In the warm afternoon air, birds fly from palm to palm, chattering to each other over the sound of bay waters lapping the shoreline. In this pristine setting, The Colony Golf & Bay Club in Bonita Springs, Florida, basks in bright sun and salty breezes. The 809-acre Gulf Coast development borders Estero Bay and a nature preserve.
Streets and sidewalks are cobblestone. Dramatic, carved-stone fountains anchor the neighborhood's roundabouts. Exterior color schemes feature earth tones from brown to coral, with tile, brick, wood, and stone details. "The community has a Mediterranean feel, with a Tuscan architectural influence," says Stefan Johansson, a vice president and senior project manager.
Area amenities provide entertainment for all ages and interests. Residents revel in a day at the beach, after boarding a ferry that delivers them to a private 34-acre island with wide strips of white sand. Tennis, pool, spa, and fitness facilities are available to owners, along with
a boat landing and canoe park. A Jerry Pate–designed championship golf course challenges even the experienced golfer. After a day in the sun, homeowners choose from dining options—formal and casual—offered by the country club and Bay Club. "Here, you are removed from the nearby hustle and bustle of Naples and Fort Myers," says George Page, senior vice president of the tower division at WCI, creators of The Colony.
LIVING ROOM
As one of the first rooms you see when you enter this residence, the living room "is a bit more sophisticated and formal than the rest of the house," says designer Linda Woodrum. "But it remains welcoming." A creamy silk sofa and matching love seat provide ample space to
sit and visit. Taupe chairs complete the U-shaped arrangement. An obsidian-black leather ottoman serves as a sleek cocktail table.
Colorful artwork and natural accessories punctuate the subtle palette. Linda chose a woven rug trimmed in black to anchor the area, as well as coordinating solid-blue and patterned pillows. She says, "The whole approach is beach-oriented with lots of earthy materials, such as grass, wood, and stone."
Linda worked with architect William Court to create custom details. A cottage-style grid graces the ceiling in the living and dining rooms. "Our goal was to create a version of the elegant Spanish detailing that architect Addison Mizner brought to Palm Beach in the 1920s," says William. Two sets of walnut-stained doors lend visual balance. One opens to reveal a bar with a sink and wine chiller. Hickory-finished hardwood floors were engineered to look old, adding to the home's character. William says, "We came up with a style that could be kept quite simple, but remain elegant."
