Here is an indoor-outdoor house with traditional styling, designed for a semi-retired couple in Florida. Florida sunshine is in ample supply; our task was to invite it inside without harshness and glare. We accomplished this via situating the house on the lot strategically and providing overhangs to shade large windows and French doors from the most intense sunlight. (These choices also increase the home’s energy-efficiency.) Bright indirect daylight fills the house, with the help of white and pale finishes.
We designed the home’s layout to allow for graceful ageing in place, easy entertaining, and room for visiting family. On the ground floor, level changes are minimized and there is ample circulation space. The private wing of the ground floor contains a main bedroom suite, with the sparkling lap pool and garden just beyond the bedroom’s French doors. Two home offices are down the hall. In the central part of the house, the kitchen is open to an informal dining area and great room. Right outside the great room is the poolside covered patio with a complete outdoor kitchen. The other ground floor wing contains a formal dining room, also with views and access to the pool and garden. Guest rooms are on the second floor.