An Elegant Southwest Florida Home Reinterprets Coastal Living

For a couple who had enjoyed many residences over the years and knew Southwest Florida well, the time had come to drop anchor and construct a forever home along the waters of Holmes Beach. As longtime investors with much building experience behind them, they knew precisely what they wanted: a timeless abode that captures their love for Anna Maria Island but goes beyond the typical beach house. “They desired something with a nod to the coast but with as much elegance as ease,” describes their designer, Emily Moss. The result is a refined expression of island living suited for every purpose, from gracious gatherings to sandy paws.

“The clients were interested in a West Indies aesthetic, which is popular here on the island,” explains their architectural designer, AJ Barnard. “It’s appropriate for the coast, and it works well in high winds because of the hipped roofs.” To customize the style for these owners, he loosely translated traditional elements such as woodwork, louvers and overhangs. “It’s a concrete house clad with stucco, and we used a lot of low-maintenance materials that can tolerate wind and salt,” adds general contractor Jake Martin, who worked on the project with fellow general contractor Frank Agnelli. Hurricanes have come close, but none have left a scratch on the structure, Martin notes.

Inside, Barnard devised a floor plan that celebrates the immediacy of the water through generous windows and airy rooms that effortlessly flow from one to the next. “We needed to keep the house from obstructing the view,” he says. Barnard and Moss also played with ceilings to change the experience of a space. By lowering the kitchen height to accommodate the mechanicals, for instance, the area was suddenly cozy. “We didn’t want it to feel commercial, so we brought in homey features with a refined look,” Moss shares, noting the dark wood cabinetry, gold hardware and sizable pendants above the 16-foot-long island.

Throughout the home, the designer focused on furniture selections and arrangements that enhance a sense of tranquility without leaning too coastal. “For big rooms to feel welcoming, you have to introduce moments of intention,” she explains. “Layering helps bring down the scale and makes them more inviting.” For example, the living area’s woven coffee table and cane armchairs lend a casual look, so Moss dressed up the arrangement with tailored sofas, decorative millwork and a glittering chandelier. Strategic lighting—like the dining area’s twin gold fixtures—delineate spaces in the open plan, while materials also provide a through line. Cane, for instance, reappears on the dining area’s side chairs and the kitchen island’s six oversize barstools. “Repeating textures and colors makes a space feel cohesive,” the designer says.

Repetition of creamy ivories, deep blues and walnut browns flow throughout the interior, accented with gold touches. “If we were going for a really beachy look, we’d have gone with a lighter palette,” Moss observes, “but the owners wanted to explore darker woods—and navy instead of light blue.” The one exception is the primary suite, which the designer dressed in softer tones—including white oak on the ceiling—for a different, serene feel. A mix of traditional and modern, the room is large enough to accommodate the couple’s request for two queen-size beds, backdropped by trimwork inset with grass cloth for texture.

When it came to the outdoor entertaining areas, Moss focused on clean-lined furnishings that support Barnard’s architecture. Landscape designers Alex Pichardo and Alex Lovera also kept the look simple, with Alexander palms at the front door and cheerful pots of annuals around the pool. “The owners wanted a low-maintenance landscape that looks clean and classic,” Pichardo notes.

Equally sophisticated and approachable, the property reflects an enduring, elegant take on island living. “Coastal design is a lifestyle, a feeling, and this is a high-level expression of it,” Moss reflects. “You don’t have to be limited by the expected. It’s all about making your preferences known.”