Collins DuPont Design Group was recently recognized with one grand and three silver Aurora Awards from the Florida Home Builders Association for its renovation of a Bonita Bay private residence.
Established in 1979, Aurora Awards are presented annually during the Southeast Building Conference to outstanding builders, planners, architects, developers, designers, interior merchandisers and other housing-related professionals. This year’s competition drew nearly 300 entries in 61 categories from projects located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and the Eastern Caribbean.
The Bonita Bay project received the Grand and Silver Aurora Awards for Best Renovated or Restored Single Home (Private Residence), as well as Silver Aurora Awards for Best Custom Home 8,000 to 10,000 sq. ft. (Private Residence), and Best Bath Design for a Custom/Spec/One-of-a kind Home (Private Residence).
Overlooking the Imperial River in the heart of Bonita Springs, this Old World-Mediterranean style home underwent a stunning transformation at the request of its owner, an avid outdoorsman. A new wing was planned which included an additional 1,742 square feet for the master suite, den with bath and state of the art “man cave” and tackle room.
The designer began by eliminating aged murals, groin vaulted ceilings and arches that were typical “Tuscan” era design. Traditional elements were removed so the large windows, tall ceilings and abundant natural light could be utilized. Simplified ceilings with floating wood beams complement the custom lighting throughout. The dropped, backlit wood ceiling in the stairway showcases the LED star lights that form an artful depiction of the family’s astrological signs for an interesting focal point.
Intricate details like the glass wine room juxtaposed with the transparent stair railing enhance the open feel of the home. The spacious kitchen with double islands is ideal for entertaining while the seemingly endless wall of floor to ceiling windows frame a breathtaking view of the Zen-style fountain and lush landscaping beyond.
Natural, organic elements like wood flooring, stone surfaces and warm colors were used to give a masculine, earthy, approachable feel to this home where regularly entertaining family and business peers is the norm. The blue mosaic and palm frond tiled walls, cypress clad ceiling and light wood cabinetry of the outdoor kitchen carry the natural appeal of the interior spaces through the expansive pocket doors to this popular gathering area that boasts multiple televisions for enjoying favorite sporting events.
Presented with a plan for the master bathroom that depicted an expansive, uninteresting rectangular space, Collins DuPont Design Group’s Lana Knapp and Colleen Wilson’s goals were to maximize the potential of the room and create a luxurious, spa-like retreat.
A 60” circle of rain glass for the shower provides a view to the Italian Mother of Pearl tile panels with blue raindrop detail that clad the shower walls and the impressive 24” x 24” rain head imported from Italy with RGB LED capabilities. Incorporating a dropped ceiling detail to create dimension and soften the space, the sloped beams were conceived to repeat the circular feature in the shower and bring the 12’ ceiling down to a nine-foot drop to facilitate the plumbing that flows from the center, filling the tub from above. Layering the room with white marble and glass tiles provides the ideal backdrop for the homeowner to select any color from the RGB custom lighting, controlled by a wall unit for both the bath and the shower, to promote a chromo-therapeutic atmosphere of calm and serenity. Adorned with the same mosaic tiles as the shower head, the dual bench features a heating element that enhances the room’s spa-like aura.
Aurora Award entries were reviewed and judged by a panel of six building industry leaders. Judges are selected from among the most creative and successful individuals within the homebuilding industry, and represent the many disciplines contributing to building and design, as well as geographic diversity.
Collins DuPont Design Group’s Aurora Awards will be featured in the upcoming Pro Builder Magazine online.
Collins DuPont Design Group has created timeless designs in communities locally and internationally for over 30 years. The company specializes in offering superb personalized service and orchestrating every aspect of clients’ custom luxury homes including designing, purchasing, expediting and complete project management to transform everyday living spaces into one-of-a-kind environments. Collins DuPont Design Group enlists artisans and vendors from across the globe to deliver distinguished, custom designs for its clients. The company offers an extensive library of textiles and vendors exclusive to the trade at its 17,000 square-foot Design Center, located at 8911 Brighton Lane, Bonita Springs, Fla. For information, visit collins-dupont.com or call 239-948-2400.