Homes Inspired by Tuscany & Curacao

If you’re going to build a home based on the architecture of northern Italy or the Dutch West Indies, it’s probably a good idea to visit those places.

That’s the reasoning that Ryan Perrone, president at Nautilus Homes, applies to his annual visits to Umbria and Curacao.

He, his brother and father, all partners in the firm, take inspiration for the architect-designed homes they build in Sarasota, Fla. from the villas they visit abroad.

“We’re making usable living spaces like gazebos, courtyards and covered terraces – even outdoor staircases – to bring the inside out,” he says.

What the firm is most interested in is assuring that its clients enjoy the reasons they’ve moved to Florida. “They come down from North Carolina or Ohio, and say it’s hot here, and there are mosquitoes,” he says. “But it’s only hot during the day and cool at night – and the mosquitoes are only out at sunset.”

So a Nautilus home is designed to create an oasis in its backyard, lushly landscaped for brief interactions during the day and longer encounters during the evening hours.

Their homes range in size from a “jewel-box” at 3,900 square feet, up to just under 5,000 square feet. Cost per square foot ranges from $300 to $500. Sub Zero appliances, Baldwin Hardware and Marvin windows are de rigueur.

“Anyone who’s ever been to a really nice boutique hotel or even the Breakers in Palm Beach, that’s the kind of person who understands our product,” he says. “Those who understand that will absolutely love it – there’s a satisfaction with the product and the process.”

The process for building a Nautilus home can take up to 12 months – and could be stressful. Except, says Perrone, it’s not.

“You have to enjoy it or it will drive you crazy,” he says. “Usually, the client is a couple, and we’re not interested in a divorce. We do everything we can to keep the client informed and as stress-free as possible.”

Even with a little stress, though, the end product seems worth it.

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