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Home Tour : Great Expectations

“The deeper your creative well, the better the results,” says Glenn Midnet, President and CEO of Kreiss Naples featuring Interiors by Design West. The home Midnet is referring to is a graceful 5,800-square-foot waterfront estate home situated on a large corner lot, is in Aqualane Shores, one block from Naples Bay. The tranquil entrance is almost spa-like, with its soft, smooth, sand-finish on a light stucco exterior, which is accentuated by a ten-foot solid zebrawood front door. Thoughtful attention in the lush, tropical landscaping frames the home beautifully in the front, and eloquently leads down to a private double-boat dock in the back — just as one would expect in a great home such as this.

Collaborating with a talented pool of architects, contractors, and designers from the beginning, Midnet shares, “This home reflects the results of a supreme vision that came to life through true creative collaboration.” He continues, “This home isn’t your typical home. It has personality and provides a true sense of awe.” He continues, “We all agreed to set the bar high when we started this project,” who has worked with hundreds of professionals in the high-end residential market in south Florida for over 25 years.

A graceful arched window above the front entry provides a peek inside to the foyer’s magnificent custom capiz shell chandelier. The placement of this chandelier was quite deliberate; as Midnet and colleague Dominique LaManna, worked closely alongside architect Jon Kukk, AIA, of Kukk Architecture & Design, P.A., to engineer both the exterior and interior visual beauty. “The true challenge on this home was designing the layout to fit perfectly on the lengthy corner lot to maximize the long canal views,” says Kukk. “The results can be fully enjoyed on both floors’ main spaces.”


Upon entry, a dramatic double-story fireplace takes center stage in the living room; and a luminous mirror over its mantle reflects both the light and the foyer’s stunning chandelier. Sleek, polished travertine marble flooring welcomes guests into the great room. Two open glass-shelved cabinets flank the living room entrance from the grand foyer, and create a sense of openness while showcasing a glass vase collection. “New trends in manufacturing allow us to be more expressive and incorporate several types of complimentary finishes,” says LaManna. Throughout the home, Midnet mixed hardware and furnishings in subtle contrasting patterns, colors, and finishes to add a design interest. A dark, bamboo inspired console table, with a light pen shell inlay top, sits behind an ecru-colored couch in the main living room. The softly colored upholstery palette in fresh linen, taupe, ecru, and several shades of white is balanced with neutral décor including oversized abstract artwork hung on both sides of the gas-fed fireplace. Dark iron railings peer down from the second-story loft-like hallway and provide cohesion in the expansive 22-foot-tall great room.


A light and airy formal dining room is filled with morning sun as its windows and transoms face south. The room is stylishly elegant with grass cloth wall coverings within sculpted niches, similarly patterned sheer window treatments, and diminutive box-weave dining room chairs. The solid granite-topped sideboard, with deep iridescent veins of brown and bronze, creates a welcome contrast. The dark iron chandelier over the dining room table and silver cabinet pulls on the sideboard are a great example of the play on using reciprocal finishes. “Blending finishes isn’t a disputable issue in interior design anymore,” says LaManna. “As long as there is cohesiveness in large objects, you can intermingle the finishes to play on a basic theme.”


In the kitchen, the design team added Colonial-gold granite countertops that run atop all surfaces, a stand-alone baker’s island and the raised breakfast bar. “We consider this the heart of the home,” says LaManna of the large multi-purpose kitchen. A trendy rounded-edge tile pattern offers a soft dramatic inlay behind the six-burner Viking gas stove. “The vintage lace cabinet finish really polishes off the room,” adds Midnet. Large dark iron pulls on the base cabinets are counterbalanced by subtle gold and silver finished knobs on the upper cabinets, and a whimsical pendant lantern above a culinary island. Mother-of-pearl glass pendant lights highlight the breakfast bar and kitchen table.


The kitchen flows into the open family room, and showcases a ceiling design trend of cypress wood panel inlays in both adjoining spaces. A down-filled, lightly colored Kreiss sofa faces an integrated television cabinet with wood paneling echoing the ceiling design. “We specially engineered the top of the television cabinet with granite. Not a simple task for a pop-up design, but it really made sense as it blends the two rooms so well,” says Midnet. The sunlit room glances outside to the refreshing infinity pool, terrace, and double-boat dock.



Upstairs, an additional master or in-law suite, beautifully demonstrates the design teams talents as it includes a hand-scraped walnut floor and wooden ceiling with a light beechwood-inspired faux finish. Gold chenille armchairs sit at the foot of a large maple bed outfitted with soft-white cotton bedding and golden accent pillows. The suite is equipped with a private kitchen and wine cooler. “I love this room because it faces west, and is filled with light from sunsets,” says Midnet. He continues, “We purposely left the doors and windows without draperies in this room because the view deserves the attention.” With its own private terrace, Midnet adds, “it overlooks the pool and is positioned to capture views in all directions including the canal.”


Luxuriously appointed, the downstairs master suite offers tranquil respite and serene quarters. The connecting master bathroom is flanked with his-and-hers vanities that are conjoined with a marble garden tub; the spa shower by Kohler is appointed with brushed nickel hardware and includes automated temperature-controlled, dual full-body shower heads for a blissful spa experience. The walls are dressed with a soft taupe and cream-colored wall covering creating a soothing ambiance.


In true Florida style, this home embraces the year-round sunny, tropical weather with its cleverly crafted outdoor rooms as an extension to the home. The home opens to an expansive terrace, featuring a majestic fireplace and a cozy outdoor living area. A starburst pattern on the tabletops echoes the dramatic cypress crossbeams and creative wood design that weaves overhead. Natural travertine marble tiles cover the outdoor terrace. The Castelle outdoor furniture sits on the terrace with biscuit-colored, weather-friendly cushions highlighted with flecks of blue in the cord detailing. LaManna remarks, “What is unique about the outdoor chairs is that they are made of a durable metal, yet have a faux-wood finish that compliments the color of the dark cypress ceiling above.” In sync with the blue surrounding water and light green palms, the accent pillows compliment the surrounding nature. The room is complete with a large outdoor cook’s kitchen.


Situated on the unique dimensions of a corner lot, the builder, architect, and designers created a one-of-a-kind outdoor living space. “The lanai is my favorite space in the home, as it truly captures the great views and siting of the home. This is a boater’s home,” adds Kukk. Behind the fireplace and visible through the iron railings is a long side yard that leads to two boat docks. The infinity pool has a unique custom lagoon design, which offers a shallow entry for chaise lounges or for small children; poised above sits a circular spa with a cascading waterfall into the main pool. Midnet shares, “The interior edge of the pool design is covered in a simple bluish green tile to reflect the sky and surrounding tropical greenery.”


Homeowners today expect fine quality craftsmanship and materials when looking for their next luxury residence. This home not only hits the mark, it exceeds their greatest expectations.

Written by Mollie Page

Photography by Ken Siebenhar

Kukk Architecture & Design

1300 3rd Street South, Suite 203 E

Naples, Florida 34102

239. 263.9996

Kreiss featuring Interiors by Design West

9118 Strada Place, The Mercato

Naples, Florida 34108

239.249.6800

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