Beguiling Beach Home—Design Awards 2015 Gold, Whole-House $300,000 to $750,000

Whole-House Remodel $300,000 to $750,000

Deslandes Contracting, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Architect: Roney Design Group

Project goals: To completely remodel a 1973 Florida residence into a contemporary beach house.

Challenges: The home is located on a 50-by-175-foot-deep lot with front access on the main beach roadway. No street parking is available. The rear balcony was in need of structural repair due to settling and deflection.

Solutions: The pitched roofs were eliminated and parapet walls introduced, along with large flat roof overhangs with industrial cable supports. Ipe horizontal siding, in conjunction with new sand-finish stucco and stainless steel hardware, was added to enhance the front and rear façades. A motor court was developed with large, square concrete-pad pavers, separated by 6-inch strips of artificial turf.

Numerous small wood columns supporting the rear balcony were replaced with three columns and a large beam.

Landscape planters and an extensive patio drainage system were added, and the pool itself was completely renovated with a new heated spa and sun shelf.

The home now has an open, functional floor plan that facilitates entertaining, with easy access to the pool deck and beach.

What the judges said: “The real attention to detail regarding the approach to the front door, and the flow through the home as well as the spectacular ending point of the back pool/patio area … breathtaking!”

Front facade before the remodel (below)

A 1973 Florida home is transformed into a contemporary beach house