“This is a happy house,” says Bobbee Larsson, owner of the 4-bedroom, 4-bath waterfront home at 108 Springline Drive in the Anchor at the Moorings.
The deep-water boating community is a popular spot for boaters to drop anchor when looking for a place to live in Vero Beach.
“We’re sailors, and everybody told us you’ve got to stop in Vero. We came by boat from Maine on our way to the Bahamas,” recalls Larsson. “We had large sailboats, so we had to have deep water. We discovered if you’re a real boater the Anchor is where you want to be.”
The Larssons were so set on purchasing a home in the Moorings, they bought the house sight unseen by proxy during the Real Estate Auction Extravaganza organized by Ron Rennick Auctions at the Vero Beach Museum of Art 11 years ago.
“We were in Maine when our Realtor called us,” says Larsson with a laugh. “John was on the phone, and I was on Skype. It kept going up $25,000 a bid and finally when it got to a million, there was no counter bid. ‘Sold!’ After that John said, ‘I think we better get tickets to Florida.’ When we walked through the door the first time, we knew it was perfect for us.”
The house offered everything the Larssons needed to enjoy Florida living to the fullest. From the moment you step through the Palladian arched entryway, the bright, open contemporary home infuses sunshine into your day. Soft yellow and tropical blues add warmth to the large, open spaces.
Architectural details throughout the house highlight symmetry and classical style with custom millwork and finishes. Taking advantage of the Southern exposure bay windows, glass block and a garden window let the natural light filter through the house.
“When we came down here we wanted to know we were in Florida when we woke up in the morning. So this is a beach house to us,” explains Larsson.
The foyer opens into the formal living area via three arches serving as a gateway to the cozy room with an 18-foot ceiling. A coral fireplace surrounded by built-in bookcases is at the heart of the room and at the center a coral table, and custom-built ceiling fan draw the eye.
“We bought the fan in Vermont. It was designed for Robert Redford out of fly-fishing rods,” notes Larsson, pointing to the ceiling.
At the rear of the house, an arched doorway leads to the screened lanai overlooking the pool and waterway beyond. The house is beautiful, but it’s the deep-water canal that made this the perfect home for the Larssons. The T-shaped dock and 6,000-pound lift make it a sailor’s delight. You can see the Intracoastal Waterway from the IPE dock and a lift remote, extension, ladder and power stations make docking a breeze.
“You don’t have to be a boater to appreciate it here,” says Larsson. “I love to sit on the porch and watch the dolphins, manatees, osprey and pelicans. Nature puts on a show for me every day.”
The Larssons updated the windows to impact glass and installed roll-down shutters on the lanai, so they could sail away without worry.
Back inside, the guest suite with a private bath sits to the east. Before the couple moved in, the bathrooms were updated with tile, bead-board cabinets, rainfall shower heads and frameless showers. A laundry room, garage access and a pool bath share the guest hallway. Accents like fish jumping in the shower, river-rock tile and granite countertops add a touch of whimsy to the elegant home.
Just off the kitchen, the dining room is the perfect place for entertaining. Doors close the kitchen off completely so it can be used as a staging area or a place for the dog to curl up.
The garden window over the kitchen lets the sun shine in for specialty herbs to grow, and the breakfast nook overlooks the water for serene view while enjoying that first cup of coffee in the morning.
On the opposite side of the house the master suite opens onto the screened lanai with views of the river. His and her closets, double sinks, recycled glass countertop and a garden tub finish off the suite in grand style.
Further down the hall, two bedrooms separated by a Jack-and-Jill bathroom are perfect for children, visiting grandchildren or as a den for the master and mistress of the house.
“Vero is just such a lovely place to be, and I’m not leaving the Moorings. Just downsizing a bit,” says Larsson. “I have a lot of beautiful memories here, but I only use the kitchen, lanai and master bedroom unless the children are visiting.”
Larsson goes on to say how much she cherishes the friendships she’s built within the Moorings community. “Whether I’m walking the dog or down at the beach, everyone is friendly.”
“There’s something for everyone at the Moorings,” says Terri McConnell, listing agent at the Moorings Realty Sales Co. “No matter what lifestyle you are looking for, whether you’re looking for a condo or a house, on the beach or the river.”
As a member of the Moorings, Property Owners Association residents have private beach access and patrolled security. Originally designed as a boating community, The Moorings Yacht & Country Club offers all the amenities residents need, including Pete Dye’s signature course, Jim Fazio’s Hawk’s Nest championship course, tennis and croquet courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center with pool and spa, yacht club, as well as fine and casual dining.
The Moorings is a short drive to Vero’s Ocean Drive, for shopping and dining. The nearby Riverside Theatre and Vero Beach Museum of Art offer world-class cultural outings. For families with children, Saint Edward’s School conveniently abuts the community.
