A River Runs Through It
A Wooded Riverfront Setting Captures
The Essence Of Florida Living

Interior Design Jeff Strasser and Architectural Designer Debra Martin, Marc-Michaels Interior Design, Winter Park, Fl, Boca Raton, Fl, And Naples, Fil
Architecture Donald F. Evans, The Evans Group, Orlando, Fil
Builder Mark Wilson, London Bay Homes, Naples, Fil
Text Joan Mciver
Photography Laurence Taylor, Orlando, Fl, And Kim Sargent, Palm Beach Gardens, Fl

In a setting ringed by lush greenery and caressed by a shady river, a Gulf Coast home captures the essence of Florida living with its spectacular architecture and rich yet comfortably designed interior. Located in a gated golf course community, the home nestles in a thicket of native trees overlooking the Cocohatchee River as it flows toward the Gulf of Mexico. It was the desire of the owners, a retired northern couple, to preserve the indigenous foliage.

Inspired by the environmental harmony of Florida's early cracker homes, architect Donald Evans conceived a rambling two-story structure as open and airy as its natural setting. Built of sturdy concrete block clad in tongue-and-groove siding, the design blends with the woodland ecology. The home comprises a variety of roof levels, cupolas, decks and a crow’s nest, providing the owners with a bird's-eye view of the golf course through the treetops. Rooms and windows angle outward so as to take advantage of the river views.

"I envisioned a private riverfront lodge," Evans says. "The land, however, presented an interesting
challenge. It was a corner lot with streets on two sides and a golf cart path. The lot was low and dropped from the road down to the river. "

Evans' imaginative design, however, capitalizes on those factors. To overcome the low-lying land, the
house was elevated one entire floor. And as an allernative to a paved road, the driveway was con-
structed to resemble a wooden bridge meandering through the woods. From the driveway, a boardwalk crosses over tiny ponds and rises a few steps at a time to the front entrance. Abundant trees preserve the home's privacy.

French doors open to the home's foyer, a square room that soars two stories to clerestory windows topped by a cupola. In tune with the natural environment, slate floor tiles are imbedded in concrete and laced with pebbles gathered from the yard. Opposite the entrance, another set of French doors frames a sweeping view of the river beyond, proving Evans' point that a foyer does not have to look into a living room.

The veranda acts as the main corridor, linking two wings that angle outward from the Great Room. Unlike many homes, the Great Room is located at the rear of the house, and as in the foyer, the ceiling rises to an upper level topped with a cupola. Sunlight streams through the clerestory windows, highlighting golden hues in the cypress-wood ceiling.

To fit the old Florida vernacular, designer Jeff Strasser developed a palette of muted jewel tones, ranging from golden browns to sage greens, to blend with the outdoor scenery that peers through every window. A plump sofa dressed in brown chenille pairs with a ribbed-velvet sofa in muted green, providing a comfortable place for conversation. In the center, a marble-topped, carved-stone cocktail table mirrors the rough texture of the native coquina-stone fireplace. Distressed mahogany bookshelves flank the fireplace, further complementing the rough-hewn styling. Two leather club chairs in a mellow cafe au lait complete the setting. A Tibetan area rug patterned in burgundy tones contrasts with the golden travertine floor.

"The owners wanted the interior to be simplistic and relaxed," Strasser says. "They have quite a few grandchildren, so we selected everything for heavy use."

In the dining room, located off the foyer, walls are painted in a melting shade of caramel, enveloping the room in a warm, rich ambiance. Wood-framed side chairs, accentuated with cane inserts in the chair backs, feature chair seats covered in glowing ribbed-cotton velvet. Anchoring the alder-wood- table are host and hostess chairs upholstered in a sumptuous checkerboard pattern of beige cotton and brown velvet squares. A buffet topped with black granite and edged with an inlay of black and brown squares delivers a variation on the host and hostess chairs.

Just a few steps along the veranda are the kitchen and breakfast area. At one end, the breakfast area nestles in an arrow-shaped bay formed by two glass walls, giving the space the feel of alfresco dining. Strasser furnished it simply with a round alder-wood table and iron chairs clad in woven leather.

The design of the home was planned so that everything essential to the owners is located on the first floor, including the master bedroom. Located on the opposite side of the house from the Great Room, the master bedroom and sitting area incorporate a similarly muted palette. Walls painted in a frothy green cast a spell of quiet repose in an elegantly furnished room. A bed covering of natural raw silk in pale champagne blankets the bed in understated comfort. Chenille sculpted in stripes of evergreen, sage, cocoa and bark covers a lounge chair and ottoman opposite the bed, melding the walls and bed covering

Outside the master bedroom awaits paradise.Inspired by tropical lagoons, the patio and pool area comprise a series of smaller pools cascading down to the waterfront. Scattered throughout the decks and terraces are taupe-and-green-striped chalses and wicker tables and chairs for relaxing near the water.

“I think of this house as being like a boat with intimate and warm places,” Evan says. “It’s full of light.” For this northern couple, retirement means waking up to the peaceful run of the river, catching sunlight through the trees, and taking in views of the golf course and nature beyond.