HOME & DESIGN MAGAZINE: SUNSET MAGIC DREAM TEAM CREATES ENCHANTING BEACH HOME FOR ACTIVE FAMILY
Interior Designer: Calusa Bay Design, Naples, FL Luxury Home Builder: Knauf-Koenig Group, Naples, FL Architect: MHK Architecture & Planning, Naples, FL Landscape Architect: Architectural Land Design, Naples, FL Written By: Shawna Hampton Photography By: Rick Betham Photography
When the clients of luxury homebuilder group Knauf-Koenig came across this available Park Shore lot, they knew immediately it would be the ideal spot on which to build the perfect home for their sunset- and water-loving, active family. “The homeowner lived up the street from this lot but wanted the better northwest views of the gorgeous sunsets,” shares builder Matt Knauf of Knauf-Koenig Group.“ And the pie shape of the property allowed the design of the home to have enough room for entertaining and outdoor living.”
The lot selection, as well as the magic created by the design dream team of Knauf-Koenig Group, interior designers Randi Scott and Liz Brown at Calusa Bay Designs, Matthew Kragh with MHK Architecture & Planning, and landscape architect Christian Andrea of Architectural Land Design, resulted in a stunning coastal contemporary home that has already been recognized with Sand Dollar Awards for Best Kitchen and Best Outdoor Living Area in 2021 by the Collier Building Industry Association (CBIA).
ABOVE: Rift-cut white oak on the two kitchen islands and custom hood by Ruffino Cabinetry are accentuated by creamy white Silestone Classic Calacatta countertops. Despite the space planning challenges this created, incorporating two islands was a thoughtful choice that allows the entire family to gather while one member cooks without extra mess. Palecek bar stools in a woven sea grass, with an accent stripe of moody navy blue, offer comfortable seating for morning breakfasts or evening homework. The European White Oak Pizzo finish flooring from the Dolce Vita Collection is premium engineered with a natural UV hardwax finish for optimal durability, and is from Legno Bastone Wide Plank Flooring, supplied by Naples Flooring Company.
ABOVE: Scott and Brown selected furniture with striking architectural features to reflect MHK Architecture & Planning’s bold architecture, such as these Hickory accent chairs in a watery blue Kravet fabric. The lack of a cocktail table in this space was intentional to give the clients room to frolic with their new puppies on the easy- to-clean, hand-knotted Nourison rug. Instead, multiple small side tables, easy to move into place when needed for placing drinks or snacks, take the place of a larger piece.
“This family has lots of fun together,” explains Scott. In addition, the homeowners love to cook, they have college-age children who frequently come home to visit, and they enjoy playing with their rambunctious new puppies. She goes on to add, “Their likes and hobbies, plus how much time they spend in the home, all had a huge impact on our design choices.” Furniture selections and arrangement, floor covering choices, and even the wall and ceiling treatments all work together seamlessly to support and enhance this close-knit family’s lifestyle. Clean lines, natural materials, and neutral colors complement the home’s Old Florida–style architectural features, while the lush landscaping and pool design marry the interior to the site’s on-the-water location and Gulf views.
ABOVE: A custom-built black-iron shelving unit over an accent wallcovering of Phillip Jeffries Manila Hemp grasscloth graces the open-concept dining room. The iron is repeated in the base of the Vanguard dining table, and a built-in sideboard tucked away under the shelving offers a place for hors d’oeuvres. The Anderson Windows & Doors sliders, supplied by Florida Wood Window & Door, leads to the outdoor kitchen, allowing the family and their guests easy access to outside entertainment.
ABOVE: A unique custom-width paneling adorns the vaulted ceiling of this second-floor media room. “The grooves between each panel are called a nickel gap,” explains Knauf, and the overall look is similar to shiplap. The wider width, though, lends a more contemporary, less farmhouse, feel. The large, modular sectional was a special client request — each section can be moved and reconfigured to allow the family to cuddle up for movie nights. “It’s the perfect hang-out spot,” says Brown.
“We specifically designed the home with large windows to take advantage of the views and let natural light flood the interior,” notes Kragh. “Conversely, we paid special attention to architectural details that would help cool the home and save on energy costs.” These details include deep overhangs around the biggest windows and shaded porches over the multiple sliding glass doors that lead to the outdoor living areas, protecting them from the sun’s rays and providing a comfortable place for year-round, night-and-day entertaining.
ABOVE: “This room is the homeowners’ peaceful retreat, and we wanted to create a restful space for them,” Scott remembers. The design team chose neutral colors with pops of blue, reminiscent of the view beyond the expansive, double sliding glass doors. Organic textural elements are carried throughout the suite, like the Palecek chandelier covered in woven cocoa beads, for presence without distracting from the peaceful feeling. Legno Bastone Wide Plank Flooring, installed by Naples Flooring Company, leads out to a private patio.
ABOVE: The juxtaposition of rustic textures with sleek finishes allows the coastal contemporary theme to continue in the master bathroom. White oak cabinetry with a natural stain ceruse treatment is paired with white marble countertops, while a highly polished porcelain slab conceals the shower to the left of the deep soaking tub. The design team selected durable shellstone for the floor, its colors and texture reminiscent of sand — another nod to the family’s love of the beach and sunsets.
With its ideal location on Venetian Bay, working with the unique features of the property was key for the landscaping around the home. Andrea’s design emphasized the rear yard and pool area and capitalized on its bay views. “We accentuated the panorama with a long pool and vanishing edge, giving an endless water perspective from the house,” he relates.
In the end, this group of professionals was able to deliver a successful project due to not only their openness, teamwork, and camaraderie, but also the energy of their fun-loving, inspirational clients.
ABOVE: Cypress cabinetry provides durability for this outdoor kitchen and the custom-built dining table, along with the range hood that is designed to match the indoor kitchen. Remote-controlled screens by Castle Services of SWFL descend from concealed openings in the porch structure to provide the homeowners with what Knauf describes as “365 days of sunsets.” Porcelain tile — from Ruben Sorhegui Tile — was selected to complement the side tables with its concrete-like finish, and shellstone graces the floor.
ABOVE: In the clients’ daughter’s bedroom, the Palecek seagrass bed was the inspiration for the space, as well as her love of sea glass and its muted blue and green tones. “The combination of woven textures in the bed and chandelier with the linen bedding and accent pillows give her the boho coastal feel she wanted,” Brown relates. The wool rug with an ombre gradation brings in the water views from her private balcony.
ABOVE: REAR ELEVATION: The waters of the bay beyond the property are reflected in the Lunada Bay tile decorating the hidden edge of the infinity pool in this view from the lushly landscaped yard. “The grade of the property from the pool deck to the seawall was more than we are used to seeing,” says Andrea. “This allowed us to utilize the vanishing-edge pool and terraced planters to transition from the deck to the dock.”
ABOVE: FRONT ELEVATION: The deep overhangs supported by dramatic brackets framing the windows are not only decorative but functional to provide shade and cooling for the home. The open trusses above the front door let breezes flow through, removing hotter air and offering a cool, sheltered spot for visitors to enter the home. An intricately patterned paver driveway by Allied Paver Systems leads to split garages, three spaces for cars and one for the family’s golf cart.
RESOURCES: Allied Paver Systems 217 North Collier Boulevard, Suite 102 Marco Island, FL 34146 239.394.6152 www.alliedpavers.com Castle Services of SWFL 3963 Enterprise Avenue Naples, FL 34104 239.304.4620 www.castleservices.net Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery 38 Goodlette-Frank Road South Naples, FL 34102 239.963.0087 www.build.com/ferguson Florida Wood Window & Door Andersen Windows & Doors 5691 Halifax Avenue Fort Myers, FL 33912 239.437.6166 www.fwwdinc.com Legno Bastone Wide Plank Flooring 168 Commercial Boulevard Naples, FL 34104 239.206.1898 www.legnobastone.com Naples Flooring Company 900 5th Avenue South Naples, FL 34102 239.263.1213 www.naplesflooring.com Ruben Sorhegui Tile 3876 Mercantile Avenue Naples, FL 34104 239.643.2882 www.sorheguitile.com Ruffino Cabinetry 7947 Drew Circle Fort Myers, FL 33967 239.939.1313 www.ruffinocabinetry.com