Stonewall Villa, Oualie Beach

A grand villa set high on exclusive Ridge Road above the beautiful beach at Oualie. Gleaming marble floors, chandeliers and light, clean colors are set off by the black of polished granite work surfaces and wrought iron balustrades. The views from the pool stretch towards the Caribbean and St Kitts, and it is perfectly positioned for sunsets.

Set in 1.45 acres, the gardens are clean and manageable, but also a golden opportunity for anyone looking to develop a tropical paradise. Stonewall is surrounded by lawns that are edged by mature trees. As they are, the gardens are perfect for anyone looking for a space that is simple and easy to maintain, with the emphasis on the beautiful views and the blues of the Caribbean sea and sky.

Inside, the vast reception rooms are ideal spaces for entertaining. There are cozy nooks and a separate lounge area in a mezzanine that lend themselves to times when a retreat is needed. For visiting guests there is also a completely independent apartment complete with kitchen, living room, laundry room, bedroom and bathroom. The design of Stonewall skillfully blends integration and privacy.

Each of the downstairs bedrooms comes with its own en suite bathroom, and in addition the primary bedroom – that leads out onto the terrace – features a generous walk-in closet. The two bedrooms upstairs share a bathroom between them.

Doors that fold back upon each other, arched windows and the inclusion of that generous open mezzanine lounge mean that sunlight and soft cooling breezes spill into the house. Practicalities have also been given a priority, with another laundry room in the main house plus a large double garage. There’s an outside restroom by the pool deck, and ample space for eating either in the shade of the covered verandah or out in the sunshine.

There is a minimalist feel to everything at Stonewall. It could be transformed, evolving it into a space of brighter colours and Caribbean trimmings – or it could stand the test of time and stay just as it is, a classic villa with a sense of restrained, contained grandeur. It works equally as well as either a permanent home or a holiday retreat, with its prime location above the best swimming beach on the island giving it significant potential as a vacation let. With few homes in this area and, due to the geography, little possibility of adding more, this is an excellent opportunity to own one of the more exclusive views on Nevis.