Vive La Difference
Yes, the living in Southwest Florida really is easy. Still, the subtle differences between here and up North can pose minor challenges for newcomers.
Architectural design: Richard Guzman, owner of R.G. Designs in Bonita Springs, says that the biggest difference between homes here and elsewhere are the wide-open spaces created by the traditional Florida open floor plan and an emphasis on merging indoor and outdoor spaces. Outdoor kitchens and living rooms with fireplaces have practically become standard features in most new construction.
The use of building materials and architectural features such as tile or metal roofs, concrete block, glass and steel (instead of wood) make the Florida home's façade look different. "We don't use much natural stone on exteriors, and you don't see much brick in this part of Florida," Guzman says.
Furniture placement: If you've been house-hunting recently, you've probably noticed that Florida homes are short on solid wall space. With so many windows, French or sliding glass doors, and built-in furniture pieces, it's not practical (or even possible) to position most of your furniture against walls. The alternative is to "float" furniture in the center of the room, creating snug, artistic groupings. If you're building, remember to have your electrician install a few outlets in the floor so that a lamp table floated in the family room has an outlet for a lamp plug. Same for a phone jack.
Window treatments: You want the views, but you need privacy. There are plenty of options. Plantation shutters in either wood or a composite laminated material are practical. Wooden shutters can be stained or painted to match your trim. Shades and blinds also work well, and many brands of blinds can be operated by remote control.
Drapery panels or sheer curtains can be drawn for privacy and pulled aside for unimpeded vistas. They will soften a room's look and bring a high ceiling down to a more intimate scale. The key to longevity for draperies is the correct lining. It will make the fabric hang properly, help control heat and save expensive fabrics from fading.
Eating areas: Chances are you'll dine outside almost as much as you do in the breakfast nook or dining room. The popularity of outdoor kitchens has created a need for dining tables on the lanai or pool deck. Make sure furniture upholstery is one of the new microfibers that resist water damage, mildew, humidity and fading.Weather-resistant wicker and treated cast-aluminum furniture are the best choices. Glass-top tables seem to disappear, and visually increase your living space. "Manufacturers of outdoor furniture have responded to customer demand for great-looking furniture and fabrics that are durable and beautiful," says Nora Price, an interior designer in Fort Myers.
Color palette: The soft, earthy shades so comforting and elegant in Northern climates often didn't travel well to Florida. People wanted a beachy look. But that has changed, according to Price. "Southwest Florida homebuyers are interested in an historic palette today, the kind of colors you see in Charleston and Savannah," she observes. "It's become part of our regional design character, an active interest in historic preservation. You won't see these historic colors in Miami, but you will in Fort Myers, Naples and Captiva."
Color in this part of Florida is intrinsically tied to the strength and persistence of sunlight. Our brightness can tame and maximize the impact of saturated colors, so there's every reason to use a bold palette. Think of Lilly Pulitzer fashions transposed onto your walls-lime green, hot pink, happy turquoise, lemon yellow, true tangerine, bright white, marine blue, and sports-car red. "Any color of aqua or turquoise combined with chocolate brown is really popular right now," says Price.
Other palettes that are reliably popular in this climate are the British West Indies look and the Tuscan villa scheme. Although the design attitudes of these two styles are vastly different, both embrace shades of terra cotta, coffee-bean brown, sage, eggplant, butter cream, fawn, distressed gold, leafy greens, and metallics such as burnished copper and pewter. This strong but comforting color scheme is prevalent in many model homes. It's worth inspecting several to see how these colors play off against one another.
Another useful palette is white, and there are hundreds of shades. Some whites amble into the ivories, yellows, peaches and pinks; others involve hues of green, gray, blue and purple. Still others mingle in the realm of taupe, camel and brown. Whites are tricky. You'll want one shade for the walls, another for the trim and a third for the ceiling. Also realize that changing the finishes of the same color to flat, eggshell, semigloss or high gloss alters the color of your chosen white because of the way light is absorbed or refracted. Getting a white palette precisely right isn't for the impatient, but coming up with the correct range of whites can make a space so serene, cool and sophisticated that it's always worth the trouble. And white is a fine all-purpose backdrop for an art collection.
Artwork: You know this already, but it's especially true in Southwest Florida: Keep fine paintings, drawings or photographs away from direct sunlight. Sun is an artwork's natural predator. Many folks who love oil paintings in their Northern homes discover a new affection for watercolors and acrylics in this part of the country. It's a relaxed lightness-of-being kind of attitude. Besides hanging art on the wall, many Floridians like to use art ledges and switch out their treasures frequently.
Storage: One of the major adjustments homeowners face here is the lack of basements. Newer homes generally address the issue with added closets or space tucked under a stairwell. A Florida attic is virtually useless because of the intense summer heat. Garages are also hot. Seldom-used clothing, quality holiday decorations and important papers must be stored in climate-controlled conditions.
The built-in entertainment armoire is an obvious upgrade. But how about floor-to-ceiling bookcases, window seats, built-in filing cabinets concealed behind fine woodwork, a built-in corner china cabinet or sideboard in the dining area? A hassock that opens to conceal bedding for a pullout sofa is indeed a luxury in a home office that doubles as a guest room. Insisting on plenty of shelving and closed storage cabinets around the perimeter of the garage (installed before you move in) ensures neat storage of tools, garden equipment and sports gear.
"A lot of homeowners rent storage units," says Price. "Others have their builder give them a spacious dressing room, butler's pantry or larger laundry room." Every home Guzman designs takes advantage of professional closet designers to maximize every spare inch of space for efficient and attractive storage.
Landscaping: There are no miniature plants in Florida. The label may say it, but trust us; you'll quickly be amazed (perhaps horrified) at the growth rate and size of your horticultural midgets.
"We have a virtual greenhouse here in Florida," says Christian Busk, a landscape architect in Naples. Consult a professional landscaper and draw up a plant plan based on your lifestyle. Remember to space new plants far enough apart, and far enough away from the house to allow for spreading, and pay close attention to drainage, says Busk. "Great drainage is the biggest secret here," he says. "A lot of the California species can't stand all the water we get."
If you can include a water feature close enough to the house so that you can see and hear it from several rooms, make the investment. In a hot climate, nothing soothes the eyes and the spirit like falling water. Koi ponds, a waterfall, courtyard fountain, wall and tabletop fountains all work. And a fragrant gardenia bush, frangipani or ylang ylang planted under a bedroom window can be enjoyed year-round.
Finally, never underestimate the power and splendor of outdoor lighting. A properly and creatively installed system will not only increase security but dramatically expand interior views after the sun sets and encourage you to use your glorious outdoor spaces for entertaining year-round.