Behind this mid-century modern inspired home’s private front facade lies an open, airy space with expansive walls of glass doors overlooking an acre of native wildflower gardens and a small pond in the picturesque town of Micanopy, FL. Designed by University of Florida Architect Bradley Walters, this 2 bedroom, 2 bath oasis provides a low maintenance, environmentally friendly lifestyle. Embracing the mid-century modern style, the Straw & Company custom kitchen was designed with Southern pine plywood, deep island, stainless steel appliances, and walk-in pantry. The dressing area with custom wardrobes leads to the owner’s suite overlooking the lush garden and pond, with a sliding door to the patio. The guest suite with ensuite bath also has sliding doors to a small private patio. Custom built in 2019, the 1,791 SF home was designed and sited to take advantage of passive solar energy with 10-foot south-facing walls of windows utilizing the sun’s trajectory and concrete floors to warm the house on winter days, while the roof overhang shades the house in summer. In addition, solar panels, connected to Duke Energy’s grid, provide electricity for the home, including a tankless water heater, three energy efficient mini-spit heat pump systems for independently controlled heating and cooling, electric fireplace, electric car charger, and a garden hot tub. Sliding doors from every room provide expansive views of the award-winning native-plant garden, and lead to patios and a relaxing screened porch. Garden paths lead to nooks and clearings in which to sit and contemplate or gather with friends. Diverse, low maintenance plantings and a small pond attract pollinators, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The pond is fed by a system that funnels rainwater from the roof, as well as the contour of the property.
