Euro Condo

Palm Coast penthouse well worth the trip from England.

By Missy Ketchum | Potographer Ed Hall

Weary of the often gloomy chill of their native England, Freda and Ray Jewitt sought respite in the Florida sunshine. They’ve owned a second home here for decades, and their two children grew up cherishing their visits to the United States.

“We’ve always loved Florida,” Freda says. “It always feels like coming home.”

The journey from England is long, but their current American home is a 6,000-square-foot penthouse in Palm Coast with an oceanfront view that inspires an audible gasp. It’s definitely worth the trip.

The couple had owned another penthouse nearby, but sold it when this one was built.

“When I saw this space,” Freda says, “I knew exactly the way I wanted to go with the interior design.”

She turned to Mark and Eden Cross of M&E Cross Inc., ASID, a husband-and-wife team based in Palm Coast who had designed the interior of the Jewitts’ previous condo.

Freda says that Ray, who had a long career as a management consultant and now works in real estate development, is happy to let her make all of the decorating decisions.

“We’ve been married 38 years,” she says, “and I don’t involve him at all.”

From the start, Freda wanted the place to feel European.

“I knew I wanted it sleek and contemporary,” she says, “and I knew I wanted the master bedroom in the style of Louis XVI.”

Read how the designers made sleek and contemporary coexist beautifully with Louis XVI style in the July issue of Water’s Edge, on newsstands now.

2008 Designer Showhouse

Elegance reigns at English manor house

By Sarah Wood Hunt | Photographer Ed Hall

This year’s showhouse, the 32nd presented by the Jacksonville Symphony Guild, combined traditional English architecture with thoroughly modern conveniences. It’s the best of both worlds – elegant surroundings, and it’s not stuck out in the Cotswolds. It’s at Pablo Creek Reserve, just across the Intracoastal Waterway from the Beaches, an easy drive into downtown Jacksonville, or to St. Augustine, Florida.

Designed by Kevin Gray and built by Collier Classic Homes, the 19 spaces in the 6,252-square-foot home were transformed by 23 interior designers, whose individual work blended seamlessly from room to room. Outside, 11 landscape designers created eight gardens befitting the grand presence of the home, including a cloister garden, herb and cutting garden, water garden and, of course, a rose garden.

Left: Entry Hall by Erin E. Alderman, Allied Member ASID, Alderman Interior Design, Inc.

Right: Grand Hall and Stairwell by Carol Halliwell, Carol Halliwell Interiors

Drawing Room by Julliana M. Catlin, FASID and Marsha L. Faulkner, ASID, Catlin Design

Owners’ Retreat by Holly Carillon, Allied Member ASID, Hugo’s Interiors

Owners’ Bath by Patricia Harmon, Allied Member ASID, River Oaks Designs

Left: Powder Room by Jenny Cocanougher, Cocanougher Design Studios

Right: Laundry Centre by Susan Kerns, ASID, Susan J Designs

Banquet Hall by Jane Roseborough, ASID, Jane Roseborough Interiors and Susan Garrison, Allied Member ASID, Susan Garrison Interiors

Left: Caterer’s Kitchen / Lady’s Office by Terri Weidle, Interiors by design

Right: Conservatory Bath by Tara Regan, Allied Member ASID, Tara Regan Interiors

Kitchen and Wine Bar by Jennifer E. Bean, ASID, Sisler Johnston Interior Design

Morning Room by Cheryl E. Martin, Allied Member ASID, Sisler Johnston Interior Design

Gathering Room by June Terry, MIRM, Allied Member ASID, June Terry Interiors

Conservatory by Glenda W. Wann, ASID, Glenda Wann Interiors

South Chamber and Bath by Julie Schulte, ASID, Alicia Weaver, ASID, Courtney Bryan, Allied Member ASID, Schulte Design Associates

Library / Theatre Room by Allen Pilton Ruby, Allied Member ASID, Liberty Furniture
2008 Designer Showhouse People’s Choice Award Winner

Allen Ruby, Allied Member ASID, has been awarded the People’s Choice Award for the 2008 Designer Showhouse & Gardens, presented by the Jacksonville Symphony Guild. This is the second year in a row that Ruby, of Liberty Furniture, has captured the most tour-goers’ votes for favorite room. Allen’s Library/Theater Room was designed to function as a library, study and theater, and is filled with treasures from travels and safaris. Proceeds from the showhouse, which this year was an English manor-style home at Pablo Creek Reserve, benefit the Jacksonville Symphony Guild in its support of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and The Guild’s music education programs.

North Chamber and Bath by R. Ward Lariscy, ASID, R. Ward Lariscy Interiors

Cloister and Colonnade by Joanne Rumney ASID, IIDA and Nikoll Dreher, Allied Member ASID, Design Loft Interiors

Guest Cottage and Spa Bath by Ginny Stine, ASID, Debbie McGill, Allied Member ASID, Deanna Welty, Allied Member ASID, Nancy Pace, ASID, Ginny Stine Interiors

See more photos from the 2008 Designer Showhouse & Gardens in the June issue of Water’s Edge, on newsstands now.