A Touch of Tuscany on Charlotte Harbor

At more than 7,000 square feet under air, Ray and Fran Smith’s Tuscany-inspired home on Graham Avenue in Port Charlotte is impressive by anyone’s standards. Situated directly on a waterway leading to Charlotte Harbor, the setting is truly spectacular.

But, as Fran tells it, the home almost didn’t happen. “We actually had purchased a large tract of land in the country and were going to build a country estate when the lots next door to our former home became available,” she said. “We realized how much more fun we had living on the water than we would have living in the country. So, we purchased the lots.” The Smith’s hired Teixeira Builders in North Port to design and build their home. From the moment you ascend the front stairs and enter through the carved double doors you know that this is a special home, designed as an elegant, yet comfortable, family home to accommodate the Smiths’ growing brood (Eddie, 16; Maria, 14; Allie, 12; and one on the way).

The home was carefully planned with the more formal rooms on the main floor: living room, dining room, master suite, office, kitchen and the indispensable entertainment and family rooms. The children’s bedrooms and media room are all on the upper floor.

 

Once the Smith’s settled on the design and builder, the next step was to choose a decorator who could turn their dream home into a work of art. They chose Carrie Nemec, owner of Carrie’s Interiors, knowing that she had experience with large, opulent homes. The Smiths gave her a clean slate to work with by engaging her from the beginning of construction. They also gave her a very generous budget.

“Once I saw the blueprints, I knew that the Mediterranean feel would work,” Nemec said. “So, I arranged to bring a touch of Tuscany to Port Charlotte.” It was a huge undertaking, and by the time it was finished, some 40 craftsmen and decorators worked on the 18 month buildout. The results speak for themselves. And, since the home is situated on an expansive piece of waterfront property, there’s ample room for two large docks, several boats and the family’s many water toys, all of which confirm Fran’s original observation that they really do have more fun living on the water.