A family of Jersey transplants embraces Northeast Florida beach living at its best.
words by Gabby Ervin / photos by Muriel Silva
When it comes to finding a home, there are many factors that one must consider—from location and design to craftsmanship and floorplan. But when you know, you know. From the moment Jeannie and Ray Fitzgerald stepped foot inside this coastal abode, they knew they had found the home of their dreams. Located within the neighborhood of EvenTide in Ponte Vedra Beach, this beauty was designed to stop people in their tracks.
From the moment you lay eyes on this property, you are greeted by interesting architecture and design. This beachside home stands out from the crowd with a blend of traditional coastal features, including a calming color palette, custom shutters and Mahogany wood door, alongside bold finishes such as a salt-finish concrete driveway and salvaged brick walkway, cedar shake roof, jewel palms and gas lanterns. The final product results from a collaborative effort between designer, builder and architect to create a home that turns heads.
“I’ve worked with Heritage Homes on a variety of projects, but we wanted this home to stand out,” says Coleen Norris of Nesting Place Interiors. “We wanted people to drive by, stop and say, ‘what is that?’ and I think that’s what we achieved.”
Having moved from New Jersey, Jeannie and Ray were searching for a home that embodied the beauty of coastal living. “We walked in and there was an immediate ‘aha moment,’” says Jeannie. “Because we purchased this home at the end of its completion, we were eager to see the final product come to life.” The 4,400-square-foot house boasts four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths, providing space and comfort to entertain friends and family while also offering a peaceful space for the homeowners to enjoy day-to-day.
The master bedroom provides comfortable elegance by using unusual finishes such as gold brass hardware, a pecky cypress ceiling and velvet furnishings that offer a serene balance between coastal and vintage décor.
The overall design was crafted to highlight exterior elements and natural finishes, including European oak flooring, white oak and walnut cabinetry and reclaimed beams. In addition, Norris worked diligently to include design finishes that would provide balance and symmetry throughout the home, such as the armoires found on either side of the fireplace and soffit above the light pendant in the wet bar, which mimics the soffit in the main living room.
Nestled conveniently between the family room and kitchen, the dining room is a study in relaxed elegance. With seating for six, the dining room provides the ideal space to take in the home’s signature design elements, such as the antique French armoire, gold-detailed chandelier and curved archway. “These elements help set the space apart,” Norris explains. “Antique furnishings, hardware and lighting are the jewelry of a home these days. In addition, I chose all of the furniture to withstand daily living, including the use of indoor-outdoor material on all of the furniture.”
The kitchen includes coastal-inspired elements such as quartz countertops, gold hardware and light fixtures, a Venetian plaster hood and a hand-molded backsplash. The oversized island is the perfect space to gather. It’s made of walnut cabinetry and is mere steps away from the outdoor patio, providing an abundance of natural light. “The kitchen is my favorite room in the house,” Jeannie says. “With plenty of seating and room for friends and family, the space was made to entertain.”
The office doors are crafted from white oak and dry brushed to match the home’s reclaimed beams, while the striking black walls provide an incredible contrast to the rest of the house. “The office was a special project to work on because we got to collaborate alongside the homeowners to craft the perfect space,” says Norris. “We wanted to create something masculine and bold that would work cohesively with the home.”
The wet bar allows for extra space to entertain and unwind, complete with a wine refrigerator, two refrigerated drawers, soft grey cabinetry and a backsplash crafted
from solid quartzite.
The second floor of the home was conceived with family at the forefront. The open concept floorplan features a loft dressed in a striking black wall and herringbone ceiling, along with three guest suites and a secondary wet bar.
Equipped with a white oak dual vanity, stand-alone tub, white porcelain tile and curved glass-enclosed shower, the master bathroom was designed to blend function and ease of maintenance and casual sophistication.
When Jeannie and Ray moved to the Sunshine State, they knew they wanted a home that would highlight the benefits of Florida living. The family can spend time outdoors year-round with a summer kitchen, pool and hot tub, putting green, firepit and lounge area, all overlooking the Guana Reserve. “This is the ideal space to gather and relax while also providing ample privacy and seclusion,” says Ray. “It’s the perfect extension of our home.”
Builder: Heritage Homes
Architect: Cronk Duch
Interior Design: Nesting Place Interiors
Cabinetry: Heritage Homes
