Fort Myers, Fla. (October 2, 2007) – Shell Point Retirement Community recently opened its latest model in the community’s new neighborhood of Eagles Preserve at Shell Point according to Mike Davis, director of sales.
Shell Point hired local interior decorator Candace Brocato-Carlson, of CB Design Studio, to design the interior of the residence, which features an eclectic theme with a decidedly tropical twist.
This traditional one-bedroom with den is located on the first floor of the Egret building in Eagles Preserve and overlooks the 13th fairway of the Shell Point Golf Club. In addition to the fairway and lake views of the golf course, a buffer of native trees and landscaping provides the real tropical look that influenced the design of the home.
“I took one look at that view and knew that I would have to incorporate tropical style into the design of this home,” said Brocato-Carlson.
“The various shades of green outside every window were my inspiration. I wanted to bring together a timeless design that felt like it could have evolved over several years,” she said. “Consequently, I focused on classic, traditional upholstered furniture paired with an eclectic mix of oriental and bamboo curio cabinets, armoires, and tables that are reminiscent of antiques. The tropical theme was introduced through the use of bamboo inspired accessories and small hand-painted occasional pieces. These items could easily be reworked down the road and the core furnishings could be accented in a completely different theme.”
Brocato-Carlson carried the tropical look throughout the home beginning outside in the front entry courtyard where a dark rattan bistro table and matching chairs create an inviting spot for a cup of coffee with the morning paper. Inside, a gracious foyer creates a sophisticated entrance with sage green walls, creamy white trim, a trey ceiling with recessed lighting, and 16×16 tile floor set on the diagonal. A long hall table with glazed finish, heavily turned legs, and a curved cross bar holds elegant torch lamps and a leaf tray with faux rust finish. The focal point is a pair of tropical palm prints in bamboo frames. Underfoot is a brown Oriental rug with burgundy, gold, and green accents.
Turning to the right, you enter the dining room, which also has a painted sage green trey ceiling with recessed lighting as well as a stately chandelier with bamboo accents. The bay window offers an outdoor view and light is controlled by 2-inch wood blinds in the same color as the trim. A strung bamboo valance above the blinds adds a touch of texture and style which is repeated in the warm brown circular rug from Egypt.
The dining table features a round glass top with beveled edge on top of a wrought iron and wicker base accompanied by four wicker and rattan armchairs. The nearby buffet is hand painted with a distressed glaze finish and is topped with a multi-stripe runner. Tropical prints complete the room.
The kitchen is the perfect blend of style and convenience with brown and black speckled granite countertops and backsplashes, white raised panel cabinets with white hardware, a double stainless steel sink, and white GE appliances with a flat top stove, microwave, side-by-side refrigerator with water in door, and dishwasher. A double light chandelier hangs over the counter bar which features black leather barstools so that guests can sit and visit when the host is preparing dinner.
The living room is a mix of tropical and traditional in various shades of taupe, tan, green, and cream with accents of burgundy and black. The plush upholstered sofa features a muted strip that picks up the colors of the room and provides an enticing background. The sofa is flanked on either side by upholstered armchairs that feature a muted palm leaf print in gold and tan. The floor is covered in 4-inch plank bamboo in a natural finish and topped off with a hand-hooked area rug. The Asian-influenced glass and wood curio cabinet beside the sofa houses books and accessories. Dark wood side tables with glass tops add to the tropical design and a five-arm palm leaf ceiling fan with a burnished umber finish circles slowly overhead. The rattan detailing on the large armoire add textures and drama to the room which is highlighted by a variety of green plants and palms.
Just off the living room is an expansive screened lanai which runs the length of the home and overlooks the scenic golf and lake views of the Shell Point Golf Club. This area brings the outdoors in with West Indies-style rattan furniture covered in plush cushions and anchored by a versatile tan sisal rug.
The tropical theme continues in the master bedroom where a rattan and brass queen-sized bed commands center stage above plush carpeting. The comforter and assorted throw pillows on the bed feature the same colors found throughout the rest of the home, but this time they are muted to soft pinks, taupe, and cream. Candlestick lamps with hand painted shades sit on the bedside tables. An upholstered chair provides a comfortable place to sit and read or to just enjoy the view.
The master bath offers an oversized shower, white marble vanity with two sinks, white cabinets, and a large linen closet.
The den is designed to be used as either a home office or as a quiet space for reading or watching television on a wall mounted flat panel screen. Comfortable seating is provided by a leather chair and ottoman, plus rattan wingback chairs, which are drawn up to a skirted table topped with a striped silk tablecloth. Rattan ladders provide display rungs for magazines and make a comfortable animal print throw just an arm’s reach away.
Nearby are the powder room and a laundry closet which features a stacked washer and dryer.
Although the residences of Eagles Preserve are located in multi-residential buildings, one of the most popular features of this particular architectural design is the enclosed garages that are available with almost all of the units.
“This has been a popular feature for us,” said Mike Davis, director of sales. “Sales of the Eagles Preserve neighborhood were brisk and the community was almost sold-out before construction even started back in 2004. Now that the construction is complete, all of the residents have been moving in and getting settled. A couple of the units that were originally pre-sold recently became available when the previous depositors had trouble selling their homes. We currently have 13 units remaining in the neighborhood, which is comprised of 10 buildings for a total of 110 units.”
“We decided to create a model to give prospective residents an opportunity to see what Eagles Preserve was all about.”
The model in Eagles Preserve at Shell Point is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by special appointment on weekends. Shell Point currently has six models available for viewing throughout the community which features three neighborhoods: The Island, The Woodlands, and Eagles Preserve. The decorated models vary in size including a studio; one-bedroom; one-bedroom with den; two-bedroom; and three-bedroom executive. To schedule an appointment or to tour a model, call the Welcome Center at 239-466-1131 or 1-800-780-1131.
Shell Point Retirement Community is a continuing care retirement community located in Fort Myers off Summerlin Road, just two miles before the Sanibel causeway. Shell Point is a nationally recognized leader in the retirement industry
