Ample Fun in the Sun at Grassy Key Estate

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When a Boca Raton-based executive began planning for a weekend retreat, he envisioned a place that would evoke a true getaway for himself and his partner, along with his adult children and their growing families. He had fond memories of visiting the Florida Keys as a child and enjoying fishing, lobstering, and diving, so settling on Grassy Key near Mile Marker 57 as a location was a no-brainer.

“I was already quite familiar with Marathon, and the sense of nostalgia around this particular area, which is rather special,” he says. “From the moment I pulled up to the property, I was taken by the long stretch of flat water, the private setting, and, of course, the picturesque sunsets.”

While a 1950s-era house existed on the site, it was outdated and not in line with the homeowner’s vision, so he chose to demolish it and start anew. To handle the complete build and design of a new estate, he called on D’Asign Source, a full-service firm that operates out of Marathon. What resulted from that initial call is a massive tropical retreat that serves as a frequent gathering place for family and friends.

The team behind the project, which took several years to complete, included interior designer Destin Barkley and architects Matthew Prince and Leighton Campbell. Through many site visits and discussions with the homeowner, they arrived on the concept of creating a compound, rather than a singular home. “Focusing on a transitional coastal modern aesthetic, the compound was designed to make several separate buildings feel like one large house through the use of connected walkways and covered patios,” says Prince, who, along with Barkley, envisioned a main home comprised of three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and one half-bathroom, along with a two-bedroom and two-bathroom guesthouse with a kitchen, and a duo of guest cottages that each include two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Overall, there are 9,760 square feet of air-conditioned space, and that doesn’t account for the seemingly endless number of outdoor areas available for dining, lounging, and swimming. In its entirety, the property has a footprint of 23,913 square feet.

As outdoor activities are at the heart of life in the Florida Keys, it was imperative that the transition from inside the home and the accompanying guest suites to the outdoors was seamless. “The natural appeal of the surrounding environment was my main inspiration when it came to the interior design,” says Barkley. “It influenced everything from the color palette of layered blues to the organic textures and rich wood tones.”

Several elements that were incorporated into the design plan were inspired by specific memories from the homeowner’s life. “Early in my career, a client of mine had a swim-up bar, and I thought that was the coolest,” he says. “And I’ve always loved bringing my kids to water parks, so the lazy river is a result of that.”

Woven throughout these outdoor attractions is a landscape of lush vegetation, further enhancing the utopian vibe. With a combination of native greenery,  salt- and wind-tolerant plants, and artificial turf, the team was able to add visual interest while scaling down the large space, creating a more intimate and inviting atmosphere around the backyard and pool area.

And when a break from the sun is necessary, retreating to the game room and bar is ideal. In orchestrating this domain, Barkley endeavored to conjure a space that would make an elegant statement yet be casual enough for hanging after getting out of the pool. That’s one of the reasons she chose a moody shade of paint for the walls and ceiling, and then installed white trusses and decorative beams atop iridescent wallpaper. “I went with rich blue tones that mimic the deep ocean waters,” says the designer, who also sourced coastal-inspired game tables to further complement the space.

According to Prince, the property remains a memorable project to him because of the homeowner’s involvement and earnest attention to detail. “We enjoy working with clients who truly participate in the process and have a hand in the design integrity,” he says. “The beauty of this endeavor was that we were able to create some stunning interior and exterior spaces while still maintaining that flip-flop appeal that is so much a part of the Florida Keys lifestyle.”

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Destin Barkley, D’Asign Source, Marathon, FL

Architecture by Matthew Prince & Leighton Campbell, D’Asign Source, Marathon, FL

Text by Mallory Jacobson

Photography by Tamara Alvarez, Key West, FL

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