The South Tampa mansion boasting spectacular front porch views of Bayshore Boulevard’s sparkling waterfront and bustling promenade seemed an ideal fit for the family of five.
However, less than two years after moving in, a nearby residence with similar picturesque, panoramic vantage points suddenly became available. McCord and Katie Christensen moved quickly and, before long, the couple and their three children moved to another Bayshore address that featured more square footage, 7,161 vs. 5,304, ample room for both parents to work from home during the pandemic and a layout perfect for entertaining.
“We just realized how much we loved Bayshore and this was a significantly better home for our family and our lifestyle. We had all of the views and all of the privacy, space for entertaining and also for out-of-town guests,” said McCord. “We also had two nice offices where we work from home. We both work, and both have significant jobs, so that office space became very important to us.”
He is the founder, chairman and CEO of a publicly traded company, PETIQ. Katie, whose background is in investor relations and corporate communications, was a partner with a large New York firm before launching her own business, Acadia Investor Relations.
While the two homes were only doors apart, the contrasting floor plans inspired interior designs that were worlds apart.
The previous dwelling featured an elegant, but traditional, style of décor. In comparison, the current residence reflects a more flamboyant style defined by bold, bright colors, dramatic, custom-designed light fixtures and metallic features such as surfaces gilded in gold leaf.
The West Indies-inspired home created by the noted architectural firm Cooper Johnson Smith, met several practical needs for the couple, such as an above the garage guest suite for overnight visitors, but also provided the perfect canvas for the couple’s youthful, creative and artistic aesthetic.
Wide walls, 12-foot high ceilings and rooms blending seamlessly together created areas capable of accommodating large-scale works of art, a panel of faux greenery displaying neon letters proclaiming “This Must Be The Place,” and a multi-piece sectional covered in Missoni-patterned fabrics that comfortably accommodates several people.
“This home has an eclectic mix of elements that are very much modern but also very inviting and fun,” said Katie. “We love to entertain so we wanted all of the rooms that you are in to make you feel right at home and comfortable.”
Collaborating with design professionals Andrea Lundy and Christina Harcar, partners at A. Label Interiors, the Christensen’s commissioned various components, including paintings scaled for the space, and created specifically for them, by local artist Ron Francis. Two depict their relationship, from dating or “Takeoff” to matrimony or “Landing.”
“Andrea was an incredible resource in terms of listening. The ideas she would bring to us were excellent,” said Katie.
Tiles imported from an Italian quarry, a solid marble bench by luxury designer Kelly Wearstler, distinctive light fixtures configured specifically for each space and walls coated with Venetian plaster strikingly combined sophisticated materials with playful elements from floor to ceiling.
“They (McCord and Katie) are always accessible which really helped to expedite the process and they gave us so much creative liberty,” said Lundy. “This is all next level. We even took a trip to the Miami design district so they could see some of the fabrics and materials that we were using in their homes and sit test things before they made it to their house.”
The collaboration continues with A. Label Interiors overseeing the interior design for the new 60,000-square-foot Boise headquarters of PETIQ, plus the couple’s second home that’s also in Boise.
“Making this house right is important to us. We wanted people to come in and say ‘Wow, that was really cool,’ ” McCord added. M
By Mary Lou Janson | Photograhy by Tony Sica Photography
