From the Peninsula Quay at Lalique Point, the view across the water to the north is of Crown land. This stretch of mangroves cannot be developed, so the homes that face it will always have unimpeded views. This, along with the proximity to the turquoise waters of the North Sound, were reason enough for one family to purchase land and build their home here.

With more than half an acre of land and 127 feet of waterfrontage to play with, the owners sought the expertise of Peter Plunkett of Core Construction, coupled with their architect, to explore the best way forward to maximise the lot. Their desire was for a modern home that had an easy flow and plenty of outdoor space, that was conducive to entertaining, and that retained a Caribbean aesthetic.

The resulting design spans three stories with over 8,000 square feet of living space, capped with a hipped roof whose sleek, dynamic lines are softened by well thought-out and lush landscaping.

From the moment you approach the front door, there is a sense of openness and serenity, with the backdrop of blue waters and mangroves bringing a relaxed and welcoming ambience.

“We wanted the approach to pull you right in and through to the outdoor space,” the owners say. “The glass front door allows you to see straight across the living room, to the pool and to the water on the other side.”

Above the portico, a picture window composed of six large panes of glass, mimics the glass entry door, giving the architecture rhythm and, when lit at night, showcases the cluster of wicker pendants that hang from the ceiling inside.

At over 1100 square feet, the great room is vast, and the absence of columns accentuates the size and creates an effortless flow between the contemporary kitchen, the central dining space and the double-height living room. Finished with pale, stone-effect floors, white walls and hardwood furniture, it exudes understated sophistication.

Wicker pendant lights, wood-look ceiling fans, and natural fibres keep it grounded and earthy. Handmade rugs from Ledger and Looms (one custom-made to echo the sand and sea shades of Seven Mile Beach) and canvases by local artists Jason Kennedy and Ren Seffer, introduce pops of colour. When parties inevitably end up in the kitchen, the separate butler’s pantry comes into its own.

Beyond the kitchen, a covered outdoor living space with a barbecue, dining and seating area is usable day and night, thanks to retractable screens. These expansive screens each open to perfectly frame the various vistas across the water.

Should visitors arrive by boat, the extensive private docks have space for numerous vessels, and a thatched palapa at the end provides a beautifully simple, down-to-earth retreat where one can enjoy sunrises, sunsets and sea breezes in perfect peace.

In order to maximise privacy, a wall-mounted fountain screens the pool deck, while filling the air with the soothing sound of moving water.

In the bedrooms, ribbon windows positioned high on the walls bathe the rooms in natural light and maximise wall space. Each bedroom is spacious, bright, and inviting, but the master bedroom trumps a luxury hotel suite.

Decorated in whites and neutrals, with custom-made hardwood furniture and cove lighting that creates a soft, diffused illumination, the bedroom features a similar aesthetic to the great room. Playful details such as a cowhide-covered seat, boldly patterned cushions, and vibrant artwork add character and colour.

Beyond the dressing room lies an extraordinary bathroom. The design for this space went through several iterations, but the result goes beyond ‘spa-like’. Here, a double floating vanity with back-lit mirrors provides ample his-and-hers space, and a deep soaker tub stands against an accent wall, which is not only dramatic in effect but also acts as a division from the walk-in double shower room behind it.

On the top floor, a space dedicated to recreation, both the pitch of the ceiling – which allows hot air to rise and naturally cool the space – and the tongue-and-groove cladding are another nod to Caribbean architecture, both in form and function.

With pool and table tennis tables, a TV and bar area and a dumb waiter that descends to the ground-floor wine storage, it’s the perfect set up for fun with friends. Step through the sliding glass doors onto a split-level terrace, with a second barbecue area, and the North Sound views cannot fail to impress.

Despite being overseas for a portion of the construction, for the owners, the process of designing, building and decorating this family home was made smooth and enjoyable thanks to the team they worked with. But it was watching the local artisans, such as Tenson Bodden, who harvested the silver thatch at full moon in the age-old tradition to build the palapa, the cabinet makers who built bespoke furniture based on simple sketches and the craftsmen who created the vanity and integrated sink from a single piece of stone, that were particularly fascinating parts of the process.

By incorporating myriad references to Cayman through the architecture, artwork, and locally crafted elements, the owners have succeeded in creating a home that is both spacious and modern but also deeply connected to the land on which it stands.