The traditional and elegant home at 109 Hidden Oak Drive in Bermuda Bay was designed by the late James Gibson, coined the father of Vero Beach architecture and a world recognized authority on classical Georgian style. It offers idyllic living in an exquisite setting.
The 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 4,000-square-foot home, built in the Georgian-style 1986 features 2 master suites, a gourmet kitchen, 2 fireplaces, a sunroom and lush landscaping surrounding a large heated pool and spa. Mary Frances Driscoll of Treasure Coast Sotheby’s International Realty is offering the property, which is her home, for $1,149,000.
The architect, Gibson, designed many homes in John’s Island along with the prestigious community’s original golf and beach clubs; homes in The Moorings and Windsor; and commercial buildings along Central Beach. He designed homes in England and throughout the United States, as well.
This one, in the lovely Bermuda Bay barrier island gated community just south of John’s Island, carries the dignity of Georgian architecture with its classic lines and symmetry. Gibson felt that Vero’s northern-based winter residents would appreciate the familiarity of the design and be comfortable with it.
That’s certainly the case for Bill and Mary Frances Driscoll, who are from Boston and Chicago, respectively. The couple have lived in 11 homes in the United States and in Europe over the decades, and the antiques they’ve acquired over the years fit perfectly in the Hidden Oak Drive home with crown molding, chair rail molding and other fine finishes.
“We were attracted to the home because of the layout and style of it,” said Mary Frances Driscoll, who moved into the home with her husband in 2007. Standing on Colombian wood floors not far from an inviting sunroom with multiple French doors spilling out to a lovely garden, she recounted: “We took two separate trips to look at the house and felt very comfortable when we walked into it. And our sons both liked it very much.”
Driscoll explained that it was not only the fine architecture that drew them to the house, but the finishes and quality of the construction. Built by Parent Construction, the 19-year-old home was renovated in 2004 by Croom Construction. At that time, a 1,000-square-foot master suite was added on the first floor.
“Various features in the home remind us of other homes we’ve lived in, including one we lived in in Europe where we were for 10 years,” Driscoll said. Her husband’s Boston roots also resonated because of the traditional homes common in that city.
“This house has a different feel than others in Vero Beach,” she said. “It does not have the beach feel, but it’s still a very good beach home because it’s near the beach and overlooks the pool.”
Also, the floor plan and 2 stories make it comfortable to have guests, allowing privacy and space. There is an upstairs master suite as well as 2 other bedrooms and a study with a balcony overlooking the pool and gardens.
“It’s a great house for entertaining,” she added.
Walking into the stately house through impressive mahogany doors with a transom, you find a light and bright foyer. There are Waterford ceiling lights in the foyer and a hallway with access to a powder room with jade fixtures and Scalamandre wallpaper. To the right is the spacious 30-foot by 18-foot living room with formal details, crown molding, a handsome mantel and white marble around the fireplace and an oversized mullioned window. The window treatments with ivory drapes and trimmed in valances add a sophistication to the room. Window treatments throughout are sold with the house.
“It’s a pretty room where I enjoy entertaining, or just reading or talking on the phone,” said Driscoll.
A formal dining room to the left has hardwood floors, sizable windows, draperies with different trim, crown molding and chair rail molding.
A bar with wine cooler, granite top and mirrored shelves right off the dining room leads to the gourmet kitchen where there’s a Viking gas stove, Sub Zero refrigerator, attractive cabinet design with mullioned windows, island with butcher block top on wheels, granite countertops and brushed nickel fixtures that complement the stainless stove. The kitchen includes a counter area with stools, and a walk-in pantry, as well as a cabinet under the stairway with glass doors to stow placemats and candles.
The 24-foot by 14-foot family room off the kitchen, with a basket-weave fan, crown molding with pale green accent, fireplace with black marble and built-in bookcases that house television and stereo equipment, leads to a spectacular sun room with a painted ceiling. The view: a graceful live oak tree, elephant ear plants, and sabal, Christmas and cabbage palms.
“As a permanent home, it’s great in all seasons, has an elegant feel and is very livable,” Driscoll said. “We can look out at our pool and the vegetation, and that gives us the link to Florida.”
Leading into the first-floor master suite, a hallway features a couple of windows, including a charming oval-shaped one with a view of the back patio and pool. The oversized suite has a cove ceiling, crown and chair rail moldings, a pale carpet, ivory draperies and French doors leading to the pool and spa.
There are two walk-in closets with oak floors and the master bath has vanities with marble, a Jacuzzi tub, makeup area, walk-in shower, toilet room and linen closet.
Wilton carpet covers the stairs leading to a landing with bookcases and sitting area. The original master suite is located upstairs and is 19 by 14 feet. There are three closets in the hallway of the master suite that leads to the bathroom with double sink area, large mirror, Jacuzzi and walk-in shower with frameless door and plantation shudders on windows.
Also on the second floor, is a guest room with crown molding, several closets, bathroom with linen closet with tub/shower, ceramic backsplash and a marble top sink. Another guest room offers access to a balcony with a view of the pool, white picket fence and herb garden in pots.
Also on the top floor is a 12-foot by 11-foot study which offers access to the balcony and has handsome built-ins.
The house also has a 2-car garage with large storage area.
The Driscolls favor the Bermuda Bay community because of the amenities it offers including a clubhouse with large pool and Har-Tru tennis courts and oceanfront beach access with changing rooms. Each month there’s a social event held at the clubhouse or on the beach.
“It’s a friendly community,” Driscoll said. “I like the ability to walk through the back gate to get to the beach, and it’s across from the Village Shops. And it’s a great location because we have friends to the north and south (of the barrier island) and it’s easy to get anywhere from here.”
