A seamless melding of the natural environment with exceptional interior finishes defines this private Port Royal escape. Situated on an oversized lot with views of Hidden Bay, this home’s design emphasizes the ultimate in outdoor living by taking advantage of the more than 150 feet of waterfront, and a southwest exposure.
“This house was designed to feel like a vacation. The rooms inside the home have a cozy, defined feel but still allow the spaces and visuals to flow freely,” says architect Jon Kukk. “The use of strong centered ceilings focuses the spaces, and open glass walls and doors allow the views to circulate.”
A collaborative effort from the beginning, the team of Kukk, Refined Builders, and interior designer Lisa Kahn crafted the space as a respite for its future owners. The main level has multiple living areas and walls of disappearing, no-threshold sliding doors for a clean transition to expansive covered outdoor space. Upstairs four bedrooms and an additional living area are a private retreat for visiting children and grandchildren. A breezeway leads to a flexible first floor bungalow with its own entrance, living area, kitchen, bedroom and bath.
“This home moves away from coastal to more of an island feel,” notes Mitch Clardy, co-owner of Refined Builders. “There are variations in colors, with a warmer feel in the floor and finishes. It’s an expansive home inside with over 9,000 square feet, but doesn’t feel overwhelming because of the rich tones and open floor plan that bring the outdoors in.”
With total creative license, Kahn drew upon the natural surroundings to create a peaceful environment for the future owners. “This house was designed to erase the boundaries between inside and out. We created interiors that embrace the natural world—the colors and textures of the earth, the bay, and the sky,” explains Kahn. “This is a sanctuary- a home created to nurture those within, serving not only their physical bodies, but their spirits as well.”
“We take a boutique approach to luxury home building,” adds Clardy. “This team has a good, strong, working relationship and we understood each other’s visions. We all made certain it was executed on every level in the finished product.”
The home’s transitional island-style is immediately presented with a front entry courtyard featuring fountains and breezeways. The exterior is clad in Syrian stone with shell stone front porch and steps. Island green aluminum shutters soften the exterior and further individualize the home. To the left of the front door, a meditation garden with water bowl and tiled water wall punctuate the path to the guest bungalow.
The beauty of the main living area, notes Kahn, is in the simplicity of the Sea Pearl quartzite slab over a linear fireplace with custom walnut shelving on either side.
An antique camel cart retrofitted as a daybed rests upon the hand knotted rug. A Stanford custom upholstered sofa and chairs, and Roberta Shilling cocktail table are illuminated by a Currey & Co. rock crystal chandelier. The room’s elements reflecting the greenery of the lot such as woven grass cloth, wood, and shades of green and blue, tie the indoors to the exterior. Draperies in Jim Thompson embroidered linen hang from stainless steel rods. Rich, oiled walnut wood flooring leads the eye down a generous hallway to the shaped wood console table by Noir.
A comfortable family room adjacent to the kitchen features an Albert & Dash natural, woven jute rug, Stanford custom upholstered sofa and chairs, a Lorts custom cocktail table, and recycled glass lamps. The room opens to the lanai with cypress ceiling and shellstone deck. The outdoor kitchen features custom blended green-painted cabinetry, and a leathered-finish Perla Venata quartzite countertop from Naples Stoneworks. A 36-inch Wolf grill, ice maker, warming drawer, and refrigerator are from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery.
In the eat-in kitchen a zinc-topped table with a reclaimed wood base is paired with Noir rush dining chairs under a Curry & Co. basket weave chandelier. Custom Roman shades are of Cowtan & Tout embroidered cotton. The bleached walnut kitchen island from Ruffino Cabinetry’s Luxury collection features an “X” detail with custom metal accents over shiplap ends. The island is topped with Costa Esmeralda granite, with coordinating perimeter countertops and full-height backsplash are Taj Mahal quartzite from Naples Stoneworks. The kitchen features a Wolf 60-inch range and a 72-inch Sub-Zero refrigerator from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery.
A temperature-controlled wine wall creates an artistic division between the great room and built-in bar. The stained and bleached walnut bar designed by Carol and Stephen Ruffino of Ruffino Cabinetry, incorporates the same “X” detail as seen in the kitchen. The countertop is Sea Pearl quartzite. Stanford backless bar stools with nail-head finish soften the space which leads to the formal dining room.
French doors in the formal dining room open to bring the natural greenery inside. A custom, live edge, formal dining table, is paired with custom upholstered chairs. The curves of the Abner Henry painted wave buffet mimic the live edge of the table. An Ashley Childers raw crystal point chandelier, and natural embroidered linen draperies complete the organic feel of the room.
A true owner’s retreat, the master bedroom is soft and inviting. An Abner Henry custom bed in wood, iron and linen is a study in textures. The bed is flanked by custom painted nightstands with bedside lamps from the Lisa Kahn Collection for Chelsea House. Printed linen draperies feature the same fabric as the custom bench at the foot of the bed.
Calming in its symmetry and simplicity, the master bath features his and her showers, water closets, and walk-in closets. A light sea glass and onyx mosaic floor leads to the shower with walls of white marble. At the center of the room is an oversized egg tub with teak bath board. Walnut vanities with Mother of Pearl hardware are topped with Mont Blanc quartzite from Naples Stoneworks.
The home was designed with wide circulation spaces to maintain the desired open flow. Upstairs, a loft with walnut finished morning bar serves the four en suite bedrooms. A Stanford custom sectional, rattan chaise, and Noir reclaimed wood cocktail table provide a private, comfortable living space for grandchildren and guests. In keeping with the natural elements of the home, organic art is visible in the stairway landing, and a one-of-a-kind marine life quadriptych watercolor hangs over the sofa.
The guest bungalow maintains the organic feel of the home. A Noir woven raffia bed is paired with open end walnut nightstands with Capiz shell lamps. Burlap “X” benches rest in front of a large window dressed in embroidered cotton draperies.
Providing complete flexibility of use, the guest bungalow includes a comfortable seating area, kitchenette and full bath in addition to the spacious bedroom. In creating this VIP space, organic elements are used in the floor covering, wall hangings and shades.
With long views of Hidden Bay, the multi-level outdoor living space spans the length of the main living areas inside. Each room opens to covered outdoor lanais with cypress ceilings and retractable screens. A fire pit gathering space and multiple lounging areas surround the expansive infinity-edge pool.
Written by Lisa Mishler
Photography by Giovanni Photography
From Home & Design Magazine