Elizabeth and George Pusser lived in Grand Harbor for about 18 years but always wanted to live closer to the beach. When they discovered the house at 1385 W. Island Club Sq. in Island Club on the barrier island, it was just the remodeling challenge they were was looking for, to renovate a house and make something new and beautiful.
“I love a project,” says Elizabeth, co-owner of Oodles of Wallpaper.
And the Island Club house is an ‘Oodles’ showcase. When Elizabeth remodeled it in 2022, she wanted to create a variety of seating areas that had some drama to them.
“I wanted to make the house feel inviting and different. It should have that wow factor,” she explains.
“The seller used her expertise in interior design and just made the house feel lighter and brighter,” says broker-associate Kristin Dobson of the O’Dare Boga Group, One Sotheby’s International Realty.
“Everyone who sees it comments on how beautiful it is. They love the Palm Beach feel the house has since Elizabeth renovated it,” continues Dobson. “She has great taste, and it shows in each room.”
Stepping through the gate into the courtyard, you find yourself in a relaxing oasis where you can bask in the sun poolside or enjoy sitting under cover in the shade listening to the water fall from the hot tub into the pool.
“I’m in the hot tub practically every night. I love to look up at the stars,” says Elizabeth of the open courtyard.
Next to the pool is a guest cabana that offers visitors complete privacy in the spacious suite. The Pussers added a separate air conditioner to the cabana for comfort, and there’s plenty of room for parents to stay with their children.
From the courtyard, you can access the main house through sliding glass doors in the family room, the formal entry at the center of the house, or through the primary bathroom – a layout that fully embraces indoor-outdoor living.
“The interior features an open floorplan with high ceilings, tile flooring and large windows that provide plenty of light,” says Dobson.
The interior is like new with updated appliances, countertops, hardware, wallpaper and paint, notes Elizabeth.
If you go into the house through the formal entry, your eye is drawn through a flex space currently used as a formal living room and on through the screened porch to a private, garden patio surrounded with lush foliage.
The owner’s and guest suites are to the right of the foyer, each with access to outdoor seating areas so everyone can have their own space to lounge and relax.
The owner’s suite is generously sized with a bright and lovely bathroom complete with a soaking tub, shower, dual sinks, water closet, vanity and glass block to let in plenty of light.
Elizabeth says she used blue and white décor because “it has the feel of calmness and tranquility. I thought it would be interesting for people to see how they can use decorative items to make a space feel good.”
An office and bathroom are to the left of the foyer, with the office sharing the screened porch. It’s also perfect for overflow guests or as a fitness room. The Pussers added a bathroom for just that reason. With Elizabeth’s flare for design, the blue pebble shower wall is a real showpiece.
Heading toward the front of the left wing, the formal dining room is plenty big for a large gathering. Elizabeth had some fun here with fern wallpaper and a fern chandelier by Stray Dog that suits the tropical surroundings.
You can head into the kitchen through the dining room or the hallway. Elizabeth gave the kitchen a whole new look with new countertops, hardware, a wine cooler and appliances.
There’s countertop seating, an island and a desk area with plenty of storage throughout the kitchen.
The laundry room and garage access are just off the kitchen, a convenient location for restocking the refrigerator. The family room opens onto the pool through large, sliding-glass doors, which Elizabeth says they leave open most of the time, again emphasizing the indoor-outdoor feel she so enjoys.
“This is a great community,” says Elizabeth, who has fallen in love with the island lifestyle. “I love coming home to the peace and quiet. I bought two bikes right away and started walking the beach too.
“The people here are very friendly and active,” she adds – but it’s time for her to move on to her next project.
The Island Club is an ocean-to-river gated community with 252 single-family homes just south of the Wabasso Causeway on the barrier island. Amenities include a riverside pier, tennis and pickleball courts, beach access, two heated swimming pools, two clubhouses with meeting areas, a fitness room, a card room or library, a social room, a kitchen, and private and community property maintenance.
Photos provided
