Homeowner Susan Sheridan calls her lovely home at 1955 Mooringline Drive “the most romantic house in all of Vero,” and one would be hard pressed to disagree. This Palm Beach-inspired, Bermuda-style residence possesses a combination of virtually perfect location with unobstructed river views and a design and color palette informed by the endless sky, sea and river. Here, you have a front-row seat to your own personal sunset every night.
Set comfortably back from the street, with a circular, paver drive and courtyard, the home offers a graceful front facade with pink walls, arched columns and soft white tiled roof and trim. Graceful Royal Palms sway above the meticulously tended landscape throughout the grounds. Sheridan points out that the verdant ivy covering the guest house’s exterior walls is lovingly trimmed with scissors.
Past the double French entry doors, the foyer’s white porcelain tile extends throughout the house. From the foyer, one enters the spacious living room, with its breathtaking view of the Indian River Lagoon along the property’s 110 feet of southwest facing sea-walled waterfront. From here, one can see an expanse of almost two miles across the river. A gas, coral stone fireplace anchors the living room, with its lofty white ceilings, white crown molding and recessed lighting. On one wall is a magnificent, custom built-in unit with recessed lighting and storage drawers below.
Retractable glass doors open the room fully to the broad riverfront terrace, gorgeous infinity pool, spacious pool patio and lush, green lawn beyond, creating a seamless flow between the interior and outdoor worlds. A shade can be automatically lowered for privacy.
“This is a great entertainment house,” Sheridan says, pointing out that the pool sits atop a handsome 3-level, terrace, so the infinity illusion is maintained – whether guests are sitting on the lanai or standing closer, the lovely pool appears to merge with the river. “It’s all about engineering,” she explains.
The spectacular outdoor space, with summer kitchen and ample room for dining alfresco, adds to the endless entertaining possibilities. A patio umbrella table and chairs currently occupy a separate seating area on the deck, closest to the river. This cozy space catches the freshest breezes off the water and is, Sheridan says, every guest’s favorite place to relax and take in the amazing view.
The new wooden dock features a bench seat with storage below. Water and electricity are available, and, at the end, there is a seabird weather vane.
At night, the landscape and pool lighting transform the exterior into a magical place. “Gary Doyle of Southern Nights Landscape Lighting did an exquisite job,” Sheridan comments.
The kitchen/dining area is another open airy space, with vaulted ceiling and light pouring in from three sides. The dining room opens directly to the summer kitchen to the west. A gorgeous French chandelier extends from the 14-foot vaulted ceiling to softly illuminate the dining table.
The kitchen is sleek and efficient, with white cabinetry, including wine storage, a lighted, glass-front corner display cabinet, stainless steel appliances, recessed lighting and polished gray granite countertops. The 2-level island accommodates storage, dishwasher, lunch bar and a deep double sink.
The sink, Sheridan points out, faces the river, thus turning the drudgery of various sink-related tasks into an opportunity to savor the inspiring water view, including, she notes, dolphins playing and kayakers gliding past.
A hallway off the kitchen leads to a corner guest bedroom on the west side, with sea blue carpeting, full bath, walk-in closet and access to its own patio. Also off the kitchen is the laundry room, which accesses the 2-bay garage.
Near the laundry is a “hidden” room, currently set up as an office. Here, the floor is a glowing warm wood, and there is ample room for desk and storage. Perhaps the room’s most appealing aspect is its charming bay window and cozy window seat, which clearly extends an invitation to curl up with a book, maybe even write an actual letter, or simply daydream.
Down the hall toward the foyer is another wonderful, flexible room, currently Sheridan’s office. A handsome built-in occupies one entire wall, with plenty of desk space, shelves and storage. The walls here are a toasty gold grass cloth and the floors are wood. As throughout the house, all cabinetry and trim is white.
The master suite, on the east side, is a haven of peace and tranquility. The walls have only the softest whisper of color, a delicate, almost ethereal blue-gray. The recessed lighting, pale carpeting, custom built-in dresser and shelving unit all contribute to the relaxed ambiance. A double glass door lets onto a private patio, featuring an exquisite waterfall fountain, which is lighted at night, one of Sheridan’s favorite features.
The master bath is all about indulgence, with white cabinets, double sink with creamy countertop, gleaming white Jacuzzi soaking tub atop a tiled surround. Above the tub, a tall cathedral window with white plantation shutters offers the bather a great view, and some privacy. Square white floor tiles cornered with tiny diamond-shaped tiles are very retro and perfect for this room. Delicate pale pink wallpaper with powder blue flowers is used to great effect. The bathroom lighting is recessed, and make-up friendly. The room also features a glass shower, water closet and a big walk-in closet.
Separate from the main house, east of the pool, is the 2-bedroom, 1-bath guest house. The bedrooms are on either side, the bath in the center. All three rooms have their own glass door access to the pool and lanai, and the entire guest house is bathed in ambient light. The south bedroom features a bay window, revealing the magnificent river view.
The Moorings is among Vero’s most prestigious private club communities. Amenities include a private beach, the Pete Dye golf course with riverfront clubhouse, and a second championship course on the mainland, a yacht club, tennis complex and spa/fitness center. Residents are only minutes away from Vero’s charming oceanside village, with is myriad shops and restaurants. Here, too, are the renowned Riverside Theatre (Equity) and the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
