Under the spell

Whether it's a grand palazzo or a rustic country house, every Italian home has an unmistakable ambiance. Along with an enviable sense of history, there are visual reminders of those who have gone before the well-worn stone flaggings, handcrafted wood beams, and decorative, hand-painted ceilings.

Not surprisingly, many travelers fall under the spell of Italy, and look to re-create such a style back home. For Affiniti Architects, the Italian influence requested by the owners of this Florida house not only suited the Venetian-style waterfront location it also provided an ideal way to screen the house from its neighbors across the water.

Architect Mitch Kunik says the house needed to be designed to maximize an angled view of a resort a little further down the channel.

"Introducing a series of courtyards and colonnaded elements was a way to direct the eye and provide a degree of privacy."

Kunik says the Venetian architectural style of the resort was also an influence.

"The house needed to be compatible with the older architecture in the area, but we also wanted it to have its own identity. The owners' love of Tuscan architecture made this style an appropriate choice."

From the street, the Italian influence is readily apparent but it's not just the traditional tower, the terra-cotta barrel roof tiles and deep overhang that determine the style. Stone and plastered walls, archways, shutters, and stonework around the doors are other key features. But Affiniti Architects also ensured a sense of privacy the gated and walled front yard provides a secluded, intimate entrance.

Once inside the double-height atrium, however, the house opens up to the outdoor living areas, and ultimately the water view beyond.

"It is a staggered view, almost like a series of rooms that open first to the pool, then through the colonnade to the terrace, and through another colonnade to the water beyond," says Kunik. "Similarly, inside the house, all the rooms open up to one another to create a sense of transparency. The grand foyer opens up to the formal living room, which in turn opens to an office, and then a library, to present a layered sequence of spaces that unfold with a sense of scale."

Kunik says the use of similar finishes and materials both inside and out also helps draw the eye through the house. Similarly, large columns inside are repeated with the colonnades on the exterior.

"These elements help to reinforce the transparency they also frame the view, directing the eye to the best vista."

Interior designer Lesly Maxwell specified traditional Italian materials and finishes throughout the house from the aged marble and distressed wood flooring to the highly detailed, custom hand-painted, fresco-style ceilings in the formal living and dining rooms.

"Continuity was important," Maxwell says." Similar textures were used throughout the main living areas, with many surfaces, such as the rustic wood beams in the family room, distressed to create an aged look and a traditional, weathered patina."

Stone arches and accent walls help create a less formal look for the family living area.

"We were always conscious of the need to balance the more ornate decorative elements with the needs of the family," says Maxwell. "The house needed to be comfortable, and it needed to be well equipped for entertaining."

For this reason, the kitchen is large enough to accommodate several people working at one time. Two islands provide plenty of counter space there is also a butler's pantry and separate drinks area.

In keeping with the Italian look, the cabinetry was designed to look as though it could have evolved over time. Painted and glazed cabinets around the perimeter are contrasted by stained mahogany island cabinetry. Countertop materials also provide contrasting textures a polished granite top is paired with a honed island top of Vermont soapstone.

As with most rooms in the house, including the bedrooms, the family living area opens out to extensive terraces.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes