Modern Craftsman Redesign Opens Ponte Vedra Home

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Amanda Webster doesn’t typically like coming in second. But when she was contacted by a couple looking to replace their previous interior designer, she knew her second place start would end up as a win.

“They needed an expert to come in with fresh ideas and to finish making the exterior selections,” she says of the homeowners. “It was nice hearing that their builder [Eastern Shores Construction] had recommended me.” But, after wading through the preliminary designs, Webster says, “we decided pretty much to start over.”

From the start, the couple knew what they needed from the 6,143-square-foot, modern Craftsman residence: ample living space for their young family and dog, a boat dock and a putting green, and spaces dedicated to some of their favorite playtime pursuits, including crafting, golf, and ballet. 

Inspired by the waterfront setting in Ponte Vedra Beach, the home’s exterior was designed with juxtaposing cedar shake and painted brick. Inside, the design takes cues from the colors of the Intracoastal Waterway with a palette of muted blues, greens, and grays—all hues the couple loves. Textural accents appear throughout to provide contrast and to usher the outdoors in, including rich bronze finishes, cypress ceilings, and hard-wearing, dark woods like old-growth oak floors.

Because of the homeowners’ penchant for entertaining, an open floor plan was a must. Webster kept the sight lines clear and minimized the seating heights in the living room and dining room so the couple can easily engage with company while whipping up drinks or fixing dinner. Wood furniture, sorrel-colored metalwork, and a complementary color scheme marry the social spaces together. 

Upstairs, family and guests can practice or play in the combined dance/recreation room that boasts a pool table, a wet bar, and a wall-mounted ballet barre system. Next door, there’s a home theater where the family is known to host movie night or refine their golf swings in the simulator. “You literally never have to leave this house, if you don’t want to,” says Webster, who also designed a multi-purpose room behind the kitchen with digital laundry technology, a pet-washing station, a gift-wrapping area, and a home office/art space where the kids can enjoy craft time.

But no one can play inside forever. When going outdoors is a must, a manual folding glass door system in the living room leads to an expansive patio and pool area overlooking the Intracoastal. “If the weather’s nice, they’re always open,” says project manager Anna DeRita. Adjacent to the home, a one-bedroom guesthouse with a semi-private patio offers additional opportunities to unwind and get away from it all. “Plus, it’s perfect for those out-of-town guests or friends who may like to stay over,” Webster adds. 

Webster says the clients are delighted with the way the home turned out. She still remembers their reaction at the final installation. “It was just a look that said it all, like relief and happiness mixed together. It was one of the best happy ending moments ever,” she says. 

Story Credits:

Interior Design by Amanda Webster with Anna Derita, Amanda Webster Design, Inc., Jacksonville Beach, FL

Builder Robert Leinenweber, Eastern Shores Construction, Atlantic Beach, FL

Landscape Architecture by Ben Dinkins Landscape Design, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Text by Kerry Shorr

Photography by Jessie Preza, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Sources

Front and Back Exterior 

Builder – Eastern Shores Construction, Atlantic Beach, FL

Windows – Marvin, Coastal Sash and Door, Jacksonville, FL

Door – Coastal Sash and Door, Jacksonville, FL

Iron railings – Classic Iron Décor, Inc., Jacksonville, FL

Sconces – Visual Comfort, Houston, TX

Lounge chairs – Summer Classics, Turner Ace Hardware, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Pool fabricated by Sunrise Pools, Neptune Beach, FL

River Room

Sofa – Taylor King, Taylorsville, NC

Chair – Cisco Home, City of Commerce, CA

Fabric – Rose Tarlow, Jerry Pair, Atlanta, GA

Cocktail table – Palecek, Richmond, CA

Side table – Vanguard Furniture, Clubhouse Interiors, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Table lamp – Currey and Company, Atlanta, GA

Swivel lounge chairs – Bernhardt, Lenoir, NC

Round cocktail ottoman – CR Laine, Hickory, NC

Chandelier – Hammerton Studio, Salt Lake City, Utah

Area rug – Delos Custom Carpets and Rug, Calhoun, GA

Ceiling designed by Amanda Webster Design, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Fabricated by Eastern Shores Construction, Atlantic Beach, FL

Kitchen

Cabinetry – WH Design, Neptune Beach, FL

Island designed by Amanda Webster Design, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Fabricated by WH Design, Neptune Beach, FL

Stools – Palecek, Richmond, CA

Pendant lighting – Hudson Valley Lighting, Wappingers Falls, NY

Butler Kitchen/Grotto

Cabinetry – WH Design, Neptune Beach, FL

Pendant land sconce – Rejuvenation, Portland, OR

Wall tile – IWT Tile, Tile Market of San Marco, Jacksonville, FL

Flooring – StonePeak Ceramics, Inc., Tile Market of San Marco, Jacksonville, FL

Dining Room

Table – Artitalia Group, Scottsdale, AZ

Chairs – Vanguard Furniture, Clubhouse Interiors, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Chandelier – Tech Lighting, Stewart Lighting, Jacksonville, FL

Area rug – Kravet Inc., Bethpage, NY

Barn doors –Trustile, Coastal Sash and Door, Jacksonville, FL

Bedroom Vignette

Niche bed fabricated by- WH Design, Neptune Beach, FL/ Cushions by Creative Designs of Jax, Inc. Jacksonville, FL

Wall lamp – Visual Comfort, Houston, TX

Drapery – Restoration Hardware, Corte Madera, CA

Floral area rug – Loloi Rugs, Dallas TX

Solarium

Sofa – Fouhands, Austin, TX

Pillows – Turner Ace Hardware, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Wicker ottomans – Universal Furniture, Highpoint, NC

Niche designed by Amanda Webster Design, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Fabricated by Eastern Shores Construction, Atlantic Beach, FL 

Cushions by Creative Designs of Jax, Inc., Jacksonville, FL

Sconces – Regna Andrew, Detroit, MI

Area rug – Dash and Albert, Annie Selke, Pittsfield, MA

Ceiling fabricated by Eastern Shores Construction, Atlantic Beach, FL

Throughout

Flooring – Burchette and Burchette Hardwood Floors, Elkin, NC

Landscape architecture – Ben Dinkins Landscape Design, Jacksonville Beach, FL