Presenting a symmetrical façade, the front elevation of the home boasts an illuminated waterfall cascading between twin fire features and creating a dramatic welcome. Because the home is situated in an elevated flood zone, the concrete block ground floor level is dedicated to parking; the stucco-over-frame upper level is living area. Light-colored walls accented by dark brown trim, and a flat cement-tile roof add to the West Indies vibe. Exchanging classic X-style railings for sleek horizontal metal modernizes the look.
There is little about this contemporary home in Oyster Bay Estates that resembles the former occupant of the premier lot on a gently curving peninsula jutting into Roberts Bay. The 6,500 square foot home on 1.38 acres built in 1990 had “good bones,” according to architect Mark Sultana of DSDG Architects. “It was nice in its day,” he says of the once-popular Mediterranean style, “but that day was 25 years ago. It was time for a major facelift.”
A sectional and chairs rendered in Stone Italian Roma leather cozy up to a linear electric fireplace embedded in a Cambria Britannica quartz-covered media wall. The 1920s clear glass fringe with flush-mount chrome frame sparkles overhead. Chrome-legged chairs covered in light gray velvet rest upon the cocktail area’s contemporary rug from Rugs As Art. Ebony wood tables span both spaces.
Sultana had previously designed a new home for the owners, working with builder Mike Cocozza of Trinity Construction & Design and interior designer Erin Glueck of Eridel Design Studio. The trio formed a team that transformed the dated Mediterranean into a contemporary-yet-timeless coastal style home “with a little West Indies edge,” describes Glueck. The team faced some challenges in the process. “The biggest challenge when renovating in a flood zone is compliance with current building codes and FEMA regulations,” explains Sultana. Glueck agrees, adding, “Renovation offers a lot of complications, a lot of unknowns. You never know what’s in the walls!”
What was in the walls wasn’t a problem here, as virtually all of the walls were torn down to the studs. In fact, a lot of the studs were replaced too. “There was not a lick of drywall left in the house. Every piece of crown moulding was replaced. All of the windows were replaced. It was re-stuccoed, re-roofed. The pool was re-done. There was not a thing that wasn’t touched,” recalls Sultana. u
A Wyeth split-bamboo floating rectangular table is surrounded by Italian Roma leather chairs. A two-tiered, 12-arm Schonbek Emilea chandelier gleams above the table. Artwork here and elsewhere in the home is by Carol Benson Cobb from John-Richard. The custom double-sided wall unit by Finecraft Custom Cabinetry is open at the center, providing views to the living area as well as the water outside, and serving as a versatile serving and bar area in each space, melding the two rooms.
A trio of Corbett Lighting Mont Blanc silver leaf and Venetian glass chandeliers from Bee Ridge Lighting illuminate double-waterfall islands crafted with Cambria Britannica quartz. The distressed white oak Sequoia floors continue into the kitchen, further unifying the spaces. Armless chrome-base stools are covered in the same leather as the sectional. Miele and Sub-Zero appliances are housed in custom cabinetry by Finecraft Custom Cabinetry.
Surrounded by shimmering reflections in the mirrored dresser and end tables from International Design Source, along with a pair of John-Richard Églomisé Marlo mirrors, the silver-leafed French mirrored bed is upholstered in gray velvet and dressed in coordinating linens. The four-sided vaulted ceiling with narrow tongue-and-groove was crafted without a cap over the hip, a testament to the precise woodworking skill of builder Cocozza.
“The previous floorplan was rambling; we redid everything. All of the bedrooms are now ensuite with walk-in closets, there’s a lot of outdoor living area, the docks were redone, it’s better than a resort! The house was brought up to hurricane code. The owner even put in a generator. It’s like a new house,” Sultana continues. His greatest pleasure was in seeing the transformation.
An upholstered sofa by Theodore Alexander covered in gray velvet rests on stainless steel legs beneath a trio of distressed silver Églomisé mirrors from John-Richard. The Worlds Away antique mirror oval coffee table with silver leaf detail is from Bee Ridge Lighting, as is the five-arm floor lamp candelabra with crystal drops from Swarovski’s Maria Theresa collection.
Marble-look porcelain tiles from Fisher Tile floor the master bath. In addition to the stand-alone six-foot drop-in tub, a massive shower offers bathing options. Here, an eight-arm Schonbek chandelier shines above the tub.
Glueck worked with Finecraft to produce the custom vanity area topped with Super White Quartzite—a compact, coarse metamorphic rock also known as Calacatta Quartzite. The space is tied together by hand-embroidered wallcovering. Dual oval LED-edged mirrors are set into the over-sized wall mirror. A pair of Theodore Alexander club chairs is positioned under a six-arm Schonbek Sarella chandelier.
Cocozza was thrilled with the teamwork, remarking, “Everybody worked together for a very polished result.” It’s a result that Glueck still finds amazing. “It was a huge transformation, it’s hard to believe it’s the same house!”
Seating and occasional table pieces from Skyline Designs’ Cuatro collection in chocolate brown blend with pieces from the Pacific dining collection to effectively double the living area of the home. Upholstered with Sunbrella canvas fabric, they are sturdy enough to withstand the elements. Glass tops protect the table surfaces. The generous 1,700-square-foot lanai, created from a formerly enclosed porch, includes a bar and outdoor kitchen equipped by American Grill & Hearth.
The outdoor living area was further expanded with the addition of two sun decks, one off the lanai and one off the master bedroom. All of the exterior handrails have hidden lighting underneath. The pool deck, now measuring almost 7,000-square-feet, is accented with new landscaping.
Written by Ginny Cooper Photography by Ryan Gamma
American Grill & Hearth 2881 Clark Road #16 Sarasota, FL 34231 941.925.3985 www.aghstore.com
Bee Ridge Lighting 3909 Bee Ridge Road Sarasota, FL 34233 941.922.2626 www.beeridgelighting.com
DSDG Architects 1348 Fruitville Road, Suite 204 Sarasota, FL 34236 941.955.5645 www.DSDGInc.com
Eridel Design Studio 3909 Bee Ridge Road Sarasota, FL 34233 941.993.8158 www.erideldesignstudio.com
FineCraft Custom Cabinetry 4333 South Tamiami Trail, Suite C Sarasota, FL 34231 941.378.1901 www.finecraftcabinetry.com
Fisher Tile 2337 12th Street Sarasota, FL 34237 941.362.7820 www.fishertile.com
International Design Source 1785 Northgate Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34234 941.552.2552 www.IDS1.com
Rugs As Art 6650 South Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 941.921.1900 www.rugsasart.com
Trinity Construction & Design 2231 Oak Terrace Sarasota, FL 34231 941.356.7338 www.trinityconstructionanddesign.com
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