Ocean Hues and Organic Touches in Marco Island Retreat

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Diane Smith still remembers when she first laid eyes on the sprawling, beachfront condo in Marco Island that she and her husband David now call home. While scouting the tranquil barrier island for a winter retreat, she revisited the unit twice on the same day. “I could imagine my family being comfortable there,” she reminisces. “There was room to breathe and move, and the views were spectacular.”

Once the 3,000-square-foot residence was theirs, the Maryland couple decided to live in it as it was before making any renovation decisions. After two years, they knew exactly what worked about the apartment and what didn’t, and their search for decor help led them to Beth Walker-Fenton and Janine Blume of Jinx McDonald Interior Designs in Naples.

“They told us they liked the coastal feel, which is one of the reasons I think they liked our company,” says Walker-Fenton. “Coastal is something we do exceptionally well.”

The Smiths agreed. They liked the designers’ confidence and were certain they could complete the project and meet their expectations despite a tight deadline. “Our building has very strict policies,” says Diane, “so noisy construction that involves jackhammering and knocking down walls can only be done during the off-season [in the summer months].”

While Diane and David first envisioned the place as their snowbird retreat, midway through the process they changed their minds and decided to make it their primary residence. This meant a complete overhaul of the floor plans to enhance the flow and functionality of each space. One of the design team’s first challenges was converting the octagonal foyer into a linear hallway. This required squaring off walls in the laundry room, guest and master baths, and in a storage closet. In the primary bedroom, the walk-in closet was enlarged by borrowing space from the original primary bath, which was transformed into an idyllic sanctum of hygiene and relaxation marked by stunningly veined white marble. One of the pleasant surprises of the renovation was the addition of a small study for David, which resulted when a partition wall was added in the laundry room. Transforming the boxy kitchen into the heart of the home required days of demolition. Walls came down so the aquamarine vantages of the Gulf could be savored, and a stylish blend of mixed finishes and top-of-the line appliances came in. In the end, all the dust and noise was worth it.    

As far as the design vibe goes, the aforementioned coastal influences are impossible to miss with a palette that leans to blue throughout the entire residence and warm textures like wood, raffia, and sisal here and there. In the open kitchen, Silestone countertops and a quartz backsplash provide an organic touch. In the dining room sits an 11-foot, double-pedestal table for 10 that had to be craned in through the glass doors. “That was a production,” says Diane, “but being able to have my whole family sit together during meals was high on my wish list.” Sustainable touches like Legno Bastone wide-plank flooring and wood crossbeams unify the expansive spaces.

With the renovation behind them, the Smiths now get to enjoy the Florida home they had always envisioned—usually from their favorite west-facing terrace at sunset. “People here do love to watch the sun go down, and now so do we,” says Diane. “We truly own a slice of paradise.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Beth Walker-Fenton & Janine Blume, Jinx McDonald Interior Designs, Naples, FL

Text by Kerry Shorr

Photography by Amber Frederiksen, Bonita Springs, FL

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