Unmistakably Sublime

Fall in Love with Casa Amore

By Susan Vallee | Photos by Modus Photography

How do you begin to describe a Gulf-front home with a translucent bridge leading to the front door? It’s like Vegas, baby. Think Austin Powers and rock ’n’ roll—complete and total luxury and excess. I’ve never seen anything like it. And (maybe) surprisingly, instead of belonging to a party-crazed bachelor, this is a family home. The heated lap pool, which the translucent bridge passes over (so, maybe you shouldn’t visit wearing a skirt!), the hot tub on the second floor, the full-size basketball court, and the music room with a stage worthy of a professional venue all make this an amazing home. And, did I mention it overlooks a beautiful expanse of white-sand beach? As if the cornucopia of amusements in the home weren’t enough, you can walk down to the beach or relax by a fire pit and watch the sunset from the comfort of a luxuriously padded chair.

Pam and Bill Burden own this six-bedroom, seven-bath masterpiece in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. They built the original house in 2005. At the time, the couple had two children and one on the way. By 2008, the kids were a little older, and the family was ready to have some fun with the design of a major addition to the property. They dubbed their home “Casa Amore” and, working with architect Joe Dougherty, added the heated lap pool, a commercial-grade kitchen, an indoor basketball court, a game room, a media room, and an expanded master bedroom—which has a bathroom that could make one weep from jealousy.

The master bath has one of those free-standing, egg-shaped tubs that almost everyone seems to covet (or maybe that’s just me). There’s a shower built for two, but I’m pretty sure at least six could fit in there with room to spin around. There’s a sauna (of course), and a large blue-and-teal mouth-blown glass chandelier bounces light across the marble tile. The expansive bathroom leads to two master closets, each boasting built-ins for shoes and handbags.

 

The adjacent master bedroom has floor-to-ceiling windows that perfectly frame the view of the emerald Gulf of Mexico and the white quartz-sand beach. The Gulf can even be seen from inside the bathroom, which lends an incredible spa-like level of relaxation to the space.

Remember that translucent bridge? It doesn’t stop at the front door. Another bridge crosses the home on the third floor to reach the entertainment room. Large wooden Xs are added to the floor of this bridge, though. This design is no accident. “Throughout the house, you will see Xs in the patterns on the doors, ceilings, and cabinet work,” Bill explains. “You will see Os in the lighting, windows, and decor. The Xs and Os represent hugs and kisses. I guess you can say the inspiration for the house was love.”

The family was ready to have some fun with the design of a major addition to the property.

The entertainment room isn’t just for the kids to play video games and escape their parents. There’s an actual stage, with lights mounted on the ceiling and professional sound equipment that elevates band practice to a level not seen in most homes.

“There is always something going on here,” Pam admits. “Our kids have friends over to enjoy the beach or the pool, shoot basketball, or play in the game room or media room. Our friends stop by for a sunset glass of champagne, karaoke in the media room, dinner by the pool, or a volleyball game on the beach.”

 

It’s a busy place, but with more than twelve thousand square feet, it’s hard to ever feel cramped at Casa Amore. It’s also for sale for a cool $13 million.

There is always something going on here.

Sure, the Burdens are leaving a house full of love, but there’s no doubt they will merely trade one dream home for another. “Now that our kids are getting older, we’re thinking that maybe we’re ready for a new adventure,” says Pam. “We love to create, and I’ve started thinking about what our next dream home could look like. We’re definitely staying in the area, though. I can’t imagine leaving this beach and all of our friends.”

In the meantime, potential buyers should get ready to fall in love with Casa Amore.

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Find the listing for Casa Amore at www.ThePremierPropertyGroup.com.