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SW Florida Articles

The House Home & Design Built by Kristine Hughes See Entire Article When Home and Design® Magazine publisher Tony Spano and his wife, Terri, were looking to build a new home in Naples in 2006, they knew that they would need plenty of room for their growing family. "When we found this lot in the Oaks Estates," says Mrs. Spano, “we knew it would be perfect.”
Craftsmanship With A Flair by Helena Wellesley See Entire Article A combination of superb craftsmanship and a flair for architectural detail are qualities that have earned McGarvey Custom Homes a well-deserved reputation for designing quality estate homes with flair. Their newest model, the Corsica at Mediterra, is no exception. The four-bedroom home, offering 4,906 square feet under air and a total of 7,340 square feet of living area, is rich with such architectural details as Keystone columns and accent trim, richly detailed volume ceilings, and a grand Mediterranean tower entryway.
Everyday Luxury – Extraordinary Living by Kristine Hughes See Entire Article In Florida’s Gulf Coast, discover The Lake Club, the most private village in the highly acclaimed master-planned community of Lakewood Ranch in Bradenton, Florida. This award-winning 8,500 acre community has eight of the finest residential neighborhoods, recreational facilities and commercial areas surrounded by the best of Florida’s natural landscape. As a resident in Southwest Florida’s premier community, you will enjoy living just minutes from restaurants, schools, shops, boutiques, athletic and health centers, the Sarasota Polo Club, a hospital and six world-class golf courses.
Whimsical Elegance by Helena Wellesley See Entire Article One look at luxury custom homebuilder and developer Distinctive Communities, Inc.’s Renoir model home, located in the Marsala community at Tiburon in Naples, and you know you’re in for something different. The two-story residence, offering 4,168 square feet of living space including four bedrooms-plus-den and five-and-a-half-baths, encompasses all of the standard features contained in every Distinctive Communities home including volume ceilings, Clerestory windows, multimedia, satellite and home office wiring, an in-home communication system, security system and a custom designed pool.
A Tradition Of Excellence by Kristine Hughes See Entire Article McGarvey Custom Homes continues their tradition of excellence with the unveiling of their Villa Roma model home in the Marcello neighborhood at Mediterra. The three-bedroom home, offering 4,347 square feet under air and a total of 5,755 square feet of living area, stands on the ninth fairway of Mediterra’s Tom Fazio-designed North Course. The Villa Roma is one of a dozen new floor plans McGarvey Custom Homes has recently presented as part of their Executive Home line.
Simply The Best by Helena Wellesley See Entire Article Koogler Homes, Inc. has a long reputation as an innovative luxury home builder and their Nautilus I model home in Cape Coral incorporates all of the quality details which have become their trademark. The model has garnered the company numerous awards, including the Cape Coral Construction Industry Association’s Best Overall Home award.
Rock Solid Design by Kate Pakenham See Entire Article Frey & Son’s five-bedroom, two-story Marisol residence is located in the Quarry Shores section in the Quarry in North Naples, a stunning new neighborhood that sweeps around a 320-acre lake carved from solid limestone, from which the home takes some of its design elements.
Classic Yet Comfortable by Kristine Hughes See Entire Article Located in the estates section of Grey Oaks Country Club, the Mediterranean-inspired Villa Brunello is a courtyard home offering 5,307 square feet of living space under air. Built by Landmark Development Group, the interior design is by Landmark Design. Landmark wanted the theme of the home to be both classic and comfortable and used various shades of gold and red throughout the home to add both warmth and luxury to the space.
Contemporary and Chic by Kate Pakenham See Entire Article Garnering the Collier Building Industry Association’s Perfect Score Award, the Leonardo Fiore model home by Bordeaux Homes by Vision Builders incorporates all of the exacting standards for which Bordeaux Homes are noted. From the outside, the 5,440 total square foot home, designed by Rich Guzman of RG Designs in Bonita Springs, offers traditional influences, while inside, the fabulous four - bedroom, four-and-a-half bath floor plan and the stunning interiors by Interior Elements by Valentine & Stone are anything but typical.
Tropical Elegance by Kristine Hughes See Entire Article The award-winning residential developer and construction firm of Distinctive Communities, Inc. has built their reputation by offering homes in such prestigious communities as Pelican Bay, Pelican Marsh, Tiburon, Miromar Lakes and Olde Cypress. Their three latest model homes, the Antigua, Tobago and Grand Roy are now ready for viewing at Martinique at the Classics at Lely Resort and Country Club, a new West Indian-inspired village located within the gated Estates at the Classics. The homes stand as testaments to the gracious elegance of the British West Indies Colonial style of architecture invigorated by the tropical flair of the Caribbean.
Remodeling With Innovation See Entire Article Remodeling can prove to be extremely rewarding for a homeowner. Experiencing the transformation of your existing home into a fresh new dynamic look can be exciting, while adding value to your home. Thirty years of experience in Naples and its surrounding communities has made Bay Builders, a family owned and operated company, very successful in their unique approach to remodeling.
Shades of Blue by Marla J. Ottenstein See Entire Article Just minutes from the pristine beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, as well as from the shops and restaurants of both The Promenade at Bonita Bay and the new Coconut Point center in Estero, Azure, a 26-story, luxury high-rise condominium tower in Bonita Bay, is the most recent achievement in The Lutgert Companies’ impressive portfolio of luxury residences. Azure homeowners enjoy the superlative services and finest amenities, for which The Lutgert Companies are renowned.
Tuscan Rhapsody by Kristine Hughes See Entire Article When Chairman of the Board for Gates McVey, Todd Gates and his wife Angela were looking to build their personal residence, they decided to make it a true dream home. Gates began with a design concept - an age-old country Tuscan estate - and then searched for a suitable piece of property on which to build.
A Perfectly-Planned House by Marla J. Ottenstein See Entire Article Leave it to John McGarvey and Dan Gerner of McGarvey Custom Homes in Naples to literally ‘think of everything.’ Just like their motto says: “It’s our attention to detail that sets us apart,” and the Saint Helena II is proof that every detail, no matter how large or small, is an integral part of their building philosophy.
The Grand Finale by Marla J. Ottenstein See Entire Article Located within walking distance of the shops and restaurants of Venetian Village, and just a stone’s throw away from the pristine beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, Aria, The Lutgert Companies’ most recent triumph, is considered the ‘grand finale’ in the company’s stunning collection of luxury high-rise condominium buildings on Park Shore beach.
Welcome Home See Entire Article Quality rather than quantity, superior craftsmanship and daily attention to detail may not be phrases normally associated with a nickname like “Muddy Shoe Builder.” However, if you’d like to feel like your home is the only one your builder has under construction and that he cares about it as much as you do, seek out the hands-on expertise of Bill Ennen. The President of Florida Lifestyle Homes, Ennen’s nickname is a metaphor that reveals his passion for construction, as well as the personal interest he takes in building homes.
Splendor in the Sky by Linda Sechrist See Entire Article Overlooking the mystic beauty of the Ten Thousand Islands, Gulf of Mexico and McIlvane Bay, this four bedroom, five and one-half bath, 6,000 square foot penthouse residence is situated in a special place where land and water blend seamlessly. Gazing at the mesmerizing views from any of the three terraces or the spacious living areas of this luxurious Hammock Bay residence, the owner’s reasons for selecting this peninsula of undisturbed beauty for a Southwest Florida nesting site become evident.
A Boater’s Dream by Nanci Theoret See Entire Article Ed Oelschlaeger, President of Tampa-based EcoGroup, Inc., makes no bones about how Aqua, his newest residential development in Naples, stacks up against any of his past, present or future projects. Aqua at Pelican Isle Yacht Club, he says, is the crowning achievement in the company’s ultra upscale portfolio and his 30-plus years as a developer.
Neapolitan Splendor by Marla J. Ottenstein See Entire Article Encircled by a profusion of periwinkle plumbagos, cream-colored gardenias and bright red geraniums, this stunningly landscaped, two-story Mediterranean-inspired home commands attention. Perfectly sited on a corner Gulfshore Boulevard lot, the home, (which was built by a builder/developer from Yardley, Pennsylvania) comes with all the bells and whistles. The builder’s attention to detail is unsurpassed.
Striking A Perfect Balance by Kristine Hughes See Entire Article Great blue herons, natural preserves and luxury lifestyle - these are the comforts of home when home is located at Fiddler’s Creek. The award-winning, 4,000 acre master planned community aims to exact a perfect balance between nature and man. Less than one-third of Fiddler’s Creek will be developed for residential use, while the remainder of the land has been dedicated primarily to nature preserves, lakes, parks, golf courses and recreational use.
La Dolce Vita by Marla J. Ottenstein See Entire Article Great blue herons, natural preserves and luxury lifestyle - these are the comforts of home when home is located at Fiddler’s Creek. The award-winning, 4,000 acre master planned community aims to exact a perfect balance between nature and man. Less than one-third of Fiddler’s Creek will be developed for residential use, while the remainder of the land has been dedicated primarily to nature preserves, lakes, parks, golf courses and recreational use.
Favoring the Forum by Nanci Theoret See Entire Article Visitors to The Forum in Fort Myers have the opportunity to visit a succession of model homes built by Ryland Homes. The builder, who entered the Southwest Florida market in 2003, is the exclusive single family homebuilder in the 706-acre mixed-use community, which is circled by commercial, retail and office enterprises. Ryland’s 402 single-family homes are located in The Promenade East and West, with many homesites located along quiet cul-de-sac streets and bordered by large lakes and preserves.
The Perfect Size by Marla J. Ottenstein See Entire Article One of the most appealing characteristics of Titan Custom Homes’ Grande Cypress model is its size. Located in the Bella Lago neighborhood of Briarwood in Naples, the home, with its stunning façade and abundant exterior detailing, is sized just right for a growing family or for the empty nester. From the outside, the home conveys a more intimate façade than most homes of the same genre; but once inside, the largesse and scope of the well designed home is immediately apparent.
Livable Luxury Expertly Designed by Linda Sechrist See Entire Article Wrapped in the warm embrace of The Moorings, one of Naples’ most well-established and centrally located neighborhoods, The Villas of Fairway Terrace is an intimate enclave of 13 single family homes for the discriminating buyer seeking a maintenance-free lifestyle. Individually landscaped for total privacy, the well-appointed homes in this convenient to downtown Naples location are virtually minutes from their own private beach access, the Naples Philharmonic Center and world-class shopping offered in the Village on Venetian Bay and the Waterside Shops.
A Perfect Gem by Marla J. Ottenstein See Entire Article With its magnificently landscaped front yard and majestic design, this beautiful home creates a breathtakingly stunning façade. Encircled by a traditional wrought iron fence, with intermittent cast stone pedestals, the symmetrically-designed, Mediterranean inspired Octavian model has “curb appeal” written all over it.
True Luxury See Entire Article Within walking distance of the beach, Lusso Villas exemplifies Southwest Florida living at its finest. These 10 exquisite Mediterranean-style villas (even the word, “Lusso,” means “luxury” in Italian) are conveniently located in a Park Shore neighborhood in distinctive Naples.
Curb Appeal Exemplified by Marla J. Ottenstein See Entire Article Perfectly sited to take advantage of the beautiful lake views, the St. Augustine VI takes on an ethereal glow as the sunlight kisses its multi-gabled roofs. Painted in shades of sand and soft beige, the home has a series of repetitive arched windows, a corbel-enhanced soffit and several decorative columns, all which draw the eye toward the entry’s intricate, custom-designed glass doors and corresponding arched transom.
Better Safe Than Sorry by Kristine Hughes See Entire Article In 2004, Alexander Betke, president of Betke Homes, Inc., made an important decision. “We are always working to set ourselves apart from what is considered average in the building industry,” says Betke, who is a state certified building contractor, a licensed real estate broker, and a member of many industry organizations, including the Lee Building Industry Association and the National Association of Homebuilders.
Harsh Weather Remedy by Kristine Hughes See Entire Article Though, in many ways Southwest Florida is paradise, the rain and winds of summertime can be tough on a home’s exterior and the sun can damage a building’s “skin” much the same way it can a human’s.
Liveable Luxury by Linda Sechrist See Entire Article The Villa Bel Mare, wrapped in an embrace oflandscaped privacy, is one of 13 single-family homes at The Villas of Fairway Terrace, developed by Jaksich Enterprises, Inc.
Paradise Found by Marla J. Ottenstein See Entire Article Dreaming of paradise? Then look no further than Bay Colony, the crown jewel of Pelican Bay. With more than 225 acres of strategically-planned infrastructure, including environmentally-protected wetlands, mangrove-lined estuaries and bays, three miles of sugar sand beaches and acres of carefully manicured grounds, the exclusive Bay Colony sets the standards that other communities can only strive to attain.
Live In Luxury by Helena Wellesley See Entire Article It is not unusual for developers in Naples to announce their latest projects as being "once in a lifetime" opportunities. While Lusso Villas, an exclusive new enclave of ten luxury villas scheduled for completion in 2007 in the Park Shore area, does not bill itself as such, you can be assured that these residences almost certainly represent the last opportunity to enjoy first-class amenities in that area.
A Model Of Inspiration by Kristine Hughes See Entire Article From their first glimpse of the impressive brick paved driveway, visitors to Gulfstream Homes’ San Marco model residence know they are going to be impressed. `Attention to detail’ are the bywords invariably used to describe this stunning home, located in Verandah, a gated, master-planned community in Fort Myers, developed by The Bonita Bay Group.
Not Your Typical Mortgage Company by Kristine Hughes See Entire Article HouseFunding, a Fintera Capital company, is not your typical mortgage company. For a start, a managing partner with roots in the local community and many years of financial experience operates each HouseFunding location. This allows HouseFunding to leverage relationships throughout the country, but still deliver hometown service in places like Southwest Florida.
Marco Island Hideaway by Marla J. Ottenstein See Entire Article With its rich salmon-hued stucco exterior, Sicilian green shutters and myriad of cupolas and parapets, wrought iron railings and random-colored, blended roof tiles and driveway cobblestones; this stunning six bedroom, six full-and two-half bath home has 8,894 square feet under air and an expansive 17,397 total square feet.
A Family-Friendly Oasis by Jim Freeman See Entire Article Imagine winding, palm-lined streets framed by mature landscaping. A quiet, gated community that welcomes all families. And brick paved driveways that lead to Tuscan-inspired, Mediterranean-style homes. You don’t have to dream about this idyllic setting, it exists in the heart of Naples and only Briarwood offers all this – and more.
Unprecedented Lifestyle See Entire Article Since its release in February, Treviso Bay has been the talk of the town – and for good reason. In the first six months of marketing, the community has sold more than 130 residences. It’s not only the beautifully designed homes that are capturing the imagination of the Baby Boomer generation – but also the community itself – and its unprecedented lifestyle that surely will be the envy of residents currently living in other Southwest Florida golf course communities.
Orchid Run: An Exotic Treat by Sam Moser See Entire Article Orchid Run is a rare find. In an island-inspired setting, townhome residences that enjoy the unique surrounding of community and private courtyards are the ideal solution for tranquility in a desirable Naples location. A gated enclave of residences in harmony with tropical surroundings distinguishes Orchid Run, where a pleasing variety of townhome clusters embody the graceful character and charm found on an island resort.
Beyond Florida Code by J. A. Damon See Entire Article Miles of tranquil, sun-drenched, sugar-sand beaches and glorious spun-gold sunsets along the idyllic Paradise Coast belies the fact that Mother Nature has the ability to devastate everything in sight seemingly on a whim. From Hurricane Andrew in 1992 to Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma in 2005, mass destruction totally obliterated entire neighborhoods, even as building codes became more stringent.
Building on Experience by Andrea G. Rollin See Entire Article When entrepreneur David Redshaw founded Buenavante Homes, Inc. in Bonita Springs in 2005, he brought with him more than 25 years of experience in the building industry.
McGarvey Custom Homes to Build First Annual Design Home by Linda Sechrist See Entire Article Since Diversified Publishing introduced the first issue of Home & Design Magazine in 1997, the publication has not only gained great popularity and won industry awards, it has also earned the attention and respect of Realtors, designers and homebuyers.
Four Corners Design Competition by Linda Sechrist See Entire Article The Collier County museum’s treasure trove of visual glimpses into Naples’ growth from infancy to maturity reveals the likes of a doting parent who captures a child’s Kodak moments for a family album. The cherished scrapbook of recorded history provides a valuable timeline of the pivotal moments and important decisions that influenced Naples’ growth including a notable moment that came in the late 1880s when a group of Tallahassee businessmen founded the Naples Town Improvement Company.
Old Naples Renaissance by Linda Sechrist See Entire Article Seeing things in Naples as they never were and asking, “why not?” area developers are bringing new urbanism to downtown Naples. Though much has changed since Kentucky residents General John S. Williams and Walter Haldeman, owner of the Louisville Courier Journal, first found paradise in 1885, their vision for what later became the City of Naples has not.
Treviso Bay: Classy Sophistication with Modern Style by Robin Pollack See Entire Article Need a manicure before your elegant evening at the Naples Philharmonic? Looking for advice to improve your nutritional habits? How about a mud wrap rich in minerals to beautify your skin, simply because you feel like pampering yourself? For residents of Treviso Bay, such sumptuous amenities aren’t a perk – they’re a given!
The Best of Two Worlds by Sue Lynn See Entire Article When Keith Basik and his father, Larry, purchased a 10-acre parcel of land with a plethora of cypress trees and wetland preserves, they knew it could be turned into an ideal location for a community of custom-built homes. “Our vision was to develop a neighborhood that would be different from any other in Naples,” said Keith Basik, co-owner of Basik Development. The community, located between Goodlette Frank Road and US 4l near Park Shore is one of Naples’ best-kept secrets.
Miromar Lakes Redefines Southwest Florida Architecture by Brad Whalen See Entire Article Day or night, residents and guests who enter Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club are immediately treated to a spectacular sight – a classically inspired fountain, 90 feet in diameter. Crowning the fountain and surrounded by sprays of water are the four Horai, goddesses of the seasons.
Aqua: The New Shade of Waterfront Luxury Living by Casey McCabe See Entire Article Close your eyes and imagine how pleasant it would be to live where every possible service is at your fingertips, from a massage to a fireside nightcap in the 9th floor private sky lounge. Care to stay in a five-star destination hotel and never having to check out? Welcome to Aqua! Developed by EcoGroup, Aqua is an island enclave of just two, 10-story luxury towers totaling 80 residences, which are wrapped in a pristine natural setting.
Treviso Bay: New and Innovative Luxury Golf Community by Robin Pollack See Entire Article You’ve earned the privilege of a life well lived, and the time to live it the way you desire: an upscale, elegant lifestyle with a contemporary twist that speaks to your designing side. You’ve earned life at Treviso Bay, a new luxury community where making your own traditions isn’t simply a dream – it’s your reality.
Passion for Perfection by Linda Sechrist See Entire Article Home – what does it mean to each of us and how can we ever describe its subjective qualities? These questions and others, addressed in Patterns of Home by internationally respected architects Max Jacobson, Murray Silverstein and Barbara Winslow, strike at the heart of attempting to define what it means to create a home. “The essence of a home is a notion that, while hard to describe abstractly, seems to be understood intuitively. We all have a sense of the spaces and places that possess it:...
The Villas of Fairway Terrace: Livable Luxury Tuscan Style by Linda Sechrist See Entire Article Located in the Moorings, the Villas of Fairway Terrace is an intimate enclave of 13 residences developed by Jaksich Enterprises and designed by one of Florida’s premier architect firms, Stofft Cooney Architects, Inc.
Cool Pools See Entire Article Penguin Pools’ 31 years in the business of delivering pools to Southwest Florida is a tough act to beat. With a staff of 33, this is not a company that farms out a great deal of work. From the project design through the installation of the screen enclosure, to service for years to come, Penguin Pools caters to all lifestyles.
Comprehensive Services for Home Purchases See Entire Article The United Companies, with offices strategically located at 2403 Trade Center Way and 385 Broad Avenue, Naples, is a vertically integrated organization geared to real estate development and sales. Headed by principals Glenn L. Vereen, David T. Aldrich and Kenneth W. Brown, the firm's services include sales, design, construction and investment.
Building A Custom Home by Marla J. Ottenstein See Entire Article For some, the thought of building a luxury custom home can be overwhelming, but by hiring the right builder, everything falls into place. Building a sound foundation based on trust is the most important piece of the puzzle. The other pieces automatically fall into place when the general protocol described below is followed.
Elements of a Great Floor Plan by Casey McCabe See Entire Article What makes a floor plan exceptional? Simply put: good use of space. And within that space there are certain features that make a floor plan not only functional but also appealing to homebuyers.
To Be or Not to Be Green? by Linda Sechrist See Entire Article While green may not be the hottest hue in color trends for your home this season, it will always be the first word to roll off the tongue of interior designers who specialize in green interiors for residential design.
Heavenly High-Rises See Entire Article There’s a certain allure about living high among the clouds and the clear blue sky. The huge popularity of high-rises is witnessed by the many buildings already constructed and the continuing development of future projects. Land cost is what drives building height, and with the extremely limited availability of waterfront land, buyers who want to be on the water opt for a high-rise unit.
Camera Ready Bathrooms: Luxury on a Grand Scale by Casey McCabe See Entire Article Interior designers and builders are pulling out all of the stops to create gorgeous bathrooms chock full of functionality.
The New Essential Room by Linda Sechrist See Entire Article The emergence of the home office, the den or the home library as a necessary room in the majority of floor plans offered by Florida homebuilders conjures up the age-old question of which comes first, the chicken or egg.
Home Entertainment & Technology at Your Fingertips by Linda Sechrist See Entire Article Since 2000, home entertainment has emerged as the hottest trend in the home building industry.
Modern Cooks Rattle Those Pots and Pans by Bonnie Brownell See Entire Article Maybe Grandma’s stove was coal-fired, or she might have been among the first to have a harvest gold oven in the wall. Both appliances were light years behind what she could have today.
Perfectly Planned Pools and Spas by Marla J. Ottenstein See Entire Article Designing living spaces for the outdoors is no longer just about pools.