As night falls on Tampa Bay, the transitional style of the home truly shines. Flatly-lined concrete tile roofs and silver travertine walkways speak to the modernist side, while Indiana limestone detail and richly-toned wood accents, as seen on the arched entry and garage doors, pay homage to the traditional. The varietal landscaping that is the center point of the circular driveway is an artful design element that generously contributes to the overall beauty of the front façade.
When you have young children and dogs and need lots of space, when your perfect lot comes with a set of restrictions, and when you’re used to a certain look and cautiously-optimistic about adapting to another, where do you begin? In the case of this striking 6,955-square foot Tampa residence, the homeowners enlisted a creative team—architect Jennifer Garcia, builder David Seidenberg, and interior designer Enrique Crespo—to expertly tackle their challenges, accommodate their needs, and bring about a product that granted all of their wishes.
The perspective of the foyer emphasizes the open layout, which flows with ease. Glass jars accessorize the center table and hint at the exciting color palette that awaits. A lightweight woven rug by Surya lies beneath. Elegant brushed oak, dark-stained flooring contrasts the neutral taupe walls. The quadriptych is by Gregory Siff.
Crespo approached the great room with reckless abandon… and it totally works! A custom rug by Addison Dicus, featuring a steel gray hexagonal pattern, contrasts a pair of custom Lee Industries ottomans, fabricated in an aqua chevron cut-velvet. The boxy olive leather lounge chairs, also by Lee Industries, make a beautiful couple. An L-shaped sectional is accented with haute couture Christian Lacroix pillows. Dark wood beams introduce a linear element, while a tufted cocktail ottoman and 2-tiered accent tables play up the gold.
Every facet of the kitchen and sizable eat-in breakfast area is significant. The pickled ash glaze finish of the cabinetry says rustic, but the wired Four Hands counter stools, concrete kitchen table with banquette, elongated chandelier, and Four Hands textured trio of glass hanging pendants speak industrial chic. The kitchen counters are Brazilian Grand Delicatus granite with a 2 1/2-inch mitered edge from Ramos Marble & Granite. The ceiling beams, and hand-cut hexagonal porcelain tile backsplash, perpetuate themes seen in the attached great room.
The sense of energy is heightened as one ascends the custom radius staircase, detailed by slender side-mounted balusters. A captivating, large-scale abstract painting entitled California Dreamin’ by Danny Minnick causes one to take pause. The thought-provoking piece that hangs adjacently is Selma by Tristan Eaton. The landing is also an excellent vantage point from which to enjoy the custom chandelier, which features exposed Edison bulbs to tap into an industrial mystique.
The desire for space, unobstructed views of Tampa Bay, an open layout, a transitional vibe, and soaring ceilings were all non-negotiables. Garcia’s plan included five dedicated bedrooms, plus one to be used as a study, and one more to serve as a playroom. And since the kids aren’t the only ones who like to play, she also included the ultimate “man cave”—a state-of-the-art golf simulation room.
Outdoor living being Florida’s biggest draw, numerous balconies and an expansive backyard were incorporated into the grand scheme. Facilitating the shift between the family’s prior traditional home to a more modern one, without triggering culture shock, Garcia’s ceiling details, arches, and columns were kept fuss-free and streamlined. “I think this house is truly transitional and a good blend between trendier features and more traditional styling,’ says Garcia.
The owners’ own kinetic painting, Statues and Environments by Zio Ziegler, sparked Crespo’s design inspiration in the dining room. Taking visual cues, he fashioned a custom rug from CDG, pulling colors from the art so it would resonate. The Neo-classic shape of the antique dining chairs is turned on its head by using metal for the frame to propel the seating into modern times. Custom cushions are clad in a Zimmer and Rohde pebble-textured, marigold-colored chenille fabric. Visual Comfort chandeliers shine down upon an ebonized table with exaggerated turned legs.
In the master bedroom, Crespo wanted to create a calming, spa-like atmosphere, bringing in seaside colors yet keeping them sophisticated. The clients’ pre-existing bed was reupholstered in lighter tones. The walls were then treated with a Phillip Jeffries stringed paper in gradients of gray. A glossed mahogany Bernhardt nightstand, custom light teal silk folded window shades, a Currey & Co. Sputnik-style chandelier dripping with crystal, and a textural custom rug in marine-like colors complete the look. Matching high-backed Lee Industries chairs face the Bay.
Along those same lines, Seidenberg utilized natural products—varietal stones and woods—to impart a cozier ambiance to the expansive space. “I believe we were successful in creating warmth but still bringing in a modern feel,” he says. The builder also devised a folding glass door system so the barrier between indoors and out could easily be broken.
Crespo’s interior strategy was to strike the perfect balance between the monochromatic and the colorful. Aside from the couple’s vibrant abstract art collection, he infused eye-popping shades of fuchsia, teal and gold, which was not met with any resistance. “My intention was to update their look without taking them too far out of their comfort zone,” he says.
Codes that required a certain elevation above sea level, as well as height restrictions, presented a “catch 22.” The client settled on still significant 12-foot ceilings, and the architect and builder managed to gracefully navigate the guidelines by constructing a new sea wall and raising the structure. With ingenuity and some compromise, the resulting home is a stunning embodiment of everything the homeowner dreamed of.
The master bath appointments are rich, yet manage to maintain a laid-back feel. The floors, countertops, and bathtub top are mineralized in Namibia Silver granite from South Africa sources through Ramos Marble & Granite. Glitzy sconces from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery bring Hollywood glamour, and the Arteriors chandelier imitates a spiny sea urchin. A Hartman and Forbes shade diffuses the natural light, and a shaggy turquoise Interlude vanity chair pokes a little fun.
The backyard is a dream playground for both adults and children who love to swim every day in the shapely pool. An extensive balcony system provides numerous opportunities to soak in the home’s direct southern exposure. Silver travertine—an elegant answer to today’s wildly-popular concrete—is utilized on the pool deck, the square stones that punctuate the lawn, and the stairs connecting the elevated home to sea level. An elongated, built-in concrete sofa adorned with pillows in a nautical print by Stark, and a custom firepit, are conducive to getting cozy and watching the sunset.
This balcony is situated on the first floor but appears higher because the entire home was raised to evade potential floodwaters. The metal iron railing and dining set have a contemporary flair, but the cypress V-groove ceilings, and integrated limestone arches and columns—adorned only by simple corbels—veer back toward the transitional.
Written by Robin Hodes Interior Photography by Susan Carnes Exterior Photography by Nicholas Ferris Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery 302 North Willow Avenue Tampa, FL 33606 813.253.1690 www.fergusonshowrooms.com
Ramos Marble & Granite 2714 N Armenia Ave Tampa, FL 33607 813.253.2620 www.rmg-inc.com
Comments