When you build a home for your family you want it to last. From the structure itself to the interior design, a well-built and well-planned house ensures years of memories and peace of mind. With the idea of longevity at the forefront of her design, Debbie Stevens set out to create a home in Hidden Harbor that would be the perfect family home for years to come.
“I was referred to the client at the very beginning of the project, so I was there throughout the entire build. After they selected the lot, I helped them decide upon a builder, and worked with them to make sure their design plans worked for their lifestyle,” explains Stevens. With a knowledge of architectural design, she was able to make suggestions and create a space that reflects the family’s need both inside and out. “We put in so much work and so many wonderful details throughout the house, resulting in a really fun, coastal home that fits their lifestyle, the lot, and the location really beautifully,” notes Stevens. In fact, the details are her favorite part of the home. “It was fun to be able to put so much woodwork into the interior design. All of the rooms work so well together and the details tie them all together so well.”
While the finished product holds lasting beauty, the project posed some challenges for builder Mark Caithness of Caithness Construction. The pavers on the road and the canopy of trees made getting heavy machines and materials in and out of the job site very tricky. His team had to find inventive ways to get their trucks and equipment to the lot. Caithness says his construction process goes above and beyond what’s normally required and expected of a builder, “We’ve been building homes for 21 years, so we know how to pick materials that will last. From top to bottom—the strength of the roof trusses, double-steel garage doors, insulated windows, extra poured concrete in the walls—we built a solid home and it shows.”
The exterior of the home shows off the owners’ personalities. “The home is coastal with a twist,” explains Stevens. “Most coastal homes have a white exterior, but the owners love color and we did a fantastic peach paint on the outside of the home that works so well with the greenery and landscaping.” Caithness used HardiPlank siding giving the home the look of wood siding in a material that’s strong enough to weather Florida’s heat and humidity. Pavers lead to a wide front porch, adding to the coastal feel.
Inside the home, the coastal theme continues. Dark wood furniture with a West Indies feel and wood details creates a comfortable interior. “We were able to use pops of color inside the home to create a personalized interior,” says Stevens. The buttery yellow in the curtains matches the tones found in the kitchen and dining room, all visible from the living room. Coffered ceilings align with the large windows creating symmetry. White painted poplar on the walls creates the look of shiplap, complementing the home’s coastal aesthetic. The mahogany front door adds a beautiful visual detail to both the exterior of the home and the living room.
The kitchen is open and airy with plenty of storage and prep surfaces. The island is topped with butcher block for an efficient workspace; double sinks, granite counters, and a large cooking range allow the family to come together to cook and converse. “We wanted the cabinetry in here to feel like furniture. The legs on the cabinets, the corbels, the hidden pantry— we really thought through both the layout and the aesthetic design of the kitchen to make it a unique space,” explains Stevens. Tongue-and-groove ceiling details finish the space.
The dining room and living room flow together for an open entertaining area. The custom cushions and caning detail on the Bernhardt table and chairs continue the West Indies feel of the living room furnishings. Matching draperies tie together the living room and dining room. Vintage maple wood floors with a hand-hewn texture add a casual elegance throughout the main living areas of the home.
The large master bedroom is completely clad in white painted tongue-and-groove maple for a crisp coastal finish. “There are so many amazing wood details throughout, but this room shows the craftsmanship that went into this home,” says Stevens. Custom fabrics in navy and white create a soothing and tailored space, while a carpet that “feels like butter” is inset into the black walnut wood floor border that matches the dark wood furniture. Caithness created octagonal ceiling coves lined in the same painted maple wood.
The master bath is a large space with soft earth tones and warm stone finishes. Stevens inserted 1-by-1-inch polished mosaic Botticino and Thassos stone into the honed Botticino tile used on the walls and floor of the master bath. Each insert is trimmed in Botticino pencil tiles to create the look of framed art in the shower. A chandelier with crystal detail adds a feminine touch to the space.
The pool area overlooking the water is a private oasis for the family. “The lot isn’t a very large one, but we were able to design plenty of seating space and a great pool with a rock waterfall feature,” says Caithness. The natural form of the pool with PebbleTec finish fits perfectly in the backyard space and landscaping. Two screened lanais provide more entertaining space with comfortable custom seating arrangements.
Written by Channing Spano Photography by Jake Bibler
Caithness Construction 3976 Destination Drive, Suite 206 Osprey, FL 34229 941.918.2417 www.caithnessconstruction.com
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