If there ever was a rags-to-riches story, this spectacular 21-room home is it. Opulent and very cosmopolitan — this remodeled 7,600 square-foot residence is a testament to a dream team with a mission: design to sell. To accomplish the goal, it was imperative to know the demographics of the community and to build from there, literally. The entire original house (which was built in '91) was a step back in time.

Peach was the predominant color, according to interior specialist Joy Graham of Fern Park, FL — based A Special Touch. The original plan was to gut the home and go minimalist/contemporary, according to Graham. But then upon further research of the trading area — it was determined that a home with more of a Mediteranian/ European feel to it would better suite the locale and potentially garner more purchase power. Priced at $5.9 million, the home's developers (Mitch Menaker and business partner Patti Giles) have plenyt of reason to boast.


Master Suite, 1700 Square Feet of Sheer Luxury

The Master Bath has a sensibility all its own, flowing with the beauty of light gold. Points of attention: gold polished travertine flooring, gold onyx chicklets around the base of the tub and the wall behind the tub. The sinks are black porcelain with beautiful satin nickel and black faucetry. The black Jacuzzi tub includes a strobe light. The bathroom is an extension of the bedroom. As such, it's a primary living space.

The faux finishing work by faux artist Teri Siewert is breathtakingly beautiful. The walls are an Italian yellow Venetian plaster that gives off a warm glow in soft light. The columns (which existed in the original space) are stone with stencil embossing and a walnut wax.

The Master Suite is comprissed of:
  • Bath
  • Sitting Area
  • Bedroom
  • Full Morning Bar
  • Two Terraces

Situated on 2.5 acres along the Butler Chain's Lake Pocket, highlights include a Master Suite as luxurious as a multi-star Michelin rated hotel. There's an English pub complete with a 1920 popcorn machine, a movie theater with a bar and top-of-the-line kitchen and bath appliences, including Toto's famed Neorest with its remote control functions.

The spectacular poolside kitchen, bath, and entertainment area (as pictured on the cover) is functional and fabulous. This is the epitome of Florida living as well as the latest trend in hardscapes. It's a pool party in the making design-wize, great outdoor kitchen set-ups are a must have — especially for enhanciong the resale value of the home. It's the standard in upsale home construction. Palazzo Vecchio's savy developers incorporated all of the essecntials for grilling with style, including a kitchen set-up on par with indoor kitchens accoutrements.

Leaving no drainpipe or doorknob unconsidered, the home's style has staying power. The feeling it exudes is of living well. Faux is the word here. Teaming classical designs with today's fauz estectics allow the designers to imbue tradition without being stodgy. Dubbed Palazzo Veccehio, the matto here could very well be "Welcome to the new New Old World."