares of cream leather and provides an unique and stylish design element. Two long windows add light to the space, while the French doors offer both long views to the bay beyond and easy access to the pool and dock areas.
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Above — The residence, designed around a courtyard, offers open air spaces for relaxation and entertainment, each boasting the stunning bay views that first enchanted the homeowners and inspired their creativity. Opposite — The light and airy entrance foyer boasts a gallery that extends around the second floor. Collapsible interior doors open onto the court yard around which the house was designed. His and hers studies, each with a courtyard view, stand on either side of the front door.
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The kitchen includes custom cabinets that re-create those found in the homeowners’ London residence. The round window above the copper range hood was added as an homage to the residence’s nautical location, and a ladder fashioned after traditional library stairs provides the owners with access to the tall, glass-fronted cabinets near the ceiling. A door that provides access to the adjacent laundry room has been concealed within the cabinetry. The space includes such conveniences as a built-in Miele coffeemaker, convection oven, steamer, and scratch-resistant, acid-washed marble counter tops in a Calcutta gold leather finish. The sea foam green, ceramic tile back splash was installed in various heights to give added dimension. Unique design details extend into the private spaces within the residence. In the master bedroom, a neutral design palette incorporating shades of cream and taupe offsets the white-washed floors and translates into easy elegance. Automatic shades can be raised to reveal the stunning bay views beyond the windows and French doors open to the pool area and boat dock beyond.
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The elegant living room incorporates form, via a feature wall covered in padded squares of cream leather, and function through remote controlled window shades and a ceiling design that disguises air-conditioning vents.
In the kitchen, a round window above the copper range hood lends a nautical touch and a custom ladder system based on traditional library stairs provides access to tall cabinets. The sea foam green, ceramic tile back splash was installed in various heights to give the feature added dimension.
There are his and hers bathrooms adjacent to the spacious master bedroom. Her bathroom, intended to be fit for a princess, is a study in soft, sea green and crisp, clean white. The space includes a slipper tub with standing faucet situated in front of a picture window offering bay views. The walls surrounding the tub feature hand-cut glass tiles created by a Canadian artist. The bathroom and shower floors are Carrera gold marble as all fifteen slabs were mined at the same time and shipped to Naples, Florida for finishing. Such attention to detail extends to the custom cabinetry within Her bathroom that features white, patent leather inserts. A spectacular ceiling of white-washed, natural Cypress crowns the guest bedroom, which also features white-washed floors. Opulent in its simplicity, the large space offers its own seating area and, again, stunning views extending to the bay beyond. Quality appointments and design elements extend to the outdoor living area, where the floor is comprised of coquina, a combination of shell and limestone that was mined in Mexico and shipped by sea to Florida. The space also includes a Cypress tongue-and-groove ceiling, a stunning fireplace, and an outdoor kitchen that offers a refrigerator and Wolf range. Remotecontrolled shutters and wireless throughout the home mean that every electronic element in the residence can be controlled via the internet.
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Above — In the master bedroom, a neutral design palette incorporating shades of cream and taupe offsets the white-washed floors and translates into easy elegance. Stunning bay views can be seen and appreciated from every angle. Below — Her bathroom is fit for a princess and offers a slipper bathing tub surrounded by a wall of hand-cut glass tile. The custom cabinetry boasts white leather inserts and the floors are Carrera gold marble that was mined to meet the homeowners’ specifications. Opposite Above — Quality details extend to the outdoor living area featuring coquina floors and a Cypress tongueand-groove ceiling. The space also includes a stone fireplace, an outdoor kitchen and remote-controlled shutters. Opposite Below — A spectacular ceiling of white-washed, natural Cypress crowns the guest bedroom. The large, bright and inviting space also includes a seating area and the stunning bay views visible throughout the residence.
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The bay offers all the viewing entertainment the homeowners and their guests might desire whether it be day or night. LED lighting has been installed in the floor of the bay itself. Directed upwards, the lights illuminate the back of the residence, dock and mangroves, allowing the nighttime activities of the native fish to be studied at leisure. A custom spa and lounging pool are connected to the outdoor living area. The pool incorporates a disappearing edge that directs water down the face of a stone feature wall and into the lap pool located on the lower level that can be accessed via a staircase near the master suite.
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While the residence features surprising design details and unparalleled luxury appointments, it remains light, airy and infinitely inviting. Cantera and Griffin sought to achieve the homeowners’ vision of quiet elegance, and they have exceeded their client’s expectations.
Written by Helena Wellesley Photography by Tom Harper Foresite Homes 1046 6th Avenue North Naples, FL 34102 239.821.1741 www.foresitehomes.com Stofft Cooney Architects 633 Ninth Street North Naples, FL 34102 239.262.7677 www.stofftcooney.com
Three pools on two levels make a statement at the rear of the home which also features a stone statement wall, a boat dock and LED lighting installed directly in the bed of the bay. Home & Design
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