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Dream Big

A home of possibilities in Old Naples

With any endeavor, “go big or go home” is often a good rule of thumb. And if you’re fortunate enough to purchase the Waterside Builders’ residence on a lot as deep and wide as this one—a rarity in Old Naples—you can go big and go home at the same time.

Set in a quaint and desirable location, the home was conceived by Steven Jallad, director of residential design at MHK Architecture & Planning in collaboration with the firm’s owner/architect Matthew Kragh. The desired aesthetic was an edgier version of a beach cottage, and with 5,700 square feet in addition to the enormous outdoor living space the ample lot provided, a beach cottage was reimagined as a veritable beach castle.

Indeed, Jallad did “go big.” The graciously-sized elements include a vast great room, a showplace kitchen, a wine room that could compete with that of a fine restaurant, a huge pool and spa… even a freestanding cabana, which, being completely detached from the primary structure, serves as a mini-house of its own. “One of my favorite things about this home is the massive wall of glass you’re presented with as you enter,” says Jallad. “Looking out onto the pool you get a ‘wow’ and then you turn around and see the beach and get a ‘double wow’.”

There’s another big bonus: Gulf views from many rooms in the home. “Steven and Matt really nailed the floor plan. We were able to emphasize the views all over the place,” says Mike Assaad, owner of Waterside Builders, who was an integral part of making Jallad’s plans, and interior designer Linda Sonders’ vision, come to life.

In fact, according to Sonders, early design decisions were made to ensure that it wouldn’t be mistaken for the typical coastal cottage. “My goal was to keep the look very organic but also current,” says Sonders. Bronze-clad windows, a floating staircase, and the absence of crown moulding are just some of the elements that give the home its edge.

Sonders benefited from the generosity of space, specifying the precise furnishings she wanted without the rooms looking overcrowded. “We were allowed more breathing room,” she says. Nevertheless, she was careful not to “over-decorate,” staying true to her philosophy that negative space is always okay.

A modernized take on a beach cottage is achieved on the front exterior with a dark metal roof, bronze metal-accented windows, and warmly-hued stucco in lieu of the expected white-on-white. The cedar garage is stained dark for contrast. Unadorned columns have a truss-and-bracket detailing for a subtle nod to coastal elegance. The stormwater management system incorporated into the landscape design provides hidden and functional flood protection, designed by J.R. Evans Engineering. Concrete cement pavers with a darker border add interest to the driveway, and the flanking towering oak trees are grand in scale as well as appearance.

The great room lives up to its name, with great views of the pool area with fully pocketing Andersen sliders. The ceilings are enhanced with mitered poplar beams, unexpectedly and beautifully stained gray. The Macaubas Quartzite stone surround of the custom fireplace makes it a rich focal point. Bernhardt Wynn chairs, upholstered in a textured ivory fabric by Schumacher, are accentuated by the dovetail-edged waterfall tables, custom-designed by Sonders and finished in cerused charcoal. Pale silver rugs atop the Legno Bastone Wide Plank Flooring, installed by Naples Flooring Company, ground the airy space.

A one-of-a-kind custom Ed Koehler lit branch ceiling detail illuminates the entryway. The ebony-stained mahogany door is used in place of a painted barn door that one might expect to see in a coastal cottage. A floating staircase highlights the scene using a contemporary cable rail system; oak treads are stained to match the Legno Bastone Wide Plank Giuseppina European White Oak flooring used throughout the home. Streamlined columns provide clean architectural detailing, and an assortment of stone urns in shades of gray infuse the room with organic flavor. A Moooi’s Heracleum Endless Suspension fixture illuminates the split bamboo dining table that seats eight.

A sizeable, efficient island is topped with Mont Blanc quartzite. A pair of domed hanging Onn pendants from Arturo Alvarez perpetuates the organic theme. The contemporary lineup of Logan white leather woven counter stools standing on slender polished-nickel legs speak a modern language. The backsplash is treated with textural ceramic from Tilebar, further flattering an already stunning kitchen. The wine room, which Jallad refers to as “eye candy,” features natural walnut Millesime racks, while a spherical black fixture from Aerin by Visual Comfort adds a touch of the industrial.

The master bath is awash in natural light and an abundance of room for handsome features. DXV’s Lyndon freestanding soaking tub, the unique L-shaped vanity configuration fabricated in quarter-sawn white oak, and the shower—tiled with Bianco Venato hexagons, that’s roomy enough for two-—create a luxurious space. The Brizo Litze polished-nickel rain shower heads are from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery. The shaded lighting is from Visual Comfort, and thoughtful accents such as a charcoal lattice rug and hair-on-hide ottoman complete the look.

In keeping with the rest of the house, the master bedroom is sprawling, but still feels cozy thanks to the Sussex four-poster bed from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, and on-trend hotel-style bedding. The voluminous space allows for additional seating—CR Laine’s Hans lounge chair, and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams’ Bella sofa. Luxe shagreen appears in varying shades seen on the dresser and Century Monroe chest. A vaulted ceiling is treated with nickel gap tongue-and-groove, with a knotted Link pendant from LZF for decorative appeal.

A wonderful addition to the home, the entirely separate cabana is what Jallad refers to as “its own little haven.” It features an angular cypress roof with tongue-and-groove ceilings that hearken back to the cottage feel, but a quick transition to contemporary times is made with simplistic columns and impact glass doors. The trusses and brackets on the rafters emulate the architecture of the main house.

The spacious loft serves as both a retreat and an extra relaxation area that, due to the balcony, is inclusive of the pool area when entertaining. The Maxwell sectional and 1950s Italian swivel chairs are for lounging. Organic elements are seen in the round stone coffee table and Jeffan’s Delphine rattan chandelier. Of course no coastal home would be complete without a hint of seashells, and Arteriors’ Tiffany fixture, hanging above the staircase, pays homage to the ocean.

The rear façade does justice to the grand scale and timeless elegance that characterize the rest of this sensational home. At night, the boundary between the indoors and outdoors completely vanishes. A sectional upholstered in a charcoal linen is perfect to sink into and enjoy the warmth and ambiance created by the square fire pit. Roll-down screens, operated by the push of a button, and pocketing glass sliders meet the wants and needs of today’s savvy home buyers.

An open trellis and short walkway lead to a tremendous and breathtaking pool and spa. “The width of the property allowed us to wrap the architecture around back and still have an expansive pool,” says Jallad. Eye-catching features such as bubbling fountains, water spilling from bronze vessels, and a leisure edge where guests can both lounge and dip, all make for a phenomenal outdoor living experience.

This home is offered for sale by Timothy Savage, Gulf Coast International Properties.

Written by Robin Hodes

Photography by Blaine Johnathan

Andersen Windows

100 4th Avenue

Bayport, MN 55003

800.426.4261

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

38 Goodlette-Frank Road S.

Naples, FL 34102

239.643.0070

Gulf Coast International Properties

1144 3rd Street South

Naples, FL 34102

239.434.2558

J.R. Evans Engineering, P.A.

9351 Corkscrew Road, Suite 102

Estero, FL 33928

239.405.9148

Legno Bastone Wide Plank Flooring

2684 Horseshoe Drive South

Naples, FL 34104

239.206.1898

MHK Architecture & Planning

975 6th Avenue South, Suite 200

Naples, FL 34102

239.919.0786

Naples Flooring Company

900 5th Avenue South

Naples, FL 34102

239.263.1213

Waterside Builders

1400 Gulfshore Blvd. N. Suite 106

Naples, FL 34102

239.430.3883

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