Contemporary Home Brings Taste of Bahamas to Florida
Drawing on inspiration from his clients' former home in the Bahamas, architect Barron Schimberg creates a permanent vacation spot for the family in Sarasota, Fla., with a stunning West Indies-inspired property with contemporary flair.
Tropical Backyard Oasis With Pool and Spa
A pristine lawn and gorgeous tropical landscaping surround the pool and spa in this dreamy backyard. Blue and white chairs, which coordinate beautifully with the aqua water, provide poolside seating.
Photo by: Greg Wilson
Greg Wilson
Located at the end of a Sarasota, Fla., peninsula is an irresistible piece of land with a stunning view that was the perfect place to build an island-style retreat. A family of four purchased the lot, removed the old home to make way for their own and looked to designer and architect Barron Schimberg of the Schimberg Group to make their vision a reality.
"The clients lived in the Bahamas for years, so they wanted a British West Indies feel but with a contemporary twist," says Barron.
Tropical Home Exterior With Contemporary Flair
Crisp whites and rich woods evoke a tropical feel on the exterior of this Florida home. Clean lines and a flat roof with a large overhang add a contemporary vibe, giving the home its own unique look.
Photo by: Greg Wilson
Greg Wilson
With no existing house to lend direction, Barron and his team could address the clients' wish list from the ground up, though the compact, pie shape of the plot offered challenges.
Barron oriented the home toward the back of the lot to allow for a spacious front yard. The rear of the home and pool emulate the property's angles, providing the homeowners with a comfortable backyard oasis.
After designing the house to fit the property perfectly, Barron turned to materials and colors inspired by the Bahamas to create the tropical feel the homeowners desired. While each detail of the house collectively comes together to express the homeowners’ point of view and create an island vibe, it’s the stunning wood overhangs and contemporary twist on the traditional British West Indies architecture that make this home unique.
Florida Home Boasts Island-Inspired Design and Landscape
Large concrete slabs carve out a walkway to this stunning Florida home. Exterior design elements like rich wood soffits and decorative wood brackets pair with tropical landscaping to give the home an island-inspired look.
Photo by: Greg Wilson
Greg Wilson
"My favorite feature is the large wood cypress overhangs on the front and the back of the house," Barron says. "To me, they set the tone for the entire architecture and not only reflect a wonderful material, but also respond to an era of architecture in the ‘50s that was prevalent in the Sarasota area."
The rich wood used on the floating roof is extended around the exterior of the home and is also seen on the garage doors in front of the house. The organic material creates a cohesiveness to the home and provides a sense of warmth to the surrounding landscape.
Tall trees and lush foliage line the sides of the property for privacy, while individual concrete slabs surrounded by grass create a Zen-like atmosphere for the entryway. To further capture the island style, Barron selected blue Bahama style shutters which contrast nicely with the creamy exterior and wood brackets that extend from the overhang.
We like to use colors that relate to their surroundings, especially in this environment, and the blue worked well given the house’s proximity to the water.Barron Schimberg, The Schimberg Group
Tropical White Kitchen Is Bright, Spacious
Fresh white cabinetry and a white paneled ceiling create a bright, breezy atmosphere in this spacious kitchen. Wood barstools and a wood-topped island complement the gorgeous wood floors and add contrast to the mostly white space.
Photo by: Greg Wilson
Greg Wilson
Such careful color selections are echoed in the interior of the home, where a clean white color palette is featured on the kitchen walls and cabinetry to keep the space bright and open. The island counter is a single slab of wood -- a specific request from the homeowners -- and offers color contrast while providing ample space for the family to gather.
The rich yellow in the dining area was specifically chosen as a reminder of the homeowners’ time spent in the Bahamas.
"We always hope our clients, when all said and done and moved in, feel like they're always on vacation," Barron says.
