Gulfport, Florida Created September 2026 Latest revision October 3, 2026
Gulfport Fish Camp
The finishes, fixtures, furniture, appliances, heating and cooling systems, smart controls and cameras in the house, plus the utilities, the network and the contractors behind them: what each item is, which rooms it’s in, what it looks like, who services it, its manuals, and the closest places to buy it again.
Designed byCourtney and Shayne ColeThey renovated the house in 2019 and 2020 and added primarily non-design elements in the years after. It was one of the most rewarding designs they have done. It followed their design work on a 19th-century townhome in Richmond’s Church Hill, in the St. John’s Church Historic District, a house with a place in the history of the women’s rights movement. The two projects were nearly opposites, as different as the places where each was built.Courtney and Shayne have always put the highest value on everyday-impactful quality of living features, from utilities and appliances to spatial efficiency and accessibility. They keep drawing on time spent living in places with a more European, urban character, where economy of space and movement, minimal design and quality come together in visually rich surroundings. Here, the aim was to preserve the character and spiritual origins of the house while bringing it into the modern era in ways that don’t intrude. Just as important, they wanted the jungle outside to stand out, even when inside. That is why so much of the house is windowed, including the doors, and why the interior places emphasis on subtle, sparing texture over color while eliminating, as much as possible, ornate treatments and distracting angles to steal no intensity from the jungle outside; while the outside feels like a bright but tucked in and shady hideaway.
For information only. This page is an information guide to what’s in the house and how to use it, nothing more. It is not a complete list: some things in the house are not covered here. It is not a warranty, and no legal rights, obligations or representations are implied or conferred by it.
Highlights
Inside
Old meets new
The owners worked through the house down to the knobs and the exact shades of white, to keep the look of the original fishing camp: a washed-out palette, board walls and old-growth heart pine floors. Underneath, it runs as a modern home, with inverter heat pumps from LG and Mitsubishi and automated lighting, locks, cameras and climate control.
Large windows look out on the yard from the rooms throughout. The glass keeps the heat out and is made to stand up to hurricane conditions.
Owners’ noteThe goal was to preserve what made the place look like its origins while making it a modern, evolved, accessible home, one that could be hiding by itself in its own private tropical jungle. The house is meant as a nonstop celebration of the best of Florida, and of a low-key, easy, heartwarming life.
Smart devices need a reset, hub first. The seven Yale locks, the Lutron Caséta system, both Sensibo Airs, the HomePod mini, the Rachio irrigation controller, and the ecobee camera and sensors must be reset and set up again for a new owner. Start with the HomePod mini, which runs Apple Home. Apple Home setup
Legacy heart pine floors
Heart pine runs through the Great Room, bedroom and office: every floor except the kitchen, the utility bathroom and the marble suite bathroom. It is the dense heartwood of old-growth longleaf pine, harder and deeper in color than pine grown today, and it now comes only from reclaimed lumber. The floors are finished in Varathane Summer Oak.
The Great Room walls are solid wood boards, hand-augered to look like the thinner panel boards of older houses. They are thicker than those old panels and real wood throughout, painted Simply White OC-117 in Regal Select matte. For a matching replacement board, Anderson Lumber, 1.6 mi away, offers custom milling.
Every window is a PGT window approved by Miami-Dade County for the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. For impact windows, that approval, called a Notice of Acceptance, requires passing large-missile impact, static air pressure and cyclic wind-pressure tests (Florida Building Code protocols TAS 201, 202 and 203).
The doors are Plastpro Impact Series fiberglass doors, which Plastpro certifies for the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. Plastpro makes its doors in Ashtabula, Ohio.
Owners’ notePlastpro was the only door the owners could find with both the precise look they wanted and the impact resistance they required. No other door met their standards.
Every switch in the house is Lutron Caséta, one of the most widely trusted smart switch systems, from the company that invented the solid-state dimmer. The dimmers, switches and fan controls talk over Lutron’s own Clear Connect radio rather than Wi-Fi, and the whole system works in Apple Home.
The house is also 100% keyless. Every door has a Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus, and with Apple Home Keys an iPhone or Apple Watch opens each lock just by being held near it. With Express Mode on, there is no need to wake or unlock the phone or watch first.
The main house and the back building have a standing seam roof in Mansard Brown: 24-gauge steel panels, each cut to run in one piece from eave to ridge, installed by Fix Roofing.
Compared with other metal roofs
Hidden fasteners.5V crimp, a popular metal roof on Florida houses, is screwed through the face of each panel, and McElroy Metal notes those screw holes can enlarge as the panels expand and contract with temperature. Here the fasteners sit under the seams.
Thicker steel. 24 gauge is about 28% thicker than 26 gauge. Sheffield Metals notes it dents less, resists oil canning better, and is the minimum gauge for tested, engineered panel systems.
Flatter panels. The striations, fine ribs between the seams, reduce oil canning, the waviness flat metal panels can show (Metal Sales).
Compared with shingles and tile
Long panels, few joints. Each panel runs eave to ridge and locks to the next one at the seam. Shingle and tile roofs are many separate overlapping pieces.
Longer roof-age allowance at Citizens.Citizens Property Insurance groups metal with tile and slate as a hard roof. It asks for proof of at least five years of remaining life once a hard roof is more than 50 years old; for shingle roofs, that starts at 25 years.
Built in
Sealed deck. Self-adhered peel-and-stick underlayment covers the entire deck, a second waterproof layer under the panels.
Renailed deck, after the old roof came off down to the wood.
Roof-to-wall double straps on the main house.
Wind mitigation. Florida insurers credit features like these through a wind mitigation inspection on form OIR-B1-1802; credits vary by insurer.
The yard is planted and kept like a tropical garden, under century-old live oaks, the spreading evergreen oaks of the Deep South. Areca palms, cabbage palms (Florida’s state tree) and other palms fill in below, with bromeliads and bird of paradise along the ground and loose-packed shell for a beachy feel. A Rachio smart controller runs the irrigation, which draws from its own shallow well. Looking out the windows, it often feels like being in a tropical jungle.
Grouped as finishes and hardware, heating and cooling, utilities, appliances, devices, cameras, and furniture. “Nearest seller” is the straight-line distance to the closest store or service company for the item or its current version; the smart controls and cameras are already installed. Tap a column to re-sort.
Three whites are in the house. Decorator’s White is the coolest and grayest, Oxford White is close to neutral, and Simply White is the warmest. Check the code before touching up.
Finishes and hardware
Paint, stain, flooring, tile, decking, the roof and door hardware: materials applied or fastened to the house. Paint swatches use Benjamin Moore’s published colors; tile and wood drawings show each material’s pattern and proportions.
Also sold as PM-3 and CC-20; any of the three codes gets this white. About $109 a gallon. Color page
What it looks like
A cool white with a touch of gray. It looks crisp in daylight and can turn slightly gray in a dim bathroom or under warm bulbs. Next to the Oxford White door and trim it reads a shade darker and cooler.
Basis: Benjamin Moore’s color description and LRV. Screen colors are approximate; check a physical chip before buying.
Summary. The wall paint in the suite bathroom. Aura Bath & Spa is Benjamin Moore’s paint for humid rooms, made to resist moisture and mildew. It comes only in matte.
The product
Maker
Benjamin Moore
Product
Aura Bath & Spa Interior, matte (#0532)
Color
Decorator’s White OC-149, also PM-3 and CC-20
Used in
Suite bathroom walls
Sold in quarts and gallons, tinted to order.
Benjamin Moore is sold through independent dealers and some Ace stores, not Home Depot or Lowe’s.
A bright, nearly neutral white with the slightest cool cast. It is brighter than the Decorator’s White on the suite bathroom walls and a touch cooler than the Simply White elsewhere. ADVANCE levels as it dries, so it cures to a smooth, hard, enamel-like finish.
Basis: Benjamin Moore’s color description and LRV, ADVANCE product page.
Summary. One paint for every piece of interior trim and every door, including the suite bathroom. ADVANCE is a waterborne alkyd: it handles like oil paint but cleans up with soap and water.
The product
Maker
Benjamin Moore
Product
ADVANCE Interior, semi-gloss (#0793)
Color
Oxford White 869, also CC-30
Used in
All interior trim and doors, including the suite bathroom
ADVANCE comes in satin, semi-gloss and high gloss.
The same color in Regal Select Exterior soft gloss is on the outside trim (item 8).
Also sold as 2143-70. Benjamin Moore reformulated Regal Select in 2023 for better stain release and scuff resistance. Touch-ups over the original paint can show, so paint corner to corner where it matters. Color page
What it looks like
A clean, bright white with a slight warm lean. It is the warmest of the three whites in the house, so it looks soft beside the Oxford White trim.
Basis: Benjamin Moore’s color description and LRV.
Summary. The main wall color: every interior wall except the two bathrooms. Regal Select is Benjamin Moore’s premium wall paint, and the matte finish hides small wall flaws.
The product
Maker
Benjamin Moore
Product
Regal Select Interior, matte (#N548)
Color
Simply White OC-117, also 2143-70
Used in
All interior walls except the bathrooms
In the Great Room it covers the hand-augered solid wood board walls.
Regal Select comes in flat, matte, eggshell, satin/pearl and semi-gloss.
The same color is on the utility bathroom (item 4) and the back building walls (item 6), in different products.
Benjamin Moore ADVANCE Primer and ADVANCE Interior, satin
Color codeCustomCustom mix
FinishSatinADVANCE #0792
Details
Light reflectancen/a
SheenSatin
Swatchcustom mix
ADVANCE Primer (#790) is no longer in Benjamin Moore’s US catalog. Benjamin Moore’s current ADVANCE data sheet specifies Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer (046) under ADVANCE on wood. ADVANCE data sheet
What it looks like
Matches the kitchen cabinets, in a satin finish with a low sheen.
Custom mix; no published color value.
Summary. Paint for the kitchen peninsula, mixed to match the cabinets so the peninsula reads as part of the cabinetry. ADVANCE dries to a hard, furniture-like finish, which is why it is used on cabinets.
To buy more, bring a cabinet door, drawer front or paint chip to a Benjamin Moore dealer for a color match.
The product
Maker
Benjamin Moore
Product
ADVANCE Primer (#790) and ADVANCE Interior, satin (#0792)
Color
Custom match to the cabinets
Used in
Kitchen peninsula
ADVANCE satin has a lower sheen than the semi-gloss on the trim.
Current primer for ADVANCE on wood: Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer (046).
Stix is a bonding primer for slick or hard-to-coat surfaces such as PVC, vinyl, glossy paint and galvanized metal. Benjamin Moore’s site shows it unavailable for online orders right now, so buy it in a store. Stix product page
What it looks like
The same warm white as the house walls, in a flat-looking matte.
Basis: Benjamin Moore’s color description and product pages.
Summary. The back building’s inside walls: the house wall color in Benjamin Moore’s moisture-resistant bathroom paint, over a bonding primer.
The product
Maker
Benjamin Moore (INSL-X is a Benjamin Moore brand)
Product
INSL-X Stix Waterborne Bonding Primer (SXA-110), then Aura Bath & Spa matte (#0532)
Color
Simply White OC-117
Used in
Back building interior walls
Stix is white and can be tinted toward the topcoat.
South Pasadena Ace carries INSL-X but not Aura Bath & Spa.
Benjamin Moore Regal Select Exterior High Build, flat
Color code1322In stores
FinishFlatHigh Build #N400
Details
Light reflectance13.6
SheenFlat
SwatchB03E43
Benjamin Moore lists High Build as in-store only right now. It goes on thick (up to 20 mils wet), bridges small cracks and resists mildew. Color page
What it looks like
A rich, saturated true red with a very slight cool lean. It is a dark color, so the Oxford White trim stands out sharply against it.
Basis: Benjamin Moore’s color description and LRV.
Summary. The body color of both the house and the back building. High Build is a 100% acrylic exterior paint applied in a thick coat; the flat finish hides surface flaws in the siding.
The product
Maker
Benjamin Moore
Product
Regal Select Exterior High Build, flat (#N400)
Color
Ladybug Red 1322
Used in
House and back building exterior
High Build also comes in low lustre (N401) and soft gloss (N403).
Benjamin Moore Regal Select Exterior High Build, soft gloss
Color code869In stores
FinishSoftglossHigh Build #N403
Details
Light reflectance86.7
SheenSoft gloss
SwatchF0F1EA
The same High Build line as the Ladybug Red siding. In 2018 this was Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select exterior soft gloss; the newer Regal Select Exterior soft gloss (RSE SFT) is a different formula. Color page
What it looks like
The same bright, nearly neutral white as the interior trim, with more shine.
Basis: Benjamin Moore’s color description and LRV.
Summary. The exterior trim on the house and the back building: the same white as the interior trim, in a thick acrylic exterior soft gloss.
The product
Maker
Benjamin Moore
Product
Regal Select Exterior High Build, soft gloss (#N403)
Color
Oxford White 869
Used in
House and back building exterior trim
High Build goes on up to 20 mils wet and resists mildew.
Dense, resin-rich heartwood, harder than today’s pine
Sold now only as reclaimed or river-recovered wood
Repairs need a sample board to match
Heart pine is the heartwood of old-growth longleaf pine (Pinus palustris). The old-growth forests were largely cut by the early 1900s, so heart pine today comes from old buildings and river bottoms. Goodwin Company in Tampa sells building-reclaimed heart pine under the name LEGACY, ¾ in thick in widths from 2½ to 9 in. Goodwin LEGACY heart pine
What it looks like
Planks in deep amber to copper tones with tight, closely spaced growth rings and a high share of dark heartwood.
Basis: owner’s description and Goodwin’s heart pine guides.
Summary. The floors in the Great Room, bedroom and office: every floor in the house except the kitchen, the utility bathroom and the marble suite bathroom. Legacy heart pine is old-growth longleaf pine heartwood, denser and harder than pine grown today.
The product
Species
Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), heartwood
Source
Reclaimed old-growth lumber
Stain
Varathane Summer Oak
Used in
Great Room, bedroom, office
Goodwin’s care guide says to keep indoor humidity between 40 and 60 percent to limit gaps and cupping.
Use mats at the exterior doors and felt pads under furniture.
Damp-mop sparingly with a cleaner made for the floor’s finish, and wipe spills right away.
For a repair, bring a sample board so the supplier can match width, grain and color.
BaseOilPremium Fast Dry #266158 or Premium #211689H
Details
Dry to the touch in 1 hour (Fast Dry)
Up to 275 sq ft per quart
No wood conditioner needed (Fast Dry)
Swatchapprox.
Varathane is a Rust-Oleum brand. Summer Oak comes in two Varathane oil stains: Premium Fast Dry (Home Depot) and the classic Premium formula, color #206 (Ace). Test on a scrap piece before a repair.
What it looks like
A medium golden brown that leaves the grain visible. The swatch is approximate: Varathane publishes no color value, and stain color shifts with the wood and how it was sanded.
Basis: Varathane product listings and data sheet.
Summary. The stain on the legacy heart pine floors in the Great Room, bedroom and office.
The product
Maker
Varathane (Rust-Oleum)
Product
Premium Fast Dry Interior Wood Stain or Premium Oil-Based Interior Wood Stain
Color
Summer Oak
Used in
Heart pine floors: Great Room, bedroom, office
Fast Dry: quart #266158 ($15.98), 8 oz #266194 at Home Depot.
Same product as the 2018 purchase: the store SKU and UPC match. Now $15.00 a case, up from $9.98 in 2018; 12.5 sq ft and 100 tiles per case. Model RE1536MODHD1P4. Product page
What it looks like
Classic bright white subway tile with a high-gloss glaze. Each tile has built-in spacer lugs for even grout lines.
Basis: 2018 store tag and the Home Depot listing.
Summary. The kitchen wall tile. Restore is sold through Home Depot.
The product
Maker
Daltile
Product
Restore Bright White 3 in. x 6 in. Glossy Ceramic Subway Wall Tile
Discontinued at Floor & Decor. 2018 price: $13.99 a sheet, $69.95 a box. The current Bianco Carrara polished hex comes on 12 × 12 sheets, ½ in thick, at $15.99, with 2 in chips (SKU 931100750) or about 1 in chips (SKU 100874387).
What it looks like
Small white marble hexagons with soft gray veining, polished to a shine. It is natural stone, so every chip is a little different. Floor & Decor recommends sealing it.
Basis: 2018 store tag and Floor & Decor listings.
Summary. The floor of the suite bathroom, carried into the shower floor. Rated for floors, walls, shower floors and shower walls.
Match before you buy. The sheet size changed from 11 × 11 to 12 × 12. Take a spare piece to the store and compare chip size, thickness and veining.
The product
Maker
Floor & Decor (Carrara Marble brand tag)
Product
Bianco Carrara Polished Hexagon Marble Mosaic
Size
11 × 11 in sheets
Used in
Suite bathroom floor and shower floor
Current match: Bianco Carrara Hexagon Polished Marble Mosaic, 2 in, SKU 931100750.
Floor & Decor pairs this tile with MAPEI Flexcolor CQ grout in Timberwolf (#104, SKU 100242312), a light gray premixed grout that needs no sealer; $54.98 a gallon.
Home Depot West St. Petersburg #63643.7 mi 2070 Tyrone Blvd N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710 · (727) 347-1833MSI Carrara White 2 in hex, SMOT-CAR-2HEXP, by ship-to-store
Discontinued at Floor & Decor. 2018 price: $0.59 a piece, $38.94 for a box of 66 (16.5 sq ft). The current version, Meringue II Matte (SKU 100655307), is also 3 × 12 in white matte, $0.72 a piece, rated for walls and shower walls. Meringue II
What it looks like
A soft white with a flat, non-reflective surface, in a long 3 × 12 in subway shape.
Basis: 2018 store tag and Floor & Decor listings.
Summary. The shower wall tile in the suite bathroom.
Meringue II is 8.5 mm thick; the original is 8 mm. Compare it against a spare before patching a few tiles in the shower.
The product
Maker
Floor & Decor
Product
Meringue Matte Ceramic Tile
Size
3 × 12 in, 66 pieces per box
Used in
Suite bathroom shower walls
Meringue II comes 24 pieces (5.76 sq ft) to a box.
AZEK Vintage Collection, now TimberTech Advanced PVC
ColorMahoganyAvailable
Board1×5.5in12, 16 and 20 ft lengths
Details
Capped PVC, no wood fibers
No staining or sealing
Grooved boards for hidden fasteners
James Hardie bought AZEK in 2025, and the boards are now sold as TimberTech Advanced PVC, Vintage Collection. Mahogany is still in the 2026 lineup. About $7.83 a linear foot. AGB15520MH is the 20 ft board grooved for hidden fasteners; ADB15520MH is the square-edge board.
What it looks like
A warm reddish brown with multi-tone streaking and a low-gloss, wire-brushed surface that resembles hardwood.
Basis: TimberTech product sheet, Lowe’s listing.
Summary. The deck boards. Capped PVC with no wood fibers, so it doesn’t need staining or sealing.
The product
Maker
AZEK, now TimberTech (James Hardie)
Product
Advanced PVC Decking, Vintage Collection
Color
Mahogany
Used in
Outdoor deck
Also made as 1 × 3.5 in narrow and 1 × 7.25 in wide boards, plus fascia and risers.
24-gauge steel panels in Mansard Brown, 16 in wide with a 1 in seam, striated
Gauge24Installed
Panel16in1 in nail-strip seam, striated
Details
Concealed fasteners, none through the panel face
Self-adhered underlayment over the whole deck
Custom-length panels, one piece eave to ridge
Roof-to-wall double straps on the main house
Swatchapprox.
Fix Roofing of Tampa installed the roof. The old roof came off down to the wood deck, damaged decking was replaced and the deck was renailed before the new underlayment and panels went on. Each panel is cut to length so it runs in one piece from eave to ridge.
What it looks like
Long vertical panels in Mansard Brown, a deep brown, with a raised seam every 16 in and fine lengthwise ribs (striations) between the seams. The swatch is approximate, based on Englert’s Mansard Brown.
Basis: owners’ description; color value from Englert.
Summary. The roof on the main house and the back building: custom-length 24-gauge steel standing seam panels with the fasteners hidden under the seams, over a self-adhered waterproof underlayment that covers the entire deck.
The product
Installer
Fix Roofing, Tampa
Panels
Custom-length standing seam, 16 in wide, 1 in nail-strip seam, striated
Steel
24 gauge
Color
Mansard Brown
Underlayment
High-temperature peel-and-stick (self-adhered), over the entire roof deck
Trim
3 × 3 in drip edge, metal valley panels, ridge and hip panels, pipe flashings
Used on
Main house and back building
Roof-to-wall double straps on the main house.
Florida’s wind mitigation inspection (form OIR-B1-1802) credits features like the sealed deck and roof-to-wall straps; credits vary by insurer.
Have anything mounted through the roof (vents, solar, antennas) done by a roofer who works with standing seam metal, so the panels and underlayment stay sealed.
Oil-rubbed bronze, 3½ in: $15.97 on clearance, regular $40. Also listed in 4 in and in polished nickel. Product page
What it looks like
A flat-leaf door hinge with a square knuckle instead of the usual round barrel. Oil-rubbed bronze is a dark chocolate brown with coppery highlights where it wears.
Basis: Rejuvenation product listing.
Summary. The hinges on the interior doors. The square knuckle gives the door edge a crisp, squared-off look.
Clearance usually means it’s being phased out. If you want spares for future repairs, order them now.
The product
Maker
Rejuvenation
Product
3-1/2" Tumalo Square Knuckle Door Hinge
Finish
Oil-rubbed bronze
Used in
Interior doors
Same Tumalo collection as Rejuvenation’s Tumalo interior door sets.
Rejuvenation no longer sells the knob style used in the house. The hinges’ Tumalo collection now includes the Tumalo Round Interior Door Set ($229–$269) in oil-rubbed bronze, with Tumalo, fluted or walnut knobs. Other current oil-rubbed bronze sets with a plain look are the Rigdon with a round backplate ($189–$239) and the Richmond with a rectangular backplate ($189–$239).
What it looks like. Oil-rubbed bronze, matching the hinges.
Where to buy. Rejuvenation: online, or the stores in Atlanta (428 mi), Cary (602 mi) and Nashville (626 mi).
LG lists the pair as system LV181HV. The air handler can be mounted upflow, downflow or horizontal, and the outdoor unit’s inverter compressor varies its speed to match the load. LG engineering manual
What it looks like
A multi-position air handler connected to the existing ductwork inside, and a single-fan outdoor heat pump on a hurricane-rated pad outside.
Basis: LG’s engineering manual.
Summary. The whole-house heating and cooling for the main house, installed in 2026: a variable-speed inverter heat pump on the existing ducts, controlled by a color touchscreen Wi-Fi thermostat.
The system
Maker
LG
Indoor
LVN181HV4 air handler, up to 640 CFM
Outdoor
LUU180HV inverter heat pump
Installed
2026, by J&J Refrigeration
Used in
Main house
Voltage monitor with surge protection.
150 mph hurricane-rated condenser pad with tie-down.
Color touchscreen Wi-Fi thermostat.
Shielded metal-clad 14/4 wire.
USA-made copper line set with Titan UV-shielded Armaflex insulation, plus a line cover.
Emergency auxiliary drain pan, dual float safety switches and a Drain Guard condensate device.
Connected to the existing ductwork, electrical and condensate drain; the old equipment was hauled away and recycled.
MXZ-2C20NA2-U1 outdoor unit with Designer Series MSZ-EF12NAW-U1 and MSZ-EF09NAW-U1 wall units
Zones2Installed
Capacity20,000BTU/h cooling · 22,000 heating
Details
SEER 16–20 and HSPF 9.3–10, by indoor pairing
Heats down to 5°F outdoors
Designer Series glossy white wall units
Designer Series (EF) wall units in glossy white: 12,000 BTU (MSZ-EF12NAW-U1) and 9,000 BTU (MSZ-EF09NAW-U1). Serial numbers: outdoor 93P05684, MSZ-EF12 8900801T, MSZ-EF09 9000427T. Designer Series
What it looks like
Two slim wall units with a flat, glossy white front panel, and a two-zone outdoor unit about 33 in wide and 28 in tall.
Basis: Mitsubishi submittals.
Summary. Separate heating and cooling for the bedroom and the suite bathroom from one outdoor unit. A control board and wired thermostat run the bedroom unit, and a new dedicated circuit with its own breaker feeds the system.
The system
Maker
Mitsubishi Electric
Outdoor
MXZ-2C20NA2-U1, serial 93P05684
Indoor
MSZ-EF12NAW-U1, serial 8900801T; MSZ-EF09NAW-U1, serial 9000427T
MSZ-WX12NL-U1 wall unit with MUZ-WX12NL-U1 outdoor unit
SEER218Current model
Capacity1ton12,000 BTU/h cooling · 12,200 heating
Details
SEER218
EER29
HSPF28.5
M-Series WX wall unit, Mitsubishi’s current wall-mounted model. Serial numbers: indoor 55E1012231U40M, outdoor 57C1361131U4B9. Product page
What it looks like
A flat-panel white wall unit 33 in wide, and a compact outdoor unit about 31½ in wide.
Basis: Mitsubishi 2025 submittal and service manual.
Summary. Heating and cooling for the back building. It heats in outdoor temperatures down to 5°F and cools up to 115°F. A Sensibo Air adds phone and Apple Home control.
The system
Maker
Mitsubishi Electric
Indoor
MSZ-WX12NL-U1, serial 55E1012231U40M
Outdoor
MUZ-WX12NL-U1, serial 57C1361131U4B9
Used in
Back building
Wi-Fi uses the optional kumo cloud adapter (PAC-USWHS002-WF-2).
Line set ¼ in and ⅜ in, up to 65 ft.
Blue Fin anti-corrosion coating on the outdoor coil.
Any of the Mitsubishi contractors listed above can service this system. Have the model and serial numbers ready.
Utilities
The water heater and the water softener: model and serial numbers, how to look after them, and who services them.
20
40 gallons
Hot water · Electric tank
Rheem Performance Water Heater
40-gallon tall electric tank, two 4,500-watt elements
Capacity40galBought 2026
Power4,500Wtwo elements · 240 V
Details
UEF0.93
First hour54 gal
Recovery21 gph
Home Depot store SKU 1001301799, internet #326590441. The Home Depot website listed it at $449 to $489 at the latest revision, depending on the store. Product page
What it looks like
A white cylindrical tank about 5 ft tall and 19¼ in across, with the cold and hot water lines on top and two covered panels on the front for the upper and lower heating elements.
Basis: Rheem specification sheet and Home Depot listing.
Summary. The water heater for the house: a 40-gallon electric tank with two 4,500-watt elements, bought in 2026. Rheem rates this size for a household of two to four people.
The system
Maker
Rheem
Model
XE40T06ST45U1
Store SKU
1001301799 (Home Depot)
Bought
2026
Electrical
240 V single phase, two 4,500 W elements
Size
60¾ in tall, 19¼ in diameter
Rheem’s manual suggests draining a few quarts from the tank every month to clear sediment.
Check the anode rod once a year and replace it when more than 6 in of core wire shows.
Once a year, lift and release the lever on the temperature and pressure relief valve to make sure it moves freely.
Home Depot sells installation with the heater, and any licensed plumber can service it. Have the model and serial numbers from the label on the tank ready.
21
Salt keep the tank filled
Water treatment · Softener
Culligan High Efficiency Water Softener
Automatic whole-house water softener, HE series
MakerCulliganModel not confirmed
SeriesHEHigh Efficiency, 1 in control valve
Details
Regenerates automatically
Any good-quality softener salt
Bypass knob on the back of the valve
Salt tank clean-out every two years or so
Culligan’s HE softeners come in 9, 10, 12 and 14 in media tank sizes, metered (Soft-Minder) or sensor-controlled (Aqua-Sensor), plus a Municipal version with carbon for chlorine taste and odor. To identify this one, note the media tank’s diameter and the two serial numbers: the control valve serial is on the back of the electrical enclosure, and the media tank serial is on top of the tank. Owner’s guide
What it looks like
Two tanks side by side: a tall, narrow media tank with the control valve and a small display on top, and a wider salt tank with a lift-off lid.
Basis: Culligan HE owner’s guide.
Summary. Softens all of the house water by removing hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) as it passes through a resin tank. It regenerates on its own with brine drawn from the salt tank. The routine job is keeping salt in the salt tank.
Owners’ noteFor salt, the owners recommend delivery from the closest Home Depot, West St. Petersburg on Tyrone Blvd.
The system
Maker
Culligan
Series
High Efficiency (HE) automatic water softener
Model
Not confirmed; see the serial numbers on the valve and tank
Control valve
1 in, with keypad and display
Used in
Whole house
Salt: any good-quality water softener salt works, including rock, pellet, solar and evaporated. Fill to within a few inches of the top. Purified salts leave less residue but need more frequent checks for “bridging,” a hard crust that forms over the water.
Manual regeneration: main menu, 2) MANUAL MODE, then REGEN NOW, or REGEN TONITE for the preset overnight time.
Bypass, for example when away on vacation: turn the blue knob on the back of the valve clockwise until it stops. Turn it counter-clockwise until it stops to go back to soft water. Don’t overtighten.
If the display shows PROBLEM FOUND, press the check-mark button to see the error and choose CLEAR ERRORS; if it comes back, call a Culligan dealer.
Culligan suggests watering houseplants with unsoftened water, and notes that softened water carries a little added sodium from the salt.
Salt: the owners prefer Home Depot for softener salt. The West St. Petersburg store on Tyrone Blvd 7 delivers it. Service and repair: Culligan dealers service Culligan softeners; Culligan’s dealer line is (800) 285-5442. Have the serial numbers from the control valve and the media tank ready.
Appliances
The kitchen and laundry appliances. The refrigerator, cooktop, washer and dryer came from Famous Tate; the dishwasher came from Best Buy.
Electrolux’s Owner Center has manuals and care articles once the model number is in hand; it is printed on each machine’s rating label. Electrolux Owner Center
Summary. The laundry pair in the utility bathroom: an Electrolux front-load washer and its matching dryer, bought at Famous Tate.
Owners’ noteThe best in the business, in the owners’ opinion.
The product
Maker
Electrolux
Type
Front-load washer and dryer
Bought at
Famous Tate
Model
Not confirmed
Used in
Utility bathroom
Leave the washer door open between loads so the door gasket can dry.
Famous Tate Appliance & Bedding, Largo/Clearwater12.4 mi 4560 E Bay Dr, Clearwater, FL 33764 · (727) 239-0001Where the washer and dryer were bought; the Famous Tate store nearest the house
Electrolux service
Book a repair online Electrolux books factory repairs online: sign in, pick the appliance and choose a time.
Local appliance repair
AACO Advanced Appliance Co (727) 527-1091 · aaco-advancedapplianceco.comFamily-owned St. Petersburg repair company since 1987; all major brands; open 24 hours; BBB A+.
Professional Appliance Repair (727) 361-9800 · profapplianceservice.comLocally owned, serving Pinellas County; lists Bosch, KitchenAid and Electrolux among its brands; BBB accredited, A+.
Mr. Appliance of St. Petersburg (727) 620-0243 · mrappliance.com/st-petersburgLocal franchise that services all major brands, including Bosch, KitchenAid and Electrolux.
Sears Home Services, St. Petersburg (727) 440-2355 · searshomeservices.comRepairs Bosch, Electrolux and KitchenAid among other brands; books online or by phone.
Works with magnetic cookware: a magnet sticks to the base
Aluminum, copper or glass pans without a magnetic base
KitchenAid prints the model number inside the burner box and on the underside of the cooktop. KitchenAid’s Owners Center has the manual, parts and accessories by model number. KitchenAid Owners Center
Summary. The kitchen cooktop: a KitchenAid induction unit, bought at Famous Tate. Induction heats the pan itself, so it responds instantly, and the glass around the pan stays cooler than on a radiant electric cooktop. Compared with gas it is far more energy efficient: about 85% of the heat reaches the pan, against about a third with gas, according to ENERGY STAR. Nothing burns, so it leaves the house air cleaner than gas, and the heat is far more controllable.
Owners’ noteEvery cook stuck with electric is handcuffed until they move to gas. Every cook who uses gas is amazed by induction, and once they have it, they never go back. Courtney is a chef-level cook, and this was her first induction cooktop. Her adjustment from gas was swift, and she now clearly prefers induction.
The product
Maker
KitchenAid
Type
Induction cooktop
Bought at
Famous Tate
Model
Not confirmed
Used in
Kitchen
To test a pan, hold a magnet to its base. If it sticks firmly, the pan works on induction.
Wipe spills once the glass cools, and use a cleaner made for glass cooktops rather than abrasive pads.
Famous Tate Appliance & Bedding, Largo/Clearwater12.4 mi 4560 E Bay Dr, Clearwater, FL 33764 · (727) 239-0001Where the cooktop was bought; the Famous Tate store nearest the house
KitchenAid service
1-800-422-1230 · Schedule service online KitchenAid service is handled by its own network of trained technicians.
Local appliance repair
AACO Advanced Appliance Co (727) 527-1091 · aaco-advancedapplianceco.comFamily-owned St. Petersburg repair company since 1987; all major brands; open 24 hours; BBB A+.
Professional Appliance Repair (727) 361-9800 · profapplianceservice.comLocally owned, serving Pinellas County; lists Bosch, KitchenAid and Electrolux among its brands; BBB accredited, A+.
Mr. Appliance of St. Petersburg (727) 620-0243 · mrappliance.com/st-petersburgLocal franchise that services all major brands, including Bosch, KitchenAid and Electrolux.
Sears Home Services, St. Petersburg (727) 440-2355 · searshomeservices.comRepairs Bosch, Electrolux and KitchenAid among other brands; books online or by phone.
The model number (Bosch calls it the E-Nr) is on the dishwasher’s rating plate; Bosch’s owner manual search shows where the plate is and returns the manual and spec sheet. Bosch support: (800) 944-2904. Bosch owner manuals
Summary. The kitchen dishwasher: a top-of-the-line Bosch, bought at Best Buy.
The product
Maker
Bosch
Type
Built-in dishwasher
Bought at
Best Buy
Model
Not confirmed
Used in
Kitchen
Clean the filter in the bottom of the tub regularly.
Best Buy St. Petersburg #5653.8 mi 6600 22nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710 · (727) 381-5223Where the dishwasher was bought
Bosch service
1-800-944-2904 · Bosch repair service Bosch large-appliance support; text “Support” to 21432 for manuals and servicer information.
Local appliance repair
AACO Advanced Appliance Co (727) 527-1091 · aaco-advancedapplianceco.comFamily-owned St. Petersburg repair company since 1987; all major brands; open 24 hours; BBB A+.
Professional Appliance Repair (727) 361-9800 · profapplianceservice.comLocally owned, serving Pinellas County; lists Bosch, KitchenAid and Electrolux among its brands; BBB accredited, A+.
Mr. Appliance of St. Petersburg (727) 620-0243 · mrappliance.com/st-petersburgLocal franchise that services all major brands, including Bosch, KitchenAid and Electrolux.
Sears Home Services, St. Petersburg (727) 440-2355 · searshomeservices.comRepairs Bosch, Electrolux and KitchenAid among other brands; books online or by phone.
The model number (E-Nr) is on the refrigerator’s rating plate; Bosch’s owner manual search shows where the plate is and returns the manual and spec sheet. Bosch support: (800) 944-2904. Bosch owner manuals
Summary. The kitchen refrigerator: a top-of-the-line Bosch, bought at Famous Tate.
The product
Maker
Bosch
Type
Refrigerator
Bought at
Famous Tate
Model
Not confirmed
Used in
Kitchen
Bosch’s owner support site has manuals and spec sheets by model number.
Famous Tate Appliance & Bedding, Largo/Clearwater12.4 mi 4560 E Bay Dr, Clearwater, FL 33764 · (727) 239-0001Where the refrigerator was bought; the Famous Tate store nearest the house
Bosch service
1-800-944-2904 · Bosch repair service Bosch large-appliance support; text “Support” to 21432 for manuals and servicer information.
Local appliance repair
AACO Advanced Appliance Co (727) 527-1091 · aaco-advancedapplianceco.comFamily-owned St. Petersburg repair company since 1987; all major brands; open 24 hours; BBB A+.
Professional Appliance Repair (727) 361-9800 · profapplianceservice.comLocally owned, serving Pinellas County; lists Bosch, KitchenAid and Electrolux among its brands; BBB accredited, A+.
Mr. Appliance of St. Petersburg (727) 620-0243 · mrappliance.com/st-petersburgLocal franchise that services all major brands, including Bosch, KitchenAid and Electrolux.
Sears Home Services, St. Petersburg (727) 440-2355 · searshomeservices.comRepairs Bosch, Electrolux and KitchenAid among other brands; books online or by phone.
The HomePod mini that runs Apple Home, the Lutron Caséta lighting and fan controls, the climate controllers for the ductless units and the smart locks, all of which work in Apple Home (the Apple Home section explains the setup order), plus the irrigation controller and the well pump it runs.
Apple HomePod mini in Midnight, the Apple Home hub
ColorMidnightInstalled
WirelessThreadWi-Fi · Bluetooth 5.0
Details
Apple Home hub: remote control, sharing and automations
Thread networking for Thread accessories
Temperature and humidity sensor
Apple introduced the Midnight color in 2024. Model MTJT3LL/A. Product page
What it looks like
A round speaker 3.3 in tall and 3.9 in wide, covered in dark Midnight mesh fabric, with a backlit touch surface on top that glows when Siri is listening.
Basis: Apple product and specification pages.
Summary. The home hub for Apple Home. Only a HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV can be a home hub: iPhones can’t, and iPads no longer can. The hub lets the owner control the Yale locks, the Lutron system and the Sensibos from away from home, runs automations, and lets the owner share control. Set it up first, on the new owner’s Apple Account, before adding anything else to Apple Home.
The product
Maker
Apple
Model
HomePod mini, Midnight (MTJT3LL/A)
Role
Apple Home hub
Power
20 W adapter, in the box
Used in
Back building
Apple makes a HomePod mini a home hub automatically when it is set up.
Only the home’s owner can add it as a hub. The owner’s Apple Account needs two-factor authentication and iCloud Keychain turned on.
802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Thread and an Ultra Wideband chip; four microphones for Siri.
It has to stay plugged in and on the home Wi-Fi to keep working as the hub.
The HomePod mini stays linked to the current owner’s Apple Account. Reset it and set it up again with the Home app.
If it still appears in the previous owner’s Home app, they remove it there: HomePod > Settings > Reset HomePod > Remove Accessory.
Otherwise reset it by hand: unplug it, wait 10 seconds, plug it back in, wait 10 seconds, then touch and hold the top. Keep holding when the spinning white light turns red, and lift after three beeps.
When the top shows a slow pulsing white light, hold the unlocked iPhone next to it and tap Set Up. It becomes the Apple Home hub on that Apple Account.
Set this up before adding the locks, the Lutron hub or the Sensibos to Apple Home. The Apple Home section below walks through the order.
Lutron renamed the Smart Bridge the Smart Hub. Product page
What it looks like
A small white square box with a status light, plugged into power and, by Ethernet, into the network.
Basis: Lutron product page.
Summary. Every switch in the house is Lutron Caséta. The hub connects every dimmer, switch and fan control to the Lutron app and Apple Home, so lights and fans can be scheduled and controlled by phone or voice. The hub sits in the Great Room closet, on the left near the floor, next to the network switch that links the two buildings.
The product
Maker
Lutron
Model
L-BDG2-WH
Location
Great Room closet, on the left near the floor, next to the network switch
Works with
Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, Sonos, Ring
Used in
Whole house
The Pro version (L-BDGPRO2-WH) adds integration with A/V and security systems.
These devices stay linked to the current owner’s accounts. Reset each one and set it up again in the Lutron App app.
Factory reset each dimmer, switch and fan control: tap the On button three times quickly, holding on the third press until the status light flashes slowly (about 3 seconds). Release, then immediately tap three more times. The light flashes twice when the reset is done.
Install the Lutron App and create a new account.
Set up the Smart Hub in the app. When it says the system already has another account, tap Confirm to take it over.
Add each dimmer, switch and fan control back in the app, then add the system to Apple Home with the HomeKit code on the bottom of the hub.
These devices stay linked to the current owner’s accounts. Reset each one and set it up again in the Lutron App app.
Factory reset each dimmer, switch and fan control: tap the On button three times quickly, holding on the third press until the status light flashes slowly (about 3 seconds). Release, then immediately tap three more times. The light flashes twice when the reset is done.
Set up the Caséta Smart Hub in the Lutron App, then add each control back to it. The Smart Hub entry has the full steps.
These devices stay linked to the current owner’s accounts. Reset each one and set it up again in the Lutron App app.
Factory reset each dimmer, switch and fan control: tap the On button three times quickly, holding on the third press until the status light flashes slowly (about 3 seconds). Release, then immediately tap three more times. The light flashes twice when the reset is done.
Set up the Caséta Smart Hub in the Lutron App, then add each control back to it. The Smart Hub entry has the full steps.
These devices stay linked to the current owner’s accounts. Reset each one and set it up again in the Lutron App app.
Factory reset each dimmer, switch and fan control: tap the On button three times quickly, holding on the third press until the status light flashes slowly (about 3 seconds). Release, then immediately tap three more times. The light flashes twice when the reset is done.
Set up the Caséta Smart Hub in the Lutron App, then add each control back to it. The Smart Hub entry has the full steps.
Works by sending the same infrared signals as the unit’s own remote. Temperature and humidity sensors are built in; the motion-sensing Room Sensor is an add-on. The Air Pro is Sensibo’s current flagship. Product page
What it looks like
A small white rounded square with a status light, placed in line of sight of the indoor unit.
Basis: Sensibo product page.
Summary. Two Sensibo Airs, one in the back building and one in the bedroom, add phone, schedule and Apple Home control to the Mitsubishi units. In the back building, it sits on top of the large wall cabinet. In the bedroom, it should be attached with Velcro underneath the TV cabinet.
These devices stay linked to the current owner’s accounts. Reset each one and set it up again in the Sensibo app.
With the Sensibo Air plugged in, push a paperclip into the small hole on its side and hold for 15 seconds. This clears the Wi-Fi and Apple Home settings.
Install the Sensibo app and create an account.
Add the device in the app, connect it to Wi-Fi, and pair it with the Mitsubishi unit. Repeat for the second Sensibo Air.
Key-free touchscreen deadbolt with Apple Home Keys
ModelYRD450-N-BLEModel not confirmed
Installed7locks
Details
Apple Home Key: tap an iPhone or Apple Watch
Apple Home over Bluetooth
4 × AA batteries, 9 V emergency backup
The HomeKit edition of the Assure Lock 2 is the Plus with Apple Home Keys, Bluetooth version (YRD450-N-BLE); the exact model and finish are not confirmed. Finishes: Black Suede, Satin Nickel and Oil Rubbed Bronze. Product page
What it looks like
A slim touchscreen deadbolt with a lighted number pad and no key cylinder.
Basis: Yale and Apple product pages.
Summary. The house is 100% keyless: seven smart deadbolts on the front door, both back doors, the bedroom, the office and both door sets of the back building. Each opens when an iPhone or Apple Watch with an Apple Home Key is held near it, with a code on the touchscreen, or from Apple Home.
The product
Maker
Yale
Product
Assure Lock 2 Plus with Apple Home Keys
Model
YRD450-N-BLE, finish suffix varies
Quantity
7
Used in
Front door, both back doors, bedroom, office, both back-building door sets
An optional Yale Wi-Fi module adds remote access without an Apple home hub.
These locks are set up in the current owners’ Yale Access app. Yale says a lock set up in the app is factory reset from the app by its owner, so the current owners reset each lock before handover.
Current owners, within Bluetooth range of each lock: open the Yale Access app to the lock screen, tap Settings (the gear icon), select the lock, scroll to Factory Reset and tap Reset Lock.
New owner: set each lock up in the Yale Access app. Repeat for all seven locks.
If a lock still shows as belonging to another account, Yale asks the previous owner for permission to reset it, which can take up to 30 days. Asking the previous owners directly is faster.
Yale’s hardware reset, with a battery out and the reset button held down, is only for locks that were never set up in the Yale Access app.
Weather Intelligence adjusts watering to the forecast
Zones and schedules in the Rachio app
The Rachio 3 also works with Apple Home
Rachio’s reset steps differ by generation. A Rachio 3 has a round white button and a light bar; a Generation 2 has arrow and Select buttons. Rachio reset steps by generation
What it looks like
A white wall-mounted controller with a light bar, wired to the sprinkler valves.
Basis: owners’ description and Rachio support.
Summary. Runs the yard’s irrigation from the Rachio app and adjusts watering to local weather.
The product
Maker
Rachio
Type
Wi-Fi sprinkler controller
Model
Not confirmed
Used in
Yard irrigation
The irrigation draws from its own shallow well; the Rachio switches the well pump on through a Hunter pump start relay. See Irrigation Well and Pump.
The owner can share access with a landscaper from the app: Share property, then Share with a business.
Schedules live in the Rachio account, and the controller keeps a copy so it can keep watering if Wi-Fi drops.
The controller stays registered to the current owner’s Rachio account. Transfer it to a new account, then connect it to the new Wi-Fi, all in the Rachio app.
Install the Rachio app and create an account.
Tap + Add and scan the barcode or QR code on the controller. Scan it rather than typing the serial number; only scanning shows the transfer options.
Choose “Transfer ownership and retain all settings” to keep the current zones and schedules, or “clear all settings” to start fresh, then tap Request Transfer.
Connect it to the new Wi-Fi in the app: Settings, then Update Wi-Fi Network. On a Rachio 3, a Wi-Fi reset is: hold the Wi-Fi button until the light bar fills and flashes blue, then reconnect in the app when the second light blinks yellow.
Factory reset on a Rachio 3: unplug it for 5 seconds and plug it back in, then hold the Stop button (the top of the round white button) until the whole light bar flashes blue, and release. This clears only the controller’s memory, not the zones and schedules saved in the app.
Shallow well with a Berkeley ProJet SN 1 HP jet pump, a Hunter pump start relay and a rain sensor
Flow16–22Installed
Pump1HPBerkeley ProJet SN, cast iron, self-priming
Details
Irrigation runs on the well, separate from the house water
The Rachio starts the pump through a relay
Rain sensor holds off watering after rain
Berkeley lists its 1 HP ProJet SN pump as model 10SN; the nameplate on the motor confirms it. SN pumps are self-priming and made for wells up to 25 ft deep. Berkeley SN series
What it looks like
A cast-iron jet pump and its electric motor at the well, and a small relay box that switches the pump on and off for the controller.
Basis: owners’ description; Berkeley, Hunter and Rachio product information.
Summary. The yard irrigation draws from its own shallow well. When the Rachio runs a zone, a Hunter pump start relay switches on the 1 HP Berkeley jet pump, and a rain sensor holds off watering after rain.
The product
Well
Shallow well, 16 to 22 gal/min
Pump
Berkeley ProJet SN shallow well jet pump, 1 HP, 115/230 V single phase, cast iron
Relay
Hunter PSR-22 pump start relay
Sensor
Rain sensor
Heads
Pop-up spray heads, 6 in and 12 in
Used in
Yard irrigation
Rachio runs a pump start relay from its M (master valve) terminal and needs Master Valve turned on in the app, under the device’s Advanced settings. A wired rain sensor is turned on in the same Advanced settings.
Spray heads include 12 in pop-ups on the north side that clear the bushes, a 6 in pop-up near the driveway, and heads on the west fence line and near the mailbox.
Berkeley’s manual says never to run the pump dry: running without water can overheat it and damage the seal.
Any irrigation contractor or well and pump service can work on the pump, relay and heads.
Cameras are installed inside and outside the house. They are not part of Apple Home: the cameras are not HomeKit compatible and run in their own app. The ecobee SmartCamera in the Great Room closet is also the hub for the ecobee door + motion sensors on the doors. To keep those sensors working, use that camera or another compatible ecobee device as the hub, then connect each sensor to it.
ecobee lists optional Apple Home Secure Video support for this camera’s video; the door + motion sensors and ecobee Smart Security stay in the ecobee app. Product page
What it looks like
A small rounded-square camera, 3.9 × 2.3 in, with a black face, two buttons on top, and a white stand that doubles as a wall mount.
Basis: ecobee product page, FAQ and installation guide.
Summary. The indoor camera in the Great Room closet, and the hub for every ecobee door + motion sensor on the doors. The sensors report to this camera, so they stop working if it is unplugged, removed or not set up.
The product
Maker
ecobee
Model
SmartCamera with voice control, EBSCV01
Power
12 V adapter, needs an outlet
Wi-Fi
2.4 and 5 GHz
Used in
Great Room closet
Two-way talk and Alexa built in.
Live video works without a plan. Recorded clips need ecobee Smart Security; snapshots are kept for 180 days.
After a power outage it reconnects to Wi-Fi and keeps its settings.
Other ecobee devices that can serve as the sensor hub: a compatible ecobee smart thermostat (Smart Thermostat Premium, Enhanced or Essential, among others) or the Smart Doorbell Camera (wired).
The camera stays linked to the current owner’s ecobee account. Reset it and set it up again in the ecobee app.
Factory reset: press and hold the two buttons on top until the voice menu starts, release them, wait for “Reset to factory settings,” then press the Voice Assistant button (the solid gray circle). This also unregisters it from the previous owner’s ecobee account.
Install the ecobee app and create an account and a home.
With the camera plugged in and showing 4 solid amber lights, tap + > Add a device > Camera, and follow the prompts to join it to the home Wi-Fi.
Set the camera up before the door + motion sensors. They pair to it.
Door + motion sensor (EBDWC01), paired to the SmartCamera
ModelEBDWC01Installed
BatteryCR2477up to 3 years
Details
Open, closed and motion
Needs an ecobee hub
Apple Home
Each sensor is a base with a motion lens plus a magnet; the base reports to its hub over 915 MHz radio. Product page
What it looks like
A slim white base about 2⅜ in tall with a round motion lens and the ecobee name, and a small white magnet beside it on each door.
Basis: ecobee product page and installation guide.
Summary. Sensors on the doors that report when a door opens or closes and when someone moves nearby. They are not HomeKit compatible and work only through an ecobee hub, which here is the SmartCamera in the Great Room closet. To keep using them, set up that camera (or another compatible ecobee device) as the hub first, then connect each sensor to it.
The product
Maker
ecobee
Model
EBDWC01; 2-pack EB-DWSHM2PK-01
Hub
ecobee SmartCamera, Great Room closet
Range
Up to 60 ft from the hub
Used in
The doors
Compatible hubs: SmartCamera with voice control, Smart Doorbell Camera (wired), Smart Thermostat Premium, Enhanced and Essential, SmartThermostat with voice control, ecobee4, ecobee3 lite and ecobee3.
Motion: 120° view, about 16 ft when mounted 6½ ft up on a door.
Door status shows in the ecobee app. Motion alerts need an ecobee Smart Security plan.
The sensors stay paired to the current owner’s ecobee account. Reset each one and pair it again in the ecobee app.
Set up the hub first: the ecobee SmartCamera in the Great Room closet, or another compatible ecobee device.
Reset each sensor: pull the front cover away from its mount, take the battery out for 60 seconds, then put it back.
In the ecobee app, tap Home > + > Add a Device > Contact Sensor and scan the sensor’s QR code. A backup QR code is inside the battery compartment on older sensors, or behind the mounting bracket on sensors made after early 2025.
Repeat for each door. For 15 minutes after pairing, the green light glows when the magnet is close enough to read the door as closed.
Mid-century turned, tapered legs and beveled edges
Lacquer finish: damp cloth, no polish
Grove is a Room & Board collection of solid North American hardwood furniture, built by woodworkers in Pennsylvania. Room & Board describes its style as mid-century: turned, tapered legs and beveled edges that show off the natural grain of the wood. Room & Board says more than 90 percent of its products are made in America. Grove collection
Summary. A long, low storage cabinet in the Great Room from Room & Board’s Grove collection, bought in 2020. Grove pairs solid-wood construction with mid-century details: turned, tapered legs, beveled edges and a lacquer finish that lets the grain show.
The product
Maker
Room & Board
Collection
Grove
Size
72 in wide, 20 in deep, 32 in high
Construction
Solid wood; back of wood veneer on engineered wood, per Room & Board’s Grove specifications
Finish
Lacquer
Bought
2020, from Room & Board
Used in
Great Room
Clean with a slightly damp cloth and dry it right away. Room & Board says lacquered wood needs no polish, and to avoid cleaners with ammonia, alcohol or petroleum.
Use coasters, trivets and felt pads: moisture and heat can damage any wood finish, and rubber bumpers and candle wax can stain it.
Wood darkens with light over time. Move decorative pieces now and then so the top colors evenly.
Keep indoor humidity steady to limit wood movement.
Every smart device in the house except the camera system runs on Apple Home, Apple’s smart-home system, also called HomeKit: the seven Yale locks (#32), the Lutron Caséta Smart Hub (#27) with all of its dimmers, switches and fan controls, and both Sensibo Airs (#31). Once they are set up, the Home app on an iPhone controls all of them in one place, and Siri can too.
Every device reaches Apple Home through the HomePod mini. The camera system stays in its own apps.
A home hub is an Apple device that stays at home, plugged in and online: a HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV. It runs automations and lets you control the home from anywhere. iPhones can’t be hubs, and iPads no longer can. The Midnight HomePod mini in the back building is this home’s hub.
Get it running first, on the new owner’s Apple Account, then add the other devices. Apple requires a home hub to control devices away from home, share control with others, run automations and add Matter devices, and Yale asks for the hub to be online before its locks are added.
Apple makes a HomePod mini the home hub automatically when it is set up. Only the home’s owner can add a hub, and that Apple Account needs two-factor authentication and iCloud Keychain turned on.
Three words to know
Apple Home
Apple’s smart-home system, also called HomeKit. Products marked “Works with Apple Home” or “HomeKit” work with it.
Accessory
Apple’s word for any smart device in the Home app: a lock, a light switch, a climate controller.
Home hub
The always-on Apple device (a HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV) that runs automations and allows control from away. Here, the HomePod mini.
Not in Apple Home
The camera system. The cameras inside and outside are not HomeKit compatible and run in their own app.
The ecobee door + motion sensors work only in the ecobee app, through the ecobee SmartCamera in the Great Room closet (#35, #36).
Setting up Apple Home in a new home
Plain steps for someone new to Apple Home. Each step links to Apple’s own instructions.
1
Pick the owner’s Apple Account
Apple Home belongs to one Apple Account: the one signed in on the owner’s iPhone. The owner can invite everyone else later. If there is no Apple Account yet, create one first.
Then turn on two security settings that Apple requires for a home hub: two-factor authentication, which asks for a code from a trusted device when signing in, and iCloud Keychain, Apple’s built-in password storage.
The Home app comes on every iPhone; its icon is an orange house on white. If it was deleted, download it free from the App Store. Follow the welcome screens, name the home for the address, and add rooms that match this page: Suite bathroom, Bedroom, Office, Kitchen, Utility bathroom, Great Room and Back building.
Do this before adding anything else. If the HomePod mini still belongs to the previous owner, reset it first (item 26 has the steps). Plug it in and wait for a slow pulsing white light on top. Hold the unlocked iPhone next to it, tap Set Up when the card appears, and follow the prompts. The iPhone needs Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
When setup finishes, the HomePod mini is the home hub. Keep it plugged in and on the home Wi-Fi from then on.
Each brand’s own app comes first, because every device has to be reset and set up again for the new owner; each entry above has the reset steps. Then bring the devices into Apple Home:
Lutron lights and fans. In the Lutron App, go to Settings, then HomeKit & Siri, tap Add Home, and enter the code on the bottom of the Smart Hub. Every dimmer, switch and fan control on the hub comes into Apple Home with it. Lutron’s steps
Yale locks. For each of the seven locks, follow step 13 of Yale’s guide, “Set Up HomeKit and Home Key.” Yale’s guide
Sensibo climate controllers. In the Sensibo app, open the device’s settings and tap Apple HomeKit to get an 8-digit code, then add it in the Home app. Do both units. Sensibo’s steps
In the Home app, adding a device always starts the same way: tap the + button, then Add Accessory, then scan the code or hold the iPhone near the device.
From Home Settings, invite household members so they can control the home from their own iPhones. Home Keys let an iPhone or Apple Watch unlock the Yale locks with a tap; they appear in Apple Wallet once the locks are in Apple Home. Sharing and guest Home Keys need the home hub running.
Check that the HomePod mini is plugged in and online, the iPhone is on the home Wi-Fi with Bluetooth on, and the device is powered and close by. Then work through Apple’s checklists.
Fiber reaches both buildings, and a wired 2.5-gigabit backbone ties them together.
━ fiber, solid where active · ━ Ethernet · dashed: available, not in use
Internet service
Frontier fiber
Frontier, a Verizon company
Each building has its own fiber line and ONT router (the box that turns the fiber signal into a home network connection): one in the back building and one in the Great Room closet. The back building line is active now. Frontier can light up either one.
Several Cat 8 Ethernet cables run between the main house and the back building and connect modern 2.5-gigabit network switches at each end. In the main house, the switch is in the Great Room closet, on the left near the floor, next to the Caséta Smart Hub.
The Wi-Fi access point is in the main house. More access points can go in either building, plugged into the wired network.
The smart devices need the home network before they can be set up: the HomePod mini and the ecobee camera on Wi-Fi, both Sensibo Airs on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and the Lutron Smart Hub plugged into the network by an Ethernet cable. Apple Home setup
Frontier and Verizon
Verizon completed its purchase of Frontier in 2026. Frontier service continues under the name “Frontier, a Verizon company.”
Utility providers and services
Who provides each service at the house, and how to reach them.
Internet
Frontier
Frontier, a Verizon company · fiber
Fiber internet. Both buildings have a fiber line and ONT router; the back building line is active now, and Frontier can light up either one.
Water, sewer, stormwater, garbage and recycling. Garbage goes out twice a week (Monday and Thursday, or Tuesday and Friday, depending on the address) and recycling once a week.
Billing
(727) 893-1016, Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Address
2401 53rd St S, Gulfport, FL 33707
Emergency
(727) 582-6177, after-hours water or sewer
Pickup days
Public Works, (727) 893-1089
New service
$200 deposit, proof of ownership or a signed lease, and a government ID
FHeat pump: Mitsubishi Designer Series wall unit #18
GExhaust fan switch and light dimmer: Lutron Caséta, two locations #29#28
Bedroom
Walls and trim, heart pine floors, the smart lock, the Mitsubishi wall unit and its Sensibo controller, and Caséta controls for the lights and ceiling fan.
Hand-augered wood board walls, trim and doors, door hardware, heart pine floors, lighting controls, the thermostat for the main house heating and cooling, and, in the closet, the ecobee camera that runs the door + motion sensors, the Caséta Smart Hub and the network switch.
ISecurity camera and sensor hub: ecobee SmartCamera, in the closet #35
·Fiber ONT router in the closet, standby line; see Network
·Caséta Smart Hub: in the closet, on the left near the floor #27
·Storage cabinet: Room & Board Grove, 72 in wide #37
·Network switch, 2.5 gigabit: in the closet next to the Caséta hub; links to the back building
JDoor + motion sensors: ecobee SmartSensor, on the doors #36
Back building
Red outside with white trim, white inside, heated and cooled by its own Mitsubishi system, with the HomePod mini that runs Apple Home for the whole property.
·Fiber ONT router (active line) and 2.5-gigabit network switch; see Network
·Smart locks on both door sets: Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus #32
HRoof: standing seam steel, Mansard Brown, same as the main house #15
Outside
The house exterior, the standing seam roof, the Miami-Dade-approved PGT windows and Plastpro Impact Series doors, the deck, the smart locks and the outdoor heat pump units.
29 stores and service companies in Pinellas County and Tampa, 26 of them within 20 miles, cover the list, plus Rejuvenation for the door hardware. Numbers follow straight-line distance from the house; driving is longer, especially across the water. Tap a number in any item to jump here.
● store or service company, numbered by distance from the house · shoreline simplified
Before you go
Call ahead
Check stock before driving
Paint. Give the color code, the product name and the sheen, for example “Simply White OC-117, Regal Select Interior, matte.” Benjamin Moore is sold by dealers only, not at Home Depot or Lowe’s.
Tile. Bring a spare piece. Both Floor & Decor tiles have been replaced by newer versions, so compare size, thickness and color before buying.
Heating and cooling. Call the installer first and give the model and serial numbers from the item entries.
Deck boards. Lowe’s sells Vintage Mahogany by special order. Ask the decking yards whether it is in stock.
Farther out
Stores beyond 8 miles · dashed box is the map above
Out of state
A
Rejuvenation Atlanta428 mi675 Ponce De Leon Ave, Suite E180, Atlanta, GA 30308 · (404) 872-6719Hardware Item #16, knob setsNearest Rejuvenation store. There are none in Florida.
B
Rejuvenation Cary602 mi20 Fenton Main St, Suite 190, Cary, NC 27511 · (919) 234-2407Hardware Item #16, knob setsMon–Fri 10–7, Sat 10–6, Sun 12–6.
Rejuvenation also sells at rejuvenation.com and by phone at 1-888-401-1900.
All stores and service companies, by distance
1
Anderson Lumber Company1.6 mi666 49th St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33707 · (727) 321-3111 · Mon–Fri 8–5, Sat 8–1Flooring Item #9Lumber yard with reclaimed wood and custom milling; ask about heart pine and matching board profiles.
2
Revolution Contractors1.9 mi701 37th St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33711 · (727) 888-6161 · Mon–Fri 7–6, Sat 8–2ContractorRecommended contractorGeneral contractor for remodels, additions and repairs. Ask for Dameon.
3
Spectrum Paint2.1 mi5513 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33707 · (727) 289-0264 · Mon–Fri 7–5, Sat 8–2, Sun closedPaint Items #1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8Full Benjamin Moore assortment, including ADVANCE, Aura Bath & Spa, Regal Select and INSL-X. Formerly Dyco Paints.
4
South Pasadena Ace Hardware2.4 mi6874 Gulfport Blvd S, Ste 807, South Pasadena, FL 33707 · (727) 344-3377 · Mon–Sat 8–6, Sun 9–5PaintStain Items #3#4#10Limited Benjamin Moore range (Regal Select Interior, Ben, INSL-X) and Varathane Summer Oak.
5
Durable Coatings2.7 mi3055 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712 · (727) 327-6500 · Mon–Fri 7:30–5, Sat 8–1, Sun closedPaint Items #1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8Full Benjamin Moore assortment, with an in-store decorator.
6
Green Bench Lawn Care3.4 mi2319 4th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 · (727) 439-2555ContractorRecommended contractorMonthly lawn maintenance at the house.
7
Home Depot West St. Petersburg #63643.7 mi2070 Tyrone Blvd N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710 · (727) 347-1833TileStainWater heaterWater treatment Items #10#11#12#20#21Restore Bright White tile, Varathane Premium Fast Dry Summer Oak, MSI Carrara White hex by ship-to-store, the Rheem Performance water heater (store SKU 1001301799), and water softener salt with home delivery.
8
Floor & Decor St. Petersburg #1953.7 mi2010 34th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 · (727) 369-5264Tile Items #12#13Current Bianco Carrara hex and Meringue II Matte, plus MAPEI Timberwolf grout.
9
Best Buy St. Petersburg #5653.8 mi6600 22nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710 · (727) 381-5223Appliances Item #24Where the Bosch dishwasher was bought. Also sells Electrolux, KitchenAid and Bosch appliances.
10
Ranger4.0 mi2887 22nd Ave N, Unit E, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 · (727) 322-8227ContractorUtility providersPest control for the house.
11
Home Depot St. Pete #2574.2 mi2300 22nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 · (727) 898-1100TileWater heater Items #11#20Restore Bright White tile and the Rheem Performance water heater.
12
Lowe's St. Petersburg #07404.3 mi2365 25th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 · (727) 822-8220Decking Item #14TimberTech AZEK Vintage Mahogany deck boards by special order (grooved board AGB15520MH).
13
Flow Pros4.5 mi2770 25th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 · (727) 265-9639HVAC Item #17HVAC contractor that installs and services LG ductless systems.
14
Value Air and Heat4.7 mi146 2nd St N, Suite 305, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 · (727) 418-3211HVAC Items #18#19Cleans and maintains the house’s Mitsubishi mini-splits. Lists itself as a Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Contractor.
15
Total Air4.9 mi3100 39th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714 · (727) 308-3051 · 24/7 service lineHVAC Items #18#19Installed the bedroom and suite bathroom Mitsubishi system.
16
Vision Ace Hardware5.2 mi2739 Dr Martin Luther King Jr St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704 · (727) 822-4801 · Mon–Sat 7:30–8, Sun 9–5PaintStain Items #1#2#5#6#7#8#10Full Benjamin Moore assortment; Ace stores carry Varathane Premium stain.
17
J&J Refrigeration5.5 mi2950 47th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714 · (727) 552-6657 · Mon–Fri 7:30–4, 24/7 emergencyHVAC Item #17Installed the main house LG system. Certified LG Pro Dealer.
18
GoodWind Cooling & Heating5.8 mi5210 57th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33709 · (727) 557-9517HVAC Item #17HVAC contractor that installs LG ductless systems.
19
Viking Air Services5.8 mi4801 58th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714 · (727) 502-6215HVAC Items #18#19HVAC contractor; lists itself as a Mitsubishi Diamond Dealer and serves Gulfport.
20
Decks & Docks Lumber Co.6.7 mi4801 95th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33708 · (727) 399-9663 · Mon–Fri 7–4Decking Item #14Decking yard that carries TimberTech AZEK Vintage.
21
Home Depot Pinellas Park #2896.9 mi4040 Park Blvd, Pinellas Park, FL 33781 · (727) 541-3606TileWater heater Items #11#20Restore Bright White tile and the Rheem Performance water heater.
22
Southern Pine Lumber Co.8.9 mi10875 52nd St N, Pinellas Park, FL 33782 · (727) 561-9300 · Mon–Fri 7:30–4:30Decking Item #14Lumber yard and TimberTech AZEK dealer.
23
Culligan of Pinellas County10.5 mi13075 66th St N, Largo, FL 33773 · (727) 531-1481 · Mon–Fri 8–5Water treatment Item #21Culligan dealer for Pinellas County: water softener service and repair.
24
Famous Tate Appliance & Bedding, Largo/Clearwater12.4 mi4560 E Bay Dr, Clearwater, FL 33764 · (727) 239-0001 · Mon–Fri 9:30–7, Sat 9:30–6, Sun 11–5Appliances Items #22#23#25Famous Tate sold the house’s refrigerator, cooktop, washer and dryer. This is the chain’s nearest store, with a 15,000 sq ft showroom.
25
Floor & Decor Clearwater #11615.7 mi21311 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, FL 33765 · (727) 239-4780Tile Items #12#13Opened at this address in 2026; older listings show 21760 US Hwy 19 N.
Fix Roofing20.8 mi4818 N Grady Ave, Tampa, FL 33614 · (833) 944-7446 · 24/7 emergency roof repairRoofing Item #15Installed the standing seam metal roof.
28
Goodwin Company (Goodwin Heart Pine)22.6 mi5810 N Rome Ave, Tampa, FL 33603 · (813) 876-3705Flooring Item #9Heart pine specialist: building-reclaimed LEGACY and river-recovered heart pine flooring and paneling, milled to order. Shares its site with North Rome Lumber.
29
Schiller's Architectural & Design Salvage24.7 mi2705 E Hanna Ave, Tampa, FL 33610 · (727) 560-6493 · Sat 9–5Flooring Item #9Architectural salvage yard selling reclaimed heart pine porch flooring by the square foot.
Manuals
110 installation guides, owner’s manuals and data sheets, one set for every product above. Each comes from the maker unless marked as a retailer copy. Benjamin Moore issues a safety data sheet for each tint base; the Base 1 sheet is linked.
