Home on the Prairie: Re-envisioning Southwest Florida Style

Whether it’s what people want or what they think is necessary, sometimes architecture can be a little redundant in Southwest Florida. From the dominating Mediterranean style of the early 2000s to the West Indies feel of today, everyone seems to jump on the same style wagon at the same time. While there is nothing wrong with homes sporting those common architectural styles, people can be pressured into designing the house they think other people will want and not the home they would have designed if they felt there was some flexibly in the market. It takes someone with vision, like Dan Sater of The Sater Design Collection to show people they can build any type of home they want here in paradise.
   As Sater and his wife set out to build their own home, they decided to not succumb to the pressure to make something for the resale value or because it was expected that they have certain things inside or out. “People tour models and they see homes with a certain architectural look, or large tubs, or formal dining rooms and they think that’s what they have to have because that’s what everyone else is doing. Concerned about resale value, they end up adding elements to their home they don’t use, and really don’t even want to begin with. I see that beginning to change. More and more people are realizing there is room for different architectural styles here in Southwest Florida,” says Sater. “In fact we have a rich history of architecture that’s unique to this state so I’m excited to see elements creeping back into current designs.” The Saters wanted a space that worked for their own lifestyle after living in a home and community that didn’t quite suit their current needs. “We really took a look at how we lived. For example we didn’t put in a pool. We had one before and it just never got used so we decided to not spend the money on a pool and the continuing maintenance costs because it just doesn’t fit how my wife and I live. Don’t be afraid to make a home that actually works for you.” 
   The Saters also deviated from the expected with their home’s beautiful prairie-style architecture. Defined by strong horizontal lines, early examples of prairie-style homes were developed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his contemporaries to complement the flat prairie landscape. These homes appear to grow out of the ground, with a low pitched, overhanging hipped or gable roofs. It was a style they had loved for a long time and after finding a one acre lot in the perfect community, they decided to create their dream home complete with all the features suited for their aesthetic and lifestyle.

“We love the feel of country living right by the city so this lot was the perfect fit for us and for this house,” explains Sater. The first step was to clear the lot and the Saters made the decision to keep existing clusters of pine and oak trees. “This style of home needs nature to provide context and scale and the trees here were beautiful. People pay hundreds of dollars for these pines and oaks so we had to incorporate them into the design,” Sater explains. From the paver driveway, the beautiful exterior details are lit with perfectly placed outdoor lights. Stacked stone accents frame the large front porch and the gables above give the illusion of a second story. The Anderson windows with aptly-named prairie-style grids provide a beautiful detail that’s mimicked in the ceiling beams inside.

In keeping with the theme of building a house that worked for them, the Saters decided to turn the dining room into a music area. “We don’t really do a lot of formal entertaining and when we do have large gatherings, we have a big table that we put in the great room/kitchen area. So for us this room worked best as a music space.” This home plan has quickly become one of the most popular plans Sater Design offers and many people choose to turn this space into another bedroom.

The focal point of the comfortable great room is a set of built-ins with a repurposed wood accent. “We were able to take some of the leftover wood from the ceilings on the lanai and use it in the great room,” says Sater. “It’s so much better to look for creative alternatives than to throw something out.” Under beams that match the grids in the windows, leather sleeper sofas are both comfortable and practical and act as overflow sleeping areas for guests. On the other end of the great room is the office, strategically placed so Sater isn’t totally isolated from the rest of the house as he works. If more privacy is needed, modern barn style doors can be closed. “While the outside of the house is traditional, my wife found she liked a more transitional look inside. It’s a great combination of new and old,” Sater explains.

The great room flows directly into the airy kitchen. Shaker-style cabinetry is set against a subway tile backsplash with metallic accent tiles. A modern stainless steel hood and Edison bulb lights are a perfect example of how modern and traditional elements blend seamlessly in this home. In the nook, a handmade Amish hutch was custom built for the space by the Millers in Sarasota. “We were familiar with the family who made the piece because of our time in Amish country in Ohio. They make such high-quality furniture pieces that it’s an instant heirloom. We commissioned them to make a few pieces throughout the home.”

The home office features the other Amish-made pieces. The desk and chair are both handmade in Sarasota—a testament to the fact that you don’t have to go very far to find unique, high-quality items for you home. Simple and elegant dark wood built-ins house Sater’s design books which provide inspiration for his future projects and plans.

The lanai and fire pit area provide a beautiful space for relaxing and entertaining. Facing a large, fenced-in back yard that their dogs enjoy, rocking chairs give the space a comfortable and traditional feel. Beautiful shell stone pavers provide the perfect foundation for the fire pit area under an architectural overhang. Sater was also careful to select materials that would withstand the hot and humid Florida weather while still creating a beautiful exterior. “We wanted to keep maintenance to a minimum with the outside of the home so all the materials we chose are easy to care for and are very durable.”

The master suite is tranquil with shades of soft blue. “We wanted to keep this room simple and comfortable,” says Sater. Through the hall, the master bath sports more of the beautifully stained woods found throughout the home.

239.495.2106  |  dan.sater@satergroup.com  |  SaterGroup.com

Photography by M.E. Parker