on location

A Beautiful Remodel in Port Royal

BY OLIVER NASH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL ANDERSON

INtoday’s hot real estate market, homes don’t sit for long and buying something sight unseen is common. Buyers place their trust in their Realtor and commit to making changes or remodels needed to get a home in their desired neighborhood. For Realtor Chris Wells, that happened with this 5,521 square foot, Port Royal home. Only on the market for one day, the buyer bought it over the phone, knowing it had good bones and great potential. “One of the things I was drawn to about this home was the uniqueness of the rooms and I knew he would enjoy an Executive Ranch style home,” says Wells. Sold on the idea of working with Wells and Designer/Developer Kristen Williams, the new owner purchased the home knowing there would be a significant amount of work to create the kind of home he was looking for. “Location is such an important thing for most of the buyers I work with, and this situation was no exception.”

NEW START

The exterior of the home was improved with a landscaping change. “Judy from Judy Austin O’Donnell Landscapes really helped us bring the home to life. There wasn’t one plant or one blade of grass she didn’t touch,” says Wells. The new landscape design is an elegant mix of trees and shrubs that add privacy and highlight important areas and architectural features. The symmetry of the design enhances the new look of the home’s interior as well.

INTERESTING ANGLES

Inside, the home was gutted down to the studs so new wiring could be put in for the Quantum Electric and AV smart home technology. This also allowed the team to move walls and open doorways to add flow to the layout where needed. Wells explains, “While the unique shapes in the room provided Kristen and I with some challenges as we created layouts and picked furniture, I think the shape and angles add to the beauty of the project.” Here, original dark wood trim sets a West Indies tone that Williams then accented with more contemporary pieces to create a modern Naples home.

KITCHEN UPDATES

The new kitchen offers plenty of prep space thanks to two islands topped with a beautiful natural stone from Classic Stone. The two-toned cabinets from Kitchens by Clay are the perfect balance of rich grey, driftwood tones, and light cream, creating a modern space which feels warm and inviting. “Originally, the homeowner wanted more vibrant colored islands and this really became a ‘trust us’ moment as Kristen picked the more natural color. She was right and he loves the final result,” says Wells.

MEAL TIME

Conveniently located between the kitchen, living room, and family room, the dining room is now the perfect place for a more formal meal or party. The room sports unique angles accented by beautiful moldings and wainscotting. Grasscloth wallpaper warms the room, while a contemporary glass top table with chrome legs continues the modern theme. The large chandelier fills the airspace above, tying the colors of the room together.

FAMILY SPACES

Comfortable and filled with natural textures and warm colors, the family room’s new look is the perfect representation of coastal chic. A mix of linen-clad sofas and leather armchairs provide comfortable seating. Light wood tones are accented with deep blue and burnt orange pillows, picking up the colors of the aquatic art.

WORKING HOURS

“The home office became one of our favorite rooms once we were finished with the project,” says Wells. “Kristen added more storage though the built-ins and sourced really interesting tiles for the front of the fireplace.” The ceiling was given a stained tongue and groove insert to match the floors and existing door trim and a practically sized desk has been placed in a way that keeps the office open and easy to move through.

WEST INDIES RETREAT

In the master bedroom, the beautiful woodwork in the home really shines. Here, Williams softened the contemporary style of the home in favor of a more West Indies feel. Soft lines with subtle blue accents and dark, walnut-stained furniture complete the space.

SPA SPACE

The master bathroom, once small and choppy, has been opened up to create a light and airy room. “The original design separated his and hers areas, but put the shower in his area and the tub in hers. It just didn’t make sense to keep it that way; we knew the new owners would get a lot more out of a bathroom that was an open space without the odd separation that was there before,” Wells explains. The new master bath now features an oversized vanity from Kitchens by Clay topped with white Venato marble counters from Classic Stone. Rohl fixtures and a DXV Soaking tub provide a luxurious bath experience. Chrome is used as a subtle accent and shell-like material can be seen on both the sconces and the delicate chandelier above the tub.

COASTAL CHIC

The cabana guest room embodies the feel of a coastal hideaway. Shiplap, nautical colors, and natural elements like rattan and grasscloth come together to create a comfortable space for out of town friends. Separate from the main house, the cabana guest room offers extra privacy as well.

HEATING UP

During the remodel, a space for a sauna was created to give the new owners the ultimate resort experience. Wells says, “We really wanted to create a traditional sauna. The look of red cedar is so beautiful and it’s a really practical material that’s been used for generations. We found a company on the east coast, Innovative Saunas & Cellars, that did a really wonderful job fabricating and installing it in the home.”

POOL PERFECTION

The decking around the pool is a carry over from the new owner’s previous home. Loving the look of the Diana Royal marble pavers, he wanted to add them to the refinished pool and newly added spa. The water feature and raised spa area is clad in neutral tiles that pick up on the brown, tan, and cream colors For more information about this home of the pavers. Down a set of stairs, a second garden area provides a private outdoor oasis and has been or more like it in your area, contact the landscaped by Judy Austin O’Donnell Landscapes. Across the back of the home, French doors lead to a covered lanai with roll down screens for bug and sun protection. Realtor who sent you this magazine.