On an absolutely breathtaking, 1.6-acre oceanfront property at 890 Reef Road in the Floralton Beach subdivision, just north of The Moorings oceanfront communities, there sits a glorious two-story, 4,500-square-foot family home – warm, welcoming, full of light – reminiscent of the Old Florida lifestyle, designed for comfort, convenience and privacy, but well-prepared for entertaining a houseful of guests.
It is, homeowner Susie Bell says, “a happy house!”
Guests will be enchanted even before crossing the threshold, as the design and placement of the house takes complete advantage of its fabulous location, on property that boasts 200 feet of ocean frontage and a huge expanse of emerald lawn, all surrounded by a buffer of well-established sea grape, mangrove and a broad strip of dune-sustaining sea oats, through which a sandy path leads down to the very private beach.
Susie Bell points down the deserted beach to the south. “The neighbors are wonderful. It’s just The Moorings. This is a truly exclusive beach.”
Built with care and creativity, this beautiful Grand Dame has proven herself “seaside-worthy,” no matter what capricious Mother Nature brings. During the years they have called it home, the second and current owners, Susie and Sam Bell, have accomplished various updates and renovations, always with great respect for the home’s unique and charming character.
Upon entering, visitors are greeted with the first of many appealing vistas, through one of the home’s several panoramic glass walls: the spacious pool deck and enticing glimpses of the broad lawn, leading to the dune line and the shimmering sea beyond.
The large, heated pool forgoes the typical “pool blue” in favor of a striking, rich black. The position of the pool deck, says Susie Bell, shielded from the direct force of inclement weather from the north, east and west by the home’s “U’ design, allows the use of this stylish space virtually all year long.
The Bells have a special love for the African bush and, on this magical seaside acreage, have created a beautiful, comfortable home redolent of the oneness with the natural surroundings inherent in the safari lodges of Kenya and Tanzania. It is a home that invites a visitor to relax on the shaded patio, inhale the clean sea air, and absorb the beauty of the natural vegetation.
Enhanced by white walls and tile floors, the vaulted, cypress ceilings are washed with the palest of dove grays, and the seven ceiling fans throughout the home keep the air pleasantly astir.
Susie Bell is especially fond of the kitchen, which she has found to be just the right size – “not too big.” There is certainly plenty of room for a nice sized, hexagonal island with lots of drawer space, rinsing sink and cook top. Above the island hangs a great big, wonderful pot rack, perfect for displaying – and accessing – favorite pots and pans in classic style. A laundry room off the kitchen offers plenty of storage cabinetry. Two tall windows ensure that even kitchen chores won’t preclude a connection to the verdant outdoors. The kitchen also features dishwasher, disposal, ice machine, microwave, fridge, wall oven and wine cooler.
A half-bath off the kitchen serves double duty, accessed from the pool deck or transformed into a powder room for indoor parties.
The open downstairs living areas – family room, living room and formal dining room – provide opportunities for all sorts of entertaining, from an intimate gathering to a large crowd, formal or casual. Easy access to the outdoor living areas creates virtually endless entertaining opportunities.
The soft gray wood paneling in the den (library/office) includes tall built-in book shelves. Morning light pours in through the floor-to-ceiling corner window wall, and the room’s welcoming ambiance is completed by its white brick wall and fireplace.
Perhaps the most impressive of the indoor living spaces is the first-floor family room, a 25-foot by 16-foot space with window walls on its east and south sides, opening onto a narrow porch to the east (accommodating front-row seating for sunrise over the ocean), and a covered brick patio on the south, with wood louvered doors on its east side in case of rainy weather. The cathedral ceiling extends north to a white brick wall, which features one of the home’s three wood-burning fireplaces.
The ground floor master suite is spacious – 19 feet by 14 feet – but nevertheless imparts a feeling of cozy comfort. Here, too, are indulgent yet practical his and her bathrooms, a walk-in closet and a private screened porch with ocean view, certain to become a favorite hideaway for reading, daydreaming or simply dozing.
Upstairs you’ll discover a large, versatile space, featuring a full-length window wall with built-in double desk and cabinet unit, and a panoramic ocean view. The white brick south wall contains a wood-burning fireplace. A homeowner might choose to set up this versatile room with exercise equipment (facing the ocean, of course); a giant-screen TV, perhaps; or even add a wall to create a second upstairs bedroom. The existing upstairs bedroom has its own full bath with double sink and large closet space which, says Susie Bell, has even been used (empty of clothing) as a super-fun Secret Kid Zone. Like the downstairs master bedroom, the upstairs bedroom has an east-facing screened porch, with an outside spiral staircase between the two.
In a secret area at the edge of the great lawn, near the dune beach crossover, is an unexpected “extra” – an almost magical room, where a grove of sea grape “trees” has formed a sand-carpeted canopy large enough to accommodate table and chairs, maybe a kayak or two – a perfect place for a family cookout or, with its perfectly placed landscape lighting, an elegant evening party. (Only last week, it was the site of the Bells’ 4th of July party.)
This home also offers a separate one-bedroom, one-bath guest house, as well as an attached two-car garage and an oversized parking area.
The Bells have poured boundless love and creativity into their beautiful seaside home over the years, but now, with children grown and moved away, they are ready to begin another chapter in their lives, one which will include more travel and less home responsibility.
Adds Matilde Sorensen of Sorensen Realty, “The location of this home is perfect; it’s close to all the Barrier Island amenities and is just waiting for that ideal family looking for a traditional Florida beach lifestyle.”
