Home of the Month: The Beach Reveal

Pittsburgh homeowners bask in the glow of their newly renovated barefoot beach penthouse.


After years of wintering in Southwest Florida, a Pittsburgh couple longed for 
a home with a view. Eventually, the man discovered a 1990s penthouse on Barefoot Beach that they decided to buy and, thus, committed to its reinvention.

“I love the view,” his wife says. “When you walk in, all you see is water. That’s a lovely thing to see.”

Prior to closing the deal, they were introduced to
 Kathy Guyitt of Golden Construction by Vogue Interiors designer Leslie Gebert. Together, the group embarked on a complete redesign that enlarged the interior space by about 900 square feet and promised to give the homeowners a comfortable home in addition to, eventually, a good return on their investment.

Much work ensued. The once-spacious lanai was brought indoors and its floors were leveled with the entire interior space. Walls were knocked out and ceilings were raised after the puzzle of electrical wiring, plumbing and air ducts was solved throughout the main living space.

Doorways were widened and rooms were reconfigured. Floors in the central living space were covered in bamboo, while the master and two guest rooms were kept cozy with carpeting.

The end result is an open, sleek and modern space featuring updated accoutrements. Homeowners can bask in the glow of stunning sunsets viewable from anywhere in the central living space—but especially from a pair of upholstered chaise lounges that overlook the water.

What was once a wood-burning fireplace was transitioned to one using bioethanol fuel, which is inset below a flat-screen television. A glistening wall covering surrounds it.

“I think the differences are remarkable,” says Guyitt, whose first interior design job was for a U.S. Senator and whose father was an award-winning photographic director in Hollywood. Today, Guyitt is an anomaly as the female owner of her own construction and design firm. Admittedly, the woman of the house enjoyed working with her.

When the homeowners arrived in Florida early this year, their renovation was revealed. The couple had seen the project’s progress only via some photos. “We put a lot of trust in Kathy and Leslie and it turned out really good,” says the man of the house.

With a new season nearly here, the woman of the house is already making plans. “I think it will be a nice place to entertain,” she says.

BUILDER
 Golden Construction

INTERIOR DESIGNER Vogue Interiors

PHOTOGRAPHER Dennis Guyitt

RECONFIGURED

The condominium’s entry was rearranged to accommodate a larger powder room, the new kitchen entry and a private hallway leading to the guest bedrooms. Ceilings were raised where possible and soffits were added to conceal utilities.

OPEN SPACE

A small, dated kitchen was removed from this Barefoot Beach penthouse in favor of an open space with updated appliances. Two preparation areas were incorporated during the renovation— the long center island and a smaller area, at the far end of the room overlooking neighboring buildings and landscapes. “It’s easy to live in,” says Golden Construction president Kathy Guyitt. “Everything is brand-new.”

REVEALING THE SCENE

Sweeping views of Barefoot Beach lured the homeowners to purchase a dated penthouse and invest in significant renovations. A 900-square-foot lanai was incorporated in the penthouse’s indoor space while an original, wood-burning fireplace, at right, was transitioned to bioethanol fuel.

REMASTERING THE BATH

Contractor Kathy Guyitt redesigned the master bath in a modern update featuring granite counters, stone floors and abundant storage space.

LOUNGING AROUND

Design plans by Vogue Interiors included two chaise lounges situated to overlook the Gulf of Mexico’s blue waters below. “I love the view,” says the woman of the house.