It’s a beautiful evening, with a wispy breeze and the lanterns lit along the walkway leading up to Victor and Roseanna Melone’s house at 745 Lagoon Road. The tropical plantings – pintas, hibiscus, azaleas, palm trees – along the slightly elevated route to the front door add to the anticipation of seeing what’s inside this striking home.
A delightful experience with this island-style house in Riomar Bay II has begun; it intensifies as you enter the home through formidable wooden doors that open into a large foyer where, taking a deep breath, one quickly realizes that stepping inside doesn’t necessarily mean leaving the beautiful outdoors behind.
That’s because, from that foyer and proceeding forward, there are more of those lovely plantings and lush surroundings to be appreciated through a massive window from the first room – the living room – of this 4-bedroom, 4 full/1-half bath home with split floorplan.
Windows and French doors throughout welcome bursts of bright colors from the garden and landscaping into the house. And a fenced-in yard, pool with spa, and dock on a canal that leads to the Intracoastal Waterway capture your attention as you view the luxurious 0.51-acre grounds.
Smartly constructed in 2008 with tray ceilings, crown molding, marble floors and other fine finishes, the house is one of substance with powerful blasts of grandeur. First impressions set lasting ones, and this house does just that from the second you approach it from the curb.
The home at 745 Lagoon Road is listed by Matilde Sorensen of Dale Sorensen Real Estate for $2,900,000; prospective buyers will find it a real gem.
“The size of the house and warmth of it make it a great house to live in, and entertain in,” said Roseanna Melone.
“It makes it nice for a family, but also for a couple,” Victor Melone added, pointing out the layout of the home, which provides formal, yet comfortable and inviting spaces.
The lot is nicely protected with a 14-ft.-high bottle brush hedge along the side and a canopy of mangroves along the canal in the back, providing for plenty of privacy.
“It’s unique having a house on the water and having this kind of privacy,” Mr. Melone said.
The layout of the 4,066 square foot home provides easy flow and privacy, as well. The split plan with master suite on one side of the home, and social and dining areas on the other make it ideal for guests and family.
“It’s a great layout,” Mrs. Melone said. “It feels good walking around it because of the flow.”
Upon entering the home, the spacious foyer sets the tone and direction in which to go – forward to an inviting living room with gas fireplace, Saturnia marble flooring, built-ins with glass shelves and lovely views of the water and yard through a large multi-light window.
There’s a handsome office with tray ceilings and plantation shutters to the right of the foyer, neatly situated away from the main part of the house to offer quiet space in which to read, concentrate and work.
The magnificent master suite, also set apart from the main social areas of the house, is clearly defined by striking western stone of caramel and creamy colors. Walking through the suite to the bedroom area, there’s neutral carpeting and wooden blinds and a double French door entrance to a private, poolside sitting area with hot tub. There are two spacious walk-in closets and the master bathroom includes a spa-like shower, Jacuzzi tub and 2 water closets.
There are two roomy guest suites with bathrooms and closets. And a fourth guest room that’s 14-feet by 13-feet that can double as a second office or exercise room. This bedroom has easy access to a bathroom that also serves as a cabana bath, conveniently located by a door leading to the pool/spa so swimmers can change and freshen up without trekking through the main part of the house.
The house features a powder room, laundry room and a 3-car garage.
Entering into the social and entertaining areas, the dining room is set apart, offering a large space that’s functional and beautiful. There’s a double tray ceiling bordered with exquisite crown molding and highlighted with recessed lighting. There’s a built-in server with granite counter and lighted cabinets and tile backsplash to display and store china and glass wear.
The kitchen, which features creamy white cabinetry, granite countertops, top-of-the-line appliances and a walk-in pantry, peers over a casual breakfast nook and magnificent great room that’s 18 feet by 22 feet overlooking water views.
“This is the key to the house,” Mr. Melone said, standing in between the kitchen and great room, which he referred to as the “family room.”
“We go from the kitchen to the family room and outside,” he said. “It’s a natural gathering space.”
Added Mrs. Melone: “We love this area. We get in the pool, then get out and watch television and have cocktails on the patio and do some gardening.”
The spectacular pavilion, with wood tongue-and-groove vaulted ceiling, features a gas fireplace, summer kitchen, and eating and sitting area with a television. It offers rain and sun protection. “We’ve had 60 people under here before,” said Mr. Melone. “Two neighbors liked it so much they built ones for themselves.”
“It’s a way of bringing in the outdoors and making it indoors,” he added.
Just beyond the pavilion and through a gate, is a dock that’s outfitted for electric and water, a perfect place to enjoy the natural umbrella provided by the mangroves and look back at the property to take in the beautifully-landscaped yard.
“There you have all of the primary colors,” observed Mr. Melone, who proudly tends to the flower garden. “We have that in spades.”
As for the neighborhood, the Melones have enjoyed Riomar Bay II for a variety of reasons. “It’s neighborly here,” he said. “As they drive by, they wave even if they don’t know you. It’s a smaller area so everyone knows each other mostly but they are not invasive.”
Listing agent Matilde Sorensen said: “This home has been an absolute joy to show. It is the quintessential Florida lifestyle home with many extras and upgrades, lots of windows and natural light, an open floor plan and breathtaking water views and sunsets.”
This home is perfect for the family that wants to enjoy living in a traditional Old-Florida style community that offers so much, practically right outside your front door. The fact that this home is near our beautiful beaches, wonderful restaurants and great little boutiques is just an added bonus!”
