Located on an idyllic peninsula with a back yard facing the Intracoastal Waterway, John and Nedra Greene’s Belleair Beach home would make the perfect primary residence—as soon as it underwent a complete design overhaul. The Greenes, who also own a home in Indiana, had purchased the Florida house at the end of 2009. They were preparing for retirement, which they are now fully relishing. “The house was one of those classic short sales that had occurred at that time, so it was a new property that had not been completed in its entirety,” John says. “Our back yard is the Intracoastal and, one block out of our front door are Gulf views, so it really is the best of both worlds.”
To improve upon those views, the Greenes enlisted the help of Sharon Duprey, an interior designer with Ethan Allen for the past 16 years.
“They were big Ethan Allen clients up north and, for their Florida home, they wanted to bring to life what they were dreaming of—something similar to what you’d see in Coastal Living Magazine,” Duprey says.
The Greenes knew that Duprey would not aesthetically steer them wrong. “Sharon told me once that she does many styles but she doesn’t do ‘ugly.’ I can definitely confirm that,” John says with a laugh. “She was just great to work with. After we completed the house, it was time to decorate and she was the one to do it. She helped us to make the house our own.”
Nedra began by ordering small items on the Ethan Allen website before she met with Duprey one-on-one. “We decided to totally redecorate the home to make it our primary residence, truly our sanctuary. Sharon learned what our style was and what we were interested in, and we gave her carte blanche,” Nedra says. “We went over to her place and she laid out our plans for us, and we were there for probably eight to 10 hours. We looked at wall-to-wall carpeting, furniture, accessories, bedding and everything. It was a fun process and Sharon was a doll to work with. She made it pretty painless for us.”
The Greenes told Duprey that they wanted a look that was both casual and modern “but not super contemporary,” Nedra says. It would have to have a beach resort feel—a definite diversion from their Indiana residence, which was done in the French-country style.
“They wanted something very open, neat and inviting but not untouchable,” Duprey says. “So we used dusty blues and other muted colors that would resemble the water and sand. For the living room, we did a long sectional with textured fabric and two chaises, one on each end. The dining table and chairs have a real modern beach vibe.”
To complement the modern aesthetic, the homeowners selected 6×2-foot porcelain tile that looks like distressed wood for the floors throughout the main living spaces. Cozy carpet adds warmth underfoot in the master suite and guest bedrooms.
The kitchen showcases custom cabinets and granite countertops with a leathered finish. Each one of the home’s design elements is intended to be low-maintenance and appropriate for a waterfront setting.
“We chose these types of floors and materials because they don’t fade even though we have lots of sun coming though the house. Coming in from the beach and off the boat, the tile is so forgiving,” Nedra says. “Because of these materials and the colors, the whole look now has that serene, comfortable feel with a bit of a modern flair.”
The décor also complements the couple’s lifestyle. The open concept of the 4,100-square-foot, 4-bedroom, 4½-bathroom home allows the Greenes to “flow between the great room area, where we play board games, and into the kitchen where we eat,” as they put it.
“We also love the outdoors so, the first thing in the morning, we enjoy coffee on the master bedroom balcony and watch the sun come up,” John says. “At night, we watch the sun set from the front balcony with a glass of wine.”
The cozy cabana is another favorite spot for the homeowners. Featuring tiled floors, walls coated in coquina limestone and comfortable furniture topped with accent pillows offering a pop of lime green color, the cabana is the perfect respite from the hot Florida sun. The cabana also directs guests to the tranquil pool area, which is the prime spot for entertaining grandchildren.
The pool deck is done in travertine, which leads out to the custom boat dock and the Intracoastal Waterway. The Greenes say the outdoor living space, which also includes a kitchen and grilling area, reminds them of the Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach.
“I love being outside and hanging around the pool. We just cook out on the grill before the sunset and have dinner,” Nedra says. “On rainy days, it’s nice to curl up on the sectional and binge watch some of our favorite shows. It’s perfect for us.”
Resources: Contractor: Phil Jester, Clark & Logan; Interior designer: Sharon Duprey, Ethan Allen; Kitchen and bathroom designer: Mark Straub, Straub Building & Design; Landscape designer: David Cabitt, D&D Envirocare; Pool and outdoor kitchen: Freestyle Pools; Lighting: Corbett, Ferguson; Painting: Sherwin-Williams Duration Home Collection; Wall treatments, furniture, accessories and window treatments: Ethan Allen; Flooring: Gulf Tile; Windows and doors: Pella; Granite countertops: GCI Services; Appliances: Viking, Famous Tate; Kitchen sink: Blanco Silgranit, Ferguson; Kitchen faucet: Elkay; Bathroom sinks: Kohler; Bathroom faucets: Santec Dome Collection; Home theatre: AV Specialists; Interior and exterior iron railings and fencing: Hot Shot Welding; Dock: Ress Marine Construction; Elevator: David Craig