By the time we began this project, we had already designed four homes for this couple. That history brings a particular fluency: an understanding of how they move through spaces, what they respond to, and what they want to leave behind. Having previously lived on the Venetian Islands, they were clear about one thing: the new home needed to feel warmer. More wood became the guiding principle, balanced with coral stone carried from the exterior into the interior, creating continuity between inside and out. On exterior columns, porcelain and metal were chosen to mimic wood for durability in Florida's climate, while real wood on the eaves provided authenticity where it mattered most. Local millworker Bon Vivon executed the woodwork throughout, their craftsmanship honoring the warmth and classic quality the clients were after.
The great room layout anchors the home, accessed through a long entrance walkway that sets a deliberate, unhurried tone. The den features custom glass doors for sound privacy and lighting from Gabriel Scott. The television unit became a focal point in its own right, with a limestone base, liquid metal bookcases, and oak detailing that ties back to the home's broader palette. Poliform credenzas and custom metal console tables were integrated throughout, while Holly Hunt furnished the exterior. The floating staircase was designed with particular intention, its open structure free of any center column to preserve an airy, unobstructed feeling. The zero-edge pool, complex in its engineering, completes the outdoor living experience. Guest bedrooms were designed with the couple's young adult sons in mind, leaning into a masculine gray aesthetic, while the primary bathroom takes a quieter approach in neutral marble and limestone.
Designed by Strang Architecture and built by Bratzen Construction, the residence is currently used as a vacation home but was conceived with the couple's eventual full-time retirement in mind. The wife's ties to Miami and the pull of better weather and family proximity gave this project genuine emotional stakes. It is a home built not just for now but for the years ahead.
