A Peek at Perfection

Interior designers like Jacksonville's Rita Williams and landscape architects like Warren Powers, also from Jacksonville, enjoy the annual trek south to Southwest Florida to view multimillion-dollar homes and communities. But you really can't envy them. They have the daunting task of deciding which of hundreds of entries are truly the best. Williams and Powers, both judges for the Collier Building Industry Association's Sand Dollar Awards-which recognize the best architects, builders, interior designers and landscape architects-say that when it comes to model homes in Southwest Florida, no one else comes close.

"All of the homes are an A-plus-plus," says Williams, a partner in Sisler-Williams Interior Design. "There's no such thing in Naples as bad. It only gets better and better and better. This is an opportunity for us to see the newest and best things happening. Everyone always thinks California has the whole market cornered on the greatest and the best. They obviously haven't been to Naples."

First-time Sand Dollar judge Tony Lynch, lead designer with the Jacksonville architectural firm of Bloodgood Sharp Buster Architects & Planners, echoes that sentiment: "I've never seen a market like Naples, and a lot of these homes were basically spec homes or second or third homes," he says. "As far as value, cost, quality of construction and what they put in the homes, that's something that really blew my mind."

Southwest Florida's building industry has the opportunity each year to earn bragging rights. In addition to the CBIA's Sand Dollar Awards, builders, architects, interior designers, landscape architects, even marketing and advertising companies vie for top honors and awards like the Pinnacle (presented by the Lee Building Industry Association) and the Aurora (given by the Southeast Building Conference, comprised of 12 states).

Highlights from the 2003 awards circuit included, 13 Sand Dollar Awards for perfect scores (only one in 2002); six Grand Aurora Awards, given to the top entry in each category; a record number of entries in both the Collier and Lee programs; and a return to the essence of Florida living, according to Williams. "The homes all had personality," the designer says. "Builders are paying attention to detail, designers are using beautiful color. These homes really made you feel like, 'Wow, this is why I moved to Florida.'"

ARCHITECTS, BUILDERS, DEVELOPERS

Bateman Communities

Sand Dollar: The Belmont in Lely Resort, multifamily product design $300,001 to $500,000.

Blue Sky Builders

Aurora: The Cirrus model in Naples, energy efficiency.

The Bonita Bay Group

Pinnacle: Development Company of the Year.

Centex Homes

Pinnacle: The Marina, single-family product design $400,000 to $499,999; The Dorchester, multifamily product design $500,000 to $649,999; The Copperfield, single-family product design $650,000 to $799,999.

Charter Communities

Sand Dollar: The Amber III in Forest Park, single-family product design under $350,000.

Coastland Building Corporation

Sand Dollar: Cantrell in Tiburón, single-family product design $6,000,001 to $7,000,000.

Colonial Homes

Merit Award: The Alexandria, single-family product design $200,000 to $299,999.

Pinnacle: The Wilmington, single-family product design $300,000 to $399,999.

Sand Dollar: The Wilmington in Colonial Oaks, single-family product design $700,001 to $900,000.

Cornerstone Developers

Sand Dollar: St. Martin in Fiddler's Creek, single-family product design $1,250,001 to $1,750,000.

DeAngelis Diamond Homes

Sand Dollar: Private residence in Old Naples, single-family product design $700,001 to $900,000.

Engle Homes

Pinnacle: The St. Tropez, single-family product design $200,000 to $299,999.

Eric S. Brown Design Group

Aurora: The Marabella in Pelican Landing, single-family product design $1,000,000 to $1,500,000.

Gulfshore Homes

Aurora: The Mistral at Quail West, landscape design, pool design.

Sand Dollar: The Mistral in Quail West, single-family product design over $8,000,000, best architectural design single-family over $5,000,000, outdoor amenity package and landscape design over $7,500,000, Grand Award for perfect score.

Harwick Homes

Aurora: The Lazio, kitchen over $3,000,001; private residence in The Estuary at Grey Oaks, bath over $3,000,001.

Pinnacle: The Velano, single-family product design over $3,500,000.

Sand Dollar: The Lazio in Mediterra, single-family product design $4,850,001 to $6,000,000, outdoor amenity package and landscape design $5,000,001 to $7,500,000; The Vernazza in The Estuary, single-family product design $6,000,001 to $7,000,000.

Kane Custom Homes

Sand Dollar: The Key Largo on Marco Island, best kitchen, single-family, $2,000,000 to $5,500,000; best master suite, single-family, $1,500,000 to $3,750,000; interior merchandising, single-family, $1,750,001 to $2,500,000; outdoor amenity package and landscape design $2,000,000 to $3,000,000.

Keevan Homes

Pinnacle: The Lucaya Cay, single-family product design $800,000 to $999,999; The Cay Sal, single-family product design $1,500,000 to $1,999,999.

Sand Dollar: Cay Sal in The Brooks, single-family product design $1,750,001 to $2,500,000.

Landmark Development Group

Aurora: Villa Amalfi, single-family product design $1,500,001 to $2,000,000.

Sand Dollar: Peruzzia in Mediterra, single-family product design $2,500,001 to $3,500,000; Southampton in Quail West, single-family product design $4,001,000 to $4,850,000.

Levitt and Sons

Pinnacle: The Aruba, single-family product design under $199,000.

Sand Dollar: The Ventana at Cascades, best master suite, single-family, under $1,500,000.

London Bay Homes

Grand Aurora: Private residence in Naples, custom home over $3,000,001.

Aurora: The Gabriella, landscape design; private residence in Naples, technology house over $3,000,001; The Lianna in Naples, energy efficiency.

Pinnacle: The Francesca, single-family product design over $3,500,000.

Sand Dollar: Private residence in Grey Oaks, single-family product design 3,500,001 to $4,000,000; Private residence, outdoor amenity package and landscape design $3,000,001 to $5,000,000.

The Lutgert Companies

Sand Dollar: Estancia Penthouse #302, best master suite, multifamily.

McGarvey Custom Homes

Pinnacle: The Corsica, single-family product design $2,000,000 to $2,699,999.

Paul Homes

Merit Award: The Coral View, single-family product design $300,000 to $399,999.

PGI Homes

Aurora: Palm Island Elite; single-family product design $300,001 to $500,000; best bath under $500,000.

R.K. Reiman Construction

Sand Dollar: The Seville in Fiddler's Creek, single-family product design $3,500,001 to $4,000,000, Grand Award for perfect score.

SGA Architects

Aurora: Catania by R&D Co., single-family product design $2,000,001 to $3,000,000.

Southern Bay Homes

Sand Dollar: Private residence in Pelican Marsh, single-family product design $1,250,001 to $1,750,000.

Stock Construction

Sand Dollar: Savannah in Lely Resort, single-family product design $350,001 to $500,000.

Taylor Woodrow

Pinnacle: The Lorenzo, multifamily interior merchandising $200,000 to $299,999; The Altessa, multifamily product design $400,000 to $499,999; The Raphael, single-family product design $500,000 to $649,999.

Sand Dollar: Malaga in Palmira, single-family product design $900,001 to $1,250,000.

Titan Custom Homes

Sand Dollar: The Granada in Palmira, single-family product design $500,001 to $700,000.

US Home

Sand Dollar: The Abbey Veranda in Cedar Hammock, multifamily product design under $300,000.

Vineyards Development Co.

Sand Dollar: La Mer at Vista Pointe, multifamily product design $500,000 to $1,000,000.

Vision Builders

Sand Dollar: Private residence in Pelican Bay, single-family product design $1,750,001 to $2,500,000.

WCI Communities

Aurora: The Brunello at Tiburón, single-family product design over $3,000,0001; The Colony Golf & Bay Club, community over 501 acres.

Pinnacle: The Milan, multifamily product design under $199,000; The Corsica, multifamily product design $200,000 to $299,999; The Valhalla, multifamily product design $300,000 to $399,999; The Palermo #303, multifamily product design $650,000 to $799,999; The Palermo #304, multifamily product design $800,000 to $999,999; The La Scala #302, multifamily product design $1,000,000 to 1,499,999; The La Scala #304, multifamily product design $1,500,000 to $1,999,999.

Sand Dollar: The Casara in Tiburón, single-family product design $7,000,001 to $8,000,000; Residence 401 at Trieste, multifamily product design over $1,000,000; Trieste at Bay Colony, mid-rise/high-rise product design Grand Award for perfect score.

Weber Design Group

Aurora: The Trapani, pool design.

Pinnacle: The Trapani for Southern Bay Homes, single-family product design $1,000,000 to $1,499,999; The Cantrell, single-family product design over $3,500,000.

Sand Dollar: Private residence in Pelican Marsh, best architectural design, single-family, under $1,500,000.

COMMUNITIES

The Brooks

Developer: The Bonita Bay Group

Pinnacle: Community of the Year over 501 acres.

Colonial Oaks

Developer: Colonial Homes

Pinnacle: Community of the Year under 50 acres.

The Colony Golf & Bay Club

Developer: WCI Communities

Pinnacle: Best clubhouse.

Sand Dollar: Best clubhouse, homes over $800,000.

Mediterra

Developer: The Bonita Bay Group

Sand Dollar: Community of the Year, homes over $800,000.

Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club

Developer: Miromar Development Corp.

Sand Dollar: Community of the Year, best clubhouse, homes from $400,000 to $800,000.

Naples Lakes Country Club

Developer: Toll Brothers

Sand Dollar: Community of the Year, Best Clubhouse, homes up to $400,000.

Palmira Golf & Country Club

Developer: The Ronto Group

Pinnacle: Clubhouse, best commercial interior design, Community of the Year 101 to 500 acres; The News-Press Grand Award.

Sun City Center Fort Myers

Developer: WCI Communities

Pinnacle: Best sales center; best design center.

Tuscany Reserve

Developer: WCI Communities

Sand Dollar: Best sales center.

INTERIOR DESIGN

Agostino's Design Group

Sand Dollar: Cap Ferrat penthouse, interior merchandising, multifamily, $2,500,001 to $3,500,000.

Audrey Boys Interiors

Sand Dollar: The Tyre in Barefoot Bay, interior merchandising, single-family, $1,750,001 to $2,500,000.

Baer's Design Showcase

Sand Dollar: Private residence, remodeling project, interior design firm.

Beasley & Henley Interior Design

Aurora: The Commodore at Tarpon Bay, interior design $200,001 to $300,000.

Sand Dollar: The Commodore in Tarpon Bay, best kitchen, single-family, under $550,000, interior merchandising, single-family, under $250,000; The Admiral in Tarpon Bay, interior merchandising, single-family, $250,001 to $500,000, Grand Award for perfect score; Lot 11 in Pelican Marsh, interior merchandising, single-family, $5,000,001 to $7,000,000, Grand Award for perfect score; Monaco at Cap Ferrat, interior merchandising, multifamily, $1,000,001 to $1,750,000, Grand Award for perfect score; Model 804 in Trieste at Bay Colony, interior merchandising, multifamily, $1,750,001 to $2,500,000.

Collins & DuPont Interiors

Grand Aurora, Aurora: Cellini model in Mediterra, bath over $3,000,001.

Aurora: Swetz residence in Quail West, kitchen over $3,000,001; Henderson penthouse in Estancia, interior design $2,000,001 to $3,000,000.

The Decorators Unlimited

Aurora: The Mirasol in Estuary, interior design over $3,000,001; The Mistral at Quail West, landscape design, pool design.

Sand Dollar: The Mirasol in Estuary, best kitchen, single-family, over $5,500,000; Raphael in Vasari Country Club, interior merchandising, single-family, $900,001 to $1,250,000; The Mistral in Quail West, interior merchandising, single-family, over $7,000,000.

Design Group West

Sand Dollar: The Balboa in Banyan Woods, interior merchandising, single-family, $500,001 to $700,000, Grand Award for perfect score; The Coronado in Banyan Woods, interior merchandising, single-family, $700,001 to $900,000; Abaco Cay in The Brooks, interior merchandising, single-family, $1,250,001 to $1,750,000.

Expressions In Design

Sand Dollar: The Belmont in Lely Resort, interior merchandising, multi-family, $250,001 to $500,000.

Freestyle Interiors

Pinnacle: The Murano for Harbourside Custom Homes, single-family interior design $2,700,000 to $3,499,999.

Sand Dollar: The Amberly in The Estates at TwinEagles, interior merchandising, single-family, $3,500,001 to $5,000,000, Grand Award for perfect score.

Gary David Designs

Sand Dollar: LaScala #302 in The Colony, interior merchandising, multi-family, $1,000,001 to $1,750,000, Grand Award for perfect score.

Godfrey Design Consultants

Grand Aurora: Trieste, kitchen over $3,000,001; Trieste, interior design over $3,000,001.

Aurora: The Regent common public area, commercial interior design; private residence in Naples, interior design $1,000,001 to $1,500,000.

Sand Dollar: The Regent Common Areas, interior design commercial project.

Holland Salley Interior Design

Sand Dollar: Unit #1501 at The Seasons, interior merchandising, multi-family, over $3,500,000 Grand Award for perfect score.

Interior Design Associates

Aurora: Season at Naples Cay, commercial interior design.

Jinx McDonald Designs

Pinnacle: The Magnolia for Taylor Woodrow, single-family interior design, $500,000 to $649,999.

Sand Dollar: Nevis #602 in Cove Towers, interior merchandising, multi-family, $750,001 to $1,000,000.

K2 Design Group

Pinnacle: The Amesbury, multi-family interior design, $500,000 to $649,999.

Landmark Development Group

Aurora: Villa Cortona, interior design $2,000,001 to $3,000,000.

Sand Dollar: Peruzzia in Mediterra, single-family, interior merchandising, $2,500,001 to $3,500,000.

Levitt and Sons

Pinnacle: The Montego, single-family interior design, $300,000 to $399,999.

Lindy Thomas Interiors

Sand Dollar: The Naples Boat Club, Judges' Award for Excellence in Design.

Marc-Michaels Interior Design

Grand Aurora: Sorrento in The Estuary at Grey Oaks, interior detailing over $2,000,001; Penthouse Two at The Regent, interior detailing over $2,000,001.

Aurora: Penthouse Two at The Regent, interior design rental apartment.

Sand Dollar: Sorrento in Estuary, interior merchandising, single-family, $5,000,001 to $7,000,000, Grand Award for perfect score.

Norris Furniture & Interiors

Pinnacle: The Strand for Empire Builders, multifamily interior design, $650,000 to $799,999; The Monserrato, single-family interior design $800,000 to $999,999; Hidden Harbour Estate for Sand Springs Development, single-family interior design $1,500,000 to $1,999,999.

Sand Dollar: Private residence in The Brooks, interior merchandising, single-family, $900,001 to $1,250,000.

Romanza Interior Design

Aurora: Home & Condo's Dream Home 2003, interior design over $3,000,001.

Sand Dollar: Home & Condo's Dream Home 2003 in The Estates at TwinEagles, best kitchen, single-family, $2,000,000 to $5,500,000, interior merchandising, single-family, $3,500,001 to $5,000,000, Grand Award for perfect score; The Gabriella in Estuary, best master suite, single-family home, over $3,750,000.

Robb & Stucky

Pinnacle: The Cortona for Colonial Homes, multifamily, interior design $300,000 to $399,999.

Sand Dollar: Crienza in Tiburón, interior merchandising, multifamily, $500,001 to $750,000; Private residence at Trieste, interior merchandising, multifamily, $2,500,001 to $3,500,000.

Sisler-Williams Interior Design

Aurora: The Veranda in Olde Cypress, kitchen $500,001 to $1,000,000.

Vince Muller Interior Design

Aurora: Private residence in Mediterra, bath $2,000,001 to $3,000,000; private residence in Bonita Bay, interior design $1,500,001 to $2,000,000.

Vogue Interiors

Pinnacle: Private residence, single-family interior design $1,000,000 to $1,499,999; The Villa Trissina for Harbourside Custom Homes, single-family interior design over $3,500,000.

REMODELING CONTRACTORS

Abbie Joan Enterprises

Sand Dollar: Private residence, single-family remodeling project, over $300,000, Grand Award for perfect score.

Henry Westforth Contracting

Sand Dollar: Private residence, residential remodeling project, condominium.

The Lykos Group

Sand Dollar: Private residence, residential remodeling project, condominium.

Wm. J. Varian Construction Co.

Sand Dollar: Private residence, single-family remodeling project, under $300,000.

SALES ASSOCIATES/REALTORS

Sand Dollar Million Dollar Circle Award

The Bonita Bay Group

$5,000,000 to $9,999,000: Bill Westman.

$15,000,000 to $19,999,000: Missy Robbins.

Above $20,000,000: Betty Smith, Joe Tomaino.

Highest Overall Dollar Volume: Greg Martinovich.

Brooks Realty

$5,000,000 to $9,999,000: Kevin Smith.

$10,000,000 to $14,999,999: Milton Collins, Doug Davlin, Cheryl Stancil-Mease.

$15,000,000 to $19,999,000: Teresa Rucker, Melissa Williams.

Above $20,000,000: John Woodbury, Rosemary Scheetz-Bruce.

Engle Homes

$5,000,000 to $9,999,000: Patricia McLaughlin.

Lely Resort

$5,000,000 to $9,999,000: Matthew Freese.

US Home

$5,000,000 to $9,999,000: Maria-Louise Simonson, Gloria Bethman.

$10,000,000 to $14,999,999: Linda A. DeJesus, Johnny Giresi.

Sales Associate of the Year: Johnny Giresi.

Signature Realty

Above $20,000,000: Yvonne Morehouse.

Taylor Woodrow

Sales Manager of the Year: Michele Ellis Harrison.

Vasari Country Club

Above $20,000,000: Donna Menendez.

Vineyards Realty

$5,000,000 to $9,999,000: Kerry Weber, Pam Graves, Patricia Edwards, Jake Jacobs.

$10,000,000 to $14,999,999: Gabriele Paul.

PINNACLE SALES PEOPLE OF THE YEAR

The Bonita Bay Group

Teresa Rucker, $400,000-$499,999; Ginger Wilkins-Lickley, $800,000-$999,999; Melissa Williams, residential lot sales, highest dollar volume, highest number of sales.

Denny Grimes & Company

Denny Grimes, Sales Person of the Year, regardless of volume.

Lyons Housing Corp.

Don Sherman, $500,000-$649,999.

Miromar Development Corp.

Brad Wenstrom, $300,000-$399,999.

Pulte Homes

Steve Messenger, under $199,000; Angela Garzone, $200,000 to $299,999.