REAL Exclusive Magazine

Kerried Away; Kitchens

By Kerrie Lehnert

Welcome to Kerried Away, a design focused section of REAL Magazine where we will explore Gulf Coast homes, construction, real estate, and all things which for many of us, carried us away from our origins and made us decide to call this place home. Whether you are indigenous to the Gulf Coast, one of the multitudes who relocated here or are a seasonal resident, my goal is to provide information, stories and photos of homes and design elements that have created or continue to create a specific vernacular style and trend on the Gulf Coast.

One of the most common real estate questions, and concerns, is how does the kitchen impact the sale of a home?

Steve Kepler of Engel & Volkers was an obvious REALTOR to pose the question to as he has multiple luxury listings including numerous in the twelve unit Redington Grand in North Redington Beach. Six of the gulf front condos are completed and the others are designer ready shells waiting to be built out and finished. As a kitchen designer what I find most interesting is the units are selling finished, one by one, in the order of the most dynamic kitchen.

This was not the initial plan when investment group Vesta Equity purchased and listed the properties. When Vesta Equity bought Redington Grand there were only three completed units. Vesta decided to finish three additional units and give each their own individual style from traditional, contemporary to a transitional blend of the two.

The three models were designed for buyers to inspire their future purchase and customize an unfinished unit exactly to their liking. They could pick the master bath of one, combine it with the kitchen of another and on and on. What actually happened? Steve Kepler explains, “People are blown away by the kitchens. The units sold immediately because people fell in love with the kitchens. They didn’t need to customize anything, they wanted the models.”

So where does that leave Vesta Equity? Vesta Equity’s Ernie Pliscott explains, “We’re ecstatic and are preparing to build out another three units and remodel one of the three done by the original builder.”

Vesta’s decision to continue the build out is based upon the idea that their buyers are drawn to the coast and the collaboration of the designers and trades involved in the recent build outs “nailed” the coastal feel buyers are drawn to.

The interior coastal feel is what ultimately carried away these recent buyers to call Redington Grand home. 

Kerrie Lehnert, a hard finish designer, is the driving force behind Kitchens by Kerrie. Designing kitchens, baths, closets and more for over thirteen years, Kerrie works seamlessly with homeowners, architects, builders and interior designers creating the ultimate space, always with an eye on resale value. Kitchens by Kerrie maintains a showroom at Bacon’s Furniture’s Sarasota Location, 7557 South Tamiami Trail. For more information she may be reached at (941) 228.1173 or kitchensbykerrie@yahoo.com.

Kitchens by Kerrie provides custom Kitchen Design with Kitchen Cabinetry and Kitchen Cabinets, custom Bathroom Design with Bathroom Cabinets and Bathroom Cabinetry and custom Closet Design with Closet Cabinets and Closet Cabinetry. All designs include marble, granite, glass, concrete and other countertop options. Kitchens by Kerrie can also custom design your flooring from marble, tile, quartz, bamboo, wood and other exotic materials. Kitchens by Kerrie services the Sarasota Manatee area, and beyond, including Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice.