The Great Reveal

The Heritage – A VIE Legacy Show Home

Photos by Chandler Williams, Modus Photography

A labor of love and hard work over two years in the making, The Heritage – A VIE Legacy Show Home is truly a one-of-a-kind residence that presents its future owners with boundless opportunities for making memories on the Gulf of Mexico. Located conveniently in the private enclave of Heritage Dunes, a gated beachside community in Seagrove Beach, Florida, this 4,871-square-foot masterpiece is the first of nine custom houses to be developed in the neighborhood by Bella Mare Real Estate Holdings. Owners and developers Carl and Tamara Tricoli fell in love with the white sands and beautiful architecture along Scenic Highway 30-A many years ago and bought a Gulf-front home there around 2010. When starting their development business, they chose Heritage Dunes for its gorgeous natural surroundings, the central location just off 30-A, and its sense of serenity as an exclusive, nonrental retreat with private beach access and a community pool. It is our pleasure to present this architectural beauty and a behind-the-scenes look at its creation throughout the pages of this special edition of VIE.

One with Nature

Principal architect Gerald Burwell of Burwell Associates, designer of The Heritage show home and the eight following homes, describes the debut residence as “inclusive.” Its inviting south-facing entry welcomes visitors with a beautiful plunge pool and surrounding courtyard protected by a custom wooden screen reminiscent of Southern gardens. Meanwhile, the custom mahogany front double doors by E. F. San Juan beckon, along with impact-rated glass doors surrounding the pool deck and second-floor terrace, made by Weather Shield and provided by E. F. San Juan. Opening these up during cooler months creates a seamless connection between nature and the home, as do the folding Euro-Wall Systems windows in the fourth-floor tower. Details like these make it easy to take advantage of the preserved landscape making up much of Heritage Dunes and, of course, stunning Gulf views. The home was crafted with precision by the talented and steadfast team at Grand Bay Construction, with landscape design by Patrick Hodges of Patrick Hodges Land Studio bringing the flora and natural textures of the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast to life around the residence.

 Interior designer Duce May seamlessly combined numerous design elements, ranging from exotic fabrics to bespoke tiles, within the first-floor living area, resulting in a dynamic space that is both unanticipated and pleasing to the eye.

The primary suite bathroom is the epitome of serenity.

Browse this issue’s C’est la VIE Curated Collection to see some of the carefully selected decor and furnishings May sourced for the home.

A collection of images Lennon captured throughout years of travel, philanthropic endeavors, and concerts, the photos provide a variety of subject matter, from dreamy landscapes to thought-provoking portraiture

So Very Ralph

The home’s four bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and ample living spaces—including a beautiful vaulted great room, a third-floor den and game area, and the stunning fourth-floor tower—were creatively appointed by interior designer Duce May of Duce & Company. His inspiration, playing off the home’s coastal classic Southern vernacular, also came from the American tradition and high-end style of designer Ralph Lauren. The Ralph Lauren Home Modern Collections served as a focal point for furnishings, with rich leather and wood tones, chrome lighting, and more from the line making appearances throughout Duce May’s design, along with pieces from other luxury lines. He also curated an organic-feeling grouping of accessories, decor, and spectacular finishes and tile throughout the house, bringing delightful pops of color and pattern to a mostly neutral palette. On the pool deck and terrace, furnishings and planters by Maison30a Home + Garden reflect the coastal lifestyle, giving residents the ultimate spots to relax, dine, or even work outdoors.

The open floor plan in the second-floor great room allows for easy entertaining. 

This Art Deco-style decorative chest by Theodore Alexander brings a geometric influence into the home.

The rich navy built-in cabinets in the home office space are one of many custom features blending practicality with the highest design standards and a pop of color.

The primary bedroom incorporates soothing colors and rich textures, guaranteeing a good night’s sleep. Duce May brought even more soft comfort through plush throws by Pretty Rugged, while Julian Lennon’s fine art photography promotes dreams of far-off adventures.

From fashion to furnishings, Ralph Lauren’s timeless look was also a great jumping-off point for the team at VIE magazine and The Idea Boutique to create a brand look and feel for The Heritage. Our designers and storytellers translated the undeniable sense of class and tradition into a logo, brand landscape for social media, a new website at HeritageDunes.com, and a star-studded grand show home reveal on September 16, 2022. To convey a sense of nostalgia and the fact that this nonrental community beckons generations of families to enjoy and linger endlessly at the beach, CEO/editor-in-chief Lisa Burwell and the team drew inspiration from vintage photos of the Kennedys, Cape Cod, the Hamptons, Ralph Lauren fashion shoots on sailboats, and the charming lifestyle and picturesque Gulf Coast around 30-A when branding the home and its eight successors. We hope the story of this house represents the memories to be made in Heritage Dunes for years to come.

Celebrity chefs E.J. and Emeril Lagasse also joined the celebration at The Heritage as the evening’s culinary masters.

Star Power

A home is just a house without art to fill its nooks and adorn its walls. The Heritage – A VIE Legacy Show Home was blessed with a serendipitous opportunity as Julian Lennon, the magazine’s February 2022 100th Issue cover star, provided over forty of his fine art photographs to hang throughout all four floors. A collection of images Lennon captured throughout years of travel, philanthropic endeavors, and concerts, the photos provide a variety of subject matter, from dreamy landscapes to thought-provoking portraiture. Lennon’s art curator, Wendy Posner of Posner Fine Art, worked with architect Gerald Burwell and Duce May to choose the perfect space for each photograph. Technology from The Fine Art Ledger allowed guests walking through the home’s grand reveal celebration to scan a QR code to discover details on each piece or purchase a limited-edition fine art print of their own.

The third-floor living area hinges on a mid-century modern design style emphasizing natural tones and textures. Julian Lennon’s Hope photograph anchors the space, as the girl in the picture’s soft expression brings a sense of peace and introspection to the room. | Orchid arrangement by Metamorph Blooms | Custom stair parts by E. F. San Juan

A view through the mirrored wet bar vestibule into the primary bedroom offers a glimpse of Julian Lennon’s archival print, The Eileen Gray Project Portraits #3, 2014.

A starlike light fixture gracefully hangs in the fourth-floor tower, creating the perfect atmosphere for nights spent gazing at the stars.

The Ralph Lauren Home Modern Collections served as a focal point for furnishings, with rich leather and wood tones, chrome lighting, and more from the line making appearances throughout Duce May’s design.

Celebrity chefs E.J. and Emeril Lagasse also joined the celebration at The Heritage as the evening’s culinary masters. They prepped decadent charcuterie boards, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and end-of-the-night sweets for over two hundred guests, creating an unforgettable experience for all in attendance. Bouj & Co. champagne cart provided bubbles with a glittering twist upon arrival, while the crafted beverage experience was led by owner Myra Barginear of Paul Sutton Bourbon, along with local Odd Pelican Beer, wines provided by Chef Jim Richard and Grayton Corner Cafe, and a specialty “Parisian Vacation” cocktail recipe by Better Together Beverage. Coastal Coffee Bar Co. was on hand with delicious specialty hot and iced coffee drinks for those needing a boost. Designer Grove Fisher of Fisher’s Flowers was an invaluable asset in organizing and styling the event, including creating the beautiful floral step-and-repeat.

Likewise, the butler’s pantry has ample space for organization aficionados, including shelving space that can double as a Warhol-themed art display thanks to the interior designer’s creative eye.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, comprising unique design surprises, from the intriguing backsplash tile to bold finishes and top-of-the-line Sub-Zero, Cove, and Wolf appliances. This space could inspire anyone to expand their cooking skills! | Natural seagrass and mahogany Trieste counter stools by Maison30a Home + Garden

Thank you to everyone who joined us for The Heritage Grand Reveal, Julian Lennon Solo Fine Art Photography Exhibit, and fundraiser for Point Washington Medical Clinic in September. It was indeed a night to remember as this remarkable team’s hard work and dedication culminated in such a beautiful result.

Be sure to fully explore this issue of VIE to hear from all the incredible partners who made this VIE Legacy Show Home a success!

Julian Lennon’s 2014 photograph titled Follow incorporates a western view into the sophisticated first-floor living space. | Photos by Hunter Burgtorf

Paul Sutton Bourbon hosted a tasting for guests of The Heritage to experience the rich flavors of the specialty libation. | Photos by Hunter Burgtorf

The fourth-floor tower offers pristine views of the Gulf of Mexico and the Heritage Dunes neighborhood, making this the perfect spot for relaxing or pondering the unknown. | Folding windows by Euro-Wall Systems in partnership with E. F. San Juan | Orchid arrangement by Metamorph Blooms

Rich tones and textures comprise the wet bar, creating a moody atmosphere ideal for dabbling in mixology.

There is always something to see in every room of the show home. As interior designer Duce May’s motto suggests, “It’s all in the details.” | French Quarter gas lanterns by Bevolo | Planters by Maison30a Home + Garden

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Other show home contributors include Bevolo Gas + Electric Lights, Brown Jordan, CDC Woodworking, Century Furniture, Coastline Kitchen & Bath, Euro-Wall Systems, Hard Rock Stone & Tile, KOHLER, La Florida Coastal Properties, Linn’s Prestige Kitchens & Baths, Mobile Appliance Co., Modus Photography, Moza & Company Tile + Stone, Pavilion Outdoor Furniture, STARK Carpet, Sub-Zero | Wolf | Cove Appliances, Theodore Alexander Furniture, and Weather Shield.

Visit HeritageDunes.com to learn more.