Marissa Stokes Delivers A Fresh Take on a Classic Design

The designer and owners worked closely with Harry Gandy Howle & Associates to create a custom home with high ceilings, lots of natural light, intricate details, and fine finishes. The refined entrance leads into elegant formal spaces in the front, as well as more casual rooms in the back. “We wanted the foyer to feel like a grand space,” says Stokes. “Paneling on the walls and a barreled ceiling accentuate the room’s height.”

While the home in general is not an open plan, the living room and dining room are connected to establish a large gathering space for family and friends. Durable indoor/outdoor fabrics on the white sofas and chairs were a must, while the owners’ existing art collection influenced some of the color selections. “We knew the owners’ art would be part of the design,” Stokes says. “We kept it in mind when selecting fabrics and paint colors.”

To bring natural light into the kitchen, the owners requested a laylight above the island. “This allows light to pour into the kitchen, which is the center of the home,” adds Stokes. A La Cornue range with a custom hood and Taj Mahal quartzite set the stage for a classic cook’s station, while a custom banquette with vintage chairs establishes a favorite place to hang out.

The showstopper in the family room is the custom hooked rug fabricated in New York. The rug, along with the chairs with pleated skirts and built-ins designed by the architect, ties the room together. Pocket doors open to the loggia, which features hidden screens, and the infinity pool.

“The owner has a love of blues, particularly periwinkle, and greens, which are common color schemes throughout the home,” says Stokes, especially in the dynamic study. “We always wanted this room to be more dramatic,” the designer adds. The deep turquoise wallpaper and the soft green sofa fabric reflect the casual comfort of the Vero Beach retreat.

The four-bedroom, six-bathroom residence includes a primary suite featuring a spacious bedroom with a vaulted ceiling, plus a connection to the outdoor spaces overlooking a Florida waterway and the community’s golf course. An arched window along the barrel ceiling in the primary bathroom streams natural light along the mosaic tile floor. Each bathroom has a unique stone and tile design that coordinates with its adjoining bedroom. Stokes also incorporated scalloped shapes in a guest bedroom and bathroom mirrors, as well as shell patterns into the designs—both requests from the owner.

“I really love this project,” says Stokes. “It turned out beautifully and represents the client’s personal style, which is always my goal.”