Design Inspiration: St. Petersburg, Siesta Key and Sanibel Island
With its barrier islands and more than 100 miles of coastal shores, Southwest Florida is famous for its beautiful
stretches of pristine, white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. Beyond sand and surf, it’s also home to delectable
cuisine from top chefs, luxury shopping destinations and upscale boutiques. Add to that a never-ending supply of golf
courses, museums and a vibrant nightlife scene, and you’ve found your place in paradise. Southwest Florida offers a
comfortable mix of classic and cosmopolitan, relaxed and fast-paced – a place with a little something for everyone.
Here, we’ll take a look at three regions, highlighting how their way of living inspires furnishings that borrow from
coastal style while staying true to each area’s distinct personality.
St. Petersburg: Everything under the sun
With an average temperature of 74°F and 361 days of sunshine per year, St. Petersburg has aptly earned the
nickname of The Sunshine City. In fact, this sparkling gem located between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, holds
the title of “most consecutive days with sunshine.” Between high-end art galleries, a flourishing performing arts scene,
fine dining, premium shopping and outdoor recreation along some of the nation’s top-ranked beaches, there’s never a
shortage of things to do.
St. Petersburg is also home to the world-renowned Salvador Dali Museum, featuring the largest collection of Dali’s
work outside of Spain, as well as the Chihuly Collection, which showcases the mind-boggling, highly complex glass
sculptures of Dale Chihuly.
The 26-acre St. Pete Pier seamlessly blends the shimmering blue waters of Tampa Bay with the lively urbane
atmosphere of downtown, where luxury high-rise condos with wraparound balconies take advantage of the breathtaking
views.
St. Petersburg is the perfect blend of casual and cultured, which calls for furnishings that answer to both. When asked
to describe the design aesthetic of St. Pete, Sr. Design Coordinator Shelly Walker offered, “I would say St. Pete is moving
to more of a modern coastal vibe. Cleaner lines, washed wood or driftwood finishes.”
Offering an updated twist to coastal style, our Classic Home Coffee Table captures the look that Walker details perfectly.
The base of the table is made from a tree root that has been trimmed and finished by hand to further enhance its
intriguing form. Each root will differ in shape, ensuring that no two tables are exactly alike. A tempered glass top adds
a polished finish while allowing you to admire the intricate beauty of nature from above.
Siesta Key: Just another day in paradise
Nestled on a barrier island on the Gulf Coast of Mexico – and just a short drive from Sarasota – Siesta Key is known
for sand that’s as soft as powdered sugar. Unlike beaches that are mostly made of crushed coral, the sand here is 99%
quartz. Because of its composition, the sand is so reflective that it actually feels cool underfoot. It’s no surprise that
Siesta Beach consistently nabs a top spot as one of the most beautiful beaches in the U.S. by highly regarded media
outlets such as Travel Channel and TripAdvisor.
With stunning panoramic views of clear turquoise waters, this quaint 8-mile-long island offers an eclectic selection
of shopping, dining and nightlife. A laid-back beach town with a modern coastal feel, Siesta Key elevates the everyday.
Cynthia “CC” Christie, Sr. Design Specialist, sums up Siesta Key’s style as “cozy, casual coastal living with an indoor/
outdoor flow.” If she had to choose a key piece of furniture to convey this look, Christie would opt for the relaxed appeal
of a slipcovered sofa for starters, like our Malibu Slipcover Sofa. Offering the utmost in comfort, this sofa features a
three-seat frame draped in easy-care performance fabric.
Sanibel Island: Stroll down the isle
Situated 20 miles southwest of Fort Myers, Sanibel Island has a relaxed, easygoing feel that offers a little sense of
adventure along with the promise of doing absolutely nothing. You can access the island by plane or boat, but traveling
by car over a three-mile causeway allows you to become immersed in the expansive views of the glimmering bay and
blue skies above. The causeway eventually turns into a two-lane country road. As the speed limit goes down, so does
your heart rate, with the worries of the hustle and bustle of everyday life quickly fading to the back of your mind.
With ordinances that ban high-rises, stoplights and national chain restaurants, Sanibel Island invites you to get back
to nature. Widely known as the shell capital of the world, you barely can walk a step on the beach without partaking in
what’s known as the Sanibel Stoop – the endearing term for the way shell seekers hunch over and sift through the sand
in search of the sea’s treasures.
Roughly 15 miles long and 5 miles across at its widest, Sanibel Island has stretches of beaches and awe-inspiring sunsets.
Twenty-five miles of bike paths allow you to explore the island at your own pace.
Cynthia Sparks, Senior Design Specialist, notes that “Sanibel owners are looking for quintessential beach resort style.
They’re leaving the gray skies of the north behind in search of sunny vibes.”
With an island style that skews more toward classic beach houses, we look to pieces like our Mallorca Cocktail Table
that capture the essence of coastal-inspired design. The open and airy base in a crisp white finish is topped with a
convenient removable tray in a complementary tone that’s perfect for serving guests beverages or appetizers.
Our 5 O’clock Bar Cart is an entertaining essential with an open invitation to relaxation. Crafted of rattan, it features
two levels for storage and serving. Casters allow you to keep your party on a roll.
It’s no wonder that living the Florida lifestyle has become synonymous with the words laid-back luxury. For more
inspiration on how to incorporate that look into your space, contact us for a complimentary design consultation.
