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Better Together

The Campbells’ four-bedroom home on Snell Isle is replete with windows to bring in light from all angles. Builder and designer Richard McGinnis of Modern Tampa Bay Homes says, “The house was not about size. It’s dramatic and at the same time intimate for their family. Modern Tampa Bay Homes prides itself on developing design solutions that inspire and conform to budget parameters and the owners’ objectives.”

When California transplants Ryan and Amanda Campbell moved cross country to Florida’s Gulf Coast, they quickly felt at home. Ryan has family in Tampa, and Amanda fell in love with St. Petersburg. “It is a mini San Francisco, but more affordable,” Amanda says of her new city. The young couple discovered Modern Tampa Bay Homes, a design-build firm specializing in contemporary homes. Owner Richard McGinnis helped them to locate the perfect waterfront property on Snell Isle on which to build the house of their dreams. “We liked his style,” Ryan explains, “and he felt approachable.”

These traits hold equal importance because the home’s clean, streamlined design is the result of a collaborative effort between the Campbells and McGinnis. “They were very involved through every step of the process, so the design effort was seamless,” McGinnis says. “We worked together very well as a team.”

The living room borders the pool deck and enjoys a long view of Smacks Bayou, an inlet of Tampa Bay. Two walls of sliding glass doors allow for panoramic views and easy access to the outdoors. Titan porcelain from Grespania Ceramica in Cemento, combined with carpet tiles by Flor, provide ease of cleaning and replacement. For warmth on those few cool Florida nights, a Vermont Castings Aura Linear fireplace is mounted on the wall. A family-friendly sectional and ottoman are paired with swivel chairs which turn easily to enjoy a sunset. Palms in two large dark gray planters add a touch of indoor greenery.

The entryway, much like the house itself, makes a visual statement and feels welcoming at the same time. Ryan declares it his favorite space in the home because of its grand feel. McGinnis’s firm custom fabricated the ornamental staircase, using steel railings and wood treads. The functional steps create a beautiful night time silhouette when lighted. The two Shell Chairs by Hans J. Wegner complement the metal art prints by Laura Oxendine.

The Campbells, who have many ideas and like to be hands-on, agree. “We get joy out of the design process,” Ryan says, adding that they are very opinionated. “I don’t think we could give up control.” The home reflects the couple’s desire for functional minimalism while taking full advantage of the surroundings. “We did everything we could to maximize the view to the water,” says McGinnis. That translates into many strategically placed windows and keeping visual clutter to a minimum.

McGinnis explains the thought behind the kitchen’s dual islands, “We wanted the kitchen to be as un-kitchen-like as possible.” The counters are Caesarstone Pure White and quartz Eggshell, and the custom cabinets from Londos Fine Cabinetry features hardware and veneers sourced from Italy and Germany. The effect is a European look without the high price. With the exception of the oven and induction cooktop, most of the Jenn-Air appliances from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery are concealed. Ikea’s Glenn bar stools offer an alternative to the dining room benches. The pull-down spray faucet is part of Delta’s Trinsic Kitchen collection, and the sink is from the Kohler Vault collection, both from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery.

The dining area discreetly serves as a convenient place for family meals as well as a game room, thanks to the convertible dining table. The Fusion Table’s removable surface covers a pool table and all its accessories. The benches tuck completely underneath so as not to interfere with players. The creative couple pays homage to their new city by photographing local graffiti, tinting and cropping the pictures in an unusual way.

“Throughout the home, the features are not in competition with the views nor the art the client selected,” McGinnis proclaims. This design philosophy especially holds true in the kitchen, where nearly everything, from the refrigerator to the coffeemaker, hides behind doors. “It doesn’t feel like a kitchen,” says Amanda of her favorite room in the home. “It feels like an open living space.”

Much like the pristine kitchen, the master bathroom carries a white-on-white theme, helping the petite room feel large and clean. The cabinets and floating mirror are custom fabrications. In the glassed-in shower, the Grespania Mito Blanco wall tile is complemented by Happy Floors interior tile in Dust, which adds a gray tone. The shower head and faucets belong to Moen’s 90 Degree collection. The sink is Mirabelle Myers undermount from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery.

The master bedroom’s Andes Bed from CB2 maximizes storage space with its built-in, two-shelf nightstands. Ash Studio Design created the art that hangs above the bed. The open closet outfitted by Londos Fine Cabinetry is a dream come true for Ryan, who always wanted a walkaround closet with natural light.

When it comes to the furnishings, the couple balances the need for storage and their affinity for modernism with the realities of living with a young daughter. They served as their own interior decorators. “It’s almost a hobby for me,” Amanda acknowledges. “I used to move every year so I could design my place.” Luckily, the couple has similar taste. “We really wanted to go with clean lines and we wanted to keep them light colored,” says Amanda. “We also had to be practical. Some design choices were based on having child.”

The Campbells primarily use a mix of big-box store furniture with notable exceptions. “Each room has one unique piece we spent time finding,” Ryan says. The combination of custom and store-bought items, much like the collaboration between the homeowners and the builder, produces a final outcome that is better together.

The fully equipped guest suite has a separate entrance so that it could be rented, but its primary intent is for visiting family. “We want them to feel comfortable staying a long time,” Ryan says. The kitchenette boasts Londos Fine Cabinetry similar to the main kitchen. The dining table is from Room & Board, as are the bedside lamps. West Elm’s Mid-Century Upholstered dining chairs offer space for a quiet meal. The platform bed provides visitors with extra storage space.

The den doubles as an office for both Ryan and Amanda, requiring a custom desk. Londos Fine Cabinetry fabricated the desk to their specifications. “They wanted to work where they could enjoy the view,” McGinnis says. Ryan, who works from home, adds, “It had to at least be a comfortable room.” Function meets comfort and style in the Herman Miller Sayl Chairs and the West Elm couch from the Tillary Collection. The coffee table blocks are from CB2. The Campbells collected most of their fun and eclectic artwork during their travels. Two known artists are Erica Sirotich and Scott C.

With pops of color from the pillows and art, the Campbells’ daughter’s room has been designed to grow and change with her. The couch, the CB2 Flex Sleeper, transforms into a bed that can sleep two people, and her Babyletto Hudson crib converts to a toddler bed. The Monte Joya Modern Rocker maintains the neutral and contemporary design while a pendant lamp adds a touch of whimsy.

With such a stunning view, the family naturally spends a lot of time outdoors, whether entertaining or enjoying the amenities. The pool is outfitted with wet edge quartz, Gris colored tile from Kertiles Sierra Collection and Tremron Glacier decking. For relaxation, three CB2 chaises in Idle Grey face the pool.

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery 302 N Willow Ave Tampa, FL 33606 813.253.0390 www.fergusonshowrooms.com

Londos Fine Cabinetry 6901 Bryan Dairy Rd. Suite 130 Largo, FL 33777 727.544.2929 www.londosfinecabinetry.com

Modern Tampa Bay Homes 2250 Central Ave St. Petersburg, FL 33712 727.820.1480 www.moderntampabayhomes.com

Written by Kendra Gemma Photography by Blaine Johnathan

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