Naples Home Brims with Cottage Charm

The renovation of a 1960s ranch-style house in Aqualane Shores makes a winning case for tropical style with vintage charm

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For a young family accustomed to cosmopolitan living in big, busy cities, relocating to Naples was a chance to slow down, relax into the Gulf Coast breezes, and explore the small-town pleasures of Third Street South on a regular basis. Familiar with the area, the husband and wife had owned a house in the Aqualane Shores neighborhood that served as an ideal vacation cottage during winter and spring breaks, but an extended pandemic stay convinced them they could make it their primary home—albeit with some alterations.

Built in the 1960s, the 2,400-square-foot dwelling (with four bedrooms and three baths) had proven to be large enough for family living, but the place had not undergone a significant revamp since the 1980s. Once the property was upgraded to year-round residence, its outdated finishes and chopped up spaces had to go, and the homeowners turned to Catharine Willmer for the job.

“The potential for something special was always there,” says the designer. “This
is a classic mid-century ranch property that’s a quintessential example of homes in this neighborhood, so we embraced its roots and adopted elements from historical Florida cottage styles. The result is an aesthetic that feels fresh, familiar, and warm.”

The renovation was extensive as it involved the reconfiguration of indoor spaces, reimagining the canal-fronting backyard, and deciding which architectural features to preserve. “The project involved every single room in the house and every one of the surfaces you see,” says Willmer. “I wanted the clients to lean into their new tropical setting, yet still meet all their needs for a modern lifestyle.”

The design team let the elegant spirit of Slim Aarons’ Florida photographs serve as inspiration for the residential aesthetic. We encounter this right off the bat with the flamingo shade of pink on the home’s front entrance. “I wanted the vintage charm to be evident from the façade,” says Willmer. “That pink was inspired by hibiscus that grows nearby, so I went to Sherwin-Williams and had the paint color-matched to the flower. I think it adds an immediate element of fun and whimsy, and it sets the tone for the palette to come.”

That joyous vibe continues inside with furniture in neutral tones accented by tones of blush and light blue, warm natural materials, and quintessential cottage charm (plump pillows, porcelain ceramics, a gallery wall, and the like). The structure’s original wood-burning fireplace was replaced with a gas version and surrounded by built-ins accented with painted paneling. Wicker furnishings, jute rugs, and numerous artworks (a mix of family heirlooms and locally commissioned pieces) lend a collected-over-time feel to the space. Additions such as wood-tone vinyl flooring and unlacquered brass plumbing fixtures further support the cottage idea, without the laborious maintenance that other finishes might have required. Outside in the backyard, new pink awnings were installed over the windows, while a lattice framework of shell-stone pavers surrounds the pool. The house is not just an exercise in charm, but a rare example of preservation in an area that often sees original dwellings like this one torn down to make way for structures that may be larger but lack color and personality.

“We are so glad this family decided to modernize rather than build new,” says Willmer. “This home proves you can have that vintage tropical island style in a way that’s timeless, laid-back, and elegant.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Catharine Willmer, Catharine Willmer Interiors, Naples, FL

Text by Kelley Marcellus

Photography by Venjhamin Reyes, Miami, FL

Open to see Interior Design Sources:

Sources

Entry

Wicker bench and cart – Serena and Lily, serenaandlily.com

Wicker shelves – Amanda Lindroth, Palm Beach, FL

Area rug – Annie Selke, annieselke.com

Dining Area

Chairs – Serena and Lily, serenaandlily.com

Chandelier – Meg Braff Designs, West Palm Beach, FL

Area rug – Annie Selke, annieselke.com

Living Room

Cocktail ottoman – Lee Industries, leeindustries.com

Side table – Serena and Lily, serenaandlily.com

Fabric on pillows and ottoman – Penny Morrison, pennymorrison.com

Wicker floor lamp – Jett Thompson Home, Naples, FL

Kitchen

Oven – Ilve, Fuse Specialty Appliance, Naples, FL

Stools – Serena and Lily, serenaandlily.com

Primary Bedroom

Headboard fabric – Quadrille Wallpapers & Fabrics, Dania Beach, FL

Night tables – Anthropologie, anthropologie.com

Sconces – Aerin, Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com

Area rug – Ralph Lauren, ralphlauren.com

Primary Bathroom

Cabinetry – Build, build.com

Tub – Vintage Tub & Bath, vintagetub.com

Plumbing fixtures – Waterworks, Naples, FL

Lighting – Ralph Lauren, Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com

Exterior Back

Dining table, chairs, and seating – Brown Jordan, Elegant Outdoors, Naples, FL

Lounges – Frontgate, frontgate.com

Pillow fabric – Quadrille Wallpapers & Fabrics, Dania Beach, FL

Umbrellas – Wayfair, wayfair.com

Pool designed by Keyestone Interlocking Paving, Naples, FL, and fabricated by Stoneline Naples, Naples, FL

Throughout

Outdoor awnings – Awnings by Naples Awning, Naples, FL

Painting – Paul Arsenault, Naples, FL

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