FOREVER HOME ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND
HSH COLLECTIVE GIVES A COASTAL HOME THE OLD FLORIDA STYLE IT DESERVES
TThis home on Anna Maria Island was fundamentally sound; it merely needed a cosmetic update reflecting its beautiful surroundings and stunning views. The remodeling contractor, Jack Schneider, suggested that the clients work with Jessica Holiday, Principal Designer at HSH Collective, to enhance the project’s design. Holiday and Lead Rental Designer Bridgette Latessa created a plan to embrace the Old Florida style while developing a redesign that seamlessly blends style, functionality, and consideration for the entire family — pets included. The homeowners use the property seasonally but plan to make it their full-time residence in the future. u
Kitchen: Holiday noted that the original kitchen had a rather “glossy” finish, so she decided to tone down the shine for a more natural aesthetic. She chose a modern shaker door style that she had previously requested from Progressive Cabinetry for another project, appreciating its ability to blend coastal modernity with a touch of traditional charm. “It’s something that I love because it gives that coastal, modern vibe that our clients want while still honoring a little bit of that traditional essence of a shaker,” she says. While retaining the existing appliances, Holiday upgraded to new stainless steel models from Mullet’s Appliances, introducing a contemporary touch. Woven, beehive-shaped pendant lights add texture and warmth, complementing the sleek appliances. The Lunada Bay Tile mosaic is a stunning focal point, its ocean-inspired hues evoking the coastal setting. Thoughtful details abound. “There’s a dedicated dog-feeding area complete with a pot filler from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery for easy water refills,” Latessa says.
Front Elevation: The design team skillfully transformed the home’s exterior, maintaining its original structure while introducing elements that soften its modern appearance. They added board-and-batten detailing and soft blue shutters, creating a more inviting facade. New features include an elegant railing, wrapped columns, and carefully selected exterior light fixtures. The driveway and garage doors were also upgraded, enhancing curb appeal. “The idea was to soften the look to what I would call a warm contemporary home, with a little bit of the Old Florida charm,” Holiday says. The team retained the original travertine decking at the front and rear of the home, preserving continuity and timeless elegance.
“Every room needed to be super comfortable, and they needed space for the couple’s young adult children,” Holiday says. “They needed private spaces, but that also function so that when they’re all together, they can pile in and watch movies and hang out.”
The couple was transparent about their lifestyle preferences, clearly articulating what elements resonated with them and what did not. They placed their trust in Holiday to weave her creative magic, resulting in a stunning coastal property designed to meet both their current and future needs for full-time living. “That meant creating spaces that, right now, might be decorated with art or accessories but might eventually be a bookcase or storage for Christmas supplies,” Holiday explains. “We focused on current needs, but also what it could look like in the future, while always keeping in mind the possibility of a resale because, at the end of the day, there is always that possibility.”
Although the initial plan suggested retaining the original flooring, Holiday strongly advocated upgrading to wide-plank, engineered white oak floors to enhance the home’s aesthetic appeal and market value. To further elevate the design, she identified key areas for improvement, including adding carefully selected wallpapers for texture and visual interest, incorporating specialty lighting fixtures to create ambiance, and integrating design elements that reflect the coastal setting. These thoughtful enhancements seamlessly blend the home’s Gulfside charm with the owners’ lifestyle, resulting in a visually stunning space perfectly tailored to their needs. This comprehensive approach ensures that every design decision contributes to the home’s immediate livability and long-term value. n
Staircase: The staircase elegantly separates the living room from its two distinct seating areas, creating a seamless flow throughout the space. Adjacent to the stairs, you’ll find an additional seating area featuring four stylish chairs and a barrel-shaped, raffia-wrapped cocktail table. A desk designed to complement the foyer console enhances visual continuity and adds functionality to the room. This versatile area is a perfect retreat when the house is bustling, providing a quiet spot for phone calls or a dedicated workspace. The staircase has been thoughtfully redesigned with modern elements, adding a contemporary flair to the overall aesthetic.
Foyer: The original foyer felt cramped, so the design team relocated the staircase header to create a more open and airy atmosphere. To further enhance this fresh look, the designers incorporated shiplap with wider boards that extend from the first floor up the stairwell. Holiday chose a sleek modern console paired with an oyster shellframed mirror, which beautifully reflects the understated elegance of the Ro Sham Beaux sea glass chandelier above. This thoughtful redesign transforms the foyer into a welcoming and stylish entryway.
Living Room: The living room design needed to accommodate large gatherings while maintaining an intimate atmosphere for family relaxation. The space’s irregular shape and off-center window placement added complexity to the design puzzle. To create balance, the designers ingeniously positioned a separate seating area on the left side of the room, centering the main living space with the windows. This clever arrangement allowed two facing Four Hands sectionals and two chairs in the TV viewing area, complemented by auxiliary seating to the left. The cohesive look was achieved with a carefully chosen Look Walls & Interiors wallcovering, unifying the space and enhancing its visual appeal. “It’s bringing in that water that you see in the view off the sliders, but also just a little bit of a modern edge with that little bit of gray,” Holiday says. “I wanted a wallpaper that connected that whole space — tied all the pieces together.”
“Every room needed to be super comfortable, and they needed space for the couple’s young adult children,” Holiday says. “They needed private spaces, but that also function so that when they’re all together, they can pile in and watch movies and hang out.”
Primary Bathroom: The designers expertly reconfigured the primary bathroom to enhance functionality and create a more open shower area. The walls were adorned with soft gray paint, setting a tranquil tone throughout the space. A warm yet sleek vanity was introduced, perfectly complementing the overall design. To elevate the ambiance, Holiday chose a stunning drum-shaped chandelier from Kalco Lighting, featuring capiz shells and brushed brass accents, which gracefully hangs over the bathtub. The new steam shower boasts a striking feature wall lined with exquisite glass mosaic tiles, adding a touch of luxury and visual interest. This thoughtfully designed bathroom seamlessly blends elegance with practicality, transforming it into a serene retreat.
Primary Bedroom: The layout of the primary bedroom, similar to the living room, has a slightly off-center design. To address this design challenge, the designers opted for a textural grasscloth wallpaper that creates the illusion of enhanced symmetry within the space. “We added blown-glass pendants so that we didn’t have lamps on the nightstand that would bring another horizontal line into the space,” Holiday explains. The room’s generous size allows the homeowners to incorporate a loveseat at the foot of the bed and two oversized swivel chairs in the bay window area, creating multiple inviting spaces for relaxation and leisure.
Guest Bedroom: The design of this guest bedroom was inspired by a striking Thibaut fabric used for the throw pillows, which Holiday found particularly captivating. While primarily designed with the couple’s adult children in mind, the room was thoughtfully crafted to accommodate various guests. The team incorporated oversized nightstands with ample drawer space to compensate for the limited closet space. The room’s aesthetic is elevated by a luxurious Phillip Jeffries grasscloth wallcovering, its blue hues echoing the stunning bay views from the windows.
Guest Bathroom: Conveniently located off the newly designed home gym, this guest bathroom is the only space that retains its original cabinetry. The designers selected new countertops, cabinet hardware, lighting, and plumbing fixtures to rejuvenate the room, giving it a fresh and modern feel. However, the stunning rope-wrapped mirrors truly elevate the space, adding unique texture and a pop of color. The designers discovered these eye-catching mirrors at a designer-only market and immediately fell in love with them, eagerly awaiting the perfect opportunity to incorporate them into a design.
Outdoor Living: Perched on the second level, just outside the primary bedroom and adjacent to the home gym and office, this inviting outdoor living space is thoughtfully designed for relaxation and socializing. Holiday selected durable outdoor furnishings from Four Hands, including four upholstered chairs and a stylish ombre coffee table, ensuring comfort and resilience against the elements.”It’s the perfect spot to unwind after a workout or escape the hustle and bustle of the house when family and friends visit,” Holiday explains.
Home Gym: Housing the homeowners’ Pelotons and serving as the wife’s office, this room offers stunning views of the bay and the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge, inspiring both workouts and creative endeavors. “Our goal was to create a space that’s crisp, clean, and flexible,” Holiday explains. “It’s designed to accommodate a yoga mat for exercise while also being suitable for conference calls.” This balance is achieved through thoughtful furnishing choices, including an oversized swivel chair in the corner, complemented by a vibrant chartreuse side table that adds a pop of color. A well-placed desk catering to work needs further enhances the room’s functionality. Additionally, the adjoining patio connects to the primary bedroom, creating a comprehensive primary retreat area.
Outdoor Dining: While the front of the home showcases a charming picket railing that evokes the essence of Old Florida style, the homeowners were committed to preserving the stunning views from the rear of the house. As a result, the designers opted for sleek glass railings on both the main and upper-level patios, ensuring unobstructed sightlines. In addition to the railings, the designers thoughtfully preserved the existing travertine outdoor flooring, enhancing the space’s elegance. They also refinished the dark wood tongue-and-groove ceiling, adding warmth and character and further contributing to the Florida charm.
Powder Room: “We are obsessed with this space,” Holiday exclaims about the powder bathroom. “We always had this wallpaper earmarked because we love it.” The wife initially hesitated about having the Phillip Jeffries patterned wallpaper in the small room. Still, she appreciated the driftwood-look cabinetry, luxurious plumbing fixtures, rounded corner mirrors, and vintage-inspired lighting. Once the project was completed, the client’s skepticism transformed into delight as she exclaimed, “You were so right. That wallpaper is stunning!” This transformation highlights how thoughtful design can elevate even the smallest spaces, turning them into captivating style showcases.
Pool: The original pool, being in excellent condition, was retained as a centerpiece of the outdoor space. However, the surrounding backyard required thoughtful updates to harmonize with the home’s newly refreshed exterior areas. “We updated and reorganized some of the decking around the pool,” Holiday explains. “We cleaned out a lot of the landscape and replaced it with new, plus added a putting green and fire pit.”
Written by Heather Shoning
Interior Designer:
HSH Collective
5604 Marina Drive, Suite B Holmes Beach, FL 34217 941.718.9178 www.hshcollective.com
Resources:
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery 5521 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34232 941.951.0110 www.build.com/ferguson
Mullet’s Appliances
4233 Clark Road Sarasota, FL 34233 941.921.5531 www.mullets.com
Outdoor Shower: Latessa was tasked with designing an outdoor shower for bathing the couple’s beloved large dogs. “I presented the clients with inspiration images that incorporated a vibrant blue tile, harmonizing with the natural elements — blues, greens, and browns — complemented by beautiful ipe wood,” she explains. The design process took an amusing turn midway through. “We were deep into the planning when I suddenly realized, ‘Wait, should we include a spot for the humans too?’” Latessa recalls. The result is a charming outdoor shower that serves its practical purpose and adds a touch of whimsy and color to the exterior space. It’s a perfect example of how functional design can be beautiful and accommodating, meeting the entire family’s unique needs — furry members included.
Progressive Cabinetry
6404 Manatee Avenue West, Suite N Bradenton, FL 34209 941.866.6975 www.progressive-cabinetry.com
