Less than a block from the Gulf, a stately residence was under construction in Naples when a Midwestern couple purchased the house and set out to make it their own. The architectural plans reflected a sophisticated coastal sensibility aligned with their vision for an elegant seasonal retreat—a look that inspired their designer, Jeffrey Fisher, to convey the relaxed, unfussy aura of a storied New England island. “We always had that concept in mind: Would you find this style, shape, color or pattern on Nantucket?” he recalls. “They wanted a polished yet comfortable home that felt classic and timeless.”
While echoing that northern aesthetic, architectural designer John Cooney drew inspiration from the lush corner property itself, crafting a more refined version of the beach cottages once common in Naples. “We wanted it to feel authentic to the local architecture,” he says, pointing to the structure’s concrete lap siding accented by a metal roof, manufactured wood and stucco mixed with seashells. Similarly, the abode’s outdoor amenities play into the regional lifestyle with three terraces, a pool, a sunken fire pit and an outdoor shower. “We fit a lot of house on a very tight lot,” observes general contractor Matt Knauf. Together, the spaces blur the line between indoors and outdoors, encouraging year-round entertaining and leisurely afternoons enjoying the breeze off the water.
Home Details
Architecture: John Cooney, Stofft Cooney Architects
Interior Design: Jeffrey Fisher, Jeffrey Fisher Home
Home Builder: Matt Knauf, Knauf-Koenig Group
Styling: Peggy Chase Jordao
Inside, the owners maintained the finishes that had already been selected by designer Linda Sonders, then turned to Fisher to carry out a look that blends comfort and style. He added features such as wall paneling in the stairwell and wove in the clients’ preferred palette of white and “all shades of blue, whether seafoam or navy,” Fisher says. In the kitchen, for instance, stylish wooden counter stools with blue-leather seats pop against the crisp-white cabinetry and pale marble countertops. Cream-colored walls envelop the primary bedroom, while the living room’s barrel chairs wear soft Venetian-blue upholstery on the seats and embroidery on the backs.
Within this scheme, Fisher created a sense of character by placing found items alongside contemporary furnishings. “Incorporating vintage pieces makes for a more interesting, layered space,” he says. Old-world-style nightstands add interest in the primary bedroom, and the living room is crowned by a dramatic silk chandelier. A leopard-print fabric enlivens a pair of vintage carved faux-bamboo chairs positioned around an antique wooden table in the library-like lounge, where built-in cabinetry is stained a moody blue. “I wanted the home to look like it had a bit of a story,” Fisher says.
Balancing these elevated combinations is an abundance of linen, from flowing draperies to upholstered beds and seating—including the living room’s plush sofas, punctuated with blue pillows. “It’s a room that draws you in, asking you to sit and stay awhile,” Fisher observes. He also introduced velvet sparingly, through decorative pillows and accent chairs. “The dry texture of linen needed moments of softness and richness,” he explains.
Reinforcing the interiors’ collected aesthetic are patterned wallcoverings—especially botanical motifs—that define powder rooms, a guest suite and a vanity area. “Wallpaper adds another element to help convey the design story you wish to tell,” Fisher says. “It creates such a beautiful atmosphere.” One particular charming yet high-impact wallcovering required convincing for the owners, and it now serves as an adored feature in the smallest guest bedroom—which the wife has affectionately dubbed Jeffrey’s Room.
Delighted with their Nantucket-in-Naples residence, the owners have since enlisted Fisher to outfit their lakeside retreat in a northern state. He, in turn, is equally pleased their Southwest Florida getaway prioritizes lasting appeal over fleeting trends. “What speaks most to me about this house is its timelessness,” the designer says. “There’s something extremely rewarding and comforting about that.”
