On Bonita Beach’s Hickory Boulevard, a narrow lot gives way to a wide-angle dream. This home leans into the breezy polish of California contemporary style, with a minimalist blend of pale woods, organic textures and sun-soaked spaces —all in service to a Gulf view that doesn’t need dressing.
The palette is locked in before you step through the framed glass-front door: Zoom out, and you see bright-white stucco punctuated by clean-angled black iron detailing. Wood-paneled garage doors and stacked stones running the height of the three-story structure on one side add dimension, while wood planks on the front entry ceiling soften the monolithic facade.
Wood and metal continue to work in concert through the French white oak railing and matte black spokes of the entry staircase. An abstract black-and-white oil painting floats above a walnut console in the ground-floor landing, contrasting with the porcelain tile floors. From here, the vertical journey begins—climbing toward a cinematic panorama.
Upstairs, the great room serves as the heart of the home, with wide French white oak plank floors and oak ceiling beams with hidden LED tape lighting framing the real star: the Gulf. “They create a beautiful glow at night and break up the visual of the drywall beams during the day,” says Jennifer Sloan of Design & Company, who partnered with builder Gary Lau on this five-bedroom spec home.
A wall of sliding doors in simple black casings with subtle drapes at each end showcases the sweeping panorama. “We’ve got long, gorgeous views—you can’t recreate those,” Jennifer says.
Photography by Lori Hamilton
Photography by Lori Hamilton
Photography by Lori Hamilton
Photography by Lori Hamilton
Photography by Lori Hamilton
Photography by Lori Hamilton
Photography by Lori Hamilton
Photography by Lori Hamilton
To complement, not compete, with the scene, she used a restrained palette and low-profile furnishings, which direct attention outward. In the entertaining area, two angular Vanguard sofas and teak chairs with brass detailing sit atop a natural fiber rug with subtle black geometric print. A clean-lined white coffee table anchors the seating area, while white marble side tables with metal legs echo the entry’s materials. Kravet Couture pillows in a watercolor-inspired pattern provide essential softness, and a round black metal chandelier with exposed bulbs softens the room’s clean angles. “I always like to have a little black as an accent,” the designer says.
Along one wall, the built-in bar features a single quartzite slab extending from countertop to soffit, with floating wood-and-metal shelving. “The unit is very heavy, so it was challenging to get it to float—we had to reinforce the framing,” Jennifer notes. Matte black built-ins with antique gold picture lights on another wall lend richness to the space.“We were honing in on a Ralph Lauren feel,” Jennifer says.
Commanding attention within the open floor plan, the kitchen’s swooping range hood, in rich oak, extends to the ceiling, accented by precise black trim. Floating shelves with inset lighting on either side allow for storage that doubles as artful displays. Round pendants illuminate the white quartz island, while the adjoining dining area introduces organic elements from the beach through warm mosaic tiling, a live-edge table and a woven chandelier.
Beyond pocket doors, the main lanai extends the design story outdoors, with black metal chairs and a practical yet refined teak-look Durawood table. “This man-made material has the texture and weight of teak, but none of the maintenance,” Jennifer says about the weather-resistant dining table. Equally resilient, black wicker-looking seating creates additional conversation areas, echoed on the lanais of the primary bedroom and a flex space, where the furniture gives way to yet another pristine Gulf vista.
The bedrooms, two on the primary level and three on the top floor, continue the California contemporary approach with individual character. In one room, a raffia-wrapped bed meets a textured yarn chandelier crowned by coral-like resin pieces. Another space contrasts a black headboard with organic wood-trunk patterns. Tray ceilings unite the spaces, each distinctively treated with oak accents (beams, edging, inset trim) that mirror the flooring while establishing the room’s structure.
The primary suite layers white oak beams against glossy tongue-and-groove panels (“It’s a nice contrast between the sharp white and the hand-stained beam,” Jennifer notes)—completed by a two-tone canopy bed beneath a wood bead chandelier. Next door, a small room with a bar and lanai offers a flex-use space. “It offers a different view of the Gulf and can be a getaway or a place to send the kids,” the designer adds.
Five baths, two powder rooms and a pool bath interpret the black-white-natural scheme distinctively. Large-format marble tile covers the wall with onyx streaks in the spacious primary, while a rich walnut linen cabinet provides a counterpoint to the stone and contemporary white floating vanity. “I love that kind of juxtaposition, especially in this high-polish space,” Jennifer says. The powder room gains architectural interest through backlit floating panels (“When the lights are on, the whole place is glowing,” she says). Another bath elevates craftsmanship with traditional, labor-intensive inset drawers. In many showers, Jennifer employed a ‘color-blocking’ technique by blending chevron-patterned tiles, marble mosaics and large-format striated stone for textural depth that respects the home’s set scheme.
Overall, the design creates a sophisticated, cohesive space with broad appeal. “The home is elegant, but it’s about comfortable living,” Jennifer adds. “You can still put your feet up.”
Interior Design: Design & Company
Builder: Gary W. Lau
Photography: Lori Hamilton