The surpassingly graceful, Southern-inspired gem at 1566 Shorelands Drive East perfectly melds the tropical allure of its seaside location with the elegant ease of the remastered interior, as seamlessly as sea and sky merge on the eastern horizon.
Homeowners will find themselves enjoying their own private resort oasis, with wide verandas embracing two levels of the 3-story, 2,701-square-foot beauty, redolent of the antebellum mansions along the Mississippi, with a touch of Key West (think Hemingway) throw in.
Built in 1988, this lovely home was in foreclosure when its current owners found it online. Scanlan Buckley had owned and operated the popular Chelsea’s market and café on Cardinal Drive, before moving back to Baltimore, where she met her future husband, Dr. Tom Oglesby. They married, and, after a few years, Buckley found herself with “the urge to come back to Vero Beach.”
It was then that the couple came upon the Shorelands Drive home on Zillow. So taken were they with the seaside beauty that they purchased it last year without ever having seen it “in person.”
The home could not have found better owners to bring it back to vibrant life, and Buckley could not have found a better canvas for her incredible design and decorating talent. The result was a “new” house, inside and out; a beautifully renovated and remodeled dwelling with an absolutely stunning interior design, from major furniture pieces to the smallest hardware detail, and an equally elegant exterior.
There is virtually nowhere the eye can wander that does not compel a smile and a second look. Happily, although the furnishings do not “come with” the house, they are all available.
A curving drive and oak-shaded yard enhance the welcoming front facade, with its broad stairway leading to the sea-green French doors, wide, shuttered windows, and two-level verandas extending across the front and back of the home.
A notable feature is the generous use of double French doors, and double windows, strategically placed to merge the interior and the outdoors. The soft glow of rich mahogany flooring grounds most of the rooms. Focal point of the cozy foyer is the staircase, with its polished mahogany treads and banister and charmingly covered risers.
Here, as throughout the house, Buckley’s impeccable taste and creativity are on full display, with soft shades of blue and green dominant, and delightful, sassy pops of color, managing a casual elegance spiced with touches of whimsy. Recessed lighting in each room is enhanced by unique chandeliers, pendants, sconces and area lamps.
Occupying the second floor is, arguably, the home’s most stunning space, the large, airy great room, which opens onto the veranda through five sets of French doors on two sides. Here is space for two comfortable seating areas and, nestled between, Buckley has created another versatile space, with long table and book shelves, allowing it to seamlessly serve as a work space/library when not called into service as a dining room. (With its leaves, the table comfortably seats 10.) The area’s versatility is further enhanced by a wet bar and powder room off the landing.
The compatibility of function and design is nowhere more apparent than in the incredible kitchen, adjacent to the great room, which Buckley specifically did not want to look like a typical kitchen. Mission accomplished: A striking, floor-to-ceiling, black breakfront china cabinet leads the way, with its gold hardware and glass front display cases. The piece was brought in during the renovation, before the east outside stairs were built, requiring the movers to lift the heavy piece to its second floor home with a fork lift. It made the trip safely, but Buckley couldn’t watch.
The simple wooden kitchen cabinets are in glossy Pleasant Day Blue, each perfectly offset with a small gold knob. The golden touch extends to the sink hardware and the two golden lotus pendant lights above the large white marble-topped island with sink, shiny black cabinets, dishwasher and seating space. It is, Buckley says, a favorite place for family and friends to sit and chat or have an informal meal. The kitchen opens to the veranda through two sets of French doors.
Completing the second level is a private bedroom with en suite full bath.
Another private retreat can be found on the third floor, where a bedroom suite opens onto its own sun deck. This room could easily become a magical hideaway for children, with space perfect for bunk beds (easily transformed by Buckley’s grandchildren into forts, complete with secret password).
Buckley has painted the vaulted ceiling and walls a dreamy blue, with accent walls striped blue and white, and adorned with whimsical white tassels. Here, too, are a full bath and ample closet space that, like all the bedroom closets, contains hanging racks, dresser and shelves.
The beautiful first-floor master suite is yet another relaxing retreat, featuring a high, canopied bed with restoration hardware. New homeowners will appreciate access, though French doors, to the poolside veranda, a perfect spot to read, relax or perhaps enjoy a refreshing early morning or midnight swim. The unexpectedly spacious, fenced back yard and luxuriant landscaping provide complete privacy. Says Buckley, “Skinny-dipping is allowed.” The master bath offers a luxurious tub and large, double shower.
Two additional bedroom suites occupy the first floor, both uniquely furnished and decorated, each with spacious closets and full bath, each a work of design art.
Outdoor entertaining and family fun will surely circulate around the striking new, black-lined Hamptons-style pool with its white stone deck, anchored by a lovely garden pagoda. An enclosed, outdoor shower serves the pool area.
During the restoration, says Buckley, every piece of wood, inside and out, was inspected and replaced as needed; second-level wrap-around verandas and new the metal roof were installed; all appliances were replaced; and she, personally, chose the color schemes, every design element and all the furniture – tasks she absolutely loves to do. Amazingly, she is not a professional interior designer, although friends can’t help wondering why not.
This beautiful renovation must be seen to be fully appreciated.
Shorelands East is a quaint, gated seaside community on A1A south of the charming village of Vero Beach, a Treasure Coast town known for its appealing blend of gracious sophistication, relaxed ease and unspoiled natural beauty, as well as a strong cultural presence, anchored by the nationally acclaimed Riverside Theatre (Equity) and the highly respected Vero Museum of Art. Shorelands is also conveniently close to St. Edward’s School and The Moorings Yacht and Country Club, which has exceptional facilities and activities and accepts outside memberships.
