Sarasota Archives

Soaring vaulted ceilings and a luminous chandelier from Wilson Lighting infuse grandeur into the great room, punctuated with a fireplace wall clad in continuous-vein porcelain slabs. Texture-rich furnishings include a Massoud sofa, Lexington armchairs, swivel chairs and cubes from Sherrill Furniture, and a leather ottoman from Wesley Hall.

Inside an Elegant Winter Retreat in Lakewood Ranch

British West Indies style brings island elegance to a seasonal residence at Sarasota’s Lakewood Ranch.

The primary bedroom layers soft blues, textured fabrics, and carefully selected Vanguard pieces for a restful vibe. Linen and grass-cloth finishes add depth without weight, while wood casing around the doors and windows brings definition.

Coastal Ease and Refined Comfort in Venice Home

Natural textures, ocean colors, and beach house vibes converge elegantly in a waterside residence in Venice

A seating area off the main living room reveals the residence’s spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico. “We didn’t want to compete with the vistas, so one of our main challenges was to establish a refined color palette that wouldn’t veer toward being too white or too sterile,” says designer Carrie Riley. “Our inspiration came from the natural surroundings, mainly the sand and the ocean, which we reflected in our color and texture selections.”

Island Calm in Serene Siesta Key Condo

Gulf water views inspire the serene quality of a condo residence on Siesta Key

Divided by a floating staircase, the great room opens on three sides, dissolving the boundary between inside and out. The home’s sliding glass walls open fully to connect the interior spaces to the surrounding outdoor areas.

Sarasota Home Boasts Striking Openness

In Sarasota’s West of Trail neighborhood, a home delivers a dynamic indoor-outdoor experience despite a challenging footprint

The design of the living room was about fashioning a space that’s both relaxed and refined. “The ceiling details and beams add architectural warmth,” says Moss, “while the blue accent chairs bring in a subtle coastal nod without feeling overly themed.” To soften the room, rounded forms were incorporated wherever possible.

Anna Maria Island Home is a Ray of Sunny Coastal Transitional Style

A new build on Anna Maria Island embodies the relaxed vibe of beach town living with an elevated touch

The living room’s massive entertainment wall features porcelain slabs from Atlas Plan, separated by brass strips and flanked by antique mirror panels framed in white oak. A custom rug by Trinity Design anchors the sleek Century sofa, and a Zaneen chandelier illuminates overhead.

Manasota Key Home Touts Neutral Seaside Style

Seven years in the making, a beach home in Manasota Key celebrates everything its owners love about Southwest Florida

Everything about the third-floor lounge focuses on the view, including the tonal and textural palette that keeps the eyes fixated on the Gulf. Curved Century sofas, a round cocktail table from Worlds Away, and a Freeform bench by Phillips Collection emit a beachy, organic vibe.

Cool Effortlessness Abounds in Siesta Key Home

A new build on Siesta Key offers five levels of coastal elegance and family comforts

“We wanted the living room to feel inviting and softly casual,” says Weber. “Rift white oak proved to be the perfect choice as it harmonizes with the palette of rich creams, ocean blues, and rosy accents.” At the forefront, the white oak console by Michael Trent Coates was designed to back the O. Henry sectional and serve as a transition from the kitchen into the living room. The entertainment unit was custom designed by Studio Vesta and constructed by Hoffman Cabinets. An alabaster chandelier by Visual Comfort crowns the room.

Siesta Key Home Strikes a Sophisticated Balance

A Minnesota designer marries the contrasting tastes of a Midwestern couple to deliver a Siesta Key home that’s both sophisticated and welcoming

Vanguard chairs, upholstered in solid and patterned fabrics from Kravet, complement a custom dining table from Old Biscayne Designs. Blown-glass pendants housing air plants introduce a biophilic element that merges with the landscape. Trade Mark Interiors’ custom linear built-in delineates the living area along with the owners’ sectional and a custom Crescent rug.

Sarasota Home Balances Warmth and Sophistication

A young couple returns to Sarasota to reconnect with loved ones in a cozy-cool family home in scenic Oyster Bay Landings

The living room’s ceiling wood beams are reclaimed from old Ohio barns. The soaring, 72-inch-wide fireplace is paired with a hand-carved coral mantle. Furniture here includes lounge chairs by Palecek, draperies by Quadrille, and an area rug by Stark. The coffee tables are from the homeowners’ previous residence.

Breezy Island Charm and Sophistication Abound in Siesta Key Retreat

Abaco Islands-inspired sophistication and charm lead the way in a Siesta Key retreat where classic craftsmanship meets modern coastal living

A Visual Comfort freeform chandelier that would illuminate the entire surface of the island was chosen for the kitchen. “I did not want multiple pendants, and I needed something structured that would provide an ample amount of light since the island is a kitchen workspace,” explains Holiday. All of the shelving and cabinetry is made of rift-cut white oak. Leather counter stools bring warmth to the space.

Anna Maria Island Vacation Home Lets the Light In

An open layout with multiple gathering spaces brings welcome serenity to an indoor/outdoor vacation home on Anna Maria Island

Two of Stephen Kenn’s Inheritance sofas—with steel frames supported by military-style belts and topped with canvas upholstery—present a unique visual in the living room, where a handwoven floor covering by Beni Rugs is plush underfoot. The spherical pendant is by Isamu Noguchi.

Downtown Sarasota Apartment Embodies Metro Moxie

“My art is in the edit,” says interior designer Aubrey O’Brien. “To me, designing a home is like painting, as it starts with a...

Showcasing panoramic views of Sarasota Bay, the home’s impressive resort-style pool patio and its pristine tiered yard often slow down the passing boat traffic. Custom pavers with grass strips woven in between define the landscape, while decorative planters mark the waterside edge of the pool.

Inside a Couple’s Beach Nest on Anna Maria Island

Florida’s majestic blue heron inspires the tone and palette of a vacation home on Anna Maria Island overlooking Sarasota Bay.

A tone-on-tone palette of cream, white, and beige defines the design approach in the living room, yet the roped structure of the custom chairs warms up the space with organic color. Designer Carrie Riley’s goal with the window treatments was to frame the outdoors: “When you look through the room, the curtains look like two pigtails on either side.”

Neutral Nuances Come to Life in Lakewood Ranch Home

A less-is-more approach that respects natural materials guides the design of a custom residence in Lakewood Ranch

Anthropologie’s chic desk and task chair give this dreamy, light-filled home office a bespoke feel. A woven chair from Lulu and Georgia creates a textural accent, while Crate & Barrel cabinets display art books and collectibles. Pansy Bayou Design Atelier’s colorful flatweave rug reinforces the wall’s watery green-blue hue.

Modern Nostalgia in Sarasota’s Cherokee Park

In Sarasota’s Cherokee Park, a contemporary take on Florida vernacular architecture sets the tone for craftsman-inspired interiors that nod to the past

The kitchen emanates a chic nautical vibe, bringing ocean hues into the heart of the home. A glass-tile backsplash mixing clear tones of seafoam green and aqua backdrops a brilliant blue island that anchors the space. Natural fiber accents like rope barstools from Essentials For Living and the dining table’s linear Currey & Company rope chandelier create textural interest.

Chic Nautical Vibe Abounds in Anna Maria Island Home

A designer fulfills an Anna Maria Island couple’s dream for laid-back coastal living with a new build on a long-owned piece of prime land

Vermeer: Girl with a Pearl Earring/Mauritshuis, 2023, oil on linen. Joe Fig’s painting highlighting Vermeer’s most iconic work features a different background from others in the exhibition because he saw it at The Hague rather than the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.

The Art of Observation with Joe Fig

The artist explores the voyeuristic appeal of contemplation with a new exhibition at the Sarasota Art Museum, on view through April

In the living room, interior designer Julianne Hendrickson incorporated the homeowners’ previous sofa with slipper chairs from Highland House, a woven cocktail table from Made Goods, and a side table from Gabby Home. A light blue, hand-knotted rug from Serena and Lily anchors the room.

Anna Maria Island Home is Revived and Refined

After a renovation, expansion, and image makeover, an Anna Maria Island home’s gregarious owners have reason to celebrate

The recent recipient of an addition by architect Hannah Boehmer, this Longboat Key property’s original residence is nestled beneath the banyan tree that spreads its limbs toward the new primary bedroom suite. The size of the home grew from 1,340 square feet to 2,300 square feet once the addition was completed.

Historic Longboat Key Home Enjoys a Modern Addition

Once a schoolhouse many years ago, a Longboat Key residence receives a modern addition that elevates its original 1930 architecture

A custom four-poster bed by Old Biscayne Designs painted in Sherwin-Williams’ vibrant Green Bay shade and a teal ceiling define the primary bedroom’s rich color palette. Starburst Kalinda sconces from Made Goods and a plush Surya rug swirling in hues of teal, sage, amber, charcoal, and beige elevate the room’s aesthetic.

Sarasota Vacation Home is Swathed in Coastal Color

A vacation home in Sarasota’s Oyster Bay Estates community tells much of its story through jeweled shades of teal

“This more direct view of the foyer highlights its elongated shape, which we enhanced,” says Carson. “The wood feature running the length of the room serves to compliment its natural lines. The furnishings anchor the space and define the area as an entry point where we envision initial conversations starting among the homeowners and their guests.”

Q&A with Designers Meg Carson and Chloe Harlan

The Emcy Interior Design pros receive glowing reviews for a Longboat Key penthouse that tells its story through light colors, fine textures, and expert layering