Written by: Abby Weingarten/Photos by: Johan Roetz
For the past three decades, Karen and Danny Riffe have been remodeling homes, gradually building up to their current 6,000-square-foot residence in St. Petersburg.
When they began work in 2013 on the waterfront structure, they had several home improvement ideas in mind, as well as permanence and longevity, which dictated the direction of the décor. The Riffes wanted coastal but classic, and contemporary yet traditional. And with the help of Brandon-based Carol “Samm” Goodyear, a longtime designer with Ethan Allen Interiors, that is just what they achieved.
“This home was different from the other large Mediterranean homes in the neighborhood; it was kind of unassuming and had a lot of intrigue. Because it is on the coast, I wanted the interior of the home to have that same feeling,” Goodyear says. “The homeowners have a lot of playful, fun artwork, so we started with that color scheme and went from there.”
Embarking on a new adventure
The redo took 18 months, and the 1938-built structure (with its four bedrooms and seven bathrooms) received a complete update. It was the most intricate undertaking in Karen and Danny’s home remodeling career.
“When Danny and I first got married 30 years ago, we bought our first small $40,000 house and did all of the work ourselves. It’s kind of been a passion for us and, over the years, the houses have gotten bigger and we have used more help to remodel them,” Karen says. “I can’t imagine going any bigger than this though.”
The initial version of the house, when the Riffes first purchased it, had a dated exterior and a total lack of curb appeal. So they installed new railings, windows, a third garage and an outdoor patio with a fireplace.
“The resulting exterior reflects a Monterey Colonial style, which is unique for the neighborhood,” Karen says. “As far as the interior style, I would describe it as a casual, eclectic mix.”
But there were certainly some challenges during the refresh. The “choppy” floor plan needed to be opened up and flow into the adjoining spaces, she says.
“I’m often used to having big, open spaces to work with. This was different because these rooms were all separated. But it was nice because I was able to go in a different direction with each one of them,” Goodyear says. “I definitely did a mix of the contemporary pieces with the more traditional. I would say this project is more unconventional in terms of décor trends and colors.”
Beautiful accents
When the homeowners wanted a classic concept, Goodyear suggested furniture from Ethan Allen’s Hartwell collection for the living room. The master bedroom showcases the Georgetown collection, which has an 18th century style with gilding on the furniture. Soft sheers throughout the house maintain a bright and airy aura. Some of the furniture fabrics are indoor-outdoor to prevent fading due to the invigorating amount of sunlight pouring into the rooms through the drapery.
“Every room in the house has a beautiful view and we wanted to take advantage of the views whenever possible,” Goodyear says. “We went with the blues and the calmer grays for that coastal look to match the views.”
Karen says she knew that Ethan Allen was the way to go in terms of durable, high-quality yet budget-friendly furnishings. Goodyear used the brand in most of the major living areas: the family/TV room, living room, dining room, kitchen nook, master bedroom and office. Some rooms were done entirely in Ethan Allen while others just featured small complement pieces like rugs and window treatments. The kitchen, for one, has an Ethan Allen chandelier as a simple centerpiece; the rest of the room is filled with other diverse accents.
Room for all
“We enjoy the kitchen now because it went from being small to roomy. That’s an area where the dogs are free and hanging out, and it’s adjacent to the outdoor patio. We’ll be eating dinner in there, watching the news, and hanging out with our golden retriever and wire fox terrier,” says Karen, adding that the couple’s daughter, Erika, is currently away at college. When home, she stays in the second master suite located on the main floor.
During the holidays the Riffes entertained a large crew in and around the kitchen. And when they aren’t cooking or entertaining, they are quietly relishing the backyard patio, pool and dock. “We love that we can take our boat out into the bay right from our back yard,” Karen says. “It’s wonderful here. I think we’ll stay in this house until we retire.”
The kitchen features several unique details, including the leathered finish of the granite countertops. Rather than the common polished finish, this granite lacks shine and mimics the look of leather. Leathered granite is known for hiding fingerprints and smudges well. Two-toned cabinetry and a mosaic stone backsplash in earthy hues complete the natural design. There is also plenty of wine storage, a Sub-Zero fridge, an under-the-counter microwave, pullout spice drawers and an induction cook top.
Resources: Interior designer: Carol “Samm” Goodyear, Ethan Allen Interiors; Furniture: Ethan Allen, Inc.; Window treatments: Carol “Samm” Goodyear, Ethan Allen Interiors; Accent on Windows; Bedding and pillows: Carol “Samm” Goodyear, Ethan Allen Interiors; Thread Tales