GENERAL CONTRACTOR/REMODELER: Jim Lloyd, of Lloyd Craftsmen
PLUMBING AND TILE: Hollingsworth
APPLIANCES: Dacor
LIGHTING: Crespo Design Group
FLOORING: Aloha Hardwood Floors
ROOFING: B&D Roofing
COUNTERS AND MARBLE: Custom Marble Works
LANDSCAPING: SoHo Landscaping
For luxury home realtor Stephen Gay, the Hyde Park location was perfect, but the 1924 house itself needed a refresh.
Gay initially scouted out the two-story, 3,000-square-foot home just a few houses from Bayshore Boulevard for a client who flips houses. But as soon as he stepped foot inside, he wanted it for himself. Gay purchased the residence in 2018 from third-generation owner Wayne Pierson. He spent two years remodeling it from top to bottom, removing one of the four bedrooms to expand the closet and add a third bathroom. During that time, not only did he fall even more in love with his new residence, but also he can’t imagine ever leaving.
“I’ve been in real estate for 16 years, so I tried to do the things I’ve been dreaming of in this house,” Gay says.
The list is lengthy. He worked closely with contractors to redo the foundation, plumbing, roof, ductwork and air conditioning. He opened up the kitchen and built a bar nook. He also added luxurious marble throughout the house. His favorite addition is a cozy sunroom with a reading nook and custom, plush sofa for binging Netflix. Some elements were restored, such as the wood floor and the front door. Because his neighborhood is governed by the Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association, he had to get creative with fulfilling his wishlist, such as working around windows as he redesigned the floor plan. But he embraces that the rules help keep the charm.
Flexing his interior design skills, Gay followed a color palette of neutrals, grays and brass, and created an eclectic style that mixes traditional and modern furniture and fixings. He describes the home’s personality as curious. His love of antiques and art give it much of its flavor.
In his living room is a late 1700s chest and an 1800 bronze bust, both from England; as well as 1930s bronze trophies from Brussels and France, while old family portraits hang above the couch. As for his art collection, Gay has displayed a Picasso etching above the fireplace, with pieces by local artists Theo Wujcik, Alberto Murillo and Ya La’ford throughout the first floor.
“A house should look like it’s collected, displaying things you actually love and enjoy,” Gay says.
Gay loves throwing cocktail parties and entertaining friends in his home. He also participated in the Hyde Park Home Tour to showcase his house’s transformation. He enjoys the friendliness of the neighborhood, in which he has lived in two other houses before this one. Every morning, he walks his dog, Bodie, to nearby Hyde Park Village for coffee. As for what’s next, he plans to add a pool out back and some finishing touches inside, such as furniture and drapery. But don’t expect to see a “for sale” sign in this yard.
Read about how Stephen Gay sold now-retired New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter’s Davis Islands home in Top 5 Tampa Home Sales. Also, check out other home design stories by TAMPA Magazines.
