When Ann Kelly discovered 970 Beacon Lane in The Moorings, she knew immediately it was an “extremely functional and happy” home. “When I walk into a house, I can feel the energy right away,” said the owner of Ann Kelly Interiors design company, based in Philadelphia.
Kelly drew upon her keen eye for design to completely reinvent the house, managing the renovation for an ownership/investor group.
“When I first walked into the house, I immediately saw the potential. There was a huge opportunity to open up the main living spaces while keeping the bedrooms separate and private,” said Kelly, a third-generation Vero Beach seasonal resident and second-generation Moorings homeowner. “That was important to me.”
The changes created a “very functional living space and allowed lots of sunlight to flow in from the windows and doors. The house has great energy,” she adds.
Working closely with the design team, JC Welton Construction put on a new roof, moved walls, opened up doorways, replaced existing windows and doors, and added new windows.
“We brought the house down to the studs,” Kelly said. “The original home was a very 1970s design, with multiple, small, closed-off rooms. I wanted to open the space to the light and gain that open-concept flow.”
“This is a great flexible floorplan,” said Daina Bertrand, Realtor with The Moorings Realty Sales Co. “It is great for someone who is retired and looking for a second home or for a family that wants to be close to St. Ed’s and the [Moorings Yacht and Country] club.”
“We renovated the home to a custom level that I would have wanted for my own home – from new systems in HVAC, electrical and water lines, to solid core doors and the hidden details such as under cabinet mounted outlets in the kitchen,” Kelly said.
The front door opens into a formal foyer – a stopping point before you head into the heart of the home.
The laundry-mudroom and access to the oversized two-car garage are located to the left of the front entry. There’s plenty of storage space and a place to hang wet towels in the laundry room, and room for a golf cart, kayaks, fishing gear and beach paraphernalia in the garage.
The kitchen and breakfast nook sit at the center of the house, creating what Kelly called, “a great, central focal point.”
The island at the center of the kitchen space has barstool seating where children can grab a snack after school and parents can prep for dinner or lay out hors d’oeuvres for guests.
Stainless-steel refrigerator and freezer columns are on either side of a large mirror, strategically placed so you can keep an eye on outdoor play no matter what direction you are facing in the kitchen, noted Bertrand.
Two guest bedrooms and bathrooms are located off the family room at the rear of the house, where a wood-burning fireplace creates an inviting space to sit and chat.
The family room opens onto the sunroom, a flexible space with room for a dining area or a reading room, Bertrand said.
The eastern wing of the house is dedicated to the primary suite, which runs the depth of the house and is accessed through the sunroom and from behind the custom bar. Bertrand noted the added level of privacy, with the bedroom entrance “tucked away, so you’re not coming off the main living area.”
The powder room is reached via a nearby door, and an office nook is located behind the bar.
The spacious owner’s en suite is complete with two walk-in closets, dual sinks, a soaking tub and a shower.
“The sunroom, wet bar and powder room are strategically placed to accommodate the indoor-outdoor lifestyle we all enjoy in Florida,” said Kelly.
Outside, the fenced backyard surrounds a lap-like pool, ensuring plenty of privacy as you swim and lounge poolside.
“The mature flowering plants and trees are an added bonus, and being able to walk to the beach is a key feature,” said Kelly of the private beach access just 25 yards from the house.
The Moorings Property Owners Association offers private beach access and patrolled security.
The Moorings Yacht & Country Club provides access to Pete Dye’s signature course in the community, Jim Fazio’s Hawk’s Nest championship course on the mainland, croquet, tennis and pickleball courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center with pool and spa, a yacht club, as well as fine and casual dining.
“This is a great community,” said Kelly. “The lifestyle that The Moorings offers, with the beach, the river and the option to join the club for golf, tennis and more, combined with the laid-back, friendly ambiance, seems to sum up Florida living at its best.”
From the Moorings, it’s just a short drive to Vero’s Ocean Drive for shopping and dining or to the Riverside Theatre and the Vero Beach Museum of Art for cultural outings. Saint Edward’s School is right next door to the community, handy as can be for families with school-age children.
Photos provided
