Modish Five-Bed Villa in 540 Leucadendra Drive, Coral Gables

Some homes just have a kind of soul you feel as soon as you step in. This eight bedroom villa over at 540 Leucadendra Drive in Coral Gables really gives off that easy Miami mood right from the start. The sun slides through the tall windows and it all looks bright and just a bit classic. There are a lot of homes in Miami that try to go for this Mediterranean thing but here it just feels natural. When I first spent a little time there the first thing that caught my eye was honestly this massive old tree outside. It stands right at the edge of the garden looking as if it's been watching over the place for years. You can almost imagine sitting out on a warm morning with coffee and not hearing a thing except some birds and maybe a pool splash.

You have space everywhere you look and I mean it. The plot is big enough you could almost forget you're in Miami and think you're out somewhere remote. The villa is laid out so that every bedroom has a generous feel and the living spaces do not run into each other either. You'll see that there's a lot of freedom if you want to arrange things your way. Nothing about the place feels rigid or locked down. What's also nice is those big windows everywhere. I found myself slowing down just because I wanted to see how the light changed during the afternoon. Sometimes you catch a glimpse of water through the trees and canal views remind you the city is always close but not in your face.

Inside you actually get a sense this home has been loved, even though it's unfurnished. Abstract art pieces pop up in different corners, I remember a sculpture near the main stairway that just fits somehow. The living room is the kind of spot that can handle a real family night but does not feel overly formal. Right next door is a dining area that connects easily to the outside, so you could open the doors and hear the fountain in the garden or even have dinners that go late with friends dropping by. No one likes to be far from their kitchen so here it's a real cook's place. You could see someone making big breakfasts on a Sunday with kids sitting at the counter talking about what they want to do outside.

Head up to the upper level and there's even more room to relax. I felt like the mini bar up there is just asking for a spontaneous gathering or one of those evenings when you put on music and just let time slow down. With two pools to choose from in the gardens you do not really have to share if you want your own space either. The way the pool areas fold into the landscape is really something. Sometimes you just stop and look out over the water and the garden and realize it's not about how big the place is. It's about how it feels. There's a quiet reading space too which made me think of rainy Miami afternoons and old paperbacks.

Life in Coral Gables has its appeal and this home just fits what the neighborhood is about. You will see people out for walks later in the evening. The canal is close so weekends can end up paddleboarding or just sitting near the water and talking. Plus you're far enough from the city but you can be just about anywhere you want in Miami in no time. And the coffee shop's never a far drive when you need a midday break.

It might sound odd but sometimes when you visit a place you know pretty quickly if it's somewhere you can just live and not think too hard about it. If you want to see if this villa feels right for you or if you just want another look at the garden and the big old tree let me know. You can always reach out and at LuxuryProperty.com we just want to help make your next move feel like a simple step.