Home Sweet Home

By Channing Spano

Photography by echo cinematics

Naples is no longer the sleepy town it once was which means there is less room to build your dream home. Lots are increasingly expensive, tearing down an existing structure can be frustrating, and new home communities are popping up farther away from the central areas where most people work as the country becomes more saturated. “This is why we are seeing such a heightened interest in remodeling,” says John Sweet of Sweet Sheldon Construction. “Many people are making the choice to consider location first and design second. Whether they want to be closer to work or school or in a neighborhood with other family members, people are purchasing homes that need updating so they can be in the perfect neighborhood. A home with good bones can always be updated—a commute can’t be shortened!” 
Sweet found this to be true in his own life. He and his family really loved the North Naples community they now live in, but the homes were older and needed updating. As a remodeler, he also knew he wanted to create a home that showcased what was possible in a remodel. Most people are familiar with a kitchen or bath remodel but after years in the business, he wanted a better way to show potential clients what they could do with good bones and a good lot. From changing the floor plan to adding a new garage with room for a fun features like a man cave, Sweet is now able to illustrate what’s possible in a remodel, while creating a space that he and his family can enjoy. 
The home’s new layout is a total change from the original plan. Sweet tore down walls and the now open concept living areas have room for both casual and formal seating areas, a large kitchen that’s perfect for entertaining, and a wine room. The new addition features a hang out area for his children and their friends, a guest bath, and is now where the guest bedrooms are located. He is also in the process of creating the ultimate man cave with a safe room for his family. “Space for the man of the house, the ‘man cave’, and its counterpart, the ‘she shed’, have become extremely popular over the past few years,” says Sweet. Especially in Southwest Florida, where many people are empty nesters, their homes are a place where they can now focus on themselves after raising a family, so an area for hobbies that both partners can utilize is an important addition to the home. 

French Country Influence

When you enter the home, the open concept leads you through the more formal areas into the French-inspired kitchen. Solid wood cabinets in a crisp white finish have been designed to meet the ceiling to eliminate wasted space that becomes a dust collector in most homes. Here, Sweet chose to use copper elements to pay homage to New Orleans and his Louisiana heritage. He also brought a little of his home state to Florida through the accent lights above the kitchen which are from Bevolo, the same company that makes the streetlights for New Orleans. Sweet also wanted to show how a variety of materials could be woven into a Southwest Florida home. “Metals, stone and wood are all great ways to personalize a home and can make it feel more inviting. Mixing those three elements creates a warm interior and can be used in a variety of design styles from ultra modern, to something like this kitchen that has a French country feel,” Sweet adds. The wood top on the island also warms the space. A large gas range, microwave drawer, and oversized refrigerator make this kitchen perfect entertaining space and family hub.
The beautiful paneled ceiling that runs the length of the kitchen and family room is a great example of the modern farmhouse style so many people wish to incorporate in their home. The slight vault highlights the beautiful linear details and adds height which opens the room. Modern, square LED lights keep the ceiling from feeling too rustic. Sweet explains, “This house combines a mix of both modern and traditional. We decided not to do moldings and baseboards throughout the home to keep the lines simple and then paired that with elements like the unfinished whitewashed wood panels under the kitchen bar. This creates a home that has plenty of traditional items that still feels modern because we have the juxtaposition of themes.”

All About Wine

Just off the kitchen is the wine room. When Sweet rearranged the home’s layout, he was able to design a space not only for his own wine collection, but also a room that shows what can be achieved with a little imagination. “People are once again willing to add fun features to their homes and wine rooms are at the top of the list because they are a great way to fill in an area of your home that might otherwise be dead space. They also add personality and are a beautiful conversation piece,” says Sweet. When designing your wine room, you need to tell your remodeling contractor about your wine drinking habits. Are you a casual consumer or a collector? If you find yourself going through your wine quickly, you don’t need to worry about creating a room with precise climate control. If you are collecting rarer wines, you may need to work with your remodeler to build a room that will care for these expensive bottles for an extended time. You should also consider adding the hookups for a generator during your remodel so your wine collection won’t be ruined if you lose power.

Farmhouse Table

Back in the main living areas, a comfortable dining room with a farmhouse-style table sits under another great detail, a lowered panel with recessed lighting that casts a soft glow onto the ceiling above. A combination of textures like wood and linen soften the modern ceiling and gives the family a more formal space for entertaining. Sweet also replaced all of the home’s windows with casement windows which take advantage of the lake breeze as casement windows can be positioned to direct wind into the home.

Living Room Luxe

The stacked stone fireplace is a beautiful focal point in the living room. “Adding this stone into the interior of the home ties in the outdoor kitchen area and brings something more organic,” says Sweet. It’s also practical. “We don’t get very many chilly nights here in Southwest Florida but on the days we do, it’s nice to have a fireplace option. And if you opt for an electric one you don’t need to turn on the heating feature so it can be used to create ambiance.” The Sweets, like many people remodeling their home, decided they wanted a formal but homey entertaining space. Here, a palette of blue and cream with dark wood accents complements the piano. “You want a room that you will actually use so adding a piano or making the choice to keep your furniture comfortable will ensure this isn’t wasted space and your guests are at ease,” says Sweet.

Space to Grow

The tranquil master retreat features a spacious bedroom with seating area and enough room for a future morning bar. The star of the suite is the beautifully appointed master bath. The modern tub, topped with an electric fireplace detail provides ambiance year-round and heat on colder mornings. The master bath also features automation throughout. From the “full service” style toilet to the smart shower that remembers the perfect, individualized temperature setting for multiple users, the bathroom is a place where people often want technology when they remodel. The ceiling feature that match the custom cabinets highlights the importance Sweet places on details. “At the end of the day, details are what people notice and can take a project to the next level. My whole team feels the work that we put into the little details is what sets us apart.”

Elegant Edges

Since the Sweet house functions as both a family home and a model for potential clients, the downstairs guest bath is a great example of how even smaller rooms can be unique and personalized. The modern glass sink rests on the live edge wood vanity and large format tiles extend from the shower to the floor giving the room a seamless look that also makes the space feel larger. Again, details are important even in spaces like a guest bath so working with a remodeling company that understands small things count (and can assist you with design ideas) will make your project more enjoyable and the end results worth the time and effort.

Living Outdoors

Sweet has seen a rising emphasis on outdoor living spaces. People want rooms that are as comfortable and beautiful as their indoor counterparts. “It’s about working the outdoor lifestyle you want into the space you actually have,” Sweet explains. “We can help you create a really amazing space no matter how large or small your remodeled outdoor area is going to be. It’s about communicating your lifestyle and then tailoring the space. For example, I knew my family needed a larger outdoor kitchen since we like to host crawfish boils and cookouts throughout the year. We also wanted a seating area with television for game day and movie nights.” Stacked stone ties the kitchen and seating areas together and columns with recessed lighting provide visual interest. Decorative niches surround a gas fireplace while retractable screens keep bugs out during the summer months.

Before Photos

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For more information on remodeling and more projects from Sweet Sheldon Construction, visit www.sweetsheldon.com