The owners of 8369 Baytree Dr. No. 8369 in Baytree took a timeless, tropical design by architect Clem Schaub and made it their own by building on the openness of the floorplan’s clean lines with a neutral palette and blonde wood accents.
Driving through the forest of mature oak trees hanging over the meandering road toward the back of Baytree where villa No. 8369 is located, you can’t help but notice that the serene setting is amplified by the sound of birds chirping and the breeze in the leaves. Situated at the end of a cul-de-sac amidst lush vegetation, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom villa feels like it’s in a remote world.
According to his web page, Schaub and his firm focus on “celebrating the subtleties of the climate,” capturing the forces of nature in the design of a home, noting that “the outdoors is the home’s principal room.”
Brick pavers line the driveway and sidewalk that lead to a pair of metal gates before ending at the front porch.
The double front door, wood with frosted glass inlays, hints at the modern updates inside.
The bedrooms and bathrooms were all upgraded with modern fixtures and finishes when the villa was renovated in 2018, according to ONE Sotheby’s International listing agent and broker associate Kristin Dobson.
Stepping over the threshold, your eye is immediately drawn toward the natural light filtering through a bank of windows and skylights in the open-floor-plan villa, most notably, the NanaWall – a movable glass wall system of folding and sliding glass doors across the formal living room which opens onto the private courtyard.
“It’s so light and bright in here,” says Dobson, noting the native light filtering in from the private courtyard.
The owners currently use the guest suite to the right of the front entry as an office, with built-ins making it easy to stay organized without losing the flexibility of using the room for overflow guests.
Straight ahead are the formal living room and dining room. The kitchen and laundry room are tucked behind pocket doors. Access to the two-car garage is convenient to the main entertainment areas, allowing guests to transition from room-to-room, both inside and outside.
The minimal design is efficient, spacious and livable with seamless transitions along with tile flooring throughout. A statement light fixture over the dining room table is a subtle nod to the geometry of modern minimalist décor.
A blonde Bulthaup cabinet system creates a sense of division between the dining room and the chef’s kitchen with its Corian counters, large double sinks and high-end appliances, including a Gaggenau wall oven, Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, Wind Crest induction cooktop and Bosch dishwasher, all essential features for entertaining.
The breakfast nook with built-in seating and storage provides a bit of division between the kitchen and family room, which overlooks the courtyard through a trio of picture windows and glass French doors.
A hint of the blonde wood accents ties the rooms together. The custom entertainment center with backlighting has an ingenious panel system to cover the television when it’s not in use.
There is a guest suite is at the end of the hallway before it opens into the primary suite, where vaulted ceilings add to the open air feeling created by the glass French doors that open onto the courtyard. Custom built-in storage, a vanity with dual sinks, and a glass-enclosed, walk-in shower complete the lovely ensuite bathroom.
Outside, the resurfaced courtyard is a tropical haven with a splash pool for cooling off and an outdoor shower for rinsing after a dip in the Atlantic Ocean or a workout at the fitness center. There’s also plenty of space to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine at sunset.
Dobson loves the privacy afforded by the courtyard and the home’s air-conditioned cabana.
It’s a perfect space for a grandchild sleepover, and could also be used as a gym, art studio or office.
Baytree is a guard-gated, pet-friendly, north island neighborhood with oceanfront condos and villas and courtyard homes on both sides of A1A. The community offers amenities, including granted beach access, four heated pools, a fitness center, and four Har-Tru tennis courts.
“There are a lot of amenities at Baytree, which is very appealing to somebody who wants that lifestyle,” says Dobson.
Baytree is just a short drive away from Ocean Drive for shopping, dining and cultural opportunities at the Vero Museum of Art and Riverside Theatre.
Photos provided
