Binkies and Briefcases

When I told you about our vacation to North Captiva Island in Florida last month, I promised you a post about my dad and step-mom’s new house.

My dad is a CPA, but for as long as I can remember he has had a side business scooping up rental properties. When he married my step-mom, Helen, a few years ago she joined him and this is one of their first projects together. Since between them they have seven grown children, several with families of our own, they wanted a big vacation home to be able to hold all of us. Unlike the other properties they own, they actually designed and built this house from the ground up.

For now this house is also available for rent, but one day it may be where they retire.

It’s not your average beach house. It’s very modern and Helen, who is already a very talented decorator, worked with an interior designer to create some jaw-dropping spaces. Since this is a source of income, it’s important to use quality fabrics and furnishings that can not only stand up to harsh weather conditions, but also draw renters. (If you are interested in booking a week, you can get more information here. There are also much better pictures of the kitchen on the listing.)

The house easily sleeps 10+ people and has 5 bathrooms, which is awesome when you have a very large family. There are also private balconies on each level (the house has 3 floors), and a salt water pool.

North Captiva is a very secluded island on the Golf Coast of Florida. You can only access it by boat and once you get there they don’t allow cars, so you have to travel by golf cart. A large part of the island is a dedicated nature preserve, which makes for some truly breathtaking scenery. 

It’s also very pricey. (As you already know if you clicked over and glanced at those rates and almost had a heart attack, like I did the first time I saw them.) Even the Popsicles at the little convenience store were over $5 each! That’s because nearly everything needs to be imported by barge onto the island. 

But since it’s my dad’s house and we were invited to stay there for a week, I get to share the pictures with you for free. 🙂

The ground floor is not finished. There are plans to add a game area and maybe another bathroom, but for now it is access to the pool deck area and the beach.

And now, just to prove how much I love you, I will show you a picture of me in a bathing suit crouching next to my more-than-half-naked child because this is the best picture I have of the pool deck area.

The second floor has a living area, 3 bedroom suites, and a large laundry room. Each bedroom has an attached bathroom. There is also a wet bar area with a small refrigerator. This is the floor that we stayed on. Eddie and I had a room, Nick and Abby shared a room with my little brother, and my sister and her guest shared a room. We set up a Pack n Play for Penny in the laundry room. (Don’t judge me.)

This is the room where Eddie and I stayed.

  And this was my sister’s room. (She brought her own pillow, which is why the slouchy blue one looks out of place.)

The top floor has a living area with a beautiful view, the kitchen (which I truly regret not taking more pictures of), the master suite where Dad & Helen were staying (which I also regret not getting ANY pictures of), the dining room, and an extra half bath. There is also a screened-in eating area.

It was a little strange getting used to the kitchen being on the top floor, but it made sense, because this was the view out the window.

Because of way that the property rights work in North Captiva, Dad & Helen actually own all of the property from their house down to the water line, which means that this is a private beach. It was so awesome to have that much privacy and not think twice about the way that you look in a bathing suit or having to strain to keep an eye on the kids through a crowd!

Well, that’s about it. I’m sorry I was a bad blogger and didn’t take more detailed pictures of each space. Especially the kitchen.

Next time, I promise.