METROHome Tour
From Beach Getaway to a Modern Gateway By Mary Lou Janson
erched on a picturesque, wedge-shaped lot located on a barrier island bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the intracoastal waterway, the single-story cottage is just steps from the shoreline. Despite a setting that afforded panoramic views of the vast body of water from the backyard deck, vantage points from inside the home were not nearly so dramatic, due to the constraints and rest r a i n t s of walls and windows. A local architect, charged with eliminating visual barriers and expanding the outlook to extend the entire width of the home from the master bedroom, through the main living and dining areas and on to the kitchen, transformed the original staid design into a more contemporary space defined by clean lines, lots of light and naturally, admirable views.