442 Ocean Forest Dr Saint Augustine, FL 32080

Designed and built by one of St Augustine's most respected builders as her personal residence, this dunetop home evokes the Charleston style peppered with the flavor of St Augustine. Ride up the pavered drive and watch the house emerge from the shade tree canopy behind the masonry and stonework walls and walkways. What appears to be a two-car garage will delight the auto enthusiasts and hobbyists when they discover it's actually two cars across and two cars deep with an 18' x 6' workshop. Covered verandas flank the front entrance and you can sip early morning coffee and listen to the morning birds' serenade. A half flight of stairs leads you to a wonderful gathering room with a wall of windows overlooking the wooded preserve. 24' of built-in cabinets and shelves offer a place for everything and leaves the rest of this generous room with its 11' ceiling open for several seating areas. French doors lead to the covered veranda which spans the width of the house. An outstanding kitchen has more cabinets and counterspace than you can fill and the crisp black granite nicely complements the rich cherry wood. A long bar separates the space from the dining room which opens to a screened porch for outdoor meals under the lazy paddle fans. A dedicated office with pocket French doors enjoys a wall of built-in shelves flanking a gas fireplace. Master quarters are immensely private with a view of the preserve across the veranda. Two additional bedrooms (one opens to the screened porch) with full bath and a generous laundry room with storage are on the south end of the main floor. The office, laundry room and master bath have eastern exposures with a view of shade trees and palms terracing down the dune. All other rooms look out to the preserve where the natural Florida landscape offers welcome shade to the west. Downstairs is extremely versatile with a 500SF family room. Cool travertine floors, a bank of windows looking out to the covered patio and a row of shelves and cabs under the windows which are perfect as extra seating and storage for games, books, crafts, movies - it's a great gathering room with a wet bar and small fridge. A 19' x 11' "bedroom" is a comfortable place for long-term guests or family members and there's a full bath and closet in the hall. Outside the family room the covered pavered patio has a nice surprise - a chess board created with a darker shade of paver and yes, the chess pieces do convey. A wonderful home - welcome.