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Voluminous spaces and clean lines define this Fort Charles Drive estate, with a floating staircase of glass, steel and wood near the entrance. (Photo by Brie Williams)
Close to downtown and yet a world away, Port Royal is quintessential for snowbirds looking to escape the chilly confines up north while snuggled in luxury and decadent landscaping. And it’s hard to imagine a more tranquil winter getaway than this Fort Charles Drive estate.
Though the homeowners spend a majority of their time between their Manhattan apartment and their Hamptons home, luck was on their side when they closed on this six-bedroom, eight-bathroom, 13,000-plus-square-foot property just months before the pandemic began. It allowed the couple and their two teenage children a chance to spend quality time in their new Florida abode.
Stress wicks away as soon as you enter the Stofft Cooney Architects-penned structure, built by A. Vernon Allen Builder. Though it began as a spec home, it was less than halfway through construction when the current owners came aboard. Interior designer Lisa Kahn was able to get to know the family and make style adjustments to fit their personalities. “The volume of space and the clean lines—those are the two things that really tell the story as soon as you walk in,” Kahn says. “And when you walk in that staircase (a free-floating design of wood, glass and steel) is a piece of art.” Just beyond the stairs, there’s a two-way fireplace separating the living and family rooms and the bar. “It feels very sure of itself,” Kahn adds. “The homeowners brought in lightness—they knew they wanted to wrap that fireplace in white marble slabs.”
The homeowners also love shades of blue and periwinkle, which Kahn deftly used it throughout, from upholstery to wall colors to the kitchen, with its Azul Cielo blue marble backsplash, sky-colored island and blue calcite counters. The scheme ties in with the furnishings in the family room, which includes a custom, curved couch under grasscloth-covered, 12.5-foot ceilings. The wallpaper seamlessly continues into the living room, which is canopied by thick beams.
The main-floor primary suite is a dream itself, with an abundance of cool hues wrapped in luxurious textures. Opening up to the pool, the room features a deep pile area rug under a king-sized bed covered in soft layered linens. The headboard wall takes it a step further with padded, periwinkle suede upholstery. All of this rests under a dynamic constellation light hanging from a nickel gap vaulted ceiling. Nearby, the his-and-hers bathrooms are awash in light, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a feeling of being one with nature. Her walk-in shower uses mother of pearl and blue Azul marble mosaic in a quatrefoil pattern.
An expansive clubroom with billiards opens to a raised gathering space—just one of the ways the home shows it’s meant for fun and relaxation. The outdoor area gets equal billing. “We’ve had lots of friends visit, and that outdoor area gets a lot of attention,” the homeowner says. Blue marble counters continue the palette from the interiors, and a fireplace, kitchen and outdoor bar do justice to Florida’s alfresco lifestyle. And, with a handful of televisions outside, everyone can find a nook to kick back with their entertainment—or team—of choice.
Mirroring the stunning waterfront beyond, the swimming pool and spa are covered in blue glass mosaic tile, further helping every day feel like a first-class vacation .
Architect: Stofft Cooney Architects Builder: A. Vernon Allen Builder Interior Design: Lisa Kahn Designs Photography: Brie Williams
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