For many people their homes are always a “work-in-progress.” Sometimes though, someone gets it right the first time and sends everyone else back to the drawing board. This time, on the coolest street in St. Augustine, Joel and Laurie Clingan-Darack pulled off an epic remodel of a classic 1959 concrete beach bungalow.
Originally purchased as a rental property, Joel and Laurie decided the time was right to build a little slice of perfection as their eldest daughter moved on to college and their youngest, an accomplished dancer, was finishing high school. Downsizing from their Salt Run estate may have been a difficult decision, but who wouldn’t love a modern house on St. Augustine’s A street to keep things interesting.
The details are perfect and the house is built to fight back against the elements. Some favorites are the half round copper gutters and downspouts and the exposed eaves painted with Sherwin Williams Raindrop echoing the Reflecting Pool front door color. Check out the custom made pavers, from St. Augustine Cast Stone & Architectural Precast, Inc., basically brand new coquina slabs. Inside is full of detail, yet simply understated. Many details will go missed if you don’t know what to look for in the timeless styled design. Premium grade travertine floors with zero grout line are the perfect beach floor and help bounce the natural light to all corners of the house. Barn style glass and solid core doors, paired with high quality stainless hardware are the “pocket doors” of the 21st century and a must in tight spaces. The use of floating shelves and vanities provide a boutique hotel experience combined with a surface to ceiling glass tile backsplash. Naturally, the eye is drawn to the gloss white tongue and groove ceilings supporting oversized pendants.
Although there are always permitting delays, job site logistics and engineering obstacles, there’s no denying the finished product solves all that. Much of the work and products incorporated in this dream project are by local craftsman, artists and tradesman and we’ve outlined the who, what and where that helped with this project.
Where’d They Get That?
Dragonfly Doorbell: HomeDepot.com, Kitchen Table: Houzz.com, Dining chairs: dhd Home, Lights in Kitchen: dhd Home, Lucite stools: CB2, Glass sliding door: Mirror Man St Augustine, Barn door hardware: Rustica Hardware online, Inside barn style doors: Gator Doors, Glass sliding to outside: Mastercraft Doors, Appliances: Jenn Air Appliances, Tiki: Doug the Tiki Man, Outdoor Furniture: Pottery Barn and West Elm, Fans: Big Ass Fans, Slatted Chair: Donner le Ton (now ETC), Coffee Table: dhd Home, Man Cave: Bob Balch with SIP Construction, Wall & Floor Tile: Atlantic Tile & Stone, Landscape Architects: Marquis Halback, Inc., Plants: Ham’s Nursery, Pool: Complete Pool Builders of St. Augustine, Builder: Salt Run Builders, Painter: Dan Lamb & Associates, Tile Installation: Bob Kling
