CONTENTS H & D
FALL 2025
Home design stories, inspiration and thoughtful architecture on the West Coast of Florida— from Anna Maria Island and Lakewood Ranch to Sarasota, Venice and the Barrier Islands.
8 BEYOND CURB APPEAL
In real estate, the term curb appeal refers to the visual impression a home and its surroundings makes from the street. But the art of planning and designing outdoor spaces goes far beyond aesthetics. It’s about working with the land to create a space that is as functional as it is beautiful, integrating seamlessly with the architecture to create a fully immersive experience.
14 MODERN MARVEL
Rick Oswald is the president of CMSA Architects and the visionary behind the design of the Modern 4-Square House on the water in Bird Key. This wholly singular home received a Silver Award for Best Overall Home Over $4 Million in the SRQ Magazine 2025 Home of the Year Awards. CMSA Architects handled both the architecture and interior design of the home, resulting in a space that is as cohesive as it is creative.
18 A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING
It happens to all of us. One day, you’re innocently scrolling through social media when you stumble on one of the organizing and restocking videos that have taken the internet by storm. Crisp white bins slide seamlessly into a neatly arranged refrigerator. Bulky cardboard snack boxes are replaced with stylish storage containers. The laundry is neatly folded in color-coded stacks. Before you know it, six hours have passed and you’re convinced that if you could just get your house in order, you’d get your life in order too.
22 RUSTIC REVIVAL
In the late 16th century, Spanish settlers introduced European tile-making traditions to Mexico. In what is now the city of Saltillo, in the northern state of Coahuila, indigenous Tlaxcaltecas artisans began creating terracotta tiles using a combination of Old World techniques and local materials. The result was something entirely new: a distinctive, sunbaked tile now known as Saltillo tile, still crafted much the same way nearly 450 years later.
Architect: Hive Architects; J M Meyer Construction Contractors: Coast Outdoor Services Landscape Design: DWY Landscape Architects Pool: Water Designs of Sarasota Roofing: Mullet’s Furnishings/Furniture: Solus Decor, Gloster, and Blue Thumb Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography
WRITTEN BY
KATE WIGHT, PHOTOGRAPHY
RYAN GAMM, JESSICA GLYNN AND COURTESY OF MICHAEL A. GILKEY
This spread: The floor-to-ceiling windows in the owner’s suite provide a panoramic view of the landscape at the Bahia Vista residence. Bottom left: Dense vegetation around the property creates a sense of seclusion. Architect: Hive Architects; J M Meyer Construction Contractors: Coast Outdoor Services Landscape Design: DWY Landscape Architects Pool: Water Designs of Sarasota Roofing: Mullet’s Furnishings/Furniture: Solus Decor, Gloster, and Blue Thumb Photographer: Ryan Gamma Photography
Three award-winning homes show that when it comes to outdoor living, there’s far more than meets the eye.
BEYOND CURB APPEAL
In real estate, the term curb appeal refers to the visual impression a home and its surroundings makes from the street. But the art of planning and designing outdoor spaces goes far beyond aesthetics. It’s about working with the land to create a space that is as functional as it is beautiful, integrating seamlessly with the architecture to create a fully immersive experience. Each year, the SRQ Magazine Home of the Year Awards recognizes outstanding residential design in the Sarasota and Manatee County region. In the Best Landscape/Pool/Outdoor category, three exceptional properties stood out for their inspired approach to outdoor living.
BAHIA VISTA RESIDENCE
THE BAHIA VISTA RESIDENCE MAY BE LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS, but it has a level of privacy due in large part to the density of the existing landscape. The perimeter of the property is surrounded by bamboo, so as you enter the driveway you feel enveloped in the space and separated from everything around you. The homeowners were renovating the house and also hired landscape architect David W. Young to improve upon that feeling of seclusion.
“One of the things we focused on was increasing the density of the perimeter, making sure you couldn’t see anyone adjacent, and the property became kind of inwardly focused because of that,” Young says. “We developed a driveway entry that was nicely private so you couldn’t see the house or the pool, and the overall approach was one that kind of unfolds for you as you come onto the property.”
The property did have an existing pool, but restoring and renovating it was going to be costly. It was actually going to be less expensive to remove the existing pool and install a new one that better suited the look of the house. “In doing that, we were able to create a beautiful, resort-style pool by detailing it in a way that allowed us to really bring the waterline up,” says Young. “What’s different about this pool than most I see is that the waterline is almost coplanar with the deck. That creates this effect where it looks kind of drippy, almost mirage-like, where you feel like you want to walk right into it. The things we do are sometimes subtle and maybe a little puzzling in those ways.” Young says the architecture of a building is always a big influence on how he can develop outdoor spaces that dovetail into the architectural spaces inside. In the Bahia Vista residence, some of the more private areas of the home (the owner’s suite and kitchen and dining areas in particular) overlook the pool and garden spaces through floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
“It was really important for us to make sure you felt that indoor-outdoor connection,” he says. “From the owner’s suite especially, it feels like you’re immersed in the landscape, planting everywhere, but yet fully private. You don’t have any concerns about privacy anywhere.”
In regards to the planting, Young mostly augmented what was already there. He brought in native plants at different scales and textures to introduce new screening elements without sacrificing sustainability or risking overcrowding the space. “We focus on creating a sense of place,” says Young. “We don’t infuse our landscapes with color— we like for them to be a little more zen-like and modern in their composition.” DWY Landscape Architects, 1350 5th St. Studio 004, Sarasota, 941-365-6530, dwyla.com.
ISLAND BREEZE
THE ISLAND BREEZE HOME ON SIESTA KEY IS A SECLUDED FAMILY RETREAT inspired by the historic homes on the Abaco Islands islands in the Bahamas. Nautilus Homes was the builder on the project. Ryan Perrone, the company’s president and co-founder, worked closely with the rest of the design team (including Michael
Gilkey, who was also the landscape architect on this project) to ensure there was cohesion and continuity between the indoor and outdoor living spaces. Perrone also put a great deal of care into ensuring that the materials selected for the home’s exterior would hold up against the elements. This is especially evident when it comes to the roof, which is one of the home’s most striking exterior features. “The primary roofing material is a handsplit cedar shake,” Perrone says. “The key to a good cedar shake roof is to get it to stay dry every day and that’s why you don’t often see them in Florida.” Perrone reached out to the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau, a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of cedar roofing and sidewall products to help specify the appropriate application of the materials.
“The bureau doesn’t have a defined approach for doing this kind of roof in a humid location like this,” he adds. “I ended up working with the head of the bureau to make sure it was being done right.” This meticulous attention to detail was helpful when it came to incorporating the existing landscape into the footprint of the build itself. “The property had three large oak trees on it and we worked the house to
fit within those,” he says. “From the front entry angle, you see this massive tree on the left-hand side of the house and the other large tree is between the garage and the house. That’s the reason we placed a breezeway between the garage and the house to make space for that tree. We really try to let the land inform how the house is going to be built.”
But it’s not just designing around the trees that’s an issue. Perrone cautions that it’s also important to have a team that’s mindful throughout the construction process, as large construction equipment like cranes and lifts can easily damage trees. As a local, he has a respect for and understanding of the land. That also helps set him apart in his field.
“Growing up around here and knowing what the weather is going to bring and what sort of conditions the materials are going to have to face is an advantage,” Perrone says.
“It’s about taking that vision wherever a client comes from and having the knowledge and skill to bring it to life in a way that’s also going to be durable and hold up. So it doesn’t just hit the aesthetic marks, but it also hits the benchmarks of longevity and high quality.” Nautilus Homes, 7126 Beneva Rd. #201, Sarasota, 941-366-3650, nautilus-homes.com.
Architect: Zobrist Design Group Contractors: Nautilus Homes Interior Design: Jett Thompson Interiors Cabinetry: Sarasota Architectural Woodworking Flooring: SB Custom Flooring and Rosas Cast Stone, LLC Landscape Design: Michael A. Gilkey Pool: Water Designs of Sarasota Photographer: Jessica Glynn Photography
This page: The new pool feels particularly inviting thanks to its high waterline.
This page, clockwise: Ryan Perrone went above and beyond to make sure the cedar shake roof would stand the test of time at Island Breeze. Carolina brick pavers enhance the home’s historic feel. Because the Van Wezel estate is so historic, Michael Gilkey worked to restore the landscape so it reflected the era the home was first built. The swimming pools at the estate are surrounded by coral stone, which would have been widely available during that era.
THE VAN WEZEL ESTATE
ORIGINALLY BUILT IN 1937, the Van Wezel estate was the first year-round family residence built on Lido Key and is imbued with historical and cultural significance. The estate recently underwent a full restoration both inside and out, and landscape architect Michael Gilkey was faced with the unusual challenge of reviving the outdoor area in a way that captured it in its heyday.
“I’m a big fan of context,” Gilkey says. “When you think about a house like the Van Wezel that’s been here for almost a hundred years, you have to think back to what Lido looked like back then and what plants were available. It was in vogue for young socialites to travel on boats and collect seeds and bring them back, and Sarasota had a pretty wealthy population back then through the Ringlings. As a result, we have a lot of varieties of trees here that are fairly rare and there were some unique trees on site.”
Anytime Gilkey takes on a project, he starts by assessing the health and longevity of the existing plants to see what
can be preserved. Unfortunately, most of the trees on the Van Wezel property were beyond saving. He addressed that by bringing in plants that are true to the era.
“We planted two unique species of ficus trees out front on the street side that will take the place of those larger canopies inside the courtyard of the front of the house,” he says. “We’ve also added four royal poincianas that are going to grow together and eventually create a canopy that just about covers the entire front of the property. The intent is to get that density and feeling of the garden back. The trees are beautiful today, but it’s going to be fantastic in ten years, right? There’s a long-term vision to what we’re creating.”
Gilkey also put a lot of care into ensuring the hardscaping elements were era-appropriate. Around the pools and walkways he utilized coral stone which would have been widely-used and available at the time. In other areas, he went with a traditional tabby concrete.
“A hundred years ago, they didn’t have graded aggregates to mix into their other cementious material,” he says. “They used
local aggregates, and for those of us on the coast that aggregate was shell. If you walk the streets in St. Augustine, you see the exposed shell in the concrete. With this project, we hand mixed washed shell into the cement mix because I wanted the material to feel like it could have always been here.”
There was an unexpected benefit to working on a historic project. Building codes have changed substantially since the Van Wezel estate was first built, in large part because of flooding concerns from hurricanes. While that’s very reasonable from a safety and practicality standpoint, it can sometimes make it hard to create exactly the look you want to achieve. “A lot of our new properties we’re working on, the living level of the house is 15 to 17 feet above site grade. When we’re thinking about indoor-outdoor living in new houses, it’s a huge hurdle to connect the garden that’s 15 feet below to the first living floor,” Gilkey says. “On this property, there was such a beautiful flow to work with.”
SRQH&D
WRITTEN BY
KATE WIGHT, PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CMSA ARCHITECTS
“I’ve never been one to necessarily follow the norm,” says Rick Oswald. “I always like to try and push things, but I don’t want to push them too far out of context to where they feel odd.” Rick Oswald is the president of CMSA Architects and the visionary behind the design of the Modern 4-Square House on the water in Bird Key.
This wholly singular home received a Silver Award for Best Overall Home Over $4 Million in the SRQ Magazine 2025 Home of the Year Awards. CMSA Architects handled both the architecture and interior design of the home, resulting in a space that is as cohesive as it is creative.
A unique home on Bird Key proves that innovation in design is thriving.
MODERN MARVEL
IN A FARMHOUSE FOURSQUARE HOME, the structure is anchored by a central core, with four additional squares at each corner that connect to the main body. These homes are always two stories tall and typically feature high-peaked gables and roofs. The facade is usually balanced and symmetrical, with a centrally located front door. This Modern 4-Square Home features all of the elements of a classic foursquare farmhouse crafted with a distinctly contemporary sensibility.
“Where a traditional foursquare is typically going to have a traditional entry door, we put in very large exterior openings,” Oswald says. “We took away all the gingerbread that you might see on a more traditional foursquare and we eliminated all of the overhangs completely, with the exception of a portion of the covered terrace on the second story. Those were some of the steps that we took to make what we would call a modern foursquare.”
After some adaptations to the original design along the way, the finished home is a generous 6,888 square feet. In addition to the owner’s suite, it boasts three guest suites (each with its own
en suite bath), his-and-hers studies, a three-car garage and a substantial wine cellar. The central core of the house contains a shared kitchen, dining and living area. From there, a 46-foot wide sliding glass door opens onto an extensive lanai which in turn leads down to a resort-style pool and boat slip.
“The owners are empty nesters, so it was very much a home that was designed specifically for where they are at this point in their lives,” Oswald explains. “It can certainly function well as a family home, but that wasn’t the intent of this design at all.” Because the home was so personal, the owners were intimately involved in the design process throughout. At the time the project started, interior designer Christiana Engert was working for CMSA (she has since started her own boutique design firm, Frond & Fern Design) and she worked closely with the owners to bring their vision to life.
“Christiana is a very talented young woman and she and the homeowner, Amy, really hit it off in a big way,” says Oswald. “We all know how much better things work when there’s that kind of symbiosis going on.”
Opposite Page: This colorful, eclectic den was designed specifically to the client’s taste by Christiana Engert, now of Frond & Fern Design.
The collaboration between designer and homeowner resulted in a home that struck the ideal balance between elegant and eclectic. While some people might consider the Modern 4-Square to be lavish it is also eminently livable and speaks deeply to the taste and style of the homeowners. “One of the first things we do when we go through the programming exercise for any new home is talk a lot about the owner’s artwork. I believe they had 40 or 50 pieces,” Oswald says. “This house was all about designing around their art collection. When we do that, I require dimensions for every piece, so this house is very specific to their needs.”
Knowing that, you can observe just how perfectly placed everything is. In the breakfast nook, the blank space across from the wall of windows is just the right size for a large-scale painting. It’s not an accident that the blue and yellow tones in the painting go so well with the blue and gold velvet chairs—those are also pieces brought in by the homeowners. In other rooms, you can see where well-loved pieces blend harmoniously with new elements. In the dining area, black and white chairs and a set of textured paintings brought in
by the homeowners are beautifully complemented by the abstract chandelier. Truly, everywhere you turn in this home, you’re bound to find some special detail or hidden treasure. The focal window above the front door belongs to a cozy window seat in the primary guest suite. In the owner’s suite, a wall of cabinets could hold stored items or a vignette of decorative items. In the kitchen, what seems to be a regular cabinet door opens into a full pantry. Even the powder rooms are meticulously designed—one features a wall mural with large white birds, and the homeowner was adamant about crafting stork legs for the vanity. There’s a sense of elevated whimsy that makes the home truly one-of-a-kind, and a lot of that has to do with the spirit of collaboration between the homeowners and the design team.
“I think this house is unusual for Florida,” Oswald muses. “I think it’s an elegant home, but unusual for the area. I’ve done a lot of homes out on Bird Key but until now nobody has allowed me to take it in a direction like this. I think it’s very, very unique, and I take a lot of pleasure in that.” SRQH&D CMSA Architects, 2724 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 941-364-4600, cmsaarchitects.com.
Below,left to right: This striking powder room demonstrates the owners’ willingness to make bold design choices. The abstract chandelier in the dining room helped tie the homeowners existing furniture and artwork into the new space.
BY
In the late 16th century, Spanish settlers introduced European tile-making traditions to Mexico. In what is now the city of Saltillo, in the northern state of Coahuila, indigenous Tlaxcaltecas artisans began creating terracotta tiles using a combination of Old World techniques and local materials. The result was something entirely new: a distinctive, sunbaked tile now known as Saltillo tile, still crafted in much the same way nearly 450 years later. Today, far from the arid landscapes of Coahuila, a family-owned business in Sarasota is helping preserve that legacy in a modern context. Founded in 1995 by husband and wife Velma and William Warner, Mexican Tile Renew specializes in restoring Saltillo tile floors. Their work helps homeowners maintain the warmth, character, and craftsmanship that define each handmade piece.
RUSTIC REVIVAL
Mexican Tile Renew is giving old floors new life
THE PROCESS OF MAKING SALTILLO TILE IS AS handmade and organic as the tile itself. Artisans begin by digging clay from local riverbeds, mixing it with water to create a pliable consistency. The clay is then hand-pressed into wooden molds, forming each tile one at a time. Once shaped, the tiles are laid out in the sun to dry, a process that can take several days.
Clockwise: Jessica Bloomfield has learned the art of restoring Saltillo tile through her work at Mexican Tile Renew.
Incredibly versatile, Saltillo tile can even be used in more contemporary homes. Saltillo tile is renowned for its character.
During this stage, it’s not uncommon for a curious dog, chicken or other animal to leave behind a paw print, an unintentional imprint that becomes a permanent and endearing mark of authenticity. After drying, the tiles are carefully stacked in a kiln and fired at high temperatures, which hardens the clay and creates natural variations in color, from warm yellows and rich reds to deep oranges and browns. The result is a tile that is both durable and distinctive, with no two pieces exactly alike.
“I always tell people, if you’re looking for a perfect tile that has no flaws, Saltillo tile is not for you,” says Jessica Bloomfield, a tile technician and estimator with Mexican Tile Renew. “It’s got a lot of character to it.” The popularity of Saltillo tile in Sarasota dates back to the 1920s when architecture was heavily influenced by the Mediterranean Revival style. The tile’s Spanish roots made it a natural fit for the style, and its ability to stay cool underfoot offered a practical advantage in Florida’s heat, especially before the widespread use of air conditioning. Even today, there are many benefits to using Saltillo tile—in addition to its aesthetic appeal, it is relatively low cost and its durability gives it the ability to withstand wear and tear, making it suitable for high-traffic areas. With proper care and
maintenance, Saltillo flooring can last for decades.
Saltillo tiles do have some drawbacks, though. They are extremely porous, so they can be prone to staining if not properly sealed. People frequently don’t realize that acidic cleaners can damage Saltillo flooring as well. Fortunately, even damaged Saltillo flooring can be brought back to life, which is where Mexican Tile Renew comes in.
“People ask me what I do and I tell them, ‘Well, I resurface and clean a very specific kind of tile,’” says Bloomfield. “I feel like what we do is really unique. Our process is always the same, but at the same time every house and what it needs can be so different.”
To start the process, a team from Mexican Tile Renew comes in and sweeps and vacuums debris off the ground, then strips the floor with specialized chemicals. Floors in relatively good condition only need to be stripped once, while more damaged floors often need multiple cycles of stripping and rinsing. Once the floors have been stripped, the cleaning phase commences. The team scrubs the floors with an oscillating machine, thoroughly cleaning the grout and the tile. Once the tile is immaculate, fans are placed throughout the house so the tile can thoroughly dry out. Once it’s dry, they can address any tile or grout that’s in need of staining. Finally, they’ll apply multiple coats of sealer to protect the floors for the next several years. While the process is undeniably intensive, Bloomfield says even their larger projects can be completed in a single day.
Mexican Tile Renew has worked on some impressive historical restoration projects, including The Pink Elephant Restaurant in Boca Grande and the Van Wezel estate here in Sarasota. They also work on residential projects for clients like Shelly Burke, who has a background in design. Burke owns a house in Holmes Beach that she lives in part-time and rents out when she’s not using it. She initially worked with Mexican Tile Renew after she bought the home six years ago, and turned to them again after the house was damaged in last year’s hurricanes.
“Bill and his crew came in and did an amazing job. They repaired everything and made it look brandnew,” Burke says. “I just wish more people knew about how you can truly care for Saltillo tile and bring it back. So many people get rid of it, and then they’ll come over and look at our house and say, ‘Oh, your floors are so beautiful!’ He’s so talented.” SRQH&D
Mexican Tile Renew, 941-926-7444, www.mexicantilerenew.com.
Above: Mexican Tile Renew restored the Saltillo tile in Shelly Burke’s Holmes Beach home after last year’s hurricanes.
WRITTEN BY KATE WIGHT, PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ORGANIZERS.
This summer don’t just get clean—get organized.
A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING
IT HAPPENS TO ALL OF US. ONE DAY, YOU’RE INNOCENTLY SCROLLING THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA when you stumble on one of the organizing and restocking videos that have taken the internet by storm. Crisp white bins slide seamlessly into a neatly arranged refrigerator. Bulky cardboard snack boxes are replaced with stylish storage containers. The laundry is neatly folded in color-coded stacks. Before you know it, six hours have passed and you’re convinced that if you could just get your house in order, you would get your life in order too. But that’s easier said than done. While these curated videos with their aspirational aesthetic are deeply satisfying to watch, translating that level of organization into real life is a much bigger project—one that many people don’t know how to begin. These tips can help you find your way as you embark on your home-organizing journey.
Clockwise: A custom closet designed for your wardrobe needs can help you get (and stay) organized. Elizabeth Harrison takes a hands-on, personalized approach to assisting her clients.
Labeling is a surprisingly simple way to get clutter under control.
Donating
If your organizing efforts have left you with a sizable donation pile, you might wonder where it will make the biggest impact. Fortunately, several local organizations can give your gently used items a second life, helping those in need while keeping usable goods out of landfills.
HIRE A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER
It might feel like taking the easy way out, but a professional organizer can be an incredible resource in a variety of situations, whether you’re downsizing to a smaller space, relocating for work or undergoing home renovations. Elizabeth Harrison is the owner of Sarasota Home Organizer and for ten years, she and her team have been helping people in the area with a wide range of organizational needs.
“You have people who just want that Pinterest-perfect, Instagram-worthy pantry with everything beautifully labeled, but we also work with people who are stuck in a rut or have been through a situation where they just can’t find the ability to get back on track,” Harrison explains. Sarasota Home Organizer offers highly customized packages that are tailored to each individual client’s needs and preferences. That process starts with a free virtual consultation and is followed by a needs assessment. “Some people want to hand you the keys and leave and have you call them when you’re done, while others want to be there with you throughout the process,” she says. “Sometimes we’re there to help as much with the emotional side of the process.”
PARE DOWN BEFORE YOU ORGANIZE
If you’re not ready to bring out the big guns and hire a professional, you still might need advice on where to begin. Cutting down on clutter by streamlining your belongings is a great way to make the organizational process feel a little less daunting and will help you get that clean slate you’re looking for. Set aside items to keep, donate, sell or throw away in labeled containers.
CREATE A TEMPORARY HOLDING SPOT
The organizational principle “a place for everything and everything in its place” is great on paper but it’s not always practical in day-to-day life. A decorative basket can serve as a temporary holding spot for items you don’t know what to do with at the moment without creating clutter. Just don’t let it pile up. “Pick one night a week to go through your basket and see what’s in there so you can put it in the right place or throw it away,” Harrison says. “And don’t let your basket multiply!”
CUSTOMIZE YOUR SPACE
Organizing solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all. Our brains respond differently to various methods of organization depending on our individual cognitive styles. If professional organizers like Harrison can help us figure out systems that work for us, then custom closet designers like Trish Underwood can help us implement long-term storage solutions that will help us stay organized. Underwood works at Carefree Design Center (formerly Carefree Closets), a locally-owned business that has been serving the area since 1986. Carefree Design Center offers custom room design for spaces throughout the home including walk-in closets, reach-in closets, linen closets, kitchen pantries, laundry rooms and more. “I try to keep people in the mindset to make the closet as adjustable as possible because your needs change over the years,” Underwood says. “Most of our shelves are adjustable and adjustable rods are also important if you have couples where there’s a height variance.”
WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER
This nonprofit provides support, resources and services to women of all ages and backgrounds including a Career Closet where women can get work-appropriate attire for free. The organization accepts donations of women’s clothing, shoes and accessories in good condition. mywrc.org
MOTHERS HELPING MOTHERS
This organization offers resources, referrals and aid to struggling families and also provides necessities to families in need free of charge. They accept a wide array of practical, gently-used items including clothing, kitchenware, home goods, select baby items, toys and much more. mhmsarasota.com
SPARCC TREASURE CHEST
SPARCC is an organization committed to supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and proceeds from the SPARCC Treasure Chest shop fund their free programs and services. This nonprofit accepts donations of men’s and women’s clothing, furniture and household items as well as art, antiques and collectibles. sparcc.net
