The beautiful home at 225 Binnacle Point in The Moorings sits on one of the most desirable waterfront locations in the area, with a breathtaking view, soft breezes off the water and a light, whimsical elegance throughout. It is, as homeowner Marianne Davidson puts it, “a happy house.”
The curved, brick paver drive leads to the 2-car garage and parking area, and to a palm-lined sidewalk, columned, triple-archway porch and tall, double mahogany front doors. Liberal use of large, picture windows provides many opportunities to bring the outdoors in: from the foyer, a visitor can gaze across the great room to a gorgeous picture postcard panorama – the sparkling Intracoastal Waterway, framed, as it were, by the arched, west screen wall of the covered lanai/porch. A glass pocket slider wall connects the great room and lanai, allowing unobstructed water views.
With interior designers L.K. DeFrance and Associates, architect George Bollis and builder Ed Crocker, Marianne and Tom Davidson realized their vision for remodeling and upgrading this 16-year-old home. Most important to Marianne Davidson was that the home should have a casual ambiance.
The original, narrow lanai was transformed into what is now Davidson’s favorite part of the home: a spacious, versatile indoor/outdoor room, with vaulted, beamed ceiling, ceiling fans and recessed lighting. It will likely become a favorite for the new homeowners, as well, melding the shelter of the indoors with the breezy, nature-welcoming attributes of the outdoors.
“Our granddaughters love it out here. They’d sleep out here if they could,” says Davidson, noting the manatees and dolphins who share the aquatic neighborhood.
Perfectly designed for entertaining, this combined great room/lanai/pool deck space, with sliders open, can easily accommodate large parties. To create a more intimate inside space, or to adjust the ambient light, the slider wall is fitted with a pair of wide, roll-down shades, individually and conveniently controlled with a remote.
A private dock houses an electric boat lift and offers deep water, navigable access to the Intracoastal.
Floors in the living spaces are of 18-inch white tile, with barefoot-loving sisal in the bedrooms. Doors, woodwork, cabinets, chair-rail, ceiling, batter board and tongue-in-groove panels are predominantly white, creating an easy flow throughout the home. High ceilings additionally enhance the feeling of light and space. Above the chair rail, pale wall colors are used, from soft lemon meringue to cloud blue to natural grass cloth.
Off the great room is a formal dining area, affording water views though a picture window wall, as well as access to the lanai. Nearby, a wet bar glows with its blue mini-tile backsplash and features mahogany, glass-front display cabinets above, with additional cabinets and wine cooler below.
A unique, two-level counter/lunch bar delineates the kitchen and the dining area. On the dining room side, the counter is lunch bar height and is formed of a stunning, curved length of mahogany. The lower, kitchen side is a beautiful black soapstone countertop that offers lots of work space, and extends all the way around the kitchen, with plenty of convenient electrical outlets along the way. Above and below the counters, white cabinets provides ample storage, and the fridge/freezer unit blends nicely, behind its white cabinetry facade. The kitchen island is a sturdy, square mahogany “table,” topped with the same black soapstone. The sink and stove top back splashes provide the perfect punch of color with 4-inch tiles in shades of cocoa, bluegreen and lemon.
A hallway from the dining room leads to a powder room, a pair of en suite guest bedrooms, the office/library, a spacious, bright laundry room and, from there, into the garage, with its ample space for two cars and considerable storage.
The office/library is one of homeowner Tom Davidson’s favorite spaces. Here, delicate shades give way to walls of an amazing blue-gray, the color of a stormy sea. A custom, wall-to-wall unit houses a desk, with book shelves above and cabinets below, all of the same stormy blue, with the exception of a strip of white wall above the desk and the rich golden wood of the desk top. Recessed lighting illuminates the work space, which is wired for computer hook-up. The white ceiling, arched window and crown molding provide a striking contrast.
The opposite side of the house is occupied by the homeowners’ haven of rest and restoration, the splendid master suite, with its stylish tray ceiling, fan and soft recessed lighting. In the spacious master bedroom, light flows in through a pair of French windows flanking the bed space. A large, graceful bay window also provides a glorious water view, which can be enjoyed without having to get out of bed. One would be hard-pressed to find a lovelier scene upon waking. On the opposite wall, an alcove houses built-in desk, storage and built-in TV; double glass sliders open to the lanai.
Walk-in closets offer a plethora of storage: one is quite long, employing each and every inch of space in which to organize, and with a full-length mirror at the end. The second is smaller but with equally efficient use of space.
The master bath is the master suite’s piece de resistance, an irresistible garden hide-away beckoning one to enter – and linger. In one corner is a sumptuous tub, within a gleaming white tile surround between large corner windows which look out upon a lovely tropical garden, a high fence assuring complete privacy.
Adjacent to the tub is a large double vanity, with white cabinetry. Wide, two-tone blue striped paper covers the walls and is charmingly reflected in the three mirror panels which stretch the entire length of the vanity, each with its own graceful silver, 3-light fixture. The bath also contains a big glass shower, in which a small octagonal window admits a bit of outside light, without compromising privacy.
In each and every corner of this lovely home, Davidson’s bright and welcoming personality is reflected. She has managed to combine a delightful sense of whimsy with a casual elegance to wonderful effect, from her beloved, colorful Charley Harper pictures, to the pops of color and designs she has chosen. Potential owners will find it easy to picture the ways in which they could make this beautiful home their own.
For residents of The Moorings, it is only a few minutes’ drive to dining and shopping opportunities, including myriad shops along Vero’s Ocean Drive, as well as a wealth of casual and fine dining choices. With a quaint village vibe, the community nevertheless boasts a lively cultural scene, including the island’s widely renowned Riverside Theatre, a professional equity theater; and the nationally lauded Vero Museum of Art, both located in Riverside Park, a popular destination hosting a variety of events throughout the year. Opportunities for fishing, boating and other water sports abound here. A bit farther north are the popular Wabasso Disney Resort and the acclaimed Environmental Learning Center, a must-see for nature-loving residents and visitors, young and old alike.
