Some would-be homeowners prefer to see a potential purchase as a blank canvas upon which they can project the house of their dreams. Others need some aesthetic help in that regard, and for them, a few visual aids can go a long way. It’s with this latter group in mind that Rod Ashmore and Carleen Young of Ashmore Design in Bonita Springs approached a 4,700-square-foot house in the Moorings area of Naples. The task ahead was made all the more interesting when the powers that be asked them to incorporate the Tommy Bahama Palm Desert collection into the design. Needless to say, Ashmore and Young were up for the challenge.
“We had started in a St. Barts direction, but changed gears when we were given the description of the furniture,” says Young. “It wasn’t the Tommy Bahama we were expecting. The selections had cleaner lines, a lighter finish, some curves, and a kind of mid-century modern/1970s retro vibe, so we decided to approach the project from a modern tropical [mindset].”
The work began with some inspired modifications Ashmore thought were needed. “My job is to oversee not only the layout and design of the house, but also the production of the house during construction,” he says. “This type of construction management allows us to bring out the detailing [we envision for a particular structure].” Some of the elements the design team chose to incorporate included tabby stucco for various outdoor walls, a custom float-away glass door between living room and lanai, a two-sided fireplace in the outdoor living area, and multiple dynamic ceiling designs, something that’s become an Ashmore Design signature. (“It’s one of our niches,” says Ashmore, “and one of the reasons we have the client base that we do.”)
With those aspects underway and an enviable flow-through floorplan that seamlessly merges both the indoor and outdoor environments, the team incorporated a variety of custom features. The focal point of the great room, for instance, is a framework of pendant lights and beams that complement the furniture pieces and walnut cabinetry. The kitchen is adorned with gold laminate toe kicks, which tie into gold fixtures, and a backsplash covered with Ann Sacks tile. Its island features a white leather countertop and brown sandalwood granite that resembles petrified wood. In the bedrooms, textures in turquoise, burnt orange, and sage green nod to the Tommy Bahama furniture’s Arizona and Palm Springs inspirations.
These ideas were only half cooked when Gina Woodruff’s real estate agent and Young (who was in the middle of staging the rooms) gave her a FaceTime tour of the property, but it was enough to convince her and her husband Doug to book a flight from Arizona to see the house in person. Within a matter of days, a sales contract had been drawn up. Although Gina had originally envisioned her Naples home would have a coastal feel, the Ashmore Design approach instantly won her over. “The selections were outstanding,” she says. “You start at the floor, and it’s fabulous. Then you look up at the ceilings and those are fabulous too. There was something to delight the eye everywhere we looked.”
The couple was so smitten with the house, they sold their Arizona place fully furnished and pushed up their move from outside of Phoenix to Florida by three years. It was the right decision by far. “We’re like kids in a candy store,” says Gina. “We feel like we’re on a permanent vacation.”
Story Credits:
Interior Design & Architecture by Rod Ashmore & Carleen Young, Ashmore Design,
Bonita Springs, FL
Developer Sea Castle Development, Bonita Springs, FL
Landscape Architecture by Outside Productions, Naples, FL
Text by Riki Altman-Yee
Photography by Blaine Johnathan, Naples, FL
Open to see Interior Design Sources:
Sources
Back Exterior
Sofa lounge – Tommy Bahama Los Altos Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Dining table and chairs – Tommy Bahama St. Tropez Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Gazebo designed by Ashmore Design, Bonita Springs, FL, and fabricated by Big Als Welding, Naples, FL
Gazebo drapery – Window Wear Design, Naples, FL
Gazebo seating – Lexington, Tommy Bahama Abaco Collection, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Fire element – HPC Fire, All American Gas, Fort Myers, FL
Pool designed by Outside Productions, Naples, FL, and fabricated by Nassau Pools, Naples, FL
Great Room
Sofa – Tommy Bahama Palm Desert Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Chairs – Tommy Bahama Palm Desert Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Cocktail table – Tommy Bahama Palm Desert Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Sofa back table – Tommy Bahama Island Fusion Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Cube – Phillips Collection, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Lucite/wood side table and decorative gold table – Tommy Bahama Palm Desert Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Table lamp – John-Richard, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Cabinetry – Tommy Bahama Palm Desert Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Artwork above cabinetry – Peggy Joy Cross, Virginia Beach, VA
Console – Jeff Sandifer, Level Line Cabinets of Southwest Florida, levellinecabinetry.com
Glass above console – Vetrite glass, Sicis, Ruben Sorhegui Tile Distributors, Naples, FL
Sliding TV wall designed by Ashmore Design, Bonita Springs, FL, and fabricated by Mark Bowerman, Straightline Carpentry, Naples, FL
Chandelier – Metropolitan, Wilson Lighting, Naples, FL
Entry chandelier – John-Richard, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Sconces above console – Lumens, lumens.com
Kitchen
Cabinetry and island designed by Jeff Sandifer, Level Line Cabinetry of Southwest Florida, levellinecabinetry.com, and fabricated by Crystal Cabinet Works, Princeton, MN
Backsplash – Ann Sacks, Tile Market of Sarasota, Sarasota, FL
Stools – Tommy Bahama Palm Desert Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Lineal lighting – Eurofase, Wilson Lighting, Naples, FL
Outdoor Dining Area
Table base – Tommy Bahama Palm Desert Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Glass top – Glassisimo, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Chairs – Tommy Bahama Island Fusion Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Lighting – Made Goods, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Accessories on table – West Elm, westelm.com
Guest Bedroom
Bed and headboard – Tommy Bahama Palm Desert Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Dresser, bedside tables, and side chair – Tommy Bahama Palm Desert Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Lamps – John-Richard and Uttermost, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Round mirror – Tommy Bahama Palm Desert Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Drapery fabric – Walfab, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Area rug – KAS rug, Abbey Carpet and Flooring, Naples, FL
Primary Bathroom
Cabinetry – Jeff Sandifer, Crystal Cabinet Works, Level Line Cabinetry of Southwest Florida, levellinecabinetry.com
Shower designed by Ashmore Design, Bonita Springs, FL, and fabricated by JRD Industries and My Shower Door, Naples, FL
Mirror – Global Views, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Metal fabrication – Big Al’s Welding, Naples, FL
Stools – Tommy Bahama Palm Desert Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Artwork – Left Bank Art, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Primary Bedroom
Bed – Window Wear Design, Naples, FL
Dresser and bedside table – Tommy Bahama Palm Desert Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Side chair – Tommy Bahama Collection, Lexington, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Drink table – Artistica, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Arc floor lamp – Uttermost, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Artwork – Wendover, International Design Source, Naples, FL
Window treatments – Window Wear Design, Naples, FL
Area rug – Nourison, Abbey Carpet and Flooring, Naples, FL
Throughout
Lighting designers – Lynne Stambouly & Curtis Searles,
Illuminated Design, Naples, FL
Millwork – Straightline Carpentry, Naples, FL
Ceiling design – Ashmore Design, Bonita Springs, FL
Fireplace – Stellar, Grate Fireplace, Fort Myers, FL
TV door panels – Plyboo, Smith and Fong, Alterna Corp, Miami, FL
Garage door – Renlita Custom Opening Solutions, Bonham, TX
Facebook Comments