FEATURED IN
Luxury Homes | Interior Design | Home Furnishings
Fall 2026
Rear Elevation: The expansive pool becomes a bright, reflective extension of the home, with a raised spa and wet wall forming a strong focal point across the water. Landscape Architect Christian Andrea of Architectural Land Design positions the spa opposite the sun shelf, establishing a deliberate sense of balance. Stepping stones, chaise lounges, and layered plantings soften the geometry, while a pearltoned finish and varied blue waterline tile lend the surface a subtle, shimmering effect.
Staircase Detail: The floating staircase anchors the entry as its architectural centerpiece, pairing white oak treads with a glass railing that preserves the open volume and abundant natural light. “The glass is detailed to read as if it is carved into the oak treads,” shares Andy Bringardner, co-owner of A. Vernon Allen, describing the precision required for the structure, alignment, and finishes to meet exactly. Below, Legno Bastone Wide Plank Flooring in the Tropea finish from the Dolce Vita Collection, sourced from Naples Flooring Company and shaded in a slightly different tone, reinforces Interior Designer Lisa Ficarra of Ficarra Design Associates’ approach to sophistication.
132
homeanddesign.net
ELEGANCE IN VARIATION GENTLE SHIFTS IN TONE AND MATERIAL CREATE A DISTINCTIVE POINT OF VIEW
homeanddesign.net
133
W
“We don’t believe in repeating a signature look,” explains Interior Designer Lisa Ficarra of Ficarra Design Associates. She approaches each home as a personal composition — nuanced rather than repeated — a philosophy that aligns seamlessly with this Aqualane Shores property. That degree of customization calls for disciplined execution in the field, which is well within the expertise of Andy Bringardner, co-owner of A. Vernon Allen. “Marking our 75th anniversary, our work in neighborhoods such as Port Royal, Aqualane Shores, and Old Naples has shaped our approach to construction,” says Bringardner. “Expectations remain exceptionally high.” u
Living Room: Across the ceiling and expansive focal wall, Ficarra applies a consistent stain to unify the room’s dominant architectural planes. A floating credenza gives the wood-clad wall purpose beyond its visual impact, adding function to the composition. Above the custom square cocktail table, a cloudlike light fixture casts pale tones against the warm wood backdrop overhead. Two dark blue Baker McGuire chairs anchor the palette, which carries through the pillows and accessories. Dining Room: “The blown-glass globes on the chandelier, suspended from delicate cables, give the light fixture a floating quality,” Ficarra says. “They draw your eye into the center of the room, where the view, artwork, and wood paneling become the focal point.” Ficarra commissions the artwork from J. Eric Crabtree of Art 41; its dusky beach impression softens the room’s rectilinear architecture, while the substantial iron-base table from Old Biscayne Designs and the surrounding chairs from Jerry Pair ground the composition. The expansive Andersen Windows & Doors windows, sourced through Florida Wood Window and Door, frame the view and flood the space with natural light.
134
homeanddesign.net
homeanddesign.net
135
136
homeanddesign.net
At the site, Landscape Architect Christian Andrea of Architectural Land Design preserves mature trees to impart a “sense of history” to the property, while new plantings introduce scale and shade. A long covered entry porch, custom corbels, Chippendale railings, dark bronze openings, and natural stone detailing lend the West Indiesinspired exterior a tailored tropical character. u
Office Vignette: A custom built-in banquette defines this multiuse space as a spot for drinks or coffee within the club-like atmosphere Ficarra envisioned. The fluted banquette face adds texture beneath the tailored cushion, while a darker oak finish at the nearby wet bar deepens the intimate mood. A solid marble table lends sculptural weight to the corner, and artwork from Trowbridge Gallery contributes a delicate metallic note above the seating area.
Kitchen: Bleached walnut cabinetry at the perimeter and work island establishes a warm, tonal foundation, complemented by the deeper, more saturated finish of the built-in table. An inlaid backsplash and cascading Cristallo brighten the composition, while a brass-banded hood lends a tailored accent to the range wall. Above, a contemporary ceiling treatment anchors the space, and antique-burnished brass globe pendants sweep across the room like abstract portholes. Cabinetry by New Style Cabinets balances the layered wood tones throughout. Cristallo was selected through UMI Stone, then cut, fabricated, and installed by Set in Stone Countertops, whose natural stone and engineered-quartz work extends throughout the residence, including the kitchen, bathrooms, utility rooms, bar areas, and outdoor kitchen.
homeanddesign.net
137
Inside, the two-story entry highlights Ficarra’s distinct design approach, with subtle variations in shade between the staircase and flooring. “Subtle contrast within the same stain family creates a layered, sophisticated look,” Ficarra explains. For the floating staircase, A. Vernon Allen places the structural anchor points in advance, then fabricates, field-welds, and finishes the steel structure inside the nearly completed home with minimal room for error. This level of craftsmanship, paired with Ficarra’s interior vision, creates a striking first impression. u
Primary Bathroom: A Kallista tub from Ferguson Home takes center stage beneath an Andersen Windows & Doors window, sourced through Florida Wood Window and Door, drawing the surrounding foliage into the design. Underfoot, marble-veined porcelain flooring from Ruben Sorhegui Tile keeps the palette crisp, while wood beams and vanities introduce natural warmth against the soft gray wallcovering from Phillip Jeffries. Stylized mirrors from John-Richard add a reflective note to the vanity walls, reinforcing the room’s elegant symmetry.
Primary Closet: Custom storage systems by California Closets bring tailored organization and a polished finish to the dressing space. In this light-filled walk-in closet, soft neutral cabinetry, open shelving, and a spacious center island create a refined boutique-like experience balancing everyday function with effortless elegance.
Primary Bedroom (Opposite): Shiplap oak emphasizes the ceiling height, then reappears on the headboard wall in the same stain, linking the architecture to Ficarra’s interior detailing. Ficarra keeps the palette fresh and comfortable, favoring soft blue, white, and warm wood tones over an overtly coastal theme. An area rug enriches the blue palette underfoot, while the upholstered headboard, crisp white comforter, and window treatments maintain an elegant, transitional balance.
138
homeanddesign.net
homeanddesign.net
139
Guest Bedrooms: Each guest bedroom offers its own interpretation of comfort, allowing Ficarra to create distinction without disrupting the home’s cohesive character. One leans botanical, with leafy drapery, blue-green walls, and soft upholstered forms, while another adopts a more tailored approach with deep navy bedding, a sculpted headboard, and a warm brass chandelier from Visual Comfort.
“We introduced wood ceilings to emphasize the tropical feeling from the architecture,” shares Architect John Cooney of Stofft Cooney Architectural Group. “That is especially important in areas you want to keep cozy, like a bedroom.”
140
homeanddesign.net
Ficarra varies the interior detailing from room to room. In the living room, the wall unit establishes clean lines and layered texture, while the dining room builds on that language with wood-veneer paneling and channel reveals. The kitchen resists a conventional label, instead striking a nuanced balance of detail, warmth, and refinement through a dropped ceiling plane, wood inset, tailored hood, and dimensional backsplash. “We introduced wood ceilings to emphasize the tropical feeling from the architecture,” shares Architect John Cooney of Stofft Cooney Architectural Group. “That is especially important in areas you want to keep cozy, like a bedroom.” In the primary bedroom, Ficarra adds a distinct architectural move, extending the custom headboard upward to meet the oak-clad ceiling so the bed wall engages fully with the room’s volume. u
Guest Bathrooms: Texture brings distinction to the guest bathrooms, where Ficarra treats each vanity wall as a refined composition. One pairs putty-hued cabinetry with a softly patterned wallcovering and sculptural sconces, while another deepens the palette with a blue vanity, dark-framed mirror, and tailored wall texture. Together, the spaces demonstrate how subtle shifts in finish, proportion, and tone can elevate everyday function into intentional design.
homeanddesign.net
141
Each guest bedroom has its own personality, while the loft functions as the central hub for the upstairs retreats. Ficarra creates a relaxed atmosphere with warm oak cabinetry, ceiling beams, and a watercolor wallcovering. That emphasis on comfort continues to the lanai, where upholstered outdoor furnishings gather near the fireplace, and a lush view becomes a defining element. “We created a shade garden with low-light plantings, including aglaonema, dwarf alocasia, and lady palms,” shares Andrea. “As the garden moves into more sun, the planting evolves with annual beds and silver-toned Alcantarea plants, which read almost like water features in the landscape.” The pool extends that balance outdoors, with a raised spa, wet wall, and sun shelf aligned along a deliberate central axis from the home. Ficarra’s nuanced material palette, supported by clean architecture, precise construction, and thoughtfully scaled planting, creates a composition that is distinctly its own. n
Outdoor Living Area: Ficarra’s symmetrical furniture arrangement draws the eye to the fireplace, giving the seating area a sense of structure within the open-air setting. Lounge chairs from Janus et Cie’s Boxwood Collection in Mica encircle a generously scaled cocktail table. Overhead, a darkstained cypress ceiling introduces a note of formality, while accents of blue enliven the crisp white upholstery. The shellstone fireplace — tropical in character yet understated — anchors the lanai as its architectural focal point.
Front Elevation (Opposite): A long covered entry porch and matching upper terrace lend charm to the home’s coastal West Indies exterior. “It is very clean architecture,” shares Cooney, citing the custom corbels, Chippendale railings, and dark-bronze windows and doors as defining details against the white stucco. Wood-tone garage doors introduce warmth, while gray pavers create a tailored approach to the front steps and entry.
142
homeanddesign.net
Written by Rachel Seekamp Photography by Diana Todorova Photography Interior Designer:
Resources:
Ficarra Design Associates 633 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 200 Naples, FL 34102 239.643.3450 www.ficarradesignassociates.com
Art 41 2084 J and C Boulevard Naples, FL 34109 239.249.2205 www.art41.com
Legno Bastone Wide Plank Flooring 168 Commercial Boulevard Naples, FL 34104 239.206.1898 www.legnobastone.com
Set in Stone Countertops 2090 J and C Boulevard Naples, FL 34109 239.566.8830 www.setinstonenaples.com
Architect:
California Closets 2367 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 810 Naples, FL 34109 239.694.8100 www.californiaclosets.com
Naples Flooring Company 900 5th Avenue South Naples, FL 34102 239.263.1213 www.naplesflooring.com
UMI Stone 1615 Trade Center Way Naples, FL 34109 239.593.6995 www.umistone.com
Ferguson Home 38 Goodlette-Frank Road South Naples, FL 34102 239.963.0087 www.fergusonhome.com
New Style Cabinets 850 Central Avenue Naples, FL 34102 239.315.0755 www.newstylecabinets.com
Florida Wood Window and Door Andersen Windows & Doors 5691 Halifax Avenue Fort Myers, FL 33912 239.437.6166 www.fwwdinc.com
Ruben Sorhegui Tile 3876 Mercantile Avenue Naples, FL 34104 239.643.2882 www.sorheguitile.com
Stofft Cooney Architectural Group 111 10th Street South, Suite 308 Naples, FL 34102 239.262.7677 www.stofft.com Landscape Architect: Architectural Land Design 2780 South Horseshoe Drive, Suite 5 Naples, FL 34104 239.430.1661 www.aldinc.net
homeanddesign.net
143