Page2Design :: Tropical Home :: March

Design team brings coastal contemporary to Admirals Cove

OUTSIDE THE ORDINARY

Outside the Ordinary Design team brings coastal contemporary to Admirals Cove WRITTEN BY CAMILLE YATES PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT STEVENS

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hree dynamic forces in design have come together to create a unique waterfront home in a private culde-sac at Admirals Cove in Jupiter.

With a transition away from the typical architectural style found there, Brook Lenfest and Tom Laboon of Beachlen Development, along with Page Franzel of Page 2 Design, completed a coastal estate that blends contemporary, open features with postmodern style.

“We steered away from the Mediterranean architectural style with barrel tile roofs that’s characteristic of Admirals Cove,” says Laboon. “We wanted a home that flowed easily from the inside to the outdoors with a very open floor plan.” As a result, grand interior spaces are complemented by outdoor entertaining areas that feature a huge covered lanai, an infinity pool and a fire pit. “With the windows and doors open and the screens retracted, the living space is doubled,” Laboon explains.

After Beachlen purchased the waterfront property in March 2015, Lenfest and Laboon leveled the existing house and two years later completed the palatial estate. This is just one of several projects that the two men have worked on together. With a 20-year Open spaces grace this waterfront estate, allowing plenty of room for entertainment and relaxation both inside and out.

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Tropical Home SPRING 2018 REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 Tropical Home

3

Outside the Ordinary Design team brings coastal contemporary to Admirals Cove WRITTEN BY CAMILLE YATES PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT STEVENS

T

hree dynamic forces in design have come together to create a unique waterfront home in a private culde-sac at Admirals Cove in Jupiter.

With a transition away from the typical architectural style found there, Brook Lenfest and Tom Laboon of Beachlen Development, along with Page Franzel of Page 2 Design, completed a coastal estate that blends contemporary, open features with postmodern style.

“We steered away from the Mediterranean architectural style with barrel tile roofs that’s characteristic of Admirals Cove,” says Laboon. “We wanted a home that flowed easily from the inside to the outdoors with a very open floor plan.” As a result, grand interior spaces are complemented by outdoor entertaining areas that feature a huge covered lanai, an infinity pool and a fire pit. “With the windows and doors open and the screens retracted, the living space is doubled,” Laboon explains.

After Beachlen purchased the waterfront property in March 2015, Lenfest and Laboon leveled the existing house and two years later completed the palatial estate. This is just one of several projects that the two men have worked on together. With a 20-year Open spaces grace this waterfront estate, allowing plenty of room for entertainment and relaxation both inside and out.

2

Tropical Home SPRING 2018 REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 Tropical Home

3

The conversation area is a comfortable spot adjacent to the kitchen and family room.

career in the Navy and a construction background managing people, large budgets and projects, Laboon began private consulting and met Lenfest to help him restore a home in Pennsylvania. “Lenfest and I really hit it off. What was supposed to be a three-month job ended up being a two-year project, and we became good friends,” says Laboon. They then became business partners starting Beachlen. “Lenfest is involved in the design of our projects, and I take it from there.

I’m at the job site every day. I don’t hire superintendents. I want to build a quality home for someone, not just a house. That’s why it’s important for me to see it every day.”

Although they deviated from the norm in terms of traditional design, Laboon and Lenfest worked with the strict Admirals Cove architectural review committee to develop a home that fit in well with the elite golfing and boating community. The six-bedroom, eight-bath, 8,985-square-foot home takes Page Franzel, owner of Page 2 Design, worked with Beachlen Development to design all interior and exterior features. Neutral furnishings complement the marble floors outlined with Ann Sacks wood-grained porcelain tile in an expresso finish.

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Tropical Home SPRING 2018 REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 Tropical Home

5

The conversation area is a comfortable spot adjacent to the kitchen and family room.

career in the Navy and a construction background managing people, large budgets and projects, Laboon began private consulting and met Lenfest to help him restore a home in Pennsylvania. “Lenfest and I really hit it off. What was supposed to be a three-month job ended up being a two-year project, and we became good friends,” says Laboon. They then became business partners starting Beachlen. “Lenfest is involved in the design of our projects, and I take it from there.

I’m at the job site every day. I don’t hire superintendents. I want to build a quality home for someone, not just a house. That’s why it’s important for me to see it every day.”

Although they deviated from the norm in terms of traditional design, Laboon and Lenfest worked with the strict Admirals Cove architectural review committee to develop a home that fit in well with the elite golfing and boating community. The six-bedroom, eight-bath, 8,985-square-foot home takes Page Franzel, owner of Page 2 Design, worked with Beachlen Development to design all interior and exterior features. Neutral furnishings complement the marble floors outlined with Ann Sacks wood-grained porcelain tile in an expresso finish.

4

Tropical Home SPRING 2018 REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 Tropical Home

5

The dining area was designed to maximize views of the waterfront and pool. Custom built-in cabinetry provides ample storage.

Crown moldings, exquisite lighting and slate tiles complement the outdoor summer kitchen overlooking the waterfront.

The vessel sink and tile wall in the powder room juxtaposed with a more traditional mirror show off how the home blends post-modern and contemporary design.

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Tropical Home SPRING 2018 REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE

advantage of the southern facing waterfront view with plenty of glass windows and doors. An expansive multi-dimensional infinity- edge pool with spa reaches out to the waterfront, where there is enough space to dock an 80-foot yacht. The 1,164-square-foot four-car garage is able to hold “his and hers” golf carts, three cars, plus more. The total covered living area is 11,565 square feet including the huge waterfront outdoor living space and two covered balconies

upstairs. “With our transitional design, we are creating a new trend in Admirals Cove. It’s the largest new home in the community.”

At the time of construction, the next-door neighbor was president of the Admirals Cove property owners association. “We designed this house to have a lot of glass, and the property owners association is very particular about views from the second floor,” says Laboon. “The president came to the house to see the views, and I had to make a few modifications. We added 30-foot-tall palm trees to shield the view of the neighboring yards.”

Laboon graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1971. As an engineer in the Navy, he worked with presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush retrofitting their personal residences to meet commander-in-chief standards. He built military helicopter hangers and pads at their homes as well as a house for on-site military doctors and Secret Service aides. He also managed all construction and maintenance projects at Camp David. Laboon left the Navy to become an engineer at private engineering firms, and after renovating houses around the United States, Laboon and his wife, Marie, moved to Vero Beach, where Beachlen built two oceanfront estates. They now live in Jupiter.

While living in Vero Beach, Laboon met designer Page Franzel. “Design has been a passion of mine all of my life,” says Franzel. “My father was a contractor, and as a teenager I began drawing homes for him.”

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 Tropical Home

7

The dining area was designed to maximize views of the waterfront and pool. Custom built-in cabinetry provides ample storage.

Crown moldings, exquisite lighting and slate tiles complement the outdoor summer kitchen overlooking the waterfront.

The vessel sink and tile wall in the powder room juxtaposed with a more traditional mirror show off how the home blends post-modern and contemporary design.

6

Tropical Home SPRING 2018 REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE

advantage of the southern facing waterfront view with plenty of glass windows and doors. An expansive multi-dimensional infinity- edge pool with spa reaches out to the waterfront, where there is enough space to dock an 80-foot yacht. The 1,164-square-foot four-car garage is able to hold “his and hers” golf carts, three cars, plus more. The total covered living area is 11,565 square feet including the huge waterfront outdoor living space and two covered balconies

upstairs. “With our transitional design, we are creating a new trend in Admirals Cove. It’s the largest new home in the community.”

At the time of construction, the next-door neighbor was president of the Admirals Cove property owners association. “We designed this house to have a lot of glass, and the property owners association is very particular about views from the second floor,” says Laboon. “The president came to the house to see the views, and I had to make a few modifications. We added 30-foot-tall palm trees to shield the view of the neighboring yards.”

Laboon graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1971. As an engineer in the Navy, he worked with presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush retrofitting their personal residences to meet commander-in-chief standards. He built military helicopter hangers and pads at their homes as well as a house for on-site military doctors and Secret Service aides. He also managed all construction and maintenance projects at Camp David. Laboon left the Navy to become an engineer at private engineering firms, and after renovating houses around the United States, Laboon and his wife, Marie, moved to Vero Beach, where Beachlen built two oceanfront estates. They now live in Jupiter.

While living in Vero Beach, Laboon met designer Page Franzel. “Design has been a passion of mine all of my life,” says Franzel. “My father was a contractor, and as a teenager I began drawing homes for him.”

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 Tropical Home

7

She started her career working with an architectural engineering company drafting plans for them by hand for commercial properties. In 1978, Franzel moved to Hawaii, where she was in charge of procurement and design of 78 branches for the Bank of Hawaii. “I got in at the ground level of commercial design,” says Franzel. Later, she worked with pioneer commercial developer Chris Hemmeter as director of design for the Hyatt Regency Waikoloa, Westin Kauai and Westin Maui destination resorts. She then started her own firm in Hawaii and was on the design team for a $26-million spec home. She left Hawaii for Atlanta and then moved to Vero Beach in 2005, where she started Page 2 Design.

Franzel originally started working with Laboon helping to design this house in 2013 with architect YRA Design Inc. “It was designed to be constructed on a lot in Vero, but when Beachlen purchased the property in Jupiter, we worked with the architect to rearrange the original design to fit this lot,” says Franzel.

Franzel drafted drawings, layouts and specs for all aspects of the interior, including flooring, ceilings, hardware, custom built-ins, lighting, mirrors and more. After consulting with Beachlen and YRA Design to make needed changes, she had all the detailed design plans ready for the subcontractors who went to work completing this masterpiece.

Rather than being separated by walls, the rooms are set apart by the ceilings and the floor designs.

The floors in the foyer, gallery, kitchen, dining, living and family rooms are made of a light-colored marble, while dark-colored Ann Sacks porcelain tiles that look like wood outline each room to effectively create the separation.

The kitchen features two huge islands, each with its own sink and a marble edge waterfall on the side of the cabinets. “We played up the ceiling in the kitchen,” says Franzel. “We dropped the ceiling to create an 8-inch ledge, and the lights create a floating effect.” The butler’s pantry includes a wine cooler and a second refrigerator along with a built-in china cabinet. “Because the house is so open, we included built-ins on a lot of the walls to create more storage space.” Adjacent to the kitchen is a dining area with a table large enough to seat 14 people. Franzel designed a custom built-in wall unit with interior lights that serves as a buffet with cabinets above and below.

A floating wall with a gas fireplace enclosed in glass separates the living and family rooms. With a conversation area in the family room, there is plenty more space for a game table at the other end with a

Floor-to-ceiling glass enhances the homeowner’s waterfront retreat.

8

Tropical Home SPRING 2018 REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 Tropical Home

9

She started her career working with an architectural engineering company drafting plans for them by hand for commercial properties. In 1978, Franzel moved to Hawaii, where she was in charge of procurement and design of 78 branches for the Bank of Hawaii. “I got in at the ground level of commercial design,” says Franzel. Later, she worked with pioneer commercial developer Chris Hemmeter as director of design for the Hyatt Regency Waikoloa, Westin Kauai and Westin Maui destination resorts. She then started her own firm in Hawaii and was on the design team for a $26-million spec home. She left Hawaii for Atlanta and then moved to Vero Beach in 2005, where she started Page 2 Design.

Franzel originally started working with Laboon helping to design this house in 2013 with architect YRA Design Inc. “It was designed to be constructed on a lot in Vero, but when Beachlen purchased the property in Jupiter, we worked with the architect to rearrange the original design to fit this lot,” says Franzel.

Franzel drafted drawings, layouts and specs for all aspects of the interior, including flooring, ceilings, hardware, custom built-ins, lighting, mirrors and more. After consulting with Beachlen and YRA Design to make needed changes, she had all the detailed design plans ready for the subcontractors who went to work completing this masterpiece.

Rather than being separated by walls, the rooms are set apart by the ceilings and the floor designs.

The floors in the foyer, gallery, kitchen, dining, living and family rooms are made of a light-colored marble, while dark-colored Ann Sacks porcelain tiles that look like wood outline each room to effectively create the separation.

The kitchen features two huge islands, each with its own sink and a marble edge waterfall on the side of the cabinets. “We played up the ceiling in the kitchen,” says Franzel. “We dropped the ceiling to create an 8-inch ledge, and the lights create a floating effect.” The butler’s pantry includes a wine cooler and a second refrigerator along with a built-in china cabinet. “Because the house is so open, we included built-ins on a lot of the walls to create more storage space.” Adjacent to the kitchen is a dining area with a table large enough to seat 14 people. Franzel designed a custom built-in wall unit with interior lights that serves as a buffet with cabinets above and below.

A floating wall with a gas fireplace enclosed in glass separates the living and family rooms. With a conversation area in the family room, there is plenty more space for a game table at the other end with a

Floor-to-ceiling glass enhances the homeowner’s waterfront retreat.

8

Tropical Home SPRING 2018 REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 Tropical Home

9

All eyes are drawn straight ahead to the water view as one steps into the dramatic entryway.

sectional couch and a built-in that includes a television. The study has a masculine feel with 8.5-inch oak plank floors that are ¾-inch thick and coated with polyurethane to create more durability. There is an open desk area with a sitting console and television.

The outdoor living area features a cabana bath and summer kitchen. The infinity pool is surrounded by gray slate stone. “The stone edge, which also acts as a drain, separates the pool area from the rest of the pool deck, which is a sky blue tumbled marble,” says Franzel. The pool has an aqua Pebble-Tech finish and blue glass tiles along the water’s edge. Franzel used the same gray stones in the outdoor fire pit and the indoor fireplace to tie the look together.

The home has two master suites. The owner’s retreat is downstairs with floor to ceiling glass facing the water and includes an expansive bathroom and walk-in closet for “her” as well as another separate, large bathroom and walk-in closet for “him.”

Upstairs, another VIP master suite with glass doors and a huge balcony overlooks the water along with four additional guest en suite bedrooms and an exer-

cise room.

“I know how to build it. Page knows how to design it. She’s great at picking colors. Page and I go back and forth. I listen to her — most of the time,” says Laboon with a smile. He says Franzel picked an exterior color that the property owners association liked so much, they asked for the specs so they could paint some of their buildings the same color.

“That’s a nice compliment to Page,” says Laboon.

Once the home was completed, Laboon asked Page to furnish it. “We had 60 days to not only select the furniture and accents but to get it all in place as well,” says Franzel. She accented some of the interior furniture with emerald colors to match the pool colors, but most of the furniture was neutral. She used artwork for a pop of color.

“It all goes well together,” says Laboon. “It has a good feel when you walk into the house. It’s personal for me. I want the finished product to be a house that I would like to live in, and I’m pretty picky. Although it’s a different look for the community, it’s not too modern and looks like it belongs in Admirals Cove.” ❂

The bright and airy kitchen boasts two islands with modern waterfall edge granite tops, a butler’s pantry with wine cooler, and custom cabinetry.

10

Tropical Home SPRING 2018 REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 Tropical Home

11

All eyes are drawn straight ahead to the water view as one steps into the dramatic entryway.

sectional couch and a built-in that includes a television. The study has a masculine feel with 8.5-inch oak plank floors that are ¾-inch thick and coated with polyurethane to create more durability. There is an open desk area with a sitting console and television.

The outdoor living area features a cabana bath and summer kitchen. The infinity pool is surrounded by gray slate stone. “The stone edge, which also acts as a drain, separates the pool area from the rest of the pool deck, which is a sky blue tumbled marble,” says Franzel. The pool has an aqua Pebble-Tech finish and blue glass tiles along the water’s edge. Franzel used the same gray stones in the outdoor fire pit and the indoor fireplace to tie the look together.

The home has two master suites. The owner’s retreat is downstairs with floor to ceiling glass facing the water and includes an expansive bathroom and walk-in closet for “her” as well as another separate, large bathroom and walk-in closet for “him.”

Upstairs, another VIP master suite with glass doors and a huge balcony overlooks the water along with four additional guest en suite bedrooms and an exer-

cise room.

“I know how to build it. Page knows how to design it. She’s great at picking colors. Page and I go back and forth. I listen to her — most of the time,” says Laboon with a smile. He says Franzel picked an exterior color that the property owners association liked so much, they asked for the specs so they could paint some of their buildings the same color.

“That’s a nice compliment to Page,” says Laboon.

Once the home was completed, Laboon asked Page to furnish it. “We had 60 days to not only select the furniture and accents but to get it all in place as well,” says Franzel. She accented some of the interior furniture with emerald colors to match the pool colors, but most of the furniture was neutral. She used artwork for a pop of color.

“It all goes well together,” says Laboon. “It has a good feel when you walk into the house. It’s personal for me. I want the finished product to be a house that I would like to live in, and I’m pretty picky. Although it’s a different look for the community, it’s not too modern and looks like it belongs in Admirals Cove.” ❂

The bright and airy kitchen boasts two islands with modern waterfall edge granite tops, a butler’s pantry with wine cooler, and custom cabinetry.

10

Tropical Home SPRING 2018 REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION © VERO BEACH MAGAZINE SPRING 2018 Tropical Home

11