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Nautical waterfront condo is a shipshape treasure

  • Samantha Baita

    • The coveted “first floor, corner” waterfront unit at 1845 Robalo Dr. in Treasure Coast Isles is bright and airy, a shipshape charmer that could be the perfect second home or a cozy year-round residence.

    The owners, Scott and Robin McKenzie, absolutely love it – “The minute the door opened, we knew!” said Scott McKenzie – but they had to leave and return to their native Canada before COVID-19 border restrictions began and, ultimately, they made the difficult decision to sell.

    From stem to stern, this fully furnished two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,000-square-foot home is an appealing, but not overwhelming, tip-of-the-hat to the boating lifestyle; at the same time, with its white walls, appliances, cabinetry and white tile kitchen floor, it could as easily accommodate any taste. Its modest size belies the generous amount storage space, with every square foot put to its best use.

    Enhancing the home’s flow is white beadboard wainscoting that extends from the entry around the dining room/living room.

    In lieu of traditional molding, a thick nautical rope borders the ceiling, a handsome contrast to the home’s primarily white palette. The stylish entryway features a handy folding-door closet and a beautiful original painting of four sailboats, in the home’s signature colors – whites, blues and light tans.

    Immediately off the foyer is a tidy dining area with oval wood table and wooden chairs in a contrasting soft celery hue. A tall, plantation shuttered window allows an abundance of natural night to flow in from the east.

    The home opens into an L-shaped living area, with soft sand-colored carpet. The stars of this spacious room are the gorgeous navy-blue leather sofa, loveseat and irresistibly comfy easy chair. The coffee table and side tables, with warm wood tops and beautiful deep blue sides and legs, are the perfect accent. The long south wall is home to a very big-screen TV.

    A wide bank of glass sliders opens to the screened porch, also protected by impact glass sliders. “I can literally walk right out to my boat,” says dedicated boater Scott McKenzie.

    Here, you will certainly want to spend time unwinding and enjoying the serene, lovely waterway with its many riverine inhabitants: fish, all sorts of birds, turtles, dolphins and manatees. A high “wall” of robust mangroves separates the water from the road beyond, shielding you from noise and offering a blood-pressure-lowering view of your grassy stretch of lawn, water, mangroves and sky. Sip your morning java as you share another beautiful Florida sunrise.

    Off the dining area is the gleaming white kitchen, beautifully accented by the honey-hued, knotty wood ceiling bordered with white crown molding, and the glowing honey-and-black speckled, polished granite countertops, which are illuminated by track and recessed lighting.

    Above the wide double stainless-steel sink is a large pass-through to the living room. Here, too, the amount of storage within the handsome white cabinets is substantial. Appliances include dishwasher, microwave, range and fridge with ice and water dispenser.

    The spacious master bedroom receives natural light from a wide bank of plantation shuttered windows on the east side, and a tall window to the south. Beneath a lovely border featuring sandpipers, a gentle blue wall enhances the room’s serenity. There is a roomy walk-in closet and a ceiling fan gently stirring the air. You’ll awaken to gaze out at the sparkling water and verdant vegetation: a fine way to start the day.

    The master bath features crisp white vanity and cabinets, a granite vanity top, shiplap paneled walls in an appealing sandy shade, and tile shower.

    The guest bedroom also has a wide bank of windows looking out upon the quiet waterway, which connects to the nearby Indian River Lagoon and Intracoastal waterway. Here the white walls sport white chair rail above deep tan beadboard wainscoting. The queen bed is adjustable and there is a neat, graceful little desk and a tall chifferobe, both painted in a wonderful mustard color. The guest bathroom has more recently been fitted with a new toilet and tub/shower.

    Although this desirable condo feels far away from any hustle and bustle, it’s actually located near all sorts of mainland shopping and dining options and right around the corner from the 17th Street Bridge, which arches over the Indian River to the barrier island.

    A verdant beach park with lifeguards is a five-minute drive and Vero’s storied seaside village, with its boutiques, salons, restaurants, pubs, resort hotels, museum, theater and exclusive country clubs, is just five minutes north of the park.

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