FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 12, 2024) – When Bob and Laurie Brlas were ready for a kitchen update in 2023, they once again relied on Seagate Development Group’s renovation services for a complete transformation from Old World to right-now transitional. The couple previously collaborated with the renovation team on two other projects in their ongoing quest to eliminate the telltale signs of Tuscan design in their Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club home.
“We purchased our home from the original owner in 2011,” said Bob. “Like most homes built in the early 2000s, it was very Tuscan and after a few years, it just felt very dark.”
The renovations targeted the requisite heavy ornamentation on the façade, 20-foot columns in the great room, a precast fireplace befitting of an “old castle” and a stone range hood and heavily paneled cabinetry with turned legs in the kitchen. They also addressed the lanai’s Old World arches, a stone-cloaked pool area and a backyard that failed to take advantage of every space.
A landscape architect referred the Brlases to award-winning Seagate Development Group, renowned for translating the craftsmanship and artistry of its custom luxury homes to the renovation experience – from whole-home remodels and additions to kitchen and baths. The company works closely with each client to harness the full potential of their home, expressing their unique vision and goals and transforming not only how a space looks but how it lives.
“When we started collaborating with Bob and Laurie four years ago, they knew what they wanted,” said Alain Filiault, vice president of residential at Seagate Development Group. “They were very involved from the onset of each project and were also very decisive. They made decisions and didn’t change them.”
The collaborative approach is a hallmark of every Seagate renovation project, which follows a coordinated sequence – from initial meetings and visioning to architectural planning and design, all the way to reality. This “right team for the right project” approach also includes choosing the right craftspeople, carpenters, finishers and painters.
“It’s imperative to match clients with the right vendors so there’s a level of comfort,” said Filiault. “Renovation projects begin with clients sharing their dreams and plans. We work together setting a budget, identifying their vision and encompassing what they want to do with their home – that’s where the relationship really gets important. Laurie brought a lot of ideas and visions to our meetings.”
Laurie, who Bob describes as meticulous, also met with the vendors and selected materials, including a glimmering copper backsplash in the kitchen and a single quartz slab for the island to avoid seams.
“Alain was thoughtful and understood what we were trying to accomplish,” said Bob. “We were able to work with Seagate to make that vision happen. We spent significant time upfront putting together the plan, the budget and completion dates.”
The new kitchen was realized without moving walls. The redesign easily accommodates 10 people – a key consideration when the couple hosts their extended family at Thanksgiving. The freestanding center island retained its shape and size and was stained to match the rich wood tones of the ceiling’s crown molding. The darker woods provide a dramatic contrast to the white of the new cabinets and quartz countertops.
The range was replaced with a cooktop and a sleek hood which visually expanded the space. Four wall ovens were a necessity for Bob, who’s responsible for the Thanksgiving Day turkeys. The adjoining bar area was also remodeled, its formerly sunken floor raised to the same level of surrounding spaces.
“For us, it was a matter of getting the house the way we wanted,” said Bob. “The kitchen was the final piece to make everything flow. It ties the whole house together.”
The Brlases’ kitchen renovation is stunning, as well as award-winning, receiving the top Pinnacle Award from the Lee Building Industry Association in 2023 for best remodel.
The renovation was the final installment in the Brlases’ seven-year remodeling adventure, the last four with Seagate.
“We originally spoke to Seagate in 2021 about completely renovating our backyard,” recalled Bob. “Long story short, they told us they couldn’t complete the project on our timeline. However, we were impressed with their approach and honesty.”
Seagate was able to accommodate a smaller project – de-Tuscanizing the front façade, removing the great room’s columns and eliminating the chunky precast fireplace with a streamlined linear fireplace.
“We were very happy with the results as the project was completed on time and on budget,” said Bob.
The builder-client relationship was also enhanced by honesty. During the pool and yard transformation – the Brlases’ second project in 2022 – Bob suggested a sunken firepit in an unused area of the backyard. The idea was nixed after Filiault explained the potential maintenance issues caused by Florida’s heavy summertime rains. Instead, Seagate built a large firepit that “turned out beautiful,” said Bob. “We use it fairly often.”
The outdoor renovation also removed a freestanding gazebo, an infinity-edge pool with a rock waterfall and a round stone-clad spa. The new pool features three bubblers and fire bowls on each side of a shallow sun shelf. A large spa with a 360-degree spillover rises slightly above the pool’s surface, separated by steppingstones.
“The new pool just opened up the backyard and the views of the lake. It has a much cleaner look,” noted Bob.
During the backyard project, Filiault sensed the kitchen was next on the Brlases’ to-do list.
“It’s funny because Laurie just kept glancing to the kitchen. I knew it was going to be our next project,” said Filiault. “We really appreciate homeowners like Bob and Laurie who came back to us for their other renovation needs. It lets us know we were able to perform for them. No project goes perfectly, especially with remodeling; you always try to look ahead, identify future issues and have the conversation sooner than later. We had such a good relationship, we talked about issues and dealt with them. It’s been a great partnership.”
“Overall, we were pleased working with Seagate,” Bob said. “To me, the planning process was very thorough and allowed us to get through the projects with efficiency. Seagate has been excellent at working through situations and has been responsive to our concerns.”
Seagate Development Group’s remodeling services cover the full spectrum of needs for every project – from concept to the final finishing touch. The company’s services include total home and condominium renovations, home additions, kitchen and bath renos, wine rooms, roof replacements and updates, master bedroom and bathroom renovations, master closet extensions, air-conditioning and heating solutions, outdoor living areas, and window and door updates.
The renovation team reimagines and remasters space, making every square inch a timeless design with the highest level of luxury and one-of-a-kind craftsmanship. Homes are expressed in new ways that reflect today’s lifestyle and aesthetic standards. Whether a client has fallen in love with a home that has “good bones” but needs a drastic refresh or a homeowner wants to rekindle the original romance of their current residence, Seagate offers creative and innovative solutions.
Seagate is available for small renos to full-home projects that enhance space flow, openness and function while realizing the homeowner’s needs, goals and vision. Recent renovation projects highlight the dramatic differences and showcase the company’s panache and passion for transformation. Original floor plans are reconfigured, opening confined spaces, removing view-blocking walls, replacing windows with large expanses of glass, creating gourmet kitchens and master suites with all the luxuries and amenities. New high-end finishes, reimagined interiors and exteriors erase arches, columns and other signs of once-popular Tuscan features. Outdoor living is transformed into an oasis for year-round enjoyment.
Homeowners can work with their own designer or enlist Theory Design, Seagate’s full-service interior design firm responsible for luxury award-winning homes throughout the region. Seagate’s design gallery offers inspiration through a myriad of options for homeowners to consider as they make design selections.
For more information about custom home renovations, call Seagate Development Group at 239-738-7900 or visit seagatedevelopmentgroup.com.
About Seagate Development Group
Launched in 2015 and based in Southwest Florida, Seagate Development Group is a vertically integrated contractor/developer with over $2.5 billion in development projects and $400 million in current construction contracts. With a team of 300 Southwest Florida-based employees, Seagate brings together diverse expertise, offering an extensive array of services including land acquisition, entitlements, design, permitting, site development, construction, interior design, sales, leasing, asset and property management, and disposition.
With a core focus on quality, schedule adherence and value engineering expertise, Seagate leverages its deep expertise in real estate development and construction to meet the needs of clients. Recognizing that each project is unique, Seagate tailors services to meet the specific requirements of each customer. Whether it’s a build-to-suit project, general contracting, construction management or tenant improvement, Seagate adapts its approach to deliver optimal results. Its flexibility ensures success in every project, fostering collaboration and partnership with clients throughout the development process. By staying adaptable and responsive to evolving needs and challenges, Seagate has established itself as a trusted partner in residential and commercial development endeavors.
For more information, visit seagatedevelopmentgroup.com or call 239-738-7900.
