Inside an Elegant Coastal Gulf Retreat

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For the last six years, the Gulf Coast has offered respite to a Pittsburgh native and his loved ones during the winter. The boating enthusiast originally settled in Old Naples and quickly fell in love with the town and its vibe, but there was just one thing missing—easy access to his beloved boat. When the winds of change began to blow through the real estate market in Florida, the homeowner decided to change that.

“I had always wanted to build a house from scratch, and I knew I’d turn to Matthew Kragh of MHK Architecture to build it when the time came,” he says. “He has a signature look I love.”

He also knew he wanted that house to be in Royal Harbor, an upscale community of 400 homes where every lot has water access, so when an ideal parcel finally became available, he didn’t hesitate in purchasing it. “It’s sort of on a cove and it has so much water frontage,” he says. “It was the next best thing to being on the bay or the actual gulf.”

Today, the dwelling that stands on that footprint is a 4,000-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home with an open floor-plan and light-filled interiors.

To achieve the elegant coastal look the homeowner desired, his architect connected him with interior designer Renée Gaddis, who immediately understood what he wanted.  “Our goal was to provide a comfortable family retreat to escape the Pennsylvania winter months,” says Gaddis, who worked with design associate Natalie Carson on the project. “We set out to turn his vision of a coastal oasis into reality.”

Stepping through the grand front door, the entry foyer greets with soaring ceilings and views of the gulf straight through the house. A trio of undulating reflective glass panels emphasizes the ceiling height and echo the surface of the water, alluding to coastal sentiments effortlessly. The design team opted for a palette of creams and subtle blues that come alive in the natural light, best exemplified by the living room.

“It’s quite a contrast from our English Tudor house up north,” says the homeowner. “Coming to this Florida home is a breath of fresh air.”   

In the kitchen, the aesthetic is unfussy and contemporary with a showstopping marble backsplash that immediately catches the eye. “It has an intricate pattern,” says Carson, “but it complements the space without overwhelming it.” Three handmade silver light pendants above the island add a hint of glamour.

Steps away, a powder room breaks the white palette with a Phillip Jeffries wallcovering that resembles exotic reptilian skin and an underlit onyx vanity.

Moving on to the home’s more private quarters, the primary bedroom is a cocoon of neutrals and natural textures. “We wanted to impart serenity here,” says Gaddis. “The seafoam green of the drapery nods to the waterside location while the slightly vaulted ceiling adds a sense of spaciousness and elegance.” The adjacent primary bathroom turns up the volume with chevron-patterned marble tile flooring, white cabinetry that is cohesive with the other millwork in the house, a glass-enclosed shower, and a tiered chandelier. “I told the designers that we wanted a drop-dead gorgeous bathroom,” says the homeowner. “I kind of have to pinch myself every time I go in there.”

Outside, the infinity-edge pool features a sun shelf that’s ideal for waddling toddlers, as well as an expanse for lap swimming. Gas fire cubes at the far end of the pool provide mood lighting after the sun sets. Just steps away, kayaks, a Jet Ski, and an oft-used docked boat remind us that this is a residence of water lovers.

“We love our winter life here in Southwest Florida and it’s because of this house,” says the homeowner. “This place is a dream come true and the ideal family retreat.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Renée Gaddis & Natalie Carson, Renée Gaddis Interiors, Naples, FL

Architecture by Matthew Kragh, MKH Architecture, Naples, FL

Builder Waterside Builders, Naples, FL

Text by Kelley Marcellus

Photography by Troy Campbell, Miami, FL

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