When John Cooney, partner at Stofft Cooney Architects, was approached to design a home in the Quail West community for Seagate Development, the first thing he noticed was the impressive width of the lot that abutted a nature preserve. “The challenge,” describes Cooney, “was to stretch out the house to take advantage of the lot’s width, while using the square footage well to ensure efficiency and functionality. I focused on mass and proportions.” The resulting Pine Valley model has elegant curb appeal and maintains the feel of the tropical West Indies style with hipped roofs and large overhangs while updating the look with contemporary details like small punched windows.
The floor plan was designed for the ultimate in functionality, but also to capitalize on the nature preserve and the privacy it confers. The great room’s retracting sliding glass doors open out to a proportionally equivalent outdoor courtyard that overlooks the infinity pool with the preserve beyond. Owners’ suite, clubroom, and media room branch out to the right of the great room. To the left, the kitchen, dining room, and two en suite guest bedrooms—each with its own outdoor spaces—lead to an oversized summer kitchen, an expansive outdoor dining area, and a one-bedroom casita. Multiple, distinctly-defined outdoor spaces, including a therapeutic spa and Zen garden, create a backyard resort overlooking the enchanting flora and fauna of the preserve.
Ruta Menaghlazi, the lead designer at Freestyle Interiors, was brought in early to advise on finishes and embellishments, as well as the comprehensive interior design featuring seamless indoor and outdoor spaces. Generously-sized rooms and ultra-tall ceilings with floor-to-ceiling windows called for unique treatments to create intimacy with expansive space. Menaghlazi opted for a neutral palette and multiple textures rather than bright whites. “Contemporary spaces can so often be cold whites and grays,” describes Menaghlazi, “I like things a little timeless. Keep the clean lines, but bring warmth and a homey feeling through texture and character.”
James Nulf, Chief Operating Office of builder Seagate Development, notes the home’s popularity with potential buyers, “Seagate was looking to build a comfortable home that would push the envelope on design and set the bar higher for Quail West. The Pine Valley is repeatedly referred to as the most comfortable, most livable, and most private home visitors have seen. We are very pleased.”
“The great room is the first thing you see when you enter the home and the last when you leave, so impression matters,” explains Interior designer Menaghlazi, “Plus there’s a clear view through the house.” A large-scale geometric lantern in a bronze finish from Currey & Co. draws the eye to the multi-tiered ceiling treatment. A Bernhardt creamy linen-covered sectional is anchored by a Restoration Hardware dark ebony wire-brushed coffee table atop a paprika and chocolate wool Ikat rug. A wire-brushed white oak floor in a light stain is installed on the diagonal for a dynamic look.
The focal point of the simple, stunning formal dining room design is the geometric, dark bronze chandelier suspended from the lighted circular ceiling. Sherman-Williams’ Perfect Greige complements the Champagne limestone floors bordered by white oak wood. The window covering is a Romo sheer cream linen. White linen skirted chairs are seated around the black dining room table. Two abstract prints from the Trowbridge Gallery in London draw guests to the dining room.
The Zen garden just beyond the kitchen window sets the tone for the open, airy space. Floating shelves are mounted on a wall-climbing backsplash in dark chocolate glass subway tiles from Abby Carpet & Floor. White shaker-style cabinets with glass doors showcase favorite pieces and lighten the visual load of the room. The chef’s tools include a Thermador Freedom refrigeration integrated into the cabinetry, a multi-functional Thermador steam range with a six-burner cooktop, griddle, steam, and convection ovens, and a warming drawer—all from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery. Century wood bar stools, stained gray and upholstered in a textured blue, gray, and white tweed, invite casual dining at the oversized island topped in white quartz with waterfall edges. Two large-scale bronze-framed lanterns with linen interior shades light the workspace.
Replacing the formal study, the clubroom features a custom walk-in wine room, multi-purpose lounging areas, and a double counter indoor-outdoor Ocean Beige marble-topped bar. Casual seating includes a Vanguard thick-textured linen sectional with brass nail heads. Two contemporary lounge chairs and a Century ottoman clad in a black and cream geometric pattern complement a small brass and marble-topped cocktail table.
Wide blade shutters reflect the chic simplicity of the home’s design and create a backdrop for the lush mix of textures in the owner’s bedroom. The natural linen-upholstered bed from Hickory Chair is dressed in rich blue velvet accessories. Shades of blue are echoed in the canvas painting in the owner’s entry foyer; a wool rug creates a base of softer dusty blues and light grays. Agate- based lamps with linen shades sit on gray-finished night tables and complement the white linen drum shade chandelier with dark bronze frame from Lighting First. A brass and white leather bench balances a round white marble and brass table positioned between two linen upholstered chairs near the window.
The windows in the owner’s en suite bathroom are frosted, matching the glass-enclosed water closet with bidet. Both the floor and the floating bench in the shower are Oasis Stone marble, while the walls and the border of the floor are Marmol Bamboo marble from Abby Carpet & Floor. A basket-weave mosaic on the shower, bath, and water closet floors is a custom combination of the Oasis Stone and Bamboo Marmol marbles. The chandelier with four linen shades and a chrome frame is from Lighting First.
The blend of honey and taupe tones is a perfect recipe for the Asian and modern fusion in this VIP guest bedroom. A substantial 9-drawer Hadley dresser in dark walnut balances the scale of the king bed with woven-block seagrass frame. The private retreat opens to its own secluded patio space which winds its way past the Zen garden to the pool deck.
In the detached casita with en suite bath includes a modern king-size bed in a natural woven finish. The walnut nightstands and dresser have a distinctly modern flair. The private retreat opens to the pool deck and outdoor dining area.
A second VIP suite has a handsome elegance in shades of gray, beige, and blue. Guests can exit the room via a door in the en suite bath which leads to the Zen Garden and outdoor kitchen.
The infinity pool with waterfall edge and inviting gathering space with fire pit create a backdrop for this distinct outdoor area. Silver Travertine limestone encases the Napoleon linear fireplace. A mosaic of earth-toned glass tile wraps around the wall and into the interior bar. Precast stone-look columns hide the recessed tracks for seasonal shutters and screens. Cabana Coast sofas and club chairs are situated to enjoy the fireplace and to take in the view.
The rear of the home reveals the additional covered living areas including a fully equipped summer kitchen and dining area off the casita. A unique grassy expanse opens the area in front of the two-level pool deck. The infinity-edge pool flows down to another pool on the lower deck accessed via stepping-stones. A destination fire-table island—large enough to serve evening cocktails for ten—is situated along the rear perimeter, facing back toward the home.
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