In the Sarasota neighborhood of Avondale, elegant 1930s Colonial Revival-style homes stand proudly beside quaint bungalows and low-slung ranch models of the 1950s and ’60s. Leafy oak trees line some streets, while stately royal palms march down others. Colorful bougainvillea climb the time-worn stucco of decades-old Mediterranean-style abodes. Sprinkled throughout this historic and charming area south of the Hudson Bayou are the signs of renovation. Some new homes are faithful representations of recognizable architectural styles. Others, like this stunning symmetrical contemporary, are uniquely tailored to the homeowners’ tastes.
Designed by Jon Coulhurst, the open floor plan invites exceptional indoor-outdoor living on this double lot. An abundance of glass, lofty 14-foot ceilings, clean lines, and a mixture of materials such as stone and stucco, wood soffits, and a standing seam metal roof combine to give this home the contemporary moniker. While Coulthurst does have favorite features of this design, he says, “We want to design what the client wants to live in, not what we think they should live in.”
Interior designer Alan Gravely of Beginning to End Interiors agrees, “When a home is finished, it should look like we haven’t been there. It should reflect the homeowners’ style, not mine.” Gravely adds that this project was especially enjoyable to work on because he was brought in on the ground floor, working with the homeowners before they even began the teardown of the previous structure to make way for their dream home.
Finishes, fixtures, and furnishings all fulfill the homeowners’ desire to have a comfortable home that they could live in. A white background sets the tone for the soft, watery colors—very popular in the Sarasota area—that grace the main living areas and are reflected in the artwork commissioned from local artist Meg Krakowiak.
The simple elegant symmetry of the home, with warm light spilling from unadorned windows, strikes a serene balance. Stacked stone pillars support the entryway ceiling of clear-coated tongue-and-groove cypress. The custom-made double doors feature inlaid horizontal metal grooves and close with linear click-latch door handles, approximately three feet in length. Twin wall sconces from LyteWorks cast a welcoming glow.
A 12-inch deep bump-out on the focal wall, faced with 12-by-36-inch 3D tile from La Casa Tile, adds floor-toceiling texture while housing a low-hung electric fireplace and wall-mounted television. Floating cabinets and shelving of minimalist design by More Space Place provide sleek storage and display space. Barn doors open to a home office. The wood-look porcelain plank flooring from La Casa Tile is from Cobra’s Cherry Grove collection. A Kaleen Cord area rug anchors a seating group comprised of two leather chairs, a textured fabric sofa from Temple, and a pair of Parker Southern linen-finish swivel chairs. The Luxe John-Richard coffee table features a wood body with moveable slatted-metal overtop. Original painting by Meg Krakowiak.
A floating ceiling of tongue-and-groove cedar installed over the kitchen island provides definition to the kitchen area in this open floor plan. A trio of spherical laser-cut metal pendants from Lyteworks hang over a 10-by-5-foot island topped with White Ice granite from The Granite Place. A quartet of white leatherette and brushed stainless steel Darwen stools from Zuo slides under one side of the island. The quartz countertop has a matte finish. The backsplash from LaCasa is 12-by-12-inch mesh sheets of small mosaic tiles in shades of navy blue and aqua.
A John-Richard Eucalyptus and Smokey credenza creates an entryway and provides storage for the dining area. A walnut and white acrylic layered-arch, metal-banded LED pendant lamp hangs overhead. A Hubberton Forge Cavaletti pendant illuminates the custom-made walnut-topped dining table. The 42-by-96-inch table was specified for the space to comfortably seat eight, with no obstructions underneath. TCS Chateau hostess chairs are clad in high-performance chenille fabric. The 96-by-36-inch custom painting by artist Meg Krakowiak acts a focal piece and echoes the color palette from the adjoining great room and kitchen. Beginning to End fabricated the draperies in Stout Fabrics’ geometric Dolby pattern in seafoam and beige sisal.
Hunter Douglas Duette Architella motorized blackout shades in the clerestory window above the bed, and blackout-lined drapery panels in Dura Lee Gavotte Bay fabric provide privacy on the recessed sliding glass door. A matching bolster, upholstered Tarragon linen headboard, and custom bed skirt were fashioned by Beginning to End Interiors to complement the Ann Gish bedding. Hooker Elixer two-drawer nightstands topped with a pair of Bradburn Home Petite Seychelles table lamps flank the bed. A Kaleen area rug in Marble grounds the group. The Hooker Bryn wing chair and matching ottoman offer comfortable seating.
The frameless glass walk-in shower is tiled with 12-by-24-inch linen-textured wall tile in Natural, stacked horizontally. On the shower floor, color-coordinating mesh-backed 12-by-12-inch tiles are laid in a basket weave pattern. 6-by-24-inch gray mosaic tile provides subtle contrast for the accent. Fixtures from Moen’s 90 Degrees series include a rain-head shower and a hand-held head on a slide bar. A center-hinged tower divides the two quartz-topped vanities from The Granite Place. Each mirror was finished with crown moulding and the clerestory window framed—all to add a finished look to the wall.
Energy Star-rated honey-colored Spitfire ceiling fans can be controlled by a smartphone app. Designed to emulate a propeller, the fan duo hangs from a tongue-and-groove cedar ceiling. The homeowner requested that 16-by-16-inch pavers be installed to continue the linear orientation of the pool and keep the outdoor living space open and large. The outdoor kitchen features a built-in gas grill. Fully-retractable roll-down screens can turn the lanai into a bug-free zone with the push of a button.
The pool is oriented lengthwise to extend the unobstructed sight line encountered when you enter the home. A row of deck jets adjacent to the grass send gentle arcs into the water. A pair of lounge chairs sit atop the sunning shelf, while another pair is perched poolside under an umbrella. A deep blue was chosen for the pool surface finish. In harmony, the water, color, and sound elements create a relaxing, resort-like ambiance.
Written by Ginny Cooper Photography by Detlev von Kessel
Beginning to End Interiors 4453-C Ashton Road Sarasota, FL 34233 941.924.4481 www.b2end.com
The Granite Place 2328 N. Washington Blvd. – Rte 301 Sarasota, FL 34234 941.360.8901 www.thegraniteplace.net
La Casa Tile 1777 Northgate Blvd., Unit A-3 Sarasota, FL 34234 941.358.6464 www.lacasatile.com
LyteWorks 816 Manatee Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941.745.2900 www.lyteworks.com
Meg Krakowiak Contemporary Art Gallery & Studio 60 South Palm Ave Sarasota, FL 34236 941.400.2478 www.megkrakowiakstudios.com
More Space Place 3906 South Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 941.927.0807 www.morespaceplace.com/sarasota
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