The fashionable Coco Chanel was nothing if not pragmatic. “Luxury must be comfortable,” she proclaimed. “Otherwise, it is not luxury.” That apparently straightforward notion could have served as the mantra for this fashionably new Olde Naples home on the waterfront.
Nestled within a lush, tree-lined neighborhood in Olde Naples, there is a new Key West-style home that exudes the relaxed ambiance of the quintessential Florida lifestyle. In an area known for its quaint and historic character, this custom-built coastal home was designed with much thought to its graceful waterfront location and serenely relaxed views. When the sun begins its daily descent, the shadows of this stately and beautiful waterfront home — with its twinkling interior lights –— glisten off the lake like a Monet painting. Luxuriously expansive, casually elegant, and prominently perched over a serene lake, it is evident that this house is much more than just a home -— it is a lifestyle.
When the owners of the 220 North Lake Drive residence discovered this plot of land, they immediately knew it was the perfect place to build a dream home on the water. Located only steps from the beach, this lakefront property provides the best of both worlds. The 7,125-square-foot home first evolved around the lake view, “We wanted to make the view a part of our living spaces, as the water is an ever-changing joy,” explains the homeowner. In only ten months, the experts at Weber Design Group and Winfield Companies brought this couple’s vision from blueprinted construction plans to moving right in. Bill Weber of Weber Design Group shares, “Working with a casual yet sophisticated client, it was evident from the beginning that she had strong interior design abilities; these talents gave me the confidence that this home would surpass my expectations.”
“This home is truly incomparable,” reveals Realtor® Rex Miller. “The combination of style, quality, privacy, and pristine lakefront location just steps to the beach make this simply one of a kind. When considering a new home, this Key West style is extremely desirable and timeless particularly here in Olde Naples,” adds Miller.
Access to the home is granted through an impressive handcrafted door from Honduras. The grand foyer greets guests with a shining, marble checkerboard floor and winding mahogany staircase. John Winfield of Winfield Companies orchestrated all of the construction details including the stately staircase, roof paneling, and custom entry. “I did not want to use a cookie-cutter staircase design. I take pride that 100 percent of my work is custom,” shares Winfield. “This was a large and detailed project, and thanks to the homeowner’s active collaboration, was completed in record time. The staircase company was even on site the day after the Thanksgiving holiday, meticulously overseeing each detail to make certain it would be completed on schedule,” adds Winfield.
Moving through the foyer and into the living space, there are captivating views and expert craftsmanship all around. In the eyes of the homeowner, there was nothing more important than having the indoor and outdoor spaces combined to take advantage of the view. “Bill Weber and I had fun creating spaces for our enjoyment and for our family. Spaces that would function for family gatherings, as well as formal and informal dinner parties, but still with an intimate feel,” expresses the homeowner.
The star of the great room is the kitchen, a dream honed in marble and granite. One is immediately captivated by the clean and crisp, white design prevalent throughout this expansive space. Wonderfully crafted ceiling beams lead your eye to the custom cabinets, range, and built-in television unit. This is a cook’s paradise boasting not one, but two culinary islands. Ample counter space provides more than enough room for preparation while leaving space for casual dining. “The open concept kitchen was designed to keep the cook away from the crowd, and yet a part of it!” shares the homeowner.
Just off the kitchen is a relaxing dining area for family and friends to gather. The dining room table was custom made out of reclaimed wood by NOIR in California. Resting upon the tobacco stained hickory wood flooring, the large round table creates a cohesive flow between the kitchen and the living area. Alternating the color of the chairs from yellow to green adds a surprising and whimsical flair to the room, and reminds guests of the causal elegance of the home. The light and airy, 17th century, wood and metal chandelier brings the entire look together with traditional scale and sophistication.
Tucked away just beyond the kitchen is a staircase transporting you to a private study. Beautiful French doors expose the room to natural light and sweeping views of the lake. The custom blue cabinetry and wooden ceiling beams give this space a look of its own, setting it apart from the rest of the home. “The office is my favorite room in the home. Opposite the cabinetry is a built-in bookcase with a hidden feature called a Zoom Room; a motorized bed that retracts from the bookcase at the push of a button. I like novelty, and this is definitely a novelty feature,” describes Winfield.
Continuing up the foyer’s custom built mahogany stairwell is a quaint and tasteful guest retreat. The room is alive with spirited green walls and playful accents of yellow, blue, and pink. “I began the interior color scheme with the flooring in a warm tobacco stain. From there I knew I wanted the colors of the sea, sand, and sky. Some of the names of the colors are: Natural Beach, Spring Morning, Lettuce Alone, Bird of Paradise, Ocean Air and Sunrise Beach,” explains the homeowner.
An artfully detailed four-post bed commands attention in the master suite under yet another impressive ceiling design. Wrapped in the relaxing colors of the sea, this space was designed with the homeowner’s Labradors, Maggie and Hannah, in mind. “The girls love to sleep together at the foot of our bed on the ottoman, and I thought it would be a good idea to put an extra long twin in the bay window,” says the homeowner. “You have to really love your pets to build them their own bed in your room,” adds Winfield.
The bay window is not the only feature of the home designed with their four-legged companions in mind. The great room’s sliding glass doors open up to an elegant lanai that accommodates the Labradors’ need to be outdoors. The pool has a custom wading area designed to allow the pooches to sunbathe and play in the comfort of the water. The homeowners even created a “secret garden” within the landscape design to preserve the lawn. It cleverly creates a sandy area with running water hidden by privets complete with a doggie-gate opening.
Continuing the airy theme from the rest of the home, crisp white linens were chosen to adorn the furniture throughout the lanai. Two dining areas, an outdoor kitchen, and three spaces to lounge provide many opportunities for friends and family to gather and enjoy the outdoors. To complement the simplicity of the furniture, chandeliers made from driftwood and iron were hung to lend more visual interest.
“We came upon this property while taking a walk. It was a sparsely treed lot on the lake; no one had ever built on it. Our attraction to the property was the blue crab we met at the water’s edge. Thus, the home’s name ‘Water’s Edge.’ Our life was centered around crabbing, boating, and the water. This property seemed as if it were waiting for us,” describes the homeowner. This custom-built residence is a beautiful example of a Key West-style home brought to fruition. With breathtaking views, and an unbeatable location, it is clear why the homeowners knew this would be the perfect place to bring their vision to life.
For more information on purchasing this Olde Naples home, contact the listing agent Rex Miller at Gulf Coast International on 239.821.1433.
Written by Kelsey Miklavcic
Photography by Michael McVay
Weber Design Group
1575 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 5
Naples, Florida 34109
239.594.9778
The Winfield Companies
869 97th Avenue North, Suite A-2
Naples, Florida 34108
239.598.2133
Rex Miller
Gulf Coast International Properties
1144 Third Street South
Naples, Florida 34102
239.821.1433
Sanibel Home Furnishings
1618 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, Florida 33957
239.472.5552
Comments