Dove Shell Lane

Brighten up what had become a tired and dark home. The style needed to change from inward-facing and old-fashioned to a bright, breezy, family-friendly beach house open to the outside. We upgraded the bathrooms and kitchen, added an en-suite guest bedroom, extended the living area substantially and brought in far more natural light. As the property lay within a gated community, the design also had to respect the restrictions of the Architectural Committee.

A guest bedroom with bathroom and walk-in closet was added in an unused part of the garden, with its own door for independent access. The kitchen was completely renovated with a bright, modern eating area, and the living area extended into a large family room with floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors onto the pool.

We opened up the whole space — integrating formal living, family, dining and kitchen into one large airy volume with a common palette of materials and colours. The steps down to the living rooms were removed and the old tiled floor replaced with a glossy tropical-wood floor. The master bathroom was re-designed with his-and-her bathrooms and walk-in closets, and old fabric curtains gave way to translucent blinds and plantation shutters.

Our work gave rebirth to an old, unattractive house. At 4,780 sq ft it now takes full advantage of its location and the Florida sun — a place where friends and family can gather in numbers, with a genuinely tropical feel. The work took six months and increased the value of the property by 25%.