It took the talents of a trio of professionals and the desires of the artistic and tasteful owners to create this lovely home in the enclave of Sarasota’s Spice Bay. This custom-built home features five-bedrooms and six baths with 4,635-square feet under air.
Architect Clifford M. Scholz, builder Richard Perrone of Perrone Construction and Interior Designer Susan Calhoun joined forces in what became a dream collaboration to make the owners’ vision a reality.
The couple chose an architectural style reminiscent of the British West Indies. The exterior colors for the roof and stucco were chosen to give the home a fresh look. Calhoun knew her clients’ taste well, as she has worked with them on several of their other homes in their native Canada.
“They insisted that everything must be comfortable and practical,” says Calhoun. “They wanted a beautiful traditional home with a modern twist.”
The living room’s design met the challenge. A silk and wool taupe rug provides a neutral foundation. The couch, covered in ivory textured cotton blend, and a soft green trellis pattern used on the twin club chairs, prove restful. The turquoise linen chair provides a pop of color, but the room’s truly eye-catching elements are the Brunschwig & Fils kashmira linen print draperies, the IKAT and embroidered ribbon couch pillows, the seascape and palm prints over the limestone fireplace and couch, and the bronze sculpture of a diver. The English walnut cocktail trestle table and the bronze-banded side table complete the look beautifully.
The media room features a chenille velvet sectional in a mushroom tone. Ikat draperies accent well with a dark chocolate brown and teal print. The throw pillows have strips of ribbed velvet cut and sewn into a geometric pattern. An Asian influence is seen in the shape of the mahogany coffee table. The framed batik prints and the wrought iron globe lamp add further exotic accents.
Walnut floors truly shine in the eat-in kitchen, which takes the place of a formal dining room. The cherry table and chairs, covered in turquoise linen, provide seating for up to 12 under a wrought iron chandelier with rope detailing. The star of the gourmet kitchen is the 11-foot island, covered in one seamless piece of granite. Tumbled Bottocino marble rectangles form the backsplash and the cabinets of Magnolia White are custom-made. The three bronze pendant lights are of an industrial vintage style.
In a guestroom, the movement of the sea is suggested in the burled veneer of the bed and nightstand. Suzzani inspired drapes coordinate perfectly with a bed ensemble of floral printed pillows and a quilted paisley coverlet. Embroidered linen textiles are framed above the bed and cracked ceramic gourd lamps provide reading light. A high-backed chair in rattan, reminiscent of the British West Indies period, is clad in a woven cotton.
The hallway’s cream settee features paisley printed pillows. A painting above, from the owners’ private collection, joins an original still life at the end of the hall and a four-panel hand painted screen gracing the stairwell. A taupe textured leather chest sits underneath an antique mirror and a trio of bronze antique mirror accented chandeliers banish any shadows.
The stylized leaves on the drapery panels set a tropical tone in the master bedroom, underscored by the ocean prints above the bed. Wicker campstools, topped with square celery green cushions, recall the British Empire. An oatmeal linen headboard is accented by nailhead trim and the military corners of the quilted cotton coverlet are tucked under the bed’s stained wood surround. The club chair is upholstered in patterned cotton and the mirrored desk and crystal bedside lamps add glamour. A soothing sage green striated wool rug provides comfort underfoot.
The master bath is a study in spa-like simplicity. Dove grey walls and snow-white wooden shades are the perfect backdrop for the freestanding vintage style tub and the chandelier of coral and pewter. White marble covers the floor and the walk-in shower’s walls. The custom cabinetry that houses the twin sinks was created to fit the mushroom fossil stone countertop, lit from above by frosted glass and polished nickel lamps.
Soothing marine blue creates a nautical feel to the office. Velvet wing chairs and a cotton sofa complement the linen draperies in an embroidered sea urchin pattern. A triptych of a sea turtle adorns the wall. The perota veneer table has distinctive horn detailing and column lamps of sparkling mercury glass reflect the window’s light.
The home’s outdoor area features several sections. The dining table and chairs in bronze wrought iron provide seating for 12 under a tongue-and-grooved ceiling of cypress. Loungers are set about for sun-worshippers and a raised covered section offers shelter from the occasional rain shower, as well as a fireplace for cool evenings. A dark wicker seating group invites relaxation. Syrian Alba stone creates the herringbone accent above the fireplace and the spa front and pool edge are enhanced with mosaic tiles.
Calhoun found designing the home a unique experience, “I was able to use materials I would never use in Canada,” she says. “Such beautiful light, colors, textures, and furnishings have truly inspired my creativity.”
Perrone Construction has overseen the construction of all the homes built in Spice Bay. With six more home sites to be sold and custom homes to be designed, President Richard Perrone says the choice of the British West Indies home style has found great favor with clients.
“Such an architectural style is perfect for outdoor living, capturing the casual elegance that our owners have come to expect. I believe the pride we take in our work comes through clearly in every home we build, and this home is another example of that commitment,” concludes Perrone.
Written by Kitt Walsh Photography by Greg Wilson
Clifford M. Scholz Architects (CMSA) 300 S. Orange Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 941.364.4600 www.cmsa1.com
Perrone Construction 7045 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota FL 34231 941.924.6900 www.perroneconstruction.com
Collage Designs 1745 Bayview Avenue Toronto, Ontario, Canada 416.932.0302 www.collagedesigns.ca
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