04 — Home of Beth and John Jostrand — “Fisherman’s Dream House” AKA “ House of Cards”
A Home Admired and Meant to Be
Long before purchasing the property at 1601 and 1603 Pass-A-Grille Way, Beth Jostrand admired the Fisherman’s House as she strolled on her daily walks through the Pass-A-Grille neighborhood. When the property came up for sale, she was more than ready to make an offer. Unfortunately, at that time the house was under contract. Lucky for Beth her realtor later called to tell her the offer was off the table and if still interested, now was the time to act. During a negotiation conference call with the owner, Beth found out the owner was an alum of Albion College in Albion, Michigan where Beth also attended college and immediately broke into the Albion Fight Song! The deal was sealed! Beth and John became the new stewards of this historic property built in 1930 and saved it from the earlier fate of being torn down and sold as a double lot.
Reimagining a 1930s Tudor for Modern Living
The next challenge involved reimagining the 1930’s English Tudor style house to make it fit for living in the 21st century while at the same time retaining the special period architectural features of the house. To do this, Beth and John recruited the help of interior designer, Melanee Friscia of Van Ling Design in Tampa and builder Paul Hagger with Bright Bay Building.
Designing Around the Water Views
An extensive redesign and repurposing of rooms was planned to make the most of the breath- taking views of the Pass-A-Grille Channel and Boca Ciega Bay beyond. The original home included three bedrooms in which you had to walk through all three to get to the bathroom located at the back of the house. A small window in the bathroom provided the only view of the Pass-A-Grille Channel. The original kitchen was located facing the street with one small window over the sink with a less than scenic view of the road and parking lot.
Today in the area which was once the kitchen you will find an inviting guest room with an attached ensuite bathroom. This serves as a place to stay for Beth’s mother when in town. In the corner of the bedroom is a cozy three sided sitting area with plantation shutters and a custom wood starburst ceiling, perfect for curling up with a good book. As you enter the house through the back door there is an updated laundry room with a made-to-order beaded board high top bench that cleverly hides the breaker box.
The area, which once housed three bedrooms and a tiny bathroom, now includes a spacious, primary suite with walk in closet, updated ensuite bathroom and bedroom. Here you will see reproduction pecky cypress cathedral ceilings to match the original ceilings in the living room. On one wall is a framed department store advertisement designed by Beth’s father, a commercial artist. The floor in the ensuite bathroom duplicates the same custom starburst tile pattern as the homeowners’ home in Chicago. A large walk-in-closet is a welcomed addition to the house which originally had no closets in the bedrooms.
The great room now houses the living room with pecky cypress cathedral ceilings and a chef’s dream kitchen with an expansive island and state of the art appliances. A showstopper not to miss is the pink granite fireplace in the living room. According to John, the “fireplace is part of the foundation and is not going anywhere”. Beyond the kitchen and living room lies a Florida room with terra cotta floors and a surprising grate above a cistern. The original owner remembers her grandmother dipping water from the cistern to water plants. A holding tank in the attic once provided hot water for bathing.
Legends, History, and a House That Tells Stories
According to local legend the original house was won in a card game hence “House of Cards”. The owner, an avid fisherman, built the house and boathouse for the captain of his boat. A picture of the boat can be seen framed in the hall. If this house could talk there would be a plethora of fish stories for sure. We thank Beth and John Jostrand for ensuring a nod to the past in the period details while also designing a house fit for a family to enjoy in the 21st century.
The Captain’s Quarters and Boathouse (1603 Pass-A-Grille Way)
The original owner was a fisherman and hired a captain for his fishing boat, the “Scottie,” kept in the boathouse. Today the boathouse incorporates a two-car garage, living quarters for family and a spacious area for entertaining. For years folks essentially were “walking on water” as a boat ramp was discovered when the homeowners ripped out joist and plywood floor built over the water. This ramp area was then filled in with crushed limestone and concrete to create the solid flooring for a spacious party room. The open and light filled party room serves as an ideal place to entertain, play games, store kayaks and water toys, all while enjoying the tranquil view of the channel and bay. Also on the lower level is a spacious two-car garage with insulation and gemstone flooring.
The “Captain’s Quarters” above the garage houses additional space for family and guests. Entering the apartment, you will find an inviting living room with tasteful beach décor and a well-equipped galley kitchen leading to a cozy breakfast nook. Through the living room is an updated bathroom. The primary bedroom was expanded and a larger window added to make plenty of room and light for the couple’s family and grandchildren.
