F ROM THE EDITO R S O F S RQ M AGAZ I N E | S P R I N G 2022
KITCHEN DESIGN TRENDS
COUNTER CULTURE
A QUICK FIX(TURE) THE FLOOR IS YOURS
NEO-MODERN BIRD KEY NEST ECHT-ARCHITECTS CRAFTS AN INSPIRED RENOVATION
ON THE COFFEE TABLE
NEW RELEASES HOME DESIGN
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CONTENTS
SPRING 2022
Home design stories, inspiration and thoughtful architecture on the West Coast of Florida—from Anna Maria Island and Lakewood Ranch to Sarasota, Venice and the Barrier Islands.
The Main NEO-MODERN NEST The design of the posh Sarasota residence— situated on a 21,605-square-foot lot on the corner of a waterfront street—originally wrapped construction in February 2019. Solidly built in 1968, the existing 6,364-square-foot home was equipped with four bedrooms and five-and-ahalf bathrooms, but the homeowner set out to reimagine the interiors in a more contemporary style (to complement their highly eclectic art collection). The overarching goals of the renovation were to modernize the entire space, harmonize the home’s angles and heights, make the oversized entry area and living room more inviting, add an artist’s studio and maximize the views of downtown Sarasota across the Bay from Bird Key.
Kitchen Trends COUNTER CULTURE A good countertop can make or break a kitchen. With something that takes so much abuse—whether it be from a spontaneous art project or a tomato that was a little too juicy for the cutting board to keep under control—this kitchen necessity needs to be not only functional and durable, but also stylish.
A QUICK FIX(TURE) Whether you want a brightly lit room that allows you to easily read the new recipe you are mastering or a dimly lit, moody space to relax with a hot cup of tea, lighting is an essential element in any kitchen.
THE FLOOR IS YOURS Most consider looking at the floor a bad thing —a sign of being uncomfortable, self-conscious or bored. But it doesn’t have to be. Giving your kitchen floor a makeover will have you staring at the floor all day in awe.
Books Newly released architectural pages come bound and printed for the ardent designers, planners, builders and appreciators. COVER AND THIS PAGE Neo-Modern Nest on Bird Key by Echt-Architects, photography by Ryan Gamma Photography. 6
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YOU DREAM IT, WE CREATE IT.
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rom a task as simple as hanging a television to a complete remodel that includes gutting an entire house and turning it into a new and unique luxury home, JDE Installations literally does it all. Ten years
strong, A.J. Lawrence, owner of JDE Installations, started small. With only one employee who still happens to be with the firm, JDE began as a “general handyman” type company mainly focusing on builds and audio visual, installing TVs and surround sound systems and IKEA furniture. Today, with about 26 plus employees, the firm has grown to be one of the largest residential remodeling companies in the area, with a 4,000-square-foot showroom in the heart of Lakewood Ranch. Right from the very beginning, Lawrence saved his earnings and put the money into teaming up with or owning all the companies that worked around him. Fast-forward to today, they are offering a custom carpentry and paint team, direct fabrication of countertops and stone, partnering with their own kitchendesign warehouse, creating 100 percent custom kitchens, and furniture and more. “Everything we do is all in house, from kitchens to carpentry, to tile work,” shares Lawrence. “We don’t buy any type of custom templates. We make everything ourselves and most of the time right in front of our customers’ eyes.” While they often make the cabinets for remodeling customers, they also wholesale them to other contractors and builders. “We are the manufacturer, the retailer and the installer. We’re all of it,” Lawrence says proudly. He jokes that “JDE” stands for “Just Do Everything”--the firm was actually named for his three dogs, Jax,
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Dee, and Ella—when in fact, the company slogan printed on their logo is “big or small, we do it all”—and they do. Celebrating their newest venture, Lawrence reports that the firm is in the process of acquiring a piece of land to set up an entire neighborhood and build it from scratch which has been a dream of Lawrence’s from the conception of the company. At the moment, the majority of their remodel work is being done in brand-new neighborhoods. “SOUTH BEACH IS PRETTY “Before the pandemic and because MODERN AND ABSTRACT. of it, lots of folks have been moving THAT’S MY STYLE. WE DO SO to the area,” says Lawrence. “They buy MANY AMAZING CONTEMPOvery basic homes, we come in as soon RARY DESIGNS THAT WHEN THE WORD ‘MODERN’ IS as they close—before they even move USED, MY MOUTH WATERS.” in—and we turn the place into the home of their dreams with our custom work.” —AJ Lawrence, Owner Lawrence credits JDE’s success to his team of employees. “We are bigger than I ever wanted to be in the beginning, but I love it and couldn’t do it without my team,” he says. “We keep this like a tight-knit family. Everybody is happy to come to work. Everybody is passionate about it. Day in and day out we do some pretty amazing things in these houses and we do it as a team. From the lowest on the totem pole to the owner, we are a family.” Trending these days in Lakewood Ranch is modern and mid-century modern. Having been born and raised in Miami, Lawrence’s heart lies in modern design, so this current trend is music to his ears. “South Beach is pretty modern and
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3D MODELS ARE CREATED TO MAKE THE WHOLE PROESS AS EASY AND SEAMLESS AS POSSIBLE. DON’T STRESS. I’VE GOT IT! EVERY FIRDAY, THE HOMEOWNER WILL GE AN UPDATE WITH PHOTOS. WHEN THE PROJECT IS DONE, THE HOMEOWNER RECEIVES A BOTTLE OF WINE AND A PHOTO BOOK FILLED WITH BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES. abstract. That’s my style,” he says. “We do so many amazing contemporary designs that when the word ‘modern’ is used, my mouth waters.” For an upcoming job, Lawrence shares his plans with exuberance, “I’m going to convert the whole house to ‘Miami modern’, gut it all to include a master bathroom upstairs and downstairs, full flooring throughout the home, modern high-gloss kitchen with matte countertops and hidden appliances, a double L-shaped high gloss floating entertainment wall with glass shelving, LED lights and flat screen mounted tv, glass stairs and railing, full 20-foot tall wall of wave tile and much more—some really cool things are about to happen for this homeowner.” While every job has its challenges, Lawrence’s biggest challenge to date was definitely his recent battle with Covid. Hospitalized and very ill with 11 projects in the works, people wondered how the firm would survive without the owner, the face of the company at the helm. Again, he credits the strength of his crew. “For three months straight of me not being able to even function, my team showed me how strong my company really has become and how much everybody actually cares. Coming together in hard times to hold the company together through our hardest time to date, and here we are. Every single member of my team plays a vital role. It’s a team effort--me and them together making it all happen.” When a homeowner signs on to work with JDE, they instantly know they’re in the right hands. After an initial meeting at the home, whether they’re planning a bathroom or an entire
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home remodel, Lawrence learns what the client really wants. The next phase involves getting the client into the showroom to present designs. Once everyone is comfortable, a quote is prepared, and if approved, a deposit is given. 3D models are created to make the whole process as easy and seamless as possible. Lawrence knows that construction, remodeling, even hanging a TV is stressful for the homeowner. He tells them at the start: “It’s my house now. I own this house until I’m out of it. Don’t stress. Don’t micromanage. Don’t worry, I’ve got it!” Every Friday, the homeowner will get an update with photos. When the project is done, the homeowner receives a bottle of wine and a photo book filled with before and after pictures, to say “Hey, we appreciate you and thank you for letting us create something amazing,” says Lawrence. “Never forget where you came from,” says Lawrence. “We started with nothing but a Honda Element, hard work and a dream. It doesn’t matter if we build 100 million neighborhoods. We remember where we came from.”
JDE INSTALLS 4715 LENA ROAD, UNIT 107 BRADENTON, FL 34212 941-479-1533 JDEINSTALLS@JDEINSTALLS.COM All photos courtesy of Alec Paris Photography
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Counter Culture A good countertop can make or break a kitchen. With something that takes so much abuse—whether it be from a spontaneous art project or a tomato that was a little too juicy for the cutting board to keep under control—this kitchen necessity needs to be not only functional and durable, but also stylish. So whether you are in the market for a new kitchen countertop or like many of us and just like to stay up-to-date on home improvement topics, here are kitchen countertop trends that designers and suppliers alike have seen rising in popularity. W R I T T E N B Y Chloe Cuyler
SOURCE IT Kati Ramage, Abide Designs, 941-587-1364, katiramage@abide designsinteriors.com; Emily Moss, Emily Moss Concepts and Designs, 941-219-9377, emily@emilymossdesigns.com; Jennifer Horvat, Florida Design Works, 941-355-2703 x 134, jennifer. horvat@floridadesignworks.com
MANY ARE BREAKING UP WITH NATURAL STONE COUNTERTOPS AND FALLING IN LOVE WITH THEIR MAN-MADE COUNTERPARTS. “The durability and versatility make it a solid option
for so many homeowners in our area, from young families to retirees,” says owner, operator and lead designer of Abide Designs, Kati Ramage. “In an open floor plan, the kitchen island can truly become the hub of the home, with everything from homework completion to dinner prep to online shopping all taking place on your countertop. Quartz offers the comfort of knowing that your counters are beautiful and functional for all tasks.” And though engineered stones will never be able to replace those of natural origin, many of them now come in designs that mimic the likes of marble, limestone and granite. Embrace the curves. We get it. Straight lines give off a look of modern elegance that no other shape can. But they can sometimes feel unnatural. Life is all about bends, dips and curves. So with organic-style decor gaining so much popularity in 2021, it should come to no surprise that the shapes of our countertops are beginning to follow suit. “Whether it’s because people are moving past the pristine, Instagram-esque, minimalist look, or 10
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just looking for warmth and fun in their design, we are definitely seeing the use of soft curves in countertops edges,” says Emily Moss, owner and principal designer at Emily Moss Concepts and Designs. She notes that the curved countertop edges can add a softer, more natural aesthetic to your kitchen. While quartz countertops are all-the-rage for those wanting to cut down on their in-kitchen maintenance projects, many others still enjoy a good natural stone. One that has been gaining traction is quartzite. This stone is often confused with quartz—an understandable mistake, given their similar names—but, whereas quartz is man made, quartzite is of a natural origin. “Quartzite is the most popular and growing trend in countertop,” says Jennifer Horvat, marketing director for Florida Design Works. “The very hard, metamorphic rock originates from sandstone and when processed with high heat and pressurization, it is transformed into an extremely strong and durable natural stone.” Quartzite often resembles marble, with its glossiness and veiny patterns. And though it does require maintenance and upkeep, the natural stone is harder and more durable than marble. SRQH&D
Left: Quartzite island. Right: Blue Roma Quartzite Slab 3/4” Honed Stone by Artistic Tile.
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A QUICK FIX TURE , Is there anything more important than lighting? In some situations—sure—but as far as the kitchen is involved, lighting is king. Whether you want a brightly lit room that allows you to easily read the new recipe you are mastering or a dimly lit, moody space to relax with a hot cup of tea, lighting is an essential element in any kitchen. W R I T T E N B Y Chloe Cuyler
SOURCE IT Kati Ramage, Abide Designs, 941-587-1364, katiramage@abidedesignsinteriors.com; Rob Barnard, Bee Ridge Lighting and Design, 941922-2626, rob@beeridgelighting.com;
THE 70’S IS CALLING. VINYL RECORDS. POLAROID CAMERAS. MACRAMÉ. Some of the most popular vintage trends are making a comeback. One becoming quite the trend being rattan. This woven grass phenomena that was a staple in almost any 70’s home has been popping up everywhere—even in the form of kitchen lighting fixtures. Maybe it is due to their ability to instantly make the harshest of kitchens feel more homey. Kati Ramage, owner, operator and lead designer of Abide Designs has been enjoying this trend lately. “I love a good woven pendant or chandelier when we need to soften a space or if a client is seeking a coastal look,” Ramage says. “When a kitchen is full of hard surfaces from countertops to cabinets to appliances, it’s nice to warm things up with a woven fixture.”Layers aren’t 12
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just for hair. What’s an easy fix when you’re bored with your hair? Adding layers. Layers can take your hair from dull and lifeless to fun and full of character. Why not do the same with your kitchen? Rob Barnard, manager of Bee Ridge Lighting and Design, says, “The kitchen, more than any other room, benefits from multiple “layers’’ of light. Typically there is the main lighting in the form of recessed or decorative lighting. Most homes also have accent pendants located over the island. These contribute to the overall lumen output and also add aesthetics. The last, and most important layer is the undercabinet lighting. There are a few forms—pucks, linear fixtures and tape lighting. This layer fills in the light right where you need it most—on your counter for meal prep and cleaning.” SRQH&D
Top right: Sago rounded rattan pendant light, CB2. Bottom right: Bee Ridge Lighting.
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THE FLOOR IS YOURS Most consider looking at the floor a bad thing—a sign of being uncomfortable, self-conscious or bored. But it doesn’t have to be. Giving your kitchen floor a makeover will have you staring at the floor all day in awe. W R I T T E N B Y Chloe Cuyler
SOURCE IT Kati Ramage, Abide Designs, 941-587-1364, katiramage@abidedesignsinteriors.com; Rob Barnard, Bee Ridge Lighting and Design, 941922-2626, rob@beeridgelighting.com;
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GRAY IS THE NEW BEIGE. You’ve probably heard of the Pantone Color of the Year. With last year’s being Ultimate (gray) and this year’s being Very Peri (blue with a violet-red undertone), it should come as no surprise that warm-toned colors are out and cool neutral tones are in. One particularly popular shade, as far as kitchen flooring is concerned, is gray. For years, warm beiges have been the go-to colors for flooring. They make for an easy base for any kitchen, however, their red, brown and yellow-y undertones make them difficult to pair with cooler colors like blues, purples and even whites. That’s where grays come in. They provide all the simplicity we love in a beige, while also being neutral enough to match with pretty much every color in the rainbow. BLEACH ISN’T JUST FOR BLONDES Hardwood flooring gives any space a timeless appearance. It also doesn’t hurt that they are easy to clean and have quite the lasting power. But hardwood floors can oftentimes look…hard. Many of the colors available tend to be dark and/or rich—which while fantastic and beautiful, leaves something to be desired by those of who enjoy lighter and softer color palettes. Perhaps that is why bleached wood has been getting more attention lately. Bleached wood is exactly as it sounds—wood that has undergone a chemical process to remove the color or stain that was once applied to it. The result is a soft, ash-toned wood, which manages to showcase all of the wood’s natural texture without the harshness of the stain. MOTIF IS JUST A FANCY WORD FOR PATTERN. The perfect compromise between subtle and standout is patterned flooring. Some popular types of patterned flooring include parquet, herringbone and chevron. They all have their distinct differences, parquet consists of small blocks of wood fitted together to create a series of geographic patterns, herringbone and chevron, while often used simultaneously to describe the same pattern, actually have a few distinctions from each other. The chevron pattern is composed of a series of wooden planks that are each cut at an angle. When these angles are paired together, they form a continuous v-shape. Herringbone, on the other hand, is made up of non-angled wood planks. These planks still form a v, but do so by one overlapping the other. Each pattern can be used to add a touch of excitement to your kitchen, along with a touch of European elegance. SRQH&D Left: Image courtesy of Benjamin Moore paints.
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HOMES WITH A VISION Newly released home design reads come bound and printed for the home. C O M P I L E D B Y Chloe Cuyler
VICTORIA HAGAN: LIVE NOW When a design book is written by a member of the AD100 and the Interior Design Hall of Fame, you know it’s going to be good. This book by acclaimed interior designer, Victoria Hagan is no exception. Featuring 12 dwellings of different styles but of equal tranquility, this is the perfect source of inspiration for transforming your humble abode into a relaxing sanctuary that helps you appreciate the simple things in life. CHARLES AND RAY EAMES: OBJECTS AND FURNITURE DESIGN Edited by Sandra Dachs, Patricia de Muga, Laura García Hintze. Introduction by Mathias Remmele. Best known for their contributions to architecture, furniture design, industrial design, film and photography, Charles and Ray Eames remain among the most renowned American designers of the 20th century. The couple married in 1941 and moved to California, where they pursued their furniture design in molded plywood. Polígrafa, releases March 15. ARCHITECTURAL GARDENS: INSIDE THE LANDSCAPES OF LUCAS & LUCAS A portfolio of ten lushly illustrated residential landscape projects in California’s wine country, each a lesson in the alchemy of garden design, created by landscape architecture firm Lucas & Lucas. The work of landscape architecture firm Lucas & Lucas extends the architecture of the house into the garden through carefully selected elements of design. Each of the ten projects in Architectural Gardens includes a design narrative that addresses the interconnections between home and land, detailed captions, and a site plan. Readers will learn how to implement features such as landscape windows, breeze-catching grasses, cascading concrete waterfalls, and trees with thoughtfully cast shadows to transform their landscape. Princeton Architectural Press, releases March 15.
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SOURCE IT Special order from local bookseller Bookstore1, 12 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota, 941-365-7900, sarasotabooks.com; artbook.com and papress.com.
IN THE MOOD FOR COLOR: PERFECT PALETTES FOR CREATIVE INTERIORS Color is a powerful phenomenon. It can affect our moods, drawing different emotions to the surface, depending upon its hue. Art director and interior stylist, Hans Blomquist, proves this in his recent work, motivating readers to add a little color to their spaces with five collections of interiors inspired by the many colors in nature, ranging from the crisp white of winter snow to the rich, enveloping black of the midnight sky. HOUSE STORY: INSIDER SECRETS TO THE PERFECT HOME RENOVATION Penned by Jasmine Roth, the star of HGTV’s Hidden Potential and HELP! I Wrecked My House, and photographed by Dabito, this book makes the home design process as easy as can be by providing detailed breakdowns of the four most familiar design types and their various subcategories. Topics cover a wide range of home improvement needs, from creating curb appeal and designing outdoor lighting setups to knocking down walls and finishing floors. COZY WHITE COTTAGE SEASONS: 100 WAYS TO BE COZY ALL YEAR LONG Interior design doesn’t have to be left to a group of professions and Liz Marie Galvan—do-it-yourself interior designer, blogger and owner of the Found Cottage in Hudsonville, Michigan—does a wonderful job of proving just that. This book of full-color photography provides readers with all they need to keep their homes feeling cozy, no matter the time of year. Fun ideas for holiday decorating are also sprinkled inside. SIMPLER LIVING, SECOND EDITION—REVISED AND UPDATED: A BACK TO BASICS GUIDE TO CLEANING, FURNISHING, STORING, DECLUTTERING, STREAMLINING, ORGANIZING In need to declutter and make the most of your time and life? With this book, written by author, Jeff Davidson, streamlining and organizing your home has never been easier. Filled with 1,500 ways in which to simplify your life, all organized into easy to access categories, you can finally wave goodbye to that obligatory kitchen junk drawer. SRQH&D
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WRITTEN BY Abby Weingarten PHOTOS BY Ryan Gamma Photography
NEOMODERN NEST Award-winning and awe-inspiring, a recent home renovation by Sarasota’s Echt-Architects epitomizes neo-modern magic on Bird Key.
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H & D THE DESIGN OF THE POSH SARASOTA RESIDENCE—situated on a 21,605-square-foot lot on the corner of a waterfront street—began in January 2018, and construction wrapped in February 2019. Solidly built in 1968, the existing 6,364-square-foot home was equipped with four bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms, but the homeowner set out to reimagine the interiors in a more contemporary style (to complement their highly eclectic art collection). Echt-Architects worked closely with the owner to execute this vision, and enlisted the expertise of Interior Designer Marie Bowman, ASID, NCIDQ; and General Contractor Nathan Cross. “The owners love the way the home has been transformed to better suit them and reflect their tastes, passions and lifestyle,” says Architect Andrew Etter of Echt-Architects. So what did the transformation entail, exactly? A wealth of additions and creative revamps would ultimately refresh the great room, upstairs bedroom, family room, kitchen, living room, bar area, studio, powder bath, stairways and balcony. The overarching goals of the redo were to modernize the entire space, harmonize the home’s angles and heights, make the oversized entry area and living room more inviting, add an artist’s studio, and maximize the views of downtown Sarasota across the bay from Bird Key. The refreshed spaces are now opened inward toward each other and outward toward the bay—with large-format, concrete-looking porcelain tiles blending the spaces together. The tall, wooden, walnut-stained front door welcomes guests into the living room with its custom concrete fireplace surround (complete with tapering edges) and walnut-paneled overmantel. A large threshold overlooks the dining area, and the open kitchen dazzles with its rich walnut and lacquer finishes. An elegant stairway, with a center stringer and wood block treads, brings visitors upstairs to the impressive guest suites. Alongside the family room, a custom concrete bar top with a waterfall and tapering details provides plenty of space for relaxation and recreation. The room, like the rest of the home, is both luxurious and livable. “Before the project renovation, the living room was rarely used, and it was described as too large and difficult to furnish,” says Architect Kortnee Gonzalez, NCARB, of Echt-Architects. “Through layers of architectural elements—including a new fireplace with a statement concrete floating hearth, balanced by a soaring wood ceiling element—we were able to bring a sense of scale to the space (as well as a focal point that is inviting but also allows one to still appreciate the incredible view just outside the sliding glass doors).” This inviting warmth and livability extends into every facet of the home, such as the utilitarian and eye-catching kitchen. “Continuity of materials helps tie the spaces together,” Gonzalez says. “Glossy kitchen cabinets and a mirrored bar backsplash reflect the incredible water views and allow one to appreciate the site even when seated facing away.” Incorporating design elements that would expertly spotlight the homeowner’s art collection was paramount.
“We worked closely with the client, contractor and interior designer to mix the owner’s existing furniture with new elements, achieve playfulness with scale and allow room for the client’s art collection to shine,” Gonzalez says. Bowman was essential to that execution. “We kept the interior wall paint a clean white to allow for the client’s artwork to really pop,” Bowman says. “A museum-quality light fixture highlights the client’s statue in the stairway and creates a beautiful play on the shadows that dance on the walls.” Not only was the handling—and appreciation—of the homeowner’s art a critical component of the remodel (to preserve for current and future generations), but longevity was a general theme throughout the project. With this in mind, the design team steered toward eco-conscious, long-lasting materials. The flooring was sourced from a manufacturer with a strong commitment to sustainable practices and low emissions. The wood selection features a natural oil finish with no added chemicals to promote healthier indoor air quality. And the main tile flooring has a GreenGuard Gold certification for reduced total volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. “The Caesarstone® kitchen countertops incorporate up to 42 percent recycled quartz that offsets waste in the landfills,” Bowman says. “These countertops never need sealing and are nonporous, so they host no bacteria, mold or mildew, and they remain safe and sanitary for ultimate cleanliness.” Knowing that the home combines elements of the past and present—from its exaltation of timeless art to its penchant for forward-thinking, planet-friendly finishes—was an especially interesting aspect of the project for the team at Echt-ArchiSRQ M AGA Z I N E |
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tects. “The most rewarding part [of a project] is getting to explore the juxtaposition between the contemporary and traditional elements, which is always exciting for us,” Etter says. It’s something the team at Echt-Architects has savored during multiple projects. Founded in 2016, Echt-Architects is a full-service architectural firm dedicated to design “that contributes meaningfully to the built environment,” the firm’s founders say. Etter has led teams of architects and designers on projects in Japan, the Middle East and across the United States, and he spent more than a decade working with world-renowned architect Richard Landry. Gonzalez has devoted her career to designing and managing custom high-end residential projects in all stages—from conceptual sketches to construction. The firm has won numerous awards and garnered accolades for its residences along the Manatee River, Casey Key, Little Sarasota Bay, Roberts Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Whether the team from Echt-Architects is designing a high-rise condominium or a coastal mansion, the designers are adept at maximizing indoor-outdoor living spaces and seaside views—all while taking into account the history of the respective landscape and the architecture’s relationship to it. “We collaborate with our clients to thoroughly understand their lifestyle, needs and desires,” the firm’s founders say. “By honoring each client’s visions, we can embark on a unique journey together that leads to architecture that endures and inspires.” The remodeled Bird Key home is just one soaring example. SRQH&D
Credits Echt-Architects: 8437 Tuttle Ave., Suite 355, Sarasota, 941-302-3490, echt-architects.com, @echtarchitects. Architect Andrew Etter of Echt-Architects. Interior Designer Marie Bowman, ASID, NCIDQ and General Contractor Nathan Cross.
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