Design Evolution Modernizes Ponte Vedra Beach Home

A waterfront estate in Ponte Vedra Beach emerges as a true family retreat after a seasoned design team tackles it a second time

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design projects can come and go… and then come back again. In 2005, when a gregarious couple tapped Julie Schulte to spearhead the design of their Mediterranean-style oceanside home in Ponte Vedra Beach, the designer never imagined the commission would bounce  her way again two decades later. This time around, Schulte was joined by her daughter Kendall Hannon, who was a design student when the house first entered Schulte’s orb in the early aughts. Together, mother and daughter—and the rest of the seasoned team at Schulte Design Associates—set out to modernize the home in terms of aesthetics, function, and 2022 extras with a delightful assemblage of generously sized spaces.

One of the main priorities for the design team was to open up the 11,000-square-foot estate so that the beauty of its oceanic surroundings could be fully appreciated. This hard-won openness was achieved by decompartmentalizing the interior envelope, which meant walls were knocked down, ceilings were ripped out, and rooms were gutted.

By eliminating such divisions, the first floor emerged statuesque in scale, which is particularly evident in the entry foyer. This area is more formal than the main living spaces because the designers were careful to create a seamless transition from the Mizner-like exterior to the oceanfront-inspired great room that holds the family room, dining room, and kitchen. “This move really transformed the house,” says Hannon. “Seeing the look on the client’s face when it was completed made it all worth it!”

The residence’s transformation wasn’t limited to the interior architecture, however. Because technology has changed so much in recent years, it was necessary to upgrade the home in that regard as well. One such move was to convert what was once a seldom-used formal living room into a now-favorite state-of-the-art theater room with a bar. Decisions like these led to more questions: “We asked ourselves how we could take the square footage of the house and make it more user-friendly for the family,” says Schulte. “This approach helped to guide many of our choices.”

One such choice was adding a bunk room for the homeowners’ grandchildren, who had grown in number since 2005. “We had to appease boys and girls,” says Hannon. “The ombré wallpaper and ottoman fabric were starting points. I drew the bunk beds and we had them fabricated, including the railings that make them ship-like.”

Another significant decision had less to do with aesthetics and more with the frame of mind that dominates the home. The couple was adamant about interiors that could take on sandy feet, wet bathing suits, and salty air, so this meant durable performance fabrics and materials from the foyer to the bedrooms.

“The owners personify Southern hospitality, so we aimed to make the classical style of architecture more casual,” says Schulte. “We changed the mustard-colored walls to white, for instance, and pared down elements like the iron railing in the foyer to make it resonate with the rooms beyond it. We wanted the home to be pretty and welcoming, and to make each space a room that feels good to be in.”

The genteel backdrop achieved is more than just a stylistic statement, Schulte explains; it is at the heart of the couple’s core values: “Every room is charming and comfortable, but not lacking in style. The home is elegant, but not stuffy. It says: ‘Get ready for cocktails on the veranda!’”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Julie Schulte & Kendall Hannon, Schulte Design Associates, Jacksonville, FL

Interior Renovation Architecture by Nicholas Renard, Dig Architecture, LLC., Jacksonville, FL

Builder Irina Johnson, Aria Homes, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Text by Saxon Henry

Photography by Jessie Preza, Jacksonville, FL

Open to see Interior Design Sources:

Sources

Entrance 

Center table – Nierman Weeks, niermannweeks.com

Sconces – Urban Electric Co, Charleston, SC

Ironwork – Southeastern Fabricators, Inc., Jacksonville, FL 

Foyer

Armchairs – Reupholstered by Rowlands Upholstery, Jacksonville, FL 

Mirror – Century Furniture, Hickory, NC

Area rug – Jaffe Rug Galleries, Jacksonville, FL 

Breakfast Room

Table – Chaddock Home, Morganton, NC 

Hostess chairs – Baker Interiors Group, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL

Chairs – Palecek, Richmond, CA 

Chandeliers – Ro Sham Beaux, Charleston, SC 

Drapery fabric – Cowtan and Tout, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL 

Living Area

Sofa – A. Rudin, Jerry Pair and Associates, SFDP, Hollywood, FL 

Fabric – Great Outdoors Fabric, Holly Hunt, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL 

Blue club chairs – Baker Interiors Group, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL 

Fabric – Romo Fabric, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL 

Chairs – Baker Interiors Group, DCOTA, Dania Beach, FL 

Fabric – Pierre Frey Fabric, pierrefrey.com

Cocktail table – Refinished by Antique and Modern Finishing, Jacksonville, FL 

Side tables – Vanguard Furniture, Hickory NC

Bench – Arteriors Home, J. Douglas, Carrollton, TX 

Area rug – Stark Carpet, SFDP, Hollywood, FL 

Kitchen

Cabinetry and island designed by Schulte Design Associates, Inc., Jacksonville, FL, and fabricated by Dukeman Custom Cabinetry, Jacksonville, FL 

Hood – Southeastern Fabricators, Inc., Jacksonville, FL

Counter tops – Mediterranean Designs, Jacksonville, FL 

Stools – Century Furniture, Hickory, NC

Pendant lights – Urban Electric Co., Charleston, SC 

Powder Room

Floating cabinetry designed by Schulte Design 

Associates, Inc., Jacksonville, FL, and fabricated by Dukeman Custom Woodworking, Jacksonville, FL 

Mirror – Mr. Brown, High Point, NC 

Bar Area

Stools – A. Rudin, Jerry Pair and Associates, Hollywood, FL

Chandelier – Visual Comfort, Houston, TX  

Glass wall art – Hillary Whitaker Gallery, Jacksonville, FL 

Guest Bathroom

Shower tile – Artistic Tile, Traditions in Tile Showroom, Jacksonville, FL 

Mirror – Chao Framing, Jacksonville Beach, FL 

Sconces – Urban Electric Co., Charleston, SC 

Sitting Area Off Bar

Loveseat – Hickory Chair, Hickory, NC 

Drink tables – Made Goods, City of Industry, CA 

Sconce – Visual Comfort, Houston, TX 

Kids Bunkroom

Bunk beds designed by Schulte Design Associates, Inc., Jacksonville, FL, and fabricated by Floridian Designs, Jacksonville, FL 

Sofa and cocktail table – Lee Industries, Conover, NC 

Area rug – Stark Carpet, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Guest Bedroom

Bed and headboard – Chaddock Home, Morganton, NC

Pillows – SDH Bedding and Designs by Sudi, Atlanta, GA

Bedside table – Hickory Chair, Hickory, NC 

Lamp – Worlds Away, J. Douglas Showroom, Atlanta, GA

Area rug – Stark Carpet, SFDP, Hollywood, FL

Primary Bedroom

Bench – Reupholstered by Rowlands Upholstery, Jacksonville, FL 

Bedside chests – Century Furniture, Hickory, NC

Lamps – Avala International, Inc., Norcross, GA

Sofa – Hickory Chair, Hickory, NC

Area rug – Jaffe Rug Gallery, Jacksonville, FL 

Primary Bathroom

Chair, ottoman, side table – Hickory Chair, Hickory, NC 

Chandelier – Visual Comfort, Houston, TX

Flooring – Artistic Tile, Traditions in Tile, Jacksonville, FL 

Throughout

Cabinetry designed by Schulte Design Associates, Inc., Jacksonville, FL, and fabricated by Dukeman Custom Woodworking, Jacksonville, FL

Decorative window treatments designed by Schulte Design Associates, Inc., Jacksonville, FL, and fabricated by First Coast Designers Choice, Orange Park, FL

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