Occupying what could be the most desirable location in Summerplace, a laid-back, relaxed beachside community of sandy lanes and oak canopies, the home at 1821 E. Shell Lane offers impeccable resort-level features without any hint of ostentation. Homeowners Jim and Carol Lewin, who oversaw every aspect of design and construction, made sure of that.
Carol envisioned a “seamless transition” between the home’s interior and its magnificent seaside surroundings, eschewing anything that might distract the eye from the natural surroundings, preferring instead to showcase “nature’s art.” The result was a brilliant use of materials, hardware, lighting and, perhaps the most breathtaking, a virtually perfect choice of window design and placement.
Throughout the home, lofty, elegantly designed ceilings, exquisite white millwork, and the palest of wall colors that whisper of sea and sky, offer the most seamless transition imaginable.
Jim meticulously researched many of the materials, making choices based not only on aesthetics but also on the durability required to withstand the seaside location. The home, of course, meets and often exceeds the most recent, strictest hurricane codes. The couple’s primary concern was to make the home accessible and comfortable for their wheelchair-bound son, whose ongoing challenges have now necessitated a return to the north.
Tucked into a lovely quarter-acre lot, the house sits in proximity to others on the small, sandy cul de sac which radiates a welcoming, neighborly, yet uncrowded vibe, each home’s placement and smart use of landscaping and fencing offering plenty of privacy.
The exterior, beneath its metal roof, wears a medium island blue, with deeper blue and bright white trim, all echoing sea and sky. The brick paver drive curves to the entrance and around either side of the house, providing easy, sure-footed access to sprinklers, generator, and other utility features. There is also a private gate opening to Wabasso Beach Park with its convenience store and eateries.
Although the beautiful, glass-design front door, with its elegant side-panels, mimics mahogany, it is, said Jim, actually of far more durable Fiberglass.
Glorious ocean views can be seen from the east, southeast and south sides of the home, virtually unimpeded though banks of the cleanly designed windows requiring absolutely no embellishing window treatment. Each window is placed to take full advantage of every possible ocean view, flooding the home with ambient light.
The pale Italian porcelain tile of the foyer extends throughout the house, reflecting the delicate hues of the neighborhood’s sandy roads. For ease of cleaning, an epoxy grout was used, providing a no-stain floor surface. “I tested it with wine, catchup, even mustard,” said Jim.
The first floor houses two guest bedrooms, one of which could easily be converted to an office or library. “I call this my Quiet Room,” Carol says. Also on this level is a large, windowed utility room with laundry tub, front loading washer and dryer, cabinets and counter space. A guest bathroom also serves as the cabana bath.
The oceanside pool terrace and abundant porch space offer homeowners many entertainment opportunities. The pool deck is Travertine marble, which Jim learned is far cooler when the sun is beating down than the pavers he initially considered. “It’s an impressive stone,” Jim says. “Soft as a baby’s butt.”
The covered porch on the south side features cypress tongue-in-groove ceiling and shelters a summer kitchen with gas grill, electric rotisserie, hot/cold water sink, fridge, stainless steel exhaust hood, storage and room for table and chairs. A fire pit centered with sparkling blue and white fire glass will undoubtedly become a popular gathering place for new owners.
Stepping into the second floor dining room brings one face-to-face with perhaps the most breathtaking panorama in the home, an expanse of sand, sky and shimmering ocean seen though banks of windows and tall doors extending along the east, southeast and south sides. A state-owned lot next door protects the ocean view, as does the Wabasso Disney Resort, with its charming rooftop glimpses above seagrape and palm to the South.
The dining room flows into the airy open great room with its 10-foot coffered ceiling, from which extends the chef’s kitchen, striking in white, with pale gray and white granite counter and splash.
Here culinary creativity is encouraged, with custom Brookhaven cabinetry and stainless steel Thermador appliances, including a 4-burner gas range with charcoal grill and pot filler – an absolute necessity, says Carol, for every Italian cook.
The pentagonal island breakfast bar contains storage, a rinsing sink and a GE wine and beverage cooler that Jim says is the only quiet one he’s ever found. A clever feature, thanks to Carol, are the pop-up electric outlets, which, when not in use, become smooth metal plates. The home’s central vac system includes a kitchen crumb vacuum floor unit. A generous, walk-in pantry features adjustable, floor-to-ceiling shelving.
From the kitchen, a short hallway leads to the den, a versatile open room at the top of the stairs. Further on is a full bath and large guest bedroom with double French door access to a covered balcony.
The master suite is the perfect, restful island hideaway – spacious, airy and light-filed, with an indulgent walk-in closet. The gorgeous hardwood floor boasts wide, distressed “engineered wood” planks in honeyed tones.
The spa-like master bath offers a large glass, pebble-floored shower and the piece de resistance – a stand-alone soaking tub – very large and very deep. Jim points out that it is positioned in a corner between windows so that one can open the windows, fill the tub, pour a glass of sauvignon Blanc, light a candle and not only enjoy sea views through both windows, but also relax to the sound of the surf. Now that’s pure paradise.
The Lewins were thrilled with their builder, Cemco of Sebastian. “They were on time and on budget,” Jim said.
“Everything we wanted came to fruition,” added Carol.
Summerplace is only about 10 minutes north off Vero’s charming seaside village, with its numerous shops and restaurants, Riverside Park, Riverside Theatre and the Vero Museum of Art.
