Dove Shell Lane
The Project
Renovation, modernisation and extension of a one storey 3,150 sq ft house in Vero Beach, Florida.
What the client liked
The house location near the beach in an up-market gated golf community, the general layout, the high ceilings, the large en-suite bedrooms, the privacy of the garden and pool and the typical Floridian style.
The Brief
Brighten up what had become a tired and dark home. The style needed to change from inward facing and old-fashion to a bright and breezy beach house, family friendly and open to the outside. We needed to upgrade the existing bathrooms and kitchen, add another en-suite guest bedroom, extend the living/family area substantially and bring in more natural light through more windows and brighter materials and colours. Open up the living space. Outside, re-design the garden and the pool and improve access to it, whilst keeping the privacy. As the property lied within the walls of a gated community, however, there were many restrictions imposed by the Architectural Comity. We needed to take these restrictions and obligations into consideration in our design.
The original plan
Extending and Improving
The guest bedroom, complete with bathroom and walk-in closet, was added in an unused area of the garden, near the house entrance with a separate door for independent access.
The kitchen was totally renovated (below right), including a bright and modern eating area.
The Living Area was extended into a large Family Room (below left), with floor to ceiling windows and French doors that open to the pool area. The steps down to the living rooms were removed and the old tiled floor replaced by a comfortable and glossy tropical wood floor. We opened up the whole area by integrating formal living, family, dining rooms and kitchen into one large airy space, with commonality of style, materials and colours.
All bathrooms were renovated to the highest standard. At the client’s request, the Master bathroom was re-designed to include “his” and “her” bathrooms and walk-in closets.
All windows were replaced to improve garden access, light and insulation. Old and musty fabric curtains were replaced by white translucent blinds or plantation shutters.
Finally, the garden and the pool area were re-designed and the house re-painted.
"Daneswood Concepts provided us with a friendly and flexible service – they were with us every step of the way."
-Jack, client
The Finished Project
Our work gave a rebirth to an old unattractive house. Lying a stone's throw from the beach in the Sunshine State, we allowed the new owners to take full advantage of the now larger house (4780 sq ft), its location, the ever present sun and bright light, whilst making it a place where friends and family can gather in numbers. The house now has a truly tropical feel.
The work took 6 months and the value of the finished property increased by 25%.
Dove Shell Lane house final plan