A little over four years ago, Mike and Janet Richardson were boating with friends in the waters off Tierra Verde. As they were heading back for the day, they passed an elegant home situated directly on the water. “We happened to have a friend who is a realtor on the boat with us and she mentioned that it was for sale,” Janet says. “We were returning to our home in Nashville that day, so we couldn’t look at it in person. But Mike looked it up online as soon as we got home and put in an offer.” In addition to their vacation homes in St. Petersburg and Nashville—which they are in the process of selling—Mike and Janet, who are English, also own a home in France. “We now divide our time between France and Florida.”
Creating a lively interior
Since they were spending more time in the Sunshine State, it was imperative to update the nearly 20-year-old home to fit their needs. They enlisted the help of Susanne Van Selow, owner of Van Selow Design Build, LLC to tackle the renovation. “They spend most of their time in the living room, kitchen and gathering room, which overlooks the water,” Van Selow says. “Their main goal was to modernize the spaces and add a few amenities that they have in their other homes.”
The renovated kitchen now features beautiful off-white cabinetry and creamy quartz countertops with swirls of gray and aqua. “We used the same quartz for the backsplash, which really complements the aqua and teal hues we have throughout the house,” says Janet.
Metal finishes, such as the stainless steel appliances and copper hardware, faucet and pendant lights complete the overall look. “The glass-front cabinets along the top were added so Janet can show off her copper serving pieces,” adds Van Selow. “It was her idea to incorporate copper into the kitchen and it really blends everything together.”
Gather around the view
The nearby gathering room was designed to complement the kitchen and focus on the enticing view of the infinity edge pool and water beyond. The same cabinetry and counters were carried into the room, but with even more glass-front doors to show off the couple’s Royal Crown Derby china collection, antique copper pieces and other glassware. “They also have an extensive wine collection, so we also built them a new 1,500-bottle wine cellar that is tucked inconspicuously behind the living room,” adds Van Selow.
Mike and Janet couldn’t be happier with the renovation. “The inside now complements the outside,” Janet says. “It is so bright and cheerful, we just love spending time here.”
RESOURCES Contractor Susanne Van Selow, Van Selow Design Build, LLC; Kitchen designer Meaghan Gonzalez, McCabinet; Copper pendant lights Elk Lighting; Paint Sherwin-Williams, Jeff Coffin Painting; Flooring Lauzon Absolut Authentik red oak, Authentic Hardwood Flooring; Cabinetry Holiday Kitchens in Marshmallow, McCabinet; Countertops and backsplash Kelvingrove Cambria, A+ Signature Design; Sink and faucet Mirabelle stainless undermount; Signature Hardware Withrow antique copper, Ferguson; Appliances KitchenAid dishwasher, cooktop, oven and ice machine; Sub-Zero refrigerator, Ferguson
Article by Christina Kleiner/Photos by Joe Traina
Article appeared in Housetrends Tampa Bay – July/August 2019