Pulling into the driveway at 774 Bougainvillea Lane in Vero Beach Estates, you feel like you’re in the Bahamas.

“It has a very beachy look,” says James Armstrong, who bought the house 10 years ago when he decided to move to Vero Beach after visiting friends here.

Armstrong held onto the house so guests would have a place to stay, even after deciding he needed a larger property to accommodate his dogs.

This house is a treasure trove of surprises, starting with the shuttered garage door that cleverly disguises itself as a solid wall – a unique and attractive feature that sets the house apart.

A pebble-stone walkway at the side of the house leads to the entry. There, the front door opens into a lovely foyer that creates an intimate space to welcome guests before inviting them in to visit.

“The home is very spacious and gracious,” says AMAC Alex MacWilliam broker associate Charlotte Terry.

The foyer of this Central Beach home opens into the living room, a space that spans the width of the house with multiple windows and transoms that invite natural light to filter in. With built-ins and enough room for two seating areas, the house is perfect for entertaining. Guests can grab a drink at the bar or head out onto the covered lanai.

The house is sited smartly on the long, narrow lot bordered by lush native flora. Armstrong says he loves how the bedrooms are situated at either end of the house, providing private spaces for the owner and guests.

The primary suite, entered through a pair of pocket doors, is in the southern portion of the house.

The generously sized bedroom with built-in bookshelves and cabinets feels all the larger due to the tray ceiling and windows across the back, which open the space to plenty of sunshine.

A walk-in closet and a bathroom with dual sinks, a shower and a bathtub complete the suite.

The dining room, family room and kitchen are in the northern wing of the house and provide a nice buffer between the guest suite, bathroom and garage at the front of the house. This layout ensures privacy for both the homeowners and their guests.

A built-in desk with storage space is strategically placed in the family room. It is the perfect spot to work, keep track of household accounts and hide your computer when entertaining.

The island kitchen is an efficient space with an extendable countertop, pantry, gas cooktop, built-in microwave and oven. Large windows over the kitchen sink carry through to the kitchen, adding to the airy brightness of this sunny, yellow house. The bright, elegant dining room with large, sliding glass doors and a rectangular transom opens to the covered lanai.

Armstrong notes that the ability to close pocket doors between the guest bedroom and the kitchen and den cuts the area off from the rest of the house, allowing for total privacy for guests.

Terry notes that outside, the covered lanai with wrought iron gates creates a secret garden area surrounded by lush landscaping and a water feature, likening it to Key West-style architecture.

“You could be in the Abacos, Key West or Charleston,” says Terry, describing the intimate garden setting.

“It’s got all these little nooks and crannies,” she adds, noting that there is room in the backyard to add a dip pool or spa for those wanting a private place to swim. In any case, with the ocean just a five-minute walk away, you can always head to the beach to swim, surf, collect shells or just relax with a good book while filling your lungs with fresh sea air.

Vero Beach Estates is part of Central Beach. It is within walking distance of a guarded public beach at Humiston Park, the farmer’s market, and lots of shopping and dining. Seasonal live concerts and parades are easily reached by golf cart, on foot or by bicycle; and the Vero Beach Museum of Art, Riverside Park, and Riverside Theatre are nearby.

“I really liked being so close to the village,” says Armstrong, who didn’t leave the neighborhood when he purchased a new house.

“Central Beach has become very chic,” adds Terry. “Because of its proximity to the ocean and the river, cultural venues, dining and the beach, it’s become very popular. Everything is walkable.”

Photos provided