River House

River House is a minimalist residence located in Sewall’s Point, Florida, designed by Melhorn with interiors by Design Studio JAC. Perched on a thirty-foot bluff that once supported a pineapple plantation, this Florida home demonstrates how Belgian material sensibilities can translate across continents without losing authenticity. The challenge was not simply aesthetic transplantation but a deeper question of craft: how to source and execute artisanal techniques rooted in Northern European tradition within the constraints of South Florida construction timelines and climate demands.

The architecture organizes itself as a series of pavilions, each volume articulated as a distinct pod that reads clearly in both plan and exterior massing. Gable roofs and generous overhangs reference traditional farmhouse typologies, but the restraint in detailing and material palette keeps the language decidedly contemporary. Coral stone appears in two expressions throughout the property – precise ashlar-cut blocks for architectural walls and rubble stone for garden elements – creating visual continuity while acknowledging different levels of formality across the four-acre site.

What distinguishes this project is the commitment to material authenticity over convenience. Design Studio JAC coordinated direct sourcing from Belgium, importing not just finishes but entire craft processes. A specialized lime plaster team traveled from Europe to execute the Roman clay wall treatments, ensuring the soft, light-diffusing quality that synthetic alternatives cannot replicate. Reclaimed European oak beams salvaged from centuries-old cathedrals and barns carry visible grain patterns and patina that new timber, regardless of staining techniques, cannot approximate. These beams anchor ceiling planes with historical weight.

The floor treatment demonstrates similar intentionality. Rather than standard milling and staining, white oak planks were rough-sawn to preserve texture, then fumed – a chemical process using ammonia vapor that reacts with tannins in the wood to darken it naturally. The result carries depth and variation that penetrates the material rather than sitting on its surface. In wet areas, vein-cut travertine extends across floors, tub surrounds, and shower walls, with some pieces carved into integrated sink basins. The stone’s linear grain patterns create visual continuity while its thermal properties provide tactile warmth underfoot.

Exterior materials acknowledge Florida’s climate and patina processes. Cypress siding receives a lime wash that harmonizes with interior plaster tones while allowing the wood grain to remain visible. The cedar shake roof will weather naturally to silvery gray, a transformation that aligns it chromatically with stone and plaster elements. This embrace of aging processes extends to the interior palette – muted tones in browns, grays, and warm whites that recede visually, allowing art and landscape views to command attention.

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