universities all over the map in finding top-level executives to keep 

their institutions of higher learning at the top of their game. It’s a 

taxing job to be sure, and one that keeps the couple very much on 

the move.      

With so much travel on their itineraries and keeping their 

schedules tightly packed, coming home to the calm beauty of the 

bay is therapeutic—and that beauty is something they love to share 

with their family and friends. Hosting dinner parties and opening 

up their guest rooms to their loved ones is something the Ashers 

treasure—and with seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and an 

entirely separate apartment space above the garage, doing just that 

is a simple matter. “We love to entertain, and it seems that—of the 

many places we’ve lived—living here in Florida has been the place 

that has really been the one that attracts family to come and stay 

with us,” Betty laughs. 

Not that that would come as a surprise to anyone walking through 

this amazing home, as one of the very features that makes it so 

amazing are the views of the bay that it commands from its many 

massive windows. The color palette lends well to keeping things 

feeling open and airy, with light, neutral colors on the walls and 

warmly toned hardwood floors running throughout. And tying 

right back in to the Asher’s love of Spain is the tile backsplash 

behind the 6-burner stainless steel gas stove where Betty lets her 

chef-skills shine. “I find cooking therapeutic, so the kitchen is 

one of my favorite rooms in the house, and whenever I look at 

that backsplash, it reminds me of wonderful memories I have of 

traveling to Spain,” Betty explains of the feature tiles that depict a 

view of the Mediterranean coastline with cypress trees. “I’m not 

one who easily gets attached to things, but that’s a very special 

touch in our home,” she goes on.

Complimenting the space are the creamy custom cabinets 

that line the perimeter of that large kitchen, with light granite 

countertops whose veining perfectly blends the coloring of the 

floor with greys and darker browns to marry the hues of the home. 

Centering the space is the kitchen island, its deep, chocolate color 

providing a beautiful contrast to the lighter tones that prevail in the 

room and offering just one more piece of evidentiary proof of the 

Asher’s appreciation for design.

“We love to entertain, and it seems that—of the many places we’ve 

lived—living here in Florida has been the place that has really 

been the one that attracts family to come and stay with us.”

XX-XX DestinQuarters.indd   2

8/27/17   2:03 PM