Ponte Vedra Beach Home is a Utopian Vision

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Snuggled into the northeast corner of Florida, Ponte Vedra Beach attracts residents with its utopian seaside vibe, which promises activities such as hiking, biking, paddle boarding, fishing, and combing the beach for sharks’ teeth. It’s the type of leisurely living that offers the perfect reason to purchase a home in the area—even if said property is in serious need of a makeover.

The allure was certainly enough for Allie and Erik Hoag to take a leap of faith and acquire a 5,000-square-foot house just yards from the water on Ponte Vedra Beach Boulevard, one of the most desirable residential streets on what is known as Florida’s First Coast. The couple’s rambling residence, which includes five bedrooms, five-and-a-half bathrooms, and a bunk house above the garage, boasts views of the Atlantic to the east, the Intracoastal Waterway to the west, Jacksonville Beach to the north, and Guana River State Park to the south. Mere steps from the beach, the dwelling also sits between the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and The Lodge & Club, two of the area’s iconic private oceanfront resorts. Away from the hustle and bustle of beach restaurants and boutiques, this neighborhood lends itself to an easy, quiet existence, where, most days, you can find homeowners riding their bikes, walking their dogs, and enjoying a laid-back beach lifestyle.

“We loved the home and the way it was filled with sunlight,” says Erik, “but it needed an update with renovations that would make it feel like old Ponte Vedra Beach, so we called Caitlyn to bring it back to life.”

The owner of French Gray Interiors in Jacksonville, Caitlyn Miller had met the Hoags eight years prior when they reached out for design help with Erik’s home office. “Working with this family is a dream,” says the designer. “Our aesthetics sync up perfectly. I was thrilled when they entrusted me [with this project].”

A fresh, shingled ivory exterior and expansive wrap-around porches with sweeping ocean views set the scene for the home’s ethereal interiors. Drawing inspiration from the seascape, Miller coordinated a color scheme in various shades of light green, aqua, cool blue, and crisp white. The airy palette flows through the home, generating a calm backdrop to counterbalance the couple’s active lifestyle. “Although it’s an oceanside dwelling, the design aesthetic leans more traditional than coastal,” says Miller. “We didn’t want to be too literal with the decorating and instead nodded to the surroundings through color and texture.”

The combined living and dining area incorporates soaring ceilings and clerestory windows, allowing natural light to stream in from up top. White paneling cocoons the space with contrasting painted walls above, bringing equilibrium to the lofty proportions. A spacious kitchen creates the pulse of this home with its clean, classic aesthetic, large island, and expansive cooktop. Cleverly designed built-in cabinetry around the breakfast table grants plenty of extra storage while housing a cozy nook for casual meals.

“The kitchen is the center of our home and also opens up to the pool, making it a natural landing spot for gatherings and entertaining,” says Allie. “The bunk room above our detached garage is a great place for overnight guests and a fantastic private space for our kids and their friends to hang out.”

When it came to the alfresco living spaces, Ben Dinkins Landscape Design was tapped to revamp the pool, porch, and exterior grounds, creating a more cohesive look focusing on the home’s aesthetic. From the porch, the owners can take in the beach scenery while watching their kids play. Away from it all, a primary suite composes a cool sanctuary dressed in white and tempered with hints of pale green, soft tonal patterns, and tailored linen draperies that lend a tactile touch of elegance. Milky white Carrara marble and a classic soaking tub bring a refined, classic feel to the primary bath.

“Caitlyn created an incredibly warm, inviting, and functional home,” says Allie. “She incorporated fun and original design ideas, along with fluid spaces, for us and for our family and friends to enjoy. We absolutely love living here.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Caitlyn Miller, French Gray Interiors, Jacksonville, FL

Landscape Architecture by Ben Dinkins Landscape Design, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Text by Jeanne Delathouder

Photography by Jessie Preza, Jacksonville, FL

Stylist Leah Kennelly, Jacksonville, FL

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