We all have that favorite place we go to relax and get away from it all. More often than not, that special place includes the great outdoors and water. The owners of this St. Petersburg home wanted nothing more than to create their little slice of heaven on the water. The end result is a resort-inspired haven with unbeatable views.
Reuniting the team
The homeowners enlisted the expertise of Kevin McClure, owner of McClure Contracting, Inc., to help them bring their vision to life. The couple had worked with McClure on an interior renovation at the home six years ago. When they purchased the lot adjacent to their property, he was the only person for the job.
The homeowners wanted to create an outdoor oasis complete with hardscaping, a pool and an indoor/outdoor entertaining area. “I was overseeing everything,” McClure explains. “We’re very hands-on and we don’t just sit behind desks. We have eight full-time employees on site every day.”
Resort-inspired amenities
The homeowners envisioned a resort-type setting for guests to relax. From the second-story veranda overlooking the pool, visitors have a breathtaking view of the water.
The patio decking and spa surround are a sleek travertine that surrounds the Grecian-style pool. Oasis Pavers & Pools refinished the pool with a blend of pebble and glass beads from NPT that gives the pool surface a beautiful sheen.
All-weather, outdoor furniture is strategically arranged around the pool deck to create multiple seating areas. Fire bowls and a fire pit provide drama, color and warmth on cool nights. “The homeowners wanted to be able to control everything with the touch of a button,” McClure says. “Automatic sunshades block bright sunlight and can be operated with a remote control or smart phone app. There is also a heating and cooling unit and a phenomenal sound system.”
The outdoor living room includes commercial outdoor space heaters mounted above the doorways and a massive television can be seen from almost anywhere inside the covered living area.
RollShield, LLC installed automatic rolling shutters that the homeowners can lower with the push of a button in preparation for a hurricane. McClure hired Riggins Associates to install custom panels, created by Artworks, to conceal the shutters. “You don’t have the big, ugly square boxes that you normally see. These are all installed inverted and inside the structure. It was very challenging, but the end result allows the shutters to seamlessly blend in with the design,” McClure says.
Creative use of materials
To prevent weathering, the box construction of the outdoor kitchen cabinets was done using an Azek material. Azek is typically known as a decking material, but it can be used for other things due to its durability. The cabinet doors and drawer fronts were built using natural teak—a salt-water friendly wood traditionally used on boats. “The teak just has to be oiled,” McClure explains. “And it complements the Solarius Gold granite countertops.”
McClure wanted to leave a special detail, or signature, in this project for the homeowners. He created a custom hood made of copper and teak to serve as a focal point in the outdoor kitchen. “I wrapped the hood with the copper, and Kenny Buckalew with Florida Building & Stair Supply, carved the latitude and longitude of the home into the teak,” McClure says.
Whether entertaining in the outdoor kitchen, lounging in the living room, or taking a dip in the pool; this is the perfect spot to watch the sun go down.
Resources: Contractor: Kevin McClure, McClure Contracting, Inc.; Architect: Milan Jovanovic, Jovanovic & Lyons, LLC; Landscape designer and landscaping: Bob Deegan, Belleair Palms; Lighting: The Coppersmith, Lighting by Electric Service Company; Electric hurricane shutters and screens: RollShield, LLC; Cabinetry: Southern Stone Cabinets; Florida Building & Stair Supply; Countertops: Granite Plus; Sinks and faucets: Ferguson Enterprises; Appliances: Perlick refrigerator; Alfresco grill; Scotsman icemaker; Sharp microwave drawer, Ferguson Enterprises; Pool finish: NPT StoneScapes Aqua Blue Touch of Glass, applied by Oasis Pavers & Pools; Hardscapes: Artistic Pavers; Gates and fencing: Hot Shot Welding; Seawall coating: Gemstone Concrete Coatings, Inc.; Fence and railings: iDeal Aluminum; Outdoor comfort systems: A-NIKS; Roofing: Gibson Roofing; Construction materials: Florida Building & Stair Supply; Banning Lumber