For the past eight years, Debbie Macomber, the #1 New York Times best-selling author with over 200 million books in print, and her husband Wayne have absorbed the tranquility of living along the Indian River Lagoon.
The couple created a “literal” haven at their riverside retreat located in the Moorings at 1965 Mooringline Drive. With wide-open vistas of the Intracoastal Waterway from nearly every room, the 6-bedroom, 8.5-bath, 8,000-square-foot house exudes the elegance of casual, coastal-inspired living.
“Our home here in the Moorings has been a great place to entertain our family and friends,” shares Debbie. “Every room is a special place where one can have fun and enjoy this unique lifestyle or simply relax and unwind. I myself have found inspiration and enjoyed writing here, whether it’s been in my study or out on the pool deck with nature.”
Built on speculation by Foglia Custom Homes, the house features distinct West Indies elements with large verandahs, a two-story vaulted foyer, traditional railings and outdoor living areas with clean lines, covered porches and windows that go on for miles.
“We chose the site for the expansive water views,” recalls Joe Foglia. “It’s a big house, all concrete construction, and concrete floor systems. What we call ‘bulletproof.’ It’s super stout with impact resistant glass and impact resistant mahogany entry doors.”
Quality was Foglia’s first concern. “Everything we did was top-of-the-line: finishes, solid stone materials and cabinetry. We went heavy on the millwork with crown molding, door casings, tall baseboards, even down to the simulated exposed rafter tails.”
“I just love the classic, elegant, yet simple lines of this beautiful home,” says Dale Sorensen Real Estate broker-owner Matilde Sorensen, who is offering the home for $4.1 million.
Stepping through the oversize mahogany door one has the sense, almost, of stepping into the outdoors. Walking through the light-filled living room to the double French doors with transoms that open onto the lounging porch and summer kitchen, there are wonderful views of the pool and river.
“Perhaps the most wonderful feature of this home are the beautiful views you have from the moment you enter the front door and from nearly every room throughout,” says Sorensen. “This is perfect for anyone that wants to enjoy a melding of indoor and outdoor living.”
Macomber’s cites access to nature via the balconies and verandahs flanking both the front and rear of the house a favorite feature. “My husband and I absolutely love watching all the varieties of sea life just outside our door. The Intracoastal Waterway is brimming with dolphins, turtles, manatees and all sorts of birds. Being able to enjoy the wildlife from the privacy of our pool deck or our dock has been a wonderful experience,” says Debbie.
As in most family-oriented homes, the kitchen is at the heart of this house. Guests and family can overflow into the family room while home-cooked meals are whipped up in the gourmet kitchen. Two islands allow for plenty of space to prep and the Sub-Zero refrigerator, wine refrigerator, farmers sink, warming drawer, Wolf range with gas cooktop, stove pot filler faucet and country sink make it easy for any chef to prepare everything from PBJ to a gourmet meal.
Also on the first floor are a guest suite, formal dining, laundry and media rooms. Each room is special in its own way, with interesting architectural details such as variations on coffered and tray ceilings with beams and dark wood insets and a stone surround fireplace in the living room.
Custom-built furniture by Maine Yankee Woodworker Ralph Carter adds to the ambiance, with nautical-themed bunk beds, the decadent game room bar and elegant china cabinet in dining room.
You can choose the sweeping main staircase or take a quick trip in the elevator to go upstairs. To cut down on unnecessary trips up and down, the top floor includes a second laundry room.
The second-story is a testament to luxury. Overlooking the foyer is the game room with a custom-built bar, including everything needed for playing a game of pool or watching sports on TV. With a KitchenAid refrigerator, icemaker, dishwasher, sink and built-in tap, everything needed for snacks and drinks is at your fingertips
If you’re looking for a quiet place to hide away, there is a knitting room with a custom closet and private bathroom that makes the room versatile. It could be used as a craft room, den, sitting room or bedroom.
The master suite is situated for maximum privacy and includes a sitting area, wet bar, his and her walk-in closets and bathrooms. Dive into the claw-footed spa tub then wrap up in a towel from the warming rack before sitting down at the dressing table in her bathroom. A bidet and glass, walk-in shower with rain shower head finish off the bathing suite fit for a queen.
An additional guest suite with wet bar, bathroom and private entrance can be used for visitors, as a mother-in-law suite or for live-in help, and the air-conditioned four-bay garage includes two auto lifts making room for additional cars.
Down at the water is a dock with two boat lifts that provides easy access to the lagoon and Intracoastal Waterway.
“We really enjoy the community here. The Moorings and Vero Beach’s barrier island are filled with amazing people, and we’ve been blessed to form friendships that we will enjoy for the rest of our lives,” says Debbie.
Originally designed as a boating community, The Moorings Yacht & Country Club offers all the amenities residents need to enjoy an active yet tranquil lifestyle. Club amenities include Pete Dye’s signature golf course, Jim Fazio’s Hawk’s Nest championship course, tennis and croquet courts, a fitness center, pool, spa, yacht club and fine and casual dining.
For those times when you choose to leave the beauty and serenity of The Moorings, it’s just a short drive to Vero’s seaside village for shopping and dining, with the Riverside Theatre and Vero Museum of Art nearby to offer world class cultural outings.