Sol Mates Cottage

Sol Mates Cottage is a unique waterfront home. The original wood frame house began its life in 1912 on Useppa Island and was barged to its current location on the dunes of Captiva Island in 1948.

In a day and age when so many older homes are simply torn down, the current owners bought this property committed to renovate, update, and save this custom classic.

After nearly a century, this historic house had fallen into disrepair. In the early 2000’s some essential repairs were made, but structural damage and prominent issues with the original layout remained. 

Working closely with the owners, Studio AJO's renovation plan for the cottage include further remedial work to deal with years of moisture issues that had ruined the floors, walls, windows, and roof. But the real opportunity presented was to reorganize interior space, and improve the flow, light, and utility of the home. 

We removed clusters of room partitions in favor of open space, and leveled awkward interior elevation changes and sagging floors. Our renovation plan gave priority to  gathering spaces and the Master Suite, opening up the view outward over the dunes toward the Gulf of Mexico. 

The finished results combine the historic with a subtle industrial modernism, giving the interior a comparative lightness vs. its previous aesthetic.

Our renovation plan gave priority to  gathering spaces and the Master Suite, opening up the view outward over the dunes toward the Gulf of Mexico. 

From start to finish, the Studio AJO team worked closely with the homeowners and together with a contractor who was experienced in such extensive remedial remodeling and renovation work.

The whole-house renovation of this historic home took the commitment of great clients with patience, vision, and the ability to dedicate both time and money to the process.