DESIGN
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Hues of Blue
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Coastal-inspired spaces for beachside living in Sanibel, Florida.
STORY BY JENNIFER SPERRY
STORY BY JENNIFER SPERRY
This is the dream: a warm and welcoming house overlooking a white sand beach. Regular family visits with grandchildren in tow. Senses piqued by splashing in the pool, pets’ paws clattering on wood floors, and laughter in the air. Memories in the making and beauty all around.
Interior designer Renée Gaddis, Principal of Naples-based Renée Gaddis Interiors, was the natural choice to make this dream a reality for clients who had purchased a newly constructed home in Sanibel. Her boutique firm specializes in luxury residential design of all styles, with a particular niche in coastal chic.
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PHOTOS BY MALI AZIMA
A peaceful retreat designed for family and pets alike.
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Gaddis began dreaming up a cohesive, highly curated interior for her clients early on, from the architectural planning stages. “They had been traveling to Sanibel for years and are very familiar with the area. They love its sleepy quietness,” she explains.
From the get-go, the wife was clear that all furnishings and surfaces must withstand dogs and grandkids, sand and water. “We used indoor/outdoor fabrics and performance rugs, keeping everything low maintenance,” describes Gaddis. “They wanted every area to be usable, nothing hands-off.”
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PHOTO BY MALI AZIMA
The newly built home, with ample room for guests, also boasts a three-car garage.
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PHOTO BY MALI AZIMA
Each of the three guest rooms is designed in a similar calming coastal color scheme, with abundant natural materials.
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White oak—with board-and-batten detailing repeating inside and out—anchors the home’s light, bright vibe. It infuses the new build with character without adding heaviness. It also introduces a soft, neutral beige into the color scheme.
On top of this oak base, Gaddis’s interior design communicates a cohesive current of natural fibers, playful patterns, and intriguing textures. “Blue was the color,” says Gaddis of the palette. “It’s my client’s favorite. Each space communicates different levels of blue in strategic ways.”
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PHOTO BY MALI AZIMA
The spacious kitchen is outfitted with a 48" Wolf Dual Fuel Range with a custom-made oak vent hood.
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PHOTO BY MALI AZIMA
The main living room area incorporates unique fabrics, including block-printed roman shades and drapery.
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The heart of the home is a large, multifunctional kitchen designed to handle prep work, cooking, lingering, and entertaining. It has two islands: the largest for food prep and another for cleanup. Four pendants from Ro Sham Beaux, a combination of capiz shells and raffia, punctuate the coffered ceiling with pleasing symmetry.
Understanding that functionality is just as important as good looks, the clients opted for a full suite of high-end appliances. The centerpiece of their selection is a 48” Wolf Dual Fuel Range with a custom oak vent hood above. They also chose a Sub-Zero 48” PRO Refrigerator/Freezer for its sleek, professional look. It appealed to the homeowners to allow the stainless steel to shine against the wood cabinetry. Gaddis notes that she has Sub-Zero and Wolf products in her own home and says the culinary results “are unparalleled.”
Wanting to round out the kitchen with a dedicated dining area, the design professional came up with a creative solution. “We did this cool banquette extension off the second island that left us plenty of room for the custom table. The family uses this spot to congregate daily,” adds Gaddis. Overhead is a stunning Palecek “Seychelles Coco” chandelier. Tiny coco beads adorn its delicate strands, emulating the look of underwater coral.
Another, more intimate gathering spot is the window-lined breakfast nook, where Serena & Lily chairs partner with a circular table. “This is the perfect place to sit and play games or work on a laptop,” notes the designer.
In the living room, which enjoys natural light and views, a bright, white sofa, upholstered in a performance Perennials fabric, anchors the seating area. Various patterns on the window treatments, upholstery, and accent pillows (to Gaddis’s delight, her client shares her love of fabrics) are united by the hue of blue.
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PHOTOS BY MALI AZIMA
The younger generation can enjoy its own charming bunk room and cheerful bath.
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One of the sweetest rooms in the house is the first-floor bunk room, where custom beds boast niches for books and glasses of water. The partnering kids’ bathroom features a trough Kohler sink with dual wall-mounted faucets, a built-in step stool, and cement tile in the shower/tub emulating the look of glimmering fish scales.
Upstairs, three additional bedrooms were customized for the grown children (and respective spouses). Also upstairs is the primary suite—its bedroom is yacht-like with a recessed bed, built-in shelves, and an arched wood-paneled ceiling. “That bed faces straight out to the view, so we kept the furnishings simple and soothing,” notes Gaddis.
In the primary bathroom, an encaustic cement tile floor and quartzite countertops blend with the custom vanity’s oak tones. Here, the clients can relax in the soaking tub or a combination indoor/outdoor shower.
The theme of relaxation continues downstairs with three outdoor living destinations: a full-service bar, a covered porch, and a raised tiled hot tub. Down below, on the way to the beach, is the pool. (The house is raised up one level for hurricanes, protecting the main living spaces from storm surge.)
From start to finish, the client and designer worked well together, giving the room personality while achieving a seamless aesthetic. Says Gaddis: “It’s really just a place for family to spend time together, and what better place than Sanibel?”
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PUBLISHED JULY 2026
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