A home in the Country Club proves that a classic look never goes out of style

Like most homeowners, Robert and Mary Ann Steinbock were a little apprehensive when they recently put their Lakewood Ranch house on the market. Would it sell? At what price? And how easily? Today’s market is a little unsettled, and who knows what might happen. The listing price was high — $2.3 million. It was not new — built in 2007. And it wasn’t full of the latest trends — no farmhouse sinks, no sliding barn doors.

Well, the Steinbocks needn’t have worried. There were 14 viewings during the first three days. The house sold on the third day.

What went right? Clearly, this was a house people loved. Why?

The first rule of real estate — location — was a factor. The home is on a half-acre lot in the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, with a water view overlooking a lake toward the 16th hole of the King’s Dunes Golf Course. Carefully planned vegetation give the property an unusual amount of privacy.

And the home’s architectural style is a definite plus. It has a classical timeless look, full of Palladian and Georgian elements — columns and arches, terraces and enclosed gardens. Particular attention had been given to the scale and proportion of the rooms. They flow easily into each other yet still maintain their own sense of space. Interesting details are everywhere. At just under 5,000 square feet, the home is big but not overwhelming. 

It is one of those homes that has everything the high-end buyer is looking for, even things he might not think he needs, like an exercise room. The garage holds three cars and there is a separate golf cart space. 

Each of the four bedrooms has an en suite bath. One of them, a sort of second primary, has a beverage bar with granite counter tops and built-in seating — it would make a great in-law suite. In fact, many of the rooms can be adapted for special purposes. Both Mary Ann and Bob have their own office, and it’s hard to tell which one is nicer.

Image courtesy of Arista Realty Group

But what really sold the Steinbocks’ home is its personality. It’s a hard quality to define in a home, but it’s like meeting a person you immediately like. There is something about the way they look — comfortable yet classy, with beautiful taste. Pleasant and relaxing. Authentic. Full of ideas and endearing little surprises.

The Steinbocks discovered Lakewood Ranch back in 2013 when Mary Ann was invited to a golf invitational at Lakewood Ranch Country Club. 

“We knew that very fun day that this would be our new home,” she remembers. The couple is originally from Pittsburgh, where Robert owned a manufacturing company. They bought a house in Country Club and lived there for several years; then this home came on the market and Mary Ann fell in love. 

Image courtesy of Arista Realty Group

“The incredible ceiling designs, the pillars, and the ledges throughout the house” were some of the features that immediately struck her and indeed, the home is full of details everywhere you look, be it the mosaics and tile work in the guest room baths, or the aquarium windows that open to the lanai. They enliven the house and go a long way to creating its unique personality. 

The tone is set in the living room. Here the mood is traditional comfort, all done in shades of crème and blue. “The color scheme began with the rug,” Mary Ann explains. “It had colors of the sea and the sand.” She added a large painting over the fireplace to complement the space. The artist? Mary Ann herself. “I dabble in art and after attending a class in acrylic painting with texture, I created that piece.” Other examples of her work can be found throughout the home.

Among the home’s other surprises: the baby grand in the dining room. “We decided the room would get more use that way,” Mary Ann explains. “The acoustics are amazing!”

Image courtesy of Arista Realty Group

The mood changes a bit in the family room. Here the feeling is a little more contemporary. The blue and crème color scheme remains the same, with a comfortable sectional sofa and overstuffed armchairs and handy little tables for drinks and snacks. Just outside, overlooking the saltwater pool and spa, is an exceptionally well-equipped living area, with a full outdoor kitchen and fireplace. Here you’ll find a built-in grill, sink and ample counter space. There’s even an automated bug repellant system.

“We love to entertain on our lanai,” Mary Ann says. “Our grandkids especially enjoy the swimming pool. And during the cooler days of winter, the fireplace and firepit table keep us warm and cozy.”

The Steinbocks discovered that the kitchen didn’t need much updating. They installed new countertops and repainted cabinets but the large prep island with a sink, the gas cooktop, butler’s pantry and little touches like soft-close drawers were hard to improve upon, not to mention the special beverage refrigerator and separate wine cooler.

Image courtesy of Arista Realty Group

But perhaps the home’s most distinctive space is the primary suite. Located in its own wing, it is entered through double doors leading into a vestibule. The bedroom is soft and luxurious, with elaborate ceiling moldings and a graceful chandelier. You will also find two large room-sized closets and a stylish bath complete with a soaking tub that looks out onto a walled garden. There is also a walk-in rain shower complete with multiple sprayers.

But there is an extra special detail in the primary suite that epitomizes the home’s allure: an intimate sitting area tucked away in a corner, with a view to the lake. It’s perfect for watching the late-night news or curling up with a good book on a lazy afternoon. It’s yet another distinctive feature in a home that proves that classic style is the most timeless of all.