A new waterside home in Ponte Vedra balances light and dark to create spaces that embrace contrast, nature and outdoor living
Photography by Muriel Silva
Located along the Intracoastal Waterway in Ponte Vedra, the nearly 12,000-square-foot residence was move-in ready in November of 2024. Homeowners Jay and Julie Parrish, kids Parker and Palmer and dog Newton wanted the floor plan of the four-bedroom, eight-bath home to combine both openness and functionality. That’s exactly what they received.
“At its core, the main living spaces are designed to feel expansive and interconnected, encouraging togetherness an easy flow between daily activities,” says Jordan Salsburg, Director of Interior Design at Marcus Allen Interiors.
“Everyone has a dedicated space they can call their own whether for work, relaxation, or personal hobbies. Even Newton gets his own corner. Despite these separate retreats, the open design of the primary living areas fosters a strong sense of unity, creating natural opportunities for the family to gather whether it’s to watch a movie or have a game night.”
From the beginning of the design process, it was clear that the client was drawn to a neutral color palette, complemented by bold black accents throughout the home. One of the advantages of the floor plan is its openness that features expansive glass elements and vaulted ceilings. The light-filled layout creates the perfect backdrop for bold design choices such as the dark cabinetry.
“Dark cabinets were selected because we have such abundant light streaming into the home from all the windows and glass. Having this architectural element allowed us the opportunity to integrate the dark cabinet option into the design plan,” says homeowner Julie. “It also visually creates a nice balance against the bright, natural light. Also, the interior cabinets coordinate well with the exterior paint choices and those were selected to enhance the natural vegetation of the Intracoastal landscape.”
While the overall color palette remains soft and neutral, the interiors were balanced using a variety of rich textures. “Drawing inspiration from organic, natural elements, we aimed to create a grounded aesthetic and to repeat that story throughout the space. One element that the clients loved and knew they wanted to use was pebble flooring. We used this in a few different areas. In the foyer, a custom pebble inlay greets you as you enter, offering a subtle yet striking detail that sets the tone for the whole home. We also carried this natural element into the owner’s bathroom, blending various pebble textures to enhance the calming, spa-like atmosphere we envisioned for the space,” says the designer.
“Light and warm wood floors with large plank sizing gives a natural and soft balance,” adds Julie. “The herringbone pattern in the garage entry needs to be durable as this is the main entrance for the children and dog. The light color and the pattern plays well with the dark color choice of the cabinet lockers. It brings a warmth to the space that can otherwise feel cold or heavy.”
In the kitchen, the heart of most homes, the hood was designed to be the focal point. Thanks to the vaulted ceilings, the design was able to be grand in scale. “Hand-drafted and custom-built by our cabinetry team, the hood features a stucco finish and beautiful curves that harmonize beautifully with the rest of the space,” says Jordan. “To let it speak for itself, we kept the surrounding elements minimal. A thoughtful blend of white oak and black cabinetry, along with mixed metal accents, adds depth and character that result in a look that is timeless.”
When situated on a parcel of land that provides gorgeous views of the water and rising sun, it would be a crime not to take advantage of them. They did just that. Glass is used not only as an architectural feature but also to enhance the indoor-outdoor living experience. The entire back of the home is lined with expansive glass including sliding doors and windows around the kitchen banquette that are intentionally designed to draw your eyes straight to the water views.
“We value and appreciate the outside and we want to bring exterior living into our interior living space as much as possible,” says Julie. “We are inspired by West Coast living and don’t want the Florida climate to necessarily inhibit that option. The glass allows the outside to be integrated into our home as we want. Glass can be cold feeling, but our materials counter that and make it a very organic space.”
One of the rooms both the designer and homeowners especially enjoy is the large pantry, a space that was intentionally designed to meet the everyday needs of this busy family. While the black and white checkered floor and artisan tile bring a timeless charm, it’s the space’s functionality that truly sets it apart. According to Julie, the family wanted a space in which they could create freely without having the mess of that creativity being visible. “We also wanted to see everything to allow for inspiration. Pantries have a tendency to have deep shelves, and ideas are lost in this set-up. Shallow shelves allow visibility and having length in the room doesn’t compromise space planning.”
The client had a long list of must-haves, and one of the top priorities was incorporating plenty of texture. This was achieved through thoughtful flooring details, but primarily through the use of wallpaper and layered textiles, recalls Jordan. “Various fabrics were introduced through drapery and pillows to add depth and warmth. The client also had a love for playful art and unique lighting, which we used as focal points throughout the home to guide the eye through the space and add personality. One of our favorite pieces is the light fixture in the casual dining room which is sculptural in nature and functions almost like a piece of art in itself.”
The Parrishs also wanted a few specific spaces in their new home, including a large mudroom, laundry and craft areas, and a pet station. A large kitchen and a second cooking/baking area, outside summer kitchen and en-suite bedrooms were additional must haves.
With any waterfront home, there are additional factors to consider, primarily related to the exterior. Fortunately, the property has plenty of distance between the house and the water, so most of the considerations came down to selecting durable materials. For example, the builder opted for stainless steel, which offers greater resilience in the environment.
When asked about which rooms are their favorites, both homeowner and designer had difficulty selecting just one. “That’s a tough question,” says Jordan. “But I will say, I absolutely love the entire area we designed for the girls. They have their own dedicated section of the home, complete with a bonus room, bedrooms, and a bunkroom. Designing these spaces was such an enjoyable part of the project, as it gave our team the freedom to really play with fabrics, colors, and creative ideas.”
Julie agrees, saying the kids’ bedrooms and play spaces are among her favorites, with the kitchen and pantry being a close second. “This was a very large project and many details were thoughtfully planned, so the entire house is very intentional and blends well together to make a desirable whole. This makes it hard for me to highlight a specific room or space as a favorite.”
Well, having more than one favorite sounds like a nice place to call home.
