As you drive along the river, heading north to Sebastian, your stress is soothed and you can spend an afternoon enjoying Florida the way it used to be, the way it looks in the Highwaymen paintings. The view of the lagoon and a bowl of chowder from Crab-e-Bills makes this ride worth it.
Tucked off of Old Dixie Highway, between U.S. 1 and Indian River Boulevard is this week’s featured property, located at 7605 133rd Square. This airy, but intimate house has a seamed metal roof, a shady front porch, and loads of coconut palm trees, making this the perfect tropical retreat for a family or a couple.
The fact that the house is within walking distance of Capt. Hiram’s Resort and several other restaurants and watering holes, and that it has a great pool and outdoor living room with a gas fireplace, makes it a great house in which to entertain guests.
Built in 2006, this custom-designed 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath luxury home is located on a large lot in a quiet development and has the advantage of water views, green views and plenty of privacy. The driveway and three-car garage are bordered by shrubs, and the garage offers direct access to the bonus room, for those who want to slip in or out un-noticed.
“It is a great spot for stowing a teenager,” said Ashley Harris, a realtor with Norris & Company. “No one who goes to bed early will be disturbed by the noise.”
The spacious house has an open floor plan, making it perfect for entertaining. Throughout the house, the walls are painted soothing pastels, and the ceramic tile and wood floors are easy to maintain.
Guests enter through a portico, which is not only gracious but functional, leading to a simple front porch, the ideal spot from which to view the sunset from a rocking chair.
The shuttered windows in the front rooms keep out glare, and ceiling fans throughout the house keep it cool.
Air flows through the great room, adorned with crisp crown molding and a lovely custom bead board media cabinet.
“This house has everything,” said Harris. “I walk in and find something new every time.”
The kitchen is a caterer’s dream, with sandy colored counters reminiscent of terrazzo. A wall of French doors the length of the kitchen and great room lead to the pool, flanked by coconut palms and rolling green spaces.
The kitchen has a dishwasher, two sinks, a huge refrigerator, loads of storage space, including an incredibly well-organized walk-in pantry with built-in organizers. Custom kitchen cabinets are clean white bead board, giving the house the feeling of a beach cottage.
The master bedroom suite is a mermaid’s dream, with soothing walls and side-by-side walk-in closets.
Tropical sandy walls with crisp crown molding add to the healing atmosphere in the master bath. A deep tub and the grotto like walk in shower are equipped with hand held fixtures and exquisite tile.
A bonus room with pitched ceilings and a half-bath is private and perfect for houseguests or a caregiver, or that teenage child.
This house is located in a mature neighborhood that is hidden in plain sight, in which older houses are gradually being replaced by gracious, more up-to-date houses like this one.
The Indian River Lagoon is visible from the front yard and the house is close to some great restaurants, including Vic’s (for pizza), and Earl’s (for live music), and Capt. Hiram’s. There are several fresh produce stands nearby, and Sebastian public schools are located within five miles of this house.
Sebastian residents will want to consider this home, with its Old Florida charm and updated amenities, and it is well worth the 20-mnute drive from Vero to take a look. Make sure you drive at least one way on Indian River Drive, so you can pick up some fresh watermelon or a cup of bisque or chowder.