Transforming a Suburban Home into ‘Naperitaville’

When many people think of Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville,” they picture Florida or a South Carolina beach. But for Phillip Schutt, a Naperville resident, his suburban home has become his own tropical escape. At 65, Schutt has spent years crafting “Naperitaville,” a testament to coastal living within a two-story, brick colonial on Barkdoll Road.

Schutt, a longtime Buffett fan, has filled his home with beach-themed items, such as surfboards, a handmade lobster trap, and a pirate skeleton in a trash can. His garage contains over 90 items capturing a carefree, beach-like atmosphere. Notable pieces include signs with messages like “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere,” and a yellow model plane resembling Buffett’s “Hemisphere Dancer,” hanging from the ceiling.

“Jimmy Buffett proved coastal living is not just a location but a frame of mind,” said Schutt, who works as a portfolio manager.

His dedication extends beyond the garage. The sunroom exhibits a coastal farmhouse style, while the deck and a Charleston-inspired stone patio accumulate nautical elements. Schutt’s affinity for Buffett began in the late ’70s and early ’80s. A friend introduced him to the music, and he quickly became a fan of the beach lifestyle it represented.

Schutt inherited a knack for building from his father, a skill he uses extensively in creating Naperitaville. His early projects included a lifeguard chair to display a stuffed monkey from his sales work. This chair became a familiar landmark for passersby, leading to recognition of his home by its unique setup.

Over time, Schutt expanded his collection. Some items have been retired, while others, like a horse trough turned into a mobile cooler, serve multiple purposes. Many elements, though purchased, have sentimental significance, such as a seaplane replica found at a local liquor store after several eBay auction attempts.

Creating Naperitaville wasn’t a deliberate plan but evolved as Schutt realized the similarities between the names “Margaritaville” and “Naperitaville.” The matching number of letters and placement of the ‘T’ sealed the idea.

Though he doesn’t often showcase his retreat to others, except in a YouTube video, Schutt finds solace in his creation. The space embodies his own form of escapism, reminiscent of Buffett’s influence. Despite being far from the coast, Schutt escapes to his personal paradise through music and memorabilia, fulfilling Buffett’s philosophy of reaching one’s happy place.