When Kennedy Charles Woodbury and Marzia Verdi closed their business in New York City, they were looking for greener pastures. The couple lived in Manhattan for nearly 30 years, and while they had a lovely view of a park, Woodbury said he longed to be surrounded by more natural environs and found what he was looking for in Vero Beach.
“We really love how green it is here. It’s just beautiful,” notes Woodbury of their home at 720 Painted Bunting Lane in Riomar. “We put the pool in and made it complete. We’ve had the best times in the backyard with our grandkids.”
“Painted Bunting has always been one of the highly favored streets because of the beautiful canopy of trees,” says AMAC Alex MacWilliam realtor Kit Fields, co-listing agent for the home along with Cheryl Gerstner.
The couple’s decision to move to Vero Beach was no happy accident. Verdi had worked in real estate in New York and homed in on the little beachside town midway down the East Coast of Florida. Additionally, Woodbury adds that the floorplan was similar to their apartment in New York, so the house felt perfect.
“We’ve been happy here. It’s a solid house. It’s been very good to us,” he says, noting they have decided to spend more time in Italy with his wife’s family and want to be closer to their son.
The neighborhood has a “feeling of permanence and establishment. We love the neighborhood.
The street is spectacular,” says Woodbury, noting that the Historic Riomar area reminds him of Princeton. “It has that feeling of settledness.”
“The house is classic with a traditional feel,” agrees Fields, pointing out lofty ceilings that open up the space.
“This classic Riomar house has a formality to it but at the same time a casualness to it,” Fields adds.
The sunny yellow house with its lush yard offers a unique level of privacy. Situated away from the street, it features a landscaped island between the road and the circle drive, adding to its distinct charm.
The front entry opens into a small foyer, providing a buffer between the entry and living room where built-ins, a large window and a wood-burning fireplace provide atmosphere and warmth.
Fields notes that doors from the living room – at the heart of the home – close off this space from the other rooms so you can achieve whatever level of privacy you need.
“They enclose each little, separate space,” she adds.
The east wing of the house is dedicated to the primary suite and two ensuite guest bedrooms, providing a peaceful sanctuary away from the entertaining areas.
The primary suite with access to a private den has rich wood floors and offers a personal retreat complete with walk-in closets, his and her toilets, a bathtub, a separate shower and dual sinks in the bathroom.
A series of rooms on the opposite side of the house creates a homey connectivity, affording plenty of intimate spaces to gather while maintaining a sense of openness conducive to large gatherings.
From the two-car, side-entry garage at the front of the house, you have access to the laundry room, which features a shower, perfect for rinsing off after a day on the beach or for bathing the dog. A powder room is accessible from the formal living room.
From here, the hallway leads to the eat-in farmhouse kitchen with additional bar seating, perfect for casual family meals. The kitchen features high-end appliances and a gas cooktop. A large window and skylights brighten the space for cheery morning gatherings.
The formal dining room, easily accessible from all communal gathering spaces, is perfect for entertaining without losing the formality of the space. With the family room located just off the kitchen, you can maintain proximity without everyone being underfoot, making it an ideal space for hosting friends and family.
Fields describes the bright room across the back of the house as a “classic Florida room.” With a skylight and two sets of sliding glass doors that open to the pool, it’s a nice spot to sit with the doors open or closed.
An electric, retractable awning provides shade when you need it over the outdoor lounging area adjacent to the saltwater pool with an electric cover, which allows you to keep the heat in and debris from the tropical flora out.
One-floor living, proximity to Ocean Drive shopping and dining, the beach, and both Quail Valley River Club and Riomar Country Club offer an appealing lifestyle, notes Fields.
Old Riomar is conveniently located between the bridges, with easy access to beachside and mainland locations. One of the first areas settled along the ocean, the neighborhood is rich in history and known for its live oak trees. It’s just a short walk, bike or golf cart ride to Quail Valley River Club, Riomar Country Club, Riomar Beach access, the City Marina, Riverside Park, Riverside Theatre, Vero Beach Museum of Art, Vero Beach Dog Park and shopping and dining on Ocean Drive.
Photos provided
