“We were looking for waterfront property, and we loved the island and its magnificent sunsets,” Erika says. Seduced by both the setting and the panoramic views, the Wallaces modified the existing structure, creating a home that takes advantage of these delights.

The result is unequivocally Key West in its spirit and stance. The open first floor includes the kitchen and the dining and living areas, with French doors opening onto the generous back deck, pool, garden, and view of the sea. Consistent with the area’s historic style, the home takes its architectural cues from Conch houses, wooden cottages particular to the Florida Keys.

Along with its dreamy locale, the house lures with its decorating scheme, the brainchild of The Taylor & Taylor Partnership, a husband-and-wife team based in Miami. After hiring Bill and Phyllis Taylor to design their full-time Tampa residence, Don and Erika were delighted by the transformation, and asked the couple to decorate their new vacation home as well.

“Although the house was already built, Bill was able to draw on his architect skills to enhance many of the exterior and interior features, such as the picket fence and the balcony’s pierced pineapple motif,” says Phyllis. “My goal was to maximize the sense of relaxation and ease Don and Erika were looking for.”

With that in mind, she and Bill set out to create an inviting interior of unbuttoned comfort. A cool blue provides the background for the romantic island look, inviting a mix of elegantly casual furnishings. “I found this beautiful antique American cabinet painted indigo blue and lime green. It instantly set the tone for the color scheme,” Phyllis recalls.

The beach house’s light, breezy rooms feature forms, furnishings, and artifacts that echo the qualities of the island. “I adore Phyllis’ eclectic mix of old and new,” Erika says. “The whole look is soothing without the least hint of affectation.”

A genteel British Colonial–style coffee table and a child’s rocking chair offset a comfortable sofa and woven-reed armchairs, providing equal parts beauty and comfort to the living room. A distressed ceiling adds a timeworn feel. “We first painted the tongue-and-groove oak white, then gave it a weathered look by sandblasting it,” Phyllis explains. “The beams were kept pristine to add punch and to make an architectural statement.”

The sea’s legacy is introduced subtly. “Shells and nautical pieces were the first elements,” Phyllis says. Seashells fill jars, sea stars dance from drapes, seagulls soar on canvas, and blue fabric covers cushions. Throughout the house, the whir of paddle fans keeps time with the carefree rhythms of the island, wood venetian blinds tame the bright sun, and woven straw rugs bring comfort to the barefoot lifestyle. “Bill and Phyllis have exceeded our expectations,” says Erika. “The house is everything we imagined and more.”

This tropical heaven is “the perfect antidote to our fast-paced Tampa life,” says Erika. “Here, the only sounds come from the splash of jumping fish, the kids’ laughter, the breeze rustling through palms, and the humming of the ceiling fans. When we come home to Sunset Key, we relish the serenity and the solitude. When we leave, we can’t wait to come back. This is pure bliss.”