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LIVING THE BAREFOOT DREAM

By Meryl Schoenbaum
Photography by Jessica Glynn, Styled by Lisa Peterson

When is a cottage not just a cottage? When it’s the foundation for a new lifestyle.

Interior designer Lisa Peterson and her husband, Mark, wanted to build their home in a location that would allow them to live their dream life together. “I’ve always dreamed of living in a comfortable and relaxed Florida cracker-style cottage with breezes and viewsof the water to create my ‘Barefoot Dream’ lifestyle,” Lisa says. She chose Hobe Sound, Florida, as the place to turn her barefoot dream into a reality.

Lisa and Mark were fascinated by the “Old Florida” appeal of Hobe Sound. “The village, adjacent to Jupiter Island, is a little slice of heaven,” Lisa says. “Covered with Banyan trees, the neighborhood we chose to build our house in has a rich history. The lot next door was the site of an icehouse in the late 1800s, and the stretch of Intracoastal Waterway in front of our home was once the site of a ferry landing for boats to carry prospective land buyers to Jupiter Island.”

Although the cottage was built in 2017, it reflects the true Florida cracker architecture that was prevalent in Florida in the 19th century. Florida cracker-style homes are characterized by metal roofs; wraparound porches; and long, straight central hallways from the front of the home to the back. Lisa incorporated many windows and doors into the fl oor plan that open onto a large deck, allowing the constant ocean breeze to fill the house.

OUTER SPACE

Lisa gave attention to every detail in her design for the home’s exterior, literally right out of the gate. Guests are greeted at the front of the cottage by a charming white custom-made arbor gate with a circular opening. The porch was also custom-designed with repurposed old wood from a dock.

The louvered Bahamas shutters and the Adirondack chairs have a custom paint color. And an oversized custom stainless-steel lantern above the front door is in perfect proportion to the rest of the porch entry. Potted cabbage palm trees add a natural touch to the porch, which has a picturesque and relaxing view of the waterway.

INNER INSPIRATION

Lisa found the perfect seaside-cottage accessories for her dream home at the shop she co-owns: Pineapples, Palms, Etc. (pineapplespalms.com) in Jupiter, Florida. “Our shop is known for its crisp, modern coastal style with a unique brand of casual elegance,” Lisa says. “I infused the cottage with a similar energy, using one-of-a-kind pieces and comfortable, slipcovered furniture. The result is open, airy and inviting. I sourced all of the furniture and accessories in the cottage from our store.”

The entire house is bathed in bright white paint with strategic pops of color and layered textures to add interest and cottage charm.