The Ultimate Rooms

There's probably no other place that evokes stronger feelings than home. We picture our homes as idyllic places to escape from the rest of the world, to laugh with friends and commune with family. In assembling the Gulfshore's ultimate home, this room-by-room pictorial of Southwest Florida's award-winning homes, we looked for rooms that sparked our emotions and pulled us in. We can picture ourselves hosting a cocktail party, preparing a family dinner or simply benefiting from some down time in these special rooms. In other words, we can picture ourselves in these pictures, enjoying the Gulfshore's unique lifestyle. After all, isn't that why we're all here?

Just Steps to Serenity

Wherever you are on the first floor of Harwick Homes' Rocca model in Mediterra, you're just a few paces from the tranquil waters of the pools outside. Covered seating areas and the living room look out to the rectangular reflection pool, but plenty of seating can be found outside as well. An outdoor kitchen and wet bar make this venue the ideal place to party.

A Chef's Haven

We want counter space-lots of it. And Harwick Homes' Vicchio in the Estuary at Grey Oaks delivers. Granite-topped counters practically encircle the kitchen of this single-family estate home, which also has a center island with a breakfast bar for in-room dining. A beamed ceiling, rustic cabinetry (some with glass mullion doors) and pretty tilework amp up the bam factor. A window above the cooktop and two funky round windows on each side of the hood forever negate any thought of slaving over the stove.

Now Showing

A beautiful theater, indeed. The velvet curtain, comfortable chairs and wide open space provide plenty of elbow room for movie viewing in this single-family home by David Weekley Homes. The warm beige and caramel tones are inviting, yet don't distract from the big screen or a fiesty game of Scrabble.

Suite Dreams are Made of These

We envy the owners of this master suite, a shimmering respite of dreamy comfort with its soft brushed metallics, velvety faux finishing and stunning simplicity. We can just imagine the softness of the carpet underfoot or the blissful feel of the linens swaddling us into sweet slumber. We give a big bravo to the remodel and design team of Builders Integrity Group of Naples, and 7 West Design, a Munroe Falls, Ohio, interior design firm.

Inset: The ample cabinets and drawers added in this master bath remodel put everything in its place, freeing the counter for beautiful (but not overdone) display.

Enviable Views

Realtors call them "million-dollar views" for good reason. Nothing manmade could ever compare to the beauty that is nature-sky, sea and land. Designer Beasley & Henley chose unencumbered furniture for the terrace of the Estancia penthouse in Bonita Bay-the perfect spot to experience layered views of the surroundings-from mangrove-fringed Estero Bay across Hickory Island to the Gulf. We'll almost bet that no one is capable of reading anything up here. Watching the wildlife, man included, is much more entertaining.