Beach Park – Waterfront, Modernized Italian Revival – Before & After
FRONT ELEVATION
BEFORE: The residence lacked a focal point entrance – random doors and windows haphazardly scattered.
AFTER: Sunset’s team transformed the façade with a 2-story addition that centralized the entry foyer and allowed for a media room on the second floor.
The third story unused porch was enclosed for a dedicated office space. A stunning circular driveway, vertical garden and fountain reinforced the new symmetry.
REAR ELEVATION
BEFORE: Functional, but not in keeping with the indoor/outdoor casual living the homeowners desired.
AFTER: Walls of sliders and fixed glass flooded natural light and passage in the dining and living rooms.
A nook in the kitchen was redesigned as a coffee bar with accordion pass-through windows to service the patio and pool areas.
NEW ENTRY FOYER
BEFORE: The old dining room wall was ripe for expansion. A 2-story addition took its place.
AFTER: The grand foyer, complete with sitting area and baby grand piano, sets the stage for this home’s elegant yet casual style of living.
The arches and marble provide a nod to the Italian Revival roots.
FOYER LEADS TO DINING
BEFORE: The dining area did not relate to the rest of the home.
AFTER: Now as part of the home’s flow, the dining area is a statement as well as an open connection to other rooms.
Mirrored sliders can conceal doorways and reveal gorgeous artwork.
DINING ROOM
BEFORE: The views from the dining room were virtually nonexistent.
AFTER: The gorgeous pool, patio, dock and canal became the dining room’s backdrop via a 24′ floor-to-ceiling fixed glass
and slider exterior wall.
KITCHEN
BEFORE: Dated and cut off from the living room, this kitchen was dark and uninviting.
The massive structural walls that separated the two spaces had to be removed if there was to be any hope of interaction.
AFTER: Now the living room and kitchen blend seamlessly and share an abundance of natural light.
LIVING ROOM
BEFORE: The living room was relegated to a back corner of the home, cut off from the rest of daily living. It had no soul.
AFTER: Adding a wall of sliders facing the pool, along with the to-the-floor windows flanking the 60″ fireplace, plus the ingenious engineering that makes dividing walls disappear –
all combine to emphasize the outdoors and create an easy flow that supports this family’s vibrant lifestyle.
COFFEE BAR & OUTDOOR ACCESS
BEFORE: The shallow nook was so tiny, it served no useful purpose.
AFTER: Thoughtfully redesigned, the coffee bar is now offers an enjoyable respite. Additionally, food and beverages are easily served through the accordion windows,
while the relocated door provides convenient access to the patio.
ENTRANCE REIMAGINED
BEFORE: This front entrance, tucked under the staircase, was slated for demolition and relocation.
AFTER: The space worked perfectly as an elegant back-lit onyx bar and wine cabinet. The first two treads of the staircase are under-lit white marble.
STAIRCASES – UP
BEFORE: The staircase to the second floor was functional, while the tight spiral to the third floor was indeed challenging to navigate.
AFTER: The custom-built dodecagon staircase to the third floor was an inspired solution to the tight quarters. The 12 distinct step angles had to fit exact specifications, and a precisely engineered foundation was required to provide the necessary support. The steel and glass railing design continued through the remaining staircase.
STAIRCASES – DOWN
BEFORE: They were just a means to get to a destination.
AFTER: Now, it is a safe, comfortable and artistic experience to traverse all these steps.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
BEFORE: This room was a dark, very dark, wood-filled gloom.
AFTER: A 20′ wall of sliders floods the room with daylight plus views of the canal, plus the redesigned balcony fireplace provides a unique focal point.
Both of these elements came with their own set of structural and engineering challenges.
PRIMARY BATHROOM
BEFORE: This room was full of dated, heavy fixtures.
AFTER: Sheets of book-matched quartz, heated floors, and a trackless mirrored-slider for the closet door are just a few of the elegant finishes used to create this world-class bathroom.
LAUNDRY ROOM + ELEVATOR
BEFORE: With the office moving to the 3rd floor, this was the perfect place for a 2nd floor laundry.
AFTER: Two sets of stacking washer/dryers are a must for this big, busy family. The garage-to-second-floor elevator provides invaluable luggage assistance for these frequent travelers.
OFFICE WITH A VIEW
BEFORE: The 3rd floor covered balcony only saw occasional use.
AFTER: This redesign created a quiet office getaway, with spectacular 360° views.