Project Description
The Schimberg Group recently finished the final renovation phase of the Chiles Restaurant Group’s award-winning Beach House Restaurant in Bradenton Beach, Florida. After working with the Schimberg Group to complete an extensive interior renovation in 2015, the Chiles Group moved to the exterior, including the main entry façade and beachside deck.
Before the exterior renovation began, the Beach House Restaurant was a nondescript, Florida barn-like structure. Dilapidated metal-roofed towers accented the entry and corners of the main façade, and the gulf-side deck housed two wooden pavilions and an oddly located, out-of-scale service station.
As the restaurant’s name implies, the goal was to evoke a sense of living on the beach, or arriving by boat for a vacation at an exclusive beach house. Every detail and design element centered around creating that environment. When the renovation began, the objectives were clear. Owner Ed Chiles stated, “The Beach House offered us an opportunity to make a major statement about the international allure of our area and its unique geographical location.”
Make the outdoor space an extension of the inside
The main design concept was for the new deck to function as an extension of the inside dining space rather than just be “the outside deck.” The locations of the two wooden pavilions were kept but redesigned into contemporary structures, combining a concrete structure with a wood ceiling, stained to match both the interior wood ceiling and the entry porte-cochere, tying the entire restaurant into one consistent design aesthetic throughout. The pavilions continue to provide a covered dining area with a new bar to the south and additional dining or wedding/event space to the north, increasing an already large source of revenue for the restaurant. Wood louvered sliding door panels, like oversized Bahama shutters, allow the restaurant to easily separate the north pavilion from the deck for outdoor weddings and large parties. The area between the two pavilions was designed as a flexible deck space with a mechanically-operated louvered trellis system. The structure can open to the sky or close for inclement weather conditions. Working with Arcadia and local company Absolute Aluminum, the aluminum louvered system was designed for maximum use throughout the year, again increasing not only restaurant revenues but also what is now known as the “Oh … that’s so cool!” factor. The white louvers and stained wood pavilion ceilings are all oriented to give the perception of a continuous ceiling from inside to out. When the louvers are closed and the perimeter automatic curtains with large, clear vinyl viewing windows are lowered, the entire deck, from one end to the other, gives patrons the feeling of being inside. The ceiling-mounted heating and cooling units keep the space comfortable and usable throughout the year, and whether closed or open to the blue sky of day or the stars at night, patrons feel as comfortable as they would sitting inside the restaurant.
Add a sunken lounge area
One of the owner’s wishes was to have a sunken lounge area reminiscent of a cruise ship. Schimberg Group designed a recessed tiled area and furnished it with a modern take on classic Adirondack-style deck furniture (cleverly made of recycled milk cartons) by Loll Designs and an oversized, woven, outdoor rattan ottoman by Janus et Cie. The railing, which frames the lounge around its perimeter, is designed like a boat railing. A built-in blue-stained concrete bench and the varied, relaxed seating give ample comfortable spots to sip a cocktail, listen to live music and watch the sun set.
Add an outdoor bar
The Beach House had been lacking an outside bar, so Schimberg Group designed one and located it directly opposite the interior bar to not impede views. With televisions above, the bar provides another place to mingle and watch the sun set, while also complementing the existing bar inside the restaurant. Finished with a colorful wood-look porcelain tile from Designworks, which are similar to the look of the interior tabletops, the bar was furnished with Loll’s recycled polycarbonate bar stools.
Improve an award-winning wedding venue
Given the popularity of the Beach House as a wedding venue, Schimberg Group renovated two kitchen offices into an elegant beachside bridal suite and bathroom. Asked to create a vintage island feel, the room was anchored with a custom-designed vanity in deep nautical blue with a classic Carrera marble top. The vanity was appointed with an oversized porthole-like mirror in a rose gold finish and flanked by industrial vintage-style sconces with exposed Edison bulbs. A decorative glass pendant light above and a camel leather counter stool finish the space. An antique Turkish Oushak area rug ties the warm pastel palette of the space together. The result is a 21st century bridal suite with a vintage beach house vibe, improving the restaurant’s functionality for its steady stream of wedding clientele.
Accessorize and landscape
Accessorizing and landscaping are often forgotten or ignored, but the owner appreciated the value of these elements. Schimberg Group outfitted the deck with vibrant ceramic pots and worked with local horticulturist Grant Beatt of GreenTech Tree and Landscape Solutions to landscape the deck and entryway. Potted local herbs from the Chiles Restaurant Group’s farm were placed on shelves, labeled for patron knowledge and used in the meals served. Decorative pots filled with drought-tolerant succulents were placed along the beach, enhancing the paved walkway and separating the deck from the “toes in the sand” dining area.
Create an iconic architectural feature
As the client requested, the entry porte-cochere was designed to be an iconic architectural feature reminiscent of the underside of a boat, again tapping into the inherent qualities of a beach house with a boat sitting by the dock. This distinct and prominent feature is visible as one approaches the restaurant from either direction.
Make a lengthy façade interesting
Given the restaurant’s lengthy façade, interest was created around the entryway by adding teak furniture, two vertical trellises of golden mandevilla vines, and menu boards built by a local artisan. Schimberg Group, along with local company Duncan Chamberlain Art, designed a colorful sculpture of an abstract school of fish in sea foam greens, ocean blues, sandy browns and earthy reds, pulling colors from the newly-designed building corner and anchor signage. The building corner, wrapped in uniquely shaped, multi-colored concrete tiles by Dex Industries, appears to be flapping in the sea breeze, setting the tone for the new monument sign with the same tile and the warm, natural palette of all the materials throughout the renovated restaurant’s indoor and outdoor spaces.